The First Step To Building Your Personal Brand

Introduction

• Concept of Branding: Traditionally associated with products like Coke, Pepsi, McDonald's.
• Importance of Personal Branding: Essential in career and job search; manage your own reputation online and offline.
• Purpose: Control the image others build of you.

Why Personal Branding Matters

• Employers and current employers will likely search your online presence.
• Control over professional reputation is crucial.

Developing Your Brand Mantra

• Definition: A quick, simple, memorable statement that describes who you are and what you offer.
• Importance: Acts as the foundation of all branding efforts.

Steps to Creating Your Brand Mantra

1. Determine Your Emotional Appeal

   • Reflect on personality traits and how others perceive your interactions.
   • Questions to Consider:
     • How do I make people feel?
     • How do people benefit from working with me?
     • What words do others use to describe me?

2. Determine Your Description

   • Add clarity to the emotional appeal with a descriptive modifier.
   • Questions to Consider:
     • What field or industry am I in (or do I want to be in)?
     • What words would I use to describe my work?
     • Who is my target audience?

3. Determine Your Function

   • Define what exactly you do or will do.
   • Questions to Consider:
     • What service do I offer people?
     • What distinguishes me from others?

4. Put It All Together

   • Combine lists into a sentence or phrase (no more than five words).
   • Should be clear, simple, memorable, and inspiring.

• Examples: Dependable, strategic planner; creative professional connector.

Next Steps

• Tips on using the brand mantra and building an online brand will follow.
• Focus on living your brand daily.

Additional Resources

• Related Content:
  • Video picks on self-promotion.
  • Tips on perfecting elevator speeches.
  • Secrets of self-promotion.

About the Author

• Megan Marrs: Entrepreneur, consultant, owner of Marrs Media Group.
• Involved in youth leadership programs and passionate about business.
• Education: Purdue University, Valparaiso University M.B.A.