This past weekend I had the opportunity to attend
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Brand Camp University -
Personal Branding 2.0. It was an awesome event! Branding and marketing experts converged on
Lawrence Technological University in Michigan and downloaded a wealth of information. I thought I'd share a few nuggets with you. First, branding is not just for entrepreneurs and corporations. In his book BrandYu Life, Hajj Flemings, (Founder of Brandcamp University), states that each of us has a brand. Branding is simply what we are known for, what people think of when they see or hear about us. Branding is the image portrayed.
The lineup of speakers was awesome and I walked away with a lot more information than I could possibly share here, but have outliined a few helpful points for the individual or entrepreneur wanting to maximize their BRAND using Social Media such as Blogging, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Ning sites, etc.
Hajj Flemings,
Author of BrandYu Life - There's a genius in you! You're just as smart as the next guy, if not smarter. Don't worry about what others are doing, thinking you won't have significance - you will!!! Get your GRUSTLE on!!!! Grind + Hustle = Grustle
Work your day job (GRIND), but tap into a talent or a dream and work that too (HUSTLE)
Mitch Joel, Author of Six Pixels of Separation - Be authentic. No need to copy anyone else and with social media(facebook, twitter, blogs, etc.) you'll be found out a lot quicker. Find the real you – your value goals and beliefs – live in authenticity. Stick to what you are passionate about - it will propel you further. One point Mitch made that resonated with me was TALK TO STRANGERS! I have met so many cool, interesting people just by striking up a conversation and you can too. You never know who it is you are standing next to and if possibly you all can help each other at some point.
Rohit Bhargava,
Author of Personality NOT Included - Gave excellent insight into the process of book writing. He also shared how he was able to get Guy Kawasaki, who does not write book forwards, to write his!
He discussed how the book idea came from sharing a random coffee with a random person and ended up leading to one of the major successes in his life. (Back to talking to strangers)
Rohit adamantly encouraged us to not limit ourselves because we are afraid of what others will say and to find our twist, what's different about you or your business and what you offer. Good Stuff!
Ken Brown,
Author of A Leap of Faith - I've heard Ken speak several times and each time he brings so much energy you are ready to conquer the world!!!! He said he travels the world setting people on fire and that's exactly what he did at Brand Camp! Ken shared how his parents began having children as young teenagers and although their family lived in poverty, they would not let their children have a poverty state of mind. All five of their children finished college. He encouraged us to have passion - vision - purpose. To know our WHY and write our own story, create our own Personal Brand.
Scott Monty is the head of Social Media Marketing at Ford Motor Company. He spoke about using social media to market your business. Several useful tips he shared:
- Have a blog
- Find forums and blogs that people in your industry write or comment on and join the community.
- Each time you post to a forum or blog, be sure to leave your signature line w/company website, etc.
- My tip here: Don't make your signature line too long - name, email, maybe phone - If you add your entire biz card people will roll their eyes and keep moving.
April Holmes, World's Fastest Amputee, WOW ... is one way to describe April Holmes and it would not be enough. April had been running since she was five years old, but in 2001 she was in a train accident that caused her to lose her leg. While she was recovering, a doctor gave her a booklet on the Paralympics. She shared a video detailing her journey to the 2008 Beijing Olympics and winning the Gold that was truly inspiring. It was difficult to keep a dry eye. THEN she passed around her Olympic Gold Medal, telling each of us we can have our own gold medal, whatever that may be for us. She told us to take a picture with hers so we would never forget that.
April's Website:
http://www.aprilholmes.com/ - check out videos and pics
Valeria Maltoni – Marketing Blogger for Fast Company Magazine - Told us we should all have a Personal Board of Directors as suggested in Jim Collin's book 'Good To Great'. She also shared ways to connect to new prospects by evaluating:
- Who you know
- What they are looking for
- Where to connect (online, networking events, etc)
- When to follow up
- Why they should talk to you
Valeria pointed out that professional associations and groups were great to be involved in, but don't stop there. Building relationships online allows you to have one on one conversations as opposed to competing with others in a room full of people. This gives you a greater chance of getting the job or the client.
Visit:
http://www.conversationagent.com/
Bob Fish aka Biggby Bob! Owner of Biggby Coffee Shops, shared with us a case study of how Biggby came about. It was very interesting to see how he's grown from the initial coffee shop in Lansing, Michigan to build a franchise.
"If you want money you go get it with conviction" – Bob went to 9 banks before being approved for a loan. He didn't have all the answers before starting Biggby Coffee, but had conviction. He didn't know how much money he really needed and his biggest challenge was running out of money. He had to get rid of cars, catch rides, and couldn't pay his mortgage in the beginning. Key point - conviction is convincing – your authenticity and passion speaks volumes and will lead to success. He eventually gave up his office (literally) to go on the road and interact with customers and employees.
Biggby Bob Mission: Every customer leaves the store in a better mood than when they arrive.
http://www.biggbybob.com/
Resources:
Check out this link for books recommended by the various speakers:
http://bit.ly/aSuGs
The common theme from each speaker was to be you, be authentic and go after your passion. My summary does not do this event justice, but check out the speakers and the suggested resources. They are sure to help you maneuver building your brand (be it personal or business) in a social media atmosphere!
Last Thursday, I celebrated being a Featured Financial Allstar in Black Enterprise Magazine. We filled Java Exchange Cafe in Detroit's Midtown and had a wonderful time! A big THANK YOU to everyone who came out to celebrate with me or sent words of congrats via phone, email, twitter, facebook, linkedin, etc....lol! 
