What Every Alpha Networker™ Ought To Know About Branding…
I’m going to assume you’re selling something people actually want to buy. If you aren’t, you need to “close shop” and find a new opportunity. Period.
With that said, how do you “position” yourself as an Alpha leader? A leader that people are attracted to. A leader…
With That Mythical Bucket Of Endless Leads…
Well, there’s two “roads” you can travel…
You can follow the herd, walk off the cliff, or drink the Kool-Aid. Or you could get behind the wheel of the sexiest sports car on earth, build an empire that will survive any recession, any bankruptcy, and any natural disaster – so long as you continue to breathe. And maybe a little longer too…
Here’s What It Boils Down To…
I’m talking about the whole “Self Branding” V.S. “Business Branding” debate. I’m talking about that magical idea some people call “You, Inc.”
The Perils Of Business branding…
You could spend years advertising your company’s name, selling your company’s product, and promoting your company’s opportunity.
You could build a massive downline of hundreds of men and women.
And it could all disappear overnight like a fart in the wind…
The Rewards Of Self branding…
Or you could spend years building your reputation as a leader of integrity.You could learn valuable skills like copywriting, pay-per-click, or Search Engine Optimization.
You could build your house out of bricks instead of straw and weather the storm.
Where Do You Stand?
If you don’t know where you stand, you should take a minute or two right now to think about your future…
Where do you want to be in five years or in ten?
Will you survive if your primary opportunity goes under in a recession or depression?
Will your family weather the storm, or will the wolves crouch by your door with dripping jaws and gaping maws, waiting for your house to blow down?
It’s entirely up to you…
But you have to start planning today.
Because Tomorrow Is Too Late
Gosh, I know a young lady who “wants” to build her business the right way. I gave her advice that would take her there. I gave her a list of books to read.
Six months later, she’s still broke.
She hasn’t read a single book!
It makes me want to cry…
And it kinda “ticks me off” a little too.
“Why are some people miserable failures?”
It’s because they never take the time to build their own personal brand.
They don’t understand that branding happens with or without you.
Whether you buy the courses, read the books, or sit on the couch watching reruns of TV shows you’ve seen dozens of times…
Keep that in mind, next time your remote is calling you.
To your success,
Jason The “Better Networker”
The Jason Better Blog
P.S. Do YOU Have an idea for a blog post? – Don’t be afraid to leave them below. Jerome Ratliff requested this topic last week. Thank you!
P.P.S. New Here? Well then, join the circle of friends by signing up for more free network marketing tips. It’s real easy to do, just put your name and e-mail in the boxes below. 
44 Comments
Steve on February 22nd, 2010
Agree, if you only buy the book and purchase the course… You are doomed.
If you read the book, go thru the course and put it into action full steam ahead… you, your business and your family will never be the same again…
[Reply]
February 22nd, 2010 at 12:16 pm
I think what a lot of folks miss
is the fact that it only takes one
secret to change their entire life…
Not five hundred. 
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Hollis Chapman on February 22nd, 2010
Thanks Jason fo a great post.I am on the right track.This is what i teach my downline.
Hollis
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February 22nd, 2010 at 12:17 pm
Way cool Hollis,
Glad to hear from a fellow
leader.
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Michael Cole on February 22nd, 2010
Hi Jason,
Personal Branding is definitly the way to go. Too many people make the mistake of thinking that since the company is already established it is better to build on their brand.
While it may seem to make sense at first, mostly because of the time it takes to brand yourself, the road less traveled, Personal Branding, is longer lasting and much more profitable.
Michael
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Wayne Vassell on February 22nd, 2010
Yeah, its all about taking action! It is hard for some people to follow the “personal branding” path because it seems slow.
The misconception is you can build faster by spamming people about your biz op, high income claims and play the numbers, however the long term plan of “You, inc” is definately the way to go.
Nice post and some great points.
Thanks J.
Wayne Vassell, signing out…
[Reply]
Hani on February 22nd, 2010
Hey Jason,
First of all…I like the “..disappear overnight like a fart in the wind… ” expression. Hilarious, but sooo true.
Secondly, taking action is the first step…turn that TV off for an hour a day and you’ll a lot done
I’m a huge fan of personal branding and I strongly believe and teach that online video is the fastest and easiest way to brand yourself. People get to see who you are on video…after watching a few of your videos, they will get to know the real you.
The best part about online video is that it doesn’t have to be perfect nor does it have to be fancy. When starting off, I don’t even suggest you edit your videos…just fire up that camera and record yourself. The simpler and more real the video is the more the viewer will connect with you. People like to connect and do business with other real people. The important thing is that you provide some value in your video.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 12:19 pm
Hey Hani,
Dude, you would totally know.
You’re the video expert. I keep your
blog in mind when I’m looking for new
video ideas.
I think everybody should check your site and
videos out.
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Mitcehll Dillman on February 22nd, 2010
Wassup Jason, and how was your week-end?
