The Strength of Your Team Determines Your Success
Posted on April 11, 2008
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Few people achieve success on their own, whether at personal branding or any other business venture. It takes a team of talented and committed people that share the same values and work ethic.
When I was a youngster my mom was fairly scrutinizing of my friends. The message was loud and clear: “Be careful about who you associate with. You will become just like the people you surround yourself with.” At the time, I thought she was being overprotective. But in hindsight, I believe it was some of the best advice a parent can give a child.
No one is perfect. However, dysfunction breeds dysfunction. We all know companies that have rotten customer service. The person that answers your phones sets the tone for how you and your entire organization are perceived.
Don’t make the mistake of holding on to underperformers. Often we tolerate situations that could ultimately lead to our demise. It may seem cold. But you must cut your losses, lick your wounds and move on. The success of the entire enterprise is at stake.
If you’re working on your own or just getting started on the path to Branding YOU, it is still likely that some of your support will come from outsourcing. Surround yourself with exceptional talent. Hire great legal counsel, accountants, consultants and most importantly, staff members. Think of your team as a healthy living organism. It impacts the whole system if there is sickness in any part of the body.
Over time you’ll assemble a larger team, if you’re serious about growing your personal brand. Plan in advance. Write down the character traits and skill sets that would be most desirable to have in your team members. Surround yourself with the best and you will be the best.
The Charisma Factor
Posted on April 3, 2008
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What comes to mind when someone hears your name?
Personal Branding is all about leaving a positive and memorable mental image in the mind of your customers. The next level is having favorable name recognition among people who have yet to meet you. Further still in the hierarchy of Personal Branding is single name recognition, like Oprah, Tiger, or “The Donald.” But you don’t have to be a super celebrity to put Personal Branding to use.
Charisma is the fuel that drives success at Branding YOU. It’s having that “larger than life” persona that fills a room. Having character traits that could be easily mimicked on “Saturday Night Live” makes you distinctive.
Now, I’m not suggesting that you go out and invent a persona. That tactic would likely have you be perceived as inauthentic – and do you more harm than good.
What I am talking about is often referred to as “full self-expression.” It means allowing people to experience the unbridled aliveness that is uniquely you.
Our parents raise us to be cautious and guarded. These are appropriate instructions for a child. However, when you step into the public arena you need to stand out.
We’ve all seen politicians and public figures that appear to be uncomfortable in their own skin. You can’t quite put your figure on it but something seems out of sync when you watch them debate or give a speech. Others leave us with the opposite impression. They convey trust, compassion and sincerity.
So how do you raise your charisma quotient? Commit to being authentic. That means, give yourself permission to be real in your interactions with others. Don’t pretend. People don’t want perfection. They want sincerity.
Seek feedback from associates and clients about the distinctive traits and perhaps even quirks you have that work in your favor. Watch videotape of yourself in action. Make notes of what works and doesn’t work.
Charisma is like a magnet, but it requires an outflow of energy to complete the cycle. Tap into your own natural and expressive self. Greet the world with a smile. Be conscious of your energy level. Let it flow.
Making Money With Media
Posted on April 1, 2008
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Experts intuitively know the value of becoming a published author. It gives you instant credibility and can serve as calling card. Having audio, DVDs and online media products provides you with yet another level of respectability. It communicates to the public and your business prospects that your expertise is valued.
Plus, there is a financial upside. Professional speakers with product know the value of back of the room sales.
Packaging is key when creating your media products. You want to have crisp eye-catching graphics that distinguish your brand. Consider having a signature icon, color scheme, or some other defining characteristic in your packaging that set your products apart.
Start the process by doing an analysis of existing top selling media products. Browse catalogs and bookstores and take notice of the items that stand out. Enlist an impartial friend or two to join your survey mission and listen closely their input.
Clip ads for media products and start two folders. One for ads that appeal to your senses, and a second for ads that you view as less than favorable. These folders will help you to articulate your specific likes and dislikes when working with a graphic artist. And how do you find one?
There are two schools of thought when it comes to hiring creative talent - you can shell out big bucks for a top design firm, or hire your tech savvy nephew for next to nothing. Realize though that cutting corners can be costly. On the other hand, colleges are now brimming with highly talented artists. Many are looking to build their portfolios with work samples and are therefore willing to work for less. Be sure to get references in either case. Nothing is more frustrating in working with people that have a poor work ethic. You can hire the most creative artist on the planet. But if he or she isn’t reliable about delivery schedules and technical matters you’re in for some upsets.
Finally, consider the merits of bundling your products together to increase your profit margin. Adding a DVD to the back of your book increases the value of both items.
How To Get On Oprah, Part II
Posted on March 27, 2008
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A truckload of mail shows up at Oprah’s door each day, filled with offers from authors, experts and publicists. Some are just from everyday people with a story to tell. Tuesday we discussed the fundamentals of what it takes to break through. Today I’ll offer you some advanced strategies.
In addition to my many years of producing and directing numerous network and nationally syndicated talk shows, I’ve also had clients, associates and good friends appear on the “holy grail” of all talk programs – Oprah.
So what’s the secret? First, realize that talk show producers prefer to discover a great guest rather than “be pitched” one. It’s a natural human characteristic to want to feel that you originated an idea rather than had it handed to you by someone with his or her own self interest.
Your job is to position yourself where producers that are looking for the next good story will find you. Tie your expertise to a breaking news story or emerging trend. Do radio interviews, get quoted in newspapers and break your way onto cable news.
Secondly, like most industries, television is a business of relationships. If you’re going to hire a publicist find one that has a track record of getting guests on the shows you’re targeting. A publicist with an impressive roster of clients often has the ability to leverage their weight to get lesser name clients a guest spot. We don’t like to admit it but we talk show producers will take two “C” celebrities for an “A” name any day of the week.
Lastly, having your own videos online greatly enhances your ability to make an instant impression on the media. You can also make money at it. Being on a big television show is pointless if you haven’t set yourself up to reap the benefits of all of the exposure.