Cameron Woodard-Littrell Personal Branding

 What is personal branding and why is it so important?

The world of work has been changing rapidly during the past decade due to increased globalization, the proliferation of online social media, and technological advances which are blurring the boundaries between work and personal lives.
Personal Branding has been around for a while and really caught on when Tom Peters authored an article called "The Brand Called You" in a 1997 issue of Fast Company magazine. In this article, he talks about how everyone is a brand and has a chance to stand out, not just the large consumer products companies with massive marketing budgets.

"Today brands are everything, and all kinds of products and services—from accounting firms to sneaker makers to restaurants—are figuring out how to transcend the narrow boundaries of their categories and become a brand surrounded by a Tommy Hilfiger-like buzz.

"Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You."

–Tom Peters

What Makes You Unique, Makes You Successful

Personal Branding is about identifying and then communicating what makes you unique and relevant and differentiated for your target audience, so that you can reach your career and/or business goals. If you understand your strengths, skills, passions, and values, you can use this information to separate yourself from your competitors and really stand out.
Personal branding is very powerful because it sends a clear, consistent message about who you are and what you have to offer. A strong, authentic personal brand helps you become known for what you're good at, sets you apart from everyone else, and can position you as a niche expert.

Extract, Express, Exude; 1-2-3- Success!™

"Extract" phase, where you do your own market external research and introspective analysis.


"Express" phase, you decide how you are going to communicate your unique attributes and qualities to the people who need to know about you (your target audience).


"Exude" phase, you learn about how to reflect your brand in everything you do, including your personal network, your use of technology, office surroundings, your identity system, your appearance, your volunteer activities, etc.

How Can Personal Branding Help Me in my Job Search or in my Business?

In today's competitive job market, you need to think of yourself as a brand.
Branding breathes life into your career marketing documents (which are often quite "flat" and "boring") and creates a vivid way to generate interest in you, helping you land faster and, hopefully, at a higher compensation level. If you are a small business owner or solopreneur, branding helps you narrow down the target market you want to service and develop highly differentiated messages for that audience.When you navigate a career change, job search, or a business launch with your unique brand, you're working from a position of power.

What are the benefits of a strong personal brand?

Personal Branding enhances your self-awareness.


Personal Branding helps you clarify and reach your goals.


Personal Branding helps you create visibility and presence.


Personal Branding is about differentiation.


Personal Branding offers more control and power.


Personal Branding creates wealth.


Personal Branding offers resilience.