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The Truth About You, Inc. *Warning: This May Ruffle Some Feathers*
Since I’m an attorney (in addition to being an internet network marketer), I’m pretty used to taking stands on controversial topics, and from what I’ve seen recently, discussing You, Inc. is one such topic. It seems everyone and their uncle has an opinion about this! (Me included!)
- - Should a beginner bill themselves as an “Expert” when they begin building their business?
- - Is it appropriate to call yourself an “Expert”?
- - Should you brand yourself?
- - Should you promote yourself?
- - If so, how can you even do that when you’re a total newbie?
Some say beginners can’t build You, Inc. because they haven’t “earned” that right (i.e, they don’t have a massive downline, haven’t made X amount of money, don’t have a list of 20,000,etc.).
I think that all of those pre-requisites are a bunch of bologna espoused by people trying to build themselves up as part of some elitist echelon of “gurus” or “wannabe gurus” while keeping others down. It's very discouraging to people who are trying to make an honest “go” at achieving success after realizing the wisdom in building “You, Inc.” instead of their company/product.
And after all, isn’t the whole purpose of being a leader in this industry to help as many people as possible achieve their dreams?
For the life of me, I can’t figure out how telling someone they haven’t “earned” the right to brand themselves or call themselves an ”expert” on a particular subject or build You, Inc. is helping ANYONE achieve their dreams!
It would be like me, sitting in my office, thinking to myself “I’m an attorney, so therefore anyone who has fewer undergraduate/graduate degrees, can't possibly have anything of value to offer me…” Holy Moley- that’s absurd! 
Not surprisingly, I get pretty annoyed when I read things in the forums that insinuate that people don't have or can't have value if they don’t have X number of people in their downline or $X in residual income! How disappointed am I that these folks feel the need to minimize a person’s value?!?!
I firmly believe that people bring value to the marketplace in all shapes and sizes. What’s valuable to one person isn’t necessarily valuable to the next.
To the beginners here- YOU absolutely and 100% have VALUE to offer to people. Ignore anyone who says otherwise! They key is cultivating and appropriately marketing your unique value to your target market.
Sorry! Like I said, I’m not afraid to speak my mind when I believe passionately in something! 
In fact, I believe SO strongly in the importance of building your brand from the very beginning due to the massive mistake that caused me to go underground for a while (article HERE), that I’ve decided to make this my primary mission. I'm now laser focused on helping beginners discover their online identity and assist them in branding themselves, so that they can thrive online in whatever venture they are pursuing- direct sales, MLM, their own product/service...
I’ll be providing insight on the personal development skills necessary to determine what your “identity” is, along with the marketing skills of HOW to go about actually branding yourself (and how not to brand yourself)
So, having addressed the big debate, here are 5 quick tips on how a beginner can brand themselves.
1. Reflect on Skills You’ve Acquired Before Coming Online. Everyone's experienced some form of success or achieved a goal in their life. Think about how you achieved that goal.
- What skills did you use?
- What mindset did you have?
- Can you utilize those skills online to help others achieve their goals?
For example, back in 2005 when Hurricane Katrina hit, a college friend and I decided to collect 10,000 stuffed animals for the youngest victims of the Hurricane. Long story short (the whole one is here), while working full-time at our jobs, we created an International stuffed animal drive, were able to collect and deliver 10,000 stuffed animals to the Coast victims and garner attention from the Washington Post and National Geographic for Kids in a matter of a few months!
How?
I branded myself appropriately, and through that, I was able to earn the confidence of large and small businesses, non-profits, churches and schools from around the county (and even some folks overseas!). In fact, while at No Excuses in Las Vegas, I had the epiphany that that’s the unique skill that I had before I came online- and that’s why I’ve decided to use that skill to help others achieve their goals through personal branding. So, enough about me!
- What’s your unique skill?
- What’s your X Factor that sets you apart from others?
- Or, to get uber-marketing technical- what’s your USP (Unique Selling Proposition)?
