Personal Branding + Social Media = Susan Boyle

Posted by Rahna on April 16, 2009 under Personal Branding, Social Media | Be the First to Comment

If you need to better understand the potential power of social media, just go ask Susan Boyle, a woman who’s become an worldwide sensation by appearing on the talent search show Britain’s Got Talent.  All of Britain fell in love with her during the appearance, but it’s the internet that really catapulted her into super-stardom.  In a matter of days, she has become an international media darling.  Let’s examine the ingredients of the recipe for success.  Susan Doyle is:

 

Talented:  She truly has a gift.  If you’ve watched the clip, you know she has an amazing  voice that is worthy of all the buzz.

 

Unique: Her cheeky personal brand is endearing to people.  The juxtaposition of her quirky looks and mannerisms with that rich voice startles and delights people in a lovely ways…we’re not used to hearing about people who are “gobsmacked.”

 

On-line: The secret sauce created by email, YouTube, and Twitter has resulted in media appearances, coveted brand exposure, and worldwide reknown. 

 

What about you?  Are you talented, unique, and on-line? 

 

I already know the answer to the first two: yes.  

 

Everyone has special talents to bring to their world, unique contributions to give.  Realize that it wasn’t just her singing voice that delighted us.  It was her quirky demeanor, the endearing vulnerability of admitting she’d never been kissed and her flippant responses to Simon Cowell that compels us to love her….In other words, it is her—her life experiences and personality that draw us in.  

 

The last question (whether you are an individual or a corporate brand) is, “Are you on-line?” 

 

If you’re not, wake up to the twenty-first century.  Get engaged in the digital world—sign up for a Twitter account, post a YouTube video—do something!  Those who contribute to the digital world benefit from its rich rewards.