Personal Branding and Social Networking

Personal Branding Tips plus Social Networking and Marketing

There is BEAUTY in the BREAKDOWN (uncovering the Key Elements to a Personal Brand that POPS)

Article by Ben Angel

If you’re familiar with Sam Horn’s bestselling book, ‘POP! Stand Out in any Crowd’, then you will have a head start on appreciating the kind of ‘POP culture’ we’re about to explore together.

An influential personal brand is a heady and unpredictable mix. If it were a recipe I’m convinced it would be one of those fiercely guarded family secrets dating back hundreds of years! For this reason, while many have tried, few succeed in capturing the essential X-Factor elements for successin writing. It’s a BIG ask but I hope to change all of that for YOU, right here, right now. Ready? Then brace yourself (and if you like, you can even ‘assume the position’.)

Through closely monitoring a wide range of successful individuals over the years ranging from musicians and entrepreneurs to social change activists and politicians, I have observed that what each of them possess is a rich personal blend of the following magical ingredients.

The exact measurements are down to their own unique style of course, but here is BEN’s BREAKDOWN – a guide for your delight and delectation designed to stir (sorry, steer) you in the right direction for creating an intoxicating personal brand for yourself or your spokesperson to serve up toclients.

BEN’s BREAKDOWN: The Personal Branding Guide to X-Factor Ingredients!

1. Define your Personal Niche & consider marketing yourself with a TITLE

While a ‘SPICEY’ title isn’t essential to make you POP, a well-defined niche definitely is. What a great title (‘Ms Megabyte’) does do is suggest that a niche exists to be catered for in the first place (tech knowledge delivered with a woman’s personal touch). Although Peter Sheahan does notuse a stage name per se, he did carefully define his niche by self-branding as the leading thinker on an emerging trend, namely Gen-Y. The more specific you can be = the more inclined people are to view you as ‘The Expert in.’

2. “You bloody LEGEND!”

Every industry has its idols (you may even be surprised to know this is not merely confined to Simon Fuller’s singing comp format for Channel TEN!): the only question is, do you want to be one, or follow one? Societies the world over revere their leading thinkers (Einstein), activists (Mandela) andtroublemakers (Darwin, Ghandi) in religion, politics, business, music and so on. It takes guts to pave the way and be ahead of your time, though! Most of these figures’ true worth is celebrated in retrospect when the enormity and value of their contribution is born out in the decades that follow. But if you have the potential to become a leading light within your industry, my advice is go for it! All you need is a willingness to change what’s not working and the wherewithal to stand by your messageregardless of the temporary backlash.

3. Same Niche, NEW Angle

What you first set out to be known for (‘Sleeping your way to the Top in Business’, for example) will inevitably evolve over time as your customers do. This is a journey you embark on together with you acting as the Tour Guide. Get known for your expertise by approaching your niche from oneangle, and then expand over time to reinforce your message in fresh and engaging ways. The idea is to keep people guessing as to what brilliant new angle you’ll come up with to help them understand more about the niche next (e.g. my next book might be called, ‘Dumping the Clients You’re JustNot That Into’. Hey – that’s pretty good, I like that!)

4. “Is it in yet?” (Amplifying your Personal Expression)

Personal branding is self-expression amplified to influence and command attention. So walk into a room with your head held high and invite others to connect with the ‘real you’. Turn it up or tone it down to reflect the environment you’re in, but for heaven’s sake make sure you get noticed!Express your sense of humour, incite emotions, create a stir. You’ll soon learn to gauge when you’ve gone too far.or not far enough.

Have you got the heart for it?

Personal branding certainly isn’t for the faint hearted. My own process of branding has seen me publicly criticised for my view points on matters such as; sexuality, depression through to suicide.

In branding yourself you are putting yourself in a position in which individuals feel they have the right to judge you. It is only when you falter that you give them leverage.

Learn to deal with criticism and understand that for every negative comment there are hundreds of positives. Stand strong with your message and be prepared to bend to the wind if need be or they’ll snap you like a twig.

For more personal branding advice, purchase a copy of Ben Angel’s brand new book, Sleeping Your Way to The Top in Business, from which these tips have been taken from. <http://www.benangel.com.au/> http://www.benangel.com.au

About the Author

Ben Angel is a business and lifestyle columnist, personal stylist andauthor of the book, Sleeping Your Way to The Top in Business – The Ultimate Guide to Attracting & Seducing More Customers.

Ben speaks at over 60 business events per year. To book him for your next event or to purchase a copy of his new book, visit http://www.benangel.com.au today.

Tips in Buying Your Own Personalized Logo Duffel Bags

Article by Sarah Kendra Calister

Bags come in different shapes and sizes. One type of bag that is proven to be really useful is the duffel bag. It is used mainly for outdoor adventures. Promotional duffel bags can be used to advertise your company to a broad range of people.

Duffel bags is similar to gym bags in appearance. They are circular in shape and are more superior than handbags or even backpacks. It is said to have designed in Belgium, from a town called “Duffel” where the cloth material used to create the bag was formed. Hikers, campers and other sports fans use this to bring heavy equipment they need for their escapades.

Customized duffel bags may be utilized as token or gifts for your respected clients. They will certainly remember you every time they use it. Besides that, they get to be your wandering billboard because your company name gets exposed every time they use your personalized logo duffel bags. You get to promote for at no cost!

If you use customized duffel bags as promotional items here are the benefits that you and your customers can take delight in:

1. Guaranteed Convenience – Duffel bags are roomy enough to accommodate almost everything you want to put inside it. You can use it to lug clothes, pieces of equipment and other heavy items.

2. Sturdy and Dependable – Promotional duffel bags are made to endure extreme surface pressure. Even military personnel use it to carry heavy armor and equipment for their missions and tasks. They are robust so they don’t get torn easily.

3. Wide Stamping Spaces – Logo printed duffel bags have large bodies that can be used for printing your company brand or logo. You could even choose to imprint a message or a slogan for extra effect.

4. Extended Shelf Life – They are non-perishable items so you don’t have to fret even if there are left overs from your last trade show. You can just maintain them and bank it for future use.

Now that you are alert of its advantages it’s now time to be trained on tips on how to select the right promotional duffel bag:

1. Mind its Size – Duffel bags come in a series of sizes and choosing one can be pretty complicated. Determine which size could best be valued by your clients and customers. In any case, they’re the ones who are going to use it.

2. Land the Right Price – It is always wise to be conscious of the prices in the market nowadays. Scout for price ranges and determine which ones work for you. Bear in mind, don’t compromise quality. Be on the lookout for duffel bags which are cheap but are of lower quality.

3. Inside Space – While it is a main concern to check the printing space of the duffel bag, you have to examine the inside space as well. Find out if it has finest space fit to place even bulky items.

4. Material – The bag’s material could be an signal whether the bag will last for a long time or not. Be aware of this factor and select the best kind of duffel bag material.

5. Extra Features – Some duffel bags have features like mesh pockets and additional compartments that raises its usability. If you can take advantage of these additional perks for free then you know you got the correct. Seize these offers.

About the Author

Sarah Kendra Calister is a marketing expert who writes articles about Embroidered Duffel Bag and Corporate Gifts.