Personal Branding IS Important. Yeah, Even For You.
I’m a big believer in the power of personal branding. Maybe it is because of my public relations background but I have always be mindful of cultivating and promoting my personal brand on the Internet.
Does that sound “over the top” to you? Or maybe even ridiculously unnecessary? Because, well, I’m just a mom blogger, right?
WRONG.
Yes, I am a mom blogger. AND a professional. AND a wife, friend, daughter, relative, community activist and volunteer. And because I live out loud and on line, I would be wise to control of my personal brand. And so should YOU be. The repercussions could be staggering.
The modern concept of personal branding is essentially a summation of how you are presenting yourself online. Your personal brand is made up of all of the messaging sent out online via status reports, news, blog posts & comments, profiles on social networks, images, videos and personal websites. Essentially, it is content of ANY KIND that connects to you.
Guard your brand carefully. Be intentional about how you are presenting yourself in the world.
Your social messages reveal to the word the reality of your character, your intentions, your wants, thoughts, and needs. You must make sure the messages you are sending are the ones you want. Cyber footprints never go away. Only put out “there” messages that you would be happy for the world to receive. (Would your mother wash your mouth out with soap if she saw that Tweet?)
Now, you might be vehemently disagreeing with me right now. I know many of us use Twitter and Facebook to vent and “let loose.” I’m not suggesting that you loose your personality or that you to censor yourself as if the Pope were watching, I’m just suggesting that you keep in mind future opportunities:
- That business that you would like to sponsor you for a conference one day.
- That company looking for a brand representative.
- That audience hoping to find a blog where they can relate.
- That future employer silently monitoring cyberspace.
- That school official approving your volunteer application.
Don’t turn them off with careless messaging.
Each of us is our own brand. So, what kind of a brand are YOU? Do you work well with others or are you complicated and cranky? Do you bring your drama with you?
Image is unavoidable, gang. If you have an online presence, people are making assumptions and forming opinions about you. It is that simple. They are putting you into categories. That is life. The conclusion they reach from these opinions constitutes your image, whether you like it or not.
So next time you sit down to fire off that nasty tweet, give it a quick thought before you hit “send.” Is it consistent with what you want the world to know about you?
Twitter: Pixielation
says:
I would mostly agree with this other than one thing – I just hate the terminology of “personal brand”.
I used to work in Advertising, so I know all about the commercial side of branding, and the “voice”of a brand when it comes to products and companies.
But I hate the idea of applying a brand to a personal blog. But then that might be because I have no intention of looking for sponsors or making money directly through my blog.
I DO think that it’s important for any writer to find their style, and work on it. Consistency in how a writer comes across is the key way to keep your readers, since they come back to read when they like your style.
But the point about nasty tweets – or anything else that is outside your “brand” that certainly holds true, no matter what terminology you use.
Even if you are a nice, kind, diplomatic person in 99% of the things that you do, one vicious or nasty tweet or blog post can really smear your reputation, because others who read it can’t forget it. Or it will raise its ugly head one day in the future when it’s too late to take it back.
.-= pixielation´s last blog ..The strangeness of kinders =-.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by Bianca_73: RT @mammamania Personal Branding IS Important. Yeah, Even For You. http://goo.gl/fb/On1a...
Lots of people think personal branding is just for “business” people like accountants and marketers, but the fact is that everyone with a job, whether they’re a clown or a researcher, works for a business and can use their personal brand to help differentiate themselves from other job applicants.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-9yqPZ8mQk
Twitter: delanieneville
says:
Great post with excellent food for thought. Thanks!
.-= Delanie´s last blog ..A Solemn Sign =-.
BRILLIANT!
Twitter: danschawbel
says:
Good post! I really like how you emphasize that you have to be careful what you publish online. We are all judged based on first impressions, most of which take place online now. Thinking twice before you update your Facebook status can save you a lot of pain.
.-= Dan Schawbel´s last blog ..True Stories About What It Means To Be Outstanding =-.
JennieG
Twitter: mammamania
Reply:
February 20th, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Dan – So happy that you visited! I am a huge fan and of course, I obsessively read your blog. I have personally seen people impacted by bad judgement and hasty updates. Such a shame!
Twitter: boxofchocolates
says:
Awesome post! I definitely agree that you must think before you type especially if you are hoping for that sponsor or those readers sometime. I’m linking up with my Sunday Post scheduled for next week. Have a great weekend.
Twitter: dipaolamomma
says:
I once had the honor of sitting two feet away from Alli Worthington when she spoke on this topic. At the time I didn’t think the term “brand” applied to me at all. I mean my blog is ALL OVER the place, much like me, and that’s sort of the point. I felt like “branding” myself was sort of like typecasting. Then she brought up something that really hit home. When we put things on our blog it’s much like writing it in stone. It will be out there in the ether forever. My great grandchildren might one day read my blog. What picture to I want to paint for them? For me the answer is an honest one. So no matter what the topic is on my blog, be it Fit Pitchin’ Friday, MANuary or some giveaway I’m NOTHING if not honest.. that’s my brand.
.-= DiPaola Momma´s last blog ..NEVER mess February.. TRUST ME! =-.
Twitter: c_oreilly
says:
Great post and as a PR, I totally agree. And the great thing about the net is that you do have time to review what you have written and think before you post. When I want to vent I generally do it anonymously.
.-= Blue Sky´s last blog ..99 things =-.
Twitter: whosthatgirl44
says:
Fabulous post! Definitely gives us all something to think about..thank you!!
I loved your phrase “live out loud and on line”. That really sums up blogging for most of us. I’m not sure I have honed an image yet, but I am always careful about showing the side of me that represents my good qualities.
.-= citymouse´s last blog ..i want =-.