Personal Branding

I just started reading this book entitled: Me 2.0: Build a Powerful Brand to Achieve Career Success. Already this book is very informative. As a business owner we feel as though our "personal brand" is what we put into our tangible brand, our business. But in reality the business is a representation of our personal brand. As the unemployed or a student, how are you representing your personal brand to potential employers,networks, and clients?

The following except really spoke to me because so many people are in careers they don't like or don't know what they want to do and fail to realize how powerful it is to cultivate your personal brand no matter what path your life or career takes you.

"Many people may view personal branding as a form of self-promotion and selfishness. In some ways it is, but this doesn't mean it's a bad thing! Developing your brand makes you a more valuable asset, whether to the company you work for, a potential employer, or your own enterprise."               -Me 2.0

There is a difference between promotion and branding when you think about it in terms of the above statement. Promotions is a quick way to advertise or market a person, place, or thing. When used with other practices it can create a great buzz for that person, place, or thing. Where as branding is the long term plan you create to make your name, product, or cause a household name. Promotional practices are used in branding, but you can't expect to use only promotions to create a brand. For example, Ciroc Nation is a brand created by P. Diddy. Ciroc nation on twitter is a promotion. P. Diddy is a personal brand. Another example, The Trump Realty Properties are a part of a brand created by Donald Trump. The Apprentice is a promotion. Donald Trump is a personal brand.

When it comes to personal branding, what are you doing to make your name top of mind awareness to your clients, potential clients, employers, and teachers? In what way have you promoted yourself as part of your personal branding plan? What can you do now to better your branding plan?

With everyone self-promoting themselves and the amount of noise that it creates, setting yourself apart from others through your personal branding plan is the difference between a "yes, we'll work with you" and "we'll keep you in mind if something comes up."

Be smart, proactive, and savvy about your personal branding plan whether it's for a job, class, or your own business!

The Unemployed [but Empowered] Entrepreneur