So I started thinking, what would my personal brand be? I have looked at all the websites about how to make yourself a brand. They say the same thing. They tell you what to do, but don't give an example of what it looks like. Right brain thinkers, this is for you.
1. Find out who you are, and own it.
This might be the most cliche thing I have ever said, but no one wants to hire someone who doesn't have an inkling of who they are.
Ex. I am the world's biggest nerd, but I love that about myself.
I love getting caught up in Harry Potter, lotr, Game of Thrones and comic books. How does being nerdy help my brand? Well, it gives me the label of quirky, which is 100% true.
Be like Jennifer Lawrence. Never stop owning up to who you are. (Also, coloring books are amazing).
2. Match everything to your personality
Don't make yourself seem so serious on paper, when you are energetic and fun-loving in real life.
Ex. My resume has my favorite font of all time on it. It is called "Badaboom." I think it's representative of my personality, and it is similar to comic book fonts. It's a little piece of me in the corner, in a world of black&white. (Things are getting deep).
3. Realize you have weaknesses
You are not perfect. Your resume may say differently, but if you get caught up in your strengths, then you forget how to make yourself better.
Ex. This isn't a business related example, but I cannot stand any kind of vegetable. They make me nauseous and depressed. However, I am a peer educator for the University Health Center, and it is my job to teach people healthy eating habits. This makes me a hypocrite. This past semester, I learned to eat a salad. This, honestly, could be considered one of my greatest accomplishments. I'm not saying you have to go eat salads. I'm saying you have to continue to make yourself better, otherwise, you will never make the business you work for better.
4. Fall in love with passion
Find something that you love. Hold onto it. Make it your niche. Make it evident in everything you do.
Ex. I love the environment and volunteering. This is what I am crazy about. I built an environmental learning center for kids, because I want them to fall in love with the environment too. I am a part of green organizations, and I spend three days out of the week volunteering. It makes me happy. I want to pursue public relations, so that I can help promote environmentalism and charitable outreach. This is what I have made my niche to be.
5. Remember where you come from
Your background is what has made you who you are. If you forget that or can't find pride in your origin, then you can't appreciate who you are.
Ex. I am from Texas. I am so proud of that statement that it makes me smile. I wear cowboy boots. I say y'all. I grew up where farming and ranching was prevalent. Texas has helped shape me into the person I am today.
6. Accept things as they happen.
Not everything in life has to go according to plan. In fact, why would you want it to? The perfection is within the mistakes; the laughter; the experience. Perfection is when you appreciate who you are for what you are. Don't do anything for more money or more vacation days; do something because you love it, and it is perfect for you.
If you need an example for this, then you are way more visual than I am.
7. And finally, remember this
Ex. I love the environment and volunteering. This is what I am crazy about. I built an environmental learning center for kids, because I want them to fall in love with the environment too. I am a part of green organizations, and I spend three days out of the week volunteering. It makes me happy. I want to pursue public relations, so that I can help promote environmentalism and charitable outreach. This is what I have made my niche to be.
5. Remember where you come from
Your background is what has made you who you are. If you forget that or can't find pride in your origin, then you can't appreciate who you are.
Ex. I am from Texas. I am so proud of that statement that it makes me smile. I wear cowboy boots. I say y'all. I grew up where farming and ranching was prevalent. Texas has helped shape me into the person I am today.
6. Accept things as they happen.
Not everything in life has to go according to plan. In fact, why would you want it to? The perfection is within the mistakes; the laughter; the experience. Perfection is when you appreciate who you are for what you are. Don't do anything for more money or more vacation days; do something because you love it, and it is perfect for you.
If you need an example for this, then you are way more visual than I am.
7. And finally, remember this
Maybe this isn't the greatest post about branding, but if you know who you are and what you want to represent, then you are already branded.
