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“When you're just like everybody else, you've got nothing to offer other than your conformity”

 ~ Wayne Dyer

 “Stand out or bow out!”

 ~ Ron & Alexandra Seigel, LOL Authors & Community Founders

Conformity is the act of matching attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors to what individuals perceive is normal of their society or social group.  Many people feel the pressure to conform and have trouble taking the risk of standing out.  This is good news if you want to become a market leader.  That means fewer bone fide competitors. For market leaders, blending in is not an option.

Can you clearly articulate how you stand out from your competition? If you cannot state this in a few words how do you expect your potential referral sources to do so? One of the most important components of the personal branding process is making it easy for other to convey your unique promise of value. Do so and you will get more referrals.  It is just that simple!

Even if you are a not fan of basketball you certainly have heard of Kobe Bryant or LeBron James because they are among the current super stars of the game. But, you may not know Chris Andersen, who plays center for the Denver Nuggets.  Chris is also known as the “Bird Man”. He sports a spiked haircut and has extensive tattoos of feathers and birds on his body.  You cannot miss him nor can forget him once you have seen him just once.

Andersen is an extreme case of personal branding. Yet, in just one visual impression of his tattoos, hairdo and flying gestures, plus hearing his personal brand name one time, you will most likely remember him for years to come. More importantly, you will instantly be able to tell anyone else about him.

That is the power of personal branding.  But, it takesa willingness to be a non-conformist and stand out from the crowd.

Test it for yourself. Who is the most flamboyant basketball center today?