Check out the use of the LinkedIn application called CREATIVE PORTFOLIO DISPLAY where you can showcase a MULTI-MEDIA portfolio on LinkedIn. Rob Sitbon, a photographer and videoagrpher, who takes professional head shots (many can be viewed on LinkedIn) effectively showcases a selection of his work on his LinkedIn profile with categories titled PORTRAITS, FASHION, FICTION FILMS and ADVERTISING. With this LI application called Behance, you can
* Build and upload unlimited multi-media projects * Upload unlimited images, text, audio and video * Display creative work from Graphic Design to Fine Arts to Industrial Design.
Below is screen shot of what you see on his LI profile. Click here to view in full.
For a more comprehensive portfolio of Rob’s work see his site at
www.robsitbon.com
Online profiles have increased over the last two decades. Whether it is your LinkedIn profile, alumni association profile, reconnecting with friends, or finding a job, online profiles have become an essential tool in the digital age to market and brand yourself. Since LinkedIn’s launch in May 2003 it has grown to approximately 100+ million users globally. Many users, unfortunately, are not leveraging this social networking tool to its maximum capacity.
We are visual creatures. Did you know that we absorb about 93% of our information from sight and sound alone? In the 1960s, Dr. Albert Mehrabian developed a communication model known as the 7%-38%-55% rule. His research states that we absorb information through:
7% = Words
38% = Tone of Voice
55% = Non-Verbal (e.g., Facial Expression, Body Language)
This rule can also apply to how people perceive online profiles where many people unknowingly violate the 7%-38%-55% rule on LinkedIn. For example, they have:
No picture
A blurry or half of a face picture
A blank or minimal profile
No Summary
A summary that lacks “storied” content and poorly written
A too detailed resume posted
It begs the question. Would you buy a product without knowing what it looked like OR if the advertising copy was poorly written and anything but engaging? As visual beings, we want to see what or whom we are interacting with; therefore it’s important to have a very clear professional picture on your profile. To engage a customer for a product or service “storied” content has been proven to be more effective. This applies to the SUMMARY of your LI profile where you want to engage the headhunter or hiring manager.
Take a look at your own LI profile and critically review your photo and content. Contact me if you would like an initial assessment from an objective point of view. bmartin@visibilitybranding.com
I met Guy here in Paris where I attended his book presentation (400 plus attendees) at ESCP, a leading European business school. We had a chance to chat and exchange signed copies of our respective books.
Guy’s book - Enchantment - The Art of Changing Hearts, Minds and Actions is about how to enchant your stakeholders at all levels and in a vast spectrum of situations and environments. Replete with stories it resonated with me a many levels. As a speaker and author myself, I was interested to see Guy’s presentation style and how it “synched” with his book. My expectations were exceeded, both meshed perfectly. The delightful commonalities that surfaced in both are his abundant use of stories. His book, for example, starts with his own engaging Personal Story and the subsequent 12 chapters end with captivating stories of various individuals who give true-life meaning to what was introduced in the chapter. Interestingly enough, the most touching story is the last one in the book that doesn’t reference any of the chapters…most likely an intentional twist…emotional tug at the end.
Guy’s style reflected in his book and presentation is self-effacing, convivial, and slightly humorous….could call it “wasabi wit”. It worked well with this ESCP audience of young aspiring entrepreneurs, international but mostly French, in the process of completing their Masters Degree in Entrepreneurship. He peppered his speech with quite a few American expressions, references, catch phrases, buzzwords and play on words that a few times were lost on this European, mostly non-native English speaking, audience. Cognizant of this, he did some “filler” explaining.
The book is nicely laid out. Set up as a journey with 12 chapters to the itinerary, it is replete with good advice and tips to navigate the way to enchanting your stakeholders. Considering the three C’s of a strong brand…Clarity, Consistency and Constancy…Guy has it nailed. One question…with such a consistent winning smile you wonder if he ever gets mad. Look forward to his next book.
I have been a lender andKiva brand ambassador for many years. In fact, partial proceeds from sales of my book support this non-profit organization with the mission of connecting people to alleviate poverty through lending. By combining micro finance with the internet, Kiva has created a caring, financial community of tens of thousands, facilitating over $100 million in loans to entrepreneurs around the world. Stories play a major role on the Kiva site. You can see the photos and read the stories of the entrepreneurs in need and choose the one you wish to support. Breaking news in this week’s Economist “Making the Grade”, is that Kiva plans to enter the student loan market. Funding poor students in emerging markets is the next big thing in micro finance and creating a hotbed of innovation. I can’t wait to read the success stories to follow this initiative. Speaking of stories…..read the inspiring BIOS of the Kiva team here.
