The Power of Your Personal Brand!

Deepak Machado 0:13

Hello and welcome to Success 10X Podcast. My name is Deepak Machado. I'm a writer and a risk management professional. I'm also a Bitcoin enthusiast. In each episode of this podcast, we bring you an inspiring person or a topic to help you amplify your Success 10X. This podcast is dedicated to you if you're serious about your personal growth, career growth, business growth and financial growth. I hope this podcast will spark and ignite your desires to achieve higher success. Thank you for spending time with us today. And let the journey to success the next big one.

In the words of Jeff Bezos: "A brand for a company is like a reputation for a person. You earn the reputation by trying to do hard things well."

In today's episode of Success 10X podcast we will be talking about personal branding and power of personal branding. In the previous episodes, we covered leading by self topics such as goal setting, purpose, fears, etc. And now we move on to leading by brand.

And to discuss today's topic, we have Avil Pinto.Avil is an HR and Logistics Professional. Avil is the founder of Dubai Jobs Hunt Facebook group, and people call him the Game Changer. Avil welcome to this episode.

Avil Pinto 1:48

Thank you Deepak Good morning, and brilliant episodes on Success 10X. Loving it. Thank you.

Deepak Machado 1:57

Thank you for your time Avil and let's delve into the very important topic of Personal Branding. Not many people are aware of what is personal branding. We know about brands such as companies, corporates. Can you elaborate on what is personal branding? And why it is important in this day and age?

Avil Pinto 2:21

Absolutely. It's a brilliant one. Thank you. personal brand for me, it's very simple. It shapes the perception of an individual in the eyes of the public. Now, the puck around you, there are many people, your family of friends, colleagues, and acquaintances now, what do they think of you what the puck means to them? when somebody asks Who is the puck? What does it stand for? What does it believe in? What's his value system and that is nothing but an image a reputation and something that the outside thinks of you. It's also called this is what is called as personal brand. Now, when we look at Colgate toothbrush or toothpaste today, in our villages when people go shopping they will not ask for toothpaste the last for Colgate. This is exactly precisely the power of brands, how they have branded and this is also translates to you and me as individuals we have our own brand. This let's talk about certain individuals today personalities. Virat Kohli Do I have to even talk about him or do people know about it is one of the celebrities in the sports arena that has created waves on social media is is followed by millions of people. And this is the power of personal brand. I will give more examples. But this I think I define as personal brand based on my understanding experiences and dealing with various people who are also personal branding strategist. And just to summarize about personal brand, it also says that it is a story that story told about you when you are not in the room. It's a story told about you when you're not in the room.

Deepak Machado 4:46

Great. That's amazing story about you when you're not around what people talk about you and you're not around. Yes, yeah. So what is it for you what people talk about, you know, have you asked this?

Avil Pinto 4:59

Yes, it's It's important, right is in the in the journey of success or progress or when you're trying to achieve certain things or towards your purpose or in your career, in anything, whatever that you do, it's important to know who you are as a person. Sometimes it's difficult to identify, then it's about asking others, okay, what do you think? Okay, what do you like in the things that I do what you don't like, and then you get a understanding of who you are as a person. Okay? People call me rainbow Rockstar. So first thing is I work for rainbow milk. And second thing is I love colors. I love colors. I, even when I wear clothes, it's very colorful. So they call me the rainbow Rockstar, they call me a game changer. Because I help people individuals to find their dream jobs or, you know, excel in whatever that they do. Understanding themselves. I mean, we'd spoke about leading self. So there are various things that I've helped individuals to deal with their fears, overcoming limiting beliefs, and so on and so forth. And then comes the value system. Okay, what values do I really care about? Okay, what values do I stand on. And that signifies an individual, for example, and I will, when somebody thinks of a will, he's more of giving, what does he give, he gives value, what value how he gives value, he gives value through videos, he gives value through his content on social media. And that adds value to make a difference in people's lives. I will, I will stand for freedom, freedom of opinion, freedom of choice, freedom of, say freedom of the way he or he wants to live. And when you when you define these values for yourself, and that's what you stand for. That's what you really believe in. And that radiates around you. And that's what people see. Sometimes you can do different personality tests, you can do many things, with an experience of people telling you or giving you feedback, you will know about yourself. But, but when you are when you're stuck, when you don't know what value do I stand and then go to your best friend, ask him? What are the three things you really like about me? He might tell you, oh, you're too caring. You always smiling. I mean, you're, you're always helping people. I think yeah, that's, that's amazing. Right? And what do you think two areas that I might have to work on? What do you think? Probably anger management, okay, or probably you go to detail or you always feel worried about small petty things, you know, and which is which is not right, which is not good for you. And then you realize, okay, now there's scope. I mean, this is how you establish yourself. Okay. Then, you know, exactly your areas for improvement. And then you can send in your strengths work on your areas for improvement gradually. Great. Yeah.

