Should You Have a Catchphrase?

One of the ways you get noticed online is to be memorable. Are you memorable?

I was recently looking at a page my friend liked on Facebook and I was struck by how the person who manages the page uses the same phrase at the end of all the updates: That makes me smile.

 

The page is called Unlucky Victor and is about a dog who was attacked, kicked, shot, and ultimately rescued. Today, Victor lives in a loving home and all the Facebook updates are written in his voice. No matter what he says, he ends with that makes me smile. This catchphrase makes this page more memorable than any of the other pages I like. It makes me a fan.  

This kind of tactic is a unique way to brand your efforts and is a really smart idea. Think about it. Could you benefit from a catchphrase that you use on your blog, website, newsletter, or any other form of online outreach? If so, well, that makes me smile.

Authenticity is the secret sauce

It's a new world out there. We're all online and everything we do in the social networking space cements our professional reputations and our personal brands. What we say, how we say it, and the actions we take define us--and all the world is watching. But, how real is what you're putting out there?

This week, 90210 actress AnnaLynne McCord made headlines when she tweeted a photo of herself without a stitch of makeup. She made a surprising move and shared her authentic self with the masses. Blemishes and all. Do you share just as openly?

Left: AnnaLynne McCord with makeup and hairstyling. Right: AnnaLynne au natural. 

When we blog, tweet, podcast, or do other things online, we're trying to brand ourselves by creating an image. That public image, however, is sometimes very different than our authentic selves. Behind the metaphoric makeup, we all have imperfections.

Your professional goals may be to become the next Darren Rowse or Mari Smith, but it's not gonna happen. Know why? Only Darren is Darren and only Mari is Mari. To try to be them is nothing other than a goal to be a cheap knock-off. Instead of being them, shouldn't you be the best version of you? And that doesn't mean more mascara or a flashier website.

So, here's the reality. We all work hard to perfect that public image; to ensure we're portrayed in the best light possible. But, instead of worrying about the spin, how about being real? The truth is being authentic is powerful. It's something that makes people relate to you, cheer for you, support you, and remember you.

Regardless of what you put out there to maintain your image, there's no hiding from who you really are. You know yourself better than anyone. Why not share that person--the real you--with the world? Flaws and all. You may be surprised by how liberating and empowering a little authenticity can be. 

Are you branding or are you blowing it?

Whether you're talking about a company or a person, building a brand takes work--and consistency. Who are you? What does your company represent? What words do you want to spring to mind when people think of you or your business?

Martin Lindstrom wrote a great piece in Fast Company called, "Your Business Card is a Billboard for Your Brand". Not only does he show some neat examples of great cards, but he uses Ikea as an example of consistent branding. Its do-it-yourself image is conveyed in everything it does. It's business cards have "name", "email", "phone" printed on them with a blank line for staffers to fill in their own info. New employees are shown to their empty offices, which are later filled with boxes of Ikea furniture. Ikea lives its brand.

Do you?

Branding isn't just about your logo. It's about your public image. Kind of like the keywords you use in SEO, but only this is real life. What do you want people to think when your name or company is mentioned?

Personally, I've found Klout's +K feature to be very insightful when it comes to my own personal branding. If you're not familiar with the tool, it allows people to endorse others on the topics that Klout has determined they tweet about the most. This is good for two reasons:

1) You can see if your given topics are things that you want to be known for (and, if not, you should fix that!).

2) Based on the number of +Ks you're given by other Twitter users, you can get some insight as to how others perceive you.

Above are the top five topics Klout has said I'm influential about (based on my tweets, retweets, conversations, etc.). Are these things I want to be known for? You betcha!

Your branding is cemented with every action you take and every word you speak. Are you putting in the thought that's required to shape your brand? Think about the following weapons in your promotional arsenal and whether they're solidifying the image you want to create and the brand you're striving to build:

• Business card
• Twitter bio (including background and avatar)
• LinkedIn profile
• Email signature
• Collateral materials
• Recruitment tools (if you're a business, your brand should promote a culture to prospective employees)
• Google profile (more important than ever since the launch of Google+!)
• YouTube channel
• Blog
• Search results

Unlike the old days when the media was the only one able to tell your story, today's web and social networking tools have empowered us all to be our own PR firms. If you do it in public, you're saying something about your brand. Will that message be positive or negative? It's up to you.

