Written on the 5th of March 2015 by Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist
50 Shades of Personal Branding
By now you've heard about or watched the recently released first instalment of the Fifty Shades Trilogy - Fifty Shades of Grey? Before you read on I offer a warning with this article, some of the contents maybe a little provocative but not too x rated - read at your own risk .
A great deal of negative commentary surrounded the release of Fifty Shades of Grey, specifically about the lack lustre love scenes. Many people asked where was the erotica??
If you haven't seen the film, I am sure you'll be shocked at the volume of nudity unless you were anticipating a movie with a XXX rating rather than R.
And well, if you've read the books you'll know firstly, a lot of the expected erotica is in the next book and secondly, the book series is not all about sex. All be it, there are a number of extremely steamy scenes within the pages of the book that had over 80 million readers fanning themselves.
People are shocked when I say the Fifty Shades series is not all about sex. I think the books are about determining your personal brand values and boundaries; understanding the psychology behind a healthy self identity; and ultimately recognising we are all worthy of love. Let me know your thoughts once I've explained my rationale below.
Personal branding is about finding clarity, about and within yourself. Removing or reducing the shades of grey and becoming crystal clear about who you are and what your mission is. Fifty shades of grey is where most people dwell - unclear and unsure of who they are, what they represent and where they're going.
The fifty shades line is significant. The frustrated revelation "Because I'm fifty shades of #$@!ed-up, Anastasia" is voiced by Christian Grey. His dark desires and lifestyle stem from a broken, traumatic childhood where control becomes paramount and disturbingly confused with childhood memories and experiences.
Anastasia however, after a conscious decision to taste the temptations of the dark side, retreats from the darkness; establishes her boundaries reinforcing her values and personal limitations. These measures intrinsically force Christian to question his values, what is important to him and the future expression of his love.
"This is a man in need. His fear is naked and obvious, but he's lost. . . Somewhere in his darkness.
His eyes wide and bleak and tortured. I can soothe him. Join him briefly in the darkness and bring him into the light." Anastasia Steele E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
Each of us will be tempted, tested by trials and tribulations and forced to determine and maintain our values - what is important to us.
"We're coming near to the end of the bridge, and the road is once more bathed in the neon light of the street lamps so his face is intermittently in the light and the dark. And it's such a fitting metaphor. This man, whom I once thought of as a romantic hero, a brave shining white knightor the dark knight, as he said. He's not a hero; he's a man with serious, deep emotional flaws, and he's dragging me into the dark. Can I not guide him into the light?" Anastasia E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
This is at the heart of personal branding. Our brand is strengthened by our strong sense of self and our clear understanding of our own self identity.
Within our training series - Brand Yourself the Authority we case study the Fifty Shades Brand, so you can imagine we have a lot fun, laughs and red cheek moments (no palm-twitching pun intended). We look at the characters, the author, the brand attributes and the erotic brand empire which is Fifty Shades of Grey.
This article is not to discuss the brand attributes of Fifty Shades or the lifestyles reflected or its moral fibre but to provoke your thinking, like the book. In your life where are your Fifty Shades of Grey? Where is your area of calmity? Where is your area of clarity? What are your personal brand values? What or who may be tempting you to step away from your true self or your true calling? Where are your brand boundaries? What are your hard limits? Where have these been compromised? What can you do to move into the light?
"I don't have a philosophy as such. Maybe a guiding principle, Carnegie's A man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled.' I'm very singular, driven. I like control... of myself and those around me." "You sound like a control freak." The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. "Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele," he says without a trace of humor in his smile." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
I often say our spotlight is in our story, in our shame. "There's a very fine line between pleasure and pain. They are two sides of the same coin, one not existing without the other." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey. Christian Grey's fears, subsequent lifestyle and personal journey are what rivets the audience as he struggles towards the light. While Anastasia Steele's concise conscious consideration of her choices provokes our own internal debate about saying no, resisting temptation and remaining true to ourselves. Understanding your strengths and weakness is invalable to your brand and it is often said that your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness. Case in point, Christian Grey's self control has made him financially successful while also manifesting in a darker issue, which he himself recognises and hence his comment about being fifty shades.
Finding your true self and your personal strengths is often the journey exposed as we establish and build our personal brand. Discovering and creating your personal brand is simply revisiting the foundations of your brand, your personal and professional values and establishing a blueprint for your personal brand growth.
"This is all I know, too. Perhaps together we can chart a new course." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
Copyright permission: You have permission to use this article by respecting the copyright by publishing the entire article as it is with no changes and by agreeing to include the above reference at the end of the article, or where you quote the author in which case please include the authors name and company name. In the event you wish to use any or all of this content please advise Jump the Q.
