2011 was the year personal branding “branded itself” as the most important marketing activity career changers, businesses and the people that lead them must pay attention to and refine.
The talk about how to stand out, differentiate yourself, become super niche and laser focused continues. Like any important trend it has a process that will keep moving through time. People change, the world changes, demand changes, needs change. It’s the most fascinating and curious thing to watch and be a part of.
What you want to be known for is as organic as your brand is at any given time, but it will ultimately be about your essence and how it’s expressed through all the things that you do. The new Facebook Timeline is a good example of this. I switched over to it before it changed over and clicked on prior years. The hair color and styles and world headlines may change but what I do, what I believe and what I want to be known for is constant.
So what do you want to be known for this year?
Look into these four areas to harvest some answers and the approach you are going to take. It’s a new year, it’s a new time, to continue in a fresh way!
Who you are
No need to change who you are. It’s better to work on being the best you then be a bad version of someone else. You are fab just the way you are. Discover your essence and throw a colorful scarf around it and celebrate. Use more video, testimonials, results.
What you do
Show people what you do and share the people who have been impacted by what you do. The best way to be remembered is by someone else singing your praises. It’s not about self love, it’s about love of self.
How others describe you
This is a bonus, but nonetheless a really good one. Learn to accept praise and thank people instead of negating when others say how they feel about you. Go to your Twitter account and see what lists you have been added to and see what the names of those lists are.
How you feel about yourself
The vibe we give off is real, distinct and something people really feel. Your vibe emanates from the inside out. It’s how we truly feel about ourselves. Keep working on being comfortable in your own skin and stay in things that make you shine inside.
This year, I want to continue to be a source of motivation, kindness and hope in guiding others to discover and exceed how they can be the most relevant, effective and happy in their careers and business with what they already have.
Check out the 2011 CNN Heroes to get some ideas about how ordinary people doing extraordinary things are answering this question simply by what they are called to do!
Author:
Deborah Shane is an author, media host, speaker, writer and branding strategist. She hosts her Toolbox Blog and is in her third year of hosting a weekly business radio show called Deborah Shane’s Metropolis that has over 32K downloads! She is a regular contributor to several national business, career and marketing blogs and websites. Her new book Career Transition-make the shift is available on Amazon.com and all major book sellers. Deborah delivers smart, no-nonsense ideas and solutions, which make her a popular go-to resource for clients, national media and influential blogs. Visit her at www.deborahshane.com.
