Dan Schawbel is one of my favorite internet gurus. Call me eccentric: I’m not sure why his message appeals to me. After all, I’m some 30-40 years his senior (how old are you, anyway, Dan?). For those of you unfamiliar with Dan’s shenanigans, he’s a Gen-Y thought leader. He talks a lot about branding. Especially personal branding.


Do you appreciate the difference between personal branding and branding as we’ve known it in the traditional sense? I enjoyed this Advertising Age post today about a certain ironic disconnect when it comes to personal branding. In my little pea-brain, you say the word, branding, and I think, Coke. That’s the traditional sense of it. Coke has a personality, a set of reverberations in my consciousness, a definite personality.

Personal branding is somewhat different from that kind of perception. Personal branding can’t be summed up in a logo. It can, however, be described by the taste it leaves in your mouth, just like Coke.

Your personal brand is,... Click here to read the rest of this post at the Virtual Assistance and You Blog.



The Virtual Assistance and You Blog is authored by VAF member Mary of Virtual Writing and Communications Solutions.


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Great article Mary Ruth. You always bring us insightful and thought provoking information.

Thank you for contributing so much to us
Andrea

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

What a great article. Your track record and level of service are your brand. In regards to my own track record, how hard is it to start this business without testimonials? I'm sure at some point I will hear from the people I have requested references from, but if they don't get back to me, it leaves me without the testimonials I was planning to post on my site. Also, should I ask a second time for a reference? If so, how long should I wait before asking again? Sorry to get off subject

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Serita Diana, the List 2 Close Assistant
REVA Academy

Serita - I often suggest to people just starting out that you offer to do some work for a friend or acquaintance for free, in exchange for a testimonial. You probably won't have to wait for these, since you've just done them a huge favor by working for free. And you'll have a nice, current, specific quote to put on your site.

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Mary H. Ruth/Virtual Writing & Communications
http://www.writingVA.com

Thanks Mary! What a great idea. And sorry it took so long to reply to your wonderful advice. Between the holidays and getting things set up to open at the end of the month I have been a very busy bee! lol.

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Serita Diana, the List 2 Close Assistant
REVA Academy