Theodore Henderson

Pinterest the Key to Your Online Branding

Theodore Henderson — Sat, 23 Feb 2013 15:35:34 +0000

Why Pinterest is Key to Your Online Branding Strategy

By

Theodore “The Wisdom Man” Henderson

Best Selling Author, Certified Career & Business Adviser, Entrepreneur

PIN IT! (Theo’s Pinterest Boards)

Pinterest by most measurements is currently the fastest growing social media site as of 2012 and 2013. According to Alaska Litho e-news www.aklitho.com report, 2012 saw Pinterest rise sharply to become the fastest social media service to hit 10 million users. Nielsen’s 2012 review shows Pinterest had the highest growth rate of unique visitors (over 1000% on computers and over 4000% on the mobile web!), followed by Google+ in second place and Tumblr in third place. Pinterest isn’t just about the United States it is a global site and the growth rate is phenomenal in other countries across five continents as well.

So what? Here’s why it is important. If you are a business owner or entrepreneur who counts Pinterest among your social networking tools, or are at least thinking about adding it, here are some key facts.

The demographic is largely under 50 years old
Approximately 70% of the users are women
The average user is working or is a business owner
The average user has “disposable” income
The Average user has some amount of college education
You can create “boards” (mini sites) for any purpose.
Encourage “pins” (re posting of data)
You can have both business and personal accounts

A more thorough user breakdown is on the chart from Marketing Profs’ article “Social Network Demographics: Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram, Facebook” by Lenna Garibian below which uses as its source Pew Center Research.

Graphic from www.marketingprofs.com

If you are asking yourself “Why is Pinterest relevant?” the answer is simple we are visual beings. Pinterest thrives on visual beauty, and the largest demographic participating are “power purchasers” who respond to this visual format. For an entrepreneur or small business owner this gives you a commanding weapon to market and advertise with. Before revisiting the facts mentioned above first let me remind you how Pinterest is used.

Pinterest is a social network that allows users to visually share, manage, and discover new interests by posting, also known as ‘pinning,’ images or videos to their own or others’ pinboards (i.e. mini sites or a collection of ‘pins,’ usually with a common theme). Users can either upload images from their computer or pin things they find on the web using the Pinterest bookmarklet, Pin It button, or just a URL.

The demographic is predominantly made up of women who are 50 years old and younger, and generally interested in topics such as food & cooking, pets, travel, fashion, arts & crafts, and other general lifestyle topics. However they are also business people and workingwomen with business and career interests as well. Your Pinterest boards when designed properly with visual information such as infographics and with an appropriate SEO strategy should reach this group and create followers. Providing quality, targeted content will create customers from followers and visitors.

If you instead have a business that consults to businesses you can implement straight forward strategies, such as, if you have a blog or publication you can pin useful and timely infographics and statistics to your “boards” geared toward your audience(s) that have a specific call to action leading back to your business solution. Create integrated Facebook posts, tweets, and other relevant mentions that drive traffic to your Pinterest page. Encourage fans and followers to follow you and your company on Pinterest. To track the effectiveness of your business, or campaign’s Pinterest account, use Google Analytics to identify the exact demographic and traffic flow to the newspaper’s articles. Knowing your audience is essential to succeeding on Pinterest, and a tool like Google Analytics will be invaluable.

Everything sounds perfect? You’re wondering why you haven’t done it already? The truth is this is still a new platform for business. Even though as marketers we want organic growth it will not happen quickly or without effort. You will need to share and re-pin images related to your brand. A number of the interior designer and fashion boards that have implemented this business strategy now have thousands of users. A small number have a million plus users but that number is growing.

Pinterest is habit forming. Time will fly by as you search for content, post content; communicate with other users, etc. Don’t forget because it is a visual medium the stimulation factor is very high. Part of what you are doing is demonstrating your commitment and passion to your product or service and that takes time. Part of your strategy should be obvious, for example, do seasonal or special occasion pinning (you will easily tap into the feeling of the seasons), contest, lists, and tutorials are all examples of strategies which work well for sophisticated users just as they do on other social media platforms.

