Conquer Your Fears!

Every one of us has fears we'd love to conquer. Is it a fear of the water? A fear of heights? How about public speaking - does that get you spooked? Fear keeps us from reaching our fullest potential. Let's make the summer of 2009 the time that you confront and beat a particular fear. Choose one fear that you would like to beat and develop a plan to attack it.

The only way to beat a fear of anything is to approach it head-on and throw yourself into it. If you have a fear of water, use this challenge to sign up for swimming lessons. If it's public speaking, arrange to speak to a group of people on a subject you are passionate about. Don't put much thought into it - just jump in and go for it.

Conquering a fear will be a tremendous attitude boost, and it will invigorate your personal brand.

Great article on using social media to grow your personal brand

I've discovered a great blog written by Hasan Shirazi called: Steps To The Top where Hasan discusses using socila media to improve your personal brand. The article is honest and direct. I love the comprehensive array of links to assist you in your social media efforts. A good source to bookmark for future reference. Enjoy!

The Competition is Gunning For You!

Don't kid yourself, the competition is anxious to see your lifeless body behind them. Now is not the time to for a wait and see approach. Are your branding weapons locked and loaded? Now is the time to check your battle readiness outline:


• Increase value to your customers
• Optimize your positioning strategy
• Over deliver
• Be the best at what you do
• Upgrade technology to increase productivity
• Use the web as a lead generating tool
• Respond faster than anyone
• Increase face-time with customers
• Be totally accessible
• Surround yourself with knowledgeable people
• Improve your expert profile

All strategies are go, take aim, and fire!

68 Ways To Stand Out From The Crowd.

Mike Michalowicz - the Toilet Paper Entrepreneur has a terrific post where he features the opinions of 68 individuals (myself included) on how to differentiate your business and stand out from the crowd. Bring a coffee, it's a generous read.

Things That Should Be On Your Radar!

There are plenty of tools on the web that you should be investigating to better your business opportunities. I speak to groups of business professionals and what I thought was common knowledge is completely new information to
many. That realization led to this week’s tip - put these on your radar:






• Blogging - great for building your "expert profile" and reaching out to a global audience with your opinion

• Blog Commenting - Google blogs in your industry and comment on them, leading readers back to your websites and blogs

• Blog Writing - Discover significant blogs in your industry and offer to write for them, leading readers back to your websites and blogs

• eMail Marketing - build a list of potential customers and put a message directly in front of them, (this weekly Branding Tip for example)

• Public Speaking - a great way to show your expertise and gain warm leads

• Skype - use the web to speak to long-distance customers for free or close to it

• Webinars - hold classes or virtual conferences to sell your services

• Free Analytics - track the success of your websites, blogs and email marketing efforts

• eBooks and Newsletters - offer them for free to build traffic or sell them online

• Online Payment - use Paypal's donation code to build a simple pay area for customers to easily pay you, (great for non-profits)

• Video/Audio Podcasts - record tips on what you do and offer them for free to readers of your websites and blogs

• Virtual Networks - join online networking groups to build relationships

These dozen should keep you busy. All of them can be done for FREE if you tackle them yourselves.

I Love Sales People.

I can't tell you how many times I've been interrupted during my early evening hours by the voice of a telemarketer on the telephone trying to get me to purchase their wares. Being an entrepreneur and small business owner, I can appreciate how difficult it is to sell. It is my policy to listen to their pitch and then express my desire to purchase or not. Of course most times I will never purchase as I don't like buying without doing my own research.

What I do though, is listen and learn who has the better approach to getting my attention. The vast majority are simply reading off a script, these people lose me instantly. Every once in a while, you will get the one person who is convincing in their delivery. This person has the magic of salesmanship. This person leaves me with a tip or two.

I also observe customer service when I shop. What intrigues me and what disgusts me. I find I am always aware of the sales activities all around me. One simple technique which is sage advice is to use the person's name if you can. A restaurant server makes huge points when they remember a patron's name, and uses it throughout their visit.

Watch and learn the next time you leave your office. Give the sales people you come in contact with a break, and just appreciate that they are trying to earn a living as well. Even if their delivery is bad you will learn a tip from them as well.

Increase Brand Recognition With An Icon

What do the MacDonald's, Nike, Apple, KFC and Allstate brands have
in common?


VISUAL BRAND ICONS.

Brand icons are sensory symbols that represent the corporate brand.
As they say, "A picture is worth a thousand words." You are better able
to remember visuals than even the spoken word. Many companies
have even dropped the text part of their logos in favor of their icon.
The most obvious of these is Target department stores.

Do you have an icon in your brand image? If not, you may be wise to
consider one. Icons can even be a scent (Cinnabon) or a sound
(Harley Davidson). Improve the memorability of your brand image
with an icon.