Branding YOU First

People were often told “Don’t talk about yourself,” growing up in my parents’ generation. It was virtuous to be somewhat self-deprecating.  Then along came the “me” generation, where we endured people who seemed self-indulged and ego driven.  Now, we’re beating the drum about YOU.  What’s really going on? Why YOU First? 

The truth is that it’s never been about the product and it never will be. It’s still about relationship building, and the internet makes that skill an even more important one today.  My true intention is to attract a warm market, though I use what some might call the “cold” items of the internet and voice broadcasting for attracting prospects.  Prospects...yes, those people who call me, wanting my product and/or coaching and consulting, and begging to be on my team.

Social networks have become our connection point in this electronic age. Go back in time and there were people sitting in chairs gathered around listening to the radio.  The past generation sat spell bound in front of the TV, passively watching.  Welcome to Web 2.0.  As Mike Dillard and Perry Belcher have pointed out, the younger generation, ages 16-35, spend more than three hours a day interacting with people on the internet through social networks such as YouTube, My Space, Face Book, and Twitter.   Business people are flocking to those in addition to Plaxo, LinkdIn, and, of course, Better Networker. 

The YOU in branding is important because all of us want to feel like we know the people behind the keyboards.  This means we must create a way of branding ourselves so that people feel as if they truly know who we are, like they are dropping by our house to say hello.  People still want to have that deeper and more authentic connection with one another, while enjoying the benefits the internet provides, whether that be with delivery of services and/or products, or meeting people.  If that were not true, social networks would not be all the rage. One of the best ways to do that is video, as it creates an emotional connection with folks.  It is clear that these social networks are not only here to stay, but will continue to be the portal of choice for connection with people in the future.
 
Attracting, versus chasing, prospects is further emphasized by developing a blueprint that begins with this topic of Self Branding, leading to Expert Status (blogging, article writing, commenting through forums), leading to Prospects (customizable and brandable attracton marketing system), leading to Ultimate Streams of Income (multiple income streams create a big vision plan), leading to Financial Freedom. The continuous cycle moves you to higher and higher levels of development in your business.  Development of multiple websites beneath each category must fit into a long-term vision plan, and creates the following:

                                                 MILLIONAIRE GPS SUCCESS MODEL

Attracting prospects, utilizing the Millionaire GPS Success Model, happens through creating a buzz. I call it the I Buzz Plus approach. It keys on four key ingredients:

·    Voice broadcasting +
·    A branded, personalized, attraction marketing system +
·    Viral Video - Digital rules …Video connects emotionally (new Flip Video MinoHD Camcorder is  great, although I use the Canon G-9) +
·    Social Marketing

Avoid having people automatically turn off when they hear “what you do” because they feel like they are being “pitched.”  Their negative perception keeps them from hearing.  It is the same thing that happens when people become agitated with another person and their heart rate goes above 100 beats per minute.  Physical sensations happen where people literally don’t hear what you are saying.  In the case of information overload and negative perception, they don’t hear because they have subconsciously tuned you out for self preservation.  

The self-branded YOU needs to be ready to train prospects for your business, whether they are purchasing your product or joining your team.  How?  Recognize that the Information Age has become a dinosaur and people feel overwhelmed. Become the expert through self branding and you will prove to others that you can see when they can't because they are stuck in the mud, blinded by a forest of information that can only be cut through with a machete of clear thinking.

There has been a  shift in the world-wide economy.  Traditional jobs and businesses are going to continue to decline and Age of Influence businesses are going to explode.  Let's not make this bad… it is a much needed transformation of business models, clarifying and offering choice as we move through chaos.

Understand that you need permission from no one to move forward.  You’re  positioned to increase your SQ (Success Quotient). More importantly, you won't be doing it alone, because you'll empower others to do the same.  If you want to succeed, you must move people into your naturally evolving funnel through Age of Influence marketing.  When that happens, individuals and entire groups so believe in your product and what you are doing that they recommend it...and they beg to join your team.  This is the true strength of the Millionaire GPS Success Model and why it will blossom in today’s economy.

Let’s all pay it forward, celebrating that that we are all connected and that there are enough resources for all of us to win and be extraordinarily successful.  If you've found yourself saying, on more than one occasion, "There's GOT to be a better way," you are at the right place at the right time. Jump on board and increase your SQ and be prepared too turbo-charge your buiness in 2009.