Personal Branding - How to Make Your Own Label

Being branded sounds pretty harsh, but people are constantly branding each other. Would you prefer to be branded as a good person or a manipulative person? Or maybe you really want to be branded as an environmentally friendly person, but no one has branded you to be so. Personal brand is who you are, and who other people see as well. Think of yourself as a gift (as everyone is) and everything about you is a package deal from what you look like on the outside, and on the outside. What does your wrapping look like? What kind of person are you inside?

To be able to have people brand you the way you want to be, you also have to know who you want to be.

Personal brand is your demeanor, what you wear, how you carry yourself, that first impression you give, and how you communicate with others. If you feel that you are not rightfully showing who you really are towards others, perhaps it is time to re-brand yourself.

Think about celebrities and their own personal brands. Celebrities can be easily impersonated because they have their own established brand. Who had the long dark side burns with the curled lip and the energetic hips? Does the name Elvis come to mind?

Now I'm not saying that you need a distinct personality for the purpose of having people easily impersonate you. But establishing yourself can have great benefits after improving your personal brand.

What makes you an individual? You are you and no one should stand here and change that. What did you do in your life or what do you plan to do that is different from the person behind you in line for the morning coffee. Find what you think is very special about you and hold onto it. This isn't just about what you're interested, but most importantly what personal trait about you is something you want everyone to know.

When people talk about you behind your back or when your employer wants to write your one year evaluation about you, what kind of personal trait do you want to be known? Are you punctual? Well make sure you don't slack off just because you've been doing well for four months. Keep it up, it'll pay off. Are you a compassionate person? Don't let a couple days of frustration get you down and lash out at co-workers or your boss.

First impressions....first impressions....first impressions.... If you want to be known to be an outgoing, well spoken, and confident person do not introduce yourself with stumbled words appearing shy. Your first impression will last in anyone's mind, especially for a job interview or meeting potential contacts. Speak clearly, have a firm (but not too hard) handshake, and know how to introduce yourself.

Promote yourself. How would any product brand name get anywhere without promotion and advertising? If you want your own personal brand to be established you have to express it. No, this isn't a personal ad in the newspaper, but how you carry yourself. The first step is knowing who you want to be or knowing who you are, putting that together, and not losing yourself.

Often people lose themselves from stress, a lover they may be changing for, or trying to be what other people want them to be. Remember, you are in control of yourself and it is up to you to decide what brand you have.

Think about Legally Blond where she had to have everything in pink. That was her own signature. What about Opera Winfrey having her own brand with bettering ourselves, our lives, and helping others? What brand do you want?

Being yourself and being happy with that will give you the confidence you need to go farther in life. People will remember your staple better if you stay consistent to who you are. Sometimes it is good to re-establish who you are if you find yourself changing or in need of a change because you just aren't happy. You are an individual and in control of your own brand, so keep it your own and enjoy it.