Don't Just Brand Your Business, Brand Yourself

By Barbara Gabogrecan

This title means what it says…don’t just brand your business, but brand yourself! ‘You are your business’ -especially in the Micro and HBB sector. It is very important for potential clients to trust you as well as your business. So put some energy into branding yourself, as well as your business.

Have a personal plan for branding yourself and keep it updated. Log your goals and put them to a time frame. Be specific. This type of action plan is very important if you really want to see results.

Promote yourself strongly. When someone asks ‘what do you do’ – have a verbal logo ready! This is an important part of branding yourself and your product; particularly if you are in the service industry.

Start with a negative e.g. define the problem; and conclude with a positive e.g. offer a solution; and point out your unique point of difference. An example of a good verbal logo is:- “Most Micro and HBB operators struggle with marketing tactics to help their business grow. Together, with the operators, I develop practical, simple marketing strategies that are both affordable and effective.”

How do you present yourself? You do not have to be a ‘glamorous chick’ or a ‘handsome hunk of ham’ – but you do need to have a visual signature as part of your personal brand.

The way you look can be repeated and recognised. Wear a hat and have become known for that (as has Molly Meldrum); wear some outrageous jewellery or a bow tie -dare to be different!
Your brand should play on your personality characteristics. One of these characteristics should be the ability to show your passion. If you really do believe in a certain behaviour or belief – that will show in everything you do.

Have a philosophy of ‘what can I do for you?’ rather than ‘what’s in it for me’ and constantly think of how to put that into action. Others notice this and comment on it. It helps set you apart from competitors.

And just how important is it to be always thinking of others? So, so, very important! Those hand-written notes, prompt email or phone follow ups, can set you aside from most, as it seems to be a forgotten art of etiquette by many. If networking is important to you (and I hope it is) these thoughtful acts will build and strengthen the relationships that you are trying to build.
Your brand needs to come to the fore when networking. Targeted networking can be much more successful than accidental networking. Make contact with those who are of interest to you and stay in touch with them.

Choose those that you can help and those that can help you. Remember the philosophy ‘what can I do for you?’ ...well, by helping others become successful, you will be building a network of positive, supportive people who will help you when you need and ask for it.

Strengthen your brand by recognising what you are good at, and then build on it. Don’t waste time trying to improve on skills that you do not have well established…that will only hold you back from developing and growing the skills you do have. To be known as an expert in your field will strengthen your brand’s position in the community.

Once you have positioned yourself as an expert the media can do much to further promote you, as you become the person they will contact for comments.

Write articles, e-books and online newsletters. You will soon become well known within your niche. Undertake speaking engagements for community groups, council networking groups and any other business groups you can find.

Keep developing and distributing interesting media releases to enhance the ‘word of mouth’ promotion, by making it sizzle! You need to be HOT!

To help build your brand, choose a charity or association that you feel passionate about….the more you enjoy what you are doing, the stronger your brand will become. To enable you to put more time into developing your brand, make sure you have others to do some of the more menial tasks to keep your operation going, allowing you to concentrate on what you do best.

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Happy New Year

CHANGE seems to be the new word or is going to be the new word for 2009. Are you looking for change, do you want change?

Change is very possible for the person that will change. Change do not come without a change. In order for you to experience Change, you must change. If we are all real and true with ourselves and take a deep look within, we will find something in our life that can be changed, or something that needs to change in order to experience change. It is insane to expect change, but don’t make a change. We will rephrase that. To expect change and continue to do things the same is insane. Are you insane? Of course not!

Going forward into a new year 2009, experience Change in your life, family, community by doing something different. In your list of things to do for 2009 write in some things that you can do to create change, not just in your life, but in someone else life. You get back what you put out. If you are not giving anything, don’t expect anything in return.

Thank you to all the members of The Black Business Café who have made this network what it is today. We look forward to it being better in 2009 and plan to do some things different to create that. We have shared a lot together, tons of information and many products and services.

Let’s work together in 2009 to make The BBC a better place for Social Networking. The place where CONNECTIONS are made through Real Relationships and Effective Networking.

A special Thank You to all of our Partners!! You Rock !!

Take Your Business To The Next Level in 2009!
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Enrollment will end on January 15, 2009 and we will not take any more students until further notice.

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May your 2009 be full of joy, peace and God’s Grace and Favor

Charlene BrownFounder / VisionaryThe Black Business Cafe