Does Your Personal Brand Reek?

I have a good friend named Alexandra who could only be described as regal. One of our first meetings was    in her small, modest apartment when she invited me over for lunch to talk about a business venture she thought I might be interested in. We sat down for lunch at what looked like an antique, dark wood table to a full China setting and silverware. The table was decorated with a beautiful floral arrangement.  She offered me a cup of coffee that she served in a gold trimmed tea cup. For lunch, she served an Asian salad and salmon. After lunch, I told her how lovely lunch had been and had to ask, “Do you always eat lunch served on China?” To my surprise she said yes.

Alex was a personal branding expert… before it was a household word. She shared her belief that you should always look your best and that your environment should reflect who you are. She had always known that she enjoyed fine dining and luxury and surrounded herself with those things – all the time. “I used to work as an advertising sales executive for Conde Nast and each day I would bring my lunch back to my desk, “ Alex explained. “I would remove my lunch from the take-out containers; place the food on a China plate; and use a cloth napkin. Some of my colleagues may have thought I was crazy but most of them thought it was great that I treated myself to a mid-day luxury experience,” she said. It is no coincidence that Alex’s clients were in the luxury market.

Alex moved easily into the luxury market because she ate and breathed luxury. It seeped from her pores which gave her a greater understanding of the luxury customers she was trying to attract.

What does your brand image say about you? Is your image undermining your message? Here are some tips to help you align your brand message and brand image:

1.       Consistency is the key. Make sure your brand is reflected in every aspect of your life. Your message should be reinforced by your image, your work space and your home.

2.       The devil is in the details. Are your business cards updated with your current information or do you have to cross out and update your phone number? Do you remember to send out thank you notes? Is your look dated or inappropriate for your work environment? In this highly competitive marketplace, be mindful of the small things because your image and surroundings make a statement about who you are and what you stand for.

3.       Make sure you have an elevator pitch that is clear and concise. You should make sure that you can tell people who you are, what services you provide and what makes what you do different. Make sure you prepare this statement for someone you meet in an elevator; someone you meet at a cocktail party; and a longer version as an introduction for presentations. Also, remember this is not the time to try SELL a product, but an opportunity to tell people about who you are, what you have to offer and your great service.

Use these tips to make sure you reek of brand YOU and you will reap the rewards of having a consistent message.