2. Pick an area and read up on it like crazy!
Mike Dillard spoke about this at the No Excuses and on several other occasions over the years- and he’s got a great point! Pick an area (it can either be a skill from #1 OR something totally different) and read up on it. Then, implement what you learn.
For example, let’s say that you decide that you love Facebook. Purchase some products on the topic and then share what you’ve learned. If you read several books on any given topic- you’ll know more than the majority of other folks. If you implement what you learn, and start generating some results (5 leads/ 50,000 leads it doesn’t matter) share it with others! In my opinion, I think that qualifies you as an expert.
3. Celebrate and Promote Small Successes.
You don’t need to make $20 Grand a month or generate 2000 leads in a day to promote your successes. If you’ve generated 5 leads online or personally sponsored 1 person online- you’ve done more than probably 75% of the people in the online network marketing community.
I can pretty much guarantee you, someone will be interested in reading about how you sponsored someone in the business using online tactics. The secret is in how you promote that small success while keeping in mind #4 below. I’ll be getting into how to do this in upcoming articles!
In my experience, by promoting a small success, you’ll garner another small success. Lump those together, and you’ll get another success. It’s the “Success Snowball” as I like to call it.
4. Be Authentic.
I can’t stress the importance of being authentic. People can smell a phony a mile away.
Be YOURSELF and for the love of Pete DON’T USE HYPE.
Like I said, you seriously don’t need 2000 leads or make 6 figures to attract people’s interest. I attracted plenty of people with far less success under my belt without ever using ANY hype. Your reputation is everything in this industry. Tarnish it out of the gate by being a hype monger, and you’re going to have a tough row to hoe! Being honest goes a LONG way in building rapport with your readers, prospects and team members. In the end- that's what'll help you sell whatever it is that you're selling!
5. Quit Trying to Be Perfect.
Look, you don’t have to have the perfect fully-coordinated website/YouTube/Facebook page to start branding yourself. That’s icing on the cake. It’s far more important to get out there and start sharing your skill or techniques with others through forums, blog posts, videos, a free ebook- whatever method you choose.
So, those are my thoughts in a nutshell. I’m going to be going into much more detail on these topics and others related to personal branding in the future.
Sorry if I ruffled any feathers, but I believe with all of my heart that it’s never too early for people to start thinking about and beginning to build their unique brand. I believe in the power of personal branding. I’ve personally experienced just how powerful it can be and how it can literally change lives (yours and those around you).
And besides-I think it’s the only way that you can withstand the fallout when your company changes its comp plan, your upline heads for greener pastures, or you get an incurable rash from your company’s magic juice and decide to find a new opp! 
To the Top,
PS: Like This? Want More? Go Here Now
About the Author: Natasha Nassar
Member Since: 03/10/2008
I'm a Distributor For:: PRO U
Other Company: Fast Forward Marketing, LLC
Industry: Communications and Networking
Primary Web Site: http://www.NatashaNassar.com
Let The Truth Be Told!
This is really a great article Natasha. Your passion certainly shines through.
I don't think it's about ruffling any feathers - it goes about the truth! Every day there are thousands of newcomers to the home business industry, most of them are seeking fame & fortune online.
Most of them are being milked by ruthless "guru's" who have somehow managed to brand themselves as the masters of the home business universe & are now hyping their own worthless products to ensure sales to unsuspecting newcomers who are desperately looking for guidance.
You keep these articles coming - I for one will keep reading them.
I find it interesting that this article has had 48 views & mine is the first comment. Can it be that you have hit home so hard that the "experts" are hanging their heads in shame?
Stay inspired!
Michael
RE: Let The Truth Be Told
Michael-
Thank you SO very much for your kind words. Glad that I was able to convey just how much this topic means to me. Way back when, when I first read about "You, Inc" from Mike Dillard, it was a life changing ephiphany for me.
