Personal Branding: The Grass Might Be Greener on YOUR Side of the Fence

By Jeff Beals

As an adventurer, thrill-seeker and internationally renowned billionaire, Sir Richard Branson has a huge personal brand. He is famous for founding Virgin Group, a British conglomerate of 400 companies including Virgin Megastores and Virgin Atlantic Airways. He has crossed the Pacific Ocean in a hot air balloon and has attempted countless sailing adventures on rough seas. He has even built spaceships.

Millions of people know and admire Branson. He has made several cameo appearances on television, and more than 3.8 million people read his Twitter tweets. With his longish blond hair and the strong facial features you would expect of a fearless adventurer, Branson is one of those rare individuals who the public instantly recognizes.

Branson’s accomplishments stand on their own merit, but he also benefits from the power of personal branding. When you are as well-known as he, it becomes easier to get things done. People seek him out and jump at the chance to do business with him.

But despite all his success, Branson surely has problems. Everybody does. Nobody is perfect. It’s hard to think about Richard Branson having worries, doubts and frustrations, because the power of his personal brand shines so brightly.

Personal branding is most effective when you throw a little “theater” into it. In other words, be like Branson, and put on a bit of a show when you’re among your sphere of interest.

For example, when you go see a stage performance in a live theater, you don’t see behind the stage, and you don’t see the actors fall out of character. Similarly, in your life, put on a bit of a show. That’s not to say you are pretending to be someone or something you are not, but it does mean you put forth the best image possible.

Think of it this way: Most people are afflicted with the “grass-is-always-greener-on-the-other-side-of-the-fence syndrome.” Take advantage of that. Exploit that common human tendency. Paint a picture of yourself that is desirable enough that everyone will want to reach their heads through the fence and eat your grass (so to speak). People don’t need to see your dirty laundry. They should see you as someone who leads the kind of life they admire and want to imitate.

But one word of caution as you harness the power of personal branding like Sir Richard does – be authentic.

Adopting a theatrical approach to your personal branding efforts in no way whatsoever should cause you to be someone you are not. Be animated, play the part and highlight your strengths but never ever lie or deliberately mislead.

Jeff Beals is a professional speaker and award-winning author, who helps professionals enjoy greater success through effective sales, marketing and personal branding techniques. He delivers energetic and humorous keynote speeches and workshops to audiences worldwide. To discuss booking a presentation, go to JeffBeals.com or email at info@jeffbeals.com or call us at (402) 637-9300.

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