Yesterday I was meeting with a colleague, and potential client. But half-way through the conversation I realized that he wasn't quite ready to leverage his personal brand.
Personal branding is getting a lot of buzz, and most of the time we talk about the tactics, techniques, and sometimes strategies. But all of that is the HOW.
None of the tips, tricks, and thumb-rules that we implement are important without the WHY.
I tend to ask a lot of questions during my 1-on-1 sessions - especially during the first couple of meetings. And definitely during my "sales process." My colleague was answering my questions to the best of his ability, but something just didn't feel right to me. And while their answers aren't irrelevant, what they say isn't as important, as their emotional response, our rapport, and how I'm feeling on the inside. After all, more than competency and character - it's about our charisma.
Branding, especially personal branding, is an emotional experience: For our prospective clients, and for us. If we don't feel our passion and purpose, then how can we expect our clients to?
So I asked him, and I do with most of my clients about their projects, "WHY are you doing this? What's the point, the purpose? Why is it worth it to you?" And more to the point, "Are you passionate about --- not the end result, but the process... the crap that will have to be done?" In other words, "do you have the Craving?"
There are many C's to personal branding... just scroll down to the lower left and you'll see the Categories. The pre-C to all of the techniques of personal branding, is whether or not you are ready to build and leverage your personal brand. If you don't have the inner craving to be rich and famous in your niche target market Community, then don't even bother.
Business, life, and especially personal brand marketing, is about having fun. As you live your purpose, you exude the passion, and attract the profits. What's your passion? What are you yearing and Craving for?
