Dr. Neil Hair

I've long since been interested in a little known area of branding otherwise known as 'the personal or self brand.' The importance of this area makes immediate sense – we spent all this time and energy promoting and designing brands for organizations, why not apply the theories to ourselves? One might muse, if you cant brand yourself, what hope do you have of branding another entity? Some thoughts on issues I've recently come across that need attention when considering the augmented 'self brand'.

1. People who don't yet have a personal web site. Buy your domain NOW. RIGHT NOW. $9 a month is not a lot of money and your site should form the portal of your own personal brand. Use this to supplement your vitae, your business card, your blog. Tell people about it!

That point you've probably come to realize already. Let's get more specific from here on in with a few things you probably haven't thought of regarding a close cousin.

2. Your email. If you are still using the default Times New Roman, font size 12, you need an immediate and prolonged course of self flagellation. The presentation of your email says as much about you as the content. Another word of advice, the jpeg or gif of your signature is so 1999. Get rid of it (lest you show those nice criminals how you sign your credit cards). Likewise the multi coloured email signature. Keep it simple, three colours MAXIMUM. As an old professor of mine once said to me – you're not applying for jobs in the circus Neil. One other thing, moving emails should be those whose only transit is towards the delete folder. Whilst your auntie might find them cute, people paying your day rate will not. Speaking of signatures, does yours contain all of today's relevant information? Think of it as a mini business card, is the email address spelled out? (people have been known to forward these on or print them off), is your site listed? telephone number and fax numbers come as standard, but what about the new industry standards of skype, AOL or MSNIM? Whilst people may never find the need to use them – they present a POSITIVE IMAGE – your ability to keep up with the times and as a member of the digerati. A further word of warning on signatures. The use of Quotes. I would rather forgo their use entirely then accept the damage associated with say the slightest offense a Winston Churchill quote might create. Your brand should be all about YOU (although I am particularly font of Winston's 'we'll fight them on the beaches' ). Save your quotes for after dinner chit chat.