Personal Branding in Sales: Establish Your Reputation, Sell YOU, and Be "Chasable"

Table of Contents

• Story of Personal Branding in Sales
• Valuing the Conversation and Framing the Offer
• Extending Your Personal Brand
• Implementing Personal Branding
• Conclusion
• FAQ

Watch my video on personal branding:

Story of Personal Branding in Sales

When I first started my career in the for-profit education industry, my main focus was selling programs to students. I thought that my job was simply to provide information about the programs, costs, and start dates. However, I soon realized that my true expertise lay in helping people with their careers and personal planning.

As I shifted my focus to becoming the go-to person for career change, I noticed a significant change in my business. People started referring others to me without me even asking. I was getting unsolicited referrals and non-competitive deals, which greatly helped me to grow my reputation and clientele.

Instead of just selling the product, I learned the power of selling the conversation. I started to approach sales as an opportunity to have meaningful discussions with people about their career goals and challenges. Even if they didn't end up buying from me, they appreciated the value of the conversation and often referred others to me.

To solidify my personal brand as the career change expert, I created a newsletter called "Career Caffeine" where I shared insights and advice on career planning. This helped establish me as the ultimate resource in the field, whether or not people were interested in my programs.

Through this experience, I learned that personal branding is essential in sales. It's about being known for something and building a reputation and following. Your personal brand should precede you when you enter a room, and it should communicate your unique value proposition.

To ensure the success of your personal brand, it's important to consistently embody and communicate it across all channels. This includes social media, face-to-face interactions, emails, and phone calls. Consistency is key in building trust and recognition among your audience.

Don't be afraid to polarize people with your personal brand. By being true to who you are and what you offer, you'll attract the right people who resonate with your message and repel those who don't. This will lead to more meaningful connections and ultimately, more business success.

Remember, personal branding is not just about selling a product or service. It's about selling yourself as a valuable resource and problem solver. By focusing on the conversation and providing genuine help to others, you can establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field.

Valuing the Conversation and Framing the Offer

Realizing the value of the conversation and offering it as a paid service can be a game-changer in personal branding sales. When we shift our perspective and see the conversation as a valuable resource, it transforms our energy and sales approach. Instead of focusing solely on selling a product or service, we shift our focus to providing genuine help and establishing ourselves as problem solvers.

Communicating the value of the conversation and framing it correctly is key. By highlighting the transformational power of our discussions and the insights and advice we offer, we can show potential clients that our conversations are worth paying for. We can position ourselves as experts who can provide clarity, direction, and support.

Getting paid for the conversation without explicitly charging can be a subtle yet effective approach. Instead of directly asking for payment, we can ask for introductions to others who would benefit from having a similar conversation. By reframing price issues and highlighting the additional value that comes from our conversations, we can position ourselves as a trusted authority and resource.

When it comes to personal branding sales, it's important to reframe the conversation and focus on the value we provide. By valuing the conversation and framing it correctly, we can attract the right people who resonate with our message and repel those who don't. This leads to more meaningful connections and ultimately, more business success.

So, remember, it's not just about selling a product or service. It's about selling yourself as a valuable resource and problem solver. By focusing on the conversation and providing genuine help to others, we can establish ourselves as trusted authorities in our field. Let's embrace the power of the conversation and the value it brings to our personal branding sales.

Extending Your Personal Brand

Building and maintaining a strong personal brand is essential in sales. It's not just about selling a product or service, but about establishing yourself as a valuable resource and problem solver. Here are some strategies to extend your personal brand:

Using a newsletter to establish expertise and become a resource

A great way to establish your expertise and become a go-to resource is by creating a newsletter. This allows you to share valuable insights and advice related to your field. By consistently delivering valuable content to your audience, you can position yourself as an expert and build trust with your readers.

Being known for something beyond your immediate product or service

While it's important to excel at selling your product or service, it's equally important to be known for something beyond that. Identify what unique value you bring to the table and focus on establishing yourself as an authority in that area. This could be a specific skill set, industry knowledge, or a particular problem-solving approach. By positioning yourself as more than just a salesperson, you can attract a wider audience and gain a competitive edge.

Creating a reputation that precedes you

Your personal brand should be so strong that it precedes you when you enter a room. This means that even before meeting you, people should have a clear understanding of who you are and what you offer. To achieve this, consistently embody and communicate your personal brand across all platforms and interactions. Whether it's through social media, face-to-face meetings, emails, or phone calls, ensure that your personal brand is consistent and resonates with your target audience.

Testing your personal brand through introductions

A great way to test the effectiveness of your personal brand is by asking others how they would introduce you to someone new. If their response aligns with how you want to be known, then you've successfully established your personal brand. However, if their response doesn't match your desired brand, it's an opportunity to refine and clarify your messaging. Continuously seek feedback and make adjustments as needed to ensure that your personal brand accurately represents who you are and what you offer.

