'Build your brand'. It's become a highly popular buzz phrase in marketing, technology and social media circles. Building a brand is a process, some would say a life-long undertaking for any company or product. It takes innovation, great customer relations and cosistent messaging.
If you're the leader of a company, small business or not -- it's just as important to build your personal brand. You are the public face of your operation to the customers, the media and various business partners. In meetings, in the headlines and cocktail hours, people will relate or be drawn to the personal brand you have developed and project. You had better start working on it if you haven't already.
Inc. Magazine has some pertinent suggestions to help you start.
Pick an area of expertise
So you're going to be an ambassador for your brand. But what do you want to be known as an expert or pro in? Maybe you run a marketing firm - your specialty can't be that broad when building a brand. What do you bring to the table that no one else can? Maybe you're great at the design aspect of marketing or maybe you know all of the technologies that can assist in marketing efforts. Just make sure you've zeroed in what it is you can do for others that really sets you apart.
The web is your friend
After you meet a potential employee or business partner or hey, your daughter's boyfriend -- where is the first place you go to get the 'real' scoop? Google of course. You should automatically assume this is where people are going to check out you, your company and anything else you've published or are associated with. You should be making sure your website as up to date and state of the art as possible. Also be sure any other sites you have profiles on are updated and grammatically correct such as LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.
Writing and blogging
Making your perspective readily available for anyone who may be interested in it shows you care to communicate with others and you know how to intelligently express your opinions. It can also help you make connections with others, whether they be for business or personal purposes. If you blog regularly and invite comments, criticisms, etc. you open the door to two-way communication that can ultimately benefit you. (i.e. what if someone sends you an idea on new products or has insight into a global marketing strategy)
Make some headlines
Being quoted in stories or making an appearance in any form of media can benefit your personal brand, positioning you as an expert people go to for insight and information.
There is so much one can do strategically to enhance your personal brand which will ultimately benefit your company as well as yourself. It's not about publicity, attention or making yourself known. It's about establishing who you are, what it is you're about and being sure you can be seen in enough places where those who need to find you can do so.
If you're the leader of a company, small business or not -- it's just as important to build your personal brand. You are the public face of your operation to the customers, the media and various business partners. In meetings, in the headlines and cocktail hours, people will relate or be drawn to the personal brand you have developed and project. You had better start working on it if you haven't already.
Inc. Magazine has some pertinent suggestions to help you start.
Pick an area of expertise
So you're going to be an ambassador for your brand. But what do you want to be known as an expert or pro in? Maybe you run a marketing firm - your specialty can't be that broad when building a brand. What do you bring to the table that no one else can? Maybe you're great at the design aspect of marketing or maybe you know all of the technologies that can assist in marketing efforts. Just make sure you've zeroed in what it is you can do for others that really sets you apart.
The web is your friend
After you meet a potential employee or business partner or hey, your daughter's boyfriend -- where is the first place you go to get the 'real' scoop? Google of course. You should automatically assume this is where people are going to check out you, your company and anything else you've published or are associated with. You should be making sure your website as up to date and state of the art as possible. Also be sure any other sites you have profiles on are updated and grammatically correct such as LinkedIn, Facebook, etc.
Writing and blogging
Making your perspective readily available for anyone who may be interested in it shows you care to communicate with others and you know how to intelligently express your opinions. It can also help you make connections with others, whether they be for business or personal purposes. If you blog regularly and invite comments, criticisms, etc. you open the door to two-way communication that can ultimately benefit you. (i.e. what if someone sends you an idea on new products or has insight into a global marketing strategy)
Make some headlines
Being quoted in stories or making an appearance in any form of media can benefit your personal brand, positioning you as an expert people go to for insight and information.
There is so much one can do strategically to enhance your personal brand which will ultimately benefit your company as well as yourself. It's not about publicity, attention or making yourself known. It's about establishing who you are, what it is you're about and being sure you can be seen in enough places where those who need to find you can do so.
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