Becoming Simply Irresistible on LinkedIn

Thursday, February 7th, 2013 at 3:09 pm  
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LinkedIn used to make my skin crawl.

Being on it was like watching paint dry. I know you can relate. :) When you go from a site that is as interactive as Facebook, telling you everybody’s business–what they “like”, when they are actually on the site, who their family members are (remember those days), and everything from what they had for dinner to where they are going on vacation–being on LinkedIn was like….EERRRGGHHH. That was in 2010-2011 for me. 

Today, I LOVE LinkedIn.

It is the largest PROFESSIONAL social media network in the world. I repeat, “PROFESSIONAL” and that is exactly why I enjoy it so much. When I am on Facebook it reminds me of when my friends and I used to walk to the park in our neighborhood on Sundays and everybody used to hang out, playing music, talking, playing basketball, gossiping–doing the things that teenagers love to do. It was fun while it lasted. :) (In regards to business, that’s kind of how I feel about Facebook.)

But, now, being on LinkedIn is like going to an elite, invitation-only networking event.

You can meet some really outstanding people through your own connections or even in the array of professional groups. You can learn about prospects’ expertise and decide whether you might want to contact them regarding a business venture. And now, they have totally changed the look and feel of LinkedIn. I tell ya, it is a remarkable network!

LinkedIn Expert, Donna Serdula on Books That Transform

In 2010, I began studying LinkedIn. Learned a lot about it in a book called Success Secrets of the Social Media Marketing Superstars by Mitch Myerson. I created some videos about it and just kept researching it online. Low and behold! I came across a site called www.linkedin-makeover.com. There I found out that there was this lady who would help you build a LinkedIn profile that actually attracts clients and business connections. Her name was and still is Donna Serdula. donnaserdula Thankfully, Donna put all of her expertise in a book called LinkedIn Makeover and guess what? I am going to talk to her about it on tomorrow, Friday, February 8th at 10:00 a.m. (EST). I have included a sneak preview of some of  the questions that I am going to ask her below. I would love for you to join us.

Donna, since you have helped hundreds of people create a powerful LinkedIn Profile at this point, tell us the story of your most successful LinkedIn Makeover thus far.

Donna, let’s start with the questions that most people listening probably want to know: What is the big deal about LinkedIn? Who should have a profile on this network and why?

 Just this past week, I was informed by LinkedIn that I had just a few more days to accept their offer for the 30-day trial run of any of the paid versions, and once again, I did not take advantage of this offer. Donna, what is the difference between the free and the paid versions and at what point should an entrepreneur invest in the paid version?

 I like how you start your book from the end of the profile and move your way up to the beginning. You say that “when it comes to LinkedIn, the easy stuff is at the bottom of your profile.” So, let’s talk about the easy stuff for a minute. When it comes to the top 3 easy things that people tend to overlook or leave off their profile that could jeopardize their ability to attract that next big client or business partner, what would you say they are?

 Donna, now, it is time for a very deep question: How important is it for an entrepreneur to tweet and to include their Twitter info on LinkedIn?

 Donna, we have got to talk about endorsements versus recommendations. First, tell us the difference between an endorsement which is fairly new on LinkedIn and the old school recommendation. Then, tell us based upon your knowledge and expertise, which carries more weight on your profile and why?

Donna, your book gives us over 100 pages of information about how to create a powerful LinkedIn Profile, so share with us the top 5 things we can do right now that will take our profile over the top and begin to attract our ideal clients or business connections.

 On every show, I like to either use a fictitious character or a real business person to apply the information to a real-world scenario. Today, Christyl Benford has agreed to sit in the hot seat and allow you to look at her profile and give her a quick assessment of some things that would make her profile more magnetic. Would you be willing to give Christyl a mini-consultation right here?

 

Something to Think About

So, is your profile simply irresistible on LinkedIn? Does it attract the kinds of clients or business connections you would like to do business with as it stands, today? If not, you will definitely need to join us as we discuss how to create an irresistible profile on LinkedIn.

LinkedIn-Makeover-BookMore Show Information

To join us live tomorrow, you may call in to 310-742-1751. You can also log in at www.blogtalkradio.com/kelliegardner. If you won’t be able to join us live, you can always listen to the archive on iTunes at www.booksthattransform.com. Click here to learn more about Donna Serdula and the show.

Peace and Blessings,

Are You Weary in Well-Doing?

Sunday, February 3rd, 2013 at 5:00 am  
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Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. Galatians 6:9 NIV

 

This is Black History Month.

It is not the only time that we consider, appreciate, or celebrate the contributions that Black people have made to this country and more importantly, to this world; but, it is the time that we accentuate and concentrate on those contributions.

