Building Your Personal Brand: 7 Questions to Ask ??

Brand. One of the Merriam-Webster definitions of brand: a category of products that are all made by a particular company and all have a particular name. This definition is in relation to products/services. Another definition of brand: a particular kind or type of something. This definition is in relation to something vaguer which could include personal brand.

Much like marketing and digital marketing, brand and personal brand are more intertwined than ever. The meaning depends on context as well as perception, but generally speaking... do you think only of companies when you think of brand? Not me.

I think of brand as being synonymous with character and/or passion. Something that often relates to individuals. Seth Godin has a great definition of the word "brand" in relation to products/services. I'd like to focus on one sentence in particular that Seth mentions and relate it to "personal brand".

"If you've never heard of it, if you wouldn't choose it, if you don’t recommend it, then there is no brand, at least not for you."

Exchange "it" with your name and that's how I define "personal brand".

What person do you think of (not company), when the word "brand" is mentioned? Are they globally iconic? Perhaps a movie star, athlete, musician, writer, politician or artist. Or maybe they're more of an individual in your life who made an impact personally? A teacher, coach or family member that left a lasting impression on you.

Those last two questions are quite revealing when you take the time to answer them honestly and thoughtfully. The answer(s) help to define your personal brand.

WHY SHOULD YOU BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND?

Because Everyone Else Is Taken

?? @neilpatel is wicked smart AND has an excellent #PersonalBrand

A few more questions to ask when helping to guide your personal brand quest:

1) What are you passionate about?

Your personal brand exemplifies what you stand for and believe in. It's not an effort to obtain a certain status or identity, but genuinely portray who you are at your core. Try to think of it as character perception.

2) Why are you compelled to act?

Motivation and conviction are integral components of passion. Not so much what drives you, but why? And what keeps you going!

3) Are you afraid to be yourself?

Being true to yourself is paramount. This is my first published post on LinkedIn. Many people could read this and enjoy it, hate it, or be indifferent altogether. It's new territory and that brings uncertainty. Uncertainty brings fear. Despite the anxiety, I felt compelled to share.

"Always do what you are afraid to do." -Ralph Waldo Emerson

4) Do you work towards it every day?

Much like breathing, branding occurs daily moment by moment. Often it's the little things that add up and become as much a part of your personal brand as the milestones you achieve.

Because Brand Development is Living!

5) Where can you find supporters?

It takes a village, right? You can be the Steve Jobs of technology, the Oprah of entertainment, the Mahatma Ghandi of civil rights... the bottom line is these people built their brand with the help of evangelists that shared their beliefs.

6) Do you walk the walk?

If you don't practice what you preach, you're the "pet rock" / fad (I'm dating myself with that one) of the moment and won't be relevant once the allure wears off.

7) How do others view you?

This is the true test. You're unique. You're human. You strive to make an impact through human connection. You're not creating a personal brand to support ulterior motives, you're showcasing your identity because it's meaningful to you. You realize that meaning can touch others in an impactful way. No one sinks his or her heart and soul into each day to have their being go unnoticed.

Building your brand is a constant. Continually challenge yourself, learn from your mistakes, listen to those you interact with and live your passion.

*Additional LinkedIn Tips To Build Your Personal Brand

** Be the little child who looked up to the stars when everyone else in the world doubted you.

***Please also keep in touch via Facebook and/or Twitter