One of the more popular internet marketing discussion forums became red-hot earlier today with talk around the role of branding yourself and modeling your business around your own identity – think Donald Trump.
Certainly, your own online marketing business can benefit from building your own brand name – after all, a great deal of buying products and services in online marketing has to do with personal trust – but what about building your entire business around YOU?
Its somewhat like running a country based on a charismatic leader who is vital to keeping his or her country engaged – but the entire system falls apart when they are gone because it was all about them.
In business terms, one of the goals we should all have for our businesses is to continue improving the value of our business in the face of the market – it could certainly be argued that a business built on its own merits is more valuable (read transferable) than a business built solely on the identity of one single person.
For example – its McDonalds, not Ray Crok, or its IMC, not Corey Rudl, HigherResponse Marketing not Marlon Sanders, Surefire Marketing not Yanik Silver Inc…etc…
One compelling example of a tremendously self-branded business that I wonder what will happen when he’s gone is Donald Trump. He’s so personally attached to marketing his business that unless one of his family steps is equally as dynamic, what will happen once he’s gone?
What do you think – is building your business based entirely on YOU Inc. a good idea? Let us know by hitting the comment link below and entering your opinion?
Jeff
I want to create my own website. I have no money. But I’ve ideas I can use to generate money. How do I get round the problem?
Saul, take a step back and look at what value you will offer your market. What do you want to make money doing? Getting a website developed is an important piece, but cannot even be contemplated until you have a good sense for what you want to offer your market – what business you can build that leverages your strengths and interests.
In terms of building your website – only two options, 1) you pay someone – and that may be as little as $200 OR 2) you commit to learning basic html (there are a number of free html tutorials on the web) so you can build your own.
Jeff
Trump got his start with a half-million from daddy and access to dads Rolodex. However, that doesn’t mean he didn’t have a knack for putting deals together. That was his strength.
But like most great salespeople, he was lousy at running a business. His numerous bankruptcies are testimonials to that fact.
The banks finally got tired of his business failures and as part of his last bankruptcy, they put a group of sharp business people and accountants around him to protect him from himself.
now, Donald Trump the personality can go out and make money and deals and the team watching over him make certain the deals stay on track.
Trump is really a case of doing what he does best. And it should be the same for all of us. If your strength is deal making, leave the business end to people who are more competent than you are in that area.
If you’re strength is running the business, find yourself a Trump to be out front getting the attention and making the deals and you keep the business running smoothly.
It’s all a matter of playing to your strengths and letting others fill in the gaps.
Have you ever thought about writing an e-book or guest authoring on other websites? I have a blog based upon on the same topics you discuss and would really like to have you share some stories/information. I know my subscribers would value your work.