|
It's a brand world now!
That golf shirt you're wearing -- one look at the distinctive “swoosh” on the chest tells everyone who has you branded. That travel coffee cup with the sleeve you're carrying…ah, you're a Starbucks fan! Your windbreaker with the distinctive "C" on the sleeve, the blue jeans with the ‘I paid for these rips’, the watch with the Crown at high noon, your MP3 player…... Whether you know it or like it, you are branded, branded, branded.
It's time for us – all of us -- to learn from the big brands, learn a lesson that's true for anyone who's interested in what it takes to Stand Out From The Crowd, prosper and be successful in the new world of work.
Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of experience, regardless of the business we happen to be in or want to be in, we all need to understand Professional Branding and the importance it plays in you achieving your goals and advancing your career. Starting NOW, you need to see yourself as the CEO and head marketer of your Professional Brand: YOU, Inc. To be successful in business today, your most important job is to develop, promote and add value to the brand called You.
It's that simple, that hard and that inescapable. Here are some important things to know a few tips to help you start developing your Professional Brand:
- Professional Branding is the way you market (present) yourself to the world. Your Professional Brand determines how other people see you and what they think of you.
- Professional Branding is unavoidable. As others interact with you, they automatically react and form an opinion of you, often within the first few seconds. You can’t avoid being labeled, and other people can’t avoid labeling you, it happens automatically. The opinions people attach to you become part of your Professional Brand.
- You do have some control over these opinions! If you were to write down 3 adjectives to describe yourself, professionally, what would they be? Do they describe a brand you feel good about? Does it really resonate with you? Is this the same image you project to the world?
- Your Professional Brand Portfolio should document, illustrate and provide “proof” that supports the Brand you want to market to the world.
- Include samples of your work, your products or services, and a your professional Biography. If you can, do this with images, video and/or audio.
- Add the “WOW” factor by obtaining text, video or audio recommendations from clients, former employers, associates or professors that support your Brand.
- Continually add value to your Professional Brand by creating, joining and contributing useful help, tips or experiences that help others grow and achieve their goals. They, in turn, will help you.
|