IMHO, the term “personal branding” is quickly moving to the overused and abused list. If we aren’t careful, saying personal branding could get the eye-rolls and sighs that the term “employment branding” tends to conjure up.
Don’t get me wrong… branding is important. Whether it’s yourself or your company. You need to think about it, plan for it and ultimately make it happen. Just talking about it isn’t enough.
It’s also equally important in your branding conversations, to draw some correlation between branding and good old-fashioned common sense and manners. For example, not saying please and thank you can impact the way people view you. Responding in a timely fashion can have an impression on how you are perceived. But, I’d like to think we do those things not out of a conscious plan for our brand – we do it because it’s just the right thing to do for us and our business.
You can have the best education money can buy, tons of letters after your name, impeccable work experience and a wall full of awards. If you can’t get the basics right, your brand is toast.
P.S. While I’m on the subject of branding, this goes for your presence on social media as well. I’m doing a webinar this Thursday on “10 Things to Include in Every Bank’s Social Media Policy.” Even if you don’t work for a bank, there are some great takeaways (if I do say so myself.) Check it out when you get a chance. Hope you can to join us!
Image courtesy of psd
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John Jorgensen says
Great point Sharlyn. It is amazing how the basics are being forgotten by so many people in social media.
Sharlyn Lauby says
I’ve seen it too and not only in social media. Thanks for the comment John. You’re the best.
Laura Schroeder says
Such a great point. A great strategy (be it recruiting, social media, or what have you) isn’t worth much if the people executing it ignore the basic p’s and q’s. It’s particularly lethal when the whole point of the strategy is to attract or persuade other people.
Wally Bock says
I agree that “personal branding” has moved into the overused category. I also think that it puts the emphasis in the wrong place. I’d rather see some emphasis on delivering great performance and then communicating that fact. If you leave the performance part out, “branding” is just an attempt at manipulation.
Sharlyn Lauby says
@Laura – Good point about manners and relationships! It’s amazing we have to still have these conversations. Thanks.
@Wally – I like shifting the focus to performance. Then as you mention, it becomes about setting expectations. Thanks for the comment!