My three-year old does not like to be labeled, at all. If I call her anything but her name, she promptly replies, “No I’m not [insert descriptor here]. I’m just Anya.”
She does not like to be defined as anything other than just herself.
At first, I thought it was a little curious. I was then a bit concerned (she at times doesn’t like to be called “pretty” rather “just Anya”). But then I realized really how powerful her perspective is.
After having read a lot of blogs and news online, I find myself skimming simply because most writers sound the same or are saying the same thing that everyone else is saying.
Jeff is an exception. I find myself reading each word because his perspective and voice are unique in a sea of ubiquity (check his street cred and interview at ThinkTraffic.net).
I recently realized that I had lost control of my digital life. With multiple web properties, social accounts, brands and email accounts, I suddenly realized that I did not have a unified brand that represented me. For example, despite several Twitter accounts, not one of them was branded with my name (inhibiting my ability to establish myself as a thought leader and marketer).
Just as large companies go through reviews of brands, web properties and divisions, we need to do something similar. Let me explain what I did. Pulling out one of my favorite tools, a large white board, I listed every website that I either own or contribute to, all of the brands that I represent online, all of my Twitter handles and all of the email addresses that I use.
What’s in a name? Apparently everything was in the name when Robert Redford took a starring role in the 1969 classic Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. As a result of his role as the Sundance Kid, Redford has branded his ventures the Sundance Ski Resort, Sundance Film Festival, Sundance Institute, Sundance Cinemas, Sundance Catalog, and the Sundance Channel.
That’s pretty amazing. Redford transformed this singular event in his life into an internationally recognized and respected brand. The Sundance brand isn’t just about a name though. Why did Redford buy a ski resort? Because he’s an environmentalist. Why did he found the Sundance Film Festival and Sundance Institute? Because he believes in the value of independent films. And why the name Sundance? Because it was an important part of his acting career.