Even though the field is a bit thin now you will soon see dramatically more in the plugin API department as Pinterest continues its phenomenal growth

Lastly do not forget as an entrepreneur and small business owner you are in the marketing business and your primary purpose is to provide service and value not to just “sell ‘em something”. Approach your Pinterest campaign in this way and you greatly increase your chances of success.

Periodically I do lectures and workshops on this and other Social Media, career, and business topics. Access my complimentary Career and Business Strategies Series and for information on my speaking and webinar schedule use the “Contact” tab at my website.

In the meantime connect with me at www.pinterest.com/theohenderson and www.twitter.com/theohenderson.

7 Ways Twitter Use Boosts Your Career

Theodore Henderson — Sun, 10 Feb 2013 21:39:18 +0000

7 Ways Twitter Use Boosts Your Career

Theodore “The Wisdom Man” Henderson

Best Selling Author, Certified Career & Business Adviser, Entrepreneur

@Theohenderson

Graphic from www.mediabistro.com

I’m a big proponent of LinkedIn as a professional social media site, but just as any good professional entertainment promoter will tell you there is no best way to fill seats or get eyeballs. You have to use the best tools at your disposal because you never know what may be the best way at any given time. Twitter is one of my key business tools along with LinkedIn to promote both my business and my brand. At times it may be better for your purposes than other choices such as LinkedIn or Facebook. Twitter is a force that can’t be ignored by young or “old” professionals. It’s an excellent place to get connected and stay informed which can power your professional growth. Here are 7 ways to use Twitter for professional and career development.

1. Put up a real photo:

You may think you don’t take good photos, or you don’t want to be online, or people don’t really want to see you, etc. Stop the excuses and get over it. You don’t have to have a professional photographer take your head shots, even though I advise it budget permitting, but have a professional looking photo on your profile.

2. Remember why you are there:

Remember you only have a small amount of space to use for your profile description. With only 160 characters there is literally no room for verbosity. Maximize the space that you have in your profile by sharing a professional description of yourself. Share your accomplishments and professional interests but only those things that might help you land a job. Professional Twitter names are helpful also. Use your real name if possible or a close approximation. This is not the place for clever and cute. The only time to deviate is if you have a business you want to brand but if you are job hunting stay with your name.

3. Be sincere about your brand:

If you are on Twitter you have a brand. First, create a professional looking background that works with your personal branding. Once again you are looking for a job or to professionally network so keep it simple, direct, and business focused unless you are in the arts and something different is expected of you.

4. Stay up to date on business trends:

Stay informed by keeping others informed. You can create a Twitter brand by regularly sharing interesting news, articles, and tools for your industry. In this way Twitter can keep you in the loop professionally. Follow people who share lots of relevant news and insights that apply to your professional development. Your can share general personal info but keep it non-threatening (no politics, religion, etc.) and no more than 10%.

5. Use Twitter as a tool to build your network:

Twitter is an amazing networking tool, and it can be used to connect with both new and old contacts. Make new relevant networking connections, and find people you already know to converse with them on a regular basis using Twitter.

6. Establish yourself as a thought leader:

Developing and presenting yourself as an expert and thought leader in your industry via Twitter is a phenomenal way to actually become a thought leader! Keep abreast of relevant news, developments, and build authority through sharing what you know.

7. Follow back and follow up:

Following isn’t a one-way street. Pay attention to new followers. You don’t have to follow all of them back, but you should at least check out their profiles, and follow the people that are relevant and interesting to you. Keep thinking quality not quantity.

Obviously there are more than 7 ways to use Twitter but these are both a good place to start and a great way to remember what you should be doing. Stay tuned as I will be revisiting this topic in the near future with 7 more ways to get the most out of Twitter for your career transition and job search.

Periodically I do lectures and workshops on this and other Social Medial, career, and business topics. Access my complimentary Career and Business Strategies Series for information on my speaking and webinar schedule.

In the meantime connect with me at www.twitter.com/theohenderson.

