| One important part of branding is the image you | | | | 60-seconds - be able to deliver a succinct description |
| yourself portray. Developing a likeable personal brand | | | | of what you do, how you do it differently, and the |
| is essential for succeeding. If you want to rise to the | | | | benefit it provides. |
| top of your particular arena, you need to first be | | | | Five: Build your Rolodex. Make new business contacts |
| able to sell yourself to your potential customers. | | | | and stay in touch with them. Most people with |
| Think about it. Would you rather do business with a | | | | powerful brands have powerful friends. |
| person who smiles and comes across as friendly or | | | | Six: Balance your individual style with clothing that will |
| with one who snarls and ignores you? The first | | | | appeal to those you are trying to impress. |
| impression a potential customer receives is from you. | | | | Seven: Learn good business and social etiquette. Buy |
| Make it a good one. | | | | elegant personal stationery and send hand-written |
| How can you accomplish this? | | | | notes. |
| One: Become an expert source. | | | | Eight: Give something back. Giving your time, talent, |
| Two: Become a great communicator. Research | | | | and money to charitable causes is a brand-builder |
| shows communications skill is the top determinant for | | | | especially when it complements your brand strategy. |
| upward social and professional mobility. | | | | Find a cause you are passionate about. |
| Three: Draft a marketing plan for yourself annually, | | | | Your personal brand is one of your greatest business |
| and review it quarterly. Include specific goals, | | | | assets. Put as much time and effort into it as you do |
| strategies, action steps, and a timetable. | | | | in branding your product. In the end, if you can't sell |
| Four: Develop an 'elevator speech." Within the time | | | | yourself, you'll find it nearly impossible to sell your |
| that it takes an elevator to travel one floor - about | | | | product. |