Learning to write powerful, keyword-rich and well-branded LinkedIn profiles is just half of the equation … the half that I’m looking forward to learning on “Resume Day.” The other half that is just as important is learning how best to optimize LinkedIn as a networking and job search tool. Fortunately, we’re all going to have the opportunity to listen to Jason Alba, one of the real LI pioneers and the author of I’m on Linked Now: Now What?, as he takes us step-by-step through the processes that both our clients and we must know in order to truly understand and leverage the enormous power of LI. I just learned that the median income of LI users is higher than that of subscribers to the Wall Street Journal. I want to learn how to reach these people for myself, my business and my clients. I’m listening for all of the answers, Jason!

www.careerthoughtleaders.com/conference

In 2009, I had a few clients for whom I either wrote LinkedIn profiles or counseled them on the importance of being visible on LinkedIn. Then, in 2010, my clients’ interest in LI skyrocketed. In fact, I’d estimate that I wrote and/or edited LI profiles for at least 50%-60% of my clients, and anticipate that this trend will continue to increase. I’m certain that the LI profiles I’m currently writing are good … really good … but now I want them to be great. As such, I can’t wait to attend the presentation on “Resume Day” where we’ll learn the latest strategies, trends and techniques in writing LI profiles that give our clients a clear and distinct competitive advantage as more and more companies and recruiters use LI to identify quality candidates. I already know that LI profiles are “more” than resumes. Now, teach me more so I can know it all!

What I’m Most Excited About at the Career Thought Leaders Conference & Symposium

www.careerthoughtleaders.com/conference

Although I’m thrilled to be attending the CTL Conference and am excited to hear all of the presentations, the one that I’m most excited about is the very last presentation.

Susan Whitcomb, Deb Dib and Elisabeth Sanders-Park will be on the stage together for the last hour of the conference, sharing their insights about the future – of the careers industry, of traditional and non-traditional employment paradigms, of social media and its ever-expanding impact on the process of networking and job search, of changes in best practices in career coaching and resume writing, and so much more.

I know that I’ll leave that presentation with new ideas and perspectives, a clearer focus on how to help my clients succeed in both job search and lifelong career management, and renewed energy and enthusiasm that will serve me well throughout the rest of 2011. I can’t wait!

1. Your clients love you. If you’re a good resume writer and/or coach and do a great job for your clients, they will be consistently thrilled with you and your business. In turn …

2. Thrilled clients recommend their friends, colleagues, business associates, neighbors and others to you. These are great clients as there is “no cost to capture” the sale! As such …

3. Your referral pipeline of prospective clients grows and grows and grows and, as we all know, there is nothing better than a pipeline of clients waiting to give you money! As such …

4. You build your income to 6 figures plus. So, bottom line …

5. It’s great to be an entrepreneur in the careers industry!!! Not only can YOU make a really good living for yourself and your family, you guide others to success and fulfillment in their own careers. What could be better?!

1. To enhance the quality of services, standards, and expertise across the entire spectrum of the careers and employment industry.
2. To provide job seekers around the globe with best-in-class information – at their fingertips – at no charge.

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Service-producing industries and professional occupations will continue to be the dominant occupational generators.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (www.bls.gov), the outlook for entrepreneurial and employment success is strongest in the service-producing industries and professional occupations. In fact, BLS forecasts a 16.7% gain between 2006 and 2016. As noted in the previous trend, the positions are principally in the technology, telecommunications, health care (particularly home health care), and food service industries, with equally strong performance projected for management, scientific, and technical consulting (i.e., self-employment and entrepreneurship!).

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Mobile technology impacts the direction and organization of social enterprises.
Entrepreneurs focused on social issues, global aid, international development, and more are finding that the “latest and greatest” applications in mobile technology are becoming increasingly more valuable resources for establishing mobile information centers in remote corners of the world. These new technologies promise to allow for even more effective, accurate, and coordinated programs around the globe, as reported in an article on the top trends in social entrepreneurship featured on www.change.org.

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Home-based businesses continue to become more sophisticated.
According to BusinessWeek.com, two key factors are influencing the explosive growth of sophisticated home-based businesses. First, technology has made it easier to start and run a business from anywhere. Second, and just as important, there has been, and continues to be, a change of consciousness in the business world that now recognizes home-based enterprises as legitimate.

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Western US shows greatest entrepreneurial growth rates.
According to the 2009 annual report from the Kauffman Foundation, a report considered to be the earliest yearly indicator of entrepreneurial growth in the nation, the western US has experienced the greatest increase in new business creation while the midwest experienced the lowest growth. It is projected that this trend will continue. As such, entrepreneurs who plan to work within their local markets and serve a local clientele would be wise to consider geography when planning and developing their new ventures. The Kauffman report also forecasts that entrepreneurship rates will continue to increase more for lower- and medium-income-potential types of businesses than for higher-income-potential businesses.

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Younger generation of 21^st century becoming most entrepreneurial.
As reported in the journal article, “The Emergence of Entrepreneurship Education: Development, Trends, and Challenges” by Donald Kuratko, the younger generation of the 21^st century is becoming the most entrepreneurial generation since the Industrial Revolution. As many as 5.6 million Americans younger than age 34 are actively trying to start their own businesses today. And now, with the economic recession, many are forced into considering an entrepreneurial path.

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Best Practice: Build A Steady Client Referral Stream
Satisfied clients will refer their colleagues and associates to you, allowing you to build a strong customer base without the usual marketing and advertising costs generally associated with capturing new clients. In essence, referrals are “free” new clients and, as such, are your single best source of business. Dedicate yourself to building your client referral streams.

