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Personal Branding Expert J.W. Dicks Publishes New Blog Urging Business Owners To Understand Their Market

admin — Sat, 18 May 2013 17:15:07 +0000

JW Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency, a Personal Branding company, notes that creating a strong personal brand starts with understanding the marketplace.

Orlando, FL – May 18, 2013- J.W. Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published a blog on his website (www.jwdicks.com) discussing personal branding. The blog, titled “Build a Strong Personal Brand: It Starts with Understanding Your Market” offers three questions for business owners to ask.

J.W. Dicks writes, “It’s important that your personal brand reflect your true self. But it’s just as important that your brand appeals to your target audience. Does yours?”

Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire blog can be found at http://www.jwdicks.com/blogroll/build-a-strong-personal-brand-it-starts-with-understanding-your-market.php

To learn more about JW Dicks and Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, please visit http://www.JWDicks.com and http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/

About J.W. Dicks:

JW Dicks, is America’s foremost expert on personal branding for business development and the Business Agent® to top Celebrity Experts. He is an advisor to clients internationally and has created business development and marketing campaigns that have produced sales of over a billion dollars in products and services. He is a Best Selling author with over 24 business books to his credit and has co-authored with Brian Tracy, Jack Canfield, Tom Hopkins, Dr. Ivan Misner and Mari Smith.

JW is called the “Expert to the Experts” and has appeared and been quoted in such national media as USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Inc. Magazine, Entrepreneur, Forbes.com, CNBC.Com, and Fortune Small business. His television appearances include ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX affiliates around the country. He is the resident branding expert for Fast Company’s internationally syndicated blog and is the editor and publisher of Celebrity Expert Insider, a monthly newsletter to experts worldwide. He produces and syndicates a line of franchised business television shows and received an Emmy nomination as Executive Producer of the documentary film Jacob’s Turn.

JWDicks@DicksNanton.com • 800.980.1626

http://www.DicksNanton.com

Personal Branding: Confidence is Key to Making a Great First Impression

admin — Fri, 17 May 2013 08:18:26 +0000

Creating a strong first impression is important when it comes to creating a strong personal brand. The first impression you give sticks in the mind of the people you meet—for better or for worse. And one of the most important things you can do to create a powerful first impression is to project confidence.

But this is often easier said than done. I have worked with plenty of business owners who struggled to project confidence—even though they were very successful and highly intelligent individuals. Here’s a secret: you don’t have to actually be confident to project confidence. And oddly enough, training yourself to project confidence even when you don’t feel it will often help you become more confident. (You’ve heard the expression “fake it ‘til you make it.”)

As somebody who often speaks in front of large audiences and interacts with world-class entertainers and business leaders, I’ve had to develop my sense of confidence as well. And to help you make the same journey, I’d like to share three tips to help you project confidence so that you can make a stronger first impression and create a more powerful personal brand:

1) Turn off your “internal critic.” We all have our own personal internal critic… he (or she) lives in our head. The internal critic is quick to point out flaws and criticize plans. “They won’t take you seriously.” “They’ll think you’re an idiot.” “YOU could never pull that off.” The amazing thing is that the people you interact with are rarely (if ever) as critical of you as you are of yourself. So stop being your own worst critic.

2) Recognize your own expertise. You’re great at what you do. If you weren’t, you wouldn’t be running a successful business. Take some time to think about what you’ve accomplished and what you’ve learned. Embrace the reality that you are great at what you do, and that others can benefit from your perspective. Of course, there’s a line between confidence and cockiness that you definitely don’t want to cross. Stay humble! You can be secure in your own abilities without being a show-off.

3) Use body language. Finally, use body language to convey confidence whether you feel it or not. Start with a strong handshake. Speak slowly and clearly. Look your conversation partners in the eye. Sit up straight, keep your shoulders straight. This is all review—but it’s easy to forget, and it’s important!

Confidence is key to creating a great first impression and to building a strong personal brand. If you’re not as confident as you should be, I hope that you’ll find these tips to be helpful. And remember, if you have to… fake it ‘til you make it!

Luis Garcia

admin — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:51:24 +0000

"Just wanted to tell you that also for me was a great three day event, and it was very nice meeting all of you, your wonderful team and the incredible people that you guys got together for the event. We all had different experiences, came from different places, with probably different expectative about what was going to be happening in Orlando, but we all had one thing in common, we are all looking for something much better and how to improve our lives.

