Have you also been working on a “self-branding” concept? If so, I am sure that you could tell me a few stories and relate a few experiences.

A new client contacted me by ‘phone a while ago. He had been looking for a job with more development potential and so far he had struggled to be considered for those types of positions.

I must admit that when I first spoke to him, I was rather reluctant to arrange a meeting with him or work with him. He had a very arrogant approach, almost as if he really did not need to talk to me. Instantly I could understand one of the reasons why he may have been unsuccessful to date i.e his inability to communicate. The ability to communicate well is a very important part of any self-branding concept.

However, I did read between the lines and conceded that his approach was a kind of “cry for help” and decided to have a meeting with him. I read his CV and his social media profile prior to our meeting and was confronted with the same problem - his entire approach, from the photograph he had chosen to the way in which he had formulated his short profile and achievements, was just simply not the optimum way to go about selling oneself.

We started working together and it took me a while to convince him that his self-branding concept needed work. Fortunately he was finally able to focus on it and make the necessary improvements, but in order to create a convincing self-branding concept, we had to start from the very beginning and examine “his entire self” in minute detail. Since then he has changed his job, is successful and continues to develop himself and move forward. In case you were wondering I have informed him that I am writing a blog about him. 

Self-branding is an art in itself. I know a lot of people who consider it purely as a marketing tool and neglect its connection with their “inner self” where the essence of self-branding actually comes from.

Any self-branding concept should be based on one’s “entire self”. The “entire self” being considered not only as our strengths, skills and competencies, but also our values, wishes, objectives, aversions, interests, convictions, habits and more! I firmly believe that once this base is established an impactful self-branding concept will automatically ensue.

If you are struggling with your self-branding concept and with positioning yourself and do not know where to start, let’s talk. (contact).

Take the courage to make your self-branding concept work FOR and NOT against you in order to get what you want...