|
|
Like this article? PLEASE +1 it! |  |
|
Personal branding - your slick new brand image might be killing your business
| Guest post by: Guy Luminato |
Article Overview: There is an abundant of over designed, tricked out websites out there that do not match the person. Your new fancy, shmancy hub you just bought might not be representing the real you. You are now saying, "WHAT? I just paid big bucks for this thing - it better be right!"
 |
Free Download - The Best Home Based Business Opportunity By Guy Luminato |
Personal branding - your slick new brand image might be killing your business
There
is an abundant of over designed, tricked out websites out there that do
not match the person. Your new fancy, shmancy hub you just bought might
not be representing the real you. You are now saying, "WHAT? I just
paid big bucks for this thing - it better be right!" Now, don't get me
wrong a well designed hub can do wonders for conversions and attracting
the right people. IF it represents you well. You can stand out like a
leader with a professionally designed hub, you can have people say,
"wow look at him". My question to you is - is your hub doing you a
favor?
As a 20 year veteran in design before my career switch
to professional home business owner, I worked with countless brands.
Most of them were high quality, well known, like Nike, Jaguar, Land
Rover, Nasdaq, and Sony to name a few. They have something going for
them as a brand that you may not. They have consistency, they have
positioning, they show the real brand - no matter what. You might be
asking yourself at this point, "How do I know if I have what they
have?" Most likely, you don't have it all put together yet. But I will
tell you how you can become a brand that people trust through your
image.
You probably already know by now that people join a
business for the people, not the company. They have to trust you. You
have to show them the real you, and be consistent. Some of your
messaging, as slick and cool as you think it is, might be
misrepresenting you. You want them to see you everywhere, and know that
is the same person, and not do any double takes. Colors, images, fonts
all play a part in your brand image. You have to show up well branded
as YOU. Don't try to be someone you are not. People are smart they will
pick up on the inconsistencies, and hesitate when you want them to buy.
At this point, you might be saying, what is she really saying?
I will give you a specific example that will help paint your picture.
Let's say that you a down to earth guy who has spent the last 5 years
painting homes. You normally wear jeans and a t-shirt, maybe a Carhart
jacket. You talk simple, truthfully, and frankly. Now let's say you are
using YouTube and a blog, and twitter for your marketing. Those three
areas have visuals that represent you. First off, video does not lie,
it actually reveals everything. If you are on a video, they know you
through your tone, placement, background, clothes, speed of talking,
etc. If you are in your jeans and tee, talking frank and honest, and
then on your hub/ blog you are slicked out with neon - there is an
inconsistent message.
I am not saying that if you wear jeans
and tees in your videos people won't trust you. What I am saying is
that your hub needs to reflect you better. Clearly, the slicked up
version is not the real you - so meet in the middle of where you have
been, and where you are going. So, my recommendation would be to pick a
background for your blog image that represents YOU, not what you think
people want to see. If I see any more sites with money and tricked out
graphics I am going to vomit. What will stand out is by showing people
you are for real!! So in the case of our example, the blog header might
have a background of the guy sitting on a rock in the outdoors in a
forward posture leaning in. Colors would not be neon and harsh colors,
they would be natural and harmonic. Because, here is the real deal.
People will find out the real you - especially through video. So
embrace it, connect the dots for them. Don't make them question - is
this the same guy or girl? Is this fancy internet marketer the same
family guy on the YouTube video? Be consistent with colors (in and out
of video), be consistent with style.
I am concerned for all of
the network marketers who are now using personal branding, and missing
the mark. It will hurt you if you don't get it right. If you hire
someone to do your designs - make sure they know you. It is critical to
your success. They are representing YOU - don't assume they will just
do something cool, and that will work for you. You want someone who
will provide you with questions that you can answer, and that will
clarify who you are, and where you are going. It will help you convert
way better!
So why is this important to resolve immediately? The
longer you wait, the longer your message is mixed and your leads, and
potential leads are doubting your abilities. Your income will grow when
you can show that you are a well respected brand, and your image will
shine with confidence.
Get going, look at all the places where
you have visual branding and messaging. Ask yourself, is this
consistent? Are the colors really representing the real me? Are the
fonts traditional, or modern? Just because you think it is cool,
doesn't mean it is right for you. Write down all the places you have a
image background, like twitter, youtube, your blog. If you are missing
the mark - take action - get it fixed as soon as you can. It can be
adjusted pretty quickly and inexpensively with the right resources.
I
am happy to review any branding and give free tips you can do to any
visuals. Remember, YOU are your brand, and only you can represent it
best.
Brand Enhancer, Detractor or Adolescent: Which One Are You?
Personal Branding for Better Visibility
Do You Have a Brand Message?
What is Personal Branding?
