I was meeting with Jeff Young (LinkedIn Guru) in Columbus, Ohio yesterday, when he uttered a statement I thought to be quite profound. He said, “Your brand starts with thanks”. I couldn’t agree more, Jeff. Thank you for sharing your personal story and LinkedIn knowledge with me, and for inspiring this post. Continue reading
Are You Marketing In ‘Better Land’?
My own background is in personal branding, and I spend a lot of time teaching the importance of being DIFFERENT. Not better, but different. I’ve unfortunately seen so many people waste advertising dollars marketing themselves from this place I call Better Land. Continue reading
Who Said You Should Be a Star? (4 Powerful Responses to Naysayers)
So, who ARE you to be a star in your industry? Who says you should be the face of your brand? What gives you the right to put your face on billboards, video and collateral materials? Come on…you know that’s what they’re thinking. So, how would YOU answer those questions? Continue reading
Are you LIVING in Glengarry Glen Ross?
Anyone who has seen this movie knows exactly what I’m referencing. It’s a movie about four real estate agents competing to keep their jobs. Their real estate company hires a corporate trainer whose mode of ‘motivation’ is pitting agent against agent in a cutthroat competition. During his training period, only the two top producers will keep their jobs, and the other two will be fired. Continue reading
Choices
Years ago, I made a statement to my father that resonated so much, he still reminds me of it each time I see him. We were discussing family members and friends who consistently made poor life choices. Let’s face it…we’ve all made poor choices from time to time. But it’s that word ‘consistently’ that can does the most damage and causes us to doubt ourselves and eventually risk losing hope. Continue reading
The Crossroads of Confidence & Competition
I’ve been thinking a lot about CONFIDENCE…and COMPETITION. Recently, real estate agents tell me there are two things that bother them most: noncommittal clients–and watching a competitor reach successful heights (all while knowing they’re the better agent). You may think it’s egotistical or arrogant to think you’re better. But what if you KNOW you are? What if you’ve put in the work, educated yourself in your craft and treated your clients the way you’d want to be treated? And most important of all…you helped your clients to create the RESULTS they were seeking? Continue reading
Which BrandFace© Are You?
You don’t have to own your own business to become the face of a brand. A BrandFace can be a CEO, president, sales manager, salesperson, child of an owner, home-based business expert or anyone in a situation where they are likely to represent the brand for an extended period of time. Regardless of which position you hold, I’ve found that most BrandFace prospects fall into three different categories: GameFace, SaveFace and AboutFace. Knowing where you stand right now will help to prepare you for where you want to be! So…which one are you? Contact me and let me know, and you could receive a free BrandFace© book! Continue reading
Is a BrandFace© approach right for you? See my checklist…
If you’re a business owner or business leader who has considered becoming the face of your own business, there are several things you should consider first. The whole idea behind a personal branding approach is to position yourself as an asset to your customers in a unique way, and share your knowledge and expertise about a particular subject. The goal is to become a sought-after expert in your industry and market, and to be the person/business that your customers turn to because they think of you first (for all the right reasons!). Consider this checklist…and if you can answer ‘yes’ to all, you’re an excellent candidate! Continue reading
BrandFace™ Star of the Week: Rick Ricart
Pulling into the 67-acre lot that is home to Ricart Mega Mall (arguably one of the country’s most successful car dealerships), I’m immediately reminded of the family connection. A large sign at the security entrance displays a smiling Rick Ricart, a third generation auto executive and newest face of the brand. Continue reading
BrandFace™ Star of the Week: Bob Juniper
Rough exterior, t-shirt, tattoos and a flip phone (yes, a flip phone-just to be rebellious). I’m greeted warmly by Bob Juniper, one of the most controversial figures in the collision repair industry. His appearance sets a tone reminiscent of Pawn Stars or Rick’s Restoration—tough and talented—and his impressive facility and team are extremely high tech. In the early 1990’s, Bob began one of the most controversial marketing campaigns in collision repair history. Continue reading