Let's Talk Branding

Let's Talk About Branding!

Branding has become kind of a buzz-word in the online community, and for good reason.

Whenever someone mentions a Click Funnel there is usually one name that is synonimous with the idea that pops into people's minds. And in all fairness, that is because the concept worked! An individual had an idea to help people, developed a niche market, and built a successful business around the niche. We should all be so successful if we work hard enough in my opinion.

So... What IS a Brand?

Well, according to investopedia.com:
A brand is an identifying symbol, mark, logo, name, word, and/or sentence that companies use to distinguish their product from others. A combination of one or more of those elements can be utilized to create a brand identity. Legal protection given to a brand name is called a trademark.

But personal branding is about honing your skill and being able to clearly identify and communicate what you're passionate about. What makes you tick. Your passion. Why you do what you do.

It's about developing yourself in such a way that people choose you as the only solution to the problem they face. And that, my friends, does not happen overnight.

When I was researching this topic initially I came across an interesting article on Google from Healthline. Obviously context is important when we are talking about words that can have multiple meanings, but consider irony in the following statement for a moment.

"Unlike tattoos that have can be removed with laser surgery or piercing holes that can heal, branding is permanent. Branding isn't a do-it-yourself, at-home activity. It's a painful process that should only be done by professionals in a sanitary environment who are trained in handling sterilized equipment."

YES! People Actually Brand Themselves...

LIKE CATTLE! YIKES!!!

Hey! Different Strokes for Different Folks...
But when I read this I had to laugh because I couldn't help but see the irony... Most people when they begin to build a business, will hire a branding professional to help them build an image around their business. This process involves logos, content, message, mission statement, and a whole host of other facets. Ultimately, it sets the stage for who you will be to the world as an Entrepreneur.

For most people, they don't want to do it themselves. It absolutely is a painful process that is very time consuming, and if not done properly can hurt your overall image as a Business Professional. Especially when it comes to online and social media marketing and advertisement. Simply because there are so many people trying to make a home-based business go! That is all the more reason to make sure that as Professional Affiliate Marketers, our branding is on-point!

Branding can be a complicated process, and it is best to research the do's and don'ts before you just jump in and start creating. Establishing your niche FIRST can help you immensely in building your overall brand!

So... Why Should You Brand Yourself?

Now, obviously we aren't talking about branding irons and blow torches anymore.

(just to set the context)

Personal Branding is one of the most important factors to building a successful business. It determines your unique value based proposition. How you will help people accomplish whatever it is that you are looking to help them accomplish.

It establishes the way that people will see you and your business. If it is done right, it will make people attracted to you, your business, and your product or service.

It will help you identify your audience,recognize your priorities, and identify your goals.

This is emensely important as an Entrepreneur.

And my favorite. Building your own brand will spark your creativity as you embark on your journey of personal and professional development.

Consider this logo for a moment.

Generally, this is a simple watermark to use for content like a signature.

My initials are I.R.

I have a niche in Health & Wellness with an emphasis on:

• Functional Neurology
• Exercise Physiology
  
• Performance Enhancement
• Fitness
• Rehabilitation
• Corrective Exercise
  
• Professional Education
• Expert Consulting
• Remote Video Consulting and Training
  
• Affiliate Marketing
• Brand Development
• Ambassadorship
• Product Representation
• and much more...
  

More than just selling workout equipment on a blog!

But you've probably never heard of me, even though I have worked (and work with) clients on multiple continents. My niche is so specific that most people wouldn't know what it was if they stumbled across it and one of my machines fell on their foot... Unless they are looking for solutions like what I provide.

I am not some rich Super Affiliate with a following of 1.3 million people and my own fleet of Lamborghinis.

Lamborghinis are nice by the way...

I am not a super-influencer who has a program that runs automatically with my own personal year-round vacation spot in Tahiti...

Though I hear it's beautiful this time of year...

No, I am an average guy who took some very hard knocks along the way and had to learn how to rebuild my life (literally from the ground up).

I am someone who had his whole world rocked! Lost a career that I took over a decade building. And had to find my own way when the world spat me out on the desert island of trying to find a way to support my family when I was denied total disability after my injury.

I am an Average Joe who didn't think that I had what it took to be in business for myself, and certainly didn't think that I had what it took to build a business online!

But, as I began to feel around in the pit and get my bearings, there were things that became clear to me. Yes, it seemed impossible at first. Every single task that I had to accomplish felt like another impossibility to me. Like stones to go on top of the coffin along with the nails for the lid that society seemed all to happy to drive in for me.

I'm not being morbid, and I'm definitely not playing the victim. I'm being REAL!

I gaurantee you there is someone out there right now who feels like they are in a pit of despair that they will never climb out of, and they are wondering what the heck they are going to do.

But it doesn't matter how deep your hole is, there is always light at the top. Even if it seems far off at the moment.

In my case, my calamity became my testimony. I couldn't find help so I helped myself.

More than just building a website or designing a logo to put on a splash page for a blog that I was trying to promote... Those things are skills that we learn, and while they are improtant, and have become part of my brand, it didn't start out that way. I had to fix my own problems before I could fix someone elses.

And with the skills that I have learned over the years, I have been able to successfully do just that. It all started with identifying my problem, finding a workable solution, deciding the best course of action, branding myself, and making it duplicatable.

Tools for Success

There are several things that everyone should learn about when building their own brand.

Base Skills for Brand Strategy

1. Gain experience in the industry you are passionate about.
2. Learn how to be successful with digital marketing.
3. Hone your copywriting skills and create a steady stream of content.
4. Learn some basic graphic design skills and how to shoot basic video.
5. Study the art of persuasion and basic human psychology
6. Learn about brand positioning in the marketplace and strategy for getting a leg-up on your competition.

Hard Work Pays Off!

It seems like a lot, but if you're really in it to win it then every feather in your cap will be a step out of the pit. The simple fact is, we all have to cut the rocks ourselves and start the climb.

Over the years, I have made lots of mistakes in my business. That is all part of the learning process. But as I built my brand, my little Health Club became a hustling and bustling Magic Kingdom, full of possibilities. And every hour spent sweating it out on the mat or in front of the laptop was an hour spent building my empire.

My logos became more streamlined.

My Brand began to develop a heartbeat, and before I knew it helping others had become second-nature.

Not All Heroes Wear Capes

When I think about how much my life has changed over the years, it is sometimes hard to fathom how far we have come. Now, I have never considered myself to be a hero by any means, but I would argue that whether or not we realize it, we are all a hero to someone in some way.

Whether it's your spouse, your kids, even one true fan...

We all have a story to write.

What is yours?

In Health,

- Ian