JWN: The Brand of YOU

The Brand of YOU

By: Joseph W. Norman

What’s YOUR brand?

I’m not talking about your favorite brand of jeans, shoes, or cars. Rather, I’m speaking about the brand of (insert YOUR name here)! That brand is far more valuable then any piece of clothing and thus, more important to think about.

My guess (because it took me a while too) is that you have not taken much time to truly think about YOUR brand. Many get caught up in the day to day activities like going to work, spending time with the family, or working out at the gym. Don’t get me wrong, these are all quintessential things for a fulfilling life, but how are they defining YOU?

YOU are a unique part of this world. Nobody can ever replace YOU. You may aspire to carry yourself like one of your mentors or live the life of some celebrity, but ultimately you can’t do that. All you CAN be (and should want to be) is YOU.

When people look at you, they see your brand and when they listen to you, they hear your brand. The question YOU need to ask yourself is, “What are people seeing and hearing?”

The answer to that question gives you the foundation for YOUR brand development. One cannot improve if they don’t know what they’re working with. So, now you’ve got your base line.

KEY FACT: Other people define your brand, but YOU are the dictionary. What they read is courtesy of you.

What are the key components of your brand?

Your look. How you dress has a HUGE impact on how other people may perceive you. I’m not saying you need to go out on a shopping spree, but rather to simply take heed that before you say a word, your look has already made an impression.

Your words. Mark Twain once said, “It is better to keep your mouth closed and let people think you are a fool, than to open it and remove all doubt.” Thus, you need to be careful what you say and how you say it. For more insight, check out my article, “The Power of Your Words.”

Your passions. What really moves you? I mean, REALLY moves you! It could be business, acting, baseball, coaching, or any number of things. What matters is that you cannot and should not hide your passion. If it is not already, make your passions a meaningful part of YOUR life!

These three things are all supported by one key element of you:

Your style. This is the piece that defines YOUR brand. It is not just your look, but how you wear it. It is not just your words, but how they are put together and delivered. And, it is not just your passions, but what you do with them.

How do you improve YOUR brand?

Well, here’s how I do it. This is why YOU think of me the way you do.

My look. I help myself with great resources like Men’s Wearhouse, GQ, Men’s Health, and the limitless internet. In addition, I try to stay observant of what other people in the business world wear (my desired career place). This has led me to French Cuffs, monogrammed shirts, pocket squares, and a variety of other things that help define ME in a unique way. (Check out, “Make a Powerful Impression” for more insights).

My words. I’m an English major, so I read countless texts and write a lot. This helps me carry myself well in conversations, emails, and letters. I also go the extra mile with “branded” personal notes, embossed with my name. Thus I frame JWN with more JWN. (Again, check out, “The Power of Your Words.”)

My passions. I went out on a limb with Ben to create this eZine; a forum for me to vent to you about my passions. One of them is helping you succeed with tips and best practices I’ve picked up in my pursuits. Right now, I’m making my passions a meaningful part of my life. Thanks for your support!

And finally,

My style. I sell Joseph W. Norman every single day and I do it through the aforementioned methods. I also do it with the “Seven Steps of Commanding a Presence.” (Check it out!)

Now that I’ve sold my brand, use my thoughts and words to go sell yours! You deserve it and so does the world.

The world needs you NOW, so go show off YOUR brand!

To your success, ~JWN

Joseph W. Norman, Co-Founder and Editor in Chief of Notable and Newsworthy can be reached at Norms1523@gmail.com or 607.743.8569. He offers speaking engagements and personal coaching and is always up for a "business lunch." To receive the weekly eZine, The VIP Profiles, email viprofile@gmail.com or visit http://notableandnewsworthy.blogspot.com/