Brand YOU: Building and maintaining your personal brand

What is a brand?

A unique design, sign, symbol or words, or combination of these,

that differentiate a product, company or service from its

competitors.

Over time, this image becomes associated with a level of credibility…

quality and satisfaction in the consumer’s mind.

Individuals have brands too!

What is personal branding?

Personal branding is the process of how we market ourselves to others.

-Tom Peters, Fast Company (1997)

In other words…

Your Self Impression = How People Perceive You- Dan Schawbel

Reasons Why You Should…

• Reputation Management

• Increase Your Visibility

• Networking

• Market Your Business

• Promote Your Passions

The 6 C’s of Executive Presence

• Confidence

• Congeniality

• Clarity

• Communication

• Credibility

• Charisma

Building Brand YOU.

How many of you have Googled yourself?

A prospective employee?

3. Your brand is searchable.

Getting Started.

1. Your brand is searchable—Google yourself.

2. Write down your goals. (networking, job search, brand visibility)

3. What do you have to say, share, teach?

4. Identify what you want people to know about you. E.g. – media relations expert, accomplished financial executive

Try this Exercise

BRAND ME!

Passion Audience Niche Frustration Opportunity

RelationshipsMid-sized companies

Building relationships that connect business owners to their community Time

Linking businesses to businessesLinking businesses to non-profits

Faith Entrepreneurs  Finding the right contacts  

Family Non-profits   Filtering partners  

Connecting People        

My Community        

         

5. Create your own elevator speech.

Ways to Build Brand YOU.

1. Honor who you are—your style is perfect.

2. Get involved in the community.

3. Pay attention to who you’re associated with.

4. Use your business cards—frequently!

5. Engage people you meet at events.

6. Leverage social networking sites (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn). Consider starting a blog.

7. Position yourself as a subject matter expert and don’t be afraid to offer advice!

8. Build a profile on Google. www.google.com/profiles

It’s up to you to take

ownershipof the brand called YOU. Dan Schawbel

Resources• Marketing Works

– www.marketing-works.net

• Dan Schawbel’s Personal Branding Blog– www.personalbrandingblog.com

• The Brand Called You– By Tom Peters, Fast Company (1997)

• Get Personal With Your Branding Efforts– By Steve Strauss, USA Today

• Building Your Brand– By Alexandra Levit, Wall Street Journal

• www.15secondpitch.com

Brenda Stier-AnstinePhone:614-540-5520

E-mail: stierb@marketing-works.netTwitter: bstieranstine