Personal Brand: The Power of Choice

Personal Brand Called ‘Me’

Click here to view a video on The Power of Choice.

How am I perceived to be? Branding is about other people’s perceptions of you. You have the power to control most of these perceptions with your actions and presentation/appearance. Obviously, some people simply won’t like you and others will be jealous of you. But you can control most perceptions.

Consider how you want to be perceived in your family/friends/clients/prospects’ minds. Whether you like it or not, you already have a reputation with the people you know. Maybe you’re branded as the slob in the group or the big mouth or the great salesman or the introvert; whatever it is, you already have a brand.

Now you need to decide if you like that brand. Ask yourself, “Is this the brand I want?” If not, are you willing to make the commitment and do something about it?

Now that you know all the elements that form your brand, you must write the statement. A brand is a phrase that jumps out at you from the page and grabs your emotions. Start by incorporating at least one action verb. Then keep it short and simple. You want to make it unique, memorable and repeatable. You also want it to ring an emotional bell that causes clients and prospects to focus on you, and you alone, when they need your type of service (i.e.: Action Jackson gets results).

Consider the five aspects above. What is the core message that you find? If you had to describe yourself the way you want to be in one short paragraph, what would that be?

Important Note

If you don’t like what you get…

change what you give!

So, if you’re not happy with how people perceive you... change your behaviour!

The Choice to Improve Your Brand... or Not

Find the power in you!

If you want to grow your brand, you've got to come to terms with power – your own. The key lesson: power is not a dirty word!

In fact, power for the most part is a badly-misunderstood term and a badly-misused capability. We're talking about a different kind of power than we usually refer to. It's not ladder power, as in who's best at climbing over everyone else to get to the top!

It's influence power.

It's being known for making the most significant contribution in your area. It's reputation power.

Getting and using power – Intelligently, responsibly, and yes, powerfully – are essential skills for growing your brand. One of the things that attracts us to certain brands is the power they project. As a consumer, you want to associate with brands whose powerful presence create a halo effect that rubs off on you.

It's the same in the workplace. There are power trips that are worth taking – and that you can take without appearing to be a self-absorbed, self-aggrandising megalomaniacal jerk. You can do it in small, slow and subtle ways. Most important, remember that power is largely a matter of perception. If you want people to see you as a powerful brand, act like a credible leader. When you're thinking like the brand “You”, you don't need authority to be a leader. The fact is, you are a leader. You're leading You!

Brand takes reputation a step further. Branding means demonstrating and aggressively promoting what you’re known for. Essentially, it takes your reputation to a higher level of awareness and publicity.

By branding yourself, you separate yourself from the crowd and create greater impact – for you. When you embrace the seven steps for establishing and publicising your personal brand, you can build your customer loyalty and win over new clients with the winning image you create in their minds.

It's this simple: You are a brand. You oversee your brand. There is no single path to success. And there is no one right way to create the brand called “You”. Accept this: Start today… or stay the same!