I am grateful for this time because it allows me to pump my brakes and remember to not forget the sacrifices that were made so that I can experience the lifestyle that I have today.

On Friday night, I watched the NAACP Image Awards and I know I drowned at least 4 tissues in my tears. They were tears of joy as I watched Sidney Poitier, Harry Belafonte, and Vice Admiral Michelle Howard grace the stage–articulate, accomplished people of color who are forerunners in their fields and paved the way for so many.

I marveled at the beauty, sophistication and talent represented in that auditorium and as the cameras panned the room in that moment, I knew that we had not forgotten what it was like to be sheik, cultured, and classy.

As those who had passed in 2012 were remembered, my mind began to wonder. I thought about what it must have been like to walk in their shoes. Had they not walked in their divine personal brand, their images would not have graced the screen. Perhaps, they would have only been known by their family and friends, which is fine, if that is all they were called to do.

But then, my mind drifted to the civil rights movement and then even further back to the depiction of slavery that I’d seen in movies like Roots and Queen. For a moment, my heart was heavy.

I thought about the indignation that we often get to diddle-daddle, tilley-talley, and just play with the time and talent that God has given us. tiredness

We commit for a minute and then we stop. We focus on the vision for a minute and then our vision blurs.

We tire from doing what is right and often become disgusted when our “rightness” is not recognized—whether that is by family, friends, bosses, managers, or even our network in social media.

But, what about those men and women who were never recognized? What about those men and women who bit their tongues when they wanted to go off on a slave master or racist boss? What about those men and women who spoke up and refused to be silenced when they’d resolved that their silence was no longer serving them well?

And, what about those who were the first—first to eat in a restaurant with white men and women, first to go to an integrated school, first to receive an Oscar, first to play professional sports in the major leagues, first to go to an ivy league school, first to be a CEO, first to make a million dollars, first to make a billion dollars, first to travel to outer space, and first to be the President of the United States?

They chose to suffer for their beliefs and their convictions.

They chose to be ridiculed for their uncanny choices.

And ultimately, they chose to not get weary in well-doing.

It suddenly dawned on me why Paul told the Galatians not to tire from doing right.

Doing the right thing is unnatural.

Committing to doing the right thing is just….uncommon.

And yes, in all honesty, making the “right thing” a part of your lifestyle can be exhausting.

It is so much easier to blend-in, to assimilate, to give up and give-in. But, to those of us who persevere in well-doing, Paul declares that in due season, we shall reap, if we don’t give up.

So, this year during Black History Month, I choose to celebrate and to honor the remarkable men and women who sacrificed so much with a pledge to never get weary in well-doing.

Will you join me?

 

 

Peace and Blessings,

Are You Getting Yourself Ready?

Thursday, January 31st, 2013 at 6:30 pm  
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The phone rings….

Brrrrrriiiiiiiinnnnnnngggggg!!!! (Yes, that’s the old school ring.)

You pick it up and then your eyes slowly enlarge to the point where you are sure they will not remain in their sockets.

The caller I.D. says, “El Shaddai.”

You shake your head in an effort to clear your vision and look at the phone again.

The ring becomes louder.

El Shaddai.

There it is, again. Your palms are sweaty and your heart is racing because you know exactly who that is. It is The Almighty, The All Powerful, and Only True God. It is HE who has set aside a people to Himself to represent Him in all the earth. But most importantly, it is your Heavenly Father and you have an idea as to why He is calling.

Like the Prophet Jeremiah, He has given you a specific assignment. He has worked with you on reprogramming your mind, getting your confidence up to par and making sure you are prepared for what He has called you to do.

He has given you instructions on how to “perfect” your skill set and through your conversations with Him, you have been given some invaluable insight.

However, since El Shaddai can see everything, He sees that you have been getting a little off course–participating in activities that are not “bad” per say, but that don’t align with what He has asked you to do.

He notices that you are associating with people who are doing everything possible to discourage you from “pressing towards the mark”, allowing  ”godless chatter”  to cross your earwaves. (2 Tim 2:16)

When it is all said and done, He sees that you are being distracted, extremely distracted from your assignment.

You have to answer. It is El Shaddai. You would never ignore His call.

Okay, okay, okay, you get yourself together, try to clear your throat and….

You: Hellllllllllooooo? (Your voice cracks just a wee bit. You don’t know why you are a little scared but you are.)

El Shaddai: There is no response.

Just when you are about to get up the nerve to say hello again, you hear:

Get yourself ready! Stand up and say to them whatever I command you. Do not be terrified by them, or I will terrify you before them. Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land–against the kings of Judah, its officials, its priests and the people of the land. They will fight against you but will not overcome you, for I am with you and will rescue you….. (Jeremiah 1:17-19)

Dial tone….