Deepak Machado 8:11

Yeah. I don't think people ask others. What do they feel about? What What do you feel about me? I think we'll also go out and ask or at least close circle about you know How do you? What do you think I am? Who am I? You know, this these type of questions. One another aspect I want to do you know, in this modern day and age, I think the importance of personal branding, maybe people don't know what it is. Yep. You can build a great career on your personal branding. Absolutely. So are there few couple of reasons that you can list? Why is it important today, more than ever, to build your personal brand?

Avil Pinto 8:54

Okay, that's so I think pretty important question. I think that's the most important question for me. Why so? Why personal branding and how it would help you in terms of growing in your career or anything that you choose to do? Now I'll give you a few examples or names of people who have built a brand over a period of time I was researching the top social media influences okay. So a brand becomes an influence. When there are a lot of people following you they admire they look up to you or they tend to look up as role models you know, and they become an influence. So there is there are top 10 influencers who are highest paid on social media social media influences are highly paid. Right. The first one is Kylie Jenner Kylie Jenner is a model makeup artist and and socialite and, and she has over 118 point 5 million followers. Hundred and 18 point 5 million followers. By far it could be you know, a population of a country now if I know even politician might have so many followers, but that's what she has created. And she one earns $1 million per sponsored Instagram post $1 million for every sponsored post. Now what is sponsored post is basically there is a brand whom you endorse, okay. So that brand is willing to pay you because when you are when you're putting that brand when you are recommending that brand, there are already so many follows that following. And by far it is much more than a TV commercial or an advertisement. You know, in terms of the payment and then there is another gentleman called Dan TDM a superstar has over 20 point 21 point 5 million YouTube subscribers. Now he's a professional gamer, author and British YouTube personality. Now he earns about 16 point 5 million in a year. Okay in 2018 he earned 18 point 5 million isn't that number alarming for someone who is we don't call a cricketer or a soccer player or okay. But a pure social media influencer. And then we know this famous lady. Okay. Her name is Kim Kardashian. Kim Kardashian. Okay, American businesswoman, media personality model and socialite dollar seven and a 20,000 per sponsored Instagram post with over 130 7 million followers on Instagram. Now I'm giving these examples I also gave an example of Virat Kohli today if he has to endorse a brand on social media. brands are willing to pay him in millions. Okay, now that is coming from you become an influencer, you become a brand and that's why they are willing to pay you why they're willing to pay you because there are you created followers. There are people why do TV commercials are very expensive if you have to advertise it, because when there are there are a lot of TV. There are a lot of people who watch TV television and when you put up an advertisement or commercial people see Amitabh Bachchan is paid such internal Currys paid. And so many other, you know, celebrities who come and endorse a certain brand, they get paid. The reason I say this is when you become a brand as an individual. And there are many people to follow you. Or your words have a deep impact or influence to make a significant impact, then you are a strong personal brand. And that's why it's important to build your brand to understand how you can create that significance for yourself. Now, you know, what are the what are the options to build a brand? Where do I go and do Where do I go and build my visibility? And this was the question I asked myself, okay, oh, it's good to build a brand. It's good to be having followers and all of those things, but why do I want to have followers? Why do I want to build my personal brand? And that's a question you should start asking. And once you have that question why then you will know which direction you want to work towards. There are many people that are there, okay. They go to work come back home, they're happy, they don't know how to establish a brand or even they have no idea whether you know, their work on a daily basis is is creating that value proposition or creating that brand for themselves. But first, it is to internalize the fact that Believe it or not, you and me are a brand. And the every individual on this planet right now as we speak, they have a brand image they have a brand value. If somebody is is getting paid X amount of money for whatever they do, because that is the value they are creating for the work. They do. So, yeah, this is this is why personal branding is important. It's not only about you getting paid high. It's also about to make a difference to creating that impact and to bring that change. Today Sainte Marie There is is is a brand for what for for charity for missionary work. So that is her brand Nelson Mandela is a brand okay is no more center his mother teresa is no more with us but we still value them. Why? Because of the value system because of some fundamental principles values that they have left. They have created a legacy. Mark McGann D has created a legacy Martin Luther King has created a legacy Winston Churchill has created a legacy. This is how they have created a brand. Now the question is whether you want to create a brand.

