24 Comments to “About that Word, Brand, that Keeps Coming Up”

1. May 16th, 2007 at 8:04 am
   Tammy said

   Liz, that’s a helpful way for me to think about brand. It also occurs to me that sometimes others see things in us that we don’t see in ourselves, so turning to those who know us personally and professionally, to ask “what stands out for you about me?” or “what do you think I stand for?” is a rich opportunity. I was surprised, when I did that a few years ago, how consistent the replies were in 3-4 key brand-related ways.

   When you look at all the wonderful — and true! — things people are saying about you post-SOBCon, I wonder if there’s anything in all those comments that felt informative to your thinking about yourself and brand?

2. May 16th, 2007 at 8:20 am
   Tony D. Clark said

   I had a client that used to carry around a little branding iron in the shape of his company’s logo. It was a joke, because that’s how his culture thought of a “brand.” Something that was forced and mandatory.

   The SOBCon brand formed the way all good brands do — organically.

   As I read all the write-ups about the event, you can see that the goal was met. A real brand was created around conversation and relationships.

   Which is so much better than a brand that’s seared into our backsides without our consent :)

3. May 16th, 2007 at 8:21 am
   Connie Reece said

   Let’s hear it for the SOBCon brand!

   Now, if I could just get a blog badge that says, “I’ve been hugged by the Relationship Geek” … Phil? Are you listening? :-)

4. May 16th, 2007 at 9:33 am
   ME Strauss said

   Hi Tammy,
   I wonder, I didn’t go looking for that, in fact, I had found my frequency about two weeks before.

   I heard so many people say “thank you,” that must mean I am generous in some way. Several said things moved seamlessly while I stood in the back, or that I REALLY AM shy. So that speaks for itselft. :)

   Then, I heard a lot lot about how I connect people, now I bring them together.

   It’s all about LOVE for me — love and joy — and the people . . . did I not say that enough? it’s the people always the people. Thye fill things up. They bring the smarts, hearts, and life.

   :)

5. May 16th, 2007 at 9:56 am
   Karin H. said

   Hi Liz

   Like-minded people enjoy being the same as much as we enjoy our differences.

   That’s a brand where I want to ‘belong’ to, that says it all IMHO

   Rings a bell with “Authentic Relationships” from two days ago.

6. May 16th, 2007 at 10:44 am
   ME Strauss said

   Hi Tony,
   “Burn that brand into your hide.” That’s the way to learn it. Yup!

   Can’t get much more silly than that.

   Brand is an extension of the experience of dealing with us — injured and beat-up by the folks we work for as we might be — or as valued and present giving care, passing on the joy that we feel and th energy.

   Branding is like community, it’s something you make room for and let happen . . . not something to be forced. If we’re impatience about getting to a brand, rather finding out what it is, I’m fairly certain that impatience will be part. :)

7. May 16th, 2007 at 10:45 am
   ME Strauss said

   I can’t believe that Phil can’t hear that, Connie. I think you’ll be getting one sooner than you might think. Oh Yeah!

8. May 16th, 2007 at 10:47 am
   ME Strauss said

   Hi Karin!
   Like-minded people who enjoy our differences. YEAH! That’s a LOT of what it was and is even more know that we’re beack and seeing them expanded into print.

   I’m so glad that you hung with us through this. :)

9. May 16th, 2007 at 1:28 pm
   gl hoffman said

   I read about this event on some other person’s blog: Tim Johnson’s I think, and he even has your picture there, too. You are a rock star!
   best~GL HOFFMAN, Jobdig, Minneapolis
   http://blogs.jobdig.com/wwds
   what does dad say

   Our jobdig brand rocks.

10. May 16th, 2007 at 1:46 pm
    Jesse Petersen said

    I was amazed at how many people look, talk, and dress exactly as you’d expect by looking at and reading their blogs. Kent Blumberg immediately comes to mind. Were any of you surprised when you met him? We got a chance to chat for nearly an hour at the airport while we waited for my flight. It was like talking to an old friend.

    The SOBCon brand rocks!

