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I have moved my blog to my website www.angelalieb.com/blog - please go there to follow my blog.  Thanks and have a great New Year!

Angela

Update your LinkedIn Profile - Take Action #33, By: Angela Lieb

Are you a professional that needs to make connections? OR someone looking for a job? OR are you someone who wants to be “found” on Google for a new project OR interviewed by the media?  Then if you are not on LinkedIn and/or have a current profile, you are doing yourself a huge disservice.  I am not a LinkedIn sales rep or advertiser or anything connected to them – I just happen to be a big advocate since I got my latest job (now 2 years) from someone who found me on LinkedIn.  Here are some statistics taken from the LinkedIn site:

• LinkedIn has over 85 million members in over 200 countries. 
• A new member joins LinkedIn approximately every second, and about half of our members are outside the U.S.  
• Executives from all Fortune 500 companies are LinkedIn members.

Better yet, the Social Media Revolution video sites that 80% of companies use social media for recruitment; 95% of these are using LinkedIn and half of the members are decision makers!

Having a complete profile with your resume, photo, recommendations and contacts is key to being found on Google and within LinkedIn, if a prospective employer or potential client is looking for you.  For example, if you sell insurance or real estate or software, make sure you have what you do written in both your current title,  past job titles and within the content of your bio. 

We are no longer in a world where we send out cover letters and resumes, we are in a world where current jobs aren’t even posted most of the time because HR departments are approaching talent directly.  To their advantage, they can find out more information than you sometimes want because of the information available on the web.

If I were a media professional wanting to do an interview with someone who sells widgets in my town, I would start with LinkedIn.  Once I found someone who sells widgets, I would then Google that person to see what they have accomplished; have they written articles, do they have a Facebook account, did they receive an award?

Here is a great article on How to Create a strong LinkedIn Profile

If you are getting ready to graduate or you are a recent graduate, here’s an article on How to Use LinkedIn after you get the degree. 

Whether you are in sales, networking, building a business or looking for a job, Take Action by either creating a LinkedIn profile or refreshing your current profile.

Angela

Take Action #32: Maximize your Facebook Profile - BY: Angela Lieb

Facebook has become a phenomenon over the last few years.  Launched in 2004 with 5,000 students, it has grown to over 550 million worldwide users as of the date of this post.  Users include everyone from young teenagers to grandmas, entrepreneurs and celebreties.  People use Facebook for different reasons.  Some use it as a master networking tool, others use it to catch up with past friends and others use it for a very select group of friends and family.

Today we are talking about how to Take action by maximizing your Facebook profile and a few tips on how to use Facebook for your business. 

I am assuming that if you are reading this blog, you have a Facebook account.   Keep in mind that you don’t want to post too much business info on your personal page, but there are some subtle things you can do to let people know what you do.  If you really want to promote your business, then I would suggest creating a fan page for your business.

11 Ways to Maximize your Facebook Profile

1.      Get rid of all the annoying applications (blocking things like Mafia Wars, Farmville, Hugs, Kisses, etc)

2.      Create lists – this allows you to read posts by groups (like family, work, high school) and you can set your privacy settings to only let certain lists see certain posts and pictures

3.      Create a Fan Page – I will create a how-to blog/video in a future post

4.      Accept “most” invites – again this helps if you have lists

5.      Post valuable comments on other profiles - this draws people to your profile

6.      Check out the local events

7.      Send private messages rather than posts – see how-to on this

8.      Have a mix of personal and business posts

9.      Post opened ended questions  - this solicits feedback

10.   Upload media- videos, links, pictures

11.   Link your FB profile to your other media – e-mail signature, website, business cards, blogs, videos

If you have any questions or need more help, just send me an e-mail and check back often to 111 Ways to Take Action for future how-to’s for Social Media.

Take Action by ramping up your social media.

Invite someone to dinner – Take Action #31 - By: Angela Lieb

As the holidays approach, this is usually the time that we invite friends and family over for dinner or a bonfire or a cocktail party.   I do realize that being a host or hostess is not a natural gift for many people.  You will notice there are certain people who always seem to be the hosts.  I think what holds some people back is that they think their house is too small or that they would have to repaint and clean the house in order to have a party.   There have actually been times that I decided to host a shower or Tupperware party because I KNEW that it would force me to deep clean the house and paint the dining room.  So sometimes it is just the motivation we need to finish the project.

Today’s Take Action idea is not only to invite someone over for dinner, but invite someone you would not otherwise invite.  For example, every Thanksgiving we usually invite people that might not have anywhere else to go.  This has included homeless children, friends whose family doesn’t live here or kids’ friends from college who didn’t make it back to their home town.  OR – maybe this is the time to invite the couple that sits on the sidelines as you watch your kid’s games.  You enjoy their company on the side lines; why not invite them to dinner?

Step outside your comfort zone and welcome someone you would not normally invite into your home.

Take Action #30: Send out Holiday Cards by: Angela Lieb

This is one of those chores that I look at each year and wonder if I really need to do this.  It can be time consuming and do people really care?   It is certainly fun to receive cards from friends and family and to see how their families are growing and the changes going on in their life.  Mst years I have forced myself to send the cards out.  If anything, it is the one time during the year that you can reach out and let folks know you are thinking about them.  A note on Facebook is always nice, but getting a card in the mail is fun! 

I have found the easiest way to send a card and also include a photo is to take your own digital photo of the family, dog, the house – whatever you want and then upload the picture to Walgreens photo center online.  You can then pick the type of photo card you want, create a message and signature and tell them to print 25, 50, etc.  You create it online and pay for it online.  In years past I have had to go back and reprint and it took just minutes.  The photo cards are usually available the same day and they are very cost effective.