Hey Mr. Humdrum! You're boring me to DEATH!

Do you think independently and take actions to set yourself apart from the crowd? Or, are you a lesser version of yourself shaped by apathy?  Worse yet, are you just like everyone else? Gasp!

A great example of someone really coloring outside the lines is Alec Brownstein. Alec, a 28-year-old designer, wanted to work at a different ad agency. To make that happen, he infused his job search with some guerrilla-style marketing techniques and got noticed. What did Alec do?

Well, Alec figured his targeted employers do the same thing lots of us do regularly; Google ourselves. He then used Google AdWords to purchase the names of some top creative directors. Here's what happened:



Is Alec smarter than you or me? Definitely not! But did Alec pursue a path less traveled? You betcha! And, most importantly, it garnered results.

What can you do differently today to shake up things? Are some of your processes worth revisiting? Can a tweak here and an alteration there get you more customers, greater exposure, or help you get closer to your goals? Can you try new tools, collaborate with new people, or look at things with a different mindset?

The most successful people are in a constant state of flux. Growing, improving, evolving. Are you doing the same? Or, have you become fat and happy. And, perhaps, just a little obsolete along the way...

* For those of you who subscribe via a reader, click on the blog post title to see the video that accompanies this piece. 

Reputation management is a 24-hour a day job

What you do and how you do it tells people a lot about you. The way you conduct yourself professionally--and personally--tells clients, potential customers, peers, and acquaintances all they need to know about your priorities, values, and overall attitude. With every day and every moment comes the opportunity to brand yourself and build your reputation. Are you squandering that chance or seizing it?

This month, I've been helping a friend show an apartment he has for rent. He's in the hospital so I offered to post the ads, take the calls, set the appointments, and show the unit. At the time, I had no idea that would mean fielding a minimum of 20 calls a day and showing the unit 75 times over the course of two weeks. The process has taken over my life, but it's very interesting to have contact with so many different people. Even more interesting to see how many of those folks are incredibly challenged when it comes to basic social skills.

People who are interested in the apartment call me outside of the times I said I would accept calls (phoning me at 11:45pm isn't gonna win you any brownie points). I've had several people get short with me because I was unable to show the apartment at the time they initially suggested. Yet, others, just leave vague messages; not identifying themselves or leaving contact info. And, don't even get me started on all the people who are no shows and don't have the courtesy to call me so I don't waste my time waiting.

So, what does this have to do with business? Well, it got me to wondering what kind of employees or proprietors these people are. Are some of these problem children as self-involved and unaware in their workplaces? Do they act entitled and demanding in meetings? Are they disrespectful of their supervisor's time and uncaring as to whether they inconvenience their peers or customers?

I've met many talented people during this process. Some of the folks work in professional capacities where I might be able to send some potential work their way. Others are people who would probably benefit from some good word of mouth about their businesses. One guy I was excited about meeting because I had heard of his restaurant and was eager to try it (his assistant set up the appointment with me). However, when the man showed up, he was rude and dismissive to me. Rest assured I won't be patronizing his establishment after that encounter.

Remember, in its most basic form, personal branding is about reputation. Who we are is reflected in our daily actions and interactions, whether we think about it or not. How we spend our time, the company we keep, the way we treat others. It all conveys something to those around us. Do you want that impression to be good? Or do you not care?

What are you doing to ensure that your personal and professional reputation is the best that it can be? Remember, everything you do is yet another opportunity to outshine the competition! Will you seize that chance or let it slip away?

5 phrases that ruin your Twitter bio

I decide on who to follow on Twitter based, almost exclusively, on their bio. Turn me off in those 160 characters and our relationship is over before it even began.

