Now I was trying to figure out how to write a post with a reference to a porn star, but Kristen was able to do so in a really professional way. For anyone looking for tips on dealing with people sharing Google juice with another person, you need to check out her post.
Bigger Picture
This also brings up the broader question of Personal Branding itself. As you work to establish your brand, even a unique name, are you using the tools that available to you? There are many ways to promote your brand, but you need to act early and hit everything available. If you’re starting out building your brand, you need to be aggressive in going after the online properties that will not only represent you, but protect you from interlopers. Either intentional or not, you don’t want someone with the same name from encroaching on your brand.
Don’t Get Lost
As for the photo above, it shows two problems.
There is very little on either can to make it obvious at a glance as to which is which. You really have to pay attention to get what you were looking for.
There is nothing interesting to draw in a potential customer or lead. Blah! If this was your brand, you’d get lost in the crowd. Believe me, it’s getting crowded out there.
When building your brand, you not only need to own your space, but you need to capture that which makes you special and valuable. Otherwise, who cares if you’re sliced beets or sliced potatoes?
I want to congratulate Dan Schawbel, publisher of Personal Branding Magazine, on completing the first full volume of the magazine. I’ve been honored to write a column for each issue, and hope to continue bringing perspectives and adding value to the quarterly publication.
Just about a year ago, Dan Schawbel started with an idea for a magazine focused on building brand YOU. He recruited some great bloggers and individuals in the personal branding arena and put together the first issue of PBM later that summer. Now with the fourth issue of volume one ready to launch on May 1st, the first full volume is complete.
Here is Dan’s introduction to Issue 4:
Volume 1 Issue 4 ends the first full volume of Personal Branding Magazine. As personal branding becomes the differentiator for career development, many new channels have opened up and the Internet is a recruiting stomping ground for all those who leverage it’s power. Between hiring candidates by viewing video resumes, employer brand websites, and even job aggregators, the times have changed and we must be ready. Human resources is rapidly evolving by branding their companies as the employer of choice and there is a sudden war for talent, despite an economic recession in the United States. In this issue, we interview all the thought leaders who are entering the online recruiting and branding space, as well as take a closer look as to how networking plays a role in bridging recruiters with interested applicants. Only the strongest employers and candidates will survive. By reading this issue, you will have the knowledge needed in order to confront the recruitment process and be victorious.
You can also view Dan’s Promotional Video for the launch below:
Again, I want to congratulate Dan, the staff on Personal Branding Magazine, and all the writers and contributors on a great first full volume and year of Personal Branding Magazine!
Here’s a question that many people don’t often think about as they begin developing their personal brand.
What is your personal brand?
I wonder how many people have actually sat down and defined what their strengths and skills are before diving in. Realizing that you’re as marketable as your favorite soda, not to mention more valuable to employers or clients, is a very powerful revelation. Making the best use of this concept for your career and family shouldn’t be taken too lightly.
Personal brand has been described as “Reputation 2.0”, and it is to a certain extent. However, it’s also much more than just what people remember about you. As you start online social networking, blogging, using social media tools and techniques to build an awareness, you are also building an easily indexed and searchable history.
At the same time, don’t put too much work into a personal branding plan. When it starts seeming like a flashy PR campaign by some high-end New York firm, you know you’ve missed the point. Just like you should put some thought and define goals for your career and life, your personal brand should have just enough structure and focus to help identify a direction and/or methods to work on.
Just like your life and career, things will come along that will change the course of your branding strategy. Keep it loose and follow the opportunities that arise, think about them a bit to make sure you’re not making a rash decision… but make the decision and move on.
I am curious though, have you defined your personal brand? What is the message (mission statement?) that you are working to present?
Yep, two years ago today I posted my first post here on RickMahn.com. Friends and coworkers thought it was a tad self-centered at the time, and I did feel a little uncomfortable launching a blog with my name. However, starting my third year with this site, I think the content I generate (when I’m productive 😉 ), fits more than just my own needs. The experience working on my own personal brand and career allows me to share what I learn, and meet many, many more interesting and knowledgeable people.
Welcome to the culmination of my blogging efforts for the past year. RickMahn.com is the place where I will talk about daily events in the technology space and blogosphere. About work, a little about life, and sprinkled with a few rants on occasion.
The reason for starting a new blog is both simple and complex. I’ve been using a number of blogging tools (Blogger, WordPress.com, MSN Spaces) with differing results. I’ve come to the conclusion that Blogger.com currently was the most flexible, WordPress.com the most powerful, and MSN Spaces – well… oh my, look at the time.
So after a lot of research, learning new technologies, blogging, thinking, and figuring costs and such, I’ve set up shop here at www.rickmahn.com. I’ll be here mostly every day posting on things that I find interesting, interacting in the blogosphere, commenting on others’ posts and so on.
So, come on back from time to time and check out what I’m doing – drop a line and let me know what’s good and what’s bad. See ya round the ‘net!
So, that’s a quick look back to the beginning of my personal blog, though I did start blogging a little over a year earlier in December of 2004 with a MSN Spaces blog. Learned a lot since then! 😛
I’d like to take a minute and thank everyone who continues to stop by. I plan on keeping relevant content on social media, personal branding, some technology stuff, and a few selfish posts on what makes me happy. Cheers folks and onward into year three!
Good day everyone! I’d like to point everyone to the third issue of Personal Branding Magazine. This third issue is packed with great information on personal branding from all aspects.
With great interviews with Om Malik, Matt Mullenweg, Gina Bianchini, Mark Frauenfelder, Gina Trapani, and David Weekly – publisher Dan Schawbel connects you to the web’s leading brand influencer’s.
Among other articles, there are articles on Recruiting, Online Branding, Social Media Resume, Visionary Thinking, The Relationship Economy, Brand Credibility, SEO, Network Influence Branding for Entrepreneurs, and much more. Below is the promo video for Issue 3 of Personal Branding Magazine.
“We are not enemies but friends.” Live your life. Completely. Without fear. Live it with Love, compassion, empathy, tolerance and joy. Treat every person with the kindness, respect and dignity they deserve by the very virtue of being a human being.
Do you, or does someone else? There is some growing interest in the Personal Branding space on scenarios of people with the same name. I was fortunate enough to have a great conversation on the topic with Kristen King of BizChicksRule which she turned into What if Your Name Is Jenna Jameson? Personal Branding and Owning Your Space.
Here’s a question that many people don’t often think about as they begin developing their personal brand.
Yep, two years ago today I posted my first post here on RickMahn.com. Friends and coworkers thought it was a tad self-centered at the time, and I did feel a little uncomfortable launching a blog with my name. However, starting my third year with this site, I think the content I generate (when I’m productive 😉 ), fits more than just my own needs. The experience working on my own personal brand and career allows me to share what I learn, and meet many, many more interesting and knowledgeable people.
