My Favorite Brand/TheBeyondWoman Magazine 2nd Issue

More often than not when we think about Branding and our favorite brands in the Caribbean, many names immediately come to mind. Samsung, Juici Beef , Apple, Starbucks, JMMB, Amazon, Digicel, Volvo, those are just a few of my personal faves… and as the day goes on, the list goes on too.

How many of us when asked about our favorite brand, respond “me”! I am my favorite brand!”…Okkk”, you say….and if not why not? I am the marketer of me and you should be as well!

We hear the term “Brand” often, but what is a brand? Brands represent all the things that pop into our mind when we think about a company or its products. Juicy Beef Patties, JMMB – is about love, Starbucks – the best coffee smell, Apple – innovative and cool, you get the gist. It’s the impressions we form, and the attributes we use to describe our favorite things, whether it’s a product, service or even a place. So why not think of yourself as a Brand!

Let me help you!

Your Brand is how people describe you: it is all the descriptors people use to identify you to others, and it is equal to your reputation. Everything you do and say influences how people think about you, and every interaction is an opportunity to build that brand. Your brand can totally influence how people view you, for better or for worse!

First impressions count: What is the first thing that comes to mind when people meet you, whether in person, on TV or even on the pages of a magazine? Right now there are mental notes being made about you. So how can you build the personal brand that you want?

Building your brand starts with you: but I do have a few smart strategies that can help. Be yourself, be memorable, serve others and build trust. Doesn’t that sound like building a better you? It is!

Know your own Brand Voice: I.e…Be yourself! Who are you? The image you present to others is more than just how you look! It’s your body language, it’s your character, and it’s your communication. My advice, celebrate what makes you unique, you actually don’t need to compete with anyone. I think that we all prefer the real deal….just as our product brands, we like the real ones so much better than a knock off! Appreciate who you are, love your brand and others will find it much easier to do so as well.

Great Brands are memorable: in a world of counterfeits, carbon copies, knock offs, how does one even stand out amongst the crowd, how do you achieve memorable? In my view it’s important to be someone that is known for strong character and values. Your integrity, strong moral and
ethical principles are the characteristics for which you should be known. “Our True Character is that person we become when no one is looking”….That’s a great Brand and you will be remembered for it.

Great Brands provide a service or a benefit to others….so a great personal brand strategy is to serve! Give others something of value and success will be yours, many times over! The Dalai Lama says “Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them at least don’t hurt them”. The concept of service is well known, giving back,
volunteerism, being someone who seeks the interest of others, those attributes are bound to establish your personal brand, a brand that you can be proud of.

Great Brands create trust – trust is built through your consistency and openness – what are you known for, every single time? What are the principles that you never compromise on? Or are you willing to bend the truth as needed, and be “flexible” depending on the occasion? Whatever it is, that is your Brand? I like being known for “courageous authenticity”, at work or at home, I am known for telling it straight, that doesn’t always make me popular…and it’s ok, because that’s my Brand!

Your brand is more about what you do than who you say you are. In order to build a brand that you can call your favorite, some self-reflection is clearly needed. Much like the big Brands I mentioned at the beginning, find your own niche, connect with others, differentiate, share,….