Personal Branding Tips for Business Owners

In today?s world, it?s often not just enough to brand your company, product or service?you have a personal brand as well. I?m not talking about a logo, but about the key traits that people associate with you. For business owners, branding yourself effectively will help you:

? Position yourself as an expert in your field
? Build and enhance your reputation in your industry
? Increase your value and credibility
? Become a trusted source
? Create a network of loyal customers

Your personal brand, just like your company?s, is about how others perceive you, in relation to your competitors.

Elements of a personal brand:

Appearance
You?ve heard that it?s the clothes that make the man? Your clothes, style, hygiene and attractiveness create impressions to everyone with whom you come in contact. Like your product?s brand, you must create a good first impression.

Personality
What makes you, well, you? Your attitude, behavior, values and people skills. Are you generally optimistic and friendly? Are you someone with whom people enjoy doing business? Do you enjoy helping others?

Competency
Are you professional, intelligent, well-spoken and knowledgeable about your industry? Can people count on you doing what you say and following through? Do people look to you for advice?

Genuineness
Personal branding is not about trying to be someone you are not. In fact, that is the quickest way to ensure that you will fail in branding yourself. People want to deal with others who are sincere and genuine, not fake. Personal branding is about taking a good look at yourself and consider how others perceive you, then striving to always project your best side (of who you already are) while dealing with everyone from your customers who just bought your product, to the gas station attendant from whom you bought your morning coffee.

After all, remember branding involves each point of contact.? If you act a certain way toward some well-to-do potential clients at a catered business luncheon, but then are rude to one of the servers, you?ve missed the whole point. And chances are, others will notice as well.

It?s about becoming the best we can be and setting high standards for our appearance, conduct and values while dealing with others in a fair and helpful manner.

Growing your brand
Personal branding is an ongoing process. Just like corporate branding, it will build equity over time if practiced consistently and effectively. Someone who has built equity in their personal brand is generally well-respected and can effectively promote and communicate their corporate brand?s message.

With today?s global economy, your personal brand is also crucial to building an online network through the use of social media outlets such as Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn, to name a few. Also, industry blogs and discussion forums are places you can connect and build upon your network. Once you become a trusted source, then products, services you recommend will carry a lot of weight. Don?t get overwhelmed by this if you are new to it. Think of it in terms of your local, ?in person? brand?just communicated online through various channels instead.

How can we help you?

We provide a free one-hour consultation where we can discuss your marketing needs and brainstorm some possible solutions with you. Give us a call today to schedule a time to meet, (336) 468-2540 or fill out our contact form.

Source: http://www.brownadvertising.com/you-inc-the-key-elements-of-your-personal-brand/

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