As someone who’s long preached the benefits of branding, including Personal branding, I was pleased to read that WSJ’s MarketWatch piece, just listed “Personal Branding” as a top “must-have job skill for 2013.” Personal Branding directly relates to your G-cred , or Google Credibility. So, whether you’re in the job hunt or not, the question still is: How good is yours?
As a follow up to my last post “9 Great Online Credibility Builders,” I felt it was important to point out the flipside: credibility killers. In many ways credibility killers are even more important because it only takes being guilty of one cred killer and all your hard earned credibility could be out the window.
So, let’s begin:
1.) Poor LinkedIn Profile: When checking out a person’s professional background and cred online, LinkedIn is often the first stop for me. It amazes me how little effort some people invest in it. To have good cred your profile has to present you in the best possible light. That means in needs to be filled out completely and accurately.
Many folks simply don’t know about all the bells and whistles (like videos, Slideshares, etc.) that they can use to spice up a profile. It also helps to have more than one or two testimonials. Need more? Then try giving more. And please, make sure your information is accurate, grammatically correct, and devoid of typos.
2.) Bad Website: When I say a “bad website” I mean a website that’s unprofessional. That means broken links, bad grammar, a lack of design, etc. One of the worst things you can do is point out the fact that you don’t have your act together with a lame, “Sorry, our new site is under construction. Come back soon.”
Whatever your business, product, or service, credibility is key. It’s also true with your personal reputation. On that note, the information that appears, or doesn’t appear, 
whenever your name is searched on the Internet is a litmus test of your personal and professional credibility. It’s called G-cred.
To help with that G-cred, here are 9 things you can do:
1.) A maxed-out LinkedIn profile: Lots of folks have a LinkedIn profile, but few have a LinkedIn profile that’s fully completed for maximum impact. Is yours?
• Don’t just have a short job title, tell folks as much as possible in that title space. The more key words, the better.
• Have a bunch of recommendations? No? Then here’s a tip: If you want more recommendations, try giving some.
• Be sure you include all your website links and a Twitter feed.
• Is your profile Summary awesome? Is it filled with juicy keywords?
• Got videos or SlideShare presentations? Add them with the SlideShare app.
• If you want you can even display your reading list.
• Lastly, be sure your latest blog posts and Tweets are being displayed in your LinkedIn update feed.
A LinkedIn profile is usually one of the first things that comes up in an Internet search. Be sure you have a great one.
2.) A blog: It’s easier than ever to create a blog. Not only will it help with G-cred, it’ll help position you and your business as a leader in your field.
More that ever TRUST is the key factor in your prospects’ decision making. And to create trust nothing is more important than online credibility. It’s critical for every product, service, organization and professional who takes his or her career seriously. Whichever you fall into there’s a list of ways to build your online cred. There’s also a list of things that can detract from it. John’s NY EXPO talk covers them all and offers tips to keep your online cred strong. (For info on John’s Marketing Therapy program for small businesses, click here.)
Donald Trump’s personal brand is many things, not the least of which is Narcissist. He re-enforced that brand during the final Celebrity Apprentice interview when he asked finalist Arsenio Hall to restate his comment about his total devotion if he was chosen. In essence, Trump wanted to know who’d be the bigger ass-kisser and Arsenio’s answer made that clear. I don’t say this as a put down to Arensio. It’s a comment about Trump and what helped determine his final decision. It’s also a comment about corporate America. People who succeed in a corporate structure, especially one led by narcissistic leadership, are not necessarily those who are the most capable, most independent-minded, most fearless, and display the strongest leadership skills. Like Clay Aiken.
While we all now know that Arsenio Hall is the ordained Celebrity Apprentice, the question that 18 celebrity managers and publicists are now asking is: “How well did my celeb score with the public and potential advertisers?” As I write this teams of celeb interns are busily foraging through Twitter posts and blogs to report back on how their celeb came off. Though their celeb may not have won, a good primetime showing could mean millions for their celeb in the form of that next TV deal or Superbowl spot. Here, then, are my big winners and losers.
