Back to basics Tuesday: don’t distract a reader

Last week my favorite cable news featured an interview, but there was one small furry distraction. She was speaking about her area of expertise while her cat climbed all over her lap and into the screen.

Really? On national TV?

Of course the producers never thought to tell her to put the cat out. No one should have to be told that. Except her.

So I stopped listening to what she had to say and only focused on the feline distraction on my screen.

Even in a pandemic, we need to maintain our professionalism.

As the producer of your LinkedIn profile, never distract the reader, because that’s all the other person will end up looking at, thinking how could anyone allow that, while not paying any attention to your career, thoughts, or expertise.

Make sure all words, grammar, punctuation, links, and the whole career narrative adds up, like a magnum opus. Not like a dime store novel.

Plan ahead. Pay attention to details. Put the cat out.