Unfortunately, too many think of that bio as a hassle. Something they've gotta plug a few words into. Or, worse yet, some people don't put anything at all. Big mistake. Your Twitter bio is your one shot to sell yourself to a stranger; don't blow it.

Think of it this way. Twitter is a networking event or a cocktail party. A stranger approaches you in the crowd, "Hi, I'm John," he says. "So, tell me about yourself." Your Twitter bio is, in essence, the two or three sentences that you'd use to answer that question.

Your bio opens the gateway to meet people and showcase your personality. A good combo of your professional interests and hobbies usually make for the best Twitter bios. Those few words can open doors and welcome others into your world. Unfortunately, nothing can yank away that welcome mat faster than including the following phrases in your Twitter bio:

Staunch Republican or Liberal Democrat
We all have opinions, but why put one out there that at least 50% of the people are bound to disagree with? Twitter is about expanding your network; not creating conflict.

Affiliate Marketer
Sure, I know that lots of people do affiliate marketing. Even some big time bloggers have affiliate links on their sites. But, none of those people use the term "affiliate marketer" to describe themselves. To do so, in my humble opinion, makes me feel like you're gonna spam me with your affiliate links. I already feel under attack before we've even connected.

I Tweet a Lot
This is something I see fairly frequently. It's not a practice that scares me aware, but I love Twitter and manage my stream pretty well. However, folks who are new to Twitter can get really overwhelmed when they see that.  Forge the connection first and let them decide if you tweet too much. If you do, they'll unfollow. If not, maybe they'll become your new best friend or next client.

Follower of Christ 
Okay, I know some people are gonna beat me up for this one. And, no, I'm not a Satan worshipper. But, much like politics, religion can create divisions. Your purpose on Twitter is to meet new people, right? So, why put up walls that may alienate people who think differently? 

I Follow Back or #TeamFollowBack
Ugh. I hate these ones. People who say this stuff are almost always all about numbers. They don't care about connecting with you or me, they just want to grow their follower count. You'll never be Sally or Stewart to them, you're just someone who has helped them reach that next milestone. 

So, back to the cocktail party. John has asked you about yourself. What phrases will describe you, while putting out that welcome mat? What will give John an overview of the value you can bring to this new relationship (professionally or personally)? Is there anything you could say that might spark a positive conversation? Why should John introduce you around to others?

If your Twitter bio isn't something you'd use to answer John's question, perhaps it's time to tinker with it a little. It's only 160 characters, but it's someone's first impression of you. Shouldn't it be the best you can offer?

What can someone put in their Twitter bio that's an immediate deal breaker for you? What key phrases draw you in or push you away?

Are you editing your life to tell the best story?

Regardless of your age, you've probably seen Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The comedy from the iconic John Hughes was an excuse for many teens to cut school in the '80s to look for fun. It was silly, lighthearted, and downright amusing. But, with a slight twist, it could have been a much different film.

Joseph Brett, a film maker in London, recently made his own trailer for the movie. He changed the soundtrack and selected clips that gave the film more of an indie feel, full of angst and uncertainty. I was dumbfounded with the results. Check it out:



Talented people can look at a bucket and rattle off a hundred uses for it. They can see the million shades of gray that separate white and black. And, challenges are merely opportunities. Smart people who succeed can, and do, create the soundtracks to own their lives. They are not the actors who simply do what they're told, they are the editors who shape the story.

Are you telling the right story in the right way? Whether it be for your company, your self, or your brand? Are you highlighting certain things, while ignoring the others? Are you focusing on the wrong facts altogether? Is the image, the feeling, and the message you're conveying the one that serves you best? Are you letting other people control your story?

Is it, perhaps, time to do some editing?

* Hat tip to Lindsay Barnett who shared this video on her Facebook wall. 

Contest criminals: Social media's dirty little secret

I recently wrote about things on Twitter that need to stop ("7 Twitter Crimes That Need to be Outlawed"). Number Four was "Questionable Contests". Today, I'm so freakin' disgusted that good ole' number four is gonna get its very own rant. Let's get started.

