Personal Branding - Dont Be the Invisible Man

Everybody has heard of the Invisible Man by H.G. Wells. The Invisible Man in the story is a scientist who theorizes that if a person's refractive index is changed to exactly that of air and his body does not absorb or reflect light, then he will be invisible. He successfully carries out this procedure on himself, but cannot become visible again, becoming mentally unstable as a result.

Without personal branding most of us are exactly like the Invisible Man - but without going through the "procedure". Personal Branding is a procedure in which we make ourselves visible to the marketplace. We want to become the opposite of the Invisible Man. Personal Branding helps us find shelf space in the market by actively presenting ourselves consistently, repeatedly, and authentically.


I wasnt going to describe the whole "procedure" of becoming visible (and regaining your mental stability). But just off the top of my head you can start with these things:

• It sounds simple - but just show up to events. Ideally show up early. As Woody Allen said "90% of Life is just showing up".


• Have and express a opinion. Nothing makes you noticed more than saying something pertinent.


• At work - volunteer to run meetings, to set things up, or to organize events. Your name will be splashed everywhere.


• Blog about something that you are passionate about. Your simple reflections are valuable to others. Share some of your "hard earned" insights.


• Set up a personal web site at "yourname".com. This is the quickest way to show up in a google search on your name.


• Develop and nurture personal profiles on LinkedIn and on Facebook. Employers are looking online at your profile before they look at your resume or CV.


• Be friendly and introduce yourself to others. Make a point of using other peoples names and saying hello. Find out about other people and offer them something you have learned that would interest them - this is a great way to start a conversation - and have them remember you.
  


• Take any opportunity to speak to groups. Develop some insights in small portions on a blog - then share a set of these ideas to a group.
  


• Build and nuture your rolodex. Remember
  "Your Network = Your Networth".


• Contribute to conversations on the web. Join some groups on LinkedIn and participate.
  


• Try "micro-blogging". You can Twitter or send "Status Updates" on LinkedIn and Facebook. This gets your name in front of everyone on your network - a great invisibility killer. If you Twitter - add 100 things of value before you tell me what you are having for dinner. And for Status Updates - remind people of your expertise and that you are constantly learning.
  

Living at the Nexus of Technology, Service, Marketing and Evangelism @ JeffreyBlake.com