Of course the next step is making sure you have the addresses.  Each year I save the envelopes from those that sent cards and enter the addresses into my database so I am sure that I send a card to those who sent me one.  It seems it is harder now to keep track of addresses because we spend so much time connecting online rather than through traditional mail.  Ideally you are collecting and updating your address book or spreadsheet throughout the year.  Also, there is nothing better than a handwritten address on the envelope rather than a printed envelope.  It just makes it more personal and it feels better to get a handwritten card.  The dentist sends out cards with pre-printed labels.  Which card would you want to open first – the typed or the hand-written?

Whatever you do, do NOT send out an e-greeting in lieu of a real card for friends, family and clients.  It is fine if you want to send an e-greeting to your newsletter subscribers or prospects, but it would be ideal if you could send a real card to those important contacts.  Also, some of the e-newsletters go into spam.  A card with a real stamp is sure to get to them and make an impression.

Take Action by sending out your holiday cards!

Create Your Perfect Job Description - Take Action #29

Throughout the years, friends and clients have asked about helping them find a job or get out of a job or they were in transition and just didn’t know if what they wanted was out there.  Some were small business owners that were not thriving and thought they should get a “real” job but didn’t want to be confined to an 8-5 routine.

Every time, I would tell them to create their perfect job description.  It might help to first take the Strength Finders test through the book Now Discover Your Strengths which I have mentioned in a previous post.  Once you get confirmation on what your natural strengths are, that will help guide the direction of your perfect job.

In this description, you would write down everything you want including answers to these questions:

·        How many hours you want to work

·        Is the job at a traditional office, on the road, working from home or a combination of all?

·        What are the ideal salary, vacation and benefits?

·        What are your primary duties?

·        What type of industry?

·        Based on your strengths, is the job analytical, creative, involve networking or researching?

·        What types of people work at the company?

·        Is this a private or public company?

·        Is this a family-owned company or other small business?

Once you have defined your perfect job, start sharing it with others.  One of the biggest mistakes we make when looking for a new opportunity is we forget to tell our friends and colleagues what we are looking for so that they can help us.  If you tell someone you are looking for a job, they may assume that you want something in your same profession or they may not understand what pay level or management level you have been working.

The next step is to use social networking sites like LinkedIn to see if there are any jobs posted at companies where you have a contact or where you are only 1-2 degrees away and you can ask for an introduction.  With Google and Social Media, it seems that resumes are secondary.  So make sure that your Facebook account has privacy settings in place so that only certain people can see your beer bash pictures. See a future Take Action idea about getting your Social Media profiles set up properly.

As you find opportunities, you can see how closely they match your dream job and either go for it or pass.  This exercise if much more fun of course if you are not desperate to find a job.  When we are desperate, we tend to not be as picky and will interview for just about anything.  Your dream job is possible.  Start thinking about it while you have a job.  You never know what opportunities are out there.  The last 2 corporate jobs I had were “manifested” by me – meaning I imagined what would work best for my personality and wala! They appeared.  For example, in my current position I work from home and travel a couple days a week for day trips.  When I travel I usually don’t have to leave until the kids are at school and get home most nights by dinner.  On the days I am home, I can be in jeans and take off at 10 am to go exercise.  I can also update emails, prepare for presentations and conduct training at hours that suit me.  For example, if I need to take a kid to the doctor during the middle of the day, I can make up that time in the evening since most of my work is e-mail and business planning.  If there is an area that I have a certain interest in (i.e. social media), I have the freedom to research that and bring back my findings to my colleagues and clients. As long as I get my work done and I over-deliver, my boss is happy and so am I. 

I have been able to create this work style for the last 10 years – whether I was working for a company or working for myself.  I HAVE to work like this because I am extremely social.  When I am in an office environment with people – I get nothing done.  I still need to be energized by people which I get when I meet with my clients and give presentations, but I get more done in 4 hours at home than I would get done during 2 days at an office.

This type of work environment would drive someone else crazy and their dream job would look completely different.  Keep in mind that you may not get everything on the dream job list – but figure out what your highest priorities are. For example, my job would be more of a  “dream” if I was challenged more, was able to speak to large groups more often and of course if they paid me a million dollars.  So, you have to weigh where you are and your happiness level with the new opportunity.

Take Action by Creating your Dream Job.

Angela

Take Action #28: Invest In Yourself

Invest In Yourself

This could mean several things.   We invest our time, money and resources.   Most of us are so busy taking care of families, jobs and businesses that we rarely take time or money out to do things for us.  2010 has been the year to invest in myself.  I would encourage you to do the same. Here are some ideas:

ü  Take a vacation

ü  Read a great book

ü  Exercise and eat right

ü  Schedule dates with your friends

ü  Single? Sign up for a dating service or join a single’s group

ü  Get your hair and nails done

ü  Get your suits tailored

ü  Buy some new outfits

ü  Get some counseling

ü  Take a yoga, dance or kick boxing class

ü  Take a day at the spa

ü  Get a massage

ü  Hire a Financial Planner

ü  Go back to school

ü  Learn a new language

Of course there are thousands of ways to take care of yourself.  I didn't get this concept until this past year.  AND the bonus is that each of these ideas is Taking Action because if you are taking care, you are taking action.  

If you have not done something that is just for YOU in the last 3 months, it is about time!  I’m not talking about going out and buying new underwear, I am talking about doing something special just for you!  I’ve given you plenty of ideas to get you started.  I would LOVE to hear all the ways you invested in yourself.  Please respond to this blog or the Fan Page!

Take Action by taking care of yourself.

Angela