In the past, "personal branding" was just a term that was first used by Tom
Peters in an article he wrote in 1997. Today, every person is considered
their own personal brand. Even if you don't understand the term yet, your
personal brand refers to how others perceive you, how they consider your
knowledge and skills, and the things that make you unique and different from
every other person out there - your unique promise of value.
A part of your personal brand is the cumulative perceptions people have
about you. It is your reputation, both online and off. It is what makes you
one of a kind even in the midst of all the others who have the same or
similar skills. This is what makes people choose you, and only you. Your
personal brand is basically your promise.
What Does Your Personal Brand Promise?
Think of some of the popular brands out there. and what their brand promise
is. You come to have certain expectations of these brands - Apple,
Starbucks, Toyota, McDonald's, Amazon, etc. - and you will surely get
disappointed if this "promise" isn't kept. You already know what you're
going to get when you buy from or obtain the services of these well-known
brands.
Ask yourself. what does my personal brand promise to my clients and
customers? Why should they hire me and not the other hundred applicants for
the job? Why should they buy from me rather than the hundreds of other small
businesses out there?
Think about what you want to promise to your clients and customers. This is
where your personal brand can start.
How Do You Deliver That Promise?
Once you've realized your personal brand's promise, you now have to consider
how you're going to consistently deliver that promise. Consistency is the
word here, because if you aren't going to be consistent, then your promise
is nothing.
You can't give your best one time, and then be mediocre and forgettable the
next time. You represent your brand promise by always delivering, every
single time. Don't just try your best - do your best. Lady Gaga, for
example, is uniquely Lady Gaga. Maybe she has the weirdest sense of fashion,
but that's what you come to expect of her, and she always delivers.
How Do You Make People Remember Your Promise?
Branding and social marketing is all about visibility and being clear in who
you are. To build your brand, you need to promote it by being everywhere.
Have a social media presence, create your own website, show up in places
where your products or services might be needed. Don't limit yourself to the
online world. target your local community as well. Check out other small
businesses that may be in need of the services you're offering. You never
know who your next client or business partner could be.
Also, to help people recall your personal brand and promise, be sure that
you have a consistent picture, logo, color scheme, and so on, on your social
media accounts, fliers, newsletter, etc. This will help people associate
these things with your brand, so that they will remember you. Think of
McDonald's and their classic M logo. Or Starbucks. Or Apple. Each of their
brands really hold a promise, and it's reflected in each of their logos.
Go the extra mile. Be helpful. Live and enjoy what you do. Go to local
events related to the industry you're in. The more you get out there and
show off what you really do and what you stand for, the better for your
personal brand and for upholding its promise.
Your Promise is What Makes Your Personal Brand Unique
At the core, it's your promise that makes your personal brand unique. It is
what makes you stand out from the crowd, what makes people buy from you, and
what makes you get hired. There are many tools available to you in order to
spread the word about your brand, but what's important is consistently
delivering on what your brand has promised.
Be memorable. Find ways to show people what your brand is all about. And
even when you succeed and evolve from an individual to a small business
brand, always remember that it's still about you at the core. Your brand is
associated with you and no one else. Never forget to consistently keep your
personal brand's promise.
Your personal brand is your promise, so make sure you always keep it. Start
by defining your promise, and then make sure you always deliver on it.
my motto is "Keep it simple" and "don't leave anything for tomorrow that can
be done today."
If you have any questions or comments please contact me.
Regards Gerald
Website: http://www.webcraft.ws
E-mail: gerald@webcraft.ws
Twitter: WebcraftGuru
Facebook: Webcraft Guru
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