Anyone can convey information.  And too often people think that’s the purpose of posts, emails, letters, speeches, and conversations.  But oh, communication is so much more than that!  Particularly if you want to win in business and in life. Your personal communications are your brand—both written and verbal, online and offline.  So make them good.

No one does this better than our pet care provider.  Sharon from Peace of Mind Pet Care in Phoenix is the only person I would trust with our three cherished rescue cats and our yellow Labrador Retriever. Why? Because Sharon “is” what she does.  Of course, she provides a great service, but her communications—the little notes she leaves us about our pets—say it all.

After a recent weekend getaway, we came back and were greeted by the most fantastic “report” from Sharon.  She always leaves them and every one is a spectacular example of personal branding…plus they’re entertaining as heck!  Here’s just a sampling:

…Everybody did super here.  That little Misty is coming into her own if she already hasn’t, that is.  She seems to be a little “bossy paws” over Sierra or at least tries to be…Rigby and Misty seem to have become a little Bonnie and Clyde duo whereas Sierra has no time for any of that silliness…Took Pima to the park a couple times to meet and greet her cronies and check her “P-mails”!…

Who wouldn’t want Sharon taking care of their pets?  This communication is her brand and along with the information of “everything was fine,” her language and her message says so much more.  To me, this says that she cares immensely about our pets, that our pets were happy while we were gone, that she loves what she does and that we need not worry, ever.  I save every one of her notes because they are so funny, touching and memorable.  They are from her heart.

So here’s your homework assignment.  Take a look at your communications last week, as many as you can, and ask yourself:

1.  Did I do more than just provide information?
2.  Did I put my heart into what I was communicating?
3.  Did I use words that people can understand and connect with?
4.  Did my communication come across genuinely?
5.  Was my communication meaningful to my audience?
6.  Was my communication different from others in my industry?
7.  Were the responses I received—verbal, written, online and in body language—positive and inviting?

Content matters, but delivery of that content speaks volumes about who you are, what you stand for and what you hope to achieve. Next time you need to make that big speech, write that report, post on Twitter or leave a note for someone, think about your own personal brand and make every communication an opportunity to reinforce it.  Brands are built moment by moment…the little things matter!

Filed under: Branding, Marketing by Kathy Heasley
No Comments »