You and Your Personal Brand

Ignore people who try to differentiate you and your personal brand, or worse, say such a thing as a personal brand doesn’t exist or isn’t important. 

I have read some bloggers who state the top level celebrities don’t have a personal brand.  Oh yes they do!  It’s the persona we associate with them when their name is mentioned.  It’s what we expect from them, their behavior, their personality, who they are and what they do.

The reason people talk about celebrities when they try to explain personal branding is that is the easiest way to explain it.  It’s the difference between Coke Cola and a glass of water.  You all know what Coke Cola is… but a glass of water stands out… how?

These “well crafted personal images” that celebrities have IS their personal brand.  It is the term we use to describe that essence – the persona they present to the world – the persona that we immediately identify with them.

I saw another blogger recommend that you forget  about building a personal brand and instead focus on being you.  Pardon?  Building YOU is building your personal brand.  Building your personal brand IS building you!  You ARE your personal brand.

How do you want others to see you?  How do you want to be known?  What do you represent?  THAT is your personal brand.

You don’t have to go to the extremes of some celebrities and I only mention these celebrities below to give you an idea of what establishing a personal brand will do for you:

Paris Hilton is inarguably one of the best “personal brands” around, especially considering she is famous for being… famous.

Miley Cyrus is a well known young star who may be young but is already a marketable brand, thanks to the TV show that shot her to fame, Hannah Montana, then movie appearances, live performances, music singles, publicity, etc. 

Dita Von Teese has established herself with her burlesque dancing niche, marketing herself as a modern pin up girl from the fifties and wearing the makeup and styles of the day… so we associate her with that when we see her. 

Kim Kardashian, much like socialite Paris Hilton, has established a personal brand we associate with her based on her reality TV show and public appearances. She has reinforced her brand with her own workout DVD, perfume, modeling shoots, etc.  

In short, we know what to expect from these personalities because we are familiar with their “personal brand” – who they are and what they do – what they are famous for.  What you are famous for IS your personal brand.

When we think of “socialites” we automatically think of the Paris Hiltons and the Kim Kardashians.  When we think of rising young stars, we think of the likes of Miley Cyrus.  And the reason we think of them is we are familiar with the brand. Their brand!

The same applies to business people, sports people, entertainers, etc. We are marketing ourselves every day, trying to succeed in business and in life.  What we are marketing is our personal brand.

For individuals trying to succeed in their careers, establishing their personal brand is a bit trickier because they don’t have TV roles and pop singles and public appearances to support them and their “brand”.

Every day is an opportunity to build on to your personal brand – it’s in how you present yourself, how you behave, the actions you take, your regular behavior, your dedication and trustworthiness… your public reputation!

So as you head out to work today consider what opportunities you have to develop your personal brand, and go for it!