Early last month, I visited the blog of a Twitter connection who was hosting a contest and giving away a book. Leave a comment to enter, easy enough. In black and white it said the winner would be selected on Monday (which was only five days away). I left a comment, a wonderfully witty one at that, and then went about living my glamorous life. Today, I was catching up on some stuff and remembered the contest. I went back to the site to see who the winner was, but the post hadn't been updated. I then tweeted the blogger to ask who won the contest.

Now, the plus side is that the person did respond to my question. The flip side was this response: "Haven't picked a winner yet. I am gonna promote it to my list tomorrow and pick one by Monday!" Let's keep in mind I inquired more than a month after the winner should have been selected.

I'm sick of this bad behavior. It's at epidemic proportions online. These people who sponsor shady contests should be ashamed of themselves. Heck, there are state and federal laws in place to ensure that contests are conducted in a fair and honest manner. Unfortunately, enforcement is non-existent when it comes to the small potato stuff like this. But, it shouldn't take a government agency to make you keep your word! You say you're gonna do something; do it. That's how my mama raised me; I'm sure yours did, too.

The sad thing is, this is not just the action of a misfit living in his family's basement getting a cheap laugh from spitting in the face of the establishment. This example comes from someone who appears to have worked very hard to create an online presence, to reinvent his career, and who also makes a decent amount of money promoting his "knowledge" of the social media space. Although he's not an A-lister, he's someone who gets to hang out with the big name people and has a Twitter handle that many people know. And, please don't try to tell me the guy's busy and forgot. I'm not buying it. Be accountable. That's the first rule in business.

This should probably be the point where I tell you who the guy is and get the linch mob all riled up. But, professionalism dictates that I don't. What I will tell you is this:

Trust your gut
If it walks like a duck, talks like a duck and looks like a duck; it's a duck. Someone who exhibits questionable behavior probably has questionable character.
 
Don't promote shysters
When you see someone online exhibiting behavior that doesn't earn your respect, don't engage with them just because you see other people doing it. Lots of folks will support others with the goal of getting noticed. But, do you really want to be noticed by a charlatan? I don't.

You are judged by the company you keep
I have now unfollowed this person on Twitter. I take great efforts to surround myself with people who hold themselves to a certain standard. Those who live their lives with integrity, honesty, and moral fortitude. This guy comes up short and isn't someone I want to be associated with. I'm done.

Protect your reputation
When you talk with someone online, you're implying to some degree that you think they're alright. If you take that further and retweet their blog post, share their contest, or promote their event, you're telling your network that you approve of this person. It's essentially vouching for them. The reputation you've established may sway people to participate, enroll, or otherwise support the person in question. Your reputation is at stake with every bit of information you share.

Yes, all of us who have a blog want good traffic. Me included. However, trying to increase traffic to a site by sponsoring a contest and then not awarding the prize? That's sleezy.

As for this blogger, I am truly honored that you've taken time out of your busy lives to visit my site. I am humbled that you're here and I don't take your readership for granted. I would never betray you, mislead you, or lie to you. That is my oath. That is my word. You can count on it--and me.

Thanks for reading. Now, let's get out there and clean up the Web, eh?

Are your personal tweets hurting your company's brand?

I saw this tweet today and, as someone who has managed employee communications for some large, worldwide companies, I thought it was good fodder for a conversation. I'm not sure if these two people in the tweet were just joking or if they really didn't understand why someone would write "all tweets are my own" in their Twitter bio. For the sake of argument, let's assume the latter.

As people utilize social media to put all their opinions out into the world, companies and smart employees are becoming ever more vigilant in protecting their digital footprints. As an employee, if you put your employer's name in your Twitter bio, you should very seriously consider putting a disclaimer similar to the one above. It protects you and the business who writes your paycheck.

