Look in the mirror. What reflection do you see? What’s the answer that you get when you ask, “Who am I?”.
It doesn’t matter if it’s a personal mirror or one with a business face – they’re one and the same at the end of the day.
How you view yourself has a lot to do with how you’re viewed by others.
Do you see yourself as the no-nonsense type that doesn’t stand for any bull? Or the caring type that listens to everyone’s questions and concerns and tries to help wherever possible?
Maybe the answer is somewhere in-between, or nowhere near either.
Your view, and that of other people, is what shapes your brand, personal and professional.
If you want to come across as narcissistic, you will. If you want to be known as the person that never listens to others and does exactly what you want, you will. If you want to be known as the hard-assed boss, you will.
But you know what people buy from? The brand. Sure, the product is important, but generally it plays second fiddle to the service. Your brand gets known for its service and is the currency on which your fortune (or lack of) will be built.
I’m a consumer. If I hear about two companies that have exactly the same product and price point, but one listens to its customers more than the other, I know where my money’s going.
If I hear that Jim has built his hugely successful business by being a dick to his staff for no reason, I’d rather shop at Joe’s less successful business. Why? Because I’ve heard he knows all his employees’ likes and dislikes and when their birthdays are. He also listens to feedback from staff and customers alike and acts on it to make his service better.
We all know who and what we want to be. Yet we don’t always make the right decisions to get there. Ours isn’t the only opinion that counts – not if we want to be truly successful. We know who we are, but others know who we could be. This is what makes a successful brand.
Your brand is your voice but don’t be afraid to let others shape it.
photo credit: Tasayu Tasnaphun
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Twitter: linknami
“If you want to come across as narcissistic, you will. If you want to be known as the person that never listens to others and does exactly what you want, you will. If you want to be known as the hard-assed boss, you will.”
As you said, on the internet you can be or portray yourself as what you want, but the problem is that it usually is not long-lasting. Your real self will be discovered sooner or later. That is why it is better to be yourself.
Agreed, Andreas. Although I’ve found just the same thing offline, too – it’s really hard to keep up a charade against your natural being.
Mind you, online there are more eyeballs to see the fall…
Twitter: gemmawent
Loving this post Danny and the timing is impeccable. I was just sitting here with my coffee browsing Google Reader thinking about the people I do business with and what I’ve learnt about them, and people in general, since I launched Red Cube.
There are a few people that have initially come across as having integrity and a similar work ethic to mine. Alas a few have proven me wrong and things like social media really helps to hold a mirror up to these, perhaps, hidden traits. I now have a list of those I want to do business with out of respect for how they conduct themselves, and those I absolutely don’t. This stuff is important and it’s the same across all businesses and sectors.
Hey there Gemma,
Perfect point. I’m always of the opinion, “You have my trust until you break it.” Once it’s gone, however, it’s very difficult to win back (if at all). Much like your example here – your list of trusted sources are the ones that will benefit from knowing you.
Involving your community in the shaping of your brand allows your community to take ownership of that brand.
The key is to find ways of rewarding everyone’s hard work. With this blog, everyone is rewarded with valuable information and freedom of expression. Dividends are given to shareholders to keep their investments in place and the same needs to happen as your community invests in your brand with their thoughts, effort, and time.
Jeremie Brecheisen´s most recent blog post …China- A Firewall Away from Facebook’s Global Conversations
Thanks, Jeremie. Agree 100% – the “rewards”, if you like, are two-fold. You improve as a brand/entity/person/business, and those around you hopefully grow in some ways too because of that.
Cheers!
Twitter: jasonjhr
This is a great post Danny! I am now transitioning into PR/ Marketing from my previous career in the performing arts and this is something I am trying to figure out for myself.
I was very sure about who I was then and now I am slowly trying to figure out who I am in this industry. The use of social media is really helping me connect with people and also find my personal voice. Your advice is really sound. Thanks
Jason Rosoff´s most recent blog post …I need to go on a Diet…a facebook diet
Wow, big change Jason – congrats, and here’s to much success in your new journey.
That’s the beauty of social – it’s allowing folks to connect with those that can help in areas we’d previously never have access to.
