Networking Insight: Top 11 Drivers to Developing Your Own Unique, Personal Brand

Below is an article that I wrote for MidwestBusiness.com for my March column, Tech Connect.

Top 11 Drivers to Developing Your Own Unique, Personal Brand

Making yourself stand out in networking circles is so important for building relationships.

In order to make a name for yourself, you need to brand yourself effectively and efficiently. Make sure to carefully think about your brand and how you can shape it to make people remember you for you. The 11 drivers below will help you to think about ways to align your unique message with everything you do.

1. Develop a subject matter expertise: Pick a topic you’re passionate about (such as marketing, sales, relationship building, etc.) and learn all there is to learn about the subject. Spend time becoming an expert so you become the go-to person for this topic.

2. Publish articles: To further brand your subject matter expertise, take the time to write and publish articles that demonstrates your expertise. Seek out online or offline publications and pitch your articles. You ideally want to choose a publication that doesn’t have a writer in your space.

3. Speak to groups: Demonstrate your expertise by talking to business associations and corporations about your subject. You will have to approach groups in the beginning. Over time, people will come to you and invite you to speak. Don’t expect to get paid an honorarium at first because you should treat each speech as a way to show what you know. You will connect with people at these talks, which is a huge benefit.

4. Publish a blog: Much like writing articles, a blog can even further brand yourself as an expert because you can freely share your thoughts. Also, this is an opportunity for readers to comment and to have a dialogue with you. With blogging, you can instantly become a subject matter expert by the very nature of blogs.

5. Set up a personal Web site: It is important to have an online home for yourself. Set up a personal Web site that you can use to further brand yourself. You can use your own name for your domain or something easy to remember. Along with including information about yourself, also provide some value with some additional content around your subject matter expertise. I have created this type of site at Jacobsohn.com.

6. Create a personal e-mail: Similar to a personal Web site, you need to create a personal e-mail that will always be available for people to contact you regardless of your job. It is recommended that you buy your own domain around your name and create an e-mail based on this domain. In fact, you should tie it to your personal Web site if you are using your own name. I use jason@jacobsohn.com.

7. Create personal note cards: To come across as a professional, it is recommended that you send out handwritten notes from time to time. Rather than sending these on generic cards, you should consider buying personalized note cards and envelopes with your name, address and e-mail. You will come across as very professional.

8. Prepare a personal introduction: Before you meet anyone, you need to spend some time putting together a personal introduction about yourself. When you meet people or introduce yourself to groups of people, you can then effectively and professionally tell individuals about yourself. This is a great way to start branding yourself.

9. Focus on your appearance: First impressions and follow-up, in-person meetings are an important component of developing your brand. Spend the time developing your own unique signature look whether it’s a special nametag or piece of clothing. Either way, make sure you look professional at all times.

10. Create a unique e-mail signature: Your brand should extend into every piece of communication so you can consistently portray yourself. In your e-mail signature, be sure to include any piece of information that reinforces who you are such as your Web site, blog, LinkedIn profile or tagline. Every e-mail that is sent out should include this information.

11. Portray a good demeanor: If you aren’t a genuine person, all your efforts won’t pay off. Make sure you are nice, help people and follow through. Without an appropriate demeanor, a negative perception of you could overshadow your positive branding efforts. Good demeanor should be a core component of your brand.

Final Thought

The above drivers are meant to help you evaluate what you’re currently doing and to help you think about some new tactics to make your brand stand front and center. As one of your legacies should be your brand, you should make this a priority. It is important that you interact with people so you can fine tune your brand positioning.

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