From Manolo Blahniks to Jimmy Choos, it’s the packaging of these brands that seduce us into spending $400 on a pair of shoes we’ll only wear once. Establishing a personal brand is the foundation of success for today’s savvy woman. Regardless of your current title or industry, the most important position you’ll hold is being the marketer of your own brand.
A personal brand is the key to being memorable and right now, it’s extremely important to stand out from the crowd says Nancy Marmolejo, 2006 Entrepreneur of the Year and founder of Comadre Coaching. “We are so bombarded by marketing messages all day long; at the end of the day, she who stands out and is memorable wins.”
Uncover your inner brand
To effectively communicate your message and outer identity, it’s essential to think creatively and utilize your strengths. Personal strengths contain the building blocks of your brand, says Marmolejo. She adds that even your hobbies play a major role. For example, a media consultant created a brand for herself that tapped into her hobby of historical homes. Her logo features a caricature of herself sitting on the porch of an old house.
Marmolejo recommends that women brainstorm all their strengths, areas of expertise, and even quirks when developing a personal brand. Ask people you trust about what qualities they see in you. She then suggests taking these words and feedback and looking for similar patterns. Find metaphors related to them and see if you can start with some word plays. The secret to creating a personal brand is to do what you can to stand out from the rest. “When you’re authentic and work from your strengths, your brand becomes as unique as your fingerprint,” says Marmolejo
Dive into viral marketing
Blogging is a great way to establish authority in your field, says Penelope Trunk, author of Brazen Careerist: The New Rules for Success. People who have blogs that turn up in Google searches are mostly professional and are high up in their fields. Blogging can help you get your name known among these people. Trunk also suggests commenting on other blogs. It’s a faster and less time consuming method of expanding your contacts than attending traditional networking events.
Develop your personal style
Another key element in building your brand is style. Carrie McCarthy and Danielle LaPorte, image consultants and co-founders of Carrie and Danielle Inc.have launched a new branding tool to assist women in building a powerful persona called, “Style Statements.” Your Style Statement is two words that best define your authentic self such as ”Feminine Design” or “Classic Vibrant.” From your wisdom to your wardrobe; from your longings to your living room– your Style Statement is where your essence meets your expression,” says LaPorte.
How can two words define you? Arranged by the 80/20 style statement principle, your first word and second word encapsulate the ideal spirit, look and feel of how you move through the world. During a Style Statement appointment, Carrie and Danielle ask a series of questions, from playful to profound. After an hour of reflecting and sharing what matters to you most, they present you with your Style Statement and its precise definition. Women can use these words as a guide for designing a career and a life that best reflects their true selves. While a Style Statement can be useful in creating business success, says LaPorte, it’s not solely about packing yourself for appeal; it’s about genuinely being your authentic self in every dimension of your life.
Now that you’ve assessed your personal strengths, established authority online, and developed a unique sense of style, it’s time to market your company – Me Inc. – to the world and start earning what you’re worth.