How to ACE Communicating About Your Message Of Professional Value

When you talk about yourself in a professional situation, do you feel that people are hitting the snooze button? 

When someone at an interview says, "Tell me about yourself", do you wish you could kick things off in an impressive, memorable way?

Then you are in the right place. I geek out about developing ways to fix these communication problems, especially for women rising up in the workforce. 

I know how nerve-wrecking and overwhelming it is to prepare and get through an interview or record an introduction video about ourselves. This becomes double the challenge for those of us more socially anxious, sensitive/empathic, or introverted types. 

I often see inaccurate, damaging guidance of how we are suppose to show up when presenting ourselves. Much of it encourages saying or doing things that don't feel like the real us. Fortunately, many companies and self-employed people are realizing that holding back who we truly in an interview leads to disaster in the long term.

Sharing only one dimension of ourselves or leaving out too much about what we value hinders how we represent ourselves. It also won't get us remembered and allow us to attract work we deeply enjoy. Instead, keep this "ACE" strategy and infographic up your sleeve (or on your smart phone) for next time you want to engage others in what you offer. 

For more specific tips about how to put these elements in the infographic together to upgrade your message of professional value, you will want to read the full blog post about it.

Get ready to ACE your LinkedIn Cover Story!

Did you know you can start practicing the ACE strategy right away by creating your LinkedIn cover story?

The platform released a new feature where most members can post a 30 second video introduction on your profile, also called a cover story. The potential of this new way we can share about our professional value to anyone visiting our LinkedIn profile is exciting. 

Although, I realize that for many, including myself, posting a brief video where we talk about what we offer to the workforce on our profile is an intimidating task. During a recent conversation with a fabulous colleague, Cathy Francois, we decided to challenge ourselves to get our LinkedIn cover story created, recorded, and posted by the end of June.

Our energizing conversation also made me curious.

Had others in my network done their LinkedIn cover story yet? If so, what could I learn from their examples? If not, what might be holding them back?

"When we choose to courageously not blend in and instead unveil what is unique about ourselves, we become stronger magnets for professional opportunities that fit better and feel good." Shea Ki, Creator of Upgrade My Interview Method

So far, I have discovered that the majority have yet to use the LinkedIn cover story feature. There seem to be two main reasons why:

1) Many simply don't know about it yet. It has been a fun time it sharing the new feature with them as they see the incredible possibilities of it as well. Several have joined in the LinkedIn #coverstorychallege with me and Cathy (see details how you can join below). 

OR

2) Similar to myself, they know about it but have not put one together yet and the reasons vary. Although, many are sharing that they just aren't sure yet what message to say, which I can totally understand!

When I am holding back from doing something new that is outside of my comfort zone, I have learned it helps to have accountability and examples to look at to inspire my own ideas. 

I am going to make sure you get both right now. 

ACCOUNTABILITY

Simply start following the #coverstorychallenge hashtag on LinkedIn and let me know you are stepping up for the challenge! So far, fantastic professionals including Palak Narang, Alison Bucklin, Philip Wilkerson III, Sabrina Woods, and more have joined me and Cathy.

??We welcome more. 

??DM me or follow #coverstorychallenge on LinkedIn to join in!

This is a positive, supportive way to challenge each other to get our cover story (30 second intro video on our LinkedIn profile), recorded, and posted by June 28th, 2021. 

I can't wait to share all the creative tips and thoughtful guidance we all learn about when using the new feature. I will post an article that includes everyone who wants to share that information after the #coverstorychallenge is over. 

AMAZING EXAMPLES

Below are some of my favorite examples SO FAR of professionals using the LinkedIn cover story feature. When you visit their profiles, you will usually see their picture instantly change to moving video. Even if you don't see that happening, click on their profile picture. If they have a cover story/introduction recorded, it will play.

Go on a fun journey right now and check out the profiles below. Notice how each person uses many elements of the ACE strategy to communicate their professional value in a memorable, engaging way. 

?In this first example, Jenn keeps it simple yet powerful. I love that her LinkedIn cover story video also includes clear calls to action so her work can impact more people. 

?This next example by Jane shows you how to communicate with confidence and clarity. You can sense she loves her work and helping others when you watch her LinkedIn cover story. 

?David hits all the elements of the A.C.E. strategy and takes it up several notches by sharing his adventurous spirit and captioning his cover story, doesn't he? 

?And here is one more to get your creative juices flowing. Jessi aligns her cover story wonderfully with one of her top gifts she shares with the workforce weekly, her podcast Hello Monday. 

I hope you take the time to visit these profiles to see the incredible, professional value each person offers. Watching their cover stories has inspired me to come up with ideas for mine.

This endeavor also has put me on the search for how people are using it. What about professionals who want to be seen and employed by corporations, organizations, government and other businesses, rather than stay self-employed or keep working for LinkedIn? As diverse examples increase of how to use the new feature, it is likely many more people who are actively looking to switch careers or be employed at a different opportunity will create a cover story and keep it updated.

After I get mine posted during the #coverstorychallenge, helping others learn how to create an engaging video for their own will become a common project with those I coach. I love how technology is continuing to challenge us all to evolve how we communicate about our professional value.

??Here's to gently stretching outside our comfort zones and supporting each other to A.C.E our LinkedIn cover stories!

Your turn: How will you use the ACE strategy to create your 30 second LinkedIn cover story on your profile? Do you also plan to use it to upgrade your introduction at an interview when you hear, "Tell me about yourself?"

?? If you think your LinkedIn cover story is Authentic, Captivating, and Effective, DM me or tell me in the comments below to check it out. It would be fun to see it and possibly add your tip about creating them to my next blog post and upcoming article on LinkedIn. 

As always, count me in your corner to help you shine in the hot seat.