How To Create A Dynamite Personal Branding Strategy In 3 Steps …

Posted on 17. Nov, 2009 by dave in Internet Marketing, Personal Branding

Hello Again! Thanks For Coming Back. If You Enjoy This Post, Be Sure To Subscribe To My Free Newsletter To Get All Of My New Posts Straight To Your Inbox!

What if you had all the tools you needed to create an Absolutely Ridiculously Magnetic Personal Brand? What if these tools helped you to lay the foundations of a Personal Brand that you could Leverage to generate income for as long as you existed?

I mentioned earlier that I love to read. Personal Development Books absolutely FUEL my growth. I am a HUGE advocate of the ‘Student-Teacher-Student’ concept. I am always learning, always developing myself, and quickly and consistently applying what I learn.

I believe that one of the most amazing things in the world is the way that people are able to transfer knowledge to one another. I love to observe learning and I believe that there are very few things in life that are more exciting than observing an engaged student learn from a passionate teacher.

Now, to the book I want to talk about today. A few months ago I was browsing the Business section in a used book store when I came across a book called ‘Be Your OWn Brand’ by David McNally and Karl D. Speak. I picked it up and started flipping through the first few chapters. The chapter headings hooked me, I checked out the price tag – $6.99 (Canadian) – it was a no brainer. I picked it up.

I’ve now read through the entire book and have found it to be just as useful as I had predicted. I’d like to talk about the third Chapter in this book because I believe that information in this Chapter is something that anyone building their own brand online NEEDS to know.

The chapter is called ‘Personal Brand Dimensions’ and it pieces together 3 aspects you need to consider when building your own personal brand.

For the sake of practicality, I’ll lay this out in a 3-Step Activity that you can try out right now.

Here it is:

Step 1 – What are your COMPETENCIES?

Imagine for a second that you’ve already created a DYNAMITE and MAGNETIC personal brand online. Now, I want you to picture one of your customers recommending you to somebody else in their network.

What would that conversation look like? What I can tell you, is that the very first thing they will talk about is what you have done for them that has improved their business or personal life. What they are discussing are your competencies – the tangible skills or traits you possess that add value to their life.

The first step in creating a successful personal brand is being absolutely clear on what exactly it is that you can offer to people.

Write down a list of 5 Specific Services you can provide to the people you are seeking to develop a relationship with. In other words what are you qualified to do that will enhance the lives (both personal and business) of your target market?

Beside each Service on your list, briefly write down precisely How this service will improve their life or help them see more success in their business.

Step 2 – What are your STANDARDS?

Let’s continue the hypothetical ‘customer conversation’ from Step 1. Your ever-so-loyal customer has passionately explained your services (or competencies) to her friend.

The next thing she’ll talk about are your ‘Standards’. Or quite simply, THE WAY that you get things done.

It’s important to understand that no matter what your standards are, they will not be attractive to everyone. Standards that one person finds highly attractive, may be off-putting to another person. What is important is that you are CLEAR in what exactly your standards are.

Here are some examples of types of things that would be considered ‘Standards’:

Focused on the Details
Open-minded
Concerned with delivering timely service
Fantastic Listener
Highly Creative
‘By-the-book’ or traditional

Compile a list of 5 of your ‘Standards’. Be sure to consider that even though your competencies may be no different than a competing brand, your standards will set you apart and make you 100% unique.

Step 3 – Discover your unique Style

This is where you get to separate yourself from the competition even more by adding your own flavour and personality. Style is all about the way you relate and communicate with others.

Everyone is going to have their own authentic and natural style. While style undoubtedly is something created naturally, it is easy to be influenced by others and begin to project an inauthentic style.

Style will be the final thing discussed in that conversation between your customer and another potential customer or partner.
Do not believe for a second, however, that it is the least important. In fact, the reason this loyal customer continues to do business with you is because she feels connected to personal style.

Develop a list of Characteristics that accurately describe your Style.

You want the words you select to have an emotional hook to them.

Here are some quick examples to help you get the ball rolling:

Energetic
Outgoing
Friendly
Intense
Aggressive
Professional
Fun
Open-Minded
Crazy

Go ahead and roll with that. Jot down your list.

Now look over your three lists and begin to think about how they interconnect, strengthen and compliment one another to from a Solid Personal Brand.

Your competencies will always form the foundation of your brand, however they will likely not provide you with any differentiation. That is completely left to your Standards and your Style.

That’s it for today folks. Make it a GREAT one!
To Your Continued Success,

Dave

I would absolutely love to hear your feedback on this. I think we all see the value in developing a strong personal brand. What other ideas do you have? Let’s start a community discussion …

And of course, if you’re diggin’ this post, share it with your friends in Twitterland