Personal Branding – Scam?
I’ve noticed a particular trend where many consultants and educational centers are trying to turn a dollar by promoting technology that they really don’t understand. With so many people looking for work or in fear of losing their current job, they are telling everyone that they need “branded”. Personal branding is the latest catch phrase. I think the last time the phrase was used, it was during slavery times and it wasn’t a good thing to have.
In short, personal branding is marketing yourself as an individual. The best examples are real estate agents. They really don’t have much to sell other than their self-image. Every realtor does the same thing in pretty much the same manner. The only difference is that some are known and trusted more than others. So what you end up with is a realtor’s photo from by-gone days next to every house for sale. They’re selling their looks and name to attract buyers to your house.
Personal branding “experts” are telling us that you need to utilize social networking websites to do the same no matter what business you are in. They want to either sell you a course on how to do this yourself or they want you to pay them to do it. All that you really have to do is read the website’s instructions and set up an account. Use some common sense to find out what you would like the world to know about you and keep your efforts current. Really, no course or consultant required.
Due to the fact that many personal branding experts lack the technical expertise, they bypass the fact that a personal website can do far more for you than any Facebook or Twitter setup could do. A low-cost WordPress installation that is well done will outperform them. You can use Facebook and Twitter to supplement your own website, but by no means should you really on websites that you have no control over to promote your “brand”.
With WordPress or any other content management system you choose, setting up your personal website becomes almost as easy as setting up a Facebook page. A personal website can be improved as your skills and time allow. You’re going to learn a few things in the process. This website will remain as long as you pay the $5/month hosting fees at a host like Lunarpages. As new fads in social networking evolve, you will always have a base website that will not need changed to keep pace.
Save your money and put up a personal website once rather than paying branding experts to set you up on Facebook. Your website has real value (a matter for another post) and will keep working for you for many years. Facebook, Twitter, and their twins will be old news while your website keeps gaining ground.
