[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2Xj7_oajVM]
I asked Mike Michalowicz to give you some personal branding tips. Mike has started companies from scratch, is a frequent guest on The Big Idea with Donnie Deutsch and is an author of a new book called The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur. Some may believe this title to be a bit too “over the top,” yet it is the perfect message for any entrepreneur, “you can start a company and succeed with few resources.” Mike loves to give people a chance, which is why he started a company called Obsidian Launch to help fund companies built by young entrepreneurs. I hate seeing people give up on their dreams because of financial reasons. Everything I’ve built is with my bare hands, including this blog, the magazine and my book. If you believe in yourself, are determined and persistent, you can accomplish anything.
If you have time, listen to Mike’s live radio show, which was live last night.
1) Be true to yourself
Stop listening to people who are trying to convince you to become something you aren’t. You need to take command of your life and do what you love. When you are passionate about what you do, you WILL make money from it because you will have the desire to make it happen. If you do what you hate, then it will not only affect your professional career but damper your social life.
2) Be different
So many people do the same things over and over again. Would you rather be just another number or someone people will talk about, even when you aren’t there. To be different is to be remembered and never forgotten. Sure you can take my advice or Mike’s, but you’ll have to make it your own in order to be unique. Copycats will always fail in a world full of clutter, where people have a lack of time and attention span.
3) You have to listen intensely to others
People can help you out by giving you precious feedback, which can be used to build the brand called YOU. If you build a product that no one wants, by neglecting your customers opinion, then it won’t sell and you’ll be out of business.
4) You have to amplify yourself
There is only one of you! You can use social networks, such as Digg, Facebook and more to get your voice out there. These networks work even while you are asleep. By using social media tools, you can spread your personal brand across the web, creating a lasting presence-a platform-for which you can build upon.
