Here's the thing you already know about this space. If you're not consistently evolving, growing, learning and experimenting, than you might as well go work in another industry. In the spirit if everything I just said—I've launched a new pet project called "Brand U.0". It's not a blog (well, this link will take you to one). But it's an idea.
The idea is this:
Personal brands matter—we're creating them each time we create a profile online, reinforcing them each time we have an interaction and if we get fired or move on in our careers—it's the one thing we are allowed to take with us. That can never be taken away.
And consider this. Successful personal brands are REALLY HARD to build and maintain. And that's why there are so few examples of people who have cultivated huge followings and actually live up to the brand they have built.
Chris Brogan is one of these people, and he's my first interview . Join me in this experiment—you never know where it will end up.
Great idea, great interview, looking forward to more...
Posted by: Mark McGuinness | Thursday, September 25, 2008 at 01:36 PM
Looking forward to more great interviews!
Posted by: Tim Jahn | Friday, September 26, 2008 at 12:40 PM
Great concept David.
One question though: how do you pronounce it U.0?
You Zero?
Uh Oh?
You Dot Oh? (Sort of like what the Ohio State tuba player does when the marching band spells out "Script Ohio")
Posted by: Jeremiah Wright | Saturday, September 27, 2008 at 01:55 PM
Nice concept, great interview. Thank you.
As a psychologist/branding strategist, I can tell you that I believe the secret to personal branding is self-knowledge.
One's core life-mission and values, tapped into, create a unique gestalt that always makes a powerful impression on others. The trick, as I see it, is to sustainably access that authentic layer of self in a world that constantly pulls for survival-based thinking and salesmanlike impression management.
I'm looking forward to seeing this project unfold, and to learning more.
Posted by: John Marshall Roberts | Monday, September 29, 2008 at 01:00 PM
U'll need brand guidelines...
http://www.johnsonbanks.co.uk/thoughtfortheweek/index.php?thoughtid=386
Posted by: Ross Raeburn | Thursday, October 09, 2008 at 07:22 PM
This is a great idea! and you are right - this is like any gold rush. the ones who lead will be memorable...the one who do not will be one hit wonders.
Posted by: Joanna Pena-Bickley | Sunday, October 12, 2008 at 04:49 PM