Deepak Machado 15:42

Yeah, thank you for giving some examples also Kylie Jenner Kylie and nothing Kim their sisters are not wrong.

Avil Pinto 15:49

Yes.

Deepak Machado 15:50

Even in India you have... I think what is more surprising or not surprising is the good thing which has happened is that these platforms like YouTube, Instagram, they have created so many new personalities, new brands, and personal brands. They are not company that people that people like you and me who took steps to you know, get deep into certain category of you know, maybe gaming you talked about, you talked about Kylie who is a makeup and she I think she has her own company, which is a makeup... they produce makeup. Yeah. And even in makeup empire. Yeah, even we have Huda Kattan, who has built her own, you know, makeup Empire challenging this big brands, I don't mean to take names, but they are challenging huge brands worldwide brands and creating their own niche. Yeah, so now I tell Okay, Kylie Jenner, people know what is she...what she represents, what kind of impact she can have. If I think about Avil, okay, what are we? What impact I will has, you spoke about Mother Teresa is I know, what is her brand and what she stands for, and your band is the values you stand for, and how the impact you have later. Okay, we're talking about very high level people like you, Mother Teresa and Kylie Jenner? How, like, as a normal person, how do I start from scratch to build my brand? Let's say I'm a clean slate. what are.... there a step by step way to read my brand? And, you know, maybe help? Can you help me in that?

Avil Pinto 17:34

Yes. Yes Deepak I think, each of us, like I said, each of us are a brand. Okay. And, and if you want to, if you want to build that, okay, then where do we start? First is asking ourselves, that Who am I? Okay, and, and what do I stand for? Right? at work? Who am I? What do I offer? What's my value? If I'm an accountant, then do I need to be that typical accountant? Or can I be much more? What's my message to the world. And when you when you start with these steps, then you will know first thing is, who you are, and then defining that value system for you and for the surrounding the society, for the organization. And for the people around you. Whether it is family, or your workplace, or in your business, or anywhere. And that can only happen once you get to know get to know yourself strongly. So from the clean slate first, understand who you are as a person, what values do you strongly pursue or believe in? For example, I believe in giving value, okay, whatever I do, it has to create a value to others. That's my value system. That's my values and and for somebody to understand what are the values that is a website, which I'll share the link. Or you can you can just google and say values of life. And there are typical hundred and two values that you'll find from, for example, loyalty to freedom to love. giving charity and so many values that each of us believe health wellness, okay, a friendship. Nope. When you know, among those, what are your values and what are the top three top five values that you really strong strongly believe and stand for? Then that's the message You want to create, that's what you stand. And that's how you resonate to, to the people around you. And when you do more of that, you create more value to others. positive way, or the negative way. And and once you start doing it, it will recognize, for example, today, if you have to think of someone, as a health freak in your circle, who do you think of someone who would help you for refining a job? Who do you think of someone who could help you be a better communicator, who you can think of. And when you can get those names in your mind. They are, they have created that brand image in your, you know, in yourself. So likewise, there could be other people, when they think of you, who could be the best accountant that I can like that I can hire, or I can recommend. Yeah, I know that person he's too good is not really good at his, with his experience, but also as a person as an individual. So that's how it's important to establish positive value system, where when you meet in your circle of influence among friends, and you go out in your network, people should know who you are. And that's why personal brand is evolving, and people are recognizing, and they say sometimes that you don't need a resume to apply for jobs, you just need to have a good visibility of yourself. Now, where is this visibility coming from? You have offline and online platforms they are nowadays, online is everything. You look at YouTube, social media, Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn. Okay, now, if you want to go professionally, LinkedIn is by far is the best 614 million active accounts with LinkedIn. And out of that 40% are actively using on a daily basis. So that's a huge number. I mean, if you want to progress there, so what is your presence on LinkedIn, who you are as a person, what you can contribute into the profession or the industry that you belong?