GRREAT post to start out a new week…
As a small business owner for the past, well, all my life, I’ve never known any other way…I guess I’m lucky to have never really “worked” for anyone or any company. I’ve always sold myself to get business…That’s what everyone wants, a personal-business relationship with you not your company. No matter what kind of business your in.
Seems my biggest challenge lately is making the transition from the “Hand-On” world of construction and building homes, to this “Virtual” world of the Internet, and building home businesses.
Hey Jason, as I’ve been working on my Online Self-Brand, I think I may have gone out on a limb…Not only have I got a personal blog, I’ve built another around my “You, Inc,” business, DillmanSolutions.
Would you to me a favor and take a look. I’d like to hear your thoughts on building a “combo-hybred” self brand…
I’d really like to hear your thoughts. Do you think I’m on the right track with this second “business blog”? It’s easy to find, there’s only one out there.
Thanks Jason. Now let’s get to branding! 
Mitchell Dillman
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February 22nd, 2010 at 12:21 pm
Hey Mitchell,
As long as you can handle the extra
work load I say go for it.
Keep up the awesome work.
But having multiple blogs can put a huge
strain on your time.
Especially when they really take off.
Keep that in mind.
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Tommy DiPietro on February 22nd, 2010
Great advice, I try to help others realize even if you have a good product why am I going to buy it from YOU.
I personally was able to get that monkey off my should and post an article to my blog. I have been playing with topics and not posting anything. I always feel it is not good enough or I am missing something to make it better. David Wood said to post something everyday, just write and I am making a commitment. I will post an article everyday over the next 100 days. My work could only get better from experience, feedback and more exposure to the leaders from here and beyond!
You Rock!
Tommy D.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 12:23 pm
Hey Tommy,
That’s the way to do it.
David Wood is onto something there.
When you post something everyday… you’ll
be surprised by your breakthroughs.
It gets easier with time too.
Not to mention, builds your brand at rocket
speed too.
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Ilka Flood on February 22nd, 2010
Good Morning Jason,
Great post about self branding! I’m working on that. Btw. your advice on multiple blogs for Mitchell is right on. I have two blogs but mainly post on one because it is very hard to keep up. Basically with two blogs you’ve got to do TWICE the work.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 1:55 pm
Oh yeah…
I know how hard it is to keep
social media… blogs… and the whole
train together.
Sometimes I think I need two of me.
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Rebecca Geiger on February 22nd, 2010
Funny farting.. it never gets old just like personal branding.
YOU INC Network is so appropriate. I am lucky that I do listen to good advice and purchased myname.com and I think that is something people forget. Your name has value and if you are growing online this is a must!
Especially considering you spend $10 on coffee in a week and your name can cost $10 a YEAR!
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February 22nd, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Good point Rebecca.
Domain names are so cheap that I think
everybody in business should by as many
variations of their names as their budget allows.
Or.. save the money for coffee… see how far
that goes.
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Derek Alvarez on February 22nd, 2010
Hi Jason,
This revelation changed my life!
(And it’s why Magnetic Sponsoring is such a valuable asset to Network Marketers)
You and Mike Dillard are blazing the trail and I admire and model all the great things you do.
Thanks for all you do,
Derek
[Reply]
February 23rd, 2010 at 11:14 am
Awesome,
I think you’re blazing some of your own
trails over at the line.
I can’t wait to see what the future has
in store.
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Dr. Bob Clarke on February 22nd, 2010
Some people never get the concept of “value” as it pertains to Internet and Network Marketing. Branding yourself rather than your business is a key component to this. You build value by learning new skills and bringing more to the table.
Only then will you start attracting people to you and your brand.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 1:57 pm
Hey Dr. Bob,
I couldn’t agree more.
Mike Dillard is big on preaching that too.
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Richard Walsh on February 22nd, 2010
Jason I spent 20 years building and running my former business and with a major downturn in the economy it was gone. So that name and the business are gone but I’m still here but who knows? Personal branding is critical. Better late then never at least I know that now. Making mistakes are part of business but making the same mistakes are part of personal destruction!
[Reply]
February 22nd, 2010 at 1:58 pm
Ouch!
Richard, I feel your pain…
It hammers home the value of branding
yourself instead of the business.
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Twila Jacobs on February 22nd, 2010
Hey Jason ~ Great post as always! That’s exactly what I’m trying to do, branding myself and not my company. It does take time, and if the young lady doesn’t want to take your advice and do it the right way, could you please pass it my way??!!
[Reply]
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:00 pm
Twila,
I try to do just that with this blog.
At least this way, the odds of somebody taking
the advice are greatly increased…
The law of averages.
Jim Rohn was big on that one.
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Kerie Cooper on February 22nd, 2010
So true Jason. This month marks the 1 year anniversary of when I learned about branding myself online in the MLM industry. Granted, my upline didn’t understand why I began to pay more attention to online marketing than traditional offline, but learning about branding myself just seemed to make a lot of sense to me.
