7 Ways to Build a Mobile Personal Brand

“Personal branding” and “mobile” are two terms trending off the charts in 2010.  It only makes sense that the combination, building a personal brand via mobile, is the next evolutionary step.

I realize not everyone owns a smartphone.  Unfortunately, without an iPhone, Blackberry, or similar device, mobile personal branding will be extremely difficult.  In today’s fast-paced environment, a smartphone is a near necessity for those looking to stay connected and build a personal brand from the road.  If you aren’t yet convinced that a smartphone is right for you, hopefully this post will do the trick!

Here are 7 ways to build your personal brand via mobile, at any time of the day and from anywhere in the world.

1.  Social Networking

Staying connected to your network from the road is easier today than ever before.  In fact, social networking via mobile applications is often simpler than from a desktop computer! Facebook and Linkedin offer their own powerful mobile apps, and Twitter has more 3rd-party apps than you can count. My favorite is Tweetie 2 for iPhone, which is a steal at only $2.99, providing all the Twitter functionality you could ever dream of.

2. Location-Based Networking

Location-based networks such as Foursquare and Gowalla have recently become hugely popular.  In short, these applications allow you to broadcast your exact location to the world.  Truth be told, location-based networking might be too intrusive for some.  But for others, this new functionality provides an interesting opportunity to further your brand.

3. Mobile RSS Feed

A huge part of personal branding is remaining knowledgeable on your given niche.  I read many different blogs pertaining to my field everyday, and 90% of them I read from the road.  MobileRSS is a free iPhone app that syncs with your Google Reader feed, and delivers all the latest news to your mobile doorstep in real-time.

4.  Business Cards

Wait a minute, business cards aren’t high-tech!  True, business cards might seem like an ancient relic, but they still serve their purpose better than any imitator.  Need to deliver your information to someone you meet on the road?  No better way than to hand them a business card that contains all the details you wish to convey (including where to find you on the web).

5. Google Docs

In the land before Google, you carried your documents with you on a floppy disk, or worse…you e-mailed files to yourself to be opened later!  Today, Google Docs has solved the previously perplexing dilemma of how to access files from the road.  You can open and save any type of file to Google Docs, and view the files from any computer or phone with a network connection.

6.  Mobile Blog Theme

One aspect of building a brand around mobile technology is recognizing that others will be viewing your work via mobile as well.  If you write a blog, you’ll want to consider installing a mobile theme for easy viewing from any smartphone. My blog Personal Branding 101 utilizes WPtouch iPhone theme, which aims to format the site perfectly for smartphone readers.  (Also note that via Wordpress you can publish blog posts from a mobile phone as well.)

7.  Your Own Smartphone App

Want to take #6 a step further? With MotherApp you can create your own iPhone app that displays your blog posts and tweets.  The service is free if you allow ads and share revenue 50/50, or you can pay a one-time fee of $99 to avoid ads.  Yes, your app would actually appear in the iTunes Store – incredible, right?  Check out Guy Kawasaki’s iPhone app for an interesting example.

Building a personal brand from the road once would have seemed like an impossible task.  But today, the tools and technologies available have changed the game significantly.  What do you think?  Do you know of any other great ways to build your brand via mobile?

Ryan Rancatore can be found discussing the latest topics and trends related to building a brand at Personal Branding 101.  Connect with Ryan on Twitter at @RyanRancatore, or on Linkedin or Facebook.

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#AMA Milwaukee Luncheon 03/16: @HajjFlemings – Speaks on ‘Personal Branding in a Digital World.’

Original Blog Post:  AMA Milwaukee Blog

As the world around us continues to change, people-powered brands are impacting the world of business. How important is your personal brand? If you would like to find out and learn steps you can take to manage it, make plans to attend the March16 AMA luncheon.

The interactive program will focus on the importance of developing a strong personal brand that matters in a noisy digital world. Participants will walk away with practical information and learn how to become a voice people trust. Many of us are listening, engaging, connecting, and participating online through social media channels. But are you processing the information gained and using it to develop real-world relationships?