When Your Job is Your Job Search

Theodore Henderson — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 15:22:41 +0000

When Your Job is Your Job Search

By

Theodore “The Wisdom Man” Henderson

Best Selling Author, Certified Career & Business Adviser, Entrepreneur

Common Sense Job Hunting Tips

Are you a new college graduate and planning to look for a job? Perhaps you recently quit your job and are looking for a better situation? Are you out of work and have little experience or knowledge regarding ways to get another job? Whatever your situation may be, it would be to your advantage to study the following free common sense tips:

Check Your Resume for Errors

Before submitting your resume to a prospective employer, check your resume for corrections and grammar mistakes at least three times before handing it over. After researching the job posting, it is critical that you format your resume to match the needs of the company. In other words be specific. For example, if you are applying for a sales job, you should put in detail your relevant sales experience on your resume. Typographical and grammatical errors are a huge no-no. It is also ideal to keep the length of the resume to at least a page and a half long and for the average person no more than two pages.

Taking The Interview As a Serious Matter

As a certified career adviser and former corporate manager I can tell you first hand that candidates for employment made most of their mistakes on their interviews. Actually some of the mistakes they made were of the “easily avoidable” type such as: arriving late, having little or no knowledge about the company or the position applied for, and having a superiority complex, being self absorbed, and behaving in an arrogant manner. The body language of an applicant should denote that he or she is confident yet not overpowering. They should maintain eye contact, have a firm handshake, and avoid looking defensive or lacking in confidence by acts such as crossing their arms. Wearing the right clothing is crucial for projecting a confident stance. As they say, it is better to go to an interview over-dressed than being under-dressed. As a man it is easier for me to take my tie and jacket off in a casual environment than to arrive and need one!

Answer Questions Intelligently

One mistake I see interviewees make quite often is they tend to get tense and forget the questions asked of them, which has the effect of not seeming prepared for the interview. As a career adviser I focus with my client on how not to let this happen. It is important to research both the company and the position applied for to prevent being “thrown” during the interview. If you do not know the answer to the questions being asked, it is better to admit you don’t know and add that you will research it and get back with an answer. Look for the skills or expertise the company desires so when the interview comes and the interviewer asks about your strengths and key skills, you will be able to match their needs.

Have The Right Referrals Ready

A typical company may receive job applications in the hundreds and for some very large firms in the thousands. Usually 30% to 60% of all job vacancies are filled by referrals and this figure may be higher in challenging economic times. The odds of getting hired when you have a good referral go up dramatically. Having a referral from a company employee can go a long way toward landing an interview. If you do not know anyone from the company that may give you a referral, then get started networking. Reach out to the alumni network of your college, trade groups, social networks, and professional associations. Remember, having a quality referral greatly increases your chances of getting the position.

The Dreaded Online Application Process

There is no way around it. With the current technology trend and its integration with business processes, more and more companies are now requiring prospective applicants to submit their application online even if they did not come to the company’s attention in that manner. Therefore, e-mails regarding your job application should be very polished and articulate. When applying on-line, use the following tips:

* Use complete sentences and do not abbreviate.

Employers generally frown upon receiving application letters that seem to be too casual. You want to make a letter that is both formal and well written. This will give a good impression regarding your capabilities and skills.

* Don’t drag on

When writing an application letter, you must be short and focused on the issue at hand. Save the longer introduction for a phone or face-face interview. If not chances are the potential employer will just get irritated with you and this only reduces your chances of getting hired.

* Keep perspective

Getting the job you want may be a challenge but never lose hope or get down on yourself. It is much better to have a strategy and be patient until you get the job you want rather than getting a job quickly but ending up dissatisfied. Make informed decisions then act on them.

About the Author

Professional Certifications Push Careers Forward

Theodore Henderson — Thu, 27 Dec 2012 23:25:40 +0000

Professional Certifications Push Careers Forward

Theodore “The Wisdom Man” Henderson

Best Selling Author, Certified Career & Business Adviser

During the good times you can get away with a so-so work search or career strategy. However times are rarely so good that so-so is a consistent winner.

