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Marketing Views
YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
By: Michele Andre
Your “Personal Brand” exists only in someone’s head. Do you know how others see you? Our personal brand is made up of our tone of voice, words used, body language, dress, smile, facial expressions, posture, use of hands, eyes, environment where you are found and who you are with. Think of two people selling the same product. One has a great personal brand and the other has a bad personal brand. Which do you buy from? Now think, do others see you as the great or bad personal brand person?
Develop and refine a strong personal brand. You must get credit for who you are and what you believe in. Have you taken the time to figure out what you believe in? How you want people to remember you? How do people brand you? What is the first word that comes to someone when your name is mentioned? Ask a few friends to be honest and tell you how they see your “personal brand”. Then write down how you see your “personal brand.” Are you expressing the wrong brand to your friends and co-workers? See the list below for personal brand values.
Your actions will always speak louder than words. If you tell someone you will do something, you better do it or their opinion of you will not be good. Your personal brand will be tarnished. If you talk about helping others or charities, but never do anything people will not have a good thought about you. Don’t offer to help if you are not planning on doing anything.
Always stick to what you believe in. Don’t change what you believe in every other day or be wishy washy on subjects. Be proud of what you stand for and that will make you “Brand Proud.” You are who you are. Not everyone will like you no matter what you do, but you will be respected for standing up for your beliefs. Don’t pretend to be for something that might get you a sale if your heart is not in it. Always be authentic.
Inconsistency is the killer of a good strong personal brand. People trust people that are consistent and follows through with what they say they will do. If you are always cancelling appointments, changing careers every six months, not returning phone calls it will tarnish your “personal brand” in someone’s mind. You could be selling the best product, but if your personal brand is tarnished, you may have a hard time selling to those that know you. Is your mood the same every time people see you or are you sometimes in a bad mood and express it to those you know on a regular basis? If you are sick or in a bad mood and can’t pretend to be happy and nice, just stay home! You will do more damage if you show up at any event in a bad mood than if you didn’t show at all.
Personal Brand Values: Find the seven most important values to you. Does everyone see these seven values in you? Or do you need to refine your “Personal Brand.”
Achievement
Adventure
Artistic Expression
Balance
Competition
Contribution
Control
Cooperation
Creativity
Economic Security
Fairness
Fame
Family Happiness
Friendship
Generosity
Health
Independence
Influence
Inner Harmony
Integrity
Learning
Loyalty
Nature
Order
Personal Development
Pleasure
Power
Prestige
Quality
Recognition
Responsibility
Security
Service
Self Respect
Spirituality
Stability
Tolerance
Tradition
Variety
Wealth
Wisdom
By: Michele Andre. Personal Brand Value list is from Be Your Own Brand by David McNally and Karl Speak
Marketing Views
Finding Your Why….a Critical Component to Success
By: Lora Ulrich
Did you ever wonder why some people achieve greater success than others? Earl Nightingale said it this way: “Today in America people can become whatever they want. Trouble is most do not know what they want.” So what is it that can keep us going when times are tough, life gets in the way, or whatever the “reason” (excuse) may be. Your why, your core desire is that thing you want so badly that you will do anything to get it – no matter how hard, scary or expensive it is.
First we have to DARE TO DREAM. Dreams allow us to envision future realities. If our dreams are aligned with the values of our heart, they create the desire necessary to fuel massive action. With enough energy and passion, what some might consider impossible dreams can become inevitable realities.
Your dream, the underlying reason you are willing to spend time, energy and money building your business, is what I call your "Ultimate Why." Sometimes it’s hidden deep in your psyche but if you’ll give some serious thought to this assignment - really ponder your answers, it will come to you.
To discover your Why you must pay very close attention to the TRUE feelings you experience as you ask yourself two basic questions.
The first question gets you started (but the first answer people give is rarely your Core Desire):
“What would I like to have that I do not currently have?”
After you answer this question, then ask the next question:
“If I had that, what would that give me that I do not have?”
Keep asking yourself the second question with each new answer, until you get the Core Desire – your Why. You will know it when you get there because there is always a noticeable, sometimes visible, strong emotional reaction to the Core Desire. Once you connect with that core reason, with your Why, you are well on the road to being unstoppable!
If you have any questions on finding your why and achieving greater success, contact Lora Ulrich, Lifestyle Coach at 239-898-4078.
Marketing Questions & Answers
Jodie Andre
Marketing Dazzle
www.marketingdazzle.com
Question:
Dear Jodie,
Do flyers really work? Mixed Up Melvin
Answer:
Melvin, it all depends on the flyer and who’s getting it. The flyer should be distributed in an area or situation where there are a high number of people interested in the promotion. The flyer has to spark people’s interest and be appealing enough to them to actually look at and then read! The flyer should include who, what, when, where, a contact and website information. Keep it short and with simple bold fonts. Use brightly colored paper for your flyer and have a theme.
Question:
Hi There Jodie,
What is Guerrilla Marketing?
Inquisitive Isabelle
Answer: Isabelle, you were probably too young to remember Jay Conrad Levinson’s 1983 book called Guerrilla Marketing where the term originated. Guerrilla Marketing is unconventional marketing tactics. It was for companies with smaller marketing budgets but is now adopted by large businesses. A couple of great examples of Guerrilla Marketing were photo’s of barbecue ads on the grill covers of storm drains and a box of 3M security glass holding stacks of cash.
April BBV Marketing Ideas
Jodie’s Marketing Tips
Jodie Andre
Marketing Dazzle
239-590-5089
www.marketingdazzle.com
Question: Jodie, what’s optimized email marketing?
Confused Carly
Answer: Carly, optimized email marketing is simply a practice of using email to market a specific audience in the most effective way. You can effectively build your brand name, build loyalty and advertise products for less money than other marketing mediums.
Question: Hello Jodie, everyone talks about branding my business. So what is branding any way and do I really need it?
Questioning Quentin
Answer: Well Quentin, as a business owner you know you have to carve a niche and branding your business is the best way to make it happen. It’s a must for any business to excel. Just think about the well know brands like Google, Apple or Coca-Cola. They have become household names. Think of branding as an extension to your marketing budget.
Email your questions to Jodie@thebridgenetworking.com
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