THE LAW OF BRANDING
Matthew 16:13-20
Branding is a corporate strategy aimed at creating a distinct identity in the minds of your target audience and the public. It talks about showcasing your business in a distinct way different from the competition. It involves colour design, logo, visuals and audio. It makes the company stand out and easily recognized among others. Take the banking world for instance. There may be several on a business district, you will notice that each is unique in its own way. You can’t mistake Bank A with Bank B. Each bank brand consists of its building structure, ATM services, websites, colour and even the way it attends to customers. Branding is to help your customers understand what you offer and what you stand for through effective positioning. Ultimately, the goal of branding is to attract loyal customers, grow your position in the market and make sales.
As it is in the business world, so it is in personal life. Do you know you have a brand? Are you aware that when your name comes to people’s mind, a picture of who you are also shows up? What people perceive of you is dependent on how you have consciously or unconsciously branded yourself over the years. When your name comes up, what is the picture you evoke? Is it of an honest, pertinent, humble person or that of a hustler who takes anything that come your way? People relate with you according to your brand. There is a need to develop a personal brand identity to stand out from the rest; who you are distinct from others.
While your most important identity should be the one conferred to you by God, who people say you are is also very important. Even Jesus asked: who do people say I am? He asked the question to teach them the importance of perception. Your personal identities and reputation form the experience of people when they interact with you and this in turn shapes their perception of you.
Life is competitive, to be able to stand out, you should learn how to develop your personal brand. Your branding is strategically showcasing your talents, strength and personal values to leave a lasting impression on people. For it to become your personal brand it has to be consistent. Your every actions need to be in sync with the brand experience you’re trying to put forward.
The ultimate goal of building a proper brand in to build trust with and create influence with others. The following hints may help you. Firstly, work on your integrity. Let an image of honesty and forthrightness come to people’s mind when they see, think or hear of you. A brand of integrity helps in how you are perceived and how they relate with you. Secondly, work on your physical appearance. Brand your dressing, talking and relationship. Don’t be a drag. Choose your relationships wisely. Work on your character. Create a strong brand. Make it likeable and acceptable. Take time to be timely. Let whatever passes through you carry a brand of excellence. Be known for good works. That is personal branding.
MEDITATION. Your brand is your selling point. Work at it.
