Content By Melanie

  Let's talk about the elephant in the virtual room: LinkedIn has become quite the interesting social media experiment. Between the "I gave a homeless person my Rolex, and now they're my CEO" stories and profiles that look like they were created by an overeager AI, it's getting harder to separate the authentic from the artificial. But here's the thing – beneath all that noise, LinkedIn remains an incredibly powerful platform for real professional connection. So let's dive into how to keep it genuine while navigating through the sea of humble-brags and motivation-speak (and yes, r/linkedinlunatics will thank you for not contributing to their content). 1. Being Your Professional Self (Without the Corporate Robot Act) Drop the Mask : Your accomplishments speak for themselves – no need to add that you're a "Thought Leader" or "Ninja" at anything. Unless you're actually a ninja, in which case, that's pretty cool. Personality

  Look, I get it. You're busy running your business, and the last thing you want to worry about is chasing down customers for reviews. Maybe you've even thought about taking a shortcut with some, shall we say, "creative" reviews. (Nudge, nudge, wink, wink. But seriously, don't do that.) But here's the deal: Google reviews aren't just some annoying task to check off your to-do list. They're your secret weapon in the digital age. So before we dive into the nitty-gritty of getting those shiny five-star ratings, let's chat about why they're such a big deal. Why Google Reviews Are Your Business's Best Friend (Whether You Like It or Not) Trust, Baby! Think about it. When was the last time you tried a new restaurant without checking the reviews first? Exactly. In 2024, consumers trust other consumers more than they trust your slick marketing campaigns. It's like getting a thumbs up from a friend, except that friend is the entire internet.