So I just would like to say, thanks for taking me into a new direction."

-With warm regards, Luis

Jeff Rebarcak

admin — Tue, 07 May 2013 19:49:52 +0000

"
Thank you DNA for an awesome experience! I learned a ton, caught a bigger vision, made great connections and have some new friends. You have turned me into a raving fan and I only just met you.

Wow...I can't wait to watch my business grow this year. Thanks to all of you for the 3 day program last week. It was a "moment" in business when you realize that things will never be the same. "

-Your friend and fan,Jeff Rebarcak

Personal Branding Expert Nick Nanton Publishes Article Examining Personal Branding Strategy

admin — Mon, 29 Apr 2013 13:41:04 +0000

Nick Nanton, The Celebrity Lawyer and Agent to top Celebrity Experts, explains that sometimes, generating controversy is a winning strategy.

Orlando, FL – April 29, 2013 - Nick Nanton, Esq., Founder of The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published an article on his website (http://www.nicknanton.com) discussing the value of creating controversy. The article, titled “Personal Branding: Don’t be Afraid to Shake Up Your Market” explains that causing controversy can sometimes be a winning strategy.

Nick Nanton writes, “At the end of the day, your job as a business owner is to provide a superior experience to your customers and your marketplace. And if you have to shake things up in order to get your message out, don’t back down. Be bold, be clear, and get the word out.”

The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire article can be found at http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/articles/personal-branding-dont-be-afraid-to-shake-up-your-market.php

To learn more about Nick Nanton, please visit http://www.nicknanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About Nick Nanton, Esq.:

An Emmy Award Winning Director and Producer, Nick Nanton, Esq., is known as The Celebrity Lawyer and Agent to top Celebrity Experts for his role in developing and marketing business and professional experts, through personal branding, media, marketing and PR to help them gain credibility and recognition for their accomplishments. Nick is recognized as the nation's leading expert on personal branding as Fast Company Magazine's Expert Blogger on the subject and lectures regularly on the topic at major universities around the world.

The CEO of The Dicks + Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency, Nick is an award winning director, producer and songwriter who has worked on everything from large scale events to television shows with the likes of Jack Canfield (co-creator of the Chicken Soup of rate Soul Series), Michael E. Gerber (The E-Myth), Brian Tracy, Dan Kennedy, Tom Hopkins, Dr. Ivan Misner (founder of BNI), Mari Smith, Robert Allen, Jay Conrad Levinson and many more.

Nick is recognized as one of the top thought-leaders in the business world and has co-authored 23 best-selling books, including the breakthrough hit Celebrity Branding You!, that has been used as a college textbook on personal branding. Nick serves as publisher of CelebrityPress®, a publishing company that produces and releases books by top Business Experts. CelebrityPress® has published books by many celebrity experts and Nick has led the marketing and PR campaigns that have driven more than 800 authors to Best-Seller status. Nick has been seen in USA Today, The Wall St. Journal, Newsweek, Inc. Magazine, The New York Times, Entrepreneur Magazine, FastCompany.com and has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX television affiliates around the country, as well as on CNN, FOX News, CNBC and MSNBC in major markets across the nation, speaking on subjects ranging from branding, marketing and law, to American Idol.

Nick is a member of the Florida Bar, holds a JD from the University of Florida Levin College of Law, as well as a BSBA in Finance from the University of Florida's Warrington College of Business. Nick is a voting member of The National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences (NARAS, Home to The GRAMMYs), a member of The National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences (Home to the Emmy Awards) co-founder of the National Academy of Best-Selling Authors, a 13-time Telly Award winner, and spends his spare time working with Young Life and Downtown Credo Orlando as well as rooting for the Florida Gators with his wife Kristina and their three children, Brock, Bowen and Addison.

Learn more at http://www.NickNanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

Personal Branding Expert J.W. Dicks Publishes New Article Discussing The Branding Power Of The NFL

admin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 13:31:26 +0000

JW Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency, a Personal Branding company, draws branding lessons from the National Football League.

Orlando, FL – April 26, 2013- J.W. Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published an article on his website (www.jwdicks.com) discussing personal branding strategy. The article, titled “Personal Branding: What The NFL Can Teach You About Creating a Compelling Brand” offers four lessons for business owners.

