Personal branding or company branding, that's often the question. Truth is both work if done correctly, but how do you know what's best for you? In the businesses I've owned I've always been more of a personal brand, I can think of others who have done it successfully as well,
- John Jantsch - Duct Tape Marketing
- Gary Vaynerchuck - Gary Vee of Wine Library TV
- Harry Joiner - The Marketing Headhunter
A personal brand allows you to stand out among the crowd, you are considered the expert. People want to be around you, they want your advice and when you talk the majority of people listen because your brand tells them you have something to say. They can relate to you, identify with you and they desire to learn from you.
Personal branding can single an individual out as an expert in their field, but are there downfalls to personal branding vs. company branding? Find out if Personal Branding is for you and how to go about it effectively.
Your turn to talk: I'd love to hear about people you think have been successful at personal branding, feel free to leave their names, website and the field of expertise in the comment section.
It’s nice to see someone talk about branding. I think it is the most under exposed topic in internet marketing especially for newbies. Keep up the good work this is information that all internet marketers can benefit from.
What about using a combination of personal and corporate branding?
Build a small business around yourself that can give you some expandability options while also giving a context for your personal brand.
This way you get the advantages of a personal brand with the possible credibility of a corporate brand.
I agree, branding is vital to any business.
In my case my name is well known in various niche markets and hence it is also my url.
A couple of years ago a client cqalled me his Marketing Magician – it sounded good and I immediately trademarked it and is is now used widely by radio and the press and gives me access to markets I’d never otherwise reach.
Since mid summer the Marketing Magician brabnd has appearred on the BBC no fewer than eight times.
Last Thursday I ran a Marketing Masterclass near Birmingham, England; during the break my phone rang and it was a reporter from Poland wanting my views on branding countries – yes even countries can be branded – my attendees were impressed with the fact that I had an overseas call as the expert (in Polish that is ekspert. On saturday my words were in the Polish press and allover their websites … having a personal brand (and a marketing strategy) cetainly works fro me … and could for anyone reading this.
I think the best example of Personal Branding, in my opinion, is Richard Branson. Not only has he managed to present himself as this daredevil entrepreneur, but also a champion of the underdog.
At the same time, he has formed a strong synergy between brand Richard Branson and the Virgin brand.
Thanks Laura…Great Subject
The question of Personal Branding versus Corporate Branding is a good one
After many years of experience dealing with people on both sides, I think the best overall strategy for most companies is “Balanced Branding Strategies” – http://www.stellarpointgroup.com-branding-brand-strategy.html
We can all point to the great examples i.e., Nike and McDonalds from a corporate perspective, in addition to Donald Trump and Walter Cronkite from a personal standpoint. In my opinion Frank Perdue did it best – he used personal branding and the corporate Perdue brand in such a way that the brand still carries on after his death.
These are the exceptions. Personal Branding can be very risky – everything hinges on one person, while corporate branding sometimes misses out on the advantages of the individual. Again, for most companies the balanced approach to Branding is usually the smartest strategy.
Thanks again