Comments on: You Don’t Need to be an Expert to Build Your Personal Brand

By: Lynsey

Lynsey — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 15:52:34 +0000

Being a newly appointed marketing consultant for an up and coming blog, I really appreciate this post. Your final statement stood out to me like a hippo in an art museum: “Focus on being happy and helping others and I promise you will build a positive personal brand.”

Also, I’ve always said my only “unique” talent is touching my tongue to my nose, so it is a relief that this “talent” of mine does not necessarily have to be my “niche.” I really like the idea of branding with a focus on a characteristic instead of a subject.

Thanks for all of the helpful advice! I will certainly be reading more of your posts.

By: Asta Ratliff

Asta Ratliff — Wed, 06 Jan 2010 21:37:33 +0000

Jun,
Your section where you talk about that we do not have to focus on one topic just hit home with me. I had to create a blog for the class I am taking and I had (and still have) same frustrations that you are talking about. Thank you for sharing your experience with us, you give me hope that after few trials and errors I will be able to find my voice.

By: Kelly

Kelly — Sat, 22 Aug 2009 20:54:55 +0000

Hi Jun:

Thanks for this perspective on branding! I’m just starting to do some research on the topic and ultimately develop the best strategies for me. So far, I’ve been a bit overwhelmed at the notion of whittling the “Brand-Me” down to something narrowly focused given my diverse and broad blend of skill sets & interests!

So, I too like the simplicity of branding one’s value system primarily followed by the “oh by the way, I have this plethora of information I’d love to share, or put to work for you.”

Kelly / HR & Safety Manager

By: Marjorie Bostwick

Marjorie Bostwick — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 18:13:42 +0000

As I am stepping out in another area of business that doesn’t focus on my products, but more on service I will be blogging and writing to support my brand. But it is difficult to find that niche, when it seems like everyone is doing the same thing . I love talking about Politics, Religion, my children and business, but if I put it all in one spot I am afraid people will get lost. But it does make me more relaxed with reading this post.

By: Pankaj Dhepe

Pankaj Dhepe — Tue, 14 Apr 2009 12:38:53 +0000

Hi,

I joined ppmng recently where I read a blog about personal branding and there was a link to your blog. I must say that this sounded like a true and honest thought on personal branding. I am new to this blog world,and I never felt thAt it plays such a big role in career building. I think for career building, I may not use blogs much. Certainly to speak about something, to put forth my ideas, I will use it. I feel it’s like ownig your own editorial page in your news paper!

Thank you. Someone talks straight, and I like it.

Pankaj Dhepe
Software engr @ TATA consultancy services ltd.
NJ, USA

By: HRM Today - Blog Archive » You Don’t Need to be an Expert to Build Your Personal Brand

Mon, 23 Mar 2009 15:49:15 +0000

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By: Jamie Lee

Jamie Lee — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 14:48:36 +0000

I’m new to Dan’s blog, and first want to say that I really enjoyed this post and will be back for more. This is exactly the sort of information I needed to hear right now.
I love the idea of your brand focusing on a “characteristic.” I am working on a yet-to-be-launched blog (and more) project that doesn’t fit neatly into any specific niche. That was troubling me with all the folks our there pushing bloggers to get into the tightest possible niche available. I was so pleased to read Leo Babuta’s post on Write To Done about shattering the myth of the niche. Your post adds support and encouragement to think beyond “traditional” (if anything in social media is old enough to be considered “traditional”) wisdom.
I also really appreciate your call for authenticity. Too many people see “working the Web” as a tech/scientific/formula-based challenge. But, the truth is, the Web is made of of Real People. If you can’t connect with them in a genuine way, you are wasting their time, and yours.
Thanks for a great post. Looking forward to more.

By: Matt Cheuvront

Matt Cheuvront — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 13:51:54 +0000

“You don’t have to focus on one topic”

This was something that held me up time and time again in the past. I have been blogging on and off for several years now, and have taken several different approaches on what I want to focus on. Then, I realized, I don’t need to focus on one thing – I can focus on everything I’m passionate about and go from there. And now, I’ve developed into a much better writer because of it.

“You don’t have to comment on everyone’s blog”

You make a great point here, and I think we’ve all been in your shoes. Commenting on a girls blog about her new high heels just to drive a few folks back to your home-base. It may boost your analytics for a day, but CONNECTING with other bloggers on the web, ENGAGING the discussions they have taken all that time to write – that’s how you build networks, relationships, and dare I say, friendships.

“You don’t have to create a profile on every social network”

I’m probably signed up for more social networks than I even remember – but I have cut back and focused on devoting the majority of my time to a choice few – to work on networking, to meet new people, to establish new relationships and bonds, because in the end, that’s what these tools are all about.

By: yinka olaito

yinka olaito — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 10:15:58 +0000

Jun, thanks for the dimension of sincereity, honesty and openess. I always thought you must always say great thing nad add more value to the conversation before others can recognize your voice. Now I discover that even though that is great, sincerity is also a great factor.

By: John Hyde

John Hyde — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 22:48:33 +0000

This sentence resonated for me: ” Your ‘brand’ doesn’t have to be a subject, it can be a characteristic.” This reminds me of the advice Warren Bennis makes over and over again in “On Becoming a Leader.” A leader, he says, expresses himself or herself fully. The goal is not to become a leader, but to learn to express yourself as fully and completely as you possibly can. “As you also say, being genuine trumps everything else.” These are issues I also have thought about — and struggled with in my blog, especially here: http://tinyurl.com/c9ph34.