By Coraima Lopez/reporter
NE students learned to brand themselves April 10.
Arturo Martinez, district graphic services director, presented Branding Yourself, focusing on how to discover a brand, create it and promote and market oneself.
“Branding is the process in which we market ourselves to others,” he said. “Jennifer Lopez, Michael Jordan and Donald Trump are examples of people who have branded themselves.”
Students should keep in mind what their passions, talents and accomplishments are as well as clearly understand who they are and why.
Martinez’s presentation tied together marketing and branding because branding uses the same attributes for an individual.
“I’m an advocate of leadership,” he said. “Leadership should be a goal of an individual.”
Students also need to learn to tackle obstacles such as “fear of failing or the fear of the unknown,” he said.
“External barriers having to tie into your goals are competition, family, expectations, knowing who you are, lack of experience, timing and gender biases,” he said.
Style helps create a brand. From the clothes that students wear to the way they speak are style, Martinez said. Having attitude and sometimes being able to say no, having charisma and projection of the voice are all examples of style, he said. Students must think on their feet because they may be put on the spot at some point, and knowing how to handle the situation defines style, Martinez said.
Marketing can include having a business card, résumé or cover letter and blog. Having an online presence, whether it’s on Twitter, Facebook or LinkedIn, leaves an “online footprint,” which will give people a chance to “judge and perceive you,” Martinez said.
Finally, students need a checklist, which includes points such as branding attributes and a road map of where they are going.
They must have a marketing plan and cost in mind and identify a financial plan.
Student Monica Borja enjoyed the presentation.
“It was very informative and inspiring,” she said. “It’s good to see what one has gone through. I’m glad I attended.”
