How do you use Linkedin to build your Personal Branding?

How do you use Linkedin to build your Personal Branding?

In 1.997 Tom Peters recognized in his article “The brand called you” the importance of the process whereby people and their careers are marketed as brands.

The arising of Internet as a channel to communicate globally, effectively and at very low cost has allowed so much the marketing of the products as that of services, by applying different resources like e-mails, discussion forums, blogs and social networks like Facebook or Linkedin.

The motivations to build your Personal Branding are as diverse as human nature is: The search of recognition; get a better job; make new business or contracts; acquire knowledge or share new experiences, are some significant ones among many others drivers.

I wonder about the increasing number of near to perfection and well polished Linkedin profiles that display outstanding descriptive resources, stunning marketing jargon and personal advertising techniques.

Don’t forget that:
- You are the CEO of yourself!
- You are branded, branded, branded …
- Everyone has a possibility to be a brand worthy of remark

If you agree with these statements, how do you develop your strategy of Personal Branding by using Linkedin?. What are you trying to achieve?

I look forward for your appreciation and thoughts.
Octavio

ANSWER: A LinkedIn Profile brings visibility to the user. And with a great profile and some wonderful third party testimonials, or recommendations, you can move, touch and inspire your connections in a way that builds credibility.

Through LinkedIn Answers, they are also given an opportunity to sample your character and competence. The ultimate strategy is to create VISIBILITY, then develop CREDIBILITY and move your contacts along to PROFITABILITY. Profitability doesn’t always mean money - it could be a third party testimonial; an introductions to someone that you would like to connect with; or a connection with someone who could provide valuable insight and information.

A personal branding strategy of developing visibility, credibility and profitability by networking your personal brand is a great strategy to use on LinkedIn because it widens the scope of connections to do that with.

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– strengthen your personal brand today
“turning social capital & relationship capital into financial capital”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency

new audio posted: networking - who do you need to know?

Click here for the 2 Minute Tip On Networking Who Do You Need To Know?

One of the questions I’m often asked is, WHO DO I need to know? My philosophy has always been that you can learn from everyone - that everyone has a unique set of experiences that are so valuable and would save me tremendous time, headache and heartache if I learn lessons through them. There are two types of people in this world - LEADERS and LINKS. There are people who are leaders in one aspect, or role, in their life and there are those who can LINK you to a leader in one aspect or role that you are interested in.

Yet, sometimes who is a LEADER and who is a LINK is not always easily recognized.

A friend of mine who is involved in a CEO Mastermind Group with me said it best when she said “If all you have is a hammer, everything seems like a nail.”

You network not just for what other people can give you, but for what you can give - when you give you learn and you receive great experiences and lesson. Learn from other people experiences and enjoy the benefit of their life investment when all you need to do is invest a little time to listen and to ask.

AND, in business - it makes tremendous sense, for example - listen in on this question:

Question: What’s a Recruiter and a Realtor have to offer each other by connecting?There are several levels that a recruiter and a Realtor can support each other by connecting:

1. A recruiter will know who the new employees are that are coming into town. Either they helped place them or they were involved somewhere in the job search process. Or, they might just have a great relationship with those in administration who know when they’re bring people in, or opening up a division or brand.
2. A recruiter will also be aware of downsizing and changes in employment.
3. A recruiter is aware of the training trends happening in the companies they work with or connect with. If much training is coming in from out of town, there are times when a company might opt to bring in a trained person or even a department.
4. A realtor will also have the information of companies moving people in and out of the area. They might also be privy to new companies coming in especially if they are working directly with a relocation department or have connections with people involved in relocation.
5. A Realtor has a host of contacts in their sphere of influences - such as a moving company, packing and mailing company, landscapers, painters, floor covering, drapes and miniblinds, etc. who will have connections in residential and commercial real estate.
6. A Realtor will also have an idea of who has been calling into the area asking about housing either from their own contacts, those of their owner/broker, or from their local board of realtors.

The connections would be a good strategic alliance for both. Even through LinkedIn targeting a realtor or recruiter will yield good contacts and provide a good opportunity to see just how amazingly small the world really is.

Hope that help!

Maria Elena Duron

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– strengthen your personal brand today
“turning social capital & relationship capital into financial capital”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency

Google Me! Does Your Name StandOut or are You One of Many?

Do you Google Yourself? This interesting movie “airs today”. Here’s the preview!

And, here’s the whole report about it can be found on CNET here: http://www.news.com/1606-11430-50001950.html

People Are The Brand-

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– grow your personal brand today
“connecting the dots for executives and entrepreneurs to move from frantic pursuit to success and balance by using what makes them best”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency

personal branding magazine sample available now

You get to take a peek because you’re connected! Isn’t that cool?

