Branded

Developing a personal brand greatly influences both your perception and results.

Jayson Demers writes, "personal branding requires you to find a signature image, a unique voice, and a recognizable standard that your readers, fans, and customers can grow to recognize."

He outlines a five step process to branding:

Step 1: Determine Your Area of Expertise

Step 2: Start Writing and Publishing

Step 3: Flesh Out Your Social Media Profiles

Step 4: Speak at Events and Develop Case Studies

Step 5: Network, Network, Network

Melrose has had a number of successful players who played all-around (front and back row), but increasingly developed players with specialized expertise. For example, Sarah McGowan achieved All-State honors as a devastating hitter (although she had excellent back row skills), while Jen Cain may not have been as well-recognized but made great contributions both in the back and at the net, both at Melrose and at Merrimack College. 

Developing your brand involves promotion in a variety of areas, such as blogging, social media sites, LinkedIn, and other publications. Whatever your accomplishments, credit your mentors and teammates, and never criticize a teammate. 

Never write anything on social media that would disqualify you from consideration on a future position because of an indictment of your character or values. Major colleges often have social media consultants who monitor their athletes. Inc.com suggested that you never write while angry and consider writing on another source (e.g. Notepad or Notes rather than composing on the fly on social media). 

Become a storyteller. The power of stories has historical roots in Gary Klein's "Sources of Power" and is exceptionally well-developed in the Heath Brothers' "Made to Stick: Why Some Ideas Survive and Others Die." This is a book about giving presentations deserving a read by every secondary school student. People remember great stories that have personal, credible, emotional, and often unexpected twists. 

Your brand grows in concert with your leadership and communication skills. Influence doesn't happen automatically; you must nurture your skills Voltaire wrote in Candide, we must take care of our garden.” “You are in the right,” said Pangloss; “for when man was put into the garden of Eden, it was with an intent to dress it: and this proves that man was not born to be idle.” Consider reading leadership authors such as John C. Maxwell, Jeffrey Gitomer, Stephen Covey, or Tony Robbins. 

Melrose volleyball has grown in proportion to the excellence of its leadership, its winning tradition, positive culture, and the character of its most important assets, the players. Find new ways to grow the program and cultivate your personal brand.