Presentation given by Emilie Mecklenborg and Heather Coleman-Voss at the University of Michigan-Dearborn, to kick off their Professional Development Workshop week. February 18, 2013

1. DEVELOPING YOUR
PERSONAL
BRAND

2. Presented By:
Emilie Mecklenborg
Heather Coleman Voss

3. Everybody is talking about it, but what does
it mean to have a Personal Brand?

4. What is a Personal Brand?
Sense of humor Integrity  Work Ethic
 Communication Style  Authenticity Passion
“It’s No Longer About What You Know or Who You Know…”
by Terry Bean, Founder of Motor City Connect and the
#313DLove Project
• Who needs to know about you?
• What need are you best positioned to fill?
• What differentiates you from others in your
field or space?

5. Value Proposition: What do you stand for?
Differentiation: What makes you stand out?
Marketability: What makes you compelling?
Source: http://personalbrandingwiki.pbworks.com/FrontPage
Personal Branding consists of three
elements:

6. 1. Define who YOU are
Your passions?
2. Google yourself
3. Provide value
Personal
Branding
enhances your self-awareness
helps you clarify and reach your goals
helps you create visibility and presence
is about differentiation
offers more control and power
offers resilience

7. 7
Connection Conversation
Community Participation
Listen to your
Target Audience
Becoming a Source of Valuable Information
Build your community
Engage with your community
Target your community
Connect with leaders in your industry
Be consistent - Update regularly
Do not overload with promotional material or advertising
Create useful and relevant content

8. Who Do Other People Think I Am?
(List positive attributes other people have used to
describe you)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

9. Personal branding is
not simply marketing
yourself – it is your
overall communication
across social media
platforms.
Personal branding is
about how you interact,
the topics you discuss,
your conversational
style and the value you
add in your niche
areas.
Video: What Is Brand Strategy?

10. Let’s take a look at the brand of Emilie
Mecklenborg, Career Coach and Social Media
Relations Manager of @FordCareers

11. Her conversation on social media platforms is
largely centered around these topics…as it is
in person.
Authenticity is the key – you are the same
person wherever you are, whether on
Facebook or at an industry related
networking event.
Are you starting to see how this works?

12. Check out Heather Coleman Voss
on Google
Via your personal
branding on
platforms such as
Facebook
LinkedIn, Twitter,
Pinterest, Wordpress
and so forth, you will
‘own’ the first page of
Google when people
search for you.

13. Consistent picture is part of your overall personal brand.

14. Social Media Platforms
for your
interactive brand:

15. Seth Godin on Social Networking

16. What is your personal
brand?
What do you think your personal brand is now, at this moment?
(Remember, you do not have to have a job in your preferred industry. This is
about your talents, your personality and what is most important to you!)
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.

17. Personal Branding Statement
Create the sentence that best illustrates
who you are and what you are about.
“_________________________________.”

18. Where should you use your
Personal Brand?
Business cards
Resume/cover letter/reference
documents
Portfolio showcasing your work
Blog or website
LinkedIn profile
Facebook profile
Twitter profile
Video résumé
Email address
Email signature

19. Personal branding statements are for your business cards, resumes, social
media platforms, blogs and so forth. Here are some samples of great
branding statements – and great professionals to follow:
“Foodie! Sometimes sarcastic, always looking to help others.” @DaveBenjamin
“SENSITIVE? DON'T FOLLOW ME -- Feel free to criticize me in public!” @animal
“Love instigating leadership. Driven to explore, learn, play music and ski.”
@SusanMazza
“Chief Troublemaker. Creative. Marketer. Entrepreneur. Speaker. I love shiny objects,
bacon and business. On a mission to rekindle the fire in your belly.” @CharlieCurve
“The Perfect Career Guy, Connector, Recruiter, Entrepreneur, Blogger, Arsenal Fan,
Sports Junkie, Coffee Drinker, Mountain Biker, Runner! Best of all, Dad.” @leecoopers
“I am far more interested in you than I will ever be in me. Author. Pro Speaker.
Disruptive Marketing Force. @MotorCity Founder. Detroit Lover.” @TerryBean

20. “Do what you do so well,
that others can’t resist
telling people about it.”
– Walt Disney