I thought this contained some very pertinent information for AMF members. The reality is that in this industry as an instructor YOU are your own brand. Everything about you is part of the reason golfer do or don’t choose to take instruction from you from your appearance, communication skills, technical knowledge, personality and track record.
Here are some thoughts from Kevin Donnellon of Macali Communications. Kevin has been in marketing and public relations in the golf industry for more than 20 years and has done a webinar about social media and blogging for AMF which can be found in our Webinar Archives on the members only website.
-Lorin Anderson
Personal Branding Is Your Competitive Edge
Personal Branding (PB) is in, and being driven by the tough job market, the glut of exceptional talent and growing social technologies.
Consider these job market factors:
- In this current turbulent and transformational economy, six people apply for every job (Atlantic).
- US workers aged 16-24 have an unemployment rate of 18.8%, nearly double the US population at 9.7% (Wall Street Journal).
- Web 2.0 and its social technologies have energized and empowered PB, although it was coined by guru Tom Peters in a 1997 Fast Company article called “The Brand Called You.”
- Marketing expert Al Ries described PB in his iconic Positioning in 1980 (Chapter 23).
So, what is PB, how does it work, why does it work and how do you get started?
What is personal branding?
Personal branding is the unique blend of your knowledge, skills and experience, and then how you present and communicate these unique capabilities to the public. It was further defined in an INC.com interview: your PB is “everything from the clothing you wear, to how you behave and interact, to your body language.” Do you work to improve in all of these areas or do you just focus on building your technical knowledge?
How does personal branding work?
It works in a job search, and when you are gainfully employed. The right, real PB can land you the job and enhance your position in a company (read raise, promotion, expanded, more fulfilling responsibilities, all of which can further build your brand).
In a job search, PB starts with traditional business cards, portfolios, cover letter and a social media resume. It benefits from social network profiles (e.g. Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter and active participation in discussions.) and your personal blog and other social media resources.
To stay employed and more important, to move up, start becoming invaluable, being the go to person, focusing on giving, producing content and start endorsing others who, in turn, may endorse you.
Why does it work?
Like the Apple brand, your brand can be paid more and you can be more fulfilled and enriched. Opportunities will find you, and you can have fulfilling work as an employee and entrepreneur. The good reputations and personal brands spread faster and broader.
How do you get started on your personal branding?
Schawbel says there are four steps:
- Discover
- Create
- Communicate
- Maintain
Check out his Personal Branding tool kit. Bence’s personal brand positioning worksheets will pump your thinking. In his E-books, Colin Wright advises simply listing your most liked traits on one side of the paper and what you want to improve on the other side (e.g., positive attitude or perfection obsession).
In summary
Personal branding is as powerful as you make it. It enriches you personally and professionally. It is especially important and relevant in professional services careers like golf instruction where your personality, appearance skills, knowledge, experience and brand are your asset.
-Kevin Donnellon
Macali Communications
kevin@macalicomm.com