Kathryn Janicek

Will you be LinkedIn or left out?

June 21, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

It is growing more and more misleading to refer to LinkedIn as a “social” media platform. Although it is one of the most popular digital marketing platforms, it is far from simply a social tool. LinkedIn is the leading online business-oriented networking service used to connect professionals. Ten years after its launch, LinkedIn reported more than 259 million members in more than 200 countries and territories. So it prompts the question: will you be LinkedIn or Left out?

When actively used, LinkedIn can strengthen and extend the existing network of your trusted contacts. Whether you own a small business, are a top executive at a Fortune 500 company – or fall somewhere in between – LinkedIn can be a powerful tool, when we apply it with purpose.

Those bold, italicized words in that last paragraph? Let’s emphasize them again. Actively used. Purpose. Within these words lies the secret to success on LinkedIn.

Let’s first define your purpose.

“Because my Marketing Director keeps telling me to…” may be the push you needed to read this blog, but here are a few more serious ideas to think about when establishing your purpose:

Establishing your expertise through your profile page and shared content, while also sharing the expertise of others within your organization.
Seeking out strategic alliances to help build your client base.
Developing relationships with people in specific industries.
Gaining information about clients, competitors, and industries.
Maintaining contact with your real-world connections.
Searching for new job opportunities, freelance work, or in reverse, looking for job applicants and referrals for professional freelancers.
Reinforcing your personal branding as a professional, a thought leader, or a community member.
Connecting your business with other businesses, and in effect your business leadership with other professionals.

Once you establish your purpose for using LinkedIn, it serves as a baseline for your engagement. Or, in simple terms, your purpose leads you to develop a simple strategy to actively use the site. By establishing a routine tied to your purpose, you’ll be able to get on and off the site, while making efficient and effective use of your time.

For instance, joining and creating groups, leveraging your articles and blogs through the publish feature, and sponsoring updates are all great ways to engage with other users, depending on your purpose for using LinkedIn, and with whom you are striving to connect.

You’re here. You’re ready. So start with the basics.

Download this one page document with tips to use while building or enhancing your LinkedIn profile. These ideas transcend across all industries, no matter your profession or title.

For those in professional service industries, the American Bar Association offers some additional items to include in your profile – and why – along with how to build your strategic network on LinkedIn.

Now it’s time to answer the ultimate question: Will you be LinkedIn or Left Out?

Julie Holton is the Principal Strategist and Owner of mConnexions, a full-service marketing and communications agency with a focus on developing digital marketing solutions for clients. Relationships are the key to building business. mConnexions works to build those connections, one marketing lead at a time. Connect with Julie on LinkedIn and learn more about mConnexions at mConnexions.com.

What happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas

June 6, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

I was in Vegas last weekend. My husband and I wanted to get away for some pool time before a busy June hit. (It was also my birthday weekend.)

I dumped a few hundred down some slots and he made a hefty deposit while playing the tables. Thank you, Steve Wynn.

We flew in Thursday and didn’t hear about the terror threat until we landed that afternoon. Law enforcement was already boosted by the time we hit the ground. Vegas was a target because an ISIS propaganda video called for lone wolf attacks showed several Las Vegas Strip properties.

No one was really talking about it inside the casinos. Possibly because they were on vacation and drinking too many of these tasty little watermelon and vodka punches. I do know security was ramped up. Kathy Griffin also talked about it during her show. (This was three days before the President Trump beheading video.)

In my head – I was prepared for anything.

I wore sandals at dinners and shows instead of the heels that remained in my luggage. I kept my bag packed and my phone charged. (Speaking of purses… take a look at the tiny little chair waiters bring you for your bag during dinner? They’re really looking out for the girl who doesn’t want to place her handbag on the floor.)

It might be the news producer in me or because I spent three years in law enforcement… or was it all those years in Girl Scouts? I was ready.

My husband? He thought I was being a little ridiculous. But – you never can be too ready.

It’s a little like the bag I bring along on shoots for my clients. I have makeup for men and women. Deodorant, tape, body tape, things to stick in your bra to make your clothing look better, hair ties, blotters, eye cream, my favorite all-natural throat lozenges (ask me about them, they’re amazing)… you name it. You never know what your client will need. My job is to be ready and make them look and sound as best as possible.

