What does it take to transform a person into a successful personal brand?
As I mentioned in the first and second
parts of this post, I have developed a
way of applying the traditional corporate
and product branding process to people.
I call it your Authentic Personal Brand because, once completed, your brand looks like you, sounds like you, is recognizable as you, and... has a proven appeal to your intended target market.
Your Authentic Personal Brand is an genuine representation of you because it incorporates your:
- Personality
- Core values
- Natural strengths
- Preferences
- Learned skills, and more...
as its foundation, framework and building blocks.
And because your brand packages and presents you to make it easy for others to perceive your value, it also makes you hugely attractive to your target market.
When leveraged, your Authentic Personal Brand has the power to attract the people and opportunities that want and need the benefits you deliver.
I say ‘leveraged’ because your brand won’t produce the personal fulfillment or financial rewards you’re seeking if you shut yourself up in a home office and quit interacting with the world.
To leverage your personal brand, simply put it to work, and allow it to consistently drive:
- Your actions, reactions and interactions
- The way you present yourself, through your speaking, writing and in person
- The quality of your work, and...
- The way you support your boss, customers and colleagues
Your brand is YOU at your very best, fully aware of, and enjoying, all the qualities that make you stand out in the crowd.
Because the branding process strips away all of your insecurities and false beliefs about yourself, your Authentic Personal Brand lets you be yourself, without any reservations, functioning at your highest, most attractive and impressive levels.
Now that probably sounds like a lot to live up to.
But, surprisingly, my clients find the most difficult parts of the personal branding process are:
- Accepting that they really are unique, and...
- Acknowledging the value they offer
Want to get a sense of how you might ‘leverage’ YOUR brand?
Ask yourself, ‘Who do I count on to meet my specific needs?’
For example, the supervisor who is respected by everyone in your office. He’s patient and fair. He always makes time for you and never judges you when you ask for advice. You count on him to give you great answers along with even better questions to ponder. This individual is both letting his uniqueness show, and providing you with value. His consistently good advice fulfills your need to advance your career. His personal brand attracts you, and others like you, who want and need what he offers.
Now ask yourself, ‘Who do I depend on to help me achieve my goals?'
For example, the local realtor who sends you informative emails on the state of the housing market in your area, along with buyer alerts, to help you prepare for your upcoming goal of home ownership. She responds quickly to your emails, and rearranges her schedule to fit in evening showings. This woman loves her job and is committed to helping you find the home that’s a perfect fit on all fronts; location, condition, layout and price. Her personal brand attracts you and others like you who want and need the value she offers.
Both of these individuals have personal brands that appeal to you because they...
- Stand out from others with comparable skills and expertise
- Consistently interact with you, support you, and provide value
- Fulfill your need for career advancement and your want to own a home
- Fulfill your emotional needs to perform well at work, and make smart, informed choices when you enter the housing market
- Are valued, appreciated, trusted and recommended, by you, to others who need or want what they've got
So how does a personal brand help you achieve personal fulfillment and financial rewards?
I’ll cover that in my next post, from both the perspectives of a small business owner / consultant and an employee working their way up the corporate ladder.
So come back to read Part 4, or save yourself some time by subscribing to my feed. That way, you'll get all my new posts delivered directly to your inbox!
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