Leather + Lace [Branding?]
[photos by Morgan Day Photography]
My new project is strictly photographic, but it’s gotten me thinking about Jen’s [amazing] post About a Brand. As part of a series I’m beginning in my photography called ‘The Intimacy of Alone,” I’ve begun shooting portraits of my journals and lingerie. I’m thinking of calling the collection Leather + Lace. Too strong?
Anyways, in digging up dusty leather-bound journals and recalling the racy life of lacy lingerie, I think about the meaning of authenticity and transparency, about social media and personal branding.
It dawns on me that the real test of authenticity in social media might be measured by a personal journal and an underwear drawer.
How well do you think a person’s tweets reflects the character/tone/subject matter of their private diary? How well do yours?
Do you think you could guess what kind of undergarments your fave tweeter wears based solely on the transparency of their personal brand? How about yourself? Does it match up or are you a romance expert who secretly wears gray Jockey granny panties?
Personal branding is not a must for those just on facebook to connect with real friends (novel idea!) or those on twitter to get the first scoop of trends and news. It is a must, however, for those who want something from us (buy from me! friend me! hire me! read me!). When it is done right, the masses (me included) are happy to oblige.
I do get that it’s a buzz worthy marketing term right now and my husband owns a marketing agency, so I’m all for it! But like Jen (and many of you?) I’m also pretty annoyed by it. Maybe not so much it, but by the fact that it is such a conundrum.
People, at least the ones I’ve met, are pretty complicated- or at least multifaceted, and many times multi-talented. To be authentic, in the true sense of the word seems to me, would be to reveal this. However, that is not what you want to reveal at all (too much information definitely slows the click-through and generally bores people. Too much variety or change in focus can/will confuse people).
We are told to think about the face we want to show. But is calculated authenticity really worth the same as good ‘ole messy authenticity?
Hmmmm, I know what I feel in my gut, but I don’t know the right answer (there is good reason why I’m not the marketer in the family). Here’s my thinking: Let’s go back to our underwear drawers and sift through our own diaries.
Keep it simple: if the crux of authenticity is the lack of constructing a facade of self, your lacy and leather things better not surprise anybody.
I’m a marketer too, so I’ve been mulling this over since Jen brought it up yesterday. The first thing I learned (since I came to marketing occupationally rather than educationally) was that if you market your company as something, you’d better be that something – i.e. I market our network on its strong relationships because everyone one of our conferences feels like a family reunion.
That being said, I’d have to agree that I really don’t like the idea of personal branding, in a calculated way. I am who I am, and while sometimes a dose of “let’s think about this before it comes out of my mouth” is useful and necessary, I generally have trouble hiding myself behind a contrived facade, and I don’t want to. It stresses me out to pick one way of being (since I’m a perfectionist. Ahem, a recovering perfectionist) because then I want to do that perfectly and beat myself up if I step one toe out of line. I’m messy and imperfect, but that makes me quirky and likeable (I hope). If I were to settle and pick one me now, and stick with that, I think I’d be awfully boring.
Although, then, does the decision to be ever changing define my personal brand? Ack! I’ll keep thinking about it…
P.S. I really don’t know what kind of underwear people would think I wear. And Morgan, I love the leather and lace collection idea. Love it.
[Reply]
Jen Reply:
October 20th, 2009 at 2:53 pm
Linds,
I really struggled writing this post trying to distinguish between personal branding and just plain thoughtful sensorship.
Certainly I’m not advocating to put my whole self out there for all. Nor do I want to imply that holding anything back is authentic.
So I’m with you on the gray area between those things.
But it always comes down to this for me: am I holding back out of fear of rejection or respect for others?
That helps me a lot.
Love your thoughtfulness and that you’re willing to talk through it with us.
J
[Reply]
Oh-My-GAWD,
May we please play Boxers or Briefs on Twitter?!
Morgan, you asked if Leather and Lace is too strong? I love it. And the pictures, as always, are phenomenal. I can’t get over the talent at this site.
I love seeing you building a site. I love that you put things up before they’re “finished, ” (whatever that means).
You more than anyone I know, are the picture of authenticity on line. And I think that’s why it takes more out of you than most. Don’t you think?
And in the spirit of your post, I’ll admit, I’m a boyshorts, girl, sometimes lace, sometimes cotton.
Love you,
J
[Reply]
Wow. This post gives me lots to think about. I am SO multi-faceted that I think it just might confuse people. From the books that I read to the music that I listen to to the clothes that I wear to the blog posts that I write. I do whatever suits me at the time. And it changes nearly every day.
Very interesting.
[Reply]