This issue contains 25 articles, including an exclusive and in-depth interview with Robert McGovern, founder of Jobfox.com and Careerbuilder.com and interviews with some of the new faces of recruitment such as Indeed founder Paul Forster and well-known bloggers, such as Joel Cheeseman. The issue has information and advice on the future of recruitment, which will prove to be significant for human resources, recruiters and job hunters alike.

And, my article, on Visibility, Credibility and Memorability is featured in the SAMPLE along with the full issue which comes out on May 1st, 2008!

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– grow your personal brand today
“connecting the dots for executives and entrepreneurs to move from frantic pursuit to success and balance by using what makes them best”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency

shifting the importance of your online brand

Through my blog, I’ve had a tremendous chance to connect with some great people around the world! First, there was Dan Schawbel, Publisher, Personal Branding Magazine and owner of the extremely content rich blog, PersonalBrandingBlog.com. Then, I met Vikram Rajan, of cogrow.com, visited and commented on my blog and lo’ and behold - we’re both being featured on the sample issue of the May Personal Branding Mag! I’ve connected with Scott Bradley and then I received a series of comments from David Sandusky! Now, David and I have not only dropped comments off to each other - we’ll be doing some pretty cool things together on this Personal Brand Plan forum - Personal Board of Advisors!

These all are connections I would not have made had it not been for having not only a web presence but an active web conversation and web reputation!

Our local newspaper, the Midland Reporter-Telegram, recently ran a Sunday article (yes, I read the paper to see the variety of creativity and diversity in the ads but truly for up to date local and news, I rely on web feeds, on-line venues and television), with the headline that “PERMIAN BASIN EMPLOYERS RARELY GOOGLE”. it went on to report that here, in the heart of oil country, that we do not google people, nor job candidates nor does there seem to be an interest in doing that. Now, I wonder - who was the reporter, Kathleen Thurber, talking to? (And, yes I specifically spelled her name out here in this blog, keeping my fingers crossed that she might have a google alert for her name and MAYBE see this.) Was it your typical newspaper reader? We know the demographics of that dying breed of reader. Where and who was she talking to, I wonder? Because, while we’re in the heart of West Texas we are not in the backwoods and there are plenty here who blog, are active in Facebook, LinkedIn and MySpace. I emailed her and even called and left a message encouraging her to look at the facts and see how that practice is actually expanding and becoming more prevalent in the Basin. But, I never heard from her. Not a peep! I guess if you don’t check your email - you don’t google either - makes sense to me.

I was visiting David Sandusky’s forum where he highlighted this video from SHIFT HAPPENS. You’ve got to see if and if that doesn’t convince you to take your on-line brand and reputation seriously - I don’t know what will!

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– grow your personal brand today
“connecting the dots for executives and entrepreneurs to move from frantic pursuit to success and balance by using what makes them best”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency

new audio posted: networking - plan to be spontaneous

Click here to listen to the latest installment and 2 minute tip on NETWORKING: Engaging Your Personal Brand!

The saying goes ” success happens when opportunity and preparedness meet”. That’s why in your networking, being prepared to answer the question, “what do you do?”, is crucial if you want to give the impression that you’re a professional in your industry.

We know that we’ll be asked that question. At any gathering, be it personal or professional, conversations ensue that are searching for a topic and they usually hover around “what do you do” and small chit-chat about the weather.

Lest you be one of those people who like living in a box (a box that you create for yourself by supplying the wood, nails and even the hammer) then you must be prepared with a great answer to this very spontaneous and extremely common question. Most people, will BOX themselves in with a title 0- “I’m an accountant”; “I’m a widget maker”; “I’m a stay at home mom”, etc. Unfortunately, when we do it then we hand over the impression and rely on the person that we’re speaking to’s experience with that title. If you don’t think that’s true, then imagine we just met and I said “I’m an IRS agent”. Loads of thoughts of “love and admiration” are flowing through you right now, correct?

A 15-30 second speech (remember, first impressions are made in the first 7-15 seconds), is about 60 to 90 words long (no more)! It needs to include your name, possibly company or association, and then how you help people, benefit people or how you make them feel. Steer clear of the title! Listen in for more tips!

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– grow your personal brand today
“connecting the dots for executives and entrepreneurs to move from frantic pursuit to success and balance by using what makes them best”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency

on brand event review: ragin’ cajun 2008

The Special Olympics has their big fundraiser event in our locale - named the Ragin’ Cajun. Volunteer waitstaff serve us crawfish, shrimp, crab legs, corn, and sausage - along with all the fixins’ and trimmings of Cajun cuisine. There’s a live auction and silent auction and loads of fun. This year, Vince Vance and the Valiants entertained the group, while the Knights of Columbus, the Boy Scouts and the Lions cooked.

