Free takeaway: Personal communication tracker

Worked example to compare with: Scoring yourself on the three factors

• Skills: 4 out of 5. I can write, use analytics and run a basic campaign.
• Experience: 2 out of 5. Only class projects so far.
• Relationships: 1 out of 5. I know no one who works in marketing.
• Lowest score: relationships, then experience.
• Plan this month: message three people for advice, and apply for an apprenticeship to build experience. Re-score in four weeks.

Worked example to compare with: Turning a wish into a plan

• Wish: "Get into marketing."
• Goal: "Start a paid or unpaid marketing apprenticeship by 30 September."
• Milestones: month 1, finish two courses and build a portfolio piece. Month 2, send 20 applications and hold 6 conversations. Month 3, interview and decide.
• Weekly actions: 5 applications, 2 conversations, one lesson.
• Check: each Friday, mark done or not done and adjust the next week.

Worked example to compare with: Building a proof list

• Starting point: five items. Two finished courses, one class report, one volunteer newsletter, one portfolio piece.
• Habit: add one item each week.
• Use: when fear shows up before an application, read the list, then send the application.
• Result to look for: a longer list each month and less hesitation.
• Check: if you cannot think of ten items, create two small projects this month.

Worked example to compare with: Finding the evidence

• Limiting story: "I am too old to start."
• Evidence against: ten years in customer service, strong writing skills, two finished marketing courses.
• Rewritten story: "I bring real customer insight to marketing and I am building the technical skills."
• Interview line: "I spent ten years solving customer problems, and now I want to help businesses understand them."
• Check: say it aloud. Does it sound true and confident?

Worked example to compare with: Preparing for a client presentation

• Success: the client approves the plan and books a follow-up.
• Obstacles: they ask about cost, they question the timeline, the screen share fails.
• Responses: have a one-page cost summary, a simple timeline, and a PDF backup of the slides.
• Rehearsal: present to a friend in under ten minutes and ask for the hardest question.
• Result to look for: you stay calm because you have already thought through the problems.

Worked example to compare with: A +1 week

• Monday check-in: bring a one-page summary of last week and two ideas for this week.
• Wednesday: share an article that answers a question your mentor raised.
• Friday: send a short note on what you finished and what you need next.
• Result to look for: your mentor spends the meeting deciding rather than catching up.
• Check: log what you did in your communication tracker.

Worked example to compare with: Rewriting three lines

• Before: "Helped with social media." After: "Wrote and scheduled 12 posts that raised event sign-ups."
• Before: "Worked in the cafe." After: "Served up to 80 customers a shift and trained two new staff."
• Before: "Group project on marketing." After: "Led a four-person team to build a campaign plan, presented to the class and earned top marks."
• Check: each line should answer "so what?" in the reader's mind.

Worked example to compare with: Building a beginner portfolio

• Project 1: a content calendar from a course task.
• Project 2: a landing page rewrite for a local shop, with before and after screenshots.
• Project 3: a short report from an apprenticeship, with the numbers hidden if needed.
• Layout: one page, three projects, each with goal, actions and result, plus a contact button.
• Check: send the link to a friend and ask what they think you can do. If they cannot say, simplify.

Worked example to compare with: A cover letter in four short paragraphs

• Paragraph 1: why this company and this role, with one specific detail.
• Paragraph 2: one strength connected to something they need.
• Paragraph 3: a short example with a result.
• Paragraph 4: a clear next step. "I would welcome a short call to discuss how I can help."
• Check: keep it under one page and remove every sentence that could be sent to any employer.

Worked example to compare with: A tailored application in 30 minutes

• Step 1: pick roles where you meet most requirements.
• Step 2: change your resume headline to match the role.
• Step 3: write two opening sentences about the company.
• Step 4: apply, then add the follow-up date to your tracker.
• Result to look for: ten tailored applications beat forty identical ones.

Worked example to compare with: Answering "Tell me about a challenge"

• Situation: "Our club newsletter had low open rates."
• Action: "I tested two subject lines and moved the signup button higher in the email."
• Result: "Open rates rose and we added 40 new subscribers in a month."
• Close: "I learned to test small changes before guessing."
• Check: keep each story under two minutes and practice it aloud twice.

Worked example to compare with: The first call

• Questions to ask: what does success look like in three months? How often should we check in? Where do you want updates? Who do I go to if I am stuck?
• Agreements to write down: three goals, a weekly 20-minute check-in, a shared folder and response times.
• First task: a small one with a clear deadline.
• Result to look for: by the end of week one, both of you know what good looks like.

Worked example to compare with: Staying in touch after the apprenticeship

• Month 1: a thank-you note naming something specific they taught you.
• Month 3: a short update with one result you achieved using their advice.
• Month 6: share an article you thought they would like.
• Result to look for: when they hear about an opening, you are the first person they think of.
• Check: put the three dates in your calendar before the apprenticeship ends.

Worked example to compare with: Writing the summary

• Summary: published all 12 posts, launched the signup pop-up two weeks late and replied to every review within a day.
• Learning: the signup pop-up added most subscribers in its first week, so we should place it earlier next month.
• Next month: three priorities and one thing I need from my mentor.
• Result to look for: a report your mentor can read in two minutes and reply to with feedback.

Worked example to compare with: A reference request

• Message: "Thank you for three great months. I learned how to run a monthly report and how to write for your customers. Could you write a short recommendation about my work? Here are three results I achieved, in case they help."
• Include: the three results with numbers.
• Follow up: thank them when it is posted.
• Result to look for: a recommendation that names specific results.