Are you ready for your next emergency?

Ready for when the media calls?

Ready to perform?

Ready for your next boardroom pitch/interview/meeting/public speaking event/Facebook Live?

Here are some quick tips on how to prepare that I recently shared live on Facebook (please don’t mind the random thoughts and special appearance by my dog Mariel – when we’re live on Facebook, anything goes!):

I have an entire summer of ways you can get in the media or improve your public speaking — so make sure I’m making it into your inbox and not your spam! Not signed up for my free tips yet? Head on over to this page to start learning how you can get yourself noticed (and make more money).

PS: If you’re going to be in Vegas anytime soon… make sure to catch the Fogerty show. Worth every cent and more. Here’s just a taste of him performing with his sons. What a moment.

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What we can learn from Jimmy Kimmel

May 2, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

Picture courtesy of ABC

By now, you’ve heard about this clip from Jimmy Kimmel Live! You may have even watched it a few times. It’s hard to miss it on Facebook and Twitter.

Jimmy revealed that he and his wife gave birth to a son, who, after delivery, was found to have severe heart defects. Jimmy shared details of what lead up to the emergency surgery – and then a plea to level the playing field of healthcare.

We can learn a lot from Jimmy Kimmel here. This is a perfect example of why he’s so popular. While Jimmy Fallon can sometimes seem a little too sugar sweet and even fake — Kimmel’s the real thing. Fallon’s afraid of ruffling a few feathers… Kimmel is authentic.

By looking at Kimmel as a company, as a brand, you can take a few things and use them to grow your own business.

Specifically, I want to talk about know, like and trust.

Marketing is all about getting a prospect or lead to know you’re out there… like who you are and trust you.

This doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time to build a brand and the trust needed to land the sale or gain a new client. When you see someone you like in a bar, you’re not usually jumping right to the wedding that night. It takes TIME to get to know, like and trust.

KNOW: Jimmy didn’t just land the TV slot he has now. He started in college radio and found himself eventually at LA’s KROQ. In the 90’s, he hosted Comedy Central‘s game show, Win Ben Stein‘s Money. Later he joined with Adam Carolla and Daniel Kellison to create The Man Show and Crank Yankers featuring David Alan Grier, Dane Cook, Seth MacFarlane, Wanda Sykes, and Sarah Silverman. Jimmy Kimmel Live! debuted in 2003. YOU started by creating a digital brand with a website, social media and maybe a Google ad. Or – you started selling an item out of your garage and then after you grew, you got a storefront. You didn’t just appear out of the blue to your audience. They gradually got to know you through many channels. They may have heard your name 12 times before trying your product. This is how marketing works. You have to be there all the time, so when they need you – you’re there. Drip, drip, drip. An email blast, a Facebook post, a media interview, a blog… give your audience lots of “drips” so when they need you – they’ll see another “drip” from you and call you. I can help you with this media/marketing strategy.
LIKE: Jimmy is a master at this. I liked him on The Man Show… I liked him even more when I found out he was dating Sarah Silverman. Then he started bringing his family on his show… then he created the Halloween candy video phenomenon showing parents stealing their kids’ candy… the list goes on and on. They guy is just so damn likable. But here’s the real takeaway. He’s AUTHENTIC. He shows his family and doesn’t hide his and their faults. He makes jokes about how he was brought up… how loud his aunts are… He let Sarah Silverman make fun of him over and over on air. He makes fun of HIMSELF. In this video posted above he thanks his current wife for “having sex with him.” He doesn’t think he’s a stud. He’s honest, humble and REAL. He’s authentic. He also lets you talk back. It’s a real conversation. He asks for videos from his audience and other ways to initiate a two-way conversation. He doesn’t just talk “at” his audience.
TRUST: The more your product costs, the deeper the trust needs to be. Trust makes the sale. We trust Jimmy Kimmel. He’s not fake – he’s consistent and doesn’t disappoint. We know he’ll be on and he’ll be real. He doesn’t even have to be funny all the time because we like and trust him.

That last point is huge. At some point, your company will make a mistake. By laying this groundwork of helping them know, like and trust you — they’ll let you make that mistake and stick it out with you. You’ll survive a crisis better if you’re known, liked and trusted.

