Newsletter - March 2009
Five Ways Your Personal Brand Can Help You Get and Keep More Business
March 12, 2009 - Sarah Hathorn
Your personal brand is important in today's business climate. It is not only communicated through your physical presence; your business marketing, business tools and office environment can also influence how people view your brand. The way we package and present ourselves as a whole can be critical in attracting more elite clients. When your essence is represented in all of your branding efforts, it will result in greater sales and career growth. After reviewing these five tips you will be able to objectively critique what message your personal brand is communicating, and take the steps needed to consistently project a professional personal brand in every segment of your business, empowering you to achieve greater results.
1. Your Physical Appearance
Today the world is more competitive in business interactions and everyone must present a polished personal image so that others perceive him or her to be an expert in their field of expertise. Your work attire can be one of the best investments you can make in your business image, and help distinguish you from the competition in your market. Your wardrobe needs to communicate your personal brand 24/7 - not only during working hours. Be sure you are appropriately dressed for every situation or occasion so that others perceive you in a positive light. Ask yourself: does your wardrobe positively present your skill level and expertise?
2. Professional Business Tools
It's important to have business tools that reflect your personal brand that reflect the type of clients you wish to attract. In other words, your style and level of professionalism can be strongly affected by the high quality of accessories you carry. Do you own a great leather briefcase, a Filofax®, and a great writing instrument like a Mont Blanc® that you carry with you to important business meetings? Don't forget these little essentials that say so much about your attention to detail.
3. Office Environment
As a business professional, you are a busy individual who is probably often overworked, multi-tasking to survive in today's workforce. It is critical that your office environment be neat, clean and well-organized, communicating to potential clients or customers that you are organized and careful in how you take care of them. Having a well-organized office will also allow you to be more productive and think more clearly. Look at your office furnishings, your desk and office chair, and ensure that they represent the brand you want for your business image.
4. Website/Marketing Materials
Your marketing materials, website and business cards are a critical part of your brand, and they all need to clearly communicate your services and have a style about them that is congruent with your personal brand. If you are a highly creative individual, then this essence needs to be conveyed in how you communicate - creatively but professionally. Be sure to have a professional photograph on your website where you are dressed in business attire, presenting you as the polished professional that you are.
5. Technology & Communication Tools
Technology seems to be changing every year with the launch of new computers, cell phones, PDA's and various software programs. It is important to update your computer/laptop and other electronic equipment every few years in order to stay current with new technology, and to have faster, more efficient electronic tools. Be sure you are also updating the software you use, professionally representing a top-notch image to your existing clients, as well as prospects. This includes not only normal business software, but also anything you use in your professional field. Do you own a modern phone like a Blackberry® or an iPhone®? It's important to have current phone technology, allowing you to retrieve email messages, store client lists and work calendars. Since everyone is busy today, these great new tools allow you to work more efficiently, handle communications quickly, schedule meetings and take notes at the end of a business meeting.
Your personal brand says everything about who you are and what you value in life. We oftentimes forget that our brand is our image - the professional business image we project through all of our business tools and marketing materials. When you follow these five tips, you will achieve greater success in your professional life.
Sarah Hathorn is a certified image professional, speaker, and corporate image advisor. Illustra Image Consulting works with individual men and women who wish to update their fashion and professional presence. The company also provides corporate image services to organizations that wish to enhance their corporate brand within the marketplace.
Illustra Image Consulting - Perception is Reality! Copyright 2008, Sarah Hathorn, AICI CIP Certified Image Professional. Co-Author of the new book, Image Power 678-528-1239, http://www.illustraimageconsulting.com
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