Personal Branding and My Favorite Shoes

Recently Personal Branding has been something that I've become keenly aware of while conducting a career search.  Now in my new role as a Marketing & Sales Director I see the term used everywhere.  Before, I only noticed it used when describing a celebrity, politician or star athlete and typically not in the best light.  "Their personal brand has been negatively effected," the news reporter would say.  Do you think Kobe Bryant, John Edwards and Lindsay Lohan have strong opinions of the importance of personal branding?  Now, that would be a great round table discussion.  How fun would that be if it was moderated by former Presidential hopeful Herman Cain?  Sorry, I digress.                

While reading more about personal branding I realize that I have been fiercely protecting my own personal brand for many years now.  Every time I start a new cellphone contract I never hesitate by answering "YES" when I'm asked if I want to keep my cell number.  My friends laugh every time they hear my # ends in 2337 or "beer."  Another element to my personal branding strategy is my love for low-cut Chuck Taylor basketball shoes.  I wear them until they literally throw themselves away.  My wife and I are always mystified how they get into the trashcan.      

Chuck T's.  My Favorite

These things are apart of me and my personal brand.  Just like my game-show host hair style.  I've tried other looks but I'm just not comfortable with a flattop.  That makes me think.  Can you imagine if Howie Long had another hair cut?  No way!

What about you? How do you preserve your own personal brand?  If you haven't given it much thought then I encourage you conduct a personal brand assessment with these 3 simple steps:

1.  Start a Pinterest account .  You say you already have an account.  Well then, take a look at the interest boards you've created and realize that you're looking at a snapshot of your personal brand.  Keep pinning, you'll see it.  

2.  Visit all your social media profiles as an outsider.  More specifically, look at these as an employer and a client.  Who are they seeing in your picture galleries, posts, tweet and and pins?  

3.  Determine if you see common, relevant elements.  These must all tell the story of your true self-impression.  If so, you are doing what many great company or product brands strive for everyday.  You are creating brand equity.  Basically, you are placing value on how others perceive you in your personal and professional lives.

As a favor to yourself you need to keep a careful watch on your personal brand.  Don't fall into the Halliburton or Charlie Sheen realm of personal branding. You'll thank yourself for it.  

Note:  We constantly get hit with examples of terrible personal branding so, I thought I would leave you with an example of great personal branding.