My RSS Feed has a consistent personal brand on, well, personal brand and career topics. Maria Elena Duron has Just Posted the Following on her blog:


I know I've been there - walked into a cluster of people and it's quite obvious that the conversation it about you. And, you are hoping that people would be speaking positively about you and instead someone turns to you and says "well, she's always so darn busy!"

Lovely.

Word of mouth is a double-edge sword. When people are absolutely delighted with something that you did - they'll tell three people. When they are unhappy with something you did - they'll tell eleven people (or more)!

For me, the "too busy" brand attribute has always been a challenge. Why? Because most of the people who think that I'm "too busy" think so because they've asked to "pick my brains" for a cup of coffee. And, while Starbuck's coffee is at a premium - a $7 buck latte does not warrant a fair trade for what they are wanting.

Really, would I ask my physician out for a cup of joe to get his thoughts on my health and diagnose my symptoms?

Or, would I invite my attorney friend for coffee and then proceed to ask his insights on a concern or question?

NO.

Naturally, I lean towards wanting to help. I want to be giving of my time and talents...that is normal for me. It's hard for me to be in mid-sentence and say "for the rest of the information insert a $100 bill in the slot."

I've found the best way to handle it is to buffer that tendency with assistants who will book available times for me and only allow one coffee meeting per person and space those about two weeks apart. In that way, I satisfy my need to help; I don't give away the farm and dishonor the sacrifice my family has made for me to do what I do; and I make it inconvenient to do "the coffee thing".

Almost as bad as that, are the clients who don't do what they say they'll do. And, while the excuses aren't as dismal as "the dog ate my homework" they're just as bad. My best clients are those who want to succeed and are willing to commit the time, energy and resources to make it happen. My time becomes sparse for those who delay their own success.

Now, if you're a fully paying customer who is self motivated chances are we talk quite often.

Are there areas of your personal brand attributes that lend themselves to be used (and sometimes abused) by others? What can you do to keep the quality of your brand intact and not be taken advantage of?

Personally, I would much rather have someone say something positive to me as I walk up to a group that is obviously chatting about me. Maybe I can buy you coffee and pick your brain on the matter??? LOL!Maria Elena Duron, CEO, Buzz to Bucks, broadens the network of busy people through effective social marketing strategies. Buzz to Bucks provides online profile management services, social management and reputation management - helping key employees to establish higher visibility and provide consistency in branding as well as establishing the expertise in their industry for entrepreneurs.


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