J.W. Dicks writes, “How has the NFL created such a compelling brand? And what lessons can you draw from their success and apply to your own brand?”

Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire article can be found at http://www.jwdicks.com/articles/personal-branding-what-the-nfl-can-teach-you-about-creating-a-compelling-brand.php

To learn more about JW Dicks and Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, please visit http://www.JWDicks.com and http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/

About J.W. Dicks:

JWDicks@DicksNanton.com • 800.980.1626

http://www.DicksNanton.com

Personal Branding: Don’t Be Afraid to Shake Up Your Market

admin — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 08:33:06 +0000

Many of the business owners that I work with are low-key and don’t love the spotlight. And most of them don’t like the idea of creating controversy.

But sometimes, as I tell them, generating a bit of controversy can be exactly what your brand needs. Now, I’m not talking about just any type of controversy. I’m talking about going against the grain—providing value to your customers in ways that your competitors aren’t.

Think about the way Apple revolutionized the mp3 player market in the early 2000’s, and the then again the smart phone market a few years later. Customers loved Apple products, but their competitors certainly didn’t. Steve Jobs wasn’t afraid to shake up his market and put real pressure on the competition. The result speaks for itself.

You may not be an international corporation, but the point still stands. You shouldn’t be afraid to shake up your market and generate some controversy—whether it’s through an aggressive marketing campaign, a new approach to the services you provide, or by introducing a brand-new business model.

But it is true that the wrong kind of controversy can have negative consequences on your brand and your business. So keep these four points in mind:

1) Don’t be disrespectful. It is one thing to be bold and clear while promoting your products and services, and while contrasting them against the competition. It’s another thing entirely to disrespect and bad-mouth the competition in your market. While this approach may generate attention and even perhaps lead to a short-term spike in sales, it’s a bad long-term strategy. Treat your competitors with the respect that you would like to be treated with.

2) Make sure you have done your homework. If you are preparing to “shake up” your market with a new product, a new service, a new marketing campaign, or whatever… ask yourself this question: “why hasn’t anyone else done it this way?” It may be that nobody else has ever thought of the idea. But there may be other reasons – such as legal liability or other unforeseen consequences. If you’re going to take a bold step, you’re going to attract attention, so make sure you have “dotted your i’s and crossed your t’s.

3) Be prepared for the backlash. The better your innovation, the less your competitors are going to like it. So be prepared. I’ve had clients that have introduced incredible new services to their marketplace, and immediately had their competition gang up against them in an effort to defend the status quo. Don’t let this surprise you.

4) Never lose focus on providing value. This is the key. Controversy for controversy’s sake isn’t a winning strategy. But if the innovation you are introducing increases the value of your products or services to your marketplace, you’re going in the right direction. Run every decision through the filter of “does this increase the value we can offer to our customers?”

At the end of the day, your job as a business owner is to provide a superior experience to your customers and your marketplace. And if you have to shake things up in order to get your message out, don’t back down. Be bold, be clear, and get the word out. Feel free to get in touch with me or with any of the Agents at the Agency if you’d like to learn more!

Personal Branding Expert Nick Nanton Publishes Blog Offering Personal Branding Tips For Business Owners

admin — Fri, 19 Apr 2013 13:07:08 +0000

Nick Nanton, The Celebrity Lawyer and Agent to top Celebrity Experts, offers practical personal branding tips for busy business owners.

Orlando, FL – April 19, 2013 - Nick Nanton, Esq., Founder of The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published a blog on his website (http://www.nicknanton.com) discussing personal branding. The blog, titled “Boost Your Personal Brand… in Ten Minutes or Less” offers three practical steps business owners can take to build their personal brand.

Nick Nanton writes, “I’m going to cover several steps you can take to strengthen your personal brand without spending much time at it.”

The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire blog can be found at http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/news/personal-branding-expert-j-w-dicks-publishes-new-blog-discussing-personal-branding-strategy-2.php?preview=true

To learn more about Nick Nanton, please visit http://www.nicknanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About Nick Nanton, Esq.:

Learn more at http://www.NickNanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

Personal Branding Expert J.W. Dicks Publishes New Blog Discussing Personal Branding Strategy

admin — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 12:49:58 +0000

JW Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency, a Personal Branding company, describes the power of storytelling for business owners.