Here I am today, inspired by people I meet who are like-minded and pushing forward to create that killer brand for themselves. The honest truth is, if someone is trying to pitch me on their business, I immediately ‘google’ the person to see what his/her brand is. If they don’t have an online presence, I don’t look any further. People follow people, not companies.
Enough of my rant. I really liked your “fart in the wind” analogy.
To your success,
Kerie
[Reply]
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:01 pm
Gosh,
That one is getting a lot of comments…
I have to be more careful with my words before
I infect people with uncontrollable laughter.
I’m sure I’ve heard that one somewhere else
too… wish I knew where.
[Reply]
Rhonda Miller on February 22nd, 2010
Hi Jason,
The first thing my mentor taught me was “You, Inc” branding. Especially with my last name. He said I needed to get a domain with my name ASAP. Of course, my name was taken so I literally just added “Inc” to the end of it.
Too bad the gal didn’t take your advice on reading those books. It doesn’t matter who you are, if you don’t work on yourself first and foremost, no one is going to follow you if you are of no value and provide no value to them.
I believe if you are going to go to the trouble of branding your name, you might as well take the time to brand yourself with it
~Rhonda
[Reply]
February 22nd, 2010 at 2:02 pm
Rhonda,
Sounds like you have a very wise mentor.
And don’t forget that those who don’t take the trouble
to brand their name… can’t really avoid it anyways…
They just get strapped with a “bad name”.
[Reply]
Amirah Hall on February 22nd, 2010
Thank you Jason for a powerful reminder, underlining the fact that it’s the SOUL of the business YOU, Inc that matters. Our core essence and how that is reflected into the world draws to us clients, goals, dreams and all the outer markings we call success.
Knowing who you REALLY are is the core behind your name. When your message to the world is aligned with who you are YOU SOAR! And, it doesn’t take that much effort either.
[Reply]
Chris Owen on February 22nd, 2010
Knowledge is power on standby. Implemented knowledge is the difference in building a business and planning to.
thanks Jason,
great post
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Mary Thayer on February 22nd, 2010
It really comes down to the fact that people are not looking for a super business they are looking for a leader to follow in business!
In the sea of internet and mlm marketing it is critical to your sustained success to brand yourself as the leader that people want to listen to.
Thank you for another great post!
Mary Thayer
[Reply]
February 22nd, 2010 at 8:59 pm
No prob Mary,
Do you have a blog by chance?
Just curious.
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Amy on February 22nd, 2010
This sis such a great conversation…
I especially love the piece about the woman who never read the book…. I see it all the time. People claim they want this… they want residual income, they want success, they want time freedom, but they’re not willing to do what it takes (or be coachable!).
And, I agree, it is frustrating. I guess sometimes I just want it for people more than they want it for themselves…
Thanks again, Jason, for another juicy nugget .
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February 22nd, 2010 at 9:00 pm
Yeah…
Totally makes me want to scream
at the clouds some days…
You want to help people so much and
they want to do whatever it is they do…
I remember Jim Rohn saying that you can’t
change people like that.
“I’ll do it or I’ll die trying… I almost died!” lol
[Reply]
Derek Fobert on February 22nd, 2010
Hi there, Jason!
I like this article! I think it all comes down to One Main Ingredient to success… and that ingredient is… ‘DESIRE’. Without Desire, there is no ‘ACTION’. Online or offline… it does not matter… you are not promoting a business, you are not promoting a product or service… you are promoting ‘YOU’. People will join your business, or buy your product/service because of ‘YOU’.
Awesome post, Jason. Thanks so much!
[Reply]
February 22nd, 2010 at 9:01 pm
Reminds me of Napoleon Hill’s
“Burning desire”.
I need to read that one again…
true classic.
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February 22nd, 2010 at 10:55 pm
Another good oldie is “All You Can Do Is All You Can Do, But All You Can Do Is Enough” by Art L Williams
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February 23rd, 2010 at 10:24 am
Nice,
That’s the first time I heard that quote.
And that doesn’t happen very often because
I’m a quote hog.
Zac on February 23rd, 2010
Hi Jason,
You have some amazing content. I learnt the “You Inc” business a long time ago from a Mr. Dillard and haven’t looked back. Keep up the great posts and advice. You are an inspiration!
Zac
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Jerome Ratliff on February 25th, 2010
Hey Jason,
I totally missed this post and I’m so glad I was on here and saw this.
Thanks for the props too. You da man and love how you speak directly to branding.
It’s critically important as a business owner.
Jerome Ratliff
[Reply]
Hey Jason,
This is a great post! Self branding is so vital in any business. Anyone who takes what you wrote and runs with it. Will see a difference! It might not happen overnight but in time they will.
Have a great day…
Josh
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February 22nd, 2010 at 11:09 am
I second the not overnight part.
Most people give up too soon.
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