Join the Milwaukee Chapter of the American Marketing Association and Hajj E. Flemings, founder of Brand Camp University, and get tips to help define your personal brand and leverage your off-line relationships. In addition to a great lunch and opportunity to network, you will gain insight from a noted author and educator and learn how to…

  • INTEGRATE your passion into your personal brand
  • POSITION and balance your brand in corporate culture
  • RE-THINK your corporate job as a proving ground
  • MANAGE your online brand reputation and build equity
  • LEARN to project your personal brand off-line
  • BUILD a strong personal network before you need it

A strong personal brand can help ignite the growth of your business and inspire your personal life. Register now to ensure you are armed with tactics to grow your personal and professional identity and help ensure you stand out from the crowd.

ABOUT THE SPEAKER:
Hajj E. Flemings is the founder of Brand Camp University and author of The Brand YU Life: Re-thinking Who You Are through Personal Brand Management, one of Fast Company Magazine’s 2008 Readers’ Choice Business Books of the year. He is also one of the authors featured in Age of Conversation 3, a collaborative book that brought together over 200 of the world’s best marketing, social media and brand thinkers. Flemings is a former collegiate athlete turned adjunct lecturer at his alma mater, Michigan Technological University, where he wrote the personal branding curriculum. He has been featured on ESPN.com, BusinessWeek.com, BlackEnterprise.com, various blogs and speaks across the nation. His clients include NFL athletes, Walt Disney, Ford Motor Company, Skechers Footwear, U.S. Department of Defense (Telecom Division) and numerous U.S. colleges and universities.

You can learn more about Flemings by visiting his blog, following him on Twitter or reviewing his information on LinkedIn.

WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
The luncheon is open to AMA-Milwaukee members and interested individuals and is designed to benefit marketers of all levels – from seasoned professionals to students – and is ideal for job seekers and those interested in strengthening their networks.

WHEN: Tuesday, March 16, 2010          11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Crowne Plaza Hotel, 10499 Innovation Drive, Wauwatosa

PARKING: Complimentary parking is available in a private, surface lot.

FEE: $25 for AMA members
$45 for non-members
$20 for students or individuals in transition

RSVP: Register no later than Thursday, March 11, 2010.
CLICK HERE TO REGISTER ONLINE
 CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD A REGISTRATION FORM A

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Personal Branding with Skype

Skype Social Media Workshop with Hajj E. FlemingsOn Saturday, February 27th I had the opportunity to teach a social media session, “Closing the Digital Divide” for @PowerOrgMATH who conducted an on-site workshop for students and parents in the Columbus Ohio area. One of the best parts of this session is that I was able to participate from Michigan via Skype . Based upon my positive experience I thought I would post a blog about ‘Personal Branding with Skype’.

Historically I haven’t been a heavy Skype user.  My recent usage of this tool has exposed me to the significant personal branding opportunities. The power of this tool is not that it gives you that cool Jetson type feel, but its ability to connect people in different locations while providing a face-to-face interaction real-time.

Understand it is a free tool  and you are only as good as your internet connection and hardware.

Skype Basic Set-Up
To get started download the free-of-charge Skype software.  You will need to set-up a profile, have access to an internet connection and some basic hardware:  laptop/desktop computer/mobile device, web cam, headset, and recording software (the recording software is only required for recording audio and/or video).

Skype Profile

Hajj E. Flemings Skype Profile
•    Skype Handle - I recommend establishing a Skype handle (which is your number or contact) using a name that is consistent with your other social network profiles.  (My Skype handle is ‘HajjFlemings’ which is my real name).
•    Avatar – Use the consistent avatar that you used across all of your social networks (actual photo).
•    Bio – Brief bio that should be consistent with your other social networks.

If you are a high profile person, celebrity, or have stalker concerns use a Skype handle and profile that is appropriate and safe for you.