The ON BRAND EVENT REVIEW looks at the entire event and specifically the venue, food, entertainment, volunteers and sponsors. Were they “on brand”?

First, let’s look at the Special Olympics brand. The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities*, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

The VISION of Special Olympics is unprecedented global movement which, through quality sports training and competition, improves the lives of people with intellectual disabilities and, in turn, the lives of everyone they touch.

* Special Olympics empowers people with intellectual disabilities to realize their full potential and develop their skills through year-round sports training and competition.
* As a result, Special Olympics athletes become fulfilled and productive members of their families and the communities in which they live.
* Special Olympics is an experience that is energizing, healthy, skillful, welcoming and joyful.

So, that’s the “measuring stick” that the event will be measured by.

FOOD: We were served by volunteers and special Olympians alike. They worked side by side, often joking, many times dancing together, along with diligently making sure that all their guest and sponsors were fed quickly that hot, piping, spicy cajun fare!

VENUE: What’s not fun about hanging out at the Commemorative Air Force Hangar? The CAF is a wonderful fun place despite the ocassional scent of gasoline. It was great for a family party so that everyone felt included.

ENTERTAINMENT: Vince Vance and the Valiants gave a stellar performance with loads of family fun - I never saw the dance floor not covered with people (guests, sponsors, special olympians, parents, kids, volunteers, everyone!) The only downside for the entire event was the “sound guy” was really having some troubles and sometimes you just couldn’t hear the band, you couldn’t hear Vince, you couldn’t hear the Valiants or you just heard the guitar blaring louder than anything else. Bummer, because it was a STELLAR SHOW! The kids and families were laughing and enjoying the show - when they could hear it. Unfortunately, the guy running from the stage to the sound area looked like a man with a purpose - just couldn’t find the connection or the solution he was seeking but the OTHER GUY - the guy at the sound deck, he looked like he just had given up and was going to stare at the unit in puzzlement. It’s a stark contrast when you see someone moving with purpose and urgency and the other person just dumbfounded. The show would be a PERFECT plus - had it not been for sound - even so, we just moved closer to the stage and didn’t miss a beat!

The auctions were great and hopefully garnered much money for the event. I have to say I’m not a fan of auctioning live animals - just because you never know if you get them off to a good family. There, they were a little off brand in that they do place into their vision that is must be welcoming and joyful - and how can you guarantee that for a live animal. They’re cute alright but then I feel I must rescue each and everyone because…you never know!

VOLUNTEERS: They rocked!! What could I say - from dancing, to true joy and a wonderful welcoming spirit - they dished out and took everything from spills to emergencies!

SPONSORS; They rocked and most remembered the purpose of the event. Did have the displeasure of having a rather uppity women with a white jacket pass by making loud comments to the effect that “for $2,500 dollars you think they would give us a table and show us to it.” When she finally found her table, on her own (poor thing!), then she was happy and joyfilled to be helping the Special Olympics (remember the purpose!) But, who can control those things?

All in all - 5 BUZZ POINTS to the SPECIAL OLYMPICS RAGIN’ CAJUN - an truly awesome event that capture their vision and lived up to their mission!

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– grow your personal brand today
“connecting the dots for executives and entrepreneurs to move from frantic pursuit to success and balance by using what makes them best”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency

brand engagement: getting emails and voicemails returned

Q - Why do people delete voicemail and email without hearing or reading it? How do you get them to read emails that would be of great value to them? - Allan

A. Thanks for your question, Allan. I believe if there’s no relationship there, no value to the recipient, then yes your voicemail and email will be deleted.

If the person that you left the voicemail for or email for doesn’t know you, then you will be deleted - just consider that a “given”.

Now, even if they know who you are, ask yourself - does your message do anything that gives them a sample of your character and competence? Does it follow the rules of engagement outlined by Dale Carnegie’s classic business ‘how to” - HOW TO WIN FRIENDS AND INFLUENCE PEOPLE?

If it’s not a “friendly” message, that focuses on something that is of importance and value to them (not WHAT YOU THINK is of importance of value to them — how do you feel when someone speaks for you? Assumes they know you?) you’ll be deleted.

