Your brand appearance is your first impression

May 10, 2007 at 12:23 am | In Interview, Networking, Personal Branding | 6 Comments

GiftBefore you can even get a word in or start dictating your core message, you are screened by your audience.  Think of your packaging, just like a product and how you want to convey your personality and competency through it.  Without knowing exactly who you are, your package is all that recruiters or other members of your audience can view.

 

 Your appearance is in your full control, but how you appear to your audience is in theirs, so focus on how you think they perceive you and you will succeed.  For interviews, dress in a suit, have good posture and have a positive attitude.  Without even using your mouth, your appearance will show interest and credibility.  But to get here, you need to “appear” as though you already have these qualities.  Many people ask me “how do I appear online?” and I always respond “how do you feel you appear”?  I do this because I am interested in their viewpoint before I can give a detailed explanation.  There are far too many people for you not to focus on your appearance.  Through social networks, such as facebook and myspace, you are dependent on your appearance to “get you through the door” with those outside of your network.  For businesses, you must sell yourself, before customers will buy into your corporate brand, which is why you need to “appear” like you have experience and dress the part.

 

Here are some pointers:

  •    Be consistent with your appearance and personality
  •    Customize your package to reflect your audience
  •    Focus on your unique qualities and incorporate them
  •    Ensure that your packing has a shiny wrapper (think of a gift box)
  •    BE YOURSELF!

6 Comments »

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  1. [...] Dan over at Personal Branding Blog has a good post about the fact that even online, in fact, especially online, appearance matters [...]

    Pingback by You Are What You Look Like — May 10, 2007 #

  2. This is very, very true. Good advice in this piece.

    Comment by Jim Kukral — May 12, 2007 #

  3. acc….yes that is…thank for leave comment in my blog…that i wroted how about people in politic make he personal branding for great vote future..thanx i like ur site..can be refrence for me…nice

    Comment by tu7uh — May 14, 2007 #

  4. Good post. Packaging is critical to success for business and personal brands. Before people know what is inside of you, come in contact with your external packaging.

    Comment by hflemings — May 23, 2007 #

  5. [...] at PersonalbrandingBlog - I put this on here just to mix it up and show I read non-blogging blogs…   But seriously [...]

    Pingback by What New Bloggers Are You Reading? — May 23, 2007 #

  6. Good advice Dan,

    Selling a service or product online is heavily dependent on how you appear, ie. are you reliable / trustworthy looking? Want some proof? If you have an ecommerce store have a look at the number of people who visit your About Us page before checkout … you’ll be surprised!

    Comment by Andy Boyd — June 4, 2007 #


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