There are so many lives that can be changed by the structure of our industry, and if I can help even just the teensiest number of people increase their odds for success by encouraging them to build their brand- that's what I want to do!
All the best!
Natasha
Thank you for the encouragement!
It was a pleasure to read your article Natasha. I know that I, like many new to the industry are often overwhelmed with the massive quantity of 'experts', those who obviously are much further along the path than we. It is daunting to project our newbie selves into this elite mix! LOL...
I was at No Excuses also, I'm disappointed I didn't have the opportunity to meet you, but I look forward to hearing more from you here.
To our success!
Patti
Thanks!
Patti-
Oh, I'm so sorry that we didn't get to meet! :( Hopefully you'll be at NES 2 next year!
Definitely stay tuned for lots of information from me on how you can effectively and genuinely project yourself online. Make sure to bookmark my blog or subscribe to my list to get the articles as soon as they come out. http://www.NatashaNassar.com
I'm certain that you've got some value to offer even as a "newbie"- we just have to work on discovering what that is, cultivate it and then market it!
See You At The Top Patti!
Natasha
I've Said it Before!
Thanks Natasha!
I've been disappointed by reading the same things where people tried to limit someone's ability to be a leader without some level of monetary success, and after initially having started on Mike Dillard's Magnetic Sponsoring and learning about personal branding, it was certainly a confusing set of opinions to be faced with, especially here!
So since then I've written more than a couple of posts on it, and thanks for saying that everyone certainly does have something to offer! And moreover, people who HAVE accomplished a lot CAN learn something from someone starting out!
I've been in software engineering (besides my network marketing) for 22 years now, and I can definitely say that it does not threaten my expertise but enhances it to learn a thing or two from the newbies around!
Thanks for being a proponent of those who come here freshly bruised from the old school methods, and uplifting them with good common sense!
Wishing You Brilliant Success!
Vicki
You're Right!
Vicki,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience. You're absolutely right that we can learn a thing or two from the "newbies". My goodness! They have their own life experiences that brought them to where they are now. There's a wealth of information that they can offer. : )
See you at the Top!
Natasha
I Totally Agree
Hi Natasha,
what you're writing, needed to be said. Working on Facebook for example used to be a real test for my self-confidence when being confronted with all these over-hyped record news. I solved the problem by consistently following my recipe - similar to yours, for example by celebrating the tiniest successes - and leaving some of these FB groups. Is it really attraction marketing if I get 30 identical over-hyped group messages a day ? I don't think so.
Thanks for sharing your insights !
Take care
Oliver
YES!
Everyone has something of value to share, and sometimes the beginner can convey things more understandably than the "expert" who doesn't remember what it is like to be green. Thanks for a thought-provoking post.
Regards,
Laurie
Re: I totally agree
Oliver-
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I sat quietly for a while and watched the bantering going back and forth, but decided SOMEONE needed to say what I know a ton of people were thinking. Most importantly, beginners NEED to know that there are tons of "veterans" that believe in them and appreciate the value that they have to offer.
You know, I really thought that some of the people who were so willing to lay into others regarding branding on the forums would step up and explain themselves. Either they have seen the error of their ways (I hope!) OR don't like the fact that I just blew their cover :0
Stay tuned, I've got a pretty exciting article that I'm working on that I'll be posting this weekend for those working on identifying their "brand"
Re: Yes!
Laurie-
Thank YOU for sharing your thoughts!
Natasha
Validating You, Inc
Great thread!
Keeping in mind that the ratios are pretty consistent, 97% are struggling or failing even in this community, you have to deduce that any detractors from "You, Inc" are simply trying to pull others down to their level.
If you are spending time at BN and "putting one foot in front of the other" in your business then you are already in a very elite group of human-kind who are not willing to march like ants through life and, as Jeffrey Combs says, arrive safely at your grave.
I'm not a big fan of title of "Expert" unless it is coming back to the individual from those being served. A person who proclaims themselves an expert is tacitly admitting that they have become static in the learning process.
