The idea of having a personal brand is relatively new, but it’s an important thing to develop today, especially when it comes to promoting Rotary. Even more so if you are a community leader like a district governor, because building a personal brand becomes just as important to build trust and credibility with your own audience.
Now, while the good old club brochures or Rotary business cards given out at the sausage sizzles are still used as good promotional tools, people who are looking to join or be affiliated with you or your club find out a lot more just by googling you.
This means the internet is now all about YOU! In the past few years, the importance of personal branding has grown dramatically as social media sites have enabled anyone to easily express themselves online, so it’s important to project a positive image.
Your individual personal brand is created by the personal values you believe in and how you build upon Rotary’s professional reputation by your contributions to your communities, both online and offline. For me personally it was the creation of the “Rotary Hero" branding, this tied into my passion for comic books and superheroes and a love for Superman. I used the well known concept of superheroes doing good in the world to make the connection between Rotarians who also do good and branding Rotarians the modern day superheroes. For me now, it has made me recognizable across the Rotary world as a Rotary Hero and bring positive vibes and energy because of it.
Once you’ve identified your own passion, style and message, you’re ready to start developing a meaningful conversation.
When defining your own personal Rotary public image online, consider these elements:
• Your image should be in line with Rotary’s culture of tolerance, respectability and peace; your personal brand image must suit the audience you are serving.
• Your smile, gestures, tone of voice and writing style need to be authentic to who you are and support your need to make your audience comfortable in relating to you.
• A positive image and appearance is crucial to acceptance by potential members and the community at large.
Having a personal brand is about differentiating yourself by expressing your own unique view, creativity, opinion and personal style. We all have natural talents and gifts, so let us use them to tell the Rotary story.
Article by Evan Burrell