You know the value of your investments. What is the value of your personal brand? It’s somewhat difficult to always control your investments due to outside forces, but controlling your brand is in your hands. As a salesperson, the value you garner from your personal brand is priceless.
“Personal branding is the process of developing a 'mark' that is created around your personal name or your career. You use this 'mark' to express and communicate your skills, personality and values. The end goal is that the personal brand you develop will build your reputation and help you grow your network in a way that interests others. They will seek you out for your knowledge and expertise." — Laura Lake, Marketing Expert
If you haven’t developed your brand, the time to start is now. Creating your branding statement will go a long way in standing out from a rather large crowd of salespeople who don’t understand the value of marketing themselves to prospects. Start by putting your unique value proposition in no more than two sentences. Companies do this all the time. The Center for Sales Strategy brands itself by stating “Turning Talent into Performance."
Start by creating a list of several business attributes that you have honed and are recognized for. Are you a member of local chambers of commerce where you actively participate? Have you spoken at chamber or other events? What other organizations do you belong to? Do you do volunteer work? Is your LinkedIn profile professional, up-to-date and reflective of your brand?
Think about developing a Personal Marketing Resume, which is all about you. Get as creative as you want in the layout. Make a brochure that you can send to prospects that reflect your areas of expertise as well as what it’s like to do business with you. Let people know how you help your clients.
The goal is to demonstrate your value to others. Truly believing in your brand along with your company’s brand allows you to speak confidently with prospects and clients. Sales is a total transfer of confidence. If you’re not confident in what you’re saying to a client, why should they.
We frequently say that we are striving to be a success. Interestingly enough, Albert Einstein said “Strive not to be a success, but rather to be of value."