BIG WINNERS
Before this season’s CA, few knew much about Clay Aiken beyond his being “that gay American Idol singer.” Clay’s amazing showing on CA has totally elevated his public awareness and personal brand. Not only did it reveal his amazing vocal talents to millions of potentially new fans, but it also revealed him to be a super smart, caring, determined, classy, easy-going, and genuinely good, likeable guy. Perhaps, more importantly, it will hopefully help break down negative attitudes that continue to exist toward the gay community.
Arsenio Hall even joked about it himself, “I meet a lot of people who, when they meet me now, say: ‘wow, man, I thought you were dead.” I don’t think he’ll be hearing much of that any more. Like Clay, Arsenio proved that he’s a class act, even with his Aubrey O’Day moment. (I doubt many could blame him) And, who knew the dude could sing! I’m not sure where Arsenio went since his show ended in the mid-nineties, but wherever that was, his great, likeable CA performance should open doors in a major way for him. Woof, woof, woof!
I don’t think anyone knew Dayana Mendoza before this season’s CA. They do now. Despite the negative stereotyping that Lisa Lampanelli did her damnedest to try to re-enforce, Dayana proved that you can be both drop-dead beautiful and smart. Her calm resolve against Lampanelli’s relentless broadside salvos also proved she’s as tough as they come. Though she may not have won the game her personal brand scored huge. Bravo, Dayana.
LOSERS
If this was HBO or an esoteric cable channel Lisa Lampanelli might have gotten away with her condescending, foul-mouthed antics. Not on NBC in primetime. I’m sure she was told as much by her handlers (if there even is such a thing). Even with her 11th-hour attempt at crisis management by coughing up the 10k for Clay’s charity and acting all sweet and self-effacing with her final comments, it was too little, too late. She may have won big bucks for her charity, but she blew it big time to take her career up a notch. Had she been smarter she could have won while staying true to her wickedly, wise-ass persona. Instead, she just came off wicked.
It’s not surprising that Aubrey O’Day and Lisa Lampanelli bonded. Both are talented and incredibly driven. Both are also narcissists who couldn’t help but take every on-camera moment to exclaim how amazingly awesome they were and how amazingly retarded most of their teammates were. That’s not the way to win the game or public favor. Of course, her fans will continue to adore her and she deserves props for her money-raising efforts for charity. However, her “don’t hate me because I’m beautiful…and smart…and, did I mention awesomely creative?” attitude won’t score points with the public or major advertisers.
Marketing experts claim it’s easier than ever to market your business. So, why is it so confusing? I address that question and discuss the best marketing solutions to grow your business now and in the months to come.
I recently met Nick Nanton at a conference. He makes some great points.
Donald Trump had hardly finished his self-congratulation on the Obama birth issue when his own credibility was suddenly, and forcefully, attacked.
It began at the White House Dinner when Obama roasted Trump with surprising and well-delivered wit. The verbal smackdown then went viral on YouTube, national talk shows, and news broadcasts. The president concluded his comic lashing with a pointed comment about there being “more serious issues” to focus on. 24-hours later that would prove to be the understatement of the year. With poetic irony, Obama’s dramatic announcement preempted the final minutes of Trump’s Celebrity Apprentice.
Since then, Trump has become the butt of Facebook and Twitter jabs, and late night jokes including one from David Letterman which prompted Trump to cancel his May 18th appearance. When The Donald cancels an appearance on a national talk show like Letterman, you know he’s in retreat mode.
In trying to raise his political profile via public attacks on Obama, Trump seems to have grabbed the baton from a quickly fading Sarah Palin. Like Palin, Trump is no stranger to public criticism and comedic jabs. Some may even argue that he thrives on it. However, the multiple hits that the Trump brand suffered this weekend will definitely cause some re-consideration of his presidential bid. And, at least in the short term, it may even get him to shut up.
