BernieBorges.com Blog: Social Media and Web Marketing

Story Telling That Propels Your Personal Brand

 Tell Your Story To Get Noticed

Story telling has been around since the stone ages. Centuries ago long before television, radio and social media, people entertained each other by telling stories. The most successful business brands today are excellent at story telling. Just look at Gymboree, Starbucks, Ford, IBM, Cisco and many other brands that have figured out that story telling is the most effective way to reach and engage their consumer.

Your career is based on your value proposition to your employer or to your customers if you own your own business. We are well past the concept of B2B (business to business) or B2C (business to consumer). We are at P2P (people to people). No matter your industry, the people factor is huge.

So what’s your story? Have you organized, rehearsed and delivered your personal brand story?

3 Key Points To Make in Your Personal Brand Story

Make it personal…Tell your personal story. In my case, I was motivated to finish my undergraduate degree at Pace University. My parents couldn’t afford to fund it. So, after completing an Associates degree at a public community college, I got a full time job and attended Pace University at night. It took me five additional years of continuous semesters to complete my Bachelor’s degree. It wasn’t easy. But, it taught me many valuable lessons. While some of my friends sometimes distracted me with temptations to go out after work, I stayed disciplined and focused on getting my degree in night school. That experience at a young age has given me the confidence and discipline to tackle many challenges in my personal and professional life.

Keep it positive….It would’ve been easy to complain that my parents couldn’t afford to send me to a private college. It would’ve been easy to whine about all the parties I missed out on in my early twenties because I was geeking out in school after work and weekends. And, it would’ve been easy to complain about the $20,000 I spent of my hard earned money to get my degree at Pace University while other people my age had their college funded by their parents. But, it wasn’t my parent’s fault they couldn’t afford a private university tuition. It was up to me to take action. And, action is what I took. In hindsight it’s the best $20,000 I’ve ever spent. And, the experience gave me a launch pad for my career. I wouldn’t trade it for anything.

Point out the value to the customer….The value of this experience to my customer is that hard work and discipline creates a strong work ethic. I’ve always done what is in my customer’s best interest because I know that good outcomes require hard and smart work. Shortcuts don’t get the job done.

Story Telling Examples

Consider these personal brand stories from people in these career positions.

Restaurant Maitre D’

My job is to create the first impression for customers so they will enjoy their dining experience with us. As customers leave the restaurant, my job is to create the last impression so that their total experience at our restaurant is so great, they will tell their friends and return to the restaurant.

Accounts Payable Clerk

My job is to apply my accounting knowledge to manage my employer’s cash efficiently. My contribution to efficient cash management contributes to our financial viability and our strength in the market.

Retail Cashier

My job is to give customers a pleasant experience when they part with their hard earned money at our store. Often I’m the last person they encounter at the store. I aim to leave a positive lasting impression so they will return to shop with us.

Taxi Driver

My job is to give my customers a comfortable and pleasant ride to their destination. I want to cater to their needs in the moment. If they want to be quiet, I’ll turn off the radio. If they are new to my city, I’ll point out the sights and offer suggestions of places to eat or things to do. I want my customers to enjoy their ride with me and remember it as a pleasant experience.

Make The Most of Every Opportunity to Tell Your Story

We don’t always get a chance to tell our personal story as I’ve shared above. Often we can tell our story through non verbal communication through gestures, actions and even non-actions.

The way you tell your story affects your personal brand. It differentiates you from others. It can create interest in you. Tell your story using these three guidelines and watch your personal brand prosper.

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