1. Personal Branding

2. What is a “Brand”? Start up questions
What is the definition of a brand? (You may use a dictionary or the internet for this if you like)
Name 5 brands that are popular and that many people would be familiar with
How do brands advertise themselves? Try to name at least 5 different ways or more.

3. What is a brand in general?
A brand is associated with a distinctive product or service and it is used to get the “word out” and advertise what the product or service is all about.
Brands are determined by their NAME and often their LOGOS. These brands are advertised in a certain way to give people the idea of what the product/company is about and what it wants to be known for.
What associations/ideas come to mind when you think of these brands and /or their logos?
Are they positive or negative associations?

4. What is personal branding?
Personal branding is a marketing/advertising strategy focused on your most important product: you. In other words, it is about “selling yourself”- highlighting who you are, what you do and what your best attributes/qualities are. Personal branding is a real thing that exists in both the business world (where it is used most often) but it can also be used in a more personal sense to promote who you are to other people. Often, personal branding is done online through websites, blogs, and through social media (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc.). People no longer just use business cards.

5. Developing a personal brand requires figuring out who you really are and highlighting these things to the public (this may include potential future employers or business contacts!) and therefore you should keep it professional and not too personal.
Your brand must reflect the following:
1. who you are and what you do (a little biography) and can include who want to serve (your target market or audience)
2. your skills, values, passions, and personality
3. and how you are different from others and what makes you unique (differ from the competition, in some cases).

6. If you think about it, you are probably already familiar with many different examples of people who use “personal branding” – especially celebrities and other famous people, but also business owners or those who are self-employed. People write about who they are, what they do, post their ideas, thoughts, pictures, etc. Creative people may even create images or “logos” for themselves that are associated with their personal brand.
Michael Jackson

7. What else can personal branding include?
Values: These are core principles that give meaning to your life — a set of standards that determine your attitudes, choices, and actions.
Interests/passions: The things that intrigue and motivate you determine how you want to spend your time.
Mission & Vision: Everyone should have a mission statement — an expression that clarifies what you are all about and what you want to do in life.
Strengths: Certain abilities or positive traits you have.
Continued…

8. Freak factor: This term refers to a unique quality that makes you different and unusual.
Personality attributes: Your positive personality traits/characteristics
Education and work experience: These attributes are easy to identify because they're based on fact.
360º feedback: Quotes/comments from the people who know you best (such as friends and coworkers) can provide key information about your character.
Goals: Getting specific about what you want to achieve greatly increases your chances of success.

9. Now you will work towards creating your own brand