Orlando, FL – April 18, 2013- J.W. Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published a blog on his website (www.jwdicks.com) discussing personal branding. The blog, titled “Personal Branding 101: Make Your Brand Memorable by Telling a Story” provides actionable advice to business owners.

J.W. Dicks writes, “Stories that subtly reinforce your abilities and your points of differentiation are very effective. You can tell these stories in many different ways—at a lunch meeting, in a blog post, on social media, in a book, etc.”

Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire blog can be found at http://www.jwdicks.com/blogroll/personal-branding-101-make-your-brand-memorable-by-telling-a-story.php

To learn more about JW Dicks and Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, please visit http://www.JWDicks.com and http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/

About J.W. Dicks:

JWDicks@DicksNanton.com • 800.980.1626

http://www.DicksNanton.com

Boost Your Personal Brand… in Ten Minutes or Less

admin — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 08:58:33 +0000

I talk to a lot of business owners every year. Between speeches, seminars, conferences, and similar events, I am blessed to have the opportunity to get to know business owners from all over the country in a wide variety of industries.

And over time, I have come to identify a number of common “themes” that business owners often use during our conversations.

One of the most common is something like this… “Nick, I really like what you have to say about personal branding – I just don’t have the time.” So today, I’m going to cover several steps you can take to strengthen your personal brand without spending much time at it.

1) When you meet with a client, tell a story. The best way to communicate your personal brand is through a story. This is true no matter what channel you are using – social media, TV, a book, whatever. If you can tell a story that reflects your expertise and reinforces your brand, it will stick in the mind of your audience much more effectively than simply rattling off a list of accomplishments. The next time you’re meeting with a client, try to work in a story!

2) Upgrade your email signature. Many of you send hundreds of emails per week. Your email signature is an opportunity to broadcast your brand repeatedly. At the least, make sure it includes a brief summary of what you do. Consider including your logo and other branding as well.

3) Tweet something personal – a joke, a recap of your latest adventure, an inspiring quote, or even an article you found helpful. Many business owners are intimidated by Twitter and social media in general. They often feel that it simply demands too much time. But if you can make a habit of creating a short post once or twice each week, it will help you “get the word out” to your audience. If even this sounds like too much, you can also delegate to your team.

Obviously, this short list is only a starting point. The truth is that you can create a powerful brand without spending a huge amount of time each week—and I hope these suggestions will help get your wheels turning. If you’d like to learn more, please get in touch with me or with any of the Agents at our Agency!

The Critic, The Mouseketeer, And The Iron Lady: Three Giants In Personal Branding

admin — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:57:44 +0000

This post was originally featured on FastCompany.com. The original blog, written by Nick Nanton and JW Dicks can be found here: The Critic, The Mouseketeer, And The Iron Lady: Three Giants In Personal Branding

Recently, the world mourned the passing of three very different and unique personalities--Margaret Thatcher, Annette Funicello, and Roger Ebert. Each member of this high-powered trio left a mark on those who loved and admired them. They also enjoyed fame for the vast majority of their lifetimes, and all three were even the subjects of movies (Meryl Streep won an Oscar last year for her portrayal of Thatcher inThe Iron Lady, Funicello had a highly rated TV movie produced about her life, and Ebert is the subject of the documentary Life Itself, which is yet to be finished).

But beyond that, you wouldn’t think they had much in common. These were not three people you would expect to see in the same room, let alone the same sentence. Think about their widely diverse careers:

Margaret Thatcher, a transformational leader in British politics and the region’s first female Prime Minister;
Annette Funicello, who first caught everyone’s attention (especially boys!) as one of the original Mouseketeers on The Mickey Mouse Club in the 1950s, then found further fame with Frankie Avalon in a series of wildly popular Beach Party movies; and
Roger Ebert, who brought film criticism to television first with Gene Siskel, and then with a series of partners after Siskel passed away. He also became widely known for his “thumbs up/thumbs down” gestures of approval or disapproval.

These three each had a personal brand that the years never diminished. We think it’s instructional to look at why these three names endured--and will continue to endure--when so many others have faded into obscurity.

Authenticity

We’ve written often about how authenticity is probably the most important trait for a personal brand to have, and these three had it in spades. Of all the criticisms that might be launched at them, “phony” is one that would never make the cut. They were invariably true to themselves, no matter how fashions, trends, or politics changed.