Suppose I say in my Twitter bio that I work for Disney (I don't, but I'll happily listen to any job offers!). Then, in one of my tweets, I use some foul language, send a link to a YouTube video with lap dancers, or check in at Knott's Berry Farm on Foursquare. That reflects on my company. I work for them and my tweets have an impact on their brand. Employees represent the values and culture of a business, after all. My public behavior, and especially my conduct on the Web, can have ripple affects in the workplace.

Now, let's take this issue one step further and to another platform. I recently had lunch with a peer who said they had a problem with an employee who put product designs, which were still in development, on their Facebook page. Yes, the person was probably just excited to share his work with his friends. However, this put the company at risk. Releasing the company's plans--and designs--out into the public before the product launch could empower a competitor to develop a similar product. It could also have a serious effect on the company's profits and stockholders.

In this new world of social media, remember, the world is watching! If you say you're affiliated with a brand, your behavior may be scrutinized more closely. For those who don't like to edit themselves prior to tweeting, tread carefully. Making it clear that your opinions do not represent your company's can sometimes be a good idea.

My personal recommendation, however, would be to always use great care and discretion on your social media accounts. Refrain from saying anything that could reflect poorly on you or your employer. A reputation takes a lifetime to build and only minutes to destroy. 

What do you think? Do you put your employer's name in your Twitter bio? If not, why? If so, do you have a disclaimer that separates your actions from those of your employer?

Personal branding's one-stop shop

As most of you know, I'll check out most any social media site to see what it's all about. It might be a fit for me; it might not. But I always like to know what's out there.

I recently came across Flavors.me and, at first, thought it to be nothing more than an aggragator site. However, upon further analysis, I think it's something worth sharing.

Now, if you want to follow all your friends' content from different sites, I'd stick with FriendFeed. However, if you're looking to put all your content together to market yourself, I think Flavors.me is ideal.

You can personalize your page (see the demo video below), add any of the 18 services they support (e.g. Flickr, Facebook, YouTube, Tumblr), and turn your Flavors.me page into a one-stop shop to showcase your online presence. You can add the feeds to all your social networking sites, or just the links. Flavors.me could be especially beneficial to those who do not have a website or a blog and want to give people a web address that tells more about them.

If you'd like to see a solid example of how Flavors.me can be maximized, check out Stacey Soleil's page. She's added 9 services and personalized her homepage with a large photo of herself. Stacey's also done a great job utilizing the colors from the photo to create a color palette for the rest of her page. From her professional LinkedIn information to her Foursquare check-ins, tweets, videos, and blogs, you can get a real feel for what Stacey is all about.

If you're looking for a way to enhance your personal branding, Flavors.me might be a good tool to help you. At a minimum, it's a great resource that can help you highlight the content that you're generating on your social networking sites. And, unlike FriendFeed, you can create a page that is unique to your personality. So, what flavor are you?

The era of the egomaniac

In a day and age where very little is private and everyone is enjoying their 15 minutes (plus!) of fame, there always seems to be new ways for people to brag about themselves. One of the sites I find to be the most self-indulgent is Formspring.me (well, honestly, it's a tie between this and Daily Booth).

The concept is that anyone can ask you anything and you will provide an answer. Dark chocolate or milk chocolate? Boxers or briefs? Vodka or Gin? What are your super powers? What makes you awesome? These are just a random sampling of questions that I've seen. Granted, I think this might be appropriate fodder on a dating site such as eHarmony, but just to throw out into cyberspace? Don't we all have better things to do?

I'm under no illusion that people are fascinated with me or my life (now, if I were a celebrity or other high-profile personality, maybe folks would appreciate some insight into my world). But, do strangers really need to know that I love Archer Farms' dill pickle cashews from Target? Are their lives made richer by finding out that my knee hurts when it rains?

Social media is an amazing tool to create community, to make new personal and professional connections, to share ideas, to collaborate, and to broaden your horizons. But, I really see no point in the platforms that do nothing more than contribute to people's ego and sense of self-importance. Each year, the internet delivers more and more ways for us to talk about ourselves. However, it's the sites and tools that allow us to talk with one another that bring us closer together and build bridges.

