Branding is crucial for every business and individual. You could have all the potential or amazing products in the world, but if the world views you in a negative way, you could never get to utilize your real potential.
So what is a brand or branding? A brand is essentially a promise you make and are known for keeping to the person you are asking or trying to influence.
By making yourself known for keeping your promises, you will build on your brand with every interaction you have with others.
A brand always begins with your values. What do you stand for? Once you have decided on your values you can begin to build a brand that aligns with these and aligns with your customers.
Specialization
Focusing your brand on one area and achieve it. You cannot be all things to everyone. Specialization can come from your products, your company, your line of work or the community, but you have to be focused on one thing.
Leadership
Your brand needs to be recognized as one of the most knowledgeable, respectable or skilled people in your field. Knowing how and where you want to be a leader within your field will build your brand up.
Personality
Your brand needs to be built around your personality, including your flaws. The easiest way to decide on how you want to be perceived is to ask yourself “What would be a good way for people to describe me?”.
Distinctiveness
After creating your personal brand, you need to make sure you express the brand in a unique way. How can you create a way for people to remember your brand long after they have purchased your product or come into contact with you. Finding your own distinctiveness will allow you to stand out from all your competitors.
Visibility
To be effective your personal brand must be seen repeatedly and consistently. Forming a brand can be similar to show business, if you and your brand are not out there networking and getting involved your brand won’t be seen or remembered.
Utility
Your brand must align with you as a person, there is nothing worse for a brand than to find out that the person behind the brand is the complete opposite of what they claim to be. The greatest feedback your brand can receive is that people say you are always the same, even behind closed doors.
Persistence
After establishing your personal brand, give it time to grow. Make sure to ignore trends that do not align with your brand and continue to stick with your values. There is no point in establishing a brand and have your values change frequently as people will not be able to follow or get behind you.
Goodwill
The more that you are perceived as well intentioned or a good hearted person, the more influential your brand will become. Always aim to have a positive brand that people look up to and admire.
Remember that reputation is everything and everything counts. No matter how big or how small, everything that you do either builds and strengthens your brand, or weakens and destroys your brand.