The Brand of You
November 17, 2016
As professional women, we often get so wrapped up in the business of doing business that we get too busy to take a look at how we are presenting ourselves to our professional network. While we can be masters at networking or closing a deal, one of our biggest tools and ‘brands’ we can use, is our digital presence.
At one of London, Ontario’s newest landmark gems, The London Roundhouse, Women in Communications and Technology — London chapter, presented The Brand of You.
It was an evening of professional updating advice, sharing stories and support, and encouragement to push through our own, sometimes self-limiting, reflections.
The night began with stylist Susan Jacobs of Personal Style Image and Wardrobe Consulting with a session on investing in accessories and how that investment can extend one’s current wardrobe. She said we should have at least one ‘statement’ necklace; she showed how different colours and hues can completely change a ‘look’; she told us an outfit comes with three pieces and that can be a top, bottom and a necklace or several combinations, but the magic number is three.
Jacobs then ‘dressed’ each participant with accessories she’d brought for the professional headshot photo shoot with Eileen McCammon of BeanBot Photography. McCammon made the experience a painless one. She helped each person with a number of poses with a few different backdrops. She had an uncanny knack of helping each person relax. She also made choosing a favourite image convenient by providing access to an online gallery where we could each choose a favourite. She was extremely well organized which made what can often be an uncomfortable experience, effortless and fun.
Finally, sometimes it takes a professional to allow us an in-depth look at whether our LinkedIn profile is providing us the personal branding that it could. Board member and social media professional, Karen Schulman Dupuis gave each participant an intimate analysis of her profile with kudos as well as areas of improvement.
Finally, sometimes it takes a professional to allow us an in-depth look at whether our LinkedIn profile is providing us the personal branding that it could. Board member and social media professional, Karen Schulman Dupuis gave each participant an intimate analysis of her profile with kudos as well as areas of improvement.
Each participant’s advice was personal but Schulman Dupuis looks at these three high level areas with each analysis:
1) LinkedIn is all about YOU, not your employer. Forget the humble brag, do the bragging full-on. If you can’t applaud yourself and your accomplishments here, where else can you do it? LinkedIn is where the brand of you matters most.
2. Make your headline about you. Not “your title”. That’s not who you are, it’s what you currently do. So, put some thought into it; who are you, really. Say it, no matter what it is, proudly.
3. Your summary should be: a) never be written in the third person; b) show your personality and c) don’t try to be all things to all people; don’t forget that you have choices in life about where you work, and who you work with.
Because there was time in between each of the ‘personal branding’ stations, the networking at this event was outstanding. Sharing challenges and times of transition is a bonding experience for many of us. It’s important to know that others have walked that road and that there are allies along that road if you reach out.
Everyone walked away with a better understanding of how better to represent themselves, both in real life, and in the digital space.
