What Do You Do To Be Branded?

“Developing my own personal brand,” may be ridiculed by some, but we all do it to some extent. The choice of Dunkin Donuts, Starbucks, or no-name coffee from the bagel shop is somewhat a personal branding selection. I recall articles on the subject a couple years ago, but my inspiration for this post is, “You are not your bookcase” by Megan Hustad in Salon. Ms. Hustad suggests, “Type up a shadow list of products, one that really captures you. Print it out. Stare at the list. Take a deep breath. Let yourself be humbled. Then toss it in the recycling bin. Step outside and take a walk.”

Here we go…

• House – 1930 Hollywood Bungalow with stucco, curves and cracks. A ranch it’s not.
• Car – This may be the top personal branding product for people who don't have a boat or plane. Think about what people are trying to project when they drive a Prius or a Hummer. For me, it's an old and square '96 Volvo 850, but at 226K, it’s done a mile or two… and continues to.
• Music Player - iPod Nano doesn’t really set me apart.
• Cellphone – The LeoTreo is now old and fat compared to the youngsters, but it’s not a Blackberry.
• Life size TV - After 16 years of employment, I still feel the tug of brand loyalty. Not to mention the kick ass picture. NEC Plasma HDTV
• Shoes - Bostonian and Johnson & Murphy in rotation with a third for suit wearing occasions.
• Athletic shoes - New Balance and Nike – NB accommodates fat feet and the Swoosh were very comfy for racquetball.
• Jeans by Perry Ellis and Nautica – Whatever basic jeans I like that fit at Mar Shalls. I'd go for Levi's, but those brown size tags would reveal exactly how much ass makes mine look fat in them...
• Chaps Sport Shirts – Comfortable, basic. 100% cotton.
• Calphalon Commercial Hard-Anodized cookware hanging in my kitchen is probably as much a branding statement as a storage solution.
• Presidential Candidate – The smart, honest and cool Barack Obama.
• Music – A sliver of noncommercial that might help me seem hip.
• Baby Formula – Similac Organic…Nothing but the best for the little one.

Now I do need to go for a walk. What Do You Do To Be Branded?