What’s your job strategy? What is your job search strategy? What is your career management strategy? One tactic would be to switch industries. You could end up working harder and making less income as the “new kid” on the block. Or you could take a good look at yourself and say “I’m in a business that is part of the future and not the past” and make the most of where you currently work.

The best way to be positioned for “the future” is to target it by working or networking with, people who have moving forward thinking. Simultaneously you should be earning the proper education to stay in the forefront of things and take advantage of new opportunities. College credentials can get you in the door but the proper professional certifications for your industry can both jumpstart your career and power it forward when others who opted against the extra effort are getting left behind. In some instances your certification may put you in a position to become an independent consultant or start your own firm.

For example, lets examine IT (Information Technology) and networking technology for a moment. It isn’t a secret that almost every company in every sector of the economy needs an online strategy, better communications capability, more efficient mobile-centric work processes, and high quality business intelligence (BI). More plainly said even though the job market might be tight the expertise required to maintain and upgrade these infrastructures keeps demand up and salaries competitive or escalating. However only those with the experience and the certifications can command top dollar and in some cases even get in the game.

As a former corporate professional who transitioned into a small business consultant and certified career coach I advise everyone who can, while still in college, or as soon as possible after graduation, to pursue a relevant professional certification.

The salary figures below are based upon professionals in those positions who responded to the ZDNet Tech Republic survey. I’ve listed the certifications starting with the highest first. In addition, I have also listed training resources so you can gather more information about how to acquire each of the highest paying certifications. This list can be used as a reference to begin your research if you are not familiar with some of the certifications or the organizations conferring them. Visit the ZDNet for more detailed information.

1. PMI Project Management Professional (PMP)

Average annual salary of $101,695, the PMP certification comes from the Project Management Institute (PMI) organization.

2. PMI Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM)

Certified Associate in Project Management (CAPM) from PMI – Project Management Institute. The average annual salary is $101,103.

3. ITIL v2 – Foundations

ITIL stands for the IT Infrastructure Library. Average annual salary is $95,415. The certification is designed to show expertise in ITIL service support and service delivery.

4. Certified Information Systems Security Professional (CISSP)

Certified Information Systems Security Professional or CISSP certification from (ISC)2. The average annual salary is $94,018.

5. Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching

The Cisco CCIE Routing and Switching certification has an average annual salary of $93,500 per year average annual salary

6. Cisco CCVP – Certified Voice Professional

The Cisco CCVP or Cisco Certified Voice Professional. The average annual salary is $88,824.

7. ITIL v3 – ITIL Master

The ITIL v3 certification or known as the ITIL Master has an average annual salary of $86,600.

8. MCSD – Microsoft Certified Solution Developer

The MCSD or Microsoft Certified Solution Developer certification has an average annual salary of $84,522.

9. Cisco CCNP – Cisco Certified Network Professional

The Cisco Certified Network professional or CCNP certification has an average annual salary of $84,161.

10. Red Hat Certified Engineer

The Red Hat Certified Engineer (RHCE) has an average annual salary of $83,692.

11. MCITP – Microsoft Certified IT Professional (Enterprise)

The MCIPT certification (Enterprise), or Microsoft Certified IT Professional – Enterprise Support has an average salary of $82,941.

12. Cisco CCSP – Cisco Certified Security Professional

The Cisco CCSP or Cisco Certified Security Professional. The average annual salary reported by CCSP holders is $80,000.

13. MCAD – Microsoft Certified Applications Developer

The MCAD certification, or Microsoft Certified Application Developer certification has an average annual salary of $79,444.

14. MCITP – Microsoft Certified IT Professional (Database)

The MCIPT certification (Database), or Microsoft Certified IT Professional – Database has an average annual salary of $77,000.

15. MCDBA – Microsoft Certified Database Administrator

The Microsoft Certified Database Administrator, or MCDBA has an average annual salary of $76,960.

As you can see acquiring the right certifications can be lucrative. Do some industry research and decide how you will best distinguish your self and your expertise in your company and chosen industry.

