Develop a personal trademark

Good advertising causes us to remember something about the advertisement or the product that was being advertised and creating your own personal trademark can have the same effect on people that good advertising has. Sports broadcaster Don Cherry is known for his highly starched shirt collars, musician John Lennon for his round granny eyeglasses, and comedian George Burns for his constant companion, a cigar. All are personal trademarks that help to instantly identify these people as these items have become a part of their identity and will never be forgotten. A personal trademark can extend beyond and item to include a physical appearance like Don Ki’s wild hair, a pattern of speech or phrase like Ali’s “Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee,” or a physical movement like Rodney Dangerfield’s continuous necktie straightening and eye rolling. The common denominator of personal trademarks is that they are remembered and instantly linked to the person who uses or owns them. Developing your own personal trademark can be very effective for networking purposes. Once again it can make you stand out, and be easily remembered. Of course you have to keep in mind your profession and the practical approach in terms of creating a personal trademark. Try to find a balance and not go to extremes. A lawyer with dyed red hair will likely be remembered for all the wrong reasons, while a lawyer who wears tennis sneakers with a suit will likely be viewed and remembered as a down to earth professional who is on the move. Both memorable trademarks, but one is likely to be viewed and remembered in a more positive way than the other. Try to create your own personal trademark as a way to stand out and get remembered in networking circles.