Since you’re initiating the contact, then it is your responsibility to connect the dots on how you know each other — “we met the other night at the chamber mixer and you shared that your son is graduating” - give them some clues on how you have already connected. In our time deprived society, we are all living in fast forward and are challenged by contacts who aren’t cognizant of the fact that when they call or email our mind and our life are in a totally different place then where they are. In the mind of the person making the contact, since they are in the “follow-up” zone, they mentally and emotionally “just left” the conversation or last contact you had with your intended recipient. Yet, that person you are making contact with is somewhere else — it’s your job to bring that back to the place and the point of contact or the last conversation. Even when I send an email, I place in the “subject area” something that will trigger their memory so they will realize that we indeed know each other. If it’s a totally new contact, I even ask the meeting planner or the person who introduced us to generate the email and let them know that I’ll be contacting them via email so they’ll be on the lookout for my email and even rescue me from the spam filer or I’ll send a handwritten note with 2-3 sentences thanking them for the connection and letting them know that I’ll be in contact via email. People read handwritten notes - they don’t discard those.

Lastly, make sure you message has value and a call to action. It is futile to leave a message like “this is Richard, call me”. With a message like that, there’s no information there, there’s no call to action, there’s no reason why it should be placed on the top of the “to be called” pile. Many times we consider leaving voicemails for each other to be just like having “valid conversations”, so make them good ones, worthwhile, memorable, with a “here’s what to do next”.

People Are The Brand-

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– grow your personal brand today
“connecting the dots for executives and entrepreneurs to move from frantic pursuit to success and balance by using what makes them best”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency

new audio posted: Who do you need to know, part 1

Click here to the 2-minute recap from the Business Coaching Tip on CBS7 - Who Do You Need To Know?

Networking is one of those weird practices that people are great about when they’re “hungry” and horrible about when they’re not. We see it happening in our community. While the rest of the nation is experiencing a recession, we live in a petroleum based community that’s unemployment rate is less that 2.6%. Restaurants are cropping us staffed by people from far away communities who are “commuting” to staff us or are residents of the local hotels.

Yet, networking, like the saying goes is just like a “well” - which you must dig before it’s empty. The worse time to network is when you’re HUNGRY. You smell of commission breath and the “need” almost overwhelms any connection or conversation you have.

A diligent, consistent strategy is necessary to build a strong foundational network. The first group in your social portfolio is those who can keep you INFORMED. You are seeking to make connections with those who are on the cutting edge of your industry, community or client community. This could be the following:

• Those who have held the same position you hold now
• Those who do what you do and are at the same ambition level or above
• Those who write policy or enforce policies in your industry
• Authors and trainers in your industry
• Those who have a leadership position in your industry based organization
• Those involved in organizations where the majority of your clients spend time or belong
• Consultants to your industry

Keep in mind - it’s not just who you know - it who knows YOU well.

People Are The Brand-

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– grow your personal brand today
“connecting the dots for executives and entrepreneurs to move from frantic pursuit to success and balance by using what makes them best”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency

how to make a good connection: referral, lead, contact

Just tell them that I sent you.

Or, just use my name they’ll let you in.

Those phrases are often the “advice” that’s given when you ask someone “do you know so and so?”. Or, I know you’re connected to “so and so - could you help me make contact.”

Now, understand, for someone to make a really good connection for you, you must be in relationship with them. If you are meeting someone for the first time and asking these types of questions, it’s like asking someone to get married on the first date! You come across as someone with “commission breath” and they steer clear of you anytime they see you. Yes, it doesn’t even have to be at a networking event or business function, they will duck and cover from you even at the grocery store.

ONCE YOU HAVE a great relationship established, and there are some key things you need to know and key questions you need to ask to establish if this is a great relationship. If you want to know what those are, then consider attending a teleseminar I’m doing on “Mastering the Referral Edge”.

ONCE YOU HAVE those established, here’s how to make a good connection:

1. Send their business card to your contact in a letter with your envelope and business letterhead. Your contact is likely to recognize and open information sent from a friend as opposed to a stranger. Make references in your note that you would like to connect the two of you. Any promotional statements or recommendations you can make in the letter are equally helpful.

2. Make the call to your contact and let them know that you shared (or would like to share) their contact information with this person and WHY. This act alone shows that you’re a good steward of your relationships (and most importantly of your contact’s trust) and that you wouldn’t just send ANYBODY over to them.

3. Set up a one on one meeting between the two. You are involved from the stand point of facilitating the meeting. Set the tone. Make sure that no one gets too “salesy” or “pushy”. Set the parameters and be the guardian of those guidelines. You’ll look good to your contact and the person you’re introducing them to.

There are more - yet these are the top three. Get into practice with utilizing them and see your connections blossom!

People Are The Brand -

Maria Elena Duron - click my name to Google Me!
Buzz To Bucks Connections– grow your personal brand today
“connecting the dots for executives and entrepreneurs to move from frantic pursuit to success and balance by using what makes them best”
www.buzz2bucks.com Buzz To Bucks Connections |a personal branding agency