Comments on: Can You Be a Person and a Personal Brand?

By: newraycom

newraycom — Fri, 26 Oct 2012 00:04:43 +0000

PaulBiedermann Thanks for dropping by, Paul.
In some ways, personal branding just happens. The image we portray and the messages we convey combine to form a perception by which others identify us. Because we’re human, we’re rarely consistent. So I agree, as much as it is possible it better to manage your “brand” than it manage you.
Appreciate your feedback. Thanks.

By: PaulBiedermann

PaulBiedermann — Thu, 25 Oct 2012 23:24:45 +0000

Great post, newraycom — I agree with many of your points and really don’t understand what all the controversy is about regarding personal branding. I’ve had the same debate with Olivier. Yes, I think “professional branding” is a better term as so much of the misunderstanding is largely due to semantics as people tend to get hung up on the “personal” part. But personal branding is nothing more than what companies do: distilling down a fairly large message into one concise, compelling message that is then communicated in various ways so that it is memorable. Otherwise, their messaging is diluted and then they have no hope of carving a path through all the other competition and noise.
Yes, any kind of branding is an attempt to influence, but that does not mean it is disingenuous. Rather, I see branding as a very pure and honest act: defining your true essence and then encapsulating that in such a way that it is clear and cannot be ignored. Sure, there are rotten eggs everywhere — brands and people who are dishonorable and display phony images of themselves, but that should not define personal branding in and of itself as being rotten too.
I think it is much wiser to focus on what branding should be and aspire to that, rather than disregard it altogether. Let’s face it, just hoping that others will understand what you’re about and letting them define you through their own misguided perceptions is not very accurate or helpful, and certainly not a reasonable alternative.

By: jess_dew

jess_dew — Thu, 18 Oct 2012 03:45:51 +0000

I’m a raving fan of whatever I’m working on (blessing and curse ), and I’ve never really thought about a brand. Walking the talk, articulating nuance, and providing value – even before the social media era – is what built lasting relationships. Do people follow me or the brand I’m associated with? It depends on if my message still provides value to them.
P2P aspect still is what sustains and grows businesses. Technology is great – but there will always be technology. The connection is key to making a prospective client feel safe to try something new, which comes down to trust. Do people trust people or brands more?
People sure can (and I want them to) know a bit more about me: my work style, (some) opinions, and approaches. It opens the door to collaboration and empathy for opportunities and challenges that come up working together. It’s the human element that makes stuff amazing and unique. Be yourself and the business benefits.
This is a great read!

By: newraycom

newraycom — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 03:35:34 +0000

Jeff_Taylor You’re right. The two worlds are meeting which makes the concept of branding or marketing yourself as a “person” confusing.
Olivier says “personal branding” is bullshit. That, in essence, if you’re marketing yourself, you’re actually marketing your business or you’re simply a fake.
I think it’s a blend of the two (how typically Canadian is that?) – that your personal reputation supports your professional brand. The two are inseparable in a world where, like it or not, we live pretty transparent lives.
Thanks for dropping by Jeff and for staying up way past your bedtime to leave me you feedback
Have a great rest of the weekend.

By: Jeff_Taylor

Jeff_Taylor — Sun, 14 Oct 2012 03:00:34 +0000

I too am a little confused Ray. But, if I have to pick a way(s) to conduct myself as a person who happens to own a business, it would have to be as a kind, truthful, and honest person. However it translates is fine with me and I’d hope it rubs off on both reputation and brand/business. I think it’s less about being authentic and more about authenticity. If you have to try, right there is your problem. Fred doesn’t try. He just is. Same with guys like Julien.
The hard part for me is answering the question you’ve posed in your post title.
I don’t think, that if you’re putting yourself out there on one or many of these platforms, and networking events, and social events, and via your day to day business functions, etc..that you can afford to waste the time needed to keep those worlds separate. It might in fact put some people out of their comfort zone to have those two worlds meet/mix, but it’s an inevitable reality whose line in the sand gets harder to see day after day.