As the year is coming to an end it is a great time to review goals, financials and the value of our time. Which leads me to one of the most important questions how did you spend your time online in 2010.
A large portion of our lives are shared online: So between messaging, commenting, sending emails, blogging and conducting online searches, etc., as a society we spent approximately 25% of our lives online (this translates into 5.5 hours a day.) What did this mean to your personal brand? Did the time you spent online help to grow business, your career opportunities, or help you position that side project that you were working on. In the area of personal branding one of the key components is the value of your minute. According to Nielsen report in 2010 here is how we spent our time online.
As we embark on a new year how will you plan your time management goals for 2011? Remember success is a planned activity it doesn’t happen by default. There is less than a week left in the 2010 and many people have packed it up for the year? Well the year isn’t over yet. It is the perfect time to prepare for 2011. Below are a few ways to start preparing for 2011
Brand Insights – An experiential personal and corporate branding workshop for 15-people in FD Lofts in Detroit Eastern Market – 01/20/11 with Hajj Flemings (Founder of Brand Camp) and Matthew Kruchko (Managing Director of Applied Storytelling). http://bit.ly/brandinsights
Mind Mapping – iThoughtsHD is a mindmapping iPad app that will import and export mindmaps to and from many of the most popular desktop mindmap applications such as Freemind, XMind, Novamind, MindManager, MindView, iMindmap and PDFs.
Goal Setting – Establish measurable goals for 2011.
Finalize Pending Projects – Many of us have projects that have been started and not completed.
Side Project - Start working on a New Project to launch the beginning of next year.
Re-Evaluate Resources – To increase your productivity in 2011 look to add a virtual secretary or outsource some functions to be more productive.
What did your time translate into in 2010? How does it affect your bottom line?
One of the lessons that I received over the weekend, had to do with keeping your faith young. In most cases when we reach maturity in things we do, we are at our best. However being young in something doesn’t always have to be a direct correlation with immaturity.
I recently came a across a slide show that I put together for a really good friend’s wedding. On the soundtrack is a great song, called Forever Young, by Rod Stewart. Although the lyrics seem to be targeted towards a relationship with a son or daughter, I felt the song generally inspires us to stay young.
I strongly feel this is how we should approach our personal brand. Staying young in heart and mind allows you to stay invigorated, passionate, and most important - teachable. As we mature in life, some of the ways to maintain youth is to continue to learn different things that allow you to sharpen your skills and your knowledge base. Here are a few more things to consider:
Pay Attention to Accidental Inspiration
Although I think it is necessary to be purposeful in everything we do,inspiration and creativity many times is accidental. For instance a combination of experiences allowed for me to be inspired to write this post as explained above. I think it is always good to keep the juices flowing by mixing up the monotony and allowing yourself to be inspired by your experiences. Allowing yourself to be open to different genres and creating new relationships are good ways to mix things up. Just like a fruit smoothie, if you don’t mix it up you will find that all the good stuff is at the bottom.
Be Prepared for a Pivot Good entrepreneurs are always ready for a potential pivot. Sometimes you start a business or initiative going in a specific direction. However things in the market could change or your customer evolves and you find that you have to take your idea in a different direction. To be prepared for a pivot you have your hand on the pulse of the market and be prepared to make a pivot in another profitable direction. Changing directions sometimes requires energy; it helps to stay young in the mind and be able to learn new things. This can apply to career’s and passion projects as well.
Maintain Momentum Sometimes it is natural for us to get comfortable and on auto-pilot with our day-to-day responsibilities. Keeping our batteries charged through rest and recuperation, maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and constantly staying in practice allows us to keep up with the pace of our purpose in life.
These are things that can edify your day-to-day duties on-the-job or business, relationships with your spouse and kids, and in our friendships. Stay Invigorated and Forever Young.
What inspires you in life? This Pantene commercial is about a deaf and mute girl that learns to play the violin against all odds. What challenges do you face in life that you complain about? If she can overcome the odds in her life what is stopping you?
Choose to be different and live your dreams. Don’t live your life to just be like others.
On 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
• 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.
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 .
BrandCampU: RT @IABCDetroit: The IABC Detroit Daily is out! http://bit.ly/cxEd3C ▸ Top stories today via @gchadwick @brandcampu @oakbridge @digitalvision 12 February 2011, 10:14 pm
digitalvision: RT @IABCDetroit: The IABC Detroit Daily is out! http://bit.ly/cxEd3C ▸ Top stories today via @gchadwick @brandcampu @oakbridge @digitalvision 12 February 2011, 8:38 pm
IABCDetroit: The IABC Detroit Daily is out! http://bit.ly/cxEd3C ▸ Top stories today via @gchadwick @brandcampu @oakbridge @digitalvision 12 February 2011, 8:26 pm
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As the year is coming to an end it is a great time to review goals, financials and the value of our time. Which leads me to one of the most important questions how did you spend your time online in 2010.