Hardware/Software

Web Cams –  Only required if video is being enabled.  One of the best web cams is the  Logitech Quickcam Pro 9000.

Headset –The headset is strongly recommended for recording purposes.  The biggest  factor that will go into the type of headset you will need is the type of device you will using (desktop computer, laptop, or smartphone).  I would recommend you doing some research.  I personally have a Plantronics.

Recording Software – The personal branding value is maximized when the video functionally is ultiized.  To record you have to download a third party application.
I have listed a few different options.

•    Vodburner (PC Only)
•    Call Recorder for Macs
•    Screenflow – Screenflow is a screencasting software that can be used to capture the video is a cool application that a friend of mind Henry Balanon swears by.

Personal Branding Value:

In the example I used I was able to extend my reach to a group of educators that were outside of  my network with no cost to me except my time.

Products that can be produced from Skype
•    Audio Podcasts
•    Video Podcasts
•    Video Interviews
•    Workshop Presentations

Value Provided By Using Skype
•    Extend your network
•    Extend your reach
•    Reinforces your relevance in the new media space.
•    Its FREE!!! It saves you money and time.
•    Sharable content if recorded, uploaded and linked to.

I hope this short blog post opened up your eyes to the possibilities of using Skype as a personal branding tool.  Please share your thoughts in the comments section about how you have used Skype as a personal branding tool.

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4-Ways Foursquare Impacts your Personal Brand

Is Foursquare a silly game? Is Foursquare just another cool iPhone app?  Or is it just another social network?  From a personal branding perspective I would like to add a different angle.

Foursquare has the potential to be a great personal branding lifestyle social network (with the integration of Twitter at this point). Personal branding is a lifestyle not just a career choice.  It is something that is lived 24/7 not just from 9-to-5.  Foursquare naturally integrates your DNA, your brand associations, and your habits into its social networking game with each check-in.

4-Ways Your Personal Brand is Impacted

1.    Lifestyle: Your habits and choices are stamped with each check-in.  For example I workout at Lifetime Fitness and after becoming the Mayor it encouraged me to continue working out more frequently.  Whether I get unseated as Mayor is not the issue, it communicates commitment and that being physically fit is critical to my personal brand.  Can I tweet that I am going to the gym?  Absolutely. A stronger message is sent however when you physically check-in at the gym?
2.    Brand Associations: It connects you with establishments or brands you want to be associated with, whether it is a food establishment that provides healthy food or a eco friendly store that you purchased furniture from.
3.    Money Trail: To truly identify what is important to a person follow how they spend their money, there isn’t a clearer indicator of values.
4.    Local Market Branding: Adding tips can be a great personal branding tool  it connects you with desired establishments/brands in local markets.  It can also create opportunities especially as you frequent specific locations more often.  In local markets it can add name recognition and adds a virtual presence even when you are not physically at the location.

Optional #5: Work Time Stamp: Work habits are reinforced since check-ins can only be done with mobile devices when you are in the physical area.

Two Basic Tips for Using Foursquare

•    Tips: Create unique tips that people will find value when they visit or are near the establishment.
•    Shouts: Brand your choices, each check-in provides you an opportunity to reinforce why you have selected the establishment or brand you are visiting.

There is a noise factor that has to be managed with Foursquare I will admit.  Broadcasting every move you make might not be the digital footprint that you are trying to create.  Below is an example @Nolascratch tweets about going to the bathroom. I am not taking a shoot at this person but I just wanted to show an example.  This tweet is about going to the bathroom which we all at some point have to go.  You must determine for yourself what reinforces your personal brand message with this tool like you do with the other social networks.

4sq_bathroom

Foursquare is a social network that will continue to evolve much like Twitter and Facebook as time progresses. see a great opportunity to reinforce your personal branding lifestyle through Foursquare.

