Branding Yourself

It's amazing if you sit briefly and think about how surrounded we are by visual communications. Billboards, flyers, posters, logos, websites, product packaging and labeling. Even fashion and industrial design is all a summation of studies of consumer psychology, trend watching, and determining what will appeal to mass audiences and/or specific markets. While it may be argued that we're on the cusp of information and visual overload, it's incontrovertible that we all have a need for graphic design and photographic services.

Visual imagery is one of the defining characteristics that we use to separate and distinguish one product from another. Product packaging and branding helps organizations build brand identity and grow market share. Corporations spend millions trying to determine which color might incite an interests or pleasant responsiveness to their products and services. While even more money is spent attempting to ascertain what shape a product should be or how much is too much on a website design. You may not have known that certain colors on products aren't received well in other countries. Companies have had to shift or alter their visual identity to permeate new and foreign markets. Ideally, the goal is to create a perception of value; a perception that separates one organization from another, one product or service from another and passing those perceptive benefits down to you, the end user.

But what does this have to do with you personally? EVERYTHING!! You, like everything else around, is a brand; an identity that you have the ultimate control over. Your look, your reputation, and your general first impression. If you're an executive your corporate picture is important. Your online professional profile is representative of who you are as a person. It shows your work ethic and your attentiveness to detail and precision. If you're a real estate agent you have to stand out. You need to create a persona of professionalism and success at your job.

In today's job market your identity has to be strong. Create an image and historical profile of yourself that represents you positively that helps you to stand out. Create an online presence that identifies you as someone to be trusted and able to accept responsibility.

So branding and identity is not just about products, it's also about you and me. Imagery translates across media and bridges over context. Make sure your context is appropriate and applicable. Make sure you're saying everything you want to say about you is visible and accurate. Who says a business card has to be for people that own or work for a business? We all have to market ourselves today more than ever. Do you have a business card? If so, what identity are you conveying? Think about giving yourself an edge.

Get help working on a profile picture or get help designing a web site to promote yourself or your business. Consult with a marketing specialist on how you start creating a brand identity for yourself and your small business idea. If you're seeking employment, consider starting an at home business and find out what it takes to market your services and what resources it takes to start branding. If you have plans to work for an organization, consider how much stronger your identity will be if a prospective employer can find positive information about you.