**For information regarding Theodore speaking at your event or to your group please use Contact Us via www.TheodoreHenderson.com and put “Theodore Speaking” in the subject line.

About the Author

During a career that spans more than 20 years, Theodore Henderson has excelled as an articulate, organized and successful sales professional, business manager and consultant. He has demonstrated a proven ability to build and maintain profitable, long-term relationships with a sophisticated client base.

A lifelong New Yorker, Theodore is a best selling author, certified career and business adviser, Distinguished Toastmaster, professional speaker, and he holds an MBA degree with a concentration in Finance and Information Systems.

Theodore is passionate about several key success skills such as, career strategies, communication, entrepreneurship, leadership, public speaking, small business, and social media branding. As a best selling author of “The Wisdom Compass Series”, the creator of job search and career management tools series “The Intelligent Career Manager“, and a professional speaker he works with both individuals and businesses to apply these tools to become more successful in their respective professions.

**For information regarding Theodore speaking at your event or to your group please use Contact Us via www.TheodoreHenderson.com and put “Theodore Speaking” in the subject line.

6 Job Search Tips for College Grads

Theodore Henderson — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 18:32:15 +0000

6 Job Search Tips for College Grads

Theodore “The Wisdom Man” Henderson

Best Selling Author, Certified Business & Career Adviser

Unfortunately recruiters and interviewers can be biased against recent college grads, which can turn the joy of graduation into a nightmare of insecure job-search. You spend four or more years studying, and perhaps going into debt, then the reality of a frustrating job search can derail your enthusiasm and self-confidence.

Before the malaise sets in lets look at 6 tips to help get your job-search on track immediately and make it successful.

1. Don’t be self-absorbed.

Unless recruiters and headhunters are kicking your door in and throwing money at you it isn’t about you. The person you are interviewing with doesn’t care about you they care about themselves and their company. So never forget the first rule of interviewing show up prepared to explain why it is to their benefit to have you as part of the company. Leave the arrogance at home and instead bring confidence and knowledge of the company with you.

2. Manage your online reputation.

I repeat, manage your online reputation. Interviewers, recruiters, potential employers, etc. will Google you, so be prepared by knowing what they’ll find. Get your LinkedIn profile in shape and up-to-date. Don’t post anything embarrassing on Facebook or Twitter that might prevent you from being hired. Change your privacy settings so your updates don’t appear in search results. My advice is if you have a very active Facebook and Twitter life delete your posts beyond the most recent. Keep those posts you are sure of and put up a decent photo. Also Google the people who you know will be interviewing you!

See previous posts at my site in “The Wisdom Blog” for additional tips on social media.

3. Don’t be “major” focused.

We all want to graduate on time with good grades but if you want to be more marketable take some classes outside of your major. This is particularly important if you are in a non-technical major such as English Literature, History, etc. Having some business, math, computer and communications courses under your belt will be noticed.

4. Get out of the dorm.

Network, network, network! Don’t wait until after you graduate to meet, greet, and network. Start while in college by attending local free conferences in the field you intend to work in, join a Toastmasters and work on your public speaking skills, see if your school has a Rotary youth division, check if there is a college networking group at the local library, attend your schools alumni meetings, etc. Join the world and make a stranger a friend or acquaintance.

5. Know how to interview and introduce yourself properly.

The hardest question in the interview shouldn’t be “So what can you tell me about yourself?”. As a hiring manager I can’t even begin to count how many people I interviewed over the years who look dumbfounded when I asked them that question.

So this doesn’t happen to you prepare a two to five minute introduction and practice, practice, practice. You want to sound conversational and confident when the question is asked. This will also give you an opportunity to better steer the course of the interview.

Next get a good book on interviewing and the interviewing process. Go to www.TheodoreHenderson.com and sign up for my blog, contact me, and I will send you some titles.

6. Think out of the box.

As a college student you need to prove that you are worth hiring. Look for an internship that allows you to gain experience in the field you hope to enter after graduation.