When that level of authenticity is firmly in place, a public figure will always continue to pick up followers rather than lose them. All of us encounter so many less-than-genuine people who, depending on what situation they find themselves in, present an array of different faces, that it’s a breath of fresh air to encounter those who stick to their guns.

Consistency

Along with that authenticity came consistency. Annette was always very respectful of Walt Disney, the man who discovered her, to the point where she refused to wear skimpy bathing suits in her beach movies because he disapproved of them. Similarly, Roger Ebert championed underdog movies as well as causes he believed in, and rarely backed down from a fight. And when it came to Thatcher, anyone nicknamed “The Iron Lady” isn’t likely to bend with the wind!

When you’re consistent with your words and actions, you never disappoint those who already admire you and you end up earning the respect of the rest. Inconsistency, in contrast, creates a blurry personal brand that people have difficulty getting excited about.

Courage

Now, courage isn’t usually a trait we ascribe to a personal brand, but these three people in particular definitely make us think twice about that omission. We were being a little coy earlier when we said these three had nothing in common besides their fame. The fact is that all three battled long-term debilitating diseases; Thatcher withAlzheimer’s, Ebert with cancer, and Funicello for over 20 years with multiple sclerosis. The courage displayed in those battles made us admire these people even more and feel more bonded to them as well.

How someone deals with tragedy can define that person more than how they deal with triumph. In the case of these three, particularly Ebert and Funicello who were able to deal with their afflictions more publicly, their stature actually grew as a result of the health difficulties they found themselves having to deal with. Their struggles were inspirational, not only to those who shared these diseases, but to those of us who just couldn’t help admiring how they faced their fates with openness and a positive attitude.

Now, underpinning all three attributes we just described was one more invaluable asset--strength. Every successful personal brand has it, as did these three. They not only set the mark for how to create an enduring personal brand, but also on how to live a life.

Greg Rollett

admin — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 14:54:13 +0000

Greg Rollett, @gregrollett, is a Best-Selling Author and Marketing Expert who works with experts, authors and entrepreneurs all over the world. He utilizes the power of new media, direct response and personality-driven marketing to attract more clients and to create more freedom in the businesses and lives of his clients.

After creating a successful string of his own educational products and businesses, Greg began helping others in the production and marketing of their own products and services. He does this through the 6 proven steps in the Celebrity Expert(R) Marketing System and through the ProductPros.

Greg has written for Mashable, Fast Company, Inc.com, the Huffington Post, AOL, AMEX’s Open Forum and others, and continues to share his message helping experts and entrepreneurs grow their business through marketing.

Greg’s client list includes Michael Gerber, Brian Tracy, Tom Hopkins, Sally Hogshead, Coca-Cola, Miller Lite and Warner Brothers, along with thousands of entrepreneurs and small-business owners across the world. Greg’s work has been featured on FOX News, ABC, NBC, CBS, CNN, the USA Today, Inc Magazine, the Wall Street Journal, the Daily Buzz and more.

Greg loves to challenge the current business environment that constrains people to working 12-hour days during the best portions of their lives. By teaching them to leverage marketing and the power of information, Greg loves to help others create freedom in their businesses that allow them to generate income, make the world a better place, and live a radically-ambitious lifestyle in the process.

A former touring musician, Greg is highly sought after as a speaker, who has spoken all over the world on the subjects of marketing and business building.

If you would like to learn more about Greg and how he can help your business, please contact him directly at: greg@d nagency.com or by calling his office at 877.897.4611.

Personal Branding Expert Nick Nanton Talks Tiger Woods, Lindsay Vonn in Businessweek Article

admin — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:07:45 +0000

Nick Nanton, The Celebrity Lawyer and Agent to top Celebrity Experts, weighed in on the branding aspects of the Tiger Woods and Lindsay Vonn Relationship in a recent Bloomberg Businessweek article.

Orlando, FL – April 3, 2013 - Nick Nanton, Esq., Founder of The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a media, marketing and public relations agency that focuses on Personal Branding, recently lent his expertise to a Bloomberg businessweek article. The article, written by Eric Spitznagel, is titled “Tiger Woods and Lindsey Vonn, Sports Power Couple.”

The article, part of the lifestyle section of Businessweek, answers several frequently asked questions about the high profile “sports power couple.” Nick Nanton was asked about the couple’s recent public announcement about their relationship.

