{"id":583,"date":"2018-09-27T09:46:50","date_gmt":"2018-09-27T16:46:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/create.twu.ca\/eportfolios\/?page_id=583"},"modified":"2020-08-25T15:14:00","modified_gmt":"2020-08-25T22:14:00","slug":"brand","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/create.twu.ca\/eportfolios\/resources\/brand\/","title":{"rendered":"Personal Branding"},"content":{"rendered":"

The great thing about developing a personal brand instead of a product brand, is that you<\/em> are entirely unique. There is no one like you. You don\u2019t need to conjure up some seemingly unique product that someone is willing to pay for. You <\/em>are the unique product. You were custom-created in the image of God to do things that God intended for only you to do.<\/p>\n

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In light of that truth, the key to defining your personal brand is understanding and knowing yourself\u2014that is, the unique value that you bring to the world based on who it is that God created you to be. In some sense, this is the primary purpose of university: to determine where your passion and profession meet and, having built your identity on a solid foundation of faith, to then fulfill your unique mission in life.<\/p>\n

Being that you\u2019re setting out on a transformative life journey, you are in a sense forming and shaping your personal brand\u2014defining what differentiates you from everyone else. It\u2019s when you graduate and seek some form of gainful employment that you\u2019ll need to differentiate yourself from other candidates applying for the same role. It will be your ability to help that future employer understand how your unique contribution to their organization will benefit them\u2014that will separate you from the rest.<\/p>\n

Practically speaking, there are a few steps to take to ensure you\u2019re intentionally creating your personal brand:<\/p>\n

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  1. Why Do You Exist<\/strong> \u2013 in his book Start With Why<\/em>, Simon Sinek encourages organizations to talk about why<\/em> they exist before talking about what<\/em> they do. Watch his TED Talk on YouTube and begin to ponder this question for yourself. Determine what it is that\u2019s driving you and what you are setting out to accomplish. It is this core motivation that will ultimately drive you to succeed in whatever venture you embark on.<\/li>\n
  2. Benefits vs<\/strong>. Features<\/strong> \u2013 Learn to speak in terms of the benefit you bring, instead of simply stating features (facts) about yourself. Yes, it\u2019s wonderful that you played varsity soccer, but to a prospective employer the benefits that you derived from playing on a competitive sports team is what they care about: discipline, teamwork, leadership. Focus on these value-based elements instead of just the facts.<\/li>\n
  3. It\u2019s Not About You<\/strong> \u2013 Although when you\u2019re creating a personal brand it feels like it\u2019s about you, it\u2019s not. It\u2019s about the value that you can bring to your audience. The question that every audience (potential customer, future employer, etc.) is constantly asking is, \u201cWhat\u2019s in it for me?\u201d They need to understand how it is that you will bring value to their life or organization.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    At the end of the day, we\u2019re all in the service business\u2014 ultimately, we have been put here to serve both God and people in the various marketplaces of life where we\u2019ll find ourselves. A personal brand is a way for you to communicate to the world how you intend to serve them.<\/p>\n

    JAMES TWEEDY<\/strong><\/p>\n

    Executive Director, Marketing & Communications | <\/em>External Relations<\/p>\n

    Trinity Western University | t. 604.513.2027 x3343 | c. 778.242.6911 | e. james.tweedy@twu.ca<\/a><\/p>\n

    More Portfolio Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n