“If you sit down and really make sure that your profile resonates and is truly you, it feels good, and you smile. Ultimately, you become a person who doesn't have to look for a job. Jobs find you. You become a person whose phone rings because there are opportunities, because people know you, remember you, have worked with you, and they want to work with you again.”

—Donna Serdula

The finer details of this episode:

• Importance of personal branding on LinkedIn
• Shift in perception of the platform
• Challenges of creating and maintaining a professional presence on social media
• Controlling one's personal brand and its impact on career opportunities
• Showcasing values, actions, and descriptions to create a strong and memorable brand
• Balancing professionalism with personal authenticity on LinkedIn
• Importance of consistency and cadence in posting content on LinkedIn

Episode resources:

• Summit Virtual CFO by Anders website: https://www.summitcpa.net/
• Email us with questions or if you’d like to be a guest on the show: youngcpasuccessshow@anderscpa.com
• We’re hiring! Check out our open positions: https://www.summitcpa.net/career-opportunities
• https://Donnanaserdula.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/toDonnana/

Timestamps:

The importance of personal branding on LinkedIn (00:01:13)

Discussion on the psychology behind personal branding and deliberate control of perception.

The shift in perception of LinkedIn (00:02:07)

The change from a passive networking platform to a more active and personal branding platform.

The challenges of maintaining a professional presence on social media (00:02:44)

Struggles with the perception of LinkedIn as a purely professional platform and the fear of being too personal.

The evolving concept of professionalism on LinkedIn (00:04:25)

Debunking the traditional image of professionalism and the need to move away from the concept of a suit and tie.

The importance of personal branding for career growth (00:08:08)

Emphasizing the significance of personal branding for career development and the need to control one's brand.

Strategies for personal branding on LinkedIn (00:09:49)

Discussion on the vision, mission, and consistent portrayal of oneself to create a strong personal brand.

The value of personal connection in professional work (00:12:49)

The significance of bringing one's whole self to work and the impact of personal connections in professional settings.

The time and effort required for effective LinkedIn utilization (00:15:49)

The need for strategic planning, time investment, and iterative work to create a strong LinkedIn profile.

Overcoming psychological barriers to posting on LinkedIn (00:18:16)

Dealing with the negative psychology and vulnerability associated with posting on LinkedIn.

The positivity of LinkedIn (00:19:08)

Discussion about the positive and professional atmosphere of LinkedIn compared to other social media platforms.

Building a professional network (00:20:08)

The importance of surrounding oneself with positive and empowering connections on LinkedIn.

Creating an authentic LinkedIn profile (00:21:06)

Encouragement to take control of one's image on LinkedIn, making the profile authentic and aligned with personal goals.

Utilizing LinkedIn for professional relationships (00:22:00)

The significance of researching and checking out profiles on LinkedIn for business interactions.

Starting and maintaining a LinkedIn profile (00:24:43)

Encouragement for individuals to start their LinkedIn journey and the emotional component of personal branding.

Success on LinkedIn and real-world relationships (00:26:23)

Emphasizing the importance of moving beyond LinkedIn to build real-world relationships for professional success.

Consistency and storytelling on LinkedIn (00:33:42)

The importance of consistency in posting and sharing on LinkedIn, drawing parallels with a story from "The Little Prince."

Balancing positivity and authenticity on LinkedIn (00:37:01)

Encouragement to not overthink posting on LinkedIn and to share authentic experiences without worrying about being too cringey.

Personal Branding on LinkedIn (00:37:50)

Donna discusses the importance of posting on LinkedIn to develop personal branding and shares tips for creating engaging content.

Encouragement and Personal Growth (00:40:43)

The hosts and Donna share personal experiences and offer encouragement for those feeling behind in their professional journey.

Expanding Your Network on LinkedIn (00:43:08)

Donna advises expanding the LinkedIn network to gain diverse perspectives and avoid feeling stuck in comparison.

Investing in Personal Branding (00:45:18)

Donna emphasizes the value of investing in personal branding and recommends utilizing free resources for self-improvement.

Personal Life and Interests (00:46:38)

Donna shares personal insights about being a mother and having a son with special needs, offering a broader perspective for her work.