Nick said that the public announcement sends a message to their fans. “If you’re known as someone who lets your social media followers in on secrets before the media, it builds a stronger line of communication with your fan base,” he says. “In the long run, that can be very profitable.”

The entire article can be found at http://buswk.co/XpScJH

Top Agency to Celebrity Experts®, The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, specializes in Personal Branding, media, marketing and public relations. They help clients elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

To learn more about Nick Nanton, please visit http://www.nicknanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About Nick Nanton, Esq.:

Nick is recognized as one of the top thought-leaders in the business world and has co-authored 25 best-selling books, including the breakthrough hit Celebrity Branding You!, that has been used as a college textbook on personal branding. Nick serves as publisher of CelebrityPress®, a publishing company that produces and releases books by top Business Experts. CelebrityPress® has published books by many celebrity experts and Nick has led the marketing and PR campaigns that have driven more than 800 authors to Best-Seller status. Nick has been seen in USA Today, The Wall St. Journal, Newsweek, Inc. Magazine, The New York Times, Entrepreneur Magazine, FastCompany.com and has appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX television affiliates around the country, as well as on CNN, FOX News, CNBC and MSNBC in major markets across the nation, speaking on subjects ranging from branding, marketing and law, to American Idol.

Learn more at http://www.NickNanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

Personal Branding Expert J.W. Dicks Publishes New Article Highlighting The Power Of Focus

admin — Thu, 28 Mar 2013 13:34:49 +0000

JW Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency, a Personal Branding company, explains that a highly focused brand is a powerful brand.

Orlando, FL – March 28, 2013- J.W. Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published an article on his website (www.jwdicks.com) discussing personal branding. The article, titled “Personal Branding and the Power of Focus” offers practical advice for business owners.

J.W. Dicks writes, “Consistent focus on your core competencies and your points of differentiation is the key to creating a powerful brand.”

Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire article can be found at http://www.jwdicks.com/articles/personal-branding-and-the-power-of-focus.php

To learn more about JW Dicks and Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, please visit http://www.JWDicks.com and http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/

About J.W. Dicks:

JWDicks@DicksNanton.com • 800.980.1626

http://www.DicksNanton.com

The Kanye And Kim Kardashian Lesson In Personal Branding: Combining Audiences For Impact

admin — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:22:46 +0000

This post was originally featured on FastCompany.com. The original blog, written by Nick Nanton and JW Dicks can be found here: The Kanye And Kim Kardashian Lesson In Personal Branding: Combining Audiences For Impact

Hip-hop star Kanye West may be a musical genius--but he’s definitely not one of the most liked celebrities around. He’s infamous for interrupting Taylor Swift’s acceptance speech at the MTV Video Music Awards in 2009, as well as other public displays of bad behavior. When even the president of the United States goes out of his way to call you a jackass, you know you might have an image problem.

Keeping all that in mind, you might think Kanye’s days as a mainstream celebrity are over. And yet, who do you continually see in online gossip headlines, as well as entertainment TV shows? Kanye West. And why? Because, of course, he’s dating Kim Kardashian.

To say Kanye and Kim have different followings is to understate the obvious. The former has a pack of fervent music fans, the latter has a huge reality TV base. If one were to be cynical, one would say they only got together to grow their respective audiences--by tapping into each other’s celebrity status to burnish their own. (Not that there’s anything wrong with that!)

Actually, it’s a time-honored tactic in show business to team up to increase the popularity of both parties. Think about two of 2012’s biggest hits, The Avengers and The Expendables 2. Both realized a lot more box office profits simply because a whole lot of popular heroes were together for the first time ever and their fans came together in movie theaters as well.

And, by the way, it happens in politics too. Recently, ultra-liberal Democrat Cory Bookerteamed up with ultra-conservative Republican Bill Frist to make national appearances for the cause of anti-obesity. Whether these two are both seeking to raise their profiles or are genuinely concerned about this issue (or, most likely, both), it’s clear they got together to make the biggest impact possible--by combining their very separate audiences to dramatic effect.

This works for business branding purposes as well. When you partner up with the right person--someone who has their own strong following and/or unique talents--the combination usually packs more power than each individual has on his or her own. Even more importantly, you also get access to that person’s specific audience.

For example, we’re honored to be able to work on book and TV projects with such marketing and business heavyweights as Brian Tracy, Dan Kennedy and Jack Canfield. But it’s good business for all concerned, because these greats get renewed exposure to our network in a whole new context--and our network, naturally, feels privileged to work with these legendary figures.

