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Until a few short months ago, I had absolutely never ever ever heard of the term Personal Branding. I studied urban planning and public policy in my undergrad and grad years, and the idea of speaking for oneself rather than a person in need was never really discussed. We studied inequality, racial disparity, global poverty and other critical issues. For years of academia, I never quite understood how as an individual, I was to make my mark on solving all of these huge issues.
Then, I entered the nonprofit working world. All of a sudden people were in competition. Social services were being run like businesses and I was that idealistic fool at the back of the room. Fundraising required marketing and business savvy, and I had been unprepared. I had never learned what role Beth would play in making the world better, just that it was my moral obligation.
For me, personal branding has become a very important tool in helping create that change that I feel so strongly about. I never thought that logos and campaigns would interest me, but I have begun to learn that it is all a matter of perception. The most effective way to help people is to meet them where they are, bringing together the skills that you have, with the skills that they have to create something wonderful.
Without taking control of your own personal brand, or what you bring to the table, maybe you will be fine. Maybe you will still lead great grassroots movements and think nothing less of yourself. But I think that learning about what you are good at and what makes you special is an even better tool in helping others.
For me, the branding has been about redrawing my path towards making a difference. And every person I meet along the way helps me to get there.
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Comments
01.08.10
The non-profit sector isn't necessarily one that is usually associated with the concept of personal branding, so it's interesting to hear your perspective. My favorite part is when you say that learning about what you are good at and what makes you special is an even better tool in helping others. So, so true, and something that more people need to realize! Great post, Beth!
01.08.10
Here's a fun fact: The University of Massachusetts Dartmouth Center for Marketing Research released a study showing that nonprofit groups are well ahead of businesses in their use of social-media (Twitter, Facebook, blogs). In fact, 89 percent of all nonprofit orgs are using social media, and 57% use blogs. (http://philanthropy.com/giveandtake/article/1079/nonprofit-groups-outpac...) So it makes sense that there'd be a LOT of rockstar personal-branders in the field.
My very favorite thing about this post is that you don't differentiate between personal branding and making a difference (two things that I feel a lot of people wouldn't even think to put together)! Thanks for an awesome post- I love your excitement and, as a nonprofiteer, I know exactly how you feel!
01.09.10
Although the stats may show that nonprofits are using social media extensively, the study does not show how many of them have a social media strategy in place. This is soooo important in being able to measure the impact and evaluate the time invested in it.
01.11.10
The nonprofit sector is an industry. Many industries are ran according to the principals derived from their target demographic. Although it is not highly publicized, nonprofits are very aware of its organization brand. However, the aspect of career branding is sort differently per each individualized need. This is a nice chat room, kudos!
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