Personal Branding

Bret L. Simmons, Ph.D.

CRS, October 4, 2012

Main Points Today1. Personal branding is a huge opportunity

and responsibility2. Being searchable and shareable is good

for your business3. Differentiate your personal brand by

demonstrating professional discretion

Personal BrandIf people don’t select you, spread the word about you, or pay a premium for your services, it’s because they don’t recognize your value.

(Seth Godin)

ValueWhat you can do uniquely well to help others address issues or solve problems that matter to them.

Personal Brand1.Who are you?2.Who do you want to

help?3.How do you want to

help them?

Be clear, not cute

New business card

www.bluehost.com

New business card1. Associate your name and

face with your value2. Create content and

connections that will get you indexed and ranked for your name and value

Social MediaYou must be personal and conversant

Lead with valueWrap the personal around your value

Professionally PersonalEverything you do reflects on your business

Name, Picture, Purpose

• E-mail, Google Profile• Linkedin• Blog• Twitter• Facebook• Other (Pinterest)

Bret.simmons@gmail.combret@bretlsimmons.com

Blogging• Micro publishing platform• Force yourself to become part

of the conversation• Best damn marketing tool• Free• Video

What most companies think1.When we get started, people

will show up2.Well, we gave it a couple

months, and no one showed up, so let’s quit

Falls & Decker, 2011

The Reality• It takes at least SIX MONTHS

before you will start seeing any demonstrable results and success from your blog

Falls & Decker, 2011

The Fundamentals• Listen first• Be responsive• Be honest• Provide value• Sell last

Falls & Decker 2011

Remember• Social media marketing is about

building relationships, not receipts. The receipts will come, but only if you invest the time and attention it takes to build relationships with your customers. Think lifetime value, not sale value

Falls & Decker, 2011, p. 180

Suggestions • The sooner you behave as if

you have no privacy online, the more effective you will be

• Use your personal brand online to build bridges, not walls

• Never post anything, anytime, anywhere that you would not be comfortable with anyone seeing.

• If it were posted on the wall of your office, would it make any of your colleagues, customers, or employees uncomfortable? If so, don’t post it online

Suggestions

Questions?

Bret L. Simmons, Ph.D.www.bretlsimmons.comBret.simmons@gmail.com(775) 336-9576