A Brand called You!

A Brand Called YOU!

Successful Personal Branding entails managing and influencing how others perceive you. In today’s online, virtual age having a powerful personal brand is crucial.
Think of some of the world’s most commanding personal brands…. Oprah, Nelson Mandela, Tiger Woods, Donald Trump and Richard Branson. These individuals have worked long and hard to establish powerful personal brands.
How hard have you worked at managing the brand called YOU? I believe in today’s fast changing world this is the key to your success.
Now is the time control and manage your brand.  Here are some ways on how to achieve this:

Describe Your Brand Most people don’t know what their brand stands for. Do you? You can’t develop your brand until you know what the brand stands for.

“Customers must recognize that you stand for something”Howard Schultz-CEO of Starbucks

Go to Brand Tags, a website that 'crowdsources consumer insights'. You can view what others perceive certain brands as – examples:
Hugo Boss-arrogant, designer, elegant, European

Audi-awesome-chic-classy-comfort

Jack Daniels-good times, heritage, smooth

Write down 3 descriptive words you want people to instantly think of when they think of you.  Now, ask your friends and colleagues to describe you in 3 words. If their words match yours-you are displaying your brand authentically. Caution-if the words are negative-you have some work to do. If you work for someone else –you are a brand within a brand. You need to be clear about what both brands stand for. There has to be a congruency between both if you wish to keep your job!

Plan a Brand InterventionThe good news is…you have the power to influence others to see you the way you want to be perceived. Once you have a clear description of your brand, select the areas you feel need improvement and put in place a “brand intervention.” These are some areas that may need changing: your image, etiquette, confidence, voice, negotiation or communication skills.

Be the “Real Thing”People smell fake a mile away. Ensure your personal brand is authentic and it reflects your personality, values and vision.

Be Consistent 24/7Everything you do and say is linked directly to your personal brand. In order for others to “buy” into your brand message you need to be consistent in  your actions and words. If you are inconsistent in communicating your brand you will confuse your audience and they will leave you in no time. You need to be as consistent as the taste of Coca Cola.

Digital BrandingIn this digital age people interact with your brand instantly-therefore your message needs to be clear and powerful. Think of your website-the most popular websites are those which provide added value-eg click on latest free tips. The emails/newsletters people read are those where they believe the brand is worth reading. 

If you enjoy writing-use social media by blogging or “twittering”. It is a great way to increase your search rankings and grow brand awareness. If you are comfortable to be seen in public-try a podcast or video. To view examples click here.

Be PersistentBe patient with yourself-most great brands took years to become what they are today. Insist to persist.

Every few months give yourself a “brand performance review” to see if you are still on track to being the brand of choice.

Professional Impressions would like to credit:
Fast Track-The Brand Called You-Tom Peters
Branding in the Digital Age-Katharina Scholtz
Tips for Personal Branding-Lyndi Lawson
Wikepedia