Personal Branding Basics

Personal Branding Basics Takes a licking and keeps on ticking What makes you special? What makes you different? What is it about YOU that can successfully be communicated to others tomake you stand out from the competition? Just as a product or organization promotes theirbrand so toomust executives, professionals, consultants and entrepreneurs establish their own unique promise of value. Your personal attributes are only one facet ofa brand but certainly thebasics for establishing a memorable and visible personal brand. Clearly defining these attributes will require an internal as well as external assessment to ensureaccuracy, clarity and consistency. You will not be able to successfully move forward if what you believe you project is not the same as what is perceived such as intelligencemisread as arrogance or confidence as aloofness. Candid responses from external sources are often more readily acquired by usingsurveys which may be submitted anonymously. Values, passions and goals also need to be clearly defined at which point it is recommended that a personal SWOT analysis be performed. Internally, what are your Strengths that will help you to reach your goal and what are yourWeaknesses that could prevent your success? ExternalfactorsincludingOpportunities that are available to you which could positively impactor influence your success and the Threats you face thatcould prevent you from reaching this goal will all have a direct impact on how you establish your brand. Evaluating your target audience and yourcompetitors are further exercises necessaryto completepersonal branding basics and your brandis not complete without a brand statement encompassing your vision, purpose, target audience and your differentiating traits from your competition. It iseasy to find those who have successfully established their personal brand;The human spirit drives everything that I do ~ Oprah, or a corporate brand, good to the last drop ~Maxwell House. Asuccessful brand isevident whena few simple words, a name or an image that have been communicated with clarity, consistency and constancygenerate animmediate acknowledgement and vision ofthe individual or product. Contact Martin Buckland to speak with a Certified Professional Branding Strategist.