Consider subscribing to my blog's RSS feed. It's sticky
I participated in the 2007 Global Telesummit titled A Brand You World. The sum collection of the telesessions, held over about 3 days is an astonishing library on the subject of personal branding - go have a listen
I caught up with one of the driving forces behind the event and co-author of Career Distinction, a book on personal branding, William Arruda for an episode of the Duct Tape Marketing Podcast.
In my view, branding has always been a very human endeavor. This is so true for the small business owner and certainly a wise approach for the person trying to create a career that nourishes.
Personal branding, like any form of branding, is all about authenticity. It’s a bit ironic how the thing we sometimes need the most help with is being real.
Comments
This entry was posted on Monday, March 17th, 2008 at Mar 17, 08 | 8:44 am and is filed under Branding. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
John,
At least for us in “older” generation, there was much spoken or unspoken pressure to put on the corporate mask, play the game, project the image, etc. I know it’s taken quite some time for me to de-program and just be real…but how refreshing it has been to launch out as a solo entrepreneur strictly on the basis of Brand Me. A lot more fun than playing the image game…
Was talking with someone the other night who did not understand the blog phenom. She said, “I don’t know what anyone would want to be that open about their life, the struggles, their heart . . . and do it for the entire world to see.” Seems authenticity is what we expect of others but sometimes the hardest to emulate.
Personal branding requires three parts to stand out:
1. Do something remarkable/spectacular or become an expert.
2. Be a person of your word (doing what you say you’re going to do) - ALWAYS.
3. Give people the opportunity to see, feel, touch or experience point 1 and 2 with you.
I had a prof. in college who always harped on building ‘Me, Inc.’. At the time, I wasn’t able to fully understand what he was trying to convey, but now I do. It mostly has to do with Nan’s numbered list. Something so simple, yet not always easy.
I think a book called “The 22 Immutable Laws of Branding: How to Build a Product or Service into a World-Class Brand” is also definitely worth a read. It has some valuable branding information.