The brand Fifty Shades of Grey and all quotes of EL James, Fifty Shades of Grey remain the property of EL James and associated brands.
About the Author:
Rachel Quilty is a Personal Branding Strategist. She is also known as the "Authority" on Personal Branding within Australia.
Rachel is the owner and CEO of Jump the Q Inc, a Personal Brand consulting firm with offices in Brisbane as well as in Las Vegas, in the US.
Rachel is also the Author of the book, 'Brand Yourself: How to design, build and position your personal brand' which is also now listed on Amazon.
Rachel regularly speaks on the importance of personal branding and strategic brand management. She assists her students and clients around the world to leverage their professional profile and expertise to establish their personal brand as the authority and recognised leader within their industry.
Rachel regularly speaks at seminars, conferences and workshops on personal branding, professional image and developing your signature brand. She has presented at Bond University, Gr iffith University Business School, Ernst & Young, Westfield, NSAA; conferences in Las Vegas, Hawaii, Tasmania, Gold Coast and Expos in Brisbane.
Rachel has also been featured in Australia on the Today show as well various national radio programs including 4BC & ABC. She recently featured in the Australian Institute of Management magazine and is regularly featured in popular magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Cleo, Marie Claire and national newspapers include the Courier Mail, Sun Herald and the Weekend Australian.
Rachel made a splash in the USA with a recent interview on Voice America Radio hosted by Personal Finance Guru Jordon E Goodman the author of a dozen best sellers and is a regular on CNN and The View. Rachel also recently spoke in Las Vegas at the Ultimate Joint Venture Boot Camp with some of the most prominent speakers in the world.
Media Contact:
Rachel Quilty
Brand Strategist
Jump the Q
web: www.jumptheq.com.au
Please email questions or story angle and a schedule call for interview.
Written on the 5th of March 2015 by Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist
50 Shades of Personal Branding
By now you've heard about or watched the recently released first instalment of the Fifty Shades Trilogy - Fifty Shades of Grey? Before you read on I offer a warning with this article, some of the contents maybe a little provocative but not too x rated - read at your own risk .
A great deal of negative commentary surrounded the release of Fifty Shades of Grey, specifically about the lack lustre love scenes. Many people asked where was the erotica??
If you haven't seen the film, I am sure you'll be shocked at the volume of nudity unless you were anticipating a movie with a XXX rating rather than R.
And well, if you've read the books you'll know firstly, a lot of the expected erotica is in the next book and secondly, the book series is not all about sex. All be it, there are a number of extremely steamy scenes within the pages of the book that had over 80 million readers fanning themselves.
People are shocked when I say the Fifty Shades series is not all about sex. I think the books are about determining your personal brand values and boundaries; understanding the psychology behind a healthy self identity; and ultimately recognising we are all worthy of love. Let me know your thoughts once I've explained my rationale below.
Personal branding is about finding clarity, about and within yourself. Removing or reducing the shades of grey and becoming crystal clear about who you are and what your mission is. Fifty shades of grey is where most people dwell - unclear and unsure of who they are, what they represent and where they're going.
The fifty shades line is significant. The frustrated revelation "Because I'm fifty shades of #$@!ed-up, Anastasia" is voiced by Christian Grey. His dark desires and lifestyle stem from a broken, traumatic childhood where control becomes paramount and disturbingly confused with childhood memories and experiences.
Anastasia however, after a conscious decision to taste the temptations of the dark side, retreats from the darkness; establishes her boundaries reinforcing her values and personal limitations. These measures intrinsically force Christian to question his values, what is important to him and the future expression of his love.
"This is a man in need. His fear is naked and obvious, but he's lost. . . Somewhere in his darkness.
His eyes wide and bleak and tortured. I can soothe him. Join him briefly in the darkness and bring him into the light." Anastasia Steele E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
Each of us will be tempted, tested by trials and tribulations and forced to determine and maintain our values - what is important to us.
"We're coming near to the end of the bridge, and the road is once more bathed in the neon light of the street lamps so his face is intermittently in the light and the dark. And it's such a fitting metaphor. This man, whom I once thought of as a romantic hero, a brave shining white knightor the dark knight, as he said. He's not a hero; he's a man with serious, deep emotional flaws, and he's dragging me into the dark. Can I not guide him into the light?" Anastasia E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
This is at the heart of personal branding. Our brand is strengthened by our strong sense of self and our clear understanding of our own self identity.
Within our training series - Brand Yourself the Authority we case study the Fifty Shades Brand, so you can imagine we have a lot fun, laughs and red cheek moments (no palm-twitching pun intended). We look at the characters, the author, the brand attributes and the erotic brand empire which is Fifty Shades of Grey.