Alrighty, no mincing of words there. You got the point and you know the deal. You must get ready and then boldly and confidently follow-through.

Kellie’s Two Cents :)

Actually, you are not called to confront the leaders and people of Judah about their sin. That is what God said to Jeremiah. I just used it for emphasis to show you that when God appoints you to do something, He is very clear about it and He gives you everything that you need to carry it out.

Like Jeremiah, you, too have been called to do something. You have a divine assignment that God has laid out just for you.

The question is: Are you getting yourself ready?

Please watch this video entitled Branded by God: Jeremiah and Your Personal Brand. I hope it will encourage you! Share your thoughts below. :)

 

Branded by God Telestudy

Join us on February 24th at 8:30 p.m. for the very first Branded by God Telestudy where we will discuss the process Jeremiah went through as he walked in his divine personal brand. Click here to register. Click here to download your study sheet so that you can get started studying. Looking forward to hearing from you, learning from you, and being blessed by you. ~ Shalom

Peace and Blessings,

Teach Me, Prophet Jeremiah!

Sunday, January 27th, 2013 at 11:00 pm  
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Have you ever felt like no one really understood what you were going through as one committed to fulfilling God’s divine purpose for your life? 

It is something that most people will never do.

It takes courage, faith, integrity, perseverance, and unbridled focus. It is the road “less traveled” and as a result can sometimes be very lonely.

Don’t get me wrong. yellow flower

The benefits and rewards far outweigh the struggles and you are by no means EVER alone….but there are times when you may feel like you are the only person in the world experiencing the challenges that you face.

Thankfully, there is very credible, very reliable, and very encouraging documentation that proves that you are not the only person who has gone through what you have gone through in the Word of God. There are men and women just like you who made a decision to do what God had called them to do and as a result, their “humanness” was pushed to the limit. They HAD to rely on God. They HAD to trust in God. They had to BELIEVE God.

There is so much to be learned from their challenges and their triumphs.

From time to time in the next few months, I am going to share with you men and women of God from the Bible who committed to walking in their divine personal brand. Hopefully, you will be inspired by the lessons that I am learning as I share them with you.

The Prophet Jeremiah is the focus for this post. There is so much to learn from him.

What Can the Prophet Jeremiah Teach Me About My Divine Purpose?

Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations. Jeremiah 1:5

Imagine that.

Like an inventor, who creates a product or service with a very definitive purpose or intent for its functionality, God knew exactly who Jeremiah would be. He knew how Jeremiah would impact His people for He had a specific assignment for him to carry out. And, it was that assignment that inspired His creative process—a process that resulted in the courageous, faithful, and obedient Prophet Jeremiah.

His process was no different when He created you.

He knew exactly why He was forming you. He knew how you would serve Him and how you would directly influence others.

Jeremiah was a prophet to Judah (which was known as the southern kingdom).

For 40 years he ministered under five of Judah’s kings at a time when the nation was sliding quickly toward destruction.

He was a loner as a result of his obedience & faithfulness to God because he confronted the kings, the false prophets, the people at the temple and at the gates about their sins.

As a result, he was rejected by his neighbors, his family, his friends, and of course by the false priests and false prophets, the people of the land, and the kings.

Although Jeremiah’s message to Judah was not cookies and cream, he boldly proclaimed it.   He walked without apology right into his divine personal brand.

Here are the lessons or encouraging concepts you can learn from his calling:

  1. You were a thought in the mind and heart of God before you were formed in the womb. God already knew all about you—your personality, your idiosyncrasies, your doubts and fears, your gifts and talents.

  2. God will speak to you directly about what He has specifically called you to do.

  3. Your calling will push you out of your comfort zone in some way, shape or form.

  4. God will direct you and give you the words to say when the time comes for you to speak.

  5. God will fill your mind with imagery that you may not understand until he is ready to reveal its meaning to you.

  6. He will protect you and provide a way of escape if a rescue is ever necessary.

  7. God wants you to prepare for your presentation and confidently represent Him. He does not appreciate being poorly represented.

  8. You will have adversaries, critics, antagonists, enemies, whose goal is to bash you, crush you, belittle you, and diffuse your light. But, they will never overcome you because you have the ultimate ally—the Lord God Almighty.

Keep Walking!

It is the beginning of a brand new week and still the beginning of a brand new year! Do not lose heart even if it seems like it is taking forever for your vision to manifest. Remain faithful to what God has called you to do.

Do not look to the left or to the right, but keep looking straight ahead and you know I have to say it….Keep walking in your divine personal brand.

 

 

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Peace and Blessings,
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