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to topBranding is not only for large corporations - quite the contrary. Individuals are now packaging themselves as personal corporations with press kits, tag lines, websites, online portfolios and Blogs that allow them to keep the line of communication constantly open between themselves and their customers. Remember everyone you come in contact with may be a potential client or has the ability to connect you with a colleague, business acquaintance or family member who may be your ideal client.
Personal branding is a revolution in the way we manage our careers or businesses. It’s a way of clarifying and communicating what makes you different and special and using these qualities to separate yourself from your peers so that you can greatly expand your success.
Personal branding is about differentiation. It’s about using what makes you outstanding to ensure you stand out from the myriad of others who offer seemingly similar services.
There are numerous others who compete for the same jobs and clients; personal branding helps you stand head and shoulders above the competition by highlighting your unique promise of value.
The most successful business people consider themselves a brand and market themselves accordingly. Richard Branson, Madonna and Oprah are just a few of the incredibly successful people who have used personal branding to achieve great things. They recognise that to truly reach your goals, you must steadfastly exude something genuine, distinctive and valuable.
Just like consumer brands, it’s not enough to just be well-known - you also have to stand for something in the minds of other people. Developing and exuding an effective personal brand is the difference between an ordinary career or business and an exceptional one.
“If there is nothing very special about your work, no matter how hard you apply yourself you won't get noticed, and that increasingly means you won't get paid much either.”
Michael Goldhaber (Wired)
Being clear about your brand - your unique promise of value, being consistent with your offerings and being constantly within the radar of your target audience will open the pathway to success.
But note the following: Personal Branding is NOT spin – great personal branding is AUTHENTIC and allows you to be your true self. It’s not about building a special image for your clients; it is about understanding what is truly unique about you your strengths, skills, values and passions – and using that to differentiate yourself and guide your career and business decisions.
It helps you clarify and communicate what is unique and different about your proposition to differentiate you from your competition.
When you ask most people what they are good at, they generally say that they are good with people, good with planning, good with strategic thinking. In other words, they are good at everything!
Traditional brands know that when they narrow their focus they are able to get into the minds of their customers and prospects. Personal branding is about leveraging your strengths and passions to become an expert in your niche. If you try to stand for everything, you will stand for nothing - you’ll be seen as average and not able to attract that great client or that next job promotion as you won’t be seen as the expert with something unique to add!
By developing your unique strengths and passions and embedding them into your career you will be differentiated from your competition and will enjoy greater success. Building what we have great capability in and what we are passionate about into our career – can there be a better way to earn a living?!
Want to know more about how to leverage your strengths and passions and unlock the hidden potential of your own personal brand? Why not contact us by email or by phone on +353 (0)1 477 3916. We look forward to talking to you about bringing YOUR brand to life™.
