Marketing What You Do Well
Specialization is the single most important Personal Branding strategy in your arsenal. You simply cannot build an effective brand without being a specialist. Peter Montoya, The Brand Called You
I love personal branding. Everything about it screams “individuality”, “completeness”, “purpose”, “passion”, “profit.”
Just 13 months ago, I began studying personal branding, with all that was within me. I was so intrigued by the fact that in order to succeed as a small business owner in the 21st century, I had to “know myself.”
Well, I have been a certified educator since 1994, and I can say with certainty that “knowing yourself” is not something that is taught by the public school systems of which I was employed.
Instead, one is taught to figure out what you do well and align it with a career. In other words, fit yourself into a career that works.
Think about it, did anyone at school ever say, “Let’s find out t what you absolutely love to do and figure out a way that you can build a business/brand around it?” I am going to be presumptuous here and say, I think not.
Instead, you were made to think that yes, you had talents, gifts, and skills that would truly be an asset to somebody else’s company, organization, or association. You were trained to think of yourself in terms of building somebody else’s dreams.
Then, while doing that, you were trained to participate in “extra-curricular activities”, so that you could participate in things that made life more fun and more worthwhile.
Middle Grades Occupational Exploration
I remember when I attended Rogers-Herr Middle School for grades six and seven in Durham, North Carolina. I had to take this class we called, MGOE. That stood for Middle Grades Occupational Exploration.
MGOE allowed us to rotate to different teachers who taught various skills that related to particular careers. So, you might go to a class where you learned about jobs in the medical field. In fact, that is how I learned how to make a bed the way nurses do in hospitals–folding the corners, ever so nicely.
Well, after so many weeks in one class, you would go to another where you would learn about jobs in another industry.
I’m reflecting on that and sharing that with you because at no given time was the possibility of wanting to be an entrepreneur ever discussed…EVER. I find that daunting.
Yet, here we are today, in the 21st century (that was in the mid-80′s), training our children the same way, even when “the times” demand that we do things differently.
Your Know-How Holds The Key
The times demand that you tap into what it is that you do well, what you would do for free, all day, everyday, if I promised to pay all of your living expenses for the rest of your life.
Marketing whatever “it” is with clarity and consistency is the key to your ultimate success. It is the key to getting something out of life and you bring value to others.
Therefore, it is critical that you identify what “it” is.
In this video tutorial, I provide 6 benefits to identifying your specialty. Get a pen and some paper and take notes. I believe that you will have an “aha” moment while doing so.
Now, it is time to get to work. Go ahead and market what you do well…and find yourself experiencing the life that is far more than you ever dreamed.
Leave a comment. I would love to hear from you. 
Your vision statement has been created and you know exactly what kind of business you are going to birth.
