I confess, I've been thinking about reintroducing myself on LinkedIn for months. Ok, ok, it's been more than 6 months to a year.
The truth is, for over a decade, I've been working in the floral industry. The floral industry most prioritizes Instagram and Facebook, not LinkedIn or Twitter or even TikTok. I was there in the early stages of Instagram when it was more like an art gallery than social engagement. Instagram has been my focus for many years. I have several thousand followers on both of my profiles for @firstandbloom and @lorabloom.consulting.
However, as my business has changed, so has my need to expand my reach into channels that make the most sense for my business. I now help businesses with business strategy, digital marketing, social media, and even retail sales to name a few. Each of my clients are unique, having different goals and aspirations. As I delve deeper into business consultation, I am discovering what I'm really best at giving advice on.
I really love ecommerce.
Recently, I reflected on why I love ecommerce so much. While I wouldn't call myself a hardcore salesperson, I've actually been in retail sales most of my professional career. Honestly, it started when I was about 15 years old with my first part-time jobs. My very first job was at a fast-food burger joint. Having a variety of responsibilities, I most liked helping customers at the front counter. I took their orders on the "retro" cash register, served them food when it was ready, and pumped tartar sauce into little containers. Ha! I also worked at a store called, "Hastings." It was all about Books, Music, and Video." Kids today would say, "what?" But, in its time, this job was totally cool for a teenager. Ahhh, such great memories! I also worked at a couple retail outlet stores through college. While I can totally understand why I initially discovered a passion for teaching after college, it's actually no surprise whatsoever that I eventually worked my way back to the world of online sales - ecommerce!
LinkedIn has a large amount of untapped opportunity for a business consultant like myself. For far too long, I've seen it as a "professional" channel for corporate professionals. I never really thought of LinkedIn users as my target audience in my floral business, even though they totally were! I was going about it all wrong. The target audience was always there; it was just how to spin the content that was always the problem for me.
Now, I understand that my future clients are more likely to be on LinkedIn. However, there's another problem.
My problem is I've literally been MIA on LinkedIn for well over a decade. I don't use LinkedIn as a professional network whatsoever. If I am still connected to a former work colleague, it's because I see them in person or on Facebook. We are friends still to this day. Admittedly, I'm a little intimidated to jump back in. What will people think of me? Will they be happy to see me? What will I say? I've honestly been scared to put myself out there again.
There, I said it.
It's scary to put myself out there again. The truth is, if I want to reach a new level of client, I can't just be on Instagram or Facebook. I have to push through my fears and go discover what new client awaits..... on other networks!
Here's how I did that.
Step #1 - Update Your LinkedIn Profile to the Present
One good thing I did do over the years was periodically update my LinkedIn profile. I have applied for opportunities over the years, and keeping my professional resume up-to-date was important, at times. It might be a good idea to see what top LinkedIn trends are out there. I follow a few career counselors and recruiters on TikTok, who give valuable tips and tricks. Also, try ChatGPT. Here's a few tips from my new best friend.
What are some current trends in updating a LinkedIn profile?
1. Personal Brand Positioning in the Headline
Move away from generic job titles (like “Founder” or “Consultant”) to value-driven, searchable phrases.
Examples:
❌ “Small Business Owner”
✅ “Helping Creatives Build Brands Through Strategy, SEO, and Digital Marketing”
Why: It instantly communicates who you help and what you do, while improving searchability.
2. Cover Photo as a Personal Billboard
Trend: Using the background banner image to showcase your brand, services, or a call to action.
Ideas:
Your logo + services
Brand colors + tagline
A photo of you speaking, designing, or working
Tool tip: Use Canva or Adobe Express to design a branded banner.
3. Story-Driven “About” Section
Trend: Replacing resume-style summaries with storytelling that blends personality and purpose.
Best format:
Hook – What drives you?
Experience – What have you done?
Value – Who do you help and how?
Call to connect
Bonus: Use first person (“I help…”) for a more engaging tone.
Want to see more tips. Ask ChatGPT!
Step #2 - Choose a Good Canva Carousel Design to Post
Canva is one of my most used online tools- ever! It solves so many problems and my clients' problems too! I not only use it for my own business needs, but I help clients build presentations, create Instagram Reels and even pop-up flyers.
While creating a new design, I asked Canva to provide designs for a "LinkedIn Carousel." I chose a template and bam! I have a professional looking carousel perfect for LinkedIn. From here, I'll choose imagery of past and present to tell a brief story of what I've accomplished over the past 10+ years and where I want to go as a professional. My goal is to be lighthearted but intentional. Not only do I want people to see how I've grown and progressed my professional portfolio after all these years, but I also want them to remember me. Maybe they have a problem that I can solve in the very near future.
Step #3 - Just Do it!
This has probably been the biggest challenge of all, my confidence. To tell you the truth, I didn't leave my corporate career exactly the way I would have wanted to. While I did leave on my own terms and do not regret my decision, I often wonder where I might have ended up in the corporate world had I held on. Here's what I say to that kind of thinking, it's toxic!! My journey is still being written. Who's to say this very important step doesn't lead to an incredible opportunity. No one! It's just negative thinking in my own head!
If you are reading this and contemplating the very same thing, just do it for heaven's sake! Reintroduce yourself on LinkedIn. Here's my profile HERE! If anyone judges you, forget them! I'll let you know how it goes!
