Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Simon.
Hi Rachel, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I never pictured myself as an entrepreneur. In fact. for the first 15 years of my career, I worked in nonprofits, specifically program planning and community outreach. But there are many aspects of nonprofit work that prepared me to being a business owner, specifically the value of relationships, the need to sometimes just “figure stuff out” and the power of an engaged network.
In early 2015, my husband planted the idea of me leaving my job and transitioning into marketing consulting. The idea seemed crazy to me initially but in July of that year, I took the leap and quit my job.
Over the next few years, I developed a passion and affinity for LinkedIn and established my company, Connect the Dots Digital in January 2018. I’ve helped nearly 100 professionals to better leverage LinkedIn to tell their story, showcase their value & expertise and grow their business.
I apply the values I learned in my nonprofit career in my approach to LinkedIn – relationships are key, community is powerful, and authenticity is essential for success. LinkedIn has changed my life – both personally and professionally.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It’s always challenging when you venture out of your comfort zone. When I left to start consulting, I had been in my job for nearly nine years – it was safe, familiar, and honestly, boring. I had to learn how to establish and grow a business from the ground up. I was lucky to have some friends who helped and mentored me along the way along with my husband’s ongoing support. But imposter syndrome is real and can be difficult to overcome. It still creeps up from time to time.
One lesson I learned is to invest in business aspects you don’t know how to do. For example, I spent HOURS building my initial website for Connect the Dots Digital on one of those DIY sites and it was a waste of my time and energy. I ended up having it rebuilt by a professional and now I have a site that works to get me new clients.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
LinkedIn can be overwhelming and writing a profile from a blank page is hard.
My goal is to make this process easy and painless. LinkedIn is an incredible tool to help you tell your story, showcase your personality, highlight your expertise, and connect with your community.
I work with company leaders, subject matter experts, sales teams and other customer-facing professionals to support your LinkedIn goals and strategies. I strive to help professionals use LinkedIn efficiently, effectively, and authentically.
Service offerings:
• Comprehensive LinkedIn Profile Audit
• LinkedIn Profile Writing/ Optimization
• 1-1 Coaching focused on network development, content creation and engagement strategies
• Corporate Workshops and Team Trainings
• Speaking & Teaching LinkedIn best practices
I am proud to have helped countless professionals to see the value that LinkedIn has to offer, And I lead by example – as an active LinkedIn creator and user, I can attest to the power of LinkedIn for personal branding, brand awareness, community building and business growth.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Authenticity
Creativity
Willingness to try new (and uncomfortable) things
Sense of humor
Generosity
Gratitude
Pricing:
- Profile Audit – $197
- Additional pricing available upon request
Contact Info:
- Email: rachel@connectthedotsdigital.com
- Website: https://connectthedots.digital/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/connectthedotsdigital/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ConnectTheDotsDigital
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/CTDD18
- Other: LinkedIn Company Page: https://www.linkedin.com/company/connect-the-dots-digital/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/rksimon/
Image Credits:
Bonnie Heath
