Comments on: How Not To Brand Yourself http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/ Quick Sprout is a digital marketing and business blog based on the experiences of an entrepreneur, Neil Patel. Fri, 10 Feb 2012 11:09:32 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Your First 30 Days of Blogging http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-52744 Your First 30 Days of Blogging Thu, 10 Sep 2009 17:03:35 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-52744 [...] example, I saw that Matt Kirkpatrick was messing up on his blog, so I called him out. Not only did I get Matt to come to my blog and comment, but that post also caused me to see an [...] [...] example, I saw that Matt Kirkpatrick was messing up on his blog, so I called him out. Not only did I get Matt to come to my blog and comment, but that post also caused me to see an [...]

]]> By: Neil Patel http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-44178 Neil Patel Thu, 12 Feb 2009 01:21:52 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-44178 That's right. Big companies are really afraid of this, but for this reason they should be the first to embrace the social web. That’s right. Big companies are really afraid of this, but for this reason they should be the first to embrace the social web.

]]> By: Motorcycles for sale http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-44112 Motorcycles for sale Tue, 10 Feb 2009 08:30:49 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-44112 Why branding one's self is a must: first, if you don't someone else will and you lose control of how your are perceived, whether you work for a company, produce widgets or work for yourself. The competition for everything is staggering and one of the best ways to succeed besides being great at what you do. Why branding one’s self is a must: first, if you don’t someone else will and you lose control of how your are perceived, whether you work for a company, produce widgets or work for yourself.
The competition for everything is staggering and one of the best ways to succeed besides being great at what you do.

]]> By: Neil Patel http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-41960 Neil Patel Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:54:51 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-41960 LOL... my friend took that picture of me. I have no idea what he did, but I don't think he airbrushed it. If he did, I would look better. ;) LOL… my friend took that picture of me. I have no idea what he did, but I don’t think he airbrushed it. If he did, I would look better. ;)

]]> By: Network 21 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-41924 Network 21 Wed, 07 Jan 2009 11:17:30 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-41924 Neil, Everyone knows you've airbrushed your sidebar photo to high heaven :P Neil, Everyone knows you’ve airbrushed your sidebar photo to high heaven :P

]]> By: oyster http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-40486 oyster Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:01:37 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-40486 i agree, despite the first impression, never thought he wouldn't be a great guy. i agree, despite the first impression, never thought he wouldn’t be a great guy.

]]> By: Neil Patel http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-40474 Neil Patel Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:43:07 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-40474 Marshall is a great guy! If you happen to meet him in person, you'll see that he doesn't look like a terrorist. ;-) Marshall is a great guy! If you happen to meet him in person, you’ll see that he doesn’t look like a terrorist. ;-)

]]> By: oyster http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-40464 oyster Mon, 17 Nov 2008 09:45:33 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-40464 Don't wont to be like rude or anything, but the first keywords that came into my mind after looking at the picture was Taliban, Jihadist, extremist. Not the right image in my opinion. I haven't seen the video though. But good constructive criticism Neil. Don’t wont to be like rude or anything, but the first keywords that came into my mind after looking at the picture was Taliban, Jihadist, extremist. Not the right image in my opinion. I haven’t seen the video though. But good constructive criticism Neil.

]]> By: Neil Patel http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-40219 Neil Patel Thu, 06 Nov 2008 06:06:56 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-40219 It is better for customers to say how great you are compared to you showcasing your successes. It is better for customers to say how great you are compared to you showcasing your successes.

]]> By: Codrut Turcanu http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-40186 Codrut Turcanu Wed, 05 Nov 2008 17:07:09 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-40186 Exactly, a video needs to pre-sell the idea. It has to give real value and maybe showcase case studies with successful students. Exactly, a video needs to pre-sell the idea. It has to give real value and maybe showcase case studies with successful students.

]]> By: Neil Duckett http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-8917 Neil Duckett Sun, 11 Nov 2007 11:48:25 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-8917 Great post Neil. I also commend Marshall for his comments on your constructive criticism. Good luck to both of you. Great post Neil. I also commend Marshall for his comments on your constructive criticism. Good luck to both of you.

]]> By: Annedien Hoen http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-7251 Annedien Hoen Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:18:21 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-7251 Gee, did I really use that many smilies? Gee, did I really use that many smilies?

