Do I have a personal brand?

Yes I do. And on this course my brand is late! (I always seem to be posting late! - Not so good!)

But professionally, I've been working on a brand for a long time.  I read an article in the CILIP magazine a way back that talked about personal branding (can't remember the actual title, sorry).  I was at a stage in my career where I was very unhappy and needed to find a way out of that role.  The article helped me to realise that branding is a key to getting noticed, making connections and finding my way out of my dark hole.  I had to get noticed and make my brand memorable.

For me my brand isn't about what colour I'm associated with or the design on my stationary.  It's also not (yet) about my online presence (but I'm working on that with this blog!).  Rather, I see my brand as a consistent message.  

I really have two strands to my brand, both of which feed off each other.  When engaging with the voluntary sector I have to highlight the professionalism of my role and myself.  When engaging with the ILS world I feel they already know I'm a professional so I highlight my sector.  But the message in both is clear - I work in a non-traditional sector and I am committed to development and committed to professionalism. 

So message - check.

What about my online presence? I'll be honest and say I'm not quite sure.  I set up this blog in haste and I'm not sold on the books border I've chosen.  Sure the books help to situate me in the wider library world, but is that all I stand for?  I do more than catalogue books, I find information, manage knowledge, help communicate and answer silly geographical questions. 

As for personal / professional information and a photo.  I haven't quite made up my mind how much I want to share. But a photo would be nice. I'll try and add one soon.

The one thing I do like about the blog is that I can use a sans serif font (Arial).  Sounds silly but over the years I have branded myself as an access conscious person.  (My old colleagues still call me Tahoma-head - well in Scottish it's more like Tahoma-heed - because I kept on about accessible fonts).  So the blog maintains my accessibility conscious brand.  

I've tried to be loud, proud and well spoken about my sector and my roles.  And to me, that's my brand.

So what do you guys think about my blog? Do the books work?  Should I keep the look? Perhaps I should concentrate on adding a picture of myself rather than messing with the background!  Ah there's time to tinker.