As a marketing
coach, I talk about "branding" because I think
we need to look at the world as a marketplace where
we are the product. When you’re launching a new
cereal, you need to get everything right: product, ingredients,
image. The same holds true for individuals. By creating
a personal "brand", you communicate a set
of values, personality and abilities of the person behind
it.
You don’t have to be a
marketing whiz to envision yourself as a brand. You
merely need to understand that everything you do sends
a message about the person you are. There’s a lot of
power in perception and when people see competence,
confidence and success, that’s what they believe.
One of the easiest ways
to advertise your brand is to take advantage of the
small things that make a big impact. ‘Thank You’ notes,
for example. It’s amazing how many people forget to
send a note when it’s an opportunity to show off your
character – your graciousness, potential and style.
People who send thank you notes are not smarter, wittier
or better writers than people who don’t. And they don’t
have more time.
In today’s complicated
world, there aren’t enough opportunities to let
people know who you really are -- your sophistication,
social adeptness and appreciation of etiquette. So use
every weapon in your arsenal and write a note of appreciation
for recommendations, references and referrals. It’s
even wise to send a thank you note if you’ve been
rejected for a job. Let the interviewer know you
appreciate the time he or she spent with you and ask
them to keep you in mind.
By marketing yourself as
confident and professional, you’ll separate yourself
from the competition and launch yourself into a whole
new world.
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