BRANDING & YOU

How to Amplify Yourself

PQ PRODUCTIONSBrand new digital agency

specializing in:

Community Building & Management

Content Marketing Social Media Strategy &

Management Branding

…More to come!

THE GIRLBerrak Sarikaya

(@BerrakDC) Gen-Y Digital

Native/Blogger Conversation Driver Writer Amplifier Community Builder Social Media Junkie Rare D.C. Native Has a Penguin Posse

WHAT IS A BRAND? “People talk about brands. Brands fill our

lives because they fill our eyeballs, ears, memories, and hearts. The trick is to become one. It never happens overnight, but you know when you’ve become one. Your fans, followers, friends, and freaks will let you know.” - Sam Davidson, Proof Branding

“A brand is the set of expectations, memories, stories and relationships that, taken together, account for a consumer’s decision to choose one product or service over another.” – Seth Godin

A BRAND… Is recognizable Incites emotions Has to be trusted Has to be competitive Can be weak and get lost in the noise Is the whole package

YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Is your strongest asset. Control it.

YOUR PERSONAL BRANDShouldn’t happen by accident.

If you haven’t already:

Someone is probably Googling you right now.

What will they find?

"Personal branding is about managing your name — even if you don’t own a business — in a world of misinformation, disinformation,

and semi-permanent Google records. Going on a date? Chances

are that your “blind” date has Googled your name. Going to a job

interview? Ditto.“ - Tim Ferriss, Author of the 4-Hour Work Week

OWN YOUR DOMAIN. LITERALLY.

Have a place online where all of your networks are linked.

MY ACCIDENTAL STORY Blogger since 2003 - Including

LiveJournal & Myspace On Facebook since August 21, 2004 On Twitter since May 17, 2007

(Formerly known as DCPrincessQ, DC_PQ)

Until 2010, blogged & networked online as Jordan Q.

Became an entrepreneur in 2011 after freelancing for 2 years.

Used Twitter to change careers.

MY ACCIDENTAL STORY “A rose by any other name would smell as

sweet.” William Shakespeare

Used a pen name for years so my brand was built under a fake name but it was still strong.

Authenticity & consistency were the cornerstones in my accidental strategy.

MY ACCIDENTAL STORY

I learned by trial & error.

WHAT IS YOUR STORY?

“We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most

important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You. It's that simple -- and that hard. And that inescapable.” –

Tom Peters

KNOW YOUR STRENGTHS What are the top qualities you want

people to notice about you?

AMPLIFY YOURSELF Don’t spend your time trying to fit the

mold – you have qualities that make your brand unique. Figure out the pieces and then amplify yourself using the tools available to you.

KEEP YOUR BUZZ WORDS IN YOUR PANTS, MR. GURU

TWITTER IS YOUR BEST FRIEND If you’re not on Twitter, you’re doing it

wrong Participate in chats Engage and contribute to the

conversation Follow industry leaders Be yourself Build your brand in 140 character

increments

DO YOU BLOG? Your brand is your story. How can

you share your story without writing it down?

Blogging is your chance to show your opinion, experience, and increase your brand’s visibility.

Blogging generates conversation. Blogging will help you establish

credibility in your field.

GET LINKEDIN If you’re not using LinkedIn, you’re

missing out on a substantial network. Make sure your profile is updated, and if

possible, get recommendations from past & present coworkers.

Answer questions to establish yourself and your knowledge.

Join groups to connect with other professionals & increase your presence.

CLEAN UP YOUR FACE(BOOK)

You don’t have to scrub your

personality clean but don’t put up

anything you don’t want

coming back to bite you.

CLEAN UP YOUR FACE(BOOK)

Your Facebook is a part of your

personal brand. Make sure there

aren’t any skeletons in the

closet.

YOU HAVE YOUR BRAND, YOU’RE ONLINE, AND YOU’RE TALKING. NOW WHAT?

BE… Consistent Transparent Authentic Helpful Engaging Focused In Charge A good listener

DON’T SHOVE YOUR BRAND DOWN PEOPLE’S THROATS“If you don't get

noticed, you don't have

anything. You just have to be noticed, but the art is in getting

noticed naturally, without

screaming or without tricks."Leo Burnett

DON’T BE OBSESSED WITH THE NUMBERS

Don’t ask “How can I get more followers?”

Instead, focus on what you bring to the conversation.

Engagement = Visibility

TAKE IT OFFLINE! Go to

networking events and introduce yourself to someone new every time

Meet people for coffee to chat without an agenda

OWN YOUR QUIRKS! THEY’RE WHAT MAKE YOU & YOUR BRAND

MEMORABLE.

GO FORTH & AMPLIFY YOURSELF

Want to continue the conversation? Find me online?

berrakdc@gmail.com www.twitter.com/berrakdc

http://www.linkedin.com/in/berrakdc www.berraksarikaya.com