A leader effectively builds the belief and confidence of others.
Your advice is excellent in coaching each of us to look at our triumphs and successes as well as drilling in on that skill and sharing it with others.
Again, great job.
Awesome and Meaty Input!
Thank you for this input! Your points have caused me to actually think of skills that I have that previously I didn't think applied to marketing. I'm a practicing RN as well as a part-time Biology instructor to homeschooled high-schoolers. I realize that on some level I have touched their lives. While reading your post, I remember two students who went out of their way to share what my instruction during their school years has meant to them. I didn't receive any glowing accolades but I had the sense that my talents help shape the adult-hood of these growing teens. So again, Thank you for this post!
Re: Validating You, Inc
Tom-
Great comments. You know, I do like your view of the "expert" title with respect to allowing others to dub you as the expert. Social proof is VERY powerful!
Natasha
with a bow :-)
Thank you for such enlightening information. I believe that each small success makes an individual an "expert" at that small success. This is now a great platform to help another person who is just starting after you.
Getting "YOU Inc" out there requires some time, dedication, effort, and persistence. When you have success at even creating your own site, blog, and agenda, then you can help another person. That person looks for your suggestions,because you have experience in what works and doesn't work for that particular task.
Well said, and Thank YOU!
Smooches <3
Great Argument, Counselor!
If I were a judge, I'd say you've certainly won this case. All of the points you make are spot on. But, in my opinion, the best thing is to just GET STARTED. That seems to be the hardest part. Once you've written your first article, or done your first video, your natural personality comes through, and THAT is what attracts people first.
Case closed!
You are the only Expert on You
I agree that you need to start building yourself as a brand from the start. It is a whole lot easier than trying to catch up later. Everybody is an expert in something and brings something useful to the table, otherwise nobody would have recruited you onto their team in the first place.
Wow!
Thank you all so very much for all of your comments!
Michaela- Right on about the time commitment- but it's totally worth it, right?
Shecky- The counselor agrees with you 100%. If there is anything that is more disheartening than hearing negativity about a beginner's ability to offer value, it's hearing how people are stuck in analysis paralysis and won't get started. Hmmm thinking that may be the subject of another post :)
Wayne- Totally agree with you that it's a lot easier to build your brand from the beginning! I know from personal experience- tied my brand to my company, got burned badly, caused me to leave the industry for over a year...Wouldn't wish my experience on anyone! ; )
Nailed It!
Thank you Natasha for totally pinpointing what it means to build a You, Inc. Too many of us (me for one) feel like we have to be perfect and know everything! You're totally right...we don't need to be perfect and we only need to know at least one thing. =)
I'm looking forward to reading more...
Stacia Hopkins
http://thinkandgrowyourmlm.com
Thank-you
Great post. Being relatively new to this game you hit a lot of issues that I struggle with. Your methodical approach is great. You have helped a lot. Thanks again
Wow, I'm glad somebody said this!
And thank you, Natasha for saying it. EVERYBODY has something of VALUE they can give to others. And that's the whole point of creating You, Inc. Not how many reps you've sponsored or how much money you've made. Sure, we're all trying to make more money, but the way to do that is to help more people. You help people by giving out the things of value you have.
Dr. Dick
Great Article
I, for one, would love to read more. I need to know how to brand myself. What does You.Inc mean? I understand that I need something that people will think of me when they think of one particular thing. But does it also mean branding or inc. my actual name? I am a little confused on this point.
I would love help branding me. I am trying to set up a website, a blog and a FB fan page. I think I am spreading myself a little thin trying to do all this at one time. Which one of those is the first thing I should work on ?
Can't wait for the next post.
I Applaud You!
Natasha, I applaud your topic, the way you presented it and for showing passion in sharing it!
Very informative and useful information for All of us! New people, or struggling people in mlm need this kind of boost to encourage them. I agree totally, we don't need to know Everything, we just need to know where to point and who to go to for information. Henry Ford didn't know everything about cars or engines. He knew who to hire with that expert knowledge and went to them when he wanted information!
