What’s Your Personal Brand?
“Regardless of age, position or the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of brand. We are CEOs of our own companies. Me Inc! To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called YOU!” – Tom Peters (from the book A Brand Called You).
Everybody’s heard of the word ‘brand’ and often we think about brands in relation to companies like McDonalds, Coke, Apple and Virgin.
But think of those last two, Apple and Virgin, and the two people most associated with those companies: Steve Jobs and Sir Richard Branson. In his black jumper and steel-rimmed glasses, Steve Jobs never detracted from the Apple brand, he embodied it. The same is true of Richard Branson; he is a walking entrepreneur, he never wears a tie, is awkward in interviews, and his whole being is on the pulse of what his customers want, need and dream about.
Okay, you may be thinking, but these are two of the most successful people on the planet in recent history. How is personal branding really going to make a difference to my life, career or business?
Regardless of whether you’re a small business owner, searching for a job, are an employee or even a student, it will benefit you to think about and own your personal brand.
When we pay attention to our personal brand, we create a vision for our future, and with our brand strategy, a path of action with which to get there. The impression we make, the interactions we have, the products we create, and whether we are truly authentic and consistent are all key ingredients of personal branding and hugely impact our success as a business owner or employee throughout our career.
Reputation has always been a key to success and in today’s social media age we have more opportunities than ever before to build our reputation through our style, presence and expert content. And don’t think that content is only for ‘creative’ people. Whatever you do, in whichever field, people will always ‘Google you’ before they meet or employ you. What will they see? It’s up to you.
Your personal brand is what defines you and what you would want to be remembered for. Right now that might not be immediately apparent, and so the first step is to take a little time to really understand yourself, who you are, what you do, your values, skills and passions, and how all of these things come together to create your unique brand. Personal branding is about getting to the essence of you, so that everything you build upon is true to your values, passions and personality.
Once you understand who you are and what you do, you can identify your audience, the people who will benefit most from what you have to offer.
With just a little knowledge you can begin to influence all of those impressions. Don’t leave your reputation to chance when you can easily be your very own PR guru.
In my opinion, it’s time to stand up, stand out and be counted. What do you want people to think of when they hear your name? What do you think people say about you? What is your personal brand?
I’ll start. With some recent surveying I have done, I’ve been told that I am true to my informal slogan of being an ‘Inspirator, Agitator, Motivator’ in that my clients are inspired by my achievements and breadth of knowledge and experience in business, entrepreneurship and high performance. When they work with me, we set big goals and plans for them to work on and achieve which at times they can find a little scary until they have jumped that hurdle – so they connect with the ‘agitator’ in me, in that I am there to push them beyond their comfort zones. When working with me they are motivated to achieve everything they want, knowing that they will be supported by me during the journey. Finally, everyone also said that I am true to my personal values which are: trust, happiness, health, generosity, creativity, optimism, courage.
Whew, hopefully that means I am branded… or at least part way there. I’m so passionate about the importance of personal branding that the next book in my Small Business Huge Success™ series is on this topic. It’s due to be released in a few months time.
Let’s start a conversation. In the comments below, how about writing what you think your personal brand is? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
Could some guidance from me be helpful to you? If so, please arrange a free 30 mins Skype strategy meeting with me. Here’s my calendar to book a meeting. I’d love to support you in some way to gain ‘seductive clarity’ in any aspect of your business or life.
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Creating Superior Customer Value – do you do that in your business?
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Finding Customers via LinkedIn
Using YouTube for Finding Customers
Who Wants High Customer Retention?
Increase Your Prices & Make More Profit
What is a Customer?
What is Business Marketing?
