PERSONAL BRANDING: Are You an Individual or a Brand?

   You've just finished the game, the round or the tournament and the media approaches you for a comment, or two.  Or maybe it's an interview that's been set up for a while and a chance to answer questions or be prominently featured on your own merits.  The question is ... how do you think of yourself?

   How do others think of you?  Do you represent something that warrants inclusion in story lines or conversations?  Are you a model of something or some cause?  Are you a name?

 

   Stacy Lewis has won multiple times in 2013 on the LPGA tour... and climbed (for a few weeks) atop the Rolex Women's World Rankings - which is rarefied air for Americans in a game full of global stars.  Her assault on the tour over the last 3 years has made a lot of people take notice.  Is she "Stacy Lewis - the professional golfer?"  

Stacy Lewis at CNN Atlanta

  Or is she a mini-enterprise who happens to play golf... and who's blossoming golf resume has helped her become the mini-enterprise?  Golf builds her name... the name can become the brand.  

kentucky.com

   Have you heard of Marshall Henderson?  He's the shooting guard for the Ole Miss Rebels who's "in your face" style rubbed some college opponents and their fans the wrong way during the now-completed season.  His style and game shot the Rebels into the NCAA Tournament with its first league tournament title since 1981. Is he just another basketball player?  Or have his "take a look at me" antics created a brand of sorts that's recognized?

    Have you seen or heard of Tony Robbins?  Motivator, author, speaker... and someone who adds value when he speaks.  Clearly, he is a "brand."

   Here's a way to look at it....  3 things about creating a recognized "brand" 

 * When your name is called, most who've come in contact with you immediately know what you represent.

 * Your name is tied to something, some company, some position or opinion,  or some profession.

 * People probably desire your appearance, your product, your opinion ... or find reason to pay attention to what it is that you do.

   To me, it doesn't matter if you're an athlete, a coach, a CEO, an author, a speaker, or a media personality.... you represent yourself in a way that creates a visual image for others - especially after they've seen you speak or perform.

   And where is one place you can build your brand?  Through the media if you've got the opportunity.  And through social media if you make the opportunity.  And through public speaking if you're given the opportunity.  And through your resume as long as you continue to create more opportunities.  

   Have a media interview coming up?  If you believe that every interview provides a chance to get noticed and represent thoughts and ideas, then you're clearly on the right track to understanding that you are more than an individual.  You are a "brand" and you need to deliver yourself as such.

   Have a chance to speak at work or share a presentation at a conference?  I'm not suggesting that you oversell yourself, brag or build yourself as something you're not.  What I'm suggesting is that you take yourself more seriously than you may have done so in the past.

Climb the Ladder - Build Your Brand

    Bottom line... never under-value your opportunities to build your name or your personal brand.  At the end of the day... its what has you climbing the ladder.  And at the end of your career, no matter what you do .... it's all you've got to show for all that work.

    Thanks so much for following and sharing this blog.  I'm always flattered when I see it re-posted by others.  And if you've got ideas for me... it may just be a topic for an upcoming post.

Thought of the day: Whether you're inventing yourself or re-inventing yourself, think about what that "self" stands for and build on that each and every day.  

Comments welcome here or  @KraigKann