When most people think of a “brand” they think of consumer products like Kellogg’s or Lexus. But whether you’re branding a person or a breakfast cereal, the purpose is the same:
- To convey a clear message in a short amount of time
- To establish name recognition and make you memorable
Think of a product like Starbucks. As soon as you hear the name or see that green and white mermaid, you immediately think of the Seattle-based coffee chain. You think of your favorite drink, the unique sizes, maybe even the music they play over the loudspeaker. You can taste the pumpkin spice. You know that no matter which location you go to, the drinks, service, and ambiance will be the same. It’s a known entity.
When you have a personal brand, you accomplish the same thing. Co-workers think of you in a particular way and know what you’ll bring to a project or initiative, no matter what it may be. Professors know what to expect when they receive one of your papers or when you raise your hand in class. Your blog readers know the tone, style, and range of topics of your posts. Authors may write different types of books, artists may work in different media, and a musician doesn’t play the same song twice, but an established brand will assure patrons that no matter where your muse takes you, they have a sense of what they’re going to get.
Over the next few weeks, we’re going to go through the 7 steps for creating your personal brand:
- Identify
- Establish
- Content
- Platform
- Appearance
- Public Persona
- Engagement
By the end of the series you’ll have a clear understanding of what steps you have to take to understand your personal brand and establish that brand out in the world.
Already have a personal brand? Feel free to share it in the comments section!
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