Why and How to Build 'Brand You'

If you’re 'just an employee' (rather than a business owner) or an independent seller or entrepreneur, you might not yet know how important marketing yourself is to your success, whether or not you ever plan to actually own your business.

When you think of the word “marketing” what comes to mind?  If you think of things like advertisements, press releases, events, websites and internet marketing, you aren’t thinking big enough.

Marketing isn’t just for business.

In a sense, as human beings, we all use marketing tactics in many areas of our lives, because marketing is not about activities you do to promote a business, marketing is about relationships.

Specifically, marketing includes anything that you do to attract, engage, motivate or retain people in relationships; in the case of your professional life, these are relationships with customers, co-workers, superiors, vendors – anyone whose opinion is important to your professional success.

'Marketing’ actually includes anything that helps you:

1. Attract people
2. engage people to a deeper level of relationship and dependence upon you for products or information
3. motivate people to take actions you want them to take, and
4. retain relationships and develop loyalty

Have you ever had a co-worker who seemed to have it all together; who most likely regularly outperformed those around them? It didn't happen by accident; it’s because they choose behaviors that bring them success in relationships. They don’t expend energy on negative behaviors. They focus on the future and on others, rather than themselves.

Here are some behaviors you can choose that will help you become someone like that:

• Develop a personal brand. Your own personal style is reflected in the words you choose to use, the clothes you choose to wear and the detail that you show in your personal appearance. Your personal style should be unique and reflect your own tastes, but it should also be a style which contributes to your social and professional success.
  
  
• Don’t toe the line. Many times people do no more than what is asked and expected. They toe the line when it comes to how they behave in the workplace, whether they conform to standards of dress and the level at which they work to meet sales and performance goals. Exceed expectations and goals.
  
  Don’t take the “it’s not my job” attitude; if you see something that needs to be done, do it. Dress for the job that you want, rather than the one that you have. Don’t knowingly violate the employment policies at your workplace, even if you don’t agree with them. Work to make change the right way. Arrive early and put all of the time in that you are expected to.
  
  
• Hold yourself to high standards. Steer clear of gossip and those who gossip. Don’t engage in negative conversations about your employer or co-workers. Say nice things behind people’s backs as well as to their faces.  Be generous with sincere compliments to co-workers and clients. 
  
  Be supportive of the initiatives and programs introduced by your boss and co-workers. Do all you can to see that they are successful. Participate. Encourage. If you do have criticisms or suggestions for your boss, meet with them privately and do your best to express your opinions or suggestions in a calm, clear manner. Use logic and persuasion to help make your point, rather than emotion.
  
  
• Be absolutely present with each customer, co-worker, vendor, etc., in each moment that you have the opportunity to help them. People should feel that they have your full attention when speaking to you, whether in person, on the phone or even online.
  
  
• Remember: It may be business, but it’s still personal. Make writing thank you notes part of your daily routine. Extend sincere compliments generously. Go out of your way to help people who need help, whether or not it’s part of your job. Acknowledge the efforts of others. Write a personal note (or an email) of sympathy or encouragement to those who particularly need it. 

***


Elizabeth Kraus is the author of 365 Days of Marketing.

If you want to build a business which provides the maximum when it comes to customer and employee satisfaction and loyalty as well as profitability, change the way that you  understand and use marketing.  365 Days of Marketing is available on amazon.com or save $5 off the list price when you use the Code USH9VPJG and purchase on my site at 12monthsofmarketing.net.