LinkedIn and Women: Do We Use It Differently? Should We Be? #IWD2018

Oh.... My ... God!

Seriously, it’s a year later and I feel like professional women are still fighting the uphill battle from my last article on this topic. And not to get political, but…

It feels to me like we have fewer role models. Less power. Lower wages. And higher walls to climb. But you know what? We are women and we can deal with it! So ladies, it is time for us to step up! And it is time to lift each other up too.

It is time for us to stop being so concerned about what others think.

It’s time for us to get over ourselves, our bad hair days, and our imposter syndromes.

If we can’t stand up for ourselves and represent ourselves in the best possible way in real life and online, then why in the WORLD would anyone else hold us up?

#IWD2018

Here are some things I hear every day (from women in my network) that make me want to stamp my feet and throw my hands up in the air and throw the proverbial hissy fit that we are sometimes accused of:

·     “I couldn’t possibly talk about my successes (on my LinkedIn Profile.) That would be bragging.”

·     “I know I need a new sizzle reel for my Speaker’s page, but I look so fat.”

·     “I can’t afford to….”

·     “I know my picture is out of date, but I looked so much better then.”

·     “I know I’m never going to get the promotion I need at my company, but I need the insurance.”

·     “I’m not qualified to do…..”

(By the way – this tends to go for Canadians and Scandinavians too)

Brag Already!

While it’s always better to have someone brag about you (Testimonials, Recommendations, Endorsements.) sometimes we have to prime the pump by letting people know about our successes. I’m a fan of sharing success stories on the Summary section of LinkedIn. You can share your successes on your Website, LinkedIn, Facebook Bios, About.me website. Qualify them with some statistics if you need to, but get those “wins” out there for everyone to see!

I’m Too Fat

You look fat, I look fat – heck – Angelina Jolie probably thinks she looks fat. Who cares? Maybe some idiot doesn’t hire you because they don’t like the way you look. Whatever. Their loss. But no one is likely to hire you (especially if you are a speaker or Influencer) if you don’t have a video of yourself in action added to your Summary and/or Experience section.

Video should not just be limited to speaking and entertainment professionals. Native video is REALLY powerful on LinkedIn right now. Think about ways you can use it:

?? An interview

?? A product demonstration

?? Tips and tricks

?? Slice of a webinar

?? Share your opinion

?? A Testimonial

?? Talk about a trending topic - (say #IWD2018)

… there are many ways to use the “new” LinkedIn Native video feature (find out more at www.LIVideoTips.com.)

I can’t afford to…

Oh my God! If you don’t invest in yourself, who will? Get a VA to take care of the mundane stuff so that you can really shine. Hire that company to do your speaker’s reel. Get a professional photographer and website designer. Hire that coach, private chef or personal trainer. Invest in yourself already!

The 1980’s

NOBODY looked better in the 80’s. Age gracefully and get a recent picture on your website and social channels. 

If you use LinkedIn, make sure your image reflects you in the business world. Especially if you are doing Video. There’s no greater disconnect than having a picture of yourself from 20 years, (14 pounds, a pair of glasses and many more hair follicles) ago that looks COMPLETELY different from the video you just uploaded.

This is me in 1982. Yeah, I was cute and color blocking is back in style. But would you recognize me at a conference from this pic?

I Need the Insurance

This is a hard one. If you are the main breadwinner – or the main insurance winner, it’s hard to give up that stability in order to change jobs or careers to do something you really want to do. For a while you might have to work at two jobs – the boring one that pays your Retirement, and that dream business you have wanted to create. Many an entrepreneur has worked their day job and created their new business in the evenings and weekends. Yup, your husband might need to do the laundry and the dishes for a while… he can learn.

Or if you want a new job, use LinkedIn (and your connections) to look for a new position. (Have you checked out LinkedIn Jobs lately?)

I’m Not Qualified…

Was I qualified to be the LinkedIn Expert when I started? Heck no! But the name was available so I took it. (And have spent the last 13 years proving it to be true!!!!)

So first of all, be clear on what you want and do everything you can to achieve expertise in that area. There are a ton of free resources online and you can’t beat LinkedIn Learning to develop or improve your skills in just about anything.

No more excuses.

Claim your expertise

Claim your brand

Claim your career

Claim your success!

This is the year for you to be the woman you were born to be!

Who is Viveka?

Viveka von Rosen is a Cofounder and Chief Visibility Officer at Vengreso, the largest provider of full-spectrum digital sales transformation solutions. 

Known as the @LinkedInExpert, she’s the author of the best-selling LinkedIn Marketing: An Hour a Day & LinkedIn: 101 Ways to Rock Your Personal Brand

She has also created 4 courses for Lynda.com / #LinkedInLearning and is a contributing expert to LinkedIn’s official Sales and Marketing blogs and their “Sophisticated Marketer’s” Guides, and is often called on to contribute to publications like Fast Company, Forbes, Money, Selling Power, Entrepreneur, Social Media Examiner, etc.  

Viveka takes the LinkedIn and social selling experience over the past 12 years and transforms it into engaging and informational digital sales strategies, tactics, and tools including personal branding, social selling training, and content for sales.

To find out more, check out her Vengreso page here: https://vengreso.com/our-team/viveka-von-rosen