Leading the Way through Personal Branding
Referred by: http://jaykubassek.com
|
About the Author: Guy Luminato RSS for Guy's articles - Visit Guy's website We had to pay off debts, and start over with virtually nothing to stand on. All we wanted was to work at home so we could raise our kids and work from anywhere in the world. We searched for the answers on the internet. We found it! At first we were a bit skeptical and after doing our due diligence we realized that we had found an education platform that would allow us to learn, earn and turn our dreams into reality. We ordered the system and went to work as it instructed. We had results immediately. It was simple, easy, and we could learn how to market anything, to anyone, anywhere in the world using the internet. We haven't looked back. We have been extremely fortunate to find something that can educate us and set us up for life. We are passionate about sharing our knowledge with others who are looking for big changes in their life. If our articles, and story resonate with you, see for yourself if this will work for you by going to www.WealthCreationTemplate.com www.WhyGptBeatsMLM.com We now work from home, and work anywhere in the world so that we can be with family and friends. Guy Luminato is born to Italian parents and raised in Melbourne, Australia. Michele Luminato was born and raised in Billings, Montana. Click here to visit Guy's website   It is not to late for a career revelation professional to successful entrepreneur How To Start A Business With Low Overhead Personal branding your slick new brand image might be killing your business Why some people can make a six figure income easily and you cant How to Write A Press Release For The Internet |
Related Forum Posts
The Flaw In Personal Branding...?
- To what extent do you use personal branding to build your business and your business image?
To build an effective personal brand, the image you convey needs to be authentic, not phoney ... so to what extent do you, or would you, allow your personal flaws to be part of your personal brand image??
We could be talking about the physical side, including physical condition and fashion, or it could be in the area of personal behaviour and characteristics or habits, or it could be in the area of lifestyle...
Don't you think it might be better to have a flaw or two on display, to appear more human, and perhaps therefore more like someone people could do business with?
Or is there a flaw in the whole idea of personal branding. Shouldn't we just concentrate on branding our products??
Re: The Flaw In Personal Branding...?
- The original post in this thread got my mind spinning in so many different directions.
Typically when we think of branding we think of large company branding. It's interesting how many large companies have taken seemingly made up words and created a brand around those words.
For example, what does the word "kleenex" mean? When you hear or read that word you automatically think of a facial tissue.
How about the word "Google"? Google has come to mean an internet search engine.
Having used those two examples though it leads me to what I think is most important about branding whether you are an individual, small business, or conglomerate. The purpose of your brand is to create a unique space or position in the marketplace that you and you alone own.
In many cases people create a personal brand through there persona. Frank Kern is the good old boy strikes it big in internet marketing persona. Zig Ziglar is the good boy does good motivational speaker persona. When you hear there names you immediately associate that name with there unique space in the market.
So coming back to personal branding and whether you should allow your personal flaws to show I would say you absolutely must because that's who you are and you can't fake you. Whether people like you or don't like you they have to know exactly who they are liking or disliking.
Bottom line when it comes to branding or personal branding I think the critical question is...
Does your brand create a unique place in the world that people are already looking for?
Re: Do You Monitor Your Brand On Twitter?
- Using an RSS is a great idea, thanks for sharing! I'm still staring my business, so I've not done much branding yet. But when the time comes, I will definitely try out this technique. It's really important to be there when praise or criticism comes up about your brand. You obviously can't control what people say, but just your presence will make a bid difference.
Re: Personality Not Included
- Hi Shri,
Is this business book about developing your company's brand image or your own? Should an entrepreneur always market themselves as the driving force behind their business?
Don't a lot of small business owners like to remain anonymous because they want to appear larger than a "one person show"?
Re: The Flaw In Personal Branding...?
- I suppose it depends on what type of business you are in. If you are in a business such as MLM
or affiliate marketing I would think that branding yourself would be better. That way whatever
you decide to sell, people are buying mainly because of you.
On the other hand if you have a unique product or service then maybe branding that is better.
MichelleJ
Share this article with your friends. Fund someone's dream.
Leave a comment below or share on the left and you'll help support entrepreneurs in Africa through our partnership with Kiva. Over $50,000 raised and counting - Please keep sharing! Learn more.
by: 
Simon Fuller Quotes
Lesson #3: “Tell ‘em quick and tell ‘em often”
Searching for the Stars: How Yang and Filo Took Their Business to New Heights
Salesperson Wimp-Out: I Need Help 
Get advice & tips from famous business
owners, new articles by entrepreneur
experts, my latest website updates, &
special sneak peaks at what's to come!
2011 Global Brand Trends Letter
Designing Employee-Enhancing Training Programs
Tips for the Novice Traveler
Email us your ideas on how to make our
website more valuable! Thank you Sharon
from Toronto Salsa Lessons / Classes for
your suggestions to make the newsletter
look like the website and profile younger
entrepreneurs like Jennifer Lopez.