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Failure to Differentiate Yourself in Business is Not an Option

As teenagers, nearly all of us wanted to blend in with our crowd. While we worked to separate ourselves from our parents’ generation, we realized that deviation from our peer group’s normative look and behavior could lead to our being ostracized by our peers. So we sought safety in numbers and let the herd mentality reign.

But in business, failure to differentiate our products – and ourselves – is not a winning strategy. We are forced to compete on price when we fail to differentiate our products. “How low will you go?” is not a success strategy.

When WE are the product, we are generally savvy enough to have our signature brand, which sets us apart from others by how we dress, talk, or write. When we are present in person, that is.

But when it comes to our personal brands online (aka, our LinkedIn profiles), we revert to herd mentality. We sink to the lowest common denominator. We visit a few C-suite profiles and see that that they are fairly unrevealing and short. We treat those profiles as exemplars, allowing us to complete our profile quickly and without personal insight.

We’ve all seen those skeletal C-suite profiles. But should we accept them as models for our profiles? NO.

Benefits of a stellar online profile

People want to do business with people they know, like, and trust. People want to know what makes us different – why they should choose us for their next board director, employee, supplier, or business partner. With effort and insight, it is possible to provide the reasons in your LinkedIn profile. When you do, LinkedIn’s search engine will help you connect with the right opportunities for you.

Being intentional about a personal brand can benefit anyone in business. A stellar profile can:

  • Increase your visibility
  • Improve your relationships with others
  • Increase your opportunities for career advancement
  • Position you as the authority in your industry
  • Help you attract the right talent
  • Make you a more valuable asset to your organization

So why is your profile still barely there?

It IS hard to write about yourself. I understand that; but you don’t have to do it alone. If you are a senior-level leader, you’re used to seeking out experts to work for you; the same is true here.

I’ve helped countless C-level clients over the past decade to use LinkedIn to frame conversations, impress customers, and introduce themselves before the first conversation occurs.

I was selected by The American Reporter as one of the top 6 personal branding experts to watch in 2022. I work exclusively with top executives and senior leaders. I am the author of the award-winning book LinkedIn for the Savvy Executive: Promote Your Brand with Authenticity, Tact and Power – 2nd Edition.

If you’d like to know more, schedule a discovery call with me.

Contact me through my website https://carolkaemmerer.com for:

  • Executive one-on-one assistance with your online brand
  • Professional speaking engagements on personal brand and LinkedIn
  • An autographed copy of my book, LinkedIn for the Savvy Executive-2nd Edition
  • My self-paced, online course
  • To receive my articles in your email mailbox monthly

Carol Kaemmerer
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