Personal Branding: Stepping Out or Stepping Aside…?

Imagine a place where it IS all about you. Really. This place lives in the world of personal branding. You do not have to be a major market player, and it’s likely you’re not, to need a personal brand. Don’t you think the likes of Warren Buffet, Suze Orman, Donny Deutsch and others began with only the knowledge in their heads and a willingness to share it? So what made them grow into the household names they are today, aside from likability and knowledge? Who they are and what they know morphed into a personal brand which eventually made its way into our lives, and onto our bookshelves and TVs.

Having branched out myself in the past year, and examined the possibilities and constraints of selling “me”, I had to look closely at what being and becoming a personal brand really means. And, I will tell you what I determined rather quickly – you not only have to have an unabashed belief in yourself but more importantly you must not be TOO SHY to tell everyone – yourself – all about YOU! Particularly with the plethora of social media engines, there is ample opportunity for what I like to call “e-boasting.” From Facebook to Twitter to LinkedIn and online magazines, I was sure my name, my abilities and my expertise would practically swim themselves out into a sea of marketing opportunities. Oh my, I was so wrong. First of all, the term ’social media’ is not a misnomer!!! You really do have to be a social being to even want to use them. They’re not for the shy, introspective loner at heart. Even after one year, I still cringe every time I pen a new blog and force myself (yes, I repeat, force myself) to post the link to Facebook. But the good news is, the more you do it, the easier it becomes. And, of course – if you truly believe in your message and want to share it with others to somehow better their existence, you can chalk up the social anxiety to a greater good. And, as soon as you begin to receive comments on your blog posts or other social media mutterings, the theory proves itself.

If you want to go one step further (and I’d really rather not, but am trying very hard to convince myself), you venture into the world of public speaking, conferences with like minded professionals, promotional opportunities and perhaps even an agent.

Having said that, before you contemplate YOU too much:

1. Identify your core area(s) of focus – for the life of me, I do not understand consumers who buy coffee from McDonald’s. Somehow french fries and fresh coffee percolating just do not mix for me. Nor would I go near a slice of pizza if Dunkin Donuts ever added it to its line-up. By the same token, don’t try to know everything or have your brand encompass too much at first. You will learn, quickly, where you truly want and can direct your efforts with the most valuable outcome. And if it takes some time, try different projects until you’re sure about the ones that make you excited to get out of bed and off to work. I am still learning which “hats” fit me best, but it’s a really great feeling when you find one that’s snug
2. Know your product and be able to recite it to anyone who asks or may need to know – how can you “sell” what you cannot explain, especially if it’s YOU! (Reference item (1) above – you need to know your areas of focus before you can speak of them in a concise fashion.) For an exceptional article on “Elevator Pitches”, check out HR Bartender’s recent post…
3. Let your talents bloom. If you love something and know that the results of your efforts are good, or maybe even exceptional, explore how you can offer them to others! You may just create a brand without even trying and fulfill the needs of others. What begins as a fondness for tending to your garden may just one day become your own landscaping empire!
4. Award credit where credit is due – especially when it’s not due to you! One of the first and most valuable lessons I learned over the past year was to acknowledge my infancy in the world of personal branding and to applaud those who know more and do it better than I do. Although they say that “imitation is the sincerest form of flattery,” I am not completely comfortable mimicking others’ efforts nor walking in the footprints they’ve stamped in the sand ahead of me, but I do observe and watch and monitor and evaluate every opportunity I notice out there and decide which ones may fit my skill sets and comfort levels best. There’s no shame in offering your abilities where they may add value. There is room for everyone to shine! I also award credit to and for the inspirational influence on my work – doling out praise and credit where and when it’s due will pay dividends and may even result in the favor being paid back to you! As a result of recently attending a free webinar, I acknowledged the company in a past article and they soon contacted me to kindly offer me the honor and ability to audit their programs and provide them with feedback and expertise. Fun and flattering, I must say!
5. Look in the mirror - whether you are a professional, a student, a homemaker, ….we ALL project a personal brand to the world. Know what that is and be proud to sell it indirectly to those with whom you interact. And, most importantly, do what it takes to go to sleep at night with the assurance that you’d want to buy YOU yourself!

Author’s Note: As I venture into writing another book, knowing what I know now about releasing the first, I have to ask myself- am I ready for the world to read the words I kept between me and the keyboard for so long? Like it or not, your personal brand IS you – and if you choose to have one, be sure you want to display it on the world’s shelves.

Wishing You Success,
Natalya