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Best Practice: Charge What You Are Worth
Whether you offer a product or a service, it is essential that you charge what it is worth. Do not think for one minute that just making your product or service the least expensive will generate clients. In fact, it’s often better to be at the higher end of the pricing scale so that customers will appreciate the inherent value of your product. Consider two pairs of identical looking shoes. One pair is $49.95 and the other is $149.95. Which is better? We’re all inclined to believe that the $149.95 pair is better made, will last longer, etc. Use this same principle when developing your pricing schedules. Don’t be the cheapest … be the best!

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Best Practice: Make Money Doing What You Know & What’s In Your Heart
If you’re considering starting your own business, know that 9 times out of 10 you will be more successful if your business focuses on something that you already do well. For example, if you’ve done meeting and conference planning for years for a major hotel chain, launching your own meeting planning business is a great idea. You’ve got the knowledge and the contacts, so you’re already one step ahead. Conversely, if you decide to start a candle manufacturing company, the learning curve will be tremendous. You don’t know the “tricks of the trade” of that industry and won’t be using your already existing intellectual property. Doing what you know – or at least have some experience and knowledge in – makes a world of difference in how quickly you will succeed. What’s more, if it’s something that you know and something that you’ve already succeeded in, it tends to be “close to your heart.” As an entrepreneur, you’re going to be working very long hours and, as such, it is best to do something that you already value and cherish.

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Best Practice: Understand Your Money
For all too many start-up entrepreneurs, their lack of knowledge about how their money “works” has been their downfall. Here’s a prime example: A career coach charges $100 an hour for her services and thinks she’s making $100 an hour. Wrong! If you subtract business overhead costs (e.g., phones, computers, office space, utilities, office supplies), then subtract state, federal and FICA taxes, that $100 is much closer to $35–$40 if you’re lucky! To succeed in business, you MUST have a true understanding of how your money works, where it comes from, where you spend it, and what your bottom-line profits truly are. Unless you happen to be an accountant yourself, get an accountant now … before it’s too late!

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Best Practice: Build A Market Niche
Businesses that tend to stand out from the crowd are often those businesses that focus their products and services in a particular market niche. A prime example is a law firm that specializes in real estate. Rather than being lost in the enormous number of general law practices, this firm stands out and has immediate market recognition as an “expert” in real estate law. In turn, they have a unique market position that attracts the specific clientele they want. What’s more, they have substantially less competition. A niche marketing concept will give you significant market visibility and, over time, build a substantial customer base. And do not feel as though you have to limit yourself to just one niche. Consider two or three related niches and watch your business grow!

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Best Practice: Get Published
If you’re published, people think that you’re an expert. It’s that simple. Whether a book or an article, it gives you and your business instant credibility. And, it’s so very easy to get published today. There are thousands, if not tens of thousands, of websites that are hungry for content. Sometimes they will pay; other times, they will not. However, the exposure and visibility you get is well worth the time to write a quick article. Start by contacting one of your industry’s professional associations to ask if they need an article – for their website or newsletter. Before you know it, you and your business will come to be recognized as experts. Can you think of any better way to build your customer base and credibility?

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Best Practice: Network … Network … Network
Building your market visibility, network of contacts, and network of referrals is vital to your long-term success. You cannot rely on business just knocking at your door no matter how much you spend on advertising. Instead, you have to go get it … sometimes through direct sales calls; other times, through more passive networking channels such as participation in your local chamber of commerce, local lead exchange group, or other business/professional association. Consider sending a quarterly e-newsletter to your existing customers to share company news, introduce new services and products, and ask for referrals. Commit yourself to making 2–3 new business contacts every month, separate and apart from any direct selling and/or marketing activities that you do. These may be people you want to do business with and/or they may know others who would be interested in what you have to offer. Remember, the larger your network, the more visible you and your company will be, the greater name recognition you will achieve, and the more customers who will, indeed, come knocking at your door.

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Best Practice: Market Through Multiple Channels
No single advertising, promotional, or marketing strategy works in isolation. True marketing and business development is a culmination of wide variety of strategies, tactics, and actions that will generate clients from a diversity of sources. The marketing, advertising, and promotional channels you use will depend entirely on your product or service and the customers you are trying to reach. Your objective is to create a plan that integrates all of the primary marketing channels appropriate for your business (e.g., print advertising, Yellow Pages advertising, website, online advertising, online social media, targeted direct mail, public speaking, networking, incentives). When creating your marketing plan – for today and tomorrow – be sure to identify and develop ALL channels that will lead you to your targeted customer base.

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW

Best Practice: Find Balance or Blend
Learning to balance (or blend) your entrepreneurial life with your personal life will most likely be a lifelong challenge. It can be extremely difficult to “walk away from work” when 1000 things are happening, but it’s time to go home, make dinner, care for your children, love your spouse, and spend time not working. It’s a constant juggling act that you must work hard to manage. Try scheduling time for family, friends, and YOURSELF into your calendar, and realize that these activities are just as important to your overall success as the time you spend working in your business. A happy and healthy individual is a vastly more productive individual, able to meet constant challenges and demands and move forward. The energy you get from interactions with family and friends, and the quiet time you devote to yourself, are rejuvenating and critical for any successful entrepreneur.

Contributed by Wendy S. Enelow, CCM, MRW, JCTC, CPRW