This article is not to discuss the brand attributes of Fifty Shades or the lifestyles reflected or its moral fibre but to provoke your thinking, like the book. In your life where are your Fifty Shades of Grey? Where is your area of calmity? Where is your area of clarity? What are your personal brand values? What or who may be tempting you to step away from your true self or your true calling? Where are your brand boundaries? What are your hard limits? Where have these been compromised? What can you do to move into the light?
"I don't have a philosophy as such. Maybe a guiding principle, Carnegie's A man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled.' I'm very singular, driven. I like control... of myself and those around me." "You sound like a control freak." The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. "Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele," he says without a trace of humor in his smile." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
I often say our spotlight is in our story, in our shame. "There's a very fine line between pleasure and pain. They are two sides of the same coin, one not existing without the other." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey. Christian Grey's fears, subsequent lifestyle and personal journey are what rivets the audience as he struggles towards the light. While Anastasia Steele's concise conscious consideration of her choices provokes our own internal debate about saying no, resisting temptation and remaining true to ourselves. Understanding your strengths and weakness is invalable to your brand and it is often said that your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness. Case in point, Christian Grey's self control has made him financially successful while also manifesting in a darker issue, which he himself recognises and hence his comment about being fifty shades.
Finding your true self and your personal strengths is often the journey exposed as we establish and build our personal brand. Discovering and creating your personal brand is simply revisiting the foundations of your brand, your personal and professional values and establishing a blueprint for your personal brand growth.
"This is all I know, too. Perhaps together we can chart a new course." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
Copyright permission: You have permission to use this article by respecting the copyright by publishing the entire article as it is with no changes and by agreeing to include the above reference at the end of the article, or where you quote the author in which case please include the authors name and company name. In the event you wish to use any or all of this content please advise Jump the Q.
The brand Fifty Shades of Grey and all quotes of EL James, Fifty Shades of Grey remain the property of EL James and associated brands.
About the Author:
Rachel Quilty is a Personal Branding Strategist. She is also known as the "Authority" on Personal Branding within Australia.
Rachel is the owner and CEO of Jump the Q Inc, a Personal Brand consulting firm with offices in Brisbane as well as in Las Vegas, in the US.
Rachel is also the Author of the book, 'Brand Yourself: How to design, build and position your personal brand' which is also now listed on Amazon.
Rachel regularly speaks on the importance of personal branding and strategic brand management. She assists her students and clients around the world to leverage their professional profile and expertise to establish their personal brand as the authority and recognised leader within their industry.
Rachel regularly speaks at seminars, conferences and workshops on personal branding, professional image and developing your signature brand. She has presented at Bond University, Gr iffith University Business School, Ernst & Young, Westfield, NSAA; conferences in Las Vegas, Hawaii, Tasmania, Gold Coast and Expos in Brisbane.
Rachel has also been featured in Australia on the Today show as well various national radio programs including 4BC & ABC. She recently featured in the Australian Institute of Management magazine and is regularly featured in popular magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Cleo, Marie Claire and national newspapers include the Courier Mail, Sun Herald and the Weekend Australian.
Rachel made a splash in the USA with a recent interview on Voice America Radio hosted by Personal Finance Guru Jordon E Goodman the author of a dozen best sellers and is a regular on CNN and The View. Rachel also recently spoke in Las Vegas at the Ultimate Joint Venture Boot Camp with some of the most prominent speakers in the world.
Media Contact:
Rachel Quilty
Brand Strategist
Jump the Q
web: www.jumptheq.com.au
Please email questions or story angle and a schedule call for interview.
Brand Yourself with Facebook's new "Timeline" for success.
New format, new way to brand yourself: How to utilise Facebook’s new “Timeline” for success.
What is your story?
Upcoming business journalist, Hayden Hughes recently connect with Jump the Q to gain an insight on how the new Timeline changes on Facebook would assist Brand Yourself on Facebook.
On March 30, all business pages on Facebook will be reformatted as “Timelines”. Much has been made of the benefits of the changes but professionals should not be worried if they intend to continue to promote themselves with Facebook. Many of the new features not only benefit your existing messages, but are integral in the creation of new relationships with the public.
To start, what are “Timelines”? Timelines are the new format for Facebook profiles that detail a sequence of events based on previously uploaded posts and media. The aim of the reformatting is to showcase memorable moments of your life as a log from beginning to end. For most people, this will be from when you first created your Facebook page to the present, however some have retro-conditioned their page in order to include memorable moments of their life before social media, such as their marriage and the birth of their first child. New feature apps can be used in order to show more personal features of your life, such as location sensitive posts (where you were) recipes used (what you ate) and movies you’ve seen (what you watched). Ultimately, the new format aims to make Facebook into a yearbook, diary and scrapbook all in one.
