As an entrepreneur, is my business and personal brand the same thing?
I realize I need to start networking more and build my reputation as an entrepreneur. I am also working on developing a brand for my new business. How is my personal and business brand different?
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Nov 24, 2015
Hi Jane,
in principle yes, of course, however I experinced many situations that had to be handled in a different way from I'd have done in my personal life.
The key point is the consumers decide whether to buy your Brand or not and you, as an entrepreneur, have to meet their expectations rather than being consistent with your personality.
I hope it does help.
Best Wishes,
Emilio
Oct 30, 2015
If you want they can be the same but think of future , at the long run you may think of selling so don"t let them be the same - No one knows what will happen after longtime .
wish you all the best .
Oct 30, 2015
Your personal brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room.
Oct 28, 2015
Hi Jane,
Build a firewall between your personal brand and your business brand just as you build a firewall between your personal finances and your business finances.
Too often entrepreneurs mix the two on both sides of the brand and finances and position themselves for immanent danger and disaster.
You business has its own persona, its own personality and own unique standards. Build on those as you gain more entrepreneurial experience. You do not want to co-mingle brands just as you do not want to co-mingle your funding.
You regard your growth and ability to scale when you do.
Hope this helps.
Ellen
Oct 28, 2015
As stated by Elaine Slatter in earlier comment, if its a Product or personalized service then Business and Personal Brand can be same thing, Where as if its an associated service or Product then it could be different.
Oct 25, 2015
Look into a mirror. What do you see? What do you have to offer? Who are you trying to reach? When do you want to begin? Where are you located within your mind...local...national...global? Are you the product and/or service? The answer is aa clear as the view through your eyes. Now, smile. Move forward. All the very best to you in this exciting journey.
Oct 24, 2015
Not really. If you read the Stee Jobs book and if you see the movie his companies APPLE and NEXT were a lot nicer to deal with than he was. He was really hard on his "families."
Oct 23, 2015
My brand is AlwaysInTao, my business is writng books, developing websites, arranging social media functions, and managing social media. My products include books, web articles, etc. My services include x,y,z, etc (best way I know to illustrate what I'm trying to convey.)
Oct 23, 2015
As an entrepreneur, essentially you ARE your brand. How confidently you communicate your offering and how clearly you show an interest in meeting your clients' needs comes through in how you present yourself directly and through advertising. What can you offer that is unique? Why would someone choose you over a competitor? Be sure to emphasize that in your advertising and communications.
Oct 22, 2015
Yes, they are two different things unless as another stated, you are a one-person business. I would caution you that in creating a "one-person" business where you are in fact the brand you are selling, it makes it very difficult to grow. You can not have John S. as the face of the business and handling a client, if the client is hiring Sue S. Consulting for a project. It makes it very hard for anyone else to have credibility working for you and very disappointed clients who expect the name of the company to be working for them.
Additionally, personal and business brands need to be clearly separated on social media. You can't use a personal social media page to promote your business. It not only looks unprofessional but is confusing...so many entrepreneurs start this way with promoting their business on social media and though they may be the expert of their company, it really makes one out to be unsophisticated.
Your company is not you, you are a part of your company but if you want to grow and hire others, it cannot be all about you.
Spot on, but in business perception is reality, so you must be very careful! Thanks Frans, Emilio