Learn To Duck - Latest Comments in Personal Brand is Like Coke

Re: Personal Brand is Like Coke

Trace Cohen — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 21:05:22 -0000

I have a unique name as well, Trace (as in to trace a line). A lot of people when they first see it pronounce it as if it was "Tracey," and have gone a far as to add a "Y" to it because they dont think i know how to spell my own name. On the upside, almost no one has my name, so branding myself on the web and creating a web presence has been a little easier for me than others, especially when it comes to Googleing your name. I love being myself and creating my personal branding, not only because it's addicting but because it's satisfying as well. At http://www.Brand-Yourself.com we aim to establish a student’s personal brand early so they can get the job of their dreams and love what they do. By establishing an online presence to control what comes up in Google while staying true to their brand, they should have no problem getting the job they want and deserve. For more actionable tips to strengthen your personal brand on the web please go to our blog at http://blog.brand-yourself.com.

Re: Personal Brand is Like Coke

Micah Baldwin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:21:07 -0000

no one gets Micah right the first time, my friend. But for me, thats ok too. If you know me, then you know me and how to say my name. If you dont, then you dont, and you arent my friend (in real life). Easy Peasy.

Re: Personal Brand is Like Coke

Micah Baldwin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:20:17 -0000

I can see that there are times where a certain level of anonymity can be helpful, but its strange to brand yourself around something that really doesnt exist.

Re: Personal Brand is Like Coke

Micah Baldwin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:19:22 -0000

I think you have hit it on the head Meg, you are just you. Personal branding, or the farce it is, only comes into play when people are trying to create something that doesnt exist. In that effort, the result is something that is false and deceptive by its very nature.

Re: Personal Brand is Like Coke

Micah Baldwin — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 23:16:59 -0000

Micah Gabriel Baldwin thats who. If the question is based on the fact that I dont have the "qualifications" or the "cache" of the "big" bloggers, then you are correct.

But, the one thing that no one can question is that I am Micah. Just a dude from Boulder. No personal branding necessary.

Re: Personal Brand is Like Coke

Justin Thorp — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 17:32:55 -0000

Right on!

Re: Personal Brand is Like Coke

Kath — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:32:44 -0000

You're very adept at noticing that the Emperor has no clothes.

Well said.

Re: Personal Brand is Like Coke

Lucretia M Pruitt — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 22:00:48 -0000

The reason I use "GeekMommy" is because so few people can pronounce "Lucretia" without having heard it once, and it's tougher to type my name.

That said - I don't have a 'brand' per se - because that implies that I'm selling something. I'm just me.

Re: Personal Brand is Like Coke

drewbeatty — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 19:16:02 -0000

This is good stuff, but I will take exception to one thing: the concept of online names. I see Drew Beatty as my online persona, it is very close to my true name, but, because of my profession (which is not marketing, P.R., or anything tech related) I need to keep a buffer between online me and offline, employed me. If anything, using this name allows me to be more fully me, as I don't censor myself as much.

But otherwise, I can see your point. I also like the idea that "social media" is a misnomer, as it's ALL JUST MEDIA, social or otherwise.

Re: Personal Brand is Like Coke

Meg — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:59:51 -0000

I'm all about my own name everywhere, mostly because I don't need or desire a separation between who I am online and offline.

Granted, my work as a writer means I want to get my identity out there, so it makes sense.

Some people like to use alternate identities to express things or work out a form of catharsis they don't want attached to their own names... but if I wouldn't put my name behind it, I probably shouldn't be saying it anyway.

It's not like I'm a political prisoner or a whistleblower or my experience is symbolic of a greater struggle or I have points to make that would endanger my life or wellbeing if anyone knew I was the one behind them. I get that there are a zillion reasons to go anon online.

But I'm just me. (And can anyone really hide on the internet anymore, anyway?)

Re: Personal Brand is Like Coke

Shana — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 18:44:45 -0000

Micah who?