Personal Branding- The Gift of Nature.

A fail-safe business plan, hardworking employees, innovative products and great offers are sometimes not sufficient in securing a stronghold in the face of cut-throat competition. An extensive survey and market studies have garnered that humans, unpredictable as they are, like to feel a kinship to the product or service they are acquiring. Celebrity endorsements, brand ambassadors, etc. play a role in accomplishing the same. For example, a sports enthusiast is more inclined to purchase a pair of trainers provided his favourite athlete endorses it. Therefore, it is imperative that companies invest in introducing the ‘human’ factor in their products and subsequently create a brand personality.

Often the identity of a person alone is adequate in invoking the name of his company or brand in your mind like a neon sign. 

Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Narendra Modi, Ratan Tata, are some of these exceptional individuals whose personalities are synonymous with that of their labels. 

Since luminary backing is not feasible in startups or small business enterprises, infusing their own personality into that of their brand is an alternative that increases the relevancy of their establishments.

 The key to a powerful presence lies in discovering your expertise in a particular field and excelling at it.

Since luminary backing is not feasible in startups or small business enterprises, infusing their own personality into that of their brand is an alternative that increases the relevancy of their establishments. The key to a powerful presence lies in discovering your expertise in a particular field and excelling at it.

“Personality differentiator” as marketing analysts have dubbed, facilitates in establishing a relationship between you and your target audience. Sustained by facts and figures, the mundane and pedestrian image of a business shatters once you instill a soul in it; demonstrating the traits that set you apart from the sundry. Moreover, having a brand personality aids in drawing the attention of potential customers and converting them into clients.

Nevertheless, it is crucial to remember that developing and maintaining your personal brand is an around the clock commitment. However, your personality as a leader should not be a play act, but should be genuine and essentially who you are. Authenticity, confidence,

However, your personality as a leader should not be a play act, but should be genuine and essentially who you are. Authenticity, confidence, consistency, and professionalism are vital in attaining this goal. But bear in mind that self-promotion and showcasing one’s personality, are fairly dissimilar. The former often leads to unprofessional behaviour, while the latter generates self-actualization by serving others.

Personal brand management goes beyond social media updates, blogging, and email marketing. Being an overnight internet success should not be the aim.

A never ending process, it requires shouldering responsibility and accountability for your actions on and off the World Wide Web.

Moreover, personal brand renders one to become a mentor and role model to the people seeking to have a relationship with the intention of gaining from the bond created. Keep in mind that a sharp distortion in your character may be catastrophic for your brand. Perhaps the best case in point is when Amir Khan made a comment on ‘intolerance’ and consequently lost all his endorsements.

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Branding YOU

Furthermore, you must consistently deliver according to the standard you have set for yourself and conveyed to your addressees. Protecting and cultivating your asset, personal brand, requires you to ‘live’ it every day.

According to the Forbes, “less than 15% of people have truly defined their personal brand and less than 5% are living it consistently at work – each and every day.” Probably as it is an extremely challenging feat, demanding tremendous self-awareness and tenacity.

Nature has given you the tools to brand yourself. Use your eyes to grasp the best around you, use your eardrums to hear what your listeners are trying to say beyond just words, use your legs to go beyond your comfort zone, use your hands to type the best story you can, use your voice to say the stories beyond borders, Social media has given you the freedom to get in touch with anyone, anywhere at anytime. There is nothing as competition,it's just you, and your expectations will be competing with 'you' and your own memories, present, and future and no one else. Everyone else only wants to know your story and enjoy.

That said, if you can truly infuse the ‘You’ in your brand, the benefits will be yours to reap.