Social Media Consulting. Blogger Relations. Community Engagement. Consumer Outreach. These are all words we as bloggers hear and use on a daily basis. We work hard to create a name for ourselves and develop strong relationships with brands that we love and adore. But I am amazed at how many people I come across that are in need of a lesson in crisis communications.
Your “personal “ brand does not have OFF hours.
My what?
Your personal brand.
Yes, you are your own brand. That name you are working to create? Everything you do/say is going to be associated with it. The same as Nike, Fisher Price, Pepsi or Starbucks.
What are you selling? Yourself. Yes. To be blunt, you are pimping out your knowledge of SEO, social media, product development, graphic design, fill in the blank with your expertise here.
And everything you do or say impacts your brand – both positively and negatively. On Twitter, On Facebook, at conferences…everywhere. You never know who is watching or listening. You have total control of this.
Unless…
Unless you don’t define yourself. Unless you act in a manner that allows others to define you first.
Perception is reality folks. You set the stage for your own success. How do you do that? Always think of yourself as a business. Businesses spend a lot of time working on their branding and you should too. You set the tone. You create the look and feel.
Then, put yourself out there! Promote. Promote. Promote.
Be yourself and enjoy the ride.
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Just starting out in social media/blogging? Your first assignment is to figure out…
What are YOU about? What’s your niche?
Babies, Marriage, Product Reviews, Life, Food, Crafts or are you a Catch-All? Be consistent. Otherwise you’ll confuse your readers and potential customers. Looking for other tips on building your personal brand? Check out Dan Schawbe’s steps to personal branding from his book Me 2.0:
• Create: Your personal branding toolkit may consist of a blog, website, business card, resume, video resume, reference document, cover letter, portfolio, social network profiles, or a combination. Your brand must be consistent and reinforce each part of your toolkit.
• Communicate: Let people know you exist. You can communicate your brand by attending professional networking events, writing articles for magazines and media sites, commenting on blogs, connecting with people on social networks, and reaching out to the press.
• Maintain: As you grow, mature, and accelerate in your career, everything you’ve created has to be updated and accurately represent the current “brand you.” Also, you need to monitor your brand online to ensure all conversations about you are positive and factual. You can do this by using a combination of tools, including a Google Alert for your name. (I constantly check for what people are saying about my clients in the news; the same goes for yourself!)
And remember…You are ALWAYS on. There is no turning off your personal brand. So carry yourself in that manner wherever you go – even the grocery store or the restaurant around the corner. Your next big project could be lurking there.
This post is part of the BlogHop Blog Conference at Home. To see the full agenda of learning sessions visit Blog Conference Newbie.
Great stuff. I always think of myself as a brand in relation to ghost/comedy writing and acting, but never as a blogger!
This is so true! People always ask me what I blog about and I say me! My brand is me!
Great post today. As a new blogger, I struggle with what I want to do. I kind of want to do a bit of everything, but I think my passion is travel writing.
GRRREEEEAAATTTTT Post!! Goes along with my post at the conference. Spot on!! Great read!
Great summary of blogging! As a blogger who is still extremely wet behind the ears….this really helps!
Very helpful post. I know that companies are monitoring bloggers for campaigns – on their blogs, Twitter and Facebook. It is very important to put your best foot forward and to promote yourself.
True. True. True. I created a one-line strategy statement that sits above My computer. Whenever I make a post, tweet, comment or "like" I make sure it's in alignment w/ my positioning. We are living, walking, breathing brands. Like it or not. Great post!
Wonderfully said!
Good point! Many of my local friends red my blog before meeting me, so I am well aware ofy "brand" and I try to carry myself as such. Sometimes I forget. . . It is a good reminder that I really am always "on".
Read. . .I also am a terrible proofreader! Anyone want a low paying editing job?
Erin, this is wonderful and spot on. I adore the idea of a personal brand toolkit. I've never thought of it in that way and it clicks! Thank you.
Love this, it is right on!