]]> By: Annedien Hoen http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-7250 Annedien Hoen Mon, 29 Oct 2007 14:17:52 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-7250 The psychology might also be: I'm way too cool and rock way too much to be bothered to groom my beard :) There can also be status in casual. Even the kind of "I think I see last night's Taco Bell diner shimmering through your beard"-casual ;-) In a way, it's refreshing- not going through the motions in order to sell stuff. I took a look at his website and it was very compelling and magnetic anyways :) The pitch was worrysome, though- selling many different products to a wide variety of a broad scope of potential needs..."To broaden your appeal, narrow your position." We all get away with it somehow ;-) but I think it costs us, too, eventually. ("We", the people somehow involved in consultancy, marketing, branding) Another risk in reviewing people's personal branding is that you don't know a person's strategy, so it's always tricky not to assume things that are untrue- what if Marshall has a carefully crafted personal branding strategy that entails looking somewhat grungy, but eloquent? ;-) This, of course, goes for reviewing anything without strategic background info (that we often can't get our hands on). The psychology might also be: I’m way too cool and rock way too much to be bothered to groom my beard :) There can also be status in casual. Even the kind of “I think I see last night’s Taco Bell diner shimmering through your beard”-casual ;-)
In a way, it’s refreshing- not going through the motions in order to sell stuff. I took a look at his website and it was very compelling and magnetic anyways :)

The pitch was worrysome, though- selling many different products to a wide variety of a broad scope of potential needs…”To broaden your appeal, narrow your position.”
We all get away with it somehow ;-) but I think it costs us, too, eventually. (“We”, the people somehow involved in consultancy, marketing, branding)

Another risk in reviewing people’s personal branding is that you don’t know a person’s strategy, so it’s always tricky not to assume things that are untrue- what if Marshall has a carefully crafted personal branding strategy that entails looking somewhat grungy, but eloquent? ;-)
This, of course, goes for reviewing anything without strategic background info (that we often can’t get our hands on).

]]> By: Dinu http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-7231 Dinu Mon, 29 Oct 2007 08:49:14 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-7231 Wow, nice professional response from Marshal. Usually this kind of thing would turn into a mud-slinging campaign overnight. I agree about the beard though, there was a time when 'guru' meant a shabbily dressed guy with a goatee long enough to trip on, but those days are long gone. Wow, nice professional response from Marshal. Usually this kind of thing would turn into a mud-slinging campaign overnight.

I agree about the beard though, there was a time when ‘guru’ meant a shabbily dressed guy with a goatee long enough to trip on, but those days are long gone.

]]> By: Vinh Nguyen http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-6031 Vinh Nguyen Fri, 19 Oct 2007 22:32:56 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-6031 Good point to Marshall for posting "a not perfect" video. Good point to Neil for pointing it out. Good point to Web 2.0 because it's free publicity. It's all good! Good point to Marshall for posting “a not perfect” video. Good point to Neil for pointing it out. Good point to Web 2.0 because it’s free publicity. It’s all good!

]]> By: Neil Patel http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-6016 Neil Patel Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:56:10 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-6016 Good point. As we all know people like getting talked at and not to. Good point. As we all know people like getting talked at and not to.

]]> By: Neil Patel http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-6015 Neil Patel Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:55:11 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-6015 I wasn't trying to pick on Marshall, I actually think he is a great guy with tons of potential. I do posts like these because it helps people like you learn what not to do. I wasn’t trying to pick on Marshall, I actually think he is a great guy with tons of potential. I do posts like these because it helps people like you learn what not to do.

]]> By: Neil Patel http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-6011 Neil Patel Fri, 19 Oct 2007 14:23:08 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-6011 Marshall made it web based... I am just not tech savvy. Marshall made it web based… I am just not tech savvy.

]]> By: Dan Schawbel http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-6006 Dan Schawbel Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:59:12 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-6006 Looks like the guy is in a playground. I wouldn't take him seriously, therefore I would not buy into his brand. Looks like the guy is in a playground. I wouldn’t take him seriously, therefore I would not buy into his brand.

]]> By: Darren http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-6003 Darren Fri, 19 Oct 2007 12:20:18 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-6003 one more piece of feedback - I had a feeling that Marshall was looking down on me when he was speaking. Not figuratively - but literally - the camera seemed lower than Marshal and it felt like he was up higher than me. I wonder if this 'might' have added to the tone of things. While it could lend itself to expertise it could also lend itself to people feeling a little 'small' or something. just a thought. one more piece of feedback – I had a feeling that Marshall was looking down on me when he was speaking. Not figuratively – but literally – the camera seemed lower than Marshal and it felt like he was up higher than me. I wonder if this ‘might’ have added to the tone of things. While it could lend itself to expertise it could also lend itself to people feeling a little ‘small’ or something.

just a thought.

]]> By: Sean http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5989 Sean Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:12:58 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5989 All good points, but I don't think it reflects well on you to pick on someone who's doing it wrongly. You've written a negative piece when you could have written a positive piece on the right way to do it, and could have spared Marshall the negative attention. Your previous posts have created the impression that you're a positive person, but this post unbalances that brand. I would have considered fixing your consulting page to be a much higher priority than this blog post. All good points, but I don’t think it reflects well on you to pick on someone who’s doing it wrongly. You’ve written a negative piece when you could have written a positive piece on the right way to do it, and could have spared Marshall the negative attention. Your previous posts have created the impression that you’re a positive person, but this post unbalances that brand.

