What Is Personal Branding??

What is Personal Branding?

I was surprised to find out that approximately 40% of the population who took the Personal Brand Management survey was not familiar with the term “Personal Branding”. The idea of Personal Branding has been around for a while, but it didn’t really become main stream until Tom Peters wrote an article in 1997 titled “A Brand Called You”. To this day, that article has laid the foundation for the movement known as Personal Branding.

I’ve been doing a lot of research and have truly engulfed myself in understanding what Personal Branding really means. Although, there are many definitions out there, I have created my own definition.

Personal Branding – Achieving personal and professional goals by differentiating yourself by articulating your unique value through a consistent message.

I created this definition based off of my research, understanding, and application of Personal Branding. In order for everyone to really understand what this definition means and how to make it work for you, I thought it would be a good idea to break it down.

• Achieving personal and professional goals - Everyone has or should have goals that they set, whether they are personal or professional. There is no benefit of setting goals if you do not reach them. It is important that your Personal Brand gives you the extra step needed to reach those goals.

• Differentiating yourself by articulating your unique value – Your Personal Brand can be the deciding factor on if you are chosen, promoted, hired, or believed. If your Personal Brand is not one that is viewed as valuable and unique, there is no real reason for you to be the chosen one. Therefore, it is important to create a brand that stands out and proves to be valuable and successful.

• Through a consistent message – A successful brand is one that is consistent, because if it is not, you will begin to confuse your target audience. Once confusion sets in your credibility falters and you will not be taken seriously. If you confuse your audience, you lose your audience.

The ultimate goal of Personal Branding is to allow your brand to work for you. It is important that you create a Personal Brand that will speak on your behalf and let your target audience know who you are, what you stand for, and why you are valuable even when you are not present.

Stay tuned for the posting when I discuss…Why is Personal Branding is Important.

(Tom Peters (August 1997). "The brand Called You". Fast Company (Mansueto Ventures LLC.) (10): pp. 83. http://www.fastcompany.com/magazine/10/brandyou.html.)