First Word

Did you know you have a personal brand? It is funny but even you as an individual are in a way a brand. What do you project about yourself? Personal image is a part of a personal brand. If you're in business you do have to consider your self-image as a part of your personal brand, and what you project to the world. Your personal brand can affect who hires you. Your personal brand can affect whether or not you receive that promotion at work. Are you now wondering, "What is my personal brand?" A personal brand extends beyond self-image, but self-image is a part of your brand whether you realize you had a brand or not. Most people don't think of these things in business terms. Beyond what you project to others is any personal communication you put in the public arena that defines you both professionally and even personally. Personal brand identity starts with what people associate with your name and what you do. Everything about you out on the Internet is defining that...

When I go on the road I am always sure to see something to make my jaw drop. Here is what I learned as I toured the South: There is a gas station chain named (wait for it) "Kum & Go". Not only did they not spell "Come" correctly, but they spelled more like the infamous erotic word (we all know what that is). Scott D. Roberts, author of Vengeance is Now , also managed to procure a cup with that wonderful name emblazoned on the side. Sometimes you just have to laugh no matter what. Like we're all no supposed to get the reference. Or maybe the business owner just couldn't spell. Either way it provided plenty of snickers in the RV. "Are you drinking your 'kum' juice?" And on it went ... smirks and smiles. Yes, and very juvenile. I admit it. Yet I still have to simply shake my head why anyone would name their establishment "Kum & Go" ... and that's just a big, whopping "I'm just saying." Or maybe it's tr...

We are finalizing the work on the amazing and forthcoming 3L Publishing book Vengeance is Now  (please become a fan if you like thrillers) by the incomparable Scott D. Roberts . Scott, who is also a phenomenal businessman, decided to procure one of those Facebook advertisements to promote the fan page. The results were impressive and nearly doubled the "likes" -- and for me it was an incubator experiment to see how social media advertising might provide results. Well, I was most assuredly impressed to see that over 46,000 people also viewed that advertisement -- that is A LOT of views and impressions. It is also an excellent tool to create brand recognition. So while those viewers did not all become fans, they did see and become familiar with the brand. Brand recognition is valuable for future sales. Maybe these viewers didn't have an interest right then, but like all highly recognizable brands, it will help with future sales. Remember the more people see something, t...