Update December 2018 Financial professionals have always considered themselves to be in the relationship business. The image of the small town insurance agent who knows everyone (and everyone's business) is deeply ingrained into our minds. Often they were the only source of information for their clients. That made them one of the pillars of the community and they were trusted advisors. But the world has changed. Whether someone lives in a rural town or a booming metropolis, they are only a few mouse clicks away from a wealth of information on products, markets, and prices. Your customers don't have to rely on you anymore. They … [Read more...]
The First Person vs the Third Person LinkedIn Profile
Because social media and LinkedIn are so new, we're still developing some basic standards on how to write our profiles. One question that has come up frequently in my years as a LinkedIn trainer is about the perspective that should be used when writing the profile. Should you use the first-person or the third-person when crafting your message? Should you use "I, me, and my" or should you use your name? This is especially important in the Summary and Experiences sections, which are open fields where you can communicate directly with your reader. Use First Person Language In the beginning, I would have said that either direction is … [Read more...]
3 Ways to Rock Your Second-Half Networking
Ah, July. We're all sitting on a beach, enjoying the summer. But soon the fall will be here and with it the mad dash to accomplish our 2012 goals. Make it easier on yourself by having your network poised to help you as the weather starts to cool. Here are three ways you can make your networking more effective: 1. Create a plan – Many people fail at building a strong professional network because they don’t develop a strategy first, they just blindly flail about. Networking is much more effective when you create clarity around your objectives first. Think about the questions that journalists ask: Who, When, What, Where, Why, and How? Who … [Read more...]