Using LinkedIn.com? Congratulations! You’re developing an online personal brand. You now show up in Google (and other search engines) when someone searches for you by name. LinkedIn does a good job of pushing you to the top of the results list.

The following are some other ways you can maximize your LinkedIn experience.

1. Ask and answer questions! Post your questions and get answers from your connections and others in your network. You can also become an expert within your network by answering questions posted by other LinkedIn users.
2. Give and receive recommendations! Ask others in your network for recommendations of your work. Getting recommendations will help you build credibility within your network and help you make additional connections. You should also give recommendations, when appropriate, to your connections.
3. Start a LinkedIn Group! LinkedIn now offers LinkedIn Groups, a new way for groups to bring value to their members. Many professionals advance their business goals by counting on professional groups, alumni groups and workgroups to make vital new business contacts which will enhance their trusted connections. Start your own LinkedIn Group today.

View my LinkedIn profile here.

There’s a coming leadership void in the United States. In the year 2016, approximately 5 million baby boomers will be retiring. It’s estimated that another 5 million will retire each year after that until the year 2030.

That’s 75 million retired baby boomers by the year 2030.

Young business professionals should begin preparing now by developing a lasting personal brand.

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OK, you’re no Donald Trump. Neither am I. It’s time for us to accept the hand we’ve been dealt and move on. Sure we’re no Trump, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t start to build our personal brand online.

People increasingly turn to Google and other search engines for more than just useless information queries. They are performing searches for you.

That’s right, YOU! Google has become the de facto standard for finding stuff online. Why not stuff about you?

Try performing your own vanity search. A vanity search, also known as ego-surfing, is typing one’s own name into a search engine, usually Google, to find out how often and where they are mentioned.

Go ego-surfing. Visit Google and perform a search for your name. What results do you get?

Do you have a personal website or blog? If so, is it one of the top 10 results?

Are you registered with one of the business/social networking sites like LinkedIn? These sites do a great job of keeping your profile in the top 10.

Building personal brand equity online has never been easier. Start today with two easy steps.

1. Start a blog for free.
2. Register at LinkedIn.com.