How not to brand yourself when communicating with others
November 15, 2007 at 11:37 am | In People, Personal Branding, Reputation Management | 6 Comments
In the majority of my posts, I highlight and analyze the positive aspects of personal branding and how they apply to your lives. There are people who approach branding differently, and sometimes, in effect, hurt their own brands. Not everyone is perfect and I do receive some emails and messages that resemble the negative aspect of personal branding.
Instead of calling this person out by name, thus damaging his reputation or brand online, I have left it anonymous. Part of my personal brand is not singling out individuals, unless they grant permission or ask for a brand assessment. I didn’t block him, but I am no longer friends with him on Facebook.
A few days later, I got yet another email from this person:
“I notice two of your key brand values are resourcefulness and creativity. Neither of these seemed much in evidence when you responded me to my comment on Facebook about your taste for Aston Martin cars by simply removing me from your list of friends. I thought that at least you might have a more thoughtful response than that.”
Analysis
This individual went to great lengths to message me. Clearly, he views the Austin Martin brand as one with egoism, shallowness, etc. I have a different perspective, as I grew up with James Bond and feel that the Austin Martin is a symbol of achievement and class. He does note that his email was offensive, yet still sent it, which careless personal brand management.
This man even goes over-the-top by saying that I’m endorsing a car that isn’t environmentally friendly. I mean, maybe it isn’t, but I don’t even own one. He even notes that I’m intelligent, a potential opinion leader, talented and energetic, but only to try and make the email more personable.
When messaging others – advice
- Keep it short, concise and meaningful
- Personalize the message
- Be positive and stay rational
- Understand the persons perspective on the issue at hand
- Don’t be too aggressive (Facebook message, email message, etc)
- Focus on the subject line to grab attention
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Dan -
Your “friend” certainly went off the deep end in criticizing your affinity for an Aston Martin.
But he does raise a good point in how associating yourself with other brands affects your personal brand.
Your friend found the association with Aston Martin to be negative to his perception. I would guess that he would have reacted differently to a Prius.
Doug
Comment by Doug Cornelius — November 15, 2007 #
Part of branding yourself is letting people know who you are and what you are about. I have a section on my blog with links to videos that make “me” laugh. I’m sure some of the clips do offend others or go against their “world view”. Oh, well. Its part of “me”. I’m not going to apologize for letting people know who I am, nor should you. It goes against the very grain of personal branding.
Comment by J. Erik Potter — November 15, 2007 #
Theres a difference between communicating your brand and harassing/stalking another person. This individual crossed the line.
Comment by shwibbs — November 15, 2007 #
Yup, the person crossed the line. I agree. It’s surprising how often that happens, too, especially online. Like we’re just electrons instead of people.
When we associate ourselves with other things (Aston Martin for Dan and, say, the Green Bay Packers for me), we naturally pick up brand attributes associated with them.
For the Packers, I like team ownership by the city — not an individual — long franchise history, and Titletown.
But I also get the stereotypes — Cheeseheads, frozen tundra and a lot of stupid stuff.
As individuals, we are too often critical of other’s associations because it is based upon the stereotypes and not the positive aspects of the brand.
It’s a telling tale.
Comment by Scot Herrick — November 16, 2007 #
Definitely agree as well, Dan.
As mentioned above it all goes down to stereotypes. The second you align yourself with something that others may not agree with, emotions fly and stereotypes are made. Just like we were all jealous in high school of the kid who drove around in the brand new Mercedes.
It seems that the culprit felt that the Aston Martin brand breeds narcissism, egocentrism and shallowness. But not everybody can be 007 right?
Comment by Piotr J — November 20, 2007 #
Dan,
You can’t make everyone love you OR be all things to all people…One of my favorite phrases…NEXT!!!
Comment by scottbradley — November 24, 2007 #