Don’t spend the summer staring at your navel or indulging in too many “beverages”. Have some fun but why not turn a hobby or interest into a side business?

Start a blog to show off you writing skill and knowledge of the field in which you are seeking employment.

For additional job search strategies go to The Intelligent Career Manager.

About the Author

A lifelong New Yorker, Theodore is a best selling author, certified career adviser, Distinguished Toastmaster, and he holds an MBA degree with a concentration in Finance and Information Systems.

Theodore is passionate about several key success skills such as, communication, entrepreneurship, leadership, public speaking, small business, and social media branding. As a best selling author “The Wisdom Compass Series”, the creator of job search and career management tools, and a professional speaker he works with both individuals and businesses to apply these tools to become more successful in their respective professions.

Education and Your Great Career

Theodore Henderson — Thu, 08 Nov 2012 21:44:52 +0000

Education and Your Great Career

By

Theodore “The Wisdom Man” Henderson

Best Selling Author – Certified Career & Business Consultant

To prosper at work and in your career you will need two key ingredients: a career development plan and a supportive education to satisfy the needs of the evolving work world.

A good career development plan benefits both you and the company you work for. It enables you to identify strategies and action steps to ensure you will achieve your goal. Your career development plan can be useful tool in conducting career discussions with your direct management chain and in some cases with human resources’ management.

You can use career-development planning in various stages of the career-management process. Typically, this process evolves over time and you will continually review and adjust your plan to reflect your current and at times future objectives.

7 Key Elements of a Solid Career Development Plan

Skill Development
Pursuit of a New Position
Make a Change in your Career Field
Formal Education & Training
Job Rotation or Special Project Management
Getting More from the Current Position
External Professional Development

Notice elements 1, 4, and 7 directly relate to more education and element 5 relates to informal learning from new responsibilities. As you can see the jury has long since delivered its verdict and getting a good education is necessary in the work world and therefore a necessity in career progress. Of course, you will always hear of the one or two billionaires, and several millionaires, who made their fortune once they dropped out of college, and the reason its news is because it is so unusual. If you want to build a successful career you have to put the effort into your education first. You may want to jump straight too soon into work, but you’d be better off staying in school staying engaged in the right curriculum to become better qualified.

By leaving school before you’ve obtained any qualifications you’re hardly going to stand out when you look for work while going up against people who have amassed a great deal of experience as well as credentials whenever you apply for a job or go for an interview. They probably qualifications also, and so the chances are you won’t be the one that is hired by a company because you don’t have the skills or experience that you need. Employers obviously don’t want to spend resources and money training people if they don’t have to.

Another point is if you get a quality education there will so many more options available to you, as well. You won’t have to be stuck in a mind-numbingly unskilled, low-paid job that leaves you feeling unfulfilled and bored. When you’ve been to college or university you can train to be whatever you want and even if you don’t end up pursuing the career you thought would interest you, your higher level qualifications will set you apart as someone worth hiring. The fact that you made an effort to achieve good grades and acquire relevant credentials will serve you well for a lifetime.

Good employers and quality managers want to know they’re hiring someone who is intelligent and a fast learner, which the decision to continue with your education and obtain some higher-level qualifications would show. A quality education won’t guarantee success, but it certainly increases the likelihood that you will find yourself doing something that lines up with your strengths and you find rewarding. Something else that you overlook when you are younger is doing well in school will likely pay off when you’re older and find yourself looking for a job or other career option. Therefore do not underestimate the importance of becoming well educated, obtaining qualifications, and acquiring credentials because they do matter.

For more information about Theodore Henderson and career strategies visit www.TheodoreHenderson.com and The Wisdom Compass Series visit www.TheWisdomCompass.com .

About the Author

A lifelong New Yorker, Theodore is a best selling author, certified career adviser, Distinguished Toastmaster, and he holds an MBA degree with a concentration in Finance and Information Systems.

