Comments on: Personal Branding – and why you don’t need it.

By: Christy

Christy — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 22:56:12 +0000

If you look at “personal branding” in the same vein as someone labeling themself a “social media guru”, I agree with your point. The lingo can sometimes get a little out of hand. I believe that the concept of personal branding is a sound one, though. You can’t get away from the fact that whatever you’re trying to accomplish online has a lot to do with YOU as a person…or your “brand”.

Semantics.

By: Chris Perry

Chris Perry — Sat, 06 Jun 2009 02:47:50 +0000

I respect your argument here.

Personal branding has been itself branded by several “experts” to be almost solely what you do online and on social media networks to present yourself to others.

So, I do agree that “personal branding” as it has been portrayed is a fad. However, personal branding in its true form is more than what you do online. It starts with who YOU are and what unique and differentiating value you bring to the table. It continues with how you communicate that value and how you back it up with your actions and accomplishments.

We all have personal brands and should identify them so to optimize our career search and development efforts.

By: admin

admin — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:59:45 +0000

I agree. Reputation management is huge. One way of managing that reputation is to make sure if something “unsavory” gets out there, to be sure you’re putting the “real you” out there as well.

You can’t undo the past, but as you said, getting out there in a virtual way will help people make an informed judgment about you – because they’re going to judge one way or the other whether you like it or not.

So that’s interesting: Personal Branding vs. Reputation Management. Maybe a good title for my next post!

By: Max Pool

Max Pool — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 17:45:24 +0000

Good article but let me play counter point…

I do agree that people should not be so wrapped up in building a personal brand; however, with information so highly visible people do need to realize the implications of being digital extraverts.

Let me give you a concrete example, I know a girl who now has a difficult time finding employment because when people Google her name the first result is an old website when she used to throw “passion parties” (read, tupperware parties only with sex toys).

In short, I agree that personal brand building is sort of worthless; however, reputation management is more in need than ever.