Personal Development is Key and it takes time, people want to be an overnight success, not realizing it's a learning process that takes time to develop. People develop at their own rate, but by staying in the game, they will develop.
Kudos!
Bev Bojarski
Young Entrepreneur with Big Dreams
Thank Natasha for your encouraging topic. Lets not forget that the "gurus" had to start from square one too!
Perfect! Inspiration for us all...
...no matter where we are on our path. Thank you, Natasha, for taking the time to remind us of the fact that we ALL have light to shed, ideas to share, and value to impart. And... utilizing the new technologies has certainly made the process much, much easier! :-D
Have You Seen My Latest Challenge?
For those of you who are looking for help branding yourself- today I launched a little contest on Better Networker. Here's the link:
http://www.betternetworker.com/articles/view/personal-development/whats-...
PS the top 3 winners get a personal coaching session with me- so check it out ; )
EXCELLENT => and Here's One Reason W-H-Y!
Hi Natasha:
Thank you for this EXCELLENT article - it will help a LOT of people in the Home Business industry!
YOU, Inc - I was captivated by how 'encouraging' you were - especially to newer entrepreneurs - and how clearly you set out "simple guidelines" for establishing one's USP (Unique Selling Proposition) ===> YOU, Inc.
But I'd also like to "expand" on this a bit, if I may - to give one "major" reason as to W-H-Y people truly need to 'position' themselves in this way - particularly within the NETWORK MARKETING (and InterNetwork Marketing) industry.
I say this as a Financial Advisor and a Business Consultant for more than 25-years - and also as a Network Marketing professional and Home Biz Coach for 20-years.
UP FRONT - Despite its critics (and I used to be one! :>) - I ldo love this industry. I have been a strong ambassador for the Network Marketing business model - I believe there is NO other on the planet that can begin to compete with it.
NETWORK MARKETING is perhaps the last bastion left, where people - without a famous bloodline - or a university education - or an abundance of marketing and technical skills - or with access to a large amounts of capital - CAN STILL achieve complete FINANCIAL and TIME Freedom in their lives.
Its GIFTS - I have grown to admire some of its most important strengths -- the gift of friendships made -- the opportunity for business education and personal growth --the thrill of seeing people achieve their objectives -- the enormous economic potential available via "leverage" and "residual" income (especially now, with the advent of accelerated technology and automation - using the 'high touch humanity' factor) -- the beauty of Relationship Marketing (through "giving value' up front, we "attract" more targeted, high quality prospects) -- the chance to offer consultation to others -- the fun we can have together as a 'Team' -- to touch on only a few.
------------------------------------------------------------
DARK SIDE - But -- there is a "dark" side to this industry as well -- and if prospects can learn HOW to do their homework intelligently - and HOW to conduct careful due dilligence - "before" ever signing on the dotted line with an MLM -- they can save themselves endless heartache and huge financial trauma.
POLICIES & PROCEDURES - This should perhaps be JOB #1 in the EVALUATION process - for 'any' Network Marketing business opportunity.
Having been on the Board Of Directors of the ANMP (Association of Network Marketing Professionals - http://www.TheANMP.org ) for 4 years, representing Canada - I can tell you that we at the ANMP have seen untold 'horror stories' of Distributor's RIGHTS being sabotaged (unjust, wrongful terminations - lawsuits - cruel 'dictatorship and control' by both Corp and/or Uplines, etc, etc).
BUSINESS "OWNERSHIP"? - As I say above, the Network Marketing 'business model' is one of the finest creations ever developed by the human mind, in my opinion - regardless of whether you build it ONline - or OFFline - or both. It really has no equal for the average person to be able to gain total economic independence.
But simply "joining an MLM company will NOT give you your OWN business.
With Network Marketing, you're "creating" a business (a distributorship), yes - but you do not "own" a business (the MLM company owns that business (THEY own both your customers and your downlines).