And offline, is, let's say you're doing you're part of certain communities, or groups or associations, when you meet? What are the things that you do? How you are involving yourself? Are you taking up any leadership roles? Are you taking lead in hosting any events, and these things people really recognize? I'll give you a simple example. That is, there's a friend of mine, his name is Peter. And, and he's from Mnadya, but you know, worked in Bangalore, he moved to Dubai about 10 years back, and he had this desire or passion to bring Kannadigas together, okay, all Kannada speaking community, to have events together or get to know each other, support each other, whether it's for jobs or for many other things. And, and he spoke about this idea, and then he created a online on Facebook group. Okay. Karunada Kannadigara Balaga. Now this group is grown worldwide, people are recognizing what are the events are happening in Dubai? How many people are getting jobs? He's also inviting speakers who are career experts to share their knowledge on how to apply for jobs, people who are on visit visa people who are here, we'll have job lost jobs. Now, don't you think? By doing these small things, he's creating a brand and he's already a brand today. Okay, most of the Kannada community, they know who Peter is. And, and he was last time on the Kannada Rajyotsava he was facilitated. Okay, or felicitated I would say. right and, and in front of so many dignitaries. Now, he is a common individual, but had a come had a purpose to to support, you know, the community and how he has built but of course, there are efforts the way he is built and connected to people. And he, he dedicated to that core purpose, you know, and today he is a brand and he comes live, he shares about a few things updates brings in people who got jobs and how they were struggling and testimonials. And then that's how people recognize you. So, giving small bit of examples from somebody who was was a nobody. And today he is known at least in the community.

Deepak Machado 24:54

Great. Yeah. So it's I think, in this time and age, I believe your personal brand is the most important that thing that you can you have under your control? Which Yes, control yourself and you can grow it. I mean, when you said about listings, I remember another way to find this out is why people call you often. Why do people call contact you for? Yes. Okay. I was thinking about it. And then suddenly it came to me people might..... few my friends. They, we keep talking about, you know, investing. And they asked me questions. What is this about this company? How about that? Because they know that I evaluate companies for investment purpose. Yes. Same thing for the matter of Bitcoin people used to call me know, often, whatever to learn to understand. So I think I understand where you're coming from, you know, what, I think this is a way to find out why people call you often, you know, for your expertise, I think that is one of the way you can build your brand where you know, this area. Yeah, I believe this has been a good awakening for me also, to understand what personal branding is and how deep somebody can go. I will before going before ending this episode. Do you have any parting words for our listeners?

Avil Pinto 26:11

Yes, yes, definitely. In fact, Deepak, everything that we do, okay, has, it creates a ripple effect, it creates a ripple effect. And I believe it really strongly and so a word that you say, as an impact in somebody's life a word. So, we as individuals, if we have to define a good brand, or build that strong brand, then you should be aware that whatever that you do, okay, there is an effect around you, that creates an effect around you, and choose to do things that I choose to do things which benefits others. Or it will help in the best interest of others. Only then, okay, people will choose to pick up the phone and speak to you to ask you for guidance. believe they believe that you have you have value to offer to people. Right. So it's important to internalize that I am a brand no matter what. Correct. And when I'm dead and gone and I'm buried there, or do people would speak and what did he live or what did she live for? And that that is what is one of the strongest factors which which define redefine the old way of looking at life for me. Okay, I would not go in detail, but this is the one question. I will when you are gone. What would you like to be remembered for? Finished. This question? changed everything? For me?

Deepak Machado 27:52

Yes, it's a great question. I have read a book. I think everyone should read the book called, Who Will Cry When You Die? Yes.

So thank you for listening to this episode of Success 10X Podcast, where we learned about personal branding and power of personal branding.

Our intention is to help you and inspire you to achieve higher success. Join us on this amazing journey to success and Success 10X. To contact Avil please email, [email protected]

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May you be well, may you be happy and may you find success. Have a good day. Thank you