Personal Branding: Characteristics of a Strong Personal Brand

How many times have you been at a networking function and been lost for words when asked "what do you do"?

We all have. But do you see this as a threat or an opportunity?

Developing a Personal Branding Statement or PBS can be a powerful way to help market yourself to prospects, clients or potential employers.

Here are 8 characteristics of a strong personal brand:

1. WOW factor. It must be memorable with high recall. Hearing it makes people say 'WOW that's interesting ...... tell me more'. Be truthful, accentuate interesting or key parts of your role without fabricating the facts.

2. 10 words or less. The fewer words the more powerful it will be. Often a strong summary will work for all networking functions. However tailor your spiel for the conversation, people will be more interested in something they recognise.

3. Focus on benefits. The statement should address the age old marketing question 'What's in it for me', known as the WIIFM.

4. It should reflect your values, beliefs and personal mission in life rather then just a profession. Be passionate about what you do and relay this in your message.

5. Saying it should give the impression of confidence and energy.

6. Use it as a 'Teaser'. Don't tell the whole story - think of the analogy of a newspaper, radio or TV headline encouraging the target audience to want to find out more. The questions generated by your opening spiel should act to direct the explanation to the person's needs. Let them identify areas they are interested in rather then covering it all.

7. Positioning. Marketing is all about positioning - use it to position and differentiate yourself in the marketplace.

8. Be flexible. Slogans, brand names and themes change over time and in different situations. Change it to fit your market, interests and career aspirations. Know enough about what you do to be confident and flexible, uncertainty can portray distrust or other negative implications.

Thomas Murrell MBA CSP is an international business speaker, consultant and award-winning broadcaster. Media Motivators is his regular electronic magazine read by 7,000 professionals in 15 different countries. You can subscribe by visiting http://www.8mmedia.com. Thomas can be contacted directly at +6189388 6888 and is available to speak to your conference, seminar or event. Visit Tom's blog at http://www.8mmedia.blogspot.com

---

Brand Identity and the CEO

This week I spent a few hours with a highly... Read More

The Trust Issue In Marketing

One of the prime motivating factors in the purchase decision... Read More

Clouds Gather Before A Storm: Utilizing The Power Of Brand

How brand management can help utility organisations to create a... Read More

Brand Image - Brand Identity - Brand Strategy - Brand Identity Guru

Consumers perceive and accept many brands within a certain trade... Read More

Your Small Business Name -- Important?

You bet a name is important. Many small business owners... Read More

Branding ? Brand Identity Guru

Brands are important aspects of any business, but unlike money... Read More

Do What Works

"Can you hear me now?"You'd be hard pressed to find... Read More

How Do You Define a Good Logo Design?

Everyone wants his company logo to be the best but... Read More

I Hate My Logo! What You Should Get For Your Money and Why

This is not a how-to design a logo. This is... Read More

Value Proposition Writing - Brand Identity Guru

Your Value Proposition, or as I usually call it, your... Read More

Self-Marketing: The I Focus

Ever had one of those conversations where you wondered what... Read More

Naming Names... How to Name your Business

Sometimes the best inspiration comes from hearing about the deconstruction... Read More

Brand Identity and Brand Image - Brand Identity Guru

It is important to distinguish between corporate identity, brand identity,... Read More

Standing Under the Umbrella And Still Getting Wet

Make More Money Making a Name for YourselfCalling all realtors,... Read More

Brand Your Name!

Have you ever thought about branding your name? Does the... Read More

Branding - More Than Just a Statement - A Memory Scar

Conjure up in your mind broad rolling meadows with runs... Read More

How Will Your Visitors Remember You And Your Business? Brand Yourself From The Crowd...

Big and Yellow 'M' reminds you McDonalds... 'DELL' with oblique... Read More

Which Of These Words Attract Your Clients

Whether it's your business card, tagline, article title, web site... Read More

Trademark Issues in the Mobil Auto Business

There have always been trademark issues and lawsuits in the... Read More

A Lesson in Branding from Paris Hilton

I have never been a fan of Paris Hilton.I see... Read More

Intelligent Design comes from Brand & Account Planners

I've been reminded recently, rather forcefully, that not all reality... Read More

Corporate Branding and Professional Logo Design

Any business with the minimum interest to be successful should... Read More

Image is EVERYTHING

The absolute foundation of your small business is your image.... Read More

Brand Building 201: Finding The Ideal Way

The strongest and longest lasting brands branch off of an... Read More

Brand Identity Guru - Is Your Brand Vital?

The world is not waiting for you?or your product or... Read More

Setting the Right Price

One of the ways people get to know you is... Read More

Living Your Brand on the Web - Part 2

Now that everyone has conformed to Living Your Brand on... Read More

Logo Design - Corporate Identity Branding - Brand Identity Guru

Like it or not it's who you are. Your corporate... Read More

Build Brand Value BIG Time

Ask your self this question, In which business are we... Read More

Brand Your Consulting Brilliance

Today's competitive marketplace for consulting services is no longer responsive... Read More

Is It Legal? - Indecent Naming With Tradition

When Mitsubishi launched a new car with the name "Pajero"... Read More

Nike / Sears / Kmart

The Sears-Kmart merger hopes to fabricate some sort of silver... Read More

Brand Extension; Going from Consumer to Commercial

As more and more home pressure washers are sold at... Read More