I would have considered fixing your consulting page to be a much higher priority than this blog post.

]]> By: Matty http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5977 Matty Fri, 19 Oct 2007 06:38:57 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5977 #5: don't let me download quicktime. Put the video in a webbased format! Reason enough for me not to do business ;) #5: don’t let me download quicktime. Put the video in a webbased format!

Reason enough for me not to do business ;)

]]> By: Neil Patel http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5967 Neil Patel Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:43:06 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5967 I was actually glad that you caught that. Shows that someone reads my content. ;) I was actually glad that you caught that. Shows that someone reads my content. ;)

]]> By: Adam Audette http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5965 Adam Audette Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:19:33 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5965 i figured... but couldn't miss the chance to give you some shit there ;) i figured… but couldn’t miss the chance to give you some shit there ;)

]]> By: Neil Patel http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5963 Neil Patel Fri, 19 Oct 2007 04:01:34 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5963 LOL! Usually when I troll after new clients, I go after large corporations. Marshall offers consulting clients similar to me, so he would be a bad target. ;) LOL! Usually when I troll after new clients, I go after large corporations. Marshall offers consulting clients similar to me, so he would be a bad target. ;)

]]> By: Adam Audette http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5961 Adam Audette Fri, 19 Oct 2007 03:38:13 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5961 trolling for new clients? http://www.shoemoney.com/2007/10/03/you-want-to-be-rich-then-start-talking-shit/ trolling for new clients?

http://www.shoemoney.com/2007/10/03/you-want-to-be-rich-then-start-talking-shit/

]]> By: Neil Patel http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5951 Neil Patel Fri, 19 Oct 2007 03:00:52 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5951 I do agree that the video was not a complete loss and it did make Marshall look very confident. Problem is I still think it is more effective to just have content and keep everything short. It is all about what you can do for that specific client... everything else doesn't matter. I do agree that the video was not a complete loss and it did make Marshall look very confident. Problem is I still think it is more effective to just have content and keep everything short. It is all about what you can do for that specific client… everything else doesn’t matter.

]]> By: Karl Ribas http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5939 Karl Ribas Fri, 19 Oct 2007 02:04:29 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5939 Hey Neil, You bring up some really great points, especially in the cases of #3 and #4. I would certainly agree with you in saying that Marshall, for the purposes of this video, should have dressed the part of a person worthy of a 3-digit per hour price tag, and that the over use of “I” was indeed very noticeable. However, to be honest, I enjoyed the video and thought that in some instances it was a success. In my opinion, Marshall came across as a person who is not only personable but very confident in his consulting abilities, which I firmly believe are major selling points for potential clients. Granted, as you mentioned, the video did very little for explaining what his services were, but I don't believe it to be a complete loss. Hey Neil,

You bring up some really great points, especially in the cases of #3 and #4. I would certainly agree with you in saying that Marshall, for the purposes of this video, should have dressed the part of a person worthy of a 3-digit per hour price tag, and that the over use of “I” was indeed very noticeable. However, to be honest, I enjoyed the video and thought that in some instances it was a success. In my opinion, Marshall came across as a person who is not only personable but very confident in his consulting abilities, which I firmly believe are major selling points for potential clients.

Granted, as you mentioned, the video did very little for explaining what his services were, but I don’t believe it to be a complete loss.

]]> By: Marshall Kirkpatrick http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5928 Marshall Kirkpatrick Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:59:57 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5928 Well it isn't very often I see people advising a shave who are open to the cult-of-having-a-beard, either ;) Take care, best of luck to you in your work, thanks for the support and see ya around! Well it isn’t very often I see people advising a shave who are open to the cult-of-having-a-beard, either ;)

Take care, best of luck to you in your work, thanks for the support and see ya around!

]]> By: Neil Patel http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5921 Neil Patel Fri, 19 Oct 2007 00:35:06 +0000 http://www.quicksprout.com/2007/10/18/how-not-to-brand-yourself/#comment-5921 WOW, it isn't too often that I see people open to criticism. But as everyone knows, you aren't an ordinary person ;). As for the beard I agree that it is nice to have and I have tried growing it out. Problem is a clean shave and a nice shirt (similar to the picture in your sidebar) can make you more money. Or at least that is what I experienced. WOW, it isn’t too often that I see people open to criticism. But as everyone knows, you aren’t an ordinary person ;) .

As for the beard I agree that it is nice to have and I have tried growing it out. Problem is a clean shave and a nice shirt (similar to the picture in your sidebar) can make you more money. Or at least that is what I experienced.

]]>