Instead of me asking some random acquaintance what her/his favorite soft drink is, why not use that time to make a real difference? World peace, anyone?

DISCLAIMER: I suspect this post might irritate some of my social media colleagues who use Formspring.me and Daily Booth. If so, my apologies. I get paid the big bucks to discuss controversial subjects and challenge the status quo. Well, if big bucks means no bucks, that is.

How does Posterous fit into your social media portfolio?

There are so many social media platforms to tap into these days that it can sometimes be overwhelming. I'm a firm believer in tinkering around with everything to find out what works best for you and/or your brand. After all, you cannot devote 100% of your attention to every site out there; it's simply not possible.

Last month, I added Posterous to my arsenal of social media outlets. Many people in my business circle are on the site, so I wanted to check it out. For those of you not familiar with Posterous, it's similar to a blog. However, one of the nice features that it offers is autoposting. Essentially, you can post content to your Posterous from the web, or you can email it, and you can determine the other social media sites where you'd also like the post to appear. Currently, Posterous supports Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, Tumblr, Blogger, Wordpress, Typepad, Moveable Type, Livejournal, and Xanga. From a time management perspective, that option alone is pretty valuable.

Since I created my Posterous page, I've added more than a dozen posts and have tried to differentiate my Posterous from my blog, Twitter, Facebook business page, FriendFeed, LinkedIn, and plethora of other social media accounts. I have not used the autopost feature because my approach, at least for the moment, is that I try to avoid redundancy on my social media accounts. Aside from putting up teasers to my blog posts, all the content I post to Posterous is original (i.e. not replicated on my other SM platforms). Essentially, it's comprised of things that interest me and further highlight my personal brand, but may not seem worthy of a full-fledged blog post.

I'm still fine-tuning how I use Posterous and I'm sure it will continue to evolve. After all, social media is all about staying current, relevant, and changing with new online habits. What's big today may be passe in six months!

How do you incorporate Posterous into your social media strategy? If you're not on Posterous yet, do you think it might be worthwhile?

Don't be afraid to share what you know

This evening I asked a new gal pal of mine for her opinion about something pertaining to business. We exchanged a few tweets on the subject and ended up talking on the phone for a more in-depth conversation.

As we discussed a smattering of ideas, I was impressed with her approach to sharing information and experiences. We even talked about that specifically. Her philosophy, she told me, was simple, "My mission is to share and connect." Although I possess that same attitude toward helping colleagues and peers, I've never expressed it that way. I thought that was spectacular!

It is so refreshing when you meet people who realize that we are all better as a community when we are real with one another. Not all of us are experts on everything. We have our areas of expertise, but we also have our areas of weakness. It's alright not to know something. There is no shame in asking people whom you admire or respect for a little old-fashioned advice. And you are not diminishing your value by sharing what you know.

When times get tough, many people tend to be stingy with information. We think to ourselves: "If I know this and Joe Shmoe doesn't, I'm more likely to keep my job, get that promotion, or snag that client." However, never underestimate the value of being a team player, mentoring someone deserving, or establishing a reputation as someone who always makes the time to provide professional guidance. It's about paying it forward, but more than that it's about being human.

There's a wonderful quote that I use frequently and I think it sums up my feelings on the subject perfectly. I'll leave you to ponder (and hopefully embrace!) these words from Gandhi, a great thought leader: "Be the change you want to see in the world."

Now, go tackle the day and be great!

Use your unique skills to benefit others

Saturday is National Make a Difference Day. Now, many people recognize this day by performing one day of service: cleaning a beach, reading to children at the hospital, or working at a soup kitchen. However, there is a very easy way to volunteer on a regular basis by doing something that is uniquely you.

As someone in the professional world, you undoubtedly possess skills that have taken you years to learn and hone. Accountants, IT wizards, marketing pros, and ad folks all have talents that the general public does not. Why not offer your valuable and unique skills to benefit a local charity?

