9 Secrets to a Killer Personal Brand Story
How to build and share your personal brand story to get noticed!
Have you ever noticed that some people seem to be very clear about who they are and what they are doing? It’s almost like they had planned it out. It’s almost like they had read a book about who they were supposed to be. Better yet, it’s as if they had written a book about who they were supposed to be.
Simply put – they know their brand story.
I talk a lot about BRANDTELLING – telling the story of your brand. I usually talk about how businesses need to tell the story or stories about their brands.
But it is just as important – maybe MORE important – to work on your PERSONAL BRANDTELLING – discovering and telling your own Personal Brand Story.
Why is this important? Simple. In business, just like in life, it helps to know who you are, what you do, what you want and how you can help someone else.
You MUST have a personal brand story.
You MUST know your personal brand story.
You MUST be able to tell your personal brand story.
When you know your personal brand story, it makes it easy to:
Keep focused on what you need to do.
Keep people interested in who you are and what you’re doing.
Helps people know the right way to help you.
You may have your own business. You may work as part of someone else’s business. You may be in transition between jobs. No matter where you are, a strong personal brand story can help you do a better job connecting and moving to the next level – whatever that might represent for you.
Nine Secrets to a Killer Personal Brand Story
Perception = Reality. Be careful; people build and store perceptions about you for a long time. You may have to work hard to overcome incorrect perceptions.
You create your story. Document every facet of your story and use this to craft your personal brand story.
Your story must be specific. Details, details details! Capture highlights and “desk pounding moments.”
You’ll need to edit your story. Details are terrific, but don’t be boring!
It’s got to be your own story. Don’t be the other guy. Be you.
Someone will ask for your “X for Y” statement. LinkedIn is the Facebook for Business. Who are you?
Consistency counts! Keep your personal brand story consistent in person, in print and on social networks. How many different descriptions and pictures of you are out there?
There will be change. Embrace changes. Your experiences will change over time. Learn to incorporate those changes into your personal brand story.
Radio station WII-FM is always playing. In the back of everyone’s mind, a tune is playing asking “What’s In It For Me?” Keep that in the FRONT of your mind.