There is one argument as a PR professional that I am forever having with my tech-obsessed boyfriend. That is the idea of personal branding. The argument goes like this:
Me: Everything you do is branding. Even if it’s not your intent. When you post things on Twitter you are adding to your image, people’s idea of who you are. In other words, your brand.
Him: I am not a brand. I don’t care how other people see me. I’m going to do and say what I like. If people don’t like it, (expletive) them.
Me: And that’s your personal brand!
I will leave the rest of the argument to your imagination.
My point? Today the tech-obsessed boyfriend (who I love dearly) passed along a great post on personal branding by author Maureen Johnson. She has developed her own manifesto on the subject:
“The internet is made of people. People matter. This includes you. Stop trying to sell everything about yourself to everyone. Don’t just hammer away and repeat and talk at people—talk TO people. It’s organic. Make stuff for the internet that matters to you, even if it seems stupid. Do it because it’s good and feels important. Put up more cat pictures. Make more songs. Show your doodles. Give things away and take things that are free. Look at what other people are doing, not to compete, imitate, or compare . . . but because you enjoy looking at the things other people make. Don’t shove yourself into that tiny, airless box called a brand—tiny, airless boxes are for trinkets and dead people.”
If you haven’t guessed, she agrees with my boyfriend. But I have to say, I don’t really disagree with her statement. The Internet is made up of people, and when I talk to others about social media I try to make it a point to say it’s a two-way street. Yes, company XYZ, you will need to log-on several times a day and actually talk to people. After all, social media is about building relationships.
The term “personal branding” has gotten a bad rap among those who don’t work in marketing. It’s the same as the term “networking.” Ugh. Networking. Who wants to be forced to talk to a bunch of strangers and push business cards? Tweet-ups are much more attractive. At a tweet-up I get to have a few drinks, and meet new people!
It’s all a case of you say tomato, I say to-mah-to. In fact, I encourage people to post Lolcats photos, join causes and produce wacky videos. Just make sure the things you’re sharing, and the image you’re putting forth is one you’re OK with having. If that’s the image of someone who doesn’t care what anyone else thinks, more power to you.
A small blonde first grader glances across the classroom to catch a peak at the cute boy sitting a few chairs over. With a secret smile she looks down at her notebook and writes Mrs. Sarah Brenner.
Yes, that first grader was me. It was a simpler time when the thought of taking my future husband's name wasn't a question but a widely known fact. But you see I've grown up a bit since I was six years old, and now the issue of taking my husband's name doesn't seem quite so black and white.
Kathy Konrath wrote a great post on this subject on the Personal Branding Blog. While some men might roll their eyes at this "dilemma" I think it's something every 20-something woman should consider.
As a young professional I am working hard to get my name out there and become at least slightly well-known in the Milwaukee PR community if not the PR community in general. Honestly, I don't think it's fair to give up my name for traditions sake.
For the moment I plan to legally change my name when I marry, but continue to use my maiden name in a professional capacity. This way I can have the best of both worlds. Close friends and family will know me as Mrs. Sarah X. Meanwhile I will have the freedom to continue developing my personal brand in a professional capacity online and in real life.
In the past few months I have moved "A 20-something's Perspective" from a few random posts to a place where I write frequently and am not afraid to share my ideas. I have even gained a few subscribers! But lately I’ve been thinking about my goals for the blog and how I would like to see it grow. Frankly, it is time to step up my game and move “A 20-something’s Perspective” to the next level.
I think a lot of new bloggers get to this point and are not quite sure what to do or how to make the improvements they seek. Luckily, Dan Schawbel, a leading personal branding expert for Gen-Y, has just published Me 2.0, and is sharing his 52-page "Blogging Your Brand” guide online.
The free guide has some of the best blogging advice I have ever read. It is clear and concise outlining specific steps bloggers can take to make improvements. It is broken up into four sections (beginner, intermediate, advanced and expert) and I am looking forward to putting his advice into practice. You can download a copy of the guide here.
So what does all this mean for “A 20-something’s Perspective?”
Within the next couple months I plan to buy my domain name and make the switch to WordPress. In addition, I want to add more ways for others to share my content through StumbleUpon, Digg, Delicious and other social platforms. The blog’s content is also going to grow and will try to focus more on being a 20-something in the Advertising/PR field. In the future I would like to include interviews, guest blog posts and maybe even some video.
I’m really looking forward to taking this blog to the next level. As I embark on this journey please tell me what you would like to see at "A 20-something's Perspective." Are there topics you would like covered? Is there some new functionality you crave? Please feel free to share your ideas in the comments section or send me an e-mail at sarahsoczka@gmail.com. I look forward to hearing from you.