In the past, I've offered my services to a few nonprofits to assist in ways that most of their volunteers could not. I've written press releases, brochures, and other collateral materials for groups that provide community services that I value. If an organization is large, they probably have someone on staff to provide these skills. However, the small, local groups can use all the help they can get.

So, why not find a local nonprofit that supports a cause that resonates with you and see if the folks there can utilize your professional skills. Do they have a computer that needs repair? Do they need help designing an ad? Could they benefit from some guidance on their taxes? Do they need someone to set up a Twitter or Facebook page for them to raise awareness? Since it's your area of expertise, you'll be able to do it better and faster than they ever could.

And, remember the great quote by the famous philosopher and writer Henry David Thoreau, "One is not born into the world to do everything, but to do something." Now, go forth and serve.

Gratitude is sexy

Ashton Kutcher landed the profile in this week's Parade magazine. Although I can't really call myself a huge fan (although I did enjoy That 70s Show), this article did make me like him a lot more. He seems grounded, appreciative, and doesn't take his success for granted.

I remember reading another article on Ashton awhile back that said he used to work at a factory where we swept up Cheeto dust (yes, crumbs from Cheetos). Talk about a 180. Perhaps it's those who had humble beginnings who appreciate the good things in life more than the others. Although, really, it's the simple act of appreciation that I find endearing.

I remember watching an interview with John Stamos where he said he was no more talented than the next guy, he was just lucky. No self-indulgent drivel about how great he was; no "I deserve this" garbage that you get from so many actors. He just knew his hard work had to mesh with some good, old-fashioned luck to get him where he is today. And, he appreciated it.

What Ashton and John have is something Paris Hilton will never possess. Gratitude. It's an attribute that cannot be bought, looks good on everyone, and never goes out of fashion.

LinkedIn needs a moderator

When I'm on Facebook, I am bombarded with status updates that tell me what people had for dinner, when they're going to sleep, how much dirty laundry they have, and other fascinating insights to their personal lives. That's what Facebook is and I accept that. However, I am dismayed that a few bad eggs are starting to bring their Facebook mentality to LinkedIn.

Awhile ago, LinkedIn inserted a status update field so you could share professional news with your connections. Speaking at a conference? Tell your network! Looking for a candidate for a new position within your company? Tell your network! Have a new client or looking for a job? Tell your network! This handy feature allows you to tell your connections about your business needs, successes, and challenges. It's great.

What's not so great is that more and more people seem to be using this field for personal news. In the last few weeks, I have read about new grandchildren, plans to watch the Lakers game, weather patterns, and other random musings. I know LinkedIn doesn't have a Code of Conduct, but apparently it needs one. To me, it's just good common sense: LinkedIn is a professional networking site.

Am I being too harsh? Is it okay for the line to be blurry? Should I just accept people telling me they had bacon and eggs for breakfast as I'm shooting off a congratulatory note to a colleague acknowledging his big promotion?

Okay, well, enough of this rant. My dog just sat up and begged for a treat. I need to go log in to LinkedIn and tell my network...

The legacy of Billy Mays

I know it has been two weeks since Billy Mays passed away, but I still miss him. He was the most credible and captivating pitchman that ever was. If Billy said a product worked, I knew it did.

Today TMZ released a copy of a yet-to-be-seen Billy Mays commercial. It was so good to see Billy in action again as he trumpeted the benefits of Mighty Tape, a self-fusing, silicone rubber tape that withstands heat, cold, and whatever Billy throws at it. It even works underwater! Now if anyone besides Billy told me that, I'd call them a liar.

With Billy gone, who will the world turn to for the latest cleaning and maintenance products? The only other guy out there pitching stuff is the ShamWow guy, Vince Shlomi. However, Vince is hardly the voice of authority and his recent arrest for punching a hooker didn't really help his image. But, in his defense, she was trying to bite off his tongue.

Billy Mays was one-of-a-kind and I doubt any of us with drawers full of Fix-it and Mighty Mendit will ever embrace another pitchman the way we did Billy. He was even buried in a shirt with the OxiClean logo on it. Now, that's loyalty. That's Billy Mays.