I had prepped a post for today that looked at personal branding versus reputation because, to be honest, I was beginning to lose track of where one ends and the other begins.
Then Erika Napoletano came sliding onto the Jugnoo playground saying that personal branding’s kind of a loose concept anyways when it all boils down to being human.
(If you haven’t read her guest post yet, click here—quick!)
From that starting point, talking brand versus reputation seems a moot point. After all, being ourselves should be easy, right? The rest is just detail.
The details of being human
Personal branding—or whatever you want to call it—didn’t really hit my radar until a few years ago, when I moved to a city where I knew less than four people.
Suddenly, I couldn’t escape first impressions. I started to look more closely at how I reflected myself both online and off.
I was once told that, when it comes to marketing, people need the opportunity to quickly check in or check out; they won’t spend 10 minutes deciding whether you’re relevant.
In her post, Erika wrote the same: “When’s the last time you had a productive conversation with a bobblehead doll? Skip the nonstop nodding and pick a side.”
Picking a side means clearly drawing lines in the sand. The details that get batted around in conversations about personal branding help define those lines: Understanding what motivates you, what interests you, what you believe.
These aren’t easy questions to figure out, and the lines you set will draw some people towards you and repel others without a second glance. The trick is remembering—and believing—that that’s okay.
Bringing lone nuts together
A few years ago at TED, entrepreneur Derek Sivers showed how easy it can be to go from being a lone nut to part of a movement.
This is one of my favourite TED presentations, but what does starting a movement have to do with personal branding? Because whether you’re a leader or a follower, we’re all looking for something: Community.
Whether you share common interests, a belief or a cause, I think personal branding is the art of leaving an impression on your tribe, showing them not only that you’re relevant, but that you belong.
Thoughts?
About Amy Sept
Hi Amy, I loved Erika’s guest post. All you need to do is read it to understand what being real and authentic really is; she does it quite well! We can all learn something from her : )Your quote sums it up perfectly: ”Whether you share common interests, a belief or a cause, I think
personal branding is the art of leaving an impression on your tribe,
showing them not only that you’re relevant, but that you belong.” I think I’ll share that – cheers!
Mark_Harai I agree, Mark – it’s really the kind of post that makes one think: “Oh, well that seems easy!” I’m glad that line resonated with you. Thanks so much for your comments :-)
“Whether you share common interests, a belief or a cause, I think
personal branding is the art of leaving an impression on your tribe,
showing them not only that you’re relevant, but that you belong.”THIS! This quote I love, and so nails everything that makes us, us.You can follow the http://futurecomms.co.uk/2012/07/11/why-originality-leads-to-failure/ and be a sheep or you can stand apart and be memorable.I know what my choice is. Thanks, Amy!
DannyBrown Thanks for your comment, Danny–and the link to @ThePaulSutton’s post. As he considers, it’s not easy to differentiate *and* connect with like-minded people so we’re left not alone in the corner. It’s a complex balance!
amysept Complex indeed, and extremely hard work. I find myself waxing and waning between the two all the time. I know where I WANT to be and where I naturally feel comfortable – questioning, probing, challenging. Asking ‘why?’ as much as my 3 year old daughter. And yet doing so (at least, on an ongoing basis) is isolating and can be lonely. Finding like-minded people on that basis is hard work. As @bellindsay says below, there’s a very fine balance. Loved finding this post. Thanks for writing it!
And I so need to start a Twitter list called ‘Not Sheep’.
ThePaulSutton Meh.
@ThePaulSutton Thanks for your comment! Taking the role of questioner can be a gutsy job, but someone needs to do it. As @RyanCox commented on a different post, “It’s what makes healthy debate and true intelligence-growth happen.” Not to, erm, sound all sheepy with a “Yes! You’re 100% right!” comment
But one thing I’ve learned is that the things I think I know are constantly changing and evolving. Sometimes daily. Beyond the “this is wrong because I say so” crowd, I think/hope most people appreciate those who blog about what we haven’t thought to ask–whether we agree or not.
Danny Brown Hmmmm, fine line between “stand apart and be memorable” and “show them you’re relevant and that you belong” – the key is to balance on that line, and not tip too far either side. Be too much of one and you’ll start to rub your community raw, too much of the other and you become a sheep. Very delicate dance.
Love the idea of the “lone nut” – we’re all a little bit nutty in our own special ways, right? I know *I* am. Bringing lone nuts together to create community. Just love it.
Thanks, belllindsay! I often come back to the presentation from Derek; it’s such a simple idea, but so relevant.
@anandp29 Many thanks for the RT, Anand. Happy Friday!!
@amysept You’re welcome!
@famousbloggers Thank you for the RT!
@amysept You are welcome Amy
@mcahalane Thanks so much, Mary! I hope this week has treated you well
@amysept ah, well we can kiss it goodbye at any rate! #TGIF
@mcahalane Lol! Oh dear :-/ I’ve definitely had those moments this week, but hey, it’s FRIDAY! #TGIF
@amysept