Other Articles on Foursquare
5 Ways Foursquare is Changing the World
Foursquare vs. Gowalla: Location-Based Throwdown

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The Super Bowl Guide to Building Brand Buzz

Wouldn’t it be incredible to air your own Super Bowl commercial, and be able to broadcast your unique message to hundreds of millions of viewers? Of course it would!  But, unless you have $3 million in your couch cushions, you will likely need to find a more reasonable way to promote your personal brand.  Here are 5 unique ways to create your own buzz, observed from Super Bowl XLIV brand advertisers.

1.  Collaborate, don’t compete.

This CBS commercial for “The Late Show” featured David Letterman, Oprah Winfrey, and even late-night competitor Jay Leno.  Why would CBS want to showcase these stars from competing networks?  Two reasons, really – to create interest, and to gain brand value by association.

How can you put this principle to play while building your own brand?  One way is to interview a respected authority in your field, and publish the interview on your blog.  Mohammed Al-Taee did just that in this interview with branding legend Seth Godin.  Another option is to write guest articles for “competing” blogs in your niche.

2.  Continue the story.

The GoDaddy commercials are infamously racy in nature – and I don’t suggest that the particular theme of their spots is right for everyone.  But, what GoDaddy does better than any other advertiser is “continue the story”.  The call-to-action is always to view even more on their website.  Their :30 seconds of fame turns into far more than :30 seconds.

What about you?  When you meet peers at conferences or seminars, do you continue the story?  Does your business card list your blog URL, your Twitter handle, and your Linkedin profile?  Follow the GoDaddy formula, and turn your offline connections into online connections, and vice versa.

3.  Provide sneak peaks to insiders.

Google’s “Parisian Love” spot was brilliant on multiple levels, but I will focus on one in particular.  The day before the Big Game, Google’s CEO tweeted this somewhat cryptic message, signaling that Google might be running a spot.  On several tech blogs, the spot itself was leaked early (accidental?).  I saw the spot the night before the Super Bowl, and was excited to have “inside info” that others didn’t.  Who doesn’t love to feel like an insider?

How can you replicate this same feeling around your personal brand?  You might e-mail your blog subscribers in advance to describe an upcoming series of posts.  Or, you could produce and provide a special video just for your Twitter followers.  Problogger takes similar steps quite often, and each time I enjoy the “insider” feeling.

4.  Evoke emotions.

Budweiser ran several silly commercials with typical juvenile punchlines, and none of them really stuck with me.  But, the Budweiser Clydesdale spot that featured the pony and young steer succesfully tugged at the heartstrings.  The spot was an instant hit because it evoked an emotional reaction from all who watched it.

You can replicate this very concept by occasionally weaving ”truly personal” elements into your personal brand.  The two most powerful articles I’ve read recently were from Copyblogger.com, and both were deeply personal in nature.  Read both this Men With Pens post, and this Jonathan Morrow post, and remember the feelings evoked by these personal tales.

5.  Provide an offer nobody can refuse.

I’ll admit, I thought the Denny’s “Chickens” ads were just plain horrible.  Yet, they managed to create a buzz around their brand by offering a free Grand Slam breakfast to anyone in the country.  The compelling offer was the star, not the ludicrous TV spots.

Just think – if the nation is thrown into a frenzy over scrambled eggs and a sausage link, what could you provide to inspire the same fervor?  Maybe that college paper you wrote can be redesigned and turned into an E-Book?  Promote the book as “Usually $15, but FREE to all blog subscribers by March 1, 2010″.  With a little viral luck, you might just have a brand buzz gold rush on your hands.

The ideas above are just a few of the lessons personal brands can learn from large business brands.  While our individual budgets can never compete – we can apply the very same principles to build buzz around our own brands.

What do you think?  Do you have any other ideas on how individuals might create excitement around their own brands?  Leave a comment below, “continue the story” with me on Personal Branding 101, or say hello on Twitter.

Ryan is the advertising creative coordinator for a Fortune 500 financial services firm on the West Coast.  His experience building the brand of a globally respected firm helps provide a unique perspective on the world of personal branding.  Read more from Ryan at Personal Branding 101 .

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