The motivation behind the timeline reformatting seems to be a way to inch toward CEO Mark Zukerburg’s vision of publicly available information; however the timeline is also a highly accurate description of your life. Each post and uploaded photo or video will make up your story and describe how you got to the point that where you are today. While this may be a good or bad thing (depending on where you saw yourself going and where you ended up) it is also a magnificent way for friends and family to catch up with your life’s journey and you with theirs.
The format also leads to new marketing opportunities for business. Stories drive relationships. If the public feel that they know “the whole story” a stronger connection can be formed. The timeline format allows a business the ability to show the complete back-story of a brand, from humble beginnings to the present day. In the traditional format, according to comScore, only 16% of page posts reached fans. With the highly visual newsfeed, the public is more engaged and interested in the messages presented and is more likely to follow upcoming events.
In keeping with upcoming events, page administrators are now able to post company milestones on the site, allowing for a greater public knowledge of the company’s history. While the previous format made it so a majority of your posts were forgotten as new posts appeared, Timelines allow for a reflection on the company and a way to tell a story that’s more engaging.
Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist at Jump the Q, highlights that , "It's important to maintain an active online presence that let's your audience know that you are current and on trend with Social Media changes. With over 800 million users, Facebook presents an amazing opportunity to extend your brand name awareness and create an international brand. Thats why we established an inexpensive training program - Brand Yourself on Facebook to help our clients establish their online celebrity."
Engagement also comes in the form of the cover feature, a large picture at the top of the site that greets the public when the page appears. For an individual it’s a way of showing off their interests or personality, but for a business, this is free billboard-sized advertising on a global website, the kind that used to cost a small fortune. For businesses, a high resolution picture will intrigue and promote the viewer to browse your page and learn of your exciting ventures. As Facebook’s product director of Ads Gokul Rajaram says “the goal is to symbolize what an organization is all about. For a restaurant it could be a popular menu item, a band could display album cover art, and a business could show a picture of their customers using their product. “
Customer engagement is also simple to track, thanks to the new Admin Panel. With features that allow the admin to view insight data metrics, including the reach of your posts, engaged users and number of “people talking about this”, it is easier than ever to focus on what the public thinks of your brand and tailor your messages accordingly. Users can also be promoted to send private messages to the admin to answer. This is a blessing to small businesses, which may not have the means required to hire a customer services team, but want to be able to solve customers’ problems.
However, as Pam Moore warns in Business 2 Community, timeline cannot solve many of the issues businesses have with social media marketing. Moore warns that focussing highly on Facebook is not a good promotional strategy. As she says “Don’t put all of your success in Facebook likes. More than 95% of people who like your Facebook page will never be back. Who cares if you have thousands of Facebook likes if they don’t know who you are, can’t remember liking your pages and will never step virtual foot onto one of your online platforms or Facebook pages again.” Moore suggests focusing on platforms and components that you can control, in order to make sure that your messages come across to your target audience and is received in the manner you wanted it to be.
Branding Lesson
What is your story? With Facebook Timelines, users have greater freedom to share their life story and memorable moments. From a branding perspective, think of this as the first draft of your autobiography. How would you like to be portrayed in public? What would you like people to know about you? What shining moments of your life would you like to promote? What diminishing segments would you like to downplay? Timeline allows you the freedom to do these things and monitor how your messages are received by the public. Make sure you monitor your fans and stay on message to gain greater success.
Jump the Q's Social Media Management team has developed a 14 hour Training Program - Brand Yourself on Facebook. Learn how you can use the power of social media to leverage your professional profile without wasting hours of your valuable time. Live bonus training on Saturday 31st March for all students of Brand Yourself on Facebook. Don't worry if you miss it as the bonus training session will be added to the Brand Yourself on Facebook private membership site.
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Jump the Q! And Brand Yourself! Your personal brand should reflect your abilities and potential. Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist, known as ‘the Authority’ on personal branding and author of must- have book ‘Brand Yourself’. Go to http://www.JumptheQ.com.au for FREE strategic branding tips. Rachel encourages Jump the Q clients to think strategically when developing a personal brand to get that job offer, gain that promotion or win that client.
Jump the Q assists you to strategically and systematically leverage your professional profile and build your personal brand to become the authority in your industry. Get your free personal branding tactics and tips at http://www.brandyourselfblueprint.com
We assist you to develop your Personal Brand Strategy by:
- Discovering your purpose.
- Designing your best personal brand.
- Devising a personal marketing plan.
- Developing your Signature Brand.
Copyright permission: You have permission to use this article by respecting the copyright by publishing the entire article as it is with no changes and by agreeing to include the above reference at the end of the article, or where you quote the author in which case please include the authors name and company name. In the event you wish to use any or all of this content please advise Jump the Q.