Still think you have a personal brand? Maybe so (yeah, twenty somethings committing semantic homicide got under my skin again).
If you can answer one of these questions affirmatively, then feel proud (image by Hyku – Josh Hallet). You’ve created real brand experiences where your value to the market supersedes your own actions. Congratulations on creating a true commitment and offering.
Here we go:
1) Do you have an agent or manager?
2) Do you have a recording contract?
3) Does Amazon sell multiple products by you?
4) Have you exceeded Facebook’s 5,000 friends limit AND more than 10,000 followers on Twitter? Because it really matters.
5) Multiple conversations occur without you about your marketplace offerings (products, ideas, etc.) frequently and over a sustained period of time.
6) You have a bad spell where you’ve lost touch with the market, and your community. Relationships become difficult. Does the marketplace ignore this and still buy your offerings?
7) Would any car dealerships (or manufacturers) be delighted to provide you a complimentary ride in exchange for spokesperson duties?
8) Do people whom you’ve never met frequently introduce themselves to you in random places?
9) Are recruiters and potential clients dialing your number all the time in spite of the economy?
10) Does your mirror tell you, “I deserve good things, I am entitled to my share of happiness. I refuse to beat myself up. I am an attractive person. I am fun to be with.”
This bit of humor was sponsored by Rolodex (not really).
You left off “When you introduce yourself at parties, do you tell people ‘I’m kind of a big deal’ ? “
Alternative #10 (I’m partial to the skit vs. the movie)
“I’m good enough, I’m smart enough, and doggone it, people like me!”
@Ken Damn right, that is better. Wish YouTube had some of the videos.
13) Do you not only refer to yourself in the third person, but are mocked by others for doing so in a public manner?
I’ve read this and “I don’t give a damn about your personal brand,” posting and I have some disagreements.
As you previously stated, reputation will always trump self-promotion, but self-promotion aka personal branding is where it starts. How does the artist get to the point where he can sell tracks @ amazon.com?
Here’s my point: A personal branding gets your foot in the door and is a tool to help your reputation.
Because employers buy our services, we all have personal brands. We may not be Snoop Dog or Michael Phelps, but the basic economic principle is the same.
Jay: Semantics. You do not have a brand, you have a reputation that your employers probably don’t know about until they start investigating your background. Sorry, but arguments like this are weak because they demonstrate a lack of understanding of what an Actual Brand is, and general branding theory for that matter.
As a member of this community I am shocked, just SHOCKED, that Rolex sponsored this post. Wait, er, that was Rolodex…never mind, it’s not as impressive. (Teasing, of course).
#10 is my favorite. Glad my mirror does talk, but I heard Ike’s does. ;-)
Tina Fey just called; SNL -and- Rolodex want to sponsor Lcomm’s next personal brand video:
…possible title:
“PBJ: personal brand jam where denial spreads on thick”
Another great post. You continue to be the voice of reason on personal branding.
Instead of worrying about defining your personal brand, focus on adding value in the way only you can do. Over time, you’ll develop a reputation – hopefully a good one – and you may one day have a personal brand as a result of the value you have added to the world.
keep up the good work Geoff :-)
Louis and Mike: Thanks. Guess I just don’t believe the hype.
Drat! Meant to say that my mirror “doesn’t” talk… Geez, one way to know you don’t have a personal brand is when you can’t even tell a joke in public (I’ll just blame it on my 20-something personal assistant). Now I need to tell myself it’s okay, I’m smart & funny, and you still like me. :)