Can you show more authenticity in your marketing?

Can you sound more honest and humble?

Are there ways you can get real with your future customers?

Are there ways you can become known better through media, blogging and social media?

When you combine the elements of know, like and trust – you build a tribe of loyal fans who can become loyal customers.

It takes time and effort.

I’m game. Are you?

I’d love to give you a free consultation. Click here to schedule it now.

How public speaking skills can propel your career

May 1, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

Remember debate team in high school?

I wish I had joined.

Don’t get me wrong, I loved being an editor of my school’s paper, concert choir, DECA, acting in high school musicals and plays… but I didn’t really understand the value of debate team until later.

Preparing and delivering an argument has to be one of the skills we most need in life – no matter what we do for a living.

I think back now and wish debate team was required in schools. What’s a more valuable skill to learn?

Public speaking skills like being able to think on your feet, deliver an argument, defend your worth… these are all strengths that can propel your career.

My husband and I started watching the show, The Grinder, last night on Netflix. Have you seen it?

The show aired on Fox but was canceled in May 2016. It’s clever… it just never achieved high ratings.

The series follows actor Dean Sanderson, Jr. (Rob Lowe), who returns to his hometown of Boise, Idaho after his long-running television series ends. Though Rob Lowe’s character is not a lawyer, he thinks his experience playing one on TV qualifies him to practice law. He joins his family’s law firm much to the chagrin of his younger brother played by Fred Savage (who’s still as cute as he was as a kid), who’s a real-life lawyer.

Fred Savage’s character has the law degree and the real knowledge. He studies. He’s prepared.

But, over and over — people are attracted to the brother played by Rob Lowe who has NO legal knowledge or degree. They want HIM to represent them in court. Why? Besides for the fact that he’s Rob Lowe…

Because he looks and sounds like he knows what he’s talking about. He’s eloquent… convincing… and a little suave. He carries himself with confidence, makes eye contact, smiles … while Fred Savage’s character has all the real facts of each case… but reads with his nose stuck in his notes. No eye contact. Just awkward body language… and stern looks.

So imagine the power of knowing what you’re talking about AND having the delivery that attracts your audience? Imagine drawing people to you naturally without having to sell to them.

What could you do at work with that kind of power?

Whether you’re an electrician or an electrical engineer – you interact with clients – selling yourself each and every day.

Leaders speak calmly and clearly in an emergency. They stand out and more easily move up.

If you want to advance in your career, communicating effectively is essential. You must sum up your ideas and solutions faster than the others. If your job (or your dream job) requires any kind of presentations or just mingling – you need public speaking skills.

Some companies offer classes on this because they know it’s that important. If your company doesn’t, look for a local class in public speaking. I can help you too.

If you think colleagues would be interested, let’s talk about presenting the idea of holding a class at work to your company. You’ll get bonus points for organization and initiative.

Are you touching yourself?

April 28, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

It’s a very important question.

You could be doing it – and have NO idea.

Most people don’t.

They do it in meetings, at their desk, in interviews, even on stage!

It’s really not a good thing.

I had a client who did it at the beginning of his media training with me yesterday… and with my help, he stopped. You can too.

Do YOU touch your face? At work, in meetings, during interviews or on stage? You shouldn’t.

Not only is it gross because you’re transferring bacteria, allergens and viruses to your face — but it’s also a dead giveaway that you’re uncomfortable with the situation.

When you rub your face, you’re calming yourself down because there are nerve endings there. Giving yourself a good temple rub in the bathroom is okay… but don’t do it in public IF you care what others think.

People absorb all the things you do PHYSICALLY while you’re speaking to them. They take that in as content. Not just what you SAY.

If you don’t really care what people think of you – then rub away. If you’re in sales, have a leadership role, looking to move up or own a company… you DO care… and it’s definitely something to work on.

This is why I record my clients on video. Sometimes they have no idea what they look like while they’re talking until they see what I shoot. It’s much easier to fix issues when you’re aware of them.

Try shooting video of yourself.

Positive body language could definitely help you become a more effective leader.

Would you like help? Click here for a free strategy session on the phone or on Skype.

No one at work will tell you this (especially if you’re the boss)

April 28, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

Some people talk with their hands.

Some people talk with their hands a little too much.

