Business
If you’re a regular listener of the podcast, you’ve heard me talk with several previous guests that I first connected with back in the somewhat golden days of blogging, and the beginnings of social networks like LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook. Although I’m not sure how I originally came across today’s guest, I know that I was a regular reader of her very popular blog called Brass Tack Thinking during that time frame. Through great writing and a relatable voice, she shared experiences, practical advice, and marketing expertise, that was extremely helpful to me, and thousands of others, in building a personal brand, and in building a business that connected with those that I wanted to serve. Then, one day in January 2010, she wrote a blog post that was titled - “The Equestrian’s Guide to Reaching Your Goals” - and as a fellow adult amateur equestrian, I loved how she linked lessons she had learned from horseback riding to setting foundational goals for the next year. That was it. We were destined to be the best of friends. Or, at least virtual horse buddies. :) To this day, we love sharing, commenting and liking pictures of our horsey adventures online, and I hope we’ll actually get to meet at a horse show or an industry conference or event sometime in the future. But, since that doesn’t look like it will be able to happen any time soon, I thought that asking her to join me on the podcast would be fun, but also really valuable for both me and you. She’s still doing great work, and continues to share her thoughts and ideas freely in order to help others. Amber Naslund is a 20-year veteran marketer, and in that time she’s worked with some of the biggest companies, the freshest startups, and everything in between. In her current role as a senior consultant at LinkedIn, she advises top global clients on their digital content marketing strategies, and their overall approach to using LinkedIn, while on a mission to prove that companies can build compelling, authoritative B2B brands without being dull. Amber is also the co-author of the best-selling social media handbook The Now Revolution, and when she’s not working on her next book, article, or industry talk, she’s restoring her brain cells on horseback, or spending time with her kid (who’s also an accomplished equestrian already), and her rescue dogs. In this episode, Amber and I chat about what it was like for her to go from industry darling, to best selling author, to failed entrepreneur, and what she discovered about herself in that journey that helped her to rebuild her confidence, and fuel her success today. We also talk about what it takes to build a strong and authentic personal brand and platform in today’s noisy world, as well as what to consider when balancing a strong personal brand with a high profile corporate career. Topics Discussed In This Episode: What an entrepreneurial failure taught Amber about herself, and how it set her up for future success. What it’s like being a woman out front in the tech industry sharing your ideas. Advice for someone who asks how they can build a loyal following online. Amber’s thoughts on whether it’s necessary to be on all of the online platforms if you’re trying to build your personal brand. The difference between being authentic and being genuine, and why it’s important for personal brands. Why Amber is comfortable talking online about sensitive topics like mental health, imposter syndrome, and failures in business. Amber’s journey toward understanding imposter syndrome, and how she’s come to view it as a normal, and real, part of the process. How sharing your own vulnerabilities can be helpful with addressing imposter syndrome, and foster trust with your community. 3 tips for those who are interesting becoming thought leaders. People & Resources Mentioned In This Episode: Amber Naslund Amber Naslund LinkedIn Amber Naslund Twitter The NOW Revolution: 7 Shifts to Make Your Business Faster, Smarter and More Social by Jay Baer and Amber Naslund Laurie Ruettiman Tim Sackett William Tincup Brené Brown Impact Makers Podcast Episode 049 - Discovering the Hidden Forces That Drive You to Do Your Best Work With Todd Henry Connect with Jennifer: Send her a message [https://jennifermcclure.net/contact/] On LinkedIn: http://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifermcclure On Twitter: https://twitter.com/JenniferMcClure On Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jennifer_mcclure/ On Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JenniferMcClureSpeaker *** EPISODE CREDITS: If you like this podcast and are thinking of creating your own, consider talking to my producer, Danny Ozment. He helps thought leaders, influencers, executives, HR professionals, recruiters, lawyers, realtors, bloggers, coaches, and authors create, launch, and produce podcasts that grow their business and impact the world. Find out more athttps://emeraldcitypro.com