I gave a workshop at the famous Le Cordon Bleu culinary school (10 minute walk from where I live in Paris) on Personal Branding for Chefs. The participants, students of a rigorous certificate program, are aspiring culinary professionals about to turn their ambitions into reality. In my workshop I showcased chefs, exemplary models such as Joel Robuchon, Wolfgang Puck, Chef Paul,Alain Ducasse, and Mario Batali. Click to read their stories and the photos and videos will leave your mouth watering.
As a follow up to my workshop I was invited to attend a class and chose the “Secrets of Macaroons”. Shhh don’t tell anyone but one secret I learned from Chef Jean-Jacques Tranchant ….. egg whites MUST be a room temperature. It was a 3-hour class, group of 12 and left with a box full of Macaroons – flavor – white chocolate aniseed cream and fresh raspberries. Was a fun class but do not have aspirations to be the next Julia Childs, preferring instead to help Chefs and aspiring Chefs message their brand and tell their story. Side note: the film Julia Julia that came out last year is a must see about the famous American Chef who studied at Le Cordon Bleu.
Speaking of stories there are two graduates from Le Cordon Bleu who appear in my book…..Storytelling About Your Brand Online and Offline. One is Chef Kyle Shadix who wrote the endorsement below and Chef Dzintra Dzenis who moved from Paris to Austen and hosts a Supper Club offering alternative dining and fusion cuisine from around the world. An excerpt from her story is featured in my book but read the “rest of the story” here Plate by Dzintra.
“For chefs, aspiring chefs and all who are ensconced in the culinary world and passionate about what they do…sometimes the hardest thing is to market, promote, and brand yourself…yet we all have an interesting and different story. In her book, Bernadette Martin explains the importance of storytelling and crafting the Branded BIO tool…a good start for chefs launching their career.”Chef Kyle Shadix, Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist, Author, Speaker, Spokesperson
Back in Paris after a vacation in Morocco. Highlights….fabulous cous cous, swimming in the Atlantic, the artisanal markets and more. As well discovered more about Mind Maps (MM)….and read Mind Maps for Business by Tony Buzan. Was already familiar with the tool as I have a Mind Map in my book of my book but am now exploring how to use the tool for personal branding purposes such as a Mind Map of the “Brand Called You” and a Mind Map showing how your brand is messaged across all media online and offline. Any examples to share? See this one of Tony Buzan showing his life achievements.
In his books on Mind Maps author Tony Buzan suggests using the following guidelines for creating Mind Maps:
Start in the center with an image of the topic, using at least 3 colors.
Use images, symbols, codes, and dimensions throughout your Mind Map.
Select key words and print using upper or lower case letters.
Each word/image is best alone and sitting on its own line.
The lines should be connected, starting from the central image. The central lines are thicker, organic and flowing, becoming thinner as they radiate out from the centre.
Make the lines the same length as the word/image they support.
Use multiple colors throughout the Mind Map, for visual stimulation and also to encode or group.
Develop your own personal style of Mind Mapping.
Use emphasis and show associations in your Mind Map.
Keep the Mind Map clear by using radial hierarchy, numerical order or outlines to embrace your branches.
Thanks to Kathy Hansen at Storied Career I discovered this cool tool for making short 30 second storied videos. Created by Google it’s a mashup application using Google searches and YouTube entitled the Google Search Stories Video Creator.
All you do is type in your searches, choose the music, and watch as your narrative unfolds on screen.
Here is one I created entitled Spring Run in Paris…it’s 30 seconds long.
The time between January 1 and the Chinese New Year (February 3) is an excellent time to reflect on accomplishments achieved in 2010 and to set goals for 2011. What about your 2011 Philanthropic goals? View this video for some laughs (I am not the only one who wasn’t sure how to spell philanthropy) and inspiration.
‘Philanthropy etymologically means “the love of what it is to be human” or personal initiatives for public good, focusing on quality of life. This can be in the giving of time, resources or valuables. In my book I refer to this as your PSR or Personal Social Responsibility. My favorite is giving to Kiva where, for a minimum loan of $25, you can choose an entrepreneur in a developing country to help finance their endeavor. On the Kiva site you can read the “stories” and view photos of the entrepreneurs in need and choose the one you wish to support.
May 3 - Visibility Branding Webinar Title: LinkedIn Time: 8:00PM CET/Paris 2:00PM EST/New York 11:00AM PST/Los Angeles Duration: 60 minutes plus 15 min Q & A To register: bmartin@visibilitybranding.com Cost: Free
May 7 - Right Management Title: Fusing Personal Branding and Storytelling Location: Paris
May 14 - Project Management Institute (PMI)
Luxembourg Title: Fusing Storytelling and Personal Branding for Project Managers
Open to PMI Members
June Lunch at the Circle Title: e-Reputation Management
Date and details to Be Announced Soon
See this one of 
T-Birds Click Here