When you’re in the cereal aisle do you instinctively reach for the Cheerios over the knock off brand? How many times do you pour a cup of Tide into the laundry instead of a less expensive alternative? You may not drive a Mercedes or BMW, but I’m willing to bet you ’splurge’ on Dunkin’ Donuts coffee, Oreo cookies, Evian water, or something else you are deeply attached to.
Behold to power of the brand. Advertisers like Proctor & Gamble spend BILLIONS of dollars each quarter painting a picture, creating an image of their product for you to perceive in a favorable light. You see it, you buy it…no deep thought necessary, the brand is burned into your subconscious.
Let’s take this a step further beyond coffee and donuts to the ultimate brand: YOU! You and I are brands, reflecting whatever passions, opinions, desires, and abilities we possess. Read the news this morning? George McGovern, former Senator from South Dakota and presidential candidate, endorsed Hillary Clinton’s brand early in her campaign. He explained his decision by stating, “We have an old rule of courtesy in the United States: Ladies first.”
Today Ol’ George reversed course. No more ‘ladies first’. Call me cynical, materialistic, or any other name in the book, I will tell you what no one else has the guts to: McGovern is a choosy shopper who decided to buy the more popular brand. He wants the Tide, not the store brand. Obama has the momentum and McG wants to be part of the winning team.
How can this help you? Think…1…2…3…go! Call business associates, colleaugues, and friends for business lunches and brainstorming sessions. Be a leader. Hell, even if you’re sheepish the appearance of confidence will do the trick. Soon enough you’ll be truly confident enough to expand your brand. Write a blog, a business plan, a course for the future, and create a brand for yourself that people want to be a part of. Ask how, send a comment, and I’ll be happy to show you some ideas.
Your brand is waiting to be built. Maybe someday Senators and CEO’s will jump on to your ‘brand bandwagon’!
To your success,
Joe
2 responses so far ↓
Mark Hager // May 7, 2008 at 7:17 pm
How do I build my personal brand if I don’t know a lot of ‘business people’ ?
joemescher // May 7, 2008 at 7:25 pm
Great question Mark.
Do you have a cell phone, Internet access, and even a small desire to meet people and learn to succeed?
Read up on trends associated with topics you are passionate about and contact the author. You had the guts to do it here, you can do it again.
For example, say you want to become a marine biologist at SeaWorld. Go online and comb through articles relating to whales living in captivity or how to train sea lions. Contact the writer offering to lend a helping hand in their next study (for free — you will be paid with new connections). Ask for some recommendations on who you should be speaking with to achieve your passion for working at SeaWorld.
Get up and make some connections, people love to give free advice if you show an interest in them and make a compelling offer.
To your success,
Joe