Online Brand Building Tips for Job Seekers

Theodore Henderson — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 15:53:19 +0000

3 Key Tips for Job Seekers to Build a Powerful Online Brand

Theodore “The Wisdom Man” Henderson

Best Selling Author and Speaker

If you have not created a professional brand both “online and offline” for yourself you are missing an opportunity to be seen as an expert. Having an image of expertise sets you up for a better job and entrepreneurial opportunities. Potential employers will be more prone to see you as one of the best and not the rest.

Following are three key elements to create your brand:

1. Clearly Identify Your Brand – Your brand is a mixture of your skills, knowledge, background, and professional ambitions presented in the best and most beneficial light to the public. Your brand must help a potential employer not only see you but see how your skills can benefit his/her company better than other candidates. The critical first step is to figure out what you want to do, to establish goals, and to develop a plan that will help you to get there. Make sure your strengths and assets match how others perceive your strengths and assets. It’s all about sending a clear message to employers about what they will be getting by hiring you. My blog www.TheodoreHenderson.com/blog as well as my career site www.TheIntelligentCareerManager.com have additional information related to self-assessments and marketing your skills.

2. The Look of a Professional – Everything you expose to potential employers should be as professional as possible, including yourself. Dress to impress, according to the standards of the environment. It can mean a suit and tie, it could be “business casual,” or it could be something else.

Your email address is a great branding opportunity. Use your firstname.lastname@ so it is easy to remember.

I often say successful people are readers AND communicators. This is never truer than in an interview, often times the best, well-informed, communicator is the one who gets the job, rather than the most qualified candidate, unless they are one and the same. Your first impressions don’t start in person. These days they typically occur online with a Google search. Yes, your potential employer is “googling” you. Your personal brand is all about who you are, what you have to offer, and what you want to be known for, therefore keep track of it and delete any negatives you can while posting those things that position you in a positive light.

Don’t forget that business cards and stationery are part of your image and should be as professional as possible. You may be tempted to get a set of cheap and cheesy business cards but don’t think it won’t go unnoticed. Invest according to your budget but keep in mind everything you present represents you!

3. Let Social Media Be Your Ally – Don’t let your online presence be an Achilles heel. Social media is the best place to create an online presence and gain greater visibility with potential employers and clients. Depending on your interests, you may want to develop a website, a LinkedIn profile, Twitter account, Facebook page, blog, or another option more specific to your interests to become more visible. These tools will help you to advertise yourself, search for jobs, and connect with professionals in your industry. A blog will help make you more visible while highlighting your expertise in your areas of interest. Get started by putting your name in Google and see what comes out.

Personal branding is a necessity and not a luxury. It’s your ally in the competitive world of job search and lead generation so use it wisely.

About the Author

A lifelong New Yorker, Theodore is a best selling author, certified career adviser, Distinguished Toastmaster, and he holds an MBA degree with a concentration in Finance and Information Systems.

With Orrin Checkmate Hudson

Theodore Henderson — Sun, 21 Oct 2012 16:18:54 +0000

Theodore Henderson interviews Orrin C. Hudson who founded “Be Someone” in 2001. His methods were inspired by the game of chess. “Making Every Move Count” refers to the belief that success in chess and success in life require the same fundamentals, including concentration, self-esteem, problem solving skills, and discipline. Be Someone teaches kids the practical skills and techniques to overcome obstacles in life, illustrated through the best and most intellectual visual aid: the chessboard.

Theodore Henderson interviews Dr. Julia Bowlin MD

Theodore Henderson — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 18:59:26 +0000

Theodore Henderson interviews Dr. Julia Bowlin MD. Dr. Julia Bowlin’s medical scope of practice is varied and encompasses the medical care of all ages, allergy immunotherapy, musculoskeletal pain management, laser hair and vein reduction, and nursing home care for the elderly.

Theodore Henderson: Interviews Reverend Dr. James Forbes

Theodore Henderson — Thu, 27 Sep 2012 15:40:01 +0000

Interview with Reverend Dr. James Forbes former Senior Minister and head of The Riverside Church in New York City. He is now a member of the Faculty at Union Theological Seminary in NYC as well as the founder of Healing The Nations charitable organization.