As long as we don’t abuse, that can only be a very good thing.
Twitter: sheconomy
“Your brand is your voice but don’t be afraid to let others shape it.”
I love this line! So simple, but the implications are so complex. I was recently challenged by a male marketer (former client) who feels it does not matter how you market to women as long as you have a good product. He says, “they (women) will roll their eyes and buy the product anyway.” He says much more on my most recent blog post at she-conomy.com (would love to know your thoughts)
But, you are so right. Good product or not, once you expose who you are (and especially if you don’t) consumers DO have a choice and they are choosing “who you are” more and more!
Great post, Danny!
Wow, Stephanie – how the heck is that guy still in business? Oh yeah – probably by mixing with all the other sexists in his industry…
That’s the beauty of where we are now in business; we have a much easier “in” into who’s doing it right not just for us, but in the larger picture.
Works for me every time when I’m looking to do business with a new brand.
Cheers!
Twitter: FrankDickinson
Powerful – as always!
One thing I’ve learned is that not only can I shape my brand both positively and negatively, so can others.
It is important to protect the brand from those that would do it harm. The trick is doing this while still allowing productive and helpful insights into who I am as a person, business and brand.
It’s an ongoing learning process.
Top-notch my friend!
Frank Dickinson´s most recent blog post …Long Form Sales Copy Sucks
That’s the great thing, Frank, isn’t it? Continuing the evolution, remaining humble enough to listen to outside thoughts, admitting when we’re wrong and growing together?
Hopefully the learning process never ends; otherwise we may as well just pack up now.
Twitter: JulieWalraven
Yes, Danny!
“Your view, and that of other people, is what shapes your brand, personal and professional.”
Today people have more choices than ever on who to do business with and more input than ever too. If you push yourself out there as someone who doesn’t care about anything more than the sale, you might serve that customer or client once but if you are forward-thinking, you will realize the opportunity to build a life-long alliance.
Julie Walraven | Resume Services´s most recent blog post …Should a Jobseeker Blog
Perfect point, Julie.
Used to be that our choices were limited by location, then we found the car. Then we found online shopping and credit cards. And then we found eBay… Suddenly location meant squat.
We’ve never had more power of choice than we do now. Let’s make sure we’re offering our customers the right one of us.
Twitter: AngEngland
I love what you’re saying here because I think it’s just an extension of being genuine. I was once having a tough conversation with someone who said, “I’m tired of people not trusting what I say”. Well – then stop stretching the truth. Start living with integrity.
There’s a verse in the Bible that talks about how out of the heart, the mouth speaks. I love that verse because I think that most people can only fake it for so long before they get caught. It’s way easier to live with integrity in every area of life – online, offline, inside, outside.
No false fronts means no rude surprises.
Angela England´s most recent blog post …Month Long Blogging Challenge – Who’s up for it
“No false fronts means no rude surprises.”
You nailed it right there, Angela.
Twitter: DixieDynamite
So many strong, valid points here. Comes down to what my friend, Bob Burg, calls The Golden Rule of Business – “All things being equal, people will do business with and refer business to,people they know, like and trust.” Which is why I enjoy my work with Bob and coaching his work- it is the foundational building block of successful relationships in business.
But I particularly like your reference to a mirror – as I believe self awareness is the foundational building block of the relationship you have with YOURSELF. Reflection requires a reflective surface (your mirror analogy) but also distance in order to be in proportion. You must be able to back off and look honestly into that reflection and ask the hard question “what do people know me AS, and, once they do, what reason to I give them to like me and trust me?”
Thanks for the stimuli for thought and the conversation. Know why I like and trust YOU? Because you’re thought provoking, you’re consistent in your message and you value two way communication. Yeah – just thought you might be curious
Bob sounds like someone I’d love to know, Dixie.
Glad you grabbed the mirror reference. One of the first things I ask clients is how they see themeselves – really see themselves. Can make for uncomfortable viewing at times, but it’s the only way we’ll really be all we can.
And thanks for the kind words – I’m glad to have your trust. I’ll do my damnedest to keep it.