Comments on: A rebrand can be a crisis – or an opportunity

By: Brendan

Brendan — Mon, 11 May 2009 17:48:21 +0000

@Brandon – the metaphor was possibly slightly stretched, I agree! What I meant was that people tend to update LinkedIn and then forget about it, but it’s an incredibly useful network.

@Heather – I’m trying to find my niche as someone almost-but-not-quite working in social media!

And thanks to you both on the good luck wishes…

By: Heather Yaxley

Heather Yaxley — Mon, 11 May 2009 16:42:20 +0000

Couple of other thoughts on maximising your networks. First, be generous in your networking as contacts work in many directions – not just in terms of how others can help you, but how you can help them and so the world goes round. It’s the abundancy theory!

Secondly, as a “brand”, you need to be clear about what it is that you offer and what you stand for. Although tough times do offer more opportunities, there is also more competition, so being clear what the Brendon-brand offers, particularly in terms of differentiation is key.

Good luck in building the momentum.

By: Brandon Carlos

Brandon Carlos — Mon, 11 May 2009 14:46:05 +0000

I wouldn’t quite compare Linkedin to a fire escape door, Brendan– having it is not exactly a matter of life or death (professionally, and certainly not literally).

I do agree, though, with your main point: leveraging your SM network as a rebranding catalyst is the smart way to go. In much the same way bloggers use their Twitter, Linked In and other SM accounts to advertise recent posts, these tools are great for dropping the job hook, snagging potential leads and networking with the folks who can get your foot in the door.

Good on ya’ , and good luck.

By: Everybody’s doing it…should I be scared? « net.mentor

Everybody’s doing it…should I be scared? « net.mentor — Sat, 18 Apr 2009 17:51:37 +0000

[...] all of this angst is prompted by visting Brendan Cooper’s blog to find that he’s now officially writing content for a [...]

By: Steb

Steb — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 22:50:12 +0000

Great post Brendan, glad to hear the pipeline is filling up. I’d be happy to host your blog for you FOC, ping me when you get a chance and I’ll get you set up.

By: Brendan

Brendan — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:54:49 +0000

Very good point. And I hope you’re right about the freelancing thing. The idea is that companies might be looking out for people to fill in the gaps, so to speak. I’ve also been looking into ways to monetise the blog – obviously, I’d have to stop hosting on wordpress.com to do that – but it seems you probably earn just about enough to cover the cost of the hosting, which is fairly pointless. Plus, I have nightmares about backing this blog up, spending ages sorting it out, uploading everything back – and realising I’ve lost it all.

By: Richard Bailey

Richard Bailey — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 10:39:30 +0000

I’ve followed your blog with interest because you’re such a good commentator.

I now look forward to following your freelance career. It may seem counter-intuitive, but there will be increasing opportunities for good freelances in the downturn.

Fewer people on the payroll; more and more channels for low-cost communications. How else will the circle be squared?

By: Brendan

Brendan — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 07:06:53 +0000

Thanks Craig. Would be very interested to see how it pans out with you too – ping me when you’re up and running.

By: Craig McGill

Craig McGill — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 06:49:30 +0000

Well done Brendan – looks like your personal brand has worked well for you. Look forward to following your adventures (especially as I’m toying with doing something similar myself).