They’re in the middle of a room – yet, it’s like they’re waving down a plane. Distracting? Yes.

Have you ever been in an audience or watched someone online and found yourself watching them act like they’re conducting an orchestra? And you don’t remember a word they said?

What you’re DOING with your face, hands and the rest of your body can either ADD or DETRACT from your message. They may not hear a word you’re saying because of what your body’s doing.

You may have no idea you even have this issue. Most people won’t tell you. We’re all too nice. ESPECIALLY if you’re the boss.

Your non-verbal communication will contribute (or is contributing right now) to your success or failure.

Kasia Wezowski is the founder of the Center for Body Language and the author of four books on the subject. She recently wrote about this for the Harvard Business Review.

In the article, she specifically broke down body language from the 2012 U.S. Presidential election. The Center for Body Language conducted an online survey with 1,000 participants.

“… both Democrats and Republicans—watched two-minute video clips featuring Barack Obama and Mitt Romney at campaign events delivering both neutral and emotional content. Webcams recorded the viewers’ facial expressions, and our team analyzed them for six key emotions identified in psychology research: happy, surprised, afraid, disgusted, angry, and sad. We coded for the tenor of the emotion (positive or negative) and how strongly it seem to be expressed. This analysis showed that Obama sparked stronger emotional responses and fewer negative ones. Even a significant number of Republicans—16%— reacted negatively to Romney. And when we analyzed the candidates’ body language, we found that the President displayed primarily open, positive, confident positions congruent with his speech. Romney, by contrast, often gave out negative signals, diminishing his message with contradictory and distracting facial expressions and movement.”

Are you sending out positive and open signals? Or are you sending out negative and distracting signals?

Let’s take a look.

The Center for Body Language studied successful leaders across a range of fields and identified several positions which indicate effective, persuasive body language.

Here are its findings:

The box

“Early in Bill Clinton’s political career he would punctuate his speeches with big, wide gestures that made him appear untrustworthy. To help him keep his body language under control, his advisors taught him to imagine a box in front of his chest and belly and contain his hand movements within it. Since then, “the Clinton box” has become a popular term in the field.”

Holding the ball

“Gesturing as if you were holding a basketball between your hands is an indicator of confidence and control, as if you almost literally have the facts at your fingertips hands. Steve Jobs frequently used this position in his speeches.”

Wide stance

“How people stand is a strong indicator of their mindset. When you stand in this strong and steady position, with your feet about a shoulder width apart, it signals that you feel in control.”

Palms up

“This gesture indicates openness and honesty. Oprah makes strong use of this during her speeches. She is a powerful, influential figure, but also appears willing to connect sincerely with the people she is speaking to, be it one person or a crowd of thousands.”

Palms down

“The opposite movement can be viewed positively too—as a sign of strength, authority and assertiveness. Barack Obama has often used it to calm a crowd right after moments of rousing oration.”

Try shooting video of yourself. How did you stand? How did you use your hands?

Positive body language could definitely help you become a more effective leader.

Would you like help? Please click here for a free strategy session on the phone or on Skype (so I can check out your body language).

Curse of the resting bitch face

April 20, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

“Smile.” “Why don’t you smile more?” “You’re so pretty when you smile.” When I was younger, directors said it to me. Photographers. Bosses. Strangers on the street. My parents still do. “Smile.”

Resting Bitch Face Media Training — My resting bitch face found in the wild while producing a show on Midway Airport in Chicago.

I speak at colleges often. Recently, at Loyola University Chicago’s School of Communications, resting bitch face came up. Lots of people have it. I’m one of them. I may look like I want to tear you apart, when actually, I’m singing Oh Happy Day in my head. Those suffering from Resting Bitch Face (aka Bitchy Resting Face) are mostly women. You know someone afflicted with it. They may look vaguely annoyed, judgy and slightly bored. I talk about resting bitch face when I coach women. It’s important to know if you have one. Especially when you’re interviewing for a job, speaking on stage or doing a media appearance. Queen Elizabeth, Anna Kendrick, Victoria Beckham and Kanye all have it. Here’s a little science behind it. Jason Rogers and Abbe Macbeth, behavioral researchers with international research and innovation firm Noldus Information Technology, decided to investigate: Why are some faces off-putting? What, exactly, makes us register as RBF? The researchers enlisted Noldus’s FaceReader, a sophisticated tool engineered to identify specific expressions based on a catalogue of more than 10,000 images of human faces. The software, which can examine faces through a live camera, a photograph or a video clip, maps 500 points on the human face, then analyzes the image and assigns an expression based on eight basic human emotions: happiness, sadness, anger, fear, surprise, disgust, contempt, and “neutral.”

