Recently I was having a discussion with a friend who is known blogger in Nigeria. I could not but ask certain question as he ‘seems to have it made’. Anyway that is my impression. We talked about being successful and having to be known to have failed many times. This as it affects every area of one’s life adventure. Most of what we discussed and conclusions we drawn at the end were also applicable to personal branding success online. I thought why are many successful people associated and are known to have failed many times? Shouldn’t there be a short cut to success. Many times one has to try and keep trying before one hits the nail on the head.

So come along and see whether that was true or may be you have a contribution.

1. To proof any point you do not have to talk too much: in trying to establish our expertise, we go a long way to give beyond what is necessary. That you know it does not mean you know it all. You do not have to say all and bore everyone in other to proof any point. In any case there is nothing you are saying that has not been said before.

2. Share life experiences that people can relate with: it is good to engage in study and research that can help your community, but if all you are doing is just to relay new researches that you have no relationship with, you may not enjoy strong bonding that will attest to Brand You success.

3. Confidence: In whatever you are doing, ensure that you are not seen as copycat but original. Authenticity and originality are very important in personal branding. If you are seen as being lily liver and not proud of whom you are, your brand will lose out.

4. Build support system before you need one: Most people always ask for a link when they need it most. Life is built on relationship and we will once in a while need help from someone somewhere. Learn to connect, learn to give helping hands, learn to give part of your time to answer questions from those who need to know. Share the little you know as you do not know it all.

5. Do not be ‘humble’ you are not that great: Does that sound arrogant. That was a saying by one great man. The explanation he gave was that when you become great you need extra humility. When you are still growing your brand, you need to communicate; broadcast your achievements and the progress you have made otherwise no one will do that for you. That is not arrogance that is stupidity if you think no one needs to know about your influence. Loyalty is not given, it is earned. If you must earn loyalty, people need to note your own differentiation and contributions you have made to alleviate their problems and the rewards you have earned for doing that.

Before I violate point number one, let me stop here and please do give me your own opinion.

Related posts:

1. Personal branding:are you so sure?
2. Personal Branding: how self development helps
3. Personal Branding And Corporate Success
4. Personal Branding: The emotional labour factor
5. Personal branding is an opportunity to influence