So think about who you can partner up with on a new project or business that could bring your product or service to a whole new audience--namely, somebody else’s. And keep in mind the following guidelines, suggested by Entrepreneur magazine, when you start searching for the right someone to join forces with:

1. Do they share your values?
If you and/or your business represent certain values, you don’t want to work with someone who doesn’t have the same affinity with those values--or, worse, openly contradicts them. You not only risk angering your base, you also risk undermining your whole business! The only exception to this rule is when, like Frist and Booker, you come together to support a cause bigger than the both of you.

2. Do they complement you and your business?
You don’t want to work with someone who does the exact same thing as you; you want to work with someone who has skills and assets that complement yours. Otherwise, that person could steal your thunder and your business. When you work with people that bring something new to the party, however, they make you look like you’re bringing added value to your customers.

3. Do they help you do your business better?
Sometimes a partner can actually fill in a critical hole in your business, such as improve your delivery system or offer a useful product extension of what you already provide. This isn’t an absolute necessity when it comes to choosing who you work with--but it is a definite plus to be on the lookout for.

4. Will both of you benefit?
When a partnership is unbalanced in this department, things have the potential to turn ugly. Resentments build quickly over one person feeling like they’re getting merely breadcrumbs, while the other is gorging on a loaf and a half. Both of you should know, going in, how this joint venture is going to do good things for each party--otherwise, you’re most likely headed for an unpleasant ending.

Celebrity Branding almost always benefits when more than one celebrity is involved. When you pick the right partner, you increase your credibility, your fan base and your star power. But there is one catch--and that’s that two negatives do not make a positive.

For example, while Kanye and Kim may have made a big media splash when they hooked up, they may have also inadvertently increased their number of individual haters. Why? Becausethey both have huge negative ‘Q’ Scores (the measurement of celebrity likeability), leading some news commentators to speculate as to whether they may actually have created the most toxic couple of all time!

So double up--not down--and double your success in the process. All it takes is the right partner to expand your market base and your influence.

Personal Branding Expert Nick Nanton Publishes Article Discussing Personal Branding

admin — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 17:11:33 +0000

Nick Nanton, The Celebrity Lawyer and Agent to top Celebrity Experts, discusses the power of video for personal branding.

Orlando, FL – March 27, 2013 - Nick Nanton, Esq., Founder of The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published an article on his website (http://www.nicknanton.com) discussing personal branding strategy. The article, titled “Personal Branding: How Video Can Take Your Brand to the Next Level” discusses four specific benefits of video as a branding tool.

Nick Nanton writes, “Video is a tremendously effective tool for creating and strengthening your personal brand… and your CelebrityExpert® status.”

The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire article can be found at http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/articles/personal-branding-how-video-can-take-your-brand-to-the-next-level.php

To learn more about Nick Nanton, please visit http://www.nicknanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About Nick Nanton, Esq.:

Learn more at http://www.NickNanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

Personal Branding Expert J.W. Dicks Publishes New Blog Highlighting The Importance Of Trust

admin — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 13:26:31 +0000

JW Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency, a Personal Branding company, explains that trust is a critical element to a powerful personal brand.

Orlando, FL – March 25, 2013- J.W. Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published a blog on his website (www.jwdicks.com) discussing the power of trust. The blog, titled “Personal Branding 101: How Can You Inspire Trust?” explains that customers prefer to do business with individuals that they can trust.

J.W. Dicks writes, “You have heard me say it over and over again – ‘people buy people.’ Consumers want to do business with people that they know, like, and trust.”

Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire blog can be found at http://www.jwdicks.com/blog/personal-branding-101-how-can-you-inspire-trust.php

To learn more about JW Dicks and Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, please visit http://www.JWDicks.com and http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/

About J.W. Dicks:

JWDicks@DicksNanton.com • 800.980.1626

http://www.DicksNanton.com

Personal Branding: How Video Can Take Your Brand to the Next Level

admin — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 08:10:31 +0000

We’ve discussed a number of tactics and platforms that business owners can use successfully to create and strengthen their personal brand. From appearing on TV to writing a book to leveraging social media, there are a wide variety of options for business owners and professionals looking to increase their visibility and their credibility. Today, we’re going to talk about a specific platform that is growing in popularity and in effectiveness: video.

