ARV Connect & Grow
Start free
Subscribe
Sales Skills / Keep Customers and Win Referrals / Lesson 35
LESSON 35 · KEEP CUSTOMERS AND WIN REFERRALS

Build a Personal Brand

Practical ways to build a personal brand, so people remember you and what you stand for.

Be known for something. Show it consistently.

10 tipsEasy things to say7-day plan
Start with tip 1
Jump to the 7-day plan

10 tips that really help

These ideas come from The Little Red Book of Selling (Jeffrey Gitomer), Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi), Raving Fans (Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles), and everyday practice. The first six help the most. Pick one and try it today.

Photo for the tip: Your brand is your reputation
TIP 1

Your brand is your reputation

It is what people say about you when you are not in the room.

TRY THIS
Shape it.
Photo for the tip: Define what you stand for
TIP 2

Define what you stand for

Clear values guide consistent behaviour.

TRY THIS
Write them.
Photo for the tip: Write a one-line description
TIP 3

Write a one-line description

Make it easy for others to repeat.

TRY THIS
Draft it.
Photo for the tip: Ask for feedback
TIP 4

Ask for feedback

Learn how you appear to others.

TRY THIS
Ask three people.
Photo for the tip: Collect testimonials
TIP 5

Collect testimonials

Proof from others carries weight.

TRY THIS
Request them.
Photo for the tip: Review your brand each year
TIP 6

Review your brand each year

Make sure it still fits you.

TRY THIS
Calendar it.
Photo for the tip: Brand is reputation
TIP 7

Brand is reputation

What people say about you.

TRY THIS
Shape it.
Photo for the tip: Share useful ideas weekly
TIP 8

Share useful ideas weekly

Visible value.

TRY THIS
Schedule.
Photo for the tip: Be consistent
TIP 9

Be consistent

Trust grows.

TRY THIS
Plan.
Photo for the tip: Update your profile
TIP 10

Update your profile

Fresh.

TRY THIS
Edit.

Easy things to say

When you are stuck, pick one of these. They work in many sales conversations.

BRAND

“I help small businesses grow with calm sales.”

STORY

“Here is why I do what I do.”

SHARE

“I post one useful idea a week.”

CHECK

“What do people say about me?”

VALUE

“I help first.”

THANKS

“Thank you.”

Your first week

One small action a day. Each day is only a little bigger than the last.

DAY 1
Define what you stand for
DAY 2
Write a one-line description
DAY 3
Share useful ideas weekly
DAY 4
Be consistent
DAY 5
Ask for feedback
DAY 6
Collect testimonials
DAY 7
Review

Further reading

  • The Little Red Book of Selling (Jeffrey Gitomer)
  • Never Eat Alone (Keith Ferrazzi)
  • Raving Fans (Ken Blanchard and Sheldon Bowles)

The tips above are written in our own words and are general guidance. The books are suggestions for further reading.

← All Keep Customers and Win Referrals lessons
Next lesson: Keep Learning Every Year →

More lessons in “Keep Customers and Win Referrals”

Keep going. Small steps every day make a big change.

← Previous: Collect Reviews the Right WayNext: Keep Learning Every Year →

  1. Why Most Sales Are Lost in the Follow-Up
  2. Follow Up Within 24 Hours
  3. The Five-Touch Follow-Up Plan
  4. Give Value in Every Message
  5. Use Phone, Email and Messages Together
  6. Say "I Am Checking In" Better
  7. Follow Up With a Helpful Link or Idea
  8. Under-Promise, Over-Deliver
  9. Respond Faster Than Expected
  10. Surprise Them With a Small Gift
  11. Remember Birthdays and Milestones
  12. Handwritten Notes Still Win
  13. Make Onboarding Easy
  14. Fix Problems Before They Notice
  15. Listen First, Fix Second
  16. Say Sorry Without Excuses
  17. Offer a Solution, Not a Speech
  18. Follow Up After the Fix
  19. Learn From Every Complaint
  20. Turn a Bad Review Into a Good Story
  21. Know When to Escalate
  22. Review Accounts Every Quarter
  23. Ask "What Else Could Help?"
  24. The Gentle Upsell
  25. Cross-Sell With Care
  26. Find the Next Department or Branch
  27. Renewals Without Panic
  28. Celebrate Customer Anniversaries
  29. Ask at the Moment of Joy
  30. A Simple Referral Script
  31. Give Customers an Easy Way to Share
  32. Thank Referrers Beautifully
  33. Referral Partnerships
  34. Collect Reviews the Right Way
  35. Build a Personal Brand
  36. Keep Learning Every Year
  37. Protect Your Reputation
  38. Balance Work and Life
  39. Teach Others What You Know
  40. Your Ten-Year Selling Plan
Scroll to Top