Building a following and a process around your personal brand

Once you have established your personal brand, focus on building a following of like-minded individuals who resonate with your message and values. Engage with your audience through regular content creation, networking events, and online communities. Additionally, develop a process around your personal brand to ensure consistency and effectiveness. This could involve creating a content calendar, setting specific goals, and regularly evaluating the impact of your personal brand on your sales efforts.

Remember, personal branding is not a one-time task, but an ongoing process. It requires dedication, consistency, and a genuine desire to provide value to others. By extending your personal brand, you can establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field and fuel your sales success.

Implementing Personal Branding

Implementing personal branding is crucial in sales to establish your reputation and build a following. Here are some key points to consider:

Identifying who you want to be known as

Start by determining how you want to be perceived and what unique value you bring to the table. Whether it's a specific skill set, industry knowledge, or problem-solving approach, focus on establishing yourself as an authority in that area.

Jumping into your desired personal brand quickly and consistently

Once you've identified who you want to be known as, it's important to embody that personal brand as quickly as possible. Be consistent in all your communications, whether it's through social media, face-to-face interactions, emails, or phone calls. This consistency will help build trust and recognition among your audience.

Maintaining consistency across all channels of communication

Ensure that your personal brand is consistent across all platforms and interactions. This means that your personal brand should precede you when you enter a room. By consistently embodying and communicating your personal brand, people will have a clear understanding of who you are and what you offer.

Seeking feedback to ensure your personal brand aligns with perception

Regularly seek feedback from others to ensure that your personal brand accurately represents who you are and what you offer. Ask people how they would introduce you to someone new and make adjustments as needed. Continuously refining and clarifying your messaging will help align your personal brand with how you want to be known.

Embracing the potential of pushing some people away with your brand

Don't be afraid to polarize people with your personal brand. By being true to who you are and what you offer, you'll attract the right people who resonate with your message and repel those who don't. This will lead to more meaningful connections and ultimately, more business success.

Implementing personal branding is an ongoing process that requires dedication, consistency, and a genuine desire to provide value to others. By identifying who you want to be known as, embodying your personal brand quickly and consistently, maintaining consistency across all channels of communication, seeking feedback, and embracing the potential of pushing some people away, you can establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field and fuel your sales success.

Become Known...

Personal branding is crucial in sales as it allows you to establish your reputation and build a following. By being known for something and communicating your unique value proposition, you can make a lasting impact on your audience and drive referrals. The power of personal branding lies in the ability to have meaningful conversations with people, whether or not they end up buying from you. By providing genuine help and valuable insights, you can position yourself as a trusted authority and problem solver.

To effectively implement personal branding, it's important to consistently embody and communicate your personal brand across all channels of communication. This includes social media, face-to-face interactions, emails, and phone calls. Maintaining consistency in your messaging and being true to yourself will attract the right people who resonate with your message and repel those who don't.

Creating a strong personal brand goes beyond selling a product or service. It's about selling yourself as a valuable resource and problem solver. By valuing the conversation, effectively framing your offer, extending your personal brand, and implementing personal branding strategies, you can establish yourself as a trusted authority in your field and achieve greater business success.

FAQ

Here are some frequently asked questions about personal branding in sales:

What is personal branding in sales?

Personal branding in sales refers to the process of establishing and promoting your reputation and unique value proposition in order to build a following and attract customers. It involves being known for something and communicating your expertise and value to potential clients.

How can personal branding help drive sales and referrals?

Personal branding can drive sales and referrals by establishing trust and recognition among your audience. When you are known for something and have a strong personal brand, people will be more likely to refer others to you and choose to do business with you. It also helps you stand out from competitors and position yourself as a trusted authority in your field.

What are some strategies to establish and maintain a personal brand?

Some strategies to establish and maintain a personal brand in sales include:

• Identifying what you want to be known for and what unique value you bring to the table
• Consistently embodying and communicating your personal brand across all channels of communication
• Using a newsletter or other content creation to establish expertise and become a valuable resource
• Being known for something beyond your immediate product or service
• Creating a reputation that precedes you when you enter a room
• Testing your personal brand through introductions and seeking feedback from others
• Building a following and a process around your personal brand

Can personal branding be applied to different industries?

Yes, personal branding can be applied to any industry. It's about establishing your reputation and unique value proposition, regardless of the products or services you offer. Whether you're in education, consulting, healthcare, or any other field, personal branding can help you attract clients and stand out from the competition.

Why is it important to test and seek feedback on your personal brand?

It is important to test and seek feedback on your personal brand to ensure that it accurately represents who you are and what you offer. By asking others how they would introduce you to someone new, you can gauge if your personal brand aligns with how you want to be known. Continuously refining and clarifying your messaging based on feedback will help you establish a strong and effective personal brand.