My resting bitch face found in the wild while producing a show on Midway Airport in Chicago.

Anna Kendrick and her self-described bitchy resting face.

One particular emotion that helps the reader’s response jump is contempt. The software measures the look of contempt in a face in subtle signals, like “one side of the lip pulled back slightly, the eyes squinting a little,” Rogers explained. Or: “It’s kind of a tightening around the eyes, and a little bit of raising of the corners of the lips — but not into a smile,” Macbeth suggested. The cues are understated, yet the machine detects and interprets them the same way our human brains do. This is important. You may not know it – but your brain detects and interprets what it thinks someone is feeling or saying through their face. It means – even though one thing is coming out of your mouth… the way your face LOOKS may determine how that person feels about you and what you’re saying. Here’s the kicker. Noldus’s FaceReader is software and therefore immune to gender bias. It detected RBF in male and female faces in equal measure. Which means that the idea of RBF as a predominantly female phenomenon has little to do with facial physiology and more to do with social norms. Have you ever heard anyone tell a man to smile? It’s pretty rare for a man to have resting bitch face. Smiling is expected from women far more than it’s expected from men. “… there’s a lot of anecdotal articles and scientific literature on that. So RBF isn’t necessarily something that occurs more in women, but we’re more attuned to notice it in women because women have more pressure on them to be happy and smiley and to get along with others.” Macbeth said. Worried you may have RBF? What else could you be doing that you are not aware of right now that’s hurting you in interviews, public speaking and media appearances? Let me help you. As a media coach and public speaking trainer, I help my clients with these issues. I’d love to send you free tips like these regularly. Sign up for my media blasts here.

Why wait for someone to give it to you?

April 19, 2017 by Kathryn Janicek

When I was about 35, I remember thinking about all the things I wanted to do, but was waiting for because they were things to do when “I get married.” I’m not the only one who thinks this way. I hear a lot of women say things like, “I can’t wait to go to Paris (or insert some amazing city on their list) someday with someone special.”

I had the list of what I was waiting to do… but I also had a checklist of what I wanted for myself before I got married.

Build a career I love (check)
Buy my own home (check, did it twice)
Get my own diamonds, before someone else does (check)

Why did I need to do those things for myself, while subconsciously, I still waited for other things – until I got married?

And, do we do the same thing when it comes to our careers?

Are you waiting for:

opportunities to do more public speaking?
training on how to deliver better in interviews?
video to show off your personality on social media, your website or LinkedIn?
guidance on how to perfect your personal appearance?
help to market yourself with a personal website?
someone to show you how to revamp your LinkedIn page?

Is there something else you’re waiting for today?

Maybe you think the next big promotion will give you those opportunities or your boss will pay for more training.

We all think the next move will give us more. But, what if it doesn’t?

What if the training you receive now, will help you land your next raise, promotion or title?

Recruiters tell the Graduate Management Admission Council that the top skills MBAs need are oral communication, listening and writing.

Hiring a media coach or a public speaking trainer benefits your career greatly, and if your company doesn’t reimburse you for the expense, it’s a tax write-off.

It’s a good idea to hone these skills now so when the spotlight shines on you with the opportunity to move up – you’re ready.

I can help you. Book your free consultation with me here.

In case you were wondering… here are three of the things I wanted to do once I got married:

KitchenAid Stand Mixer (don’t quite know what I’d do with it, but they work for girls like Giada)
Nespresso machine (espresso at home… delivered in a way even I can’t mess up… because coffee is a BIG deal to TV producers)
A week (or longer) eating, drinking and dancing my way through other countries

You can’t keep waiting until you’re married, make more money, or the market hits its “real bottom.”

You can’t wait to get media coaching or to revamp your LinkedIn or website.

Go get what you want now.

Book your free consultation with me here.

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