Personal Branding – How To Use “YOU.inc” To Increase Profits
Posted on 03. Mar, 2010 by TheWebPRO in Branding, Marketing Tips
What are some tips for branding myself using YOU.inc? What is You inc? How can you use this concept to generate income? Will people really care about me… I’m not a Nike or Coca-cola…don’t my prospects just want to know how I can help solve their needs?
These are some of the common questions I get from my students ALL THE TIME on this topic of personal branding, so I figured it deserved a post! So lets first start by defining “YOU.inc”
“YOU.inc” is a concept of personal branding that has been around for many years, but has flown under the radar for most small business owners and online marketers. It’s a concept that stems from the need to position one’s self as a “leader, authority, expert or trusted source.” It’s a technique that professional services have used and abused for years. Just look at the local attorney, real estate agent or insurance agent plastered to the side of your grocery cart!
It’s a technique that works well when done right, but can be a horror show if implemented poorly. Let me show you the difference:
RIGHT: A website that brands your name, provides unique valuable content, provides free goodies for viewers to benefit from (reports, ebooks, email boot-camps etc.) and provides solutions to specific issues your viewers and prospects may have. This combo is KEY, because without the free/ valuable content, you look like a pitchman and therefore carry no intrinsic value.
I’ve had students who watched my blog posts and email updates for 6 months before buying from me! They either weren’t ready, or needed to build trust in me first… trust & rapport that I never could have instilled in them with merely a pitch.
WRONG: Nice looking website/blog, with your name all over it, pictures of your family & travels, and a pitch. Don’t get me wrong, the pictures of your lifestyle may apply to your business (specially if make money in a home business). But it’s important to see here that there is no value! No positioning! No meat to your brand!! Most business owners and marketers put their blood sweat and tears into this type of setup and wonder why they often have mediocre results.
There’s no doubt that “YOU.inc” is a powerful way to personally brand your business. The key is to approach it from a value-added approach… not the pitch. In other words, how can I add something of value to my visitors experience. So focus on content (blogging), videos, and creating some “goodies” your future prospects can grab!
What do you think about personal branding? How has it worked for your business, blog or otherwise? Share your thoughts by commenting below… we’d all appreciate it!
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