11. May 16th, 2007 at 1:56 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi GL,
    These allocades will fade away and I still have to play the rent and huge prescription drug fees like everyone else. . . . :)

    Thank you for the lovely comment. Tim Johnson sent me so many emails before and after. I’m gratfeful and lucky in so many ways. I truly appreciate your link. It was a fun surprise — that book holds many stories of my life besides the one inside it. :)

12. May 16th, 2007 at 2:06 pm
    Scot Herrick said

    Hi Liz, and everyone else on this thread,

    I personally have been reading a lot about building your personal brand as part of career management (my little space on the web).

    The net of the many, many articles published on blogs about personal branding is that 1) you must have a personal brand, 2) it consists of four things, and, 3) go start creating one.

    Rarely have I seen much on what you need to do to start creating a personal brand. Or, how you go about doing it (although the four steps comes close).

    So, it was a breath of fresh air to read THIS article on personal branding starting off with “knowing who I am” and then showing us several ways to figure that out.

    Ah, Liz, the publisher…showing and not telling. That’s what makes the difference.

    Thanks for sharing such an insightful thought!

13. May 16th, 2007 at 3:49 pm
    Kirsten Harrell, Psy.D. said

    You nailed it, Liz, with “knowing who I am.” May I add… “and sticking with it.” I think that so many people/businesses try to be something that they are not in order to please others. The problem is that others can feel the lack of integrity and authenticity. Not to mention that it can be exhausting trying to change to please others. :)

    I like what Mitch Joel -http://www.twistimage.com/blog/ - says… “you need to be yourself because everyone else is taken.” (I know others say it to, but I heard it from Mitch first).

    Jesse - I agree… the SOBCon brand rocks! Thank you, Liz, for creating the space and making room for this brand to grow!

14. May 16th, 2007 at 4:49 pm
    Jeff Brown said

    As I told you Saturday Liz, you’ll need a bigger room next year. There’s just no way word of mouth like this won’t create a massive positive infection spreading like the best epidemic ever. :)

    I’ll end with - Kumabya my Lord….

15. May 16th, 2007 at 4:56 pm
    Mihaela Lica said

    And I was not there to see you! :(

16. May 16th, 2007 at 8:21 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Jesse,
    I know. I hear you. It’s like when I get to know someone so well that I forget what that person looks like. I notice how the blogger looks when we meet for a minute and then we’re back inside aach other’s heads talking again. :)

17. May 16th, 2007 at 8:24 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Scot!
    What a wonderful comment! I was only saying how I got to mine, but if that’s how it works . . . for goodness sake take it and use it all you can! You’d be the one I’d one to have it. :)

    Always there and always seeing the best in what’s before you . . . that’s in your brand somewhere I know it is. I’ve seen it. :)

18. May 16th, 2007 at 8:27 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Oh Kirsten!
    You nailed . . . sticking with who you are when times are rough. That’s the trick of looking in the mirror. You and I we call that character. What a great idea to have as part of a brand. :)

19. May 16th, 2007 at 8:28 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Hey Jeff!
    You keep talking like that . . . it’s the stuff that Word of Mouth is made of :)

    I like to hear you singing.

20. May 16th, 2007 at 8:30 pm
    ME Strauss said

    Mihaela!
    There will be that time we will dance the salsa and they will not see us. :)

21. May 17th, 2007 at 12:34 am
    Carma Dutra said

    Branding myself has always been hard for me to digest. Who am I? The image of the Chesire Cat comes to mind. :) Once I resolve that question, there will be dancing all over the world. :)

22. May 17th, 2007 at 5:58 am
    ME Strauss said

    Hi Carma,
    Ah! So, you are as different as we are? That’s fabulous! One of a kind — that’s what anyone should be. What do you value? What do you need around you to feel that you can be full6-epressed as who you are?

23. May 21st, 2007 at 10:08 am
    Branding: 5 Ways to Help You Find Out Who You Are - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once. said

    […] A few days ago Scot Herrick left a comment on the topic of branding. Rarely have I seen much on what you need to do to start creating a personal brand. Or, how you go about doing it (although the four steps comes close). –Scot’s comment […]

24. October 2nd, 2007 at 4:47 am
    Personal Identity: ROI of Behavior in Business and Life - Liz Strauss at Successful Blog - Thinking, writing, business ideas . . . You’re only a stranger once. said

    […] About that Word, Brand, that Keeps Coming Up Finding Your Frequency in Business and in Life See the Successful Series page Brand You […]