As a Network Marketer, you're a "commissioned Sales Rep" for the MLM company's products & services - not a business OWNER ((it is the "company" that has the power, control and ownership - dictated by their P&Ps (Policies & Procedures)). By associating with an MLM, you become their Sales Rep. You gather customers for them - you recruit/sponsor other Sales Reps for them - THEY own all these assets - not US.
Yes, you are an "IC" (Independent Contractor - but for "tax" purposes only - so that you're not treated as an 'employee') - but you are not an "IBOs" (Independent Business OWNER).
Most in this industry do not realize that, partly because they're seduced by all the sweet promises in the glossy brochures - "Own Your OWN Business".
Not that "being a commissioned Sales Rep" is a bad thing, no - it's just not real business "ownership" - and that's the reality.
P&Ps - RED FLAGS - Here's a list of some of the things to watch out for in MLM Policies & Procedures...
Check out -- http://www.MLM-Wise.com -- http://www.MLM-Wiser.com
-------------------------------------------------------------
Which brings me right back to "your" article (about YOU, Inc) - where you DO own your "own" business :>)
Your PROTECTION - To me, there are three (3) things that Network Marketers need to do to "insulate" themselves against the RISKS of MLM:
(1)- Brand YOURSELF ("YOU, Inc")
(2)- Develop Your OWN 'LIST'
(3)- DIVERSIFY Your Revenue Streams (ideally, with good Affiliate programs - not 'more' MLMs)
Your MLM (by itself) should never "be" your BUSINESS - you become far, far too vulnerable. And you should never "wrap your whole IDENTITY" around your MLM (Mr. Amway / Mrs. Avon).
It's always best to hold yourself "at arm's length" from your MLM - any MLM. Simply treat them - within your "total" business structure - as important VENDORS of exceptional products (hopefully) - for yourself, your family, your customers, your biz partners. And this is "not" meant to be disrespectful to the many fine MLMs out there.
In other words, your primary MLM should be (an important) "part of" your overall Business Enterprise (YOU, Inc).
Again - an EXCELLENT topic, Natasha - just sharing my own 03-cents worth (Canadian :>)
Sincerely / Peter A.
Peter Arnold, CLU, CFC / Founder
Business Achievers Academy / Canada
Re: EXCELLENT => and Here's One Reason W-H-Y!
Peter-
You raise some VERY excellent points. I agree with you 100%. In fact, the whole reason for my decision to focus on helping others is BECAUSE of a company policy that changed that totally destroyed my ability to market what I thought was "my business". Thanks so much for sharing this crucial pearls of wisdom!
Natasha
A breath of fresh air!
I just want to jump through these cyber waves and HUG YOU. YES. You have expressed everything I felt deep in my heart and soul! THANK YOU for putting your words down for all to read! Thank you THANK YOU!! Um. Did I say THANK YOU??
Asolutely!
Everyone has valuable skills and knowledge to offer. It's often just a matter of doing some reflecting to pinpoint it and bring it to light. Discover what it is you're good at and you'll most likely find your passion. With passion, branding yourself becomes easy and branding is absolutely essential to stand out from the crowd and build a sustainable business. Marketing is generating, sales is convincing, and branding is influencing. Would you rather influence the leads you generate, or try to convince them?
...About You Inc...article/stance
Your qualifer of attorney status, should help the nay sayers see your inttellect for your stance and the ' newbies ' , a beacon of hope from a qualified thought that YES I HAVE VALUE, that even seasoned persons sometimes need re-assurance in the dark quiet times. moments. You have done the entire industry a great service for mindset and ethics. The bad press past is still today in some peoples' minds that ' this ' industry just is not on the up and up.
Keep sending these infos' out and they will come back in more abundance I am convinced, because it was just 10 years ago , I too could have used these words you have so shared of GREAT VALUE. Thanks Attitude should be based in faith and fact in that order, and you have done very well.