Comments on: Do Personal Brands Exist?

By: Cassie Cramer

Cassie Cramer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:11:15 +0000

They definitely have some similarities and I would say that your personal brand attributes to your reputation and vice versa.

I loved your comment because I had the same gut reaction and it made me step back and think. Thanks for bringing it up.

By: GoKTGo

GoKTGo — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 15:03:13 +0000

That's a really great piont, Cassie!

I guess the two things aren't really the same but can be equally important.

I like the contrast between resume/portfolio & references – that really puts it in perspective!!

By: Cassie Cramer

Cassie Cramer — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 11:58:51 +0000

Great points. A reputation is earned. It's something that is compiled of how you present yourself and how others perceive you and the work that you do. A personal brand is taught. It's what I tell you I am and what I put together to show you I am. I think it's the difference between your references (reputation) and your portfolio (personal brand).

By: laurenfernandez

laurenfernandez — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 10:57:51 +0000

Which kind of proves that personal brand should be a natural progression and people learning about you, right?

I totally see where you are coming from. I think branding can really come down to the person and how they approach it. I'm more likely to listen to someone who occasionally shouts then the person who shoves it down my throat 24/7.

By: Miguel (@MiguelALlano)

Miguel (@MiguelALlano) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:29:57 +0000

Interestingly enough, I believe you have created your personal brand. Your work, knowledge, and interaction has grown your personal brand organically. I know more about your LAF brand and #u30pro work than I do about the company you work for. You brand has been established.

By: laurenfernandez

laurenfernandez — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:11:37 +0000

Why is it that some folks have such a hard time just being themselves? They worry so much about how they are being projected that they never stop to think about it.

I think you're right on the nose, TJ.

By: laurenfernandez

laurenfernandez — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 18:10:57 +0000

True, but I'm not sure if I would consider that just personal brand. Again, I don't think you can have a “personal” one without taking the professional into account.

I don't even think about branding myself, to be honest. I let the work speak for itself – and my level of engagement. That's what I meant by natural.

Really good points M.

By: Miguel (@MiguelALlano)

Miguel (@MiguelALlano) — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:39:08 +0000

I believe that personal branding is very important. In fact, look at the "About" section of your website. You have branded yourself as a marketing and PR professional within the first sentence. Your companies information comes second to that. Would you not be a marketing and PR professional if your company did not allow you? Your personal brand establishes who you are, not what your job title or career defines you as.

In this digital age, it is important for everyone to evaluate their personal brand, monitor and control it. I know that when I go into meetings with other individuals, I will look them up on LinkedIn or Google to get a better understanding of the person. If they brand themselves, they have the ability to influence my perception before I ever meet them.

I agree that corporate brands need to be put first over the personal brand. Job satisfaction is most likely higher when corporate and personal brands reflect each other.

By: TJ Dietderich

TJ Dietderich — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:30:48 +0000

I think that it all comes down to something really simple: being a person. Some people forget that when they set out on their personal branding mission. People have opinions and beliefs; people make mistakes as well as successes; people have stories and lives outside of business.

But the best people take the time to listen to everyone else's stories, to learn about other people's opinions, and to learn from the hits and misses of others. That's what PR is, right?

By: laurenfernandez

laurenfernandez — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 17:07:46 +0000

I think you're right on target when you say personal brand is your personality. I think it's how you use that personality to strengthen the professional brand that counts.

Genuine types are the ones that will get far in SM. Eventually, the people who push out a fake brand will be found out.