Well branded, well produced video content is very effective when it comes to personal branding. Below are four specific reasons why this is the case.

1) Video allows you to establish a “personal” connection with your audience. While there’s nothing like shaking hands and looking someone directly in the face in order to establish a relationship, video is the next best thing. Unlike reading a book or interacting on social media, video gives the viewer the opportunity to watch your facial expressions, listen to your voice, and pick up on your body language. As a business owner, video gives you the opportunity to “connect” with your audience quickly and effectively.

2) Video allows you to clearly demonstrate your expertise. In addition to establishing a relationship, video also offers the opportunity for you to speak authoritatively on your area of expertise. It gives you the opportunity to answer common questions and concerns that your target market may have. It offers a platform for you to provide insight and analysis on issues of interest to your audience. The net result is that your audience walks with helpful information relating to their needs—and with the perception of yourself as a CelebrityExpert® firmly planted in their mind.

3) Video allows you to establish your credibility and position within the marketplace. Forget for a moment what you say or do in the video. Forget the substance. Just by appearing in a well produced video and by looking the part of an industry expert, you’ve already sent a powerful message. You’ve established yourself as a leading expert in your field. Combine first-class production and an impressive appearance with substantive content that showcases your expertise and you’re guaranteed to make a powerful impression on your audience. The key, of course, is that you need to invest the time and resources to create a video that looks highly professional. You’re a CelebrityExpert®-- and your video needs to reinforce that brand!

4) Video allows you to reach a larger audience. Finally, video allows you to reach and engage a large audience. On leading social media sites like Facebook and Twitter, video has proven to be one of the most effective means for engaging followers and fans. Simply by posting your video on these sites and other social sites such as LinkedIn, you can reach and engage a huge audience—increasing your exposure while also boosting your credibility and developing your brand.

Video is a tremendously effective tool for creating and strengthening your personal brand… and your CelebrityExpert® status. If you’d like to learn more, or if you’d like help getting started with your video strategy, please get in touch with me or any of the agents at our agency today!

Personal Branding Expert Nick Nanton Publishes Blog Urging Business Owners To Look For Opportunities To “Give”

admin — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 16:42:44 +0000

Nick Nanton, The Celebrity Lawyer and Agent to top Celebrity Experts, argues that it is better to be a “giver” than a “taker.”

Orlando, FL – March 22, 2013 - Nick Nanton, Esq., Founder of The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published a blog on his website (http://www.nicknanton.com) discussing personal branding strategy. The blog, titled “Personal Branding: Be a Giver, Not a Taker” quotes the legendary Zig Ziglar and urges business owners to look for opportunities to give back.

Nick Nanton writes, “Personal branding is all about defining and communicating your personality, your abilities, and your strengths. Establishing yourself as talented, intelligent, experienced, and so on is very important. But I’d like to challenge you to add something else to the brand you are creating: brand yourself as a giver.”

The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire blog can be found at http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/blog/personal-branding-be-a-giver-not-a-taker.php

To learn more about Nick Nanton, please visit http://www.nicknanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About Nick Nanton, Esq.:

Learn more at http://www.NickNanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

Credibility Maximizes Conversions: How Celebrity Expert Status Ramped Up This Realtor’s Business

admin — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 16:17:30 +0000

John “Johnny B” Bretthauer, developed a thriving business as a Realtor, in the Central Valley. But something was missing.

Real Estate agents don’t relocate capriciously but he missed his family and has always loved Santa Clara County. So he made the gutsy decision to move . . .

Starting over during the “Great Recession” was more challenging than he expected – he felt he needed a real game-changer to boost his professional profile above the rest of the pack.

That’s why he turned to the Dicks+Nanton Celebrity Branding® Agency for some help. The Agency got him a publishing deal to co-author The Ultimate Home Buyers Guide, promoted the book to Best-Seller status, and booked him on their TV show America’s Premiere Experts, airing on NBC, CBS, ABC and Fox affiliates across the country.

The results were quick to come.

“They took a picture of me on the set with Emmy Award winning director, Nick Nanton. I shared that and it caused quite a stir,” says Bretthauer. “After the show aired, I didn’t have to trot out my credentials to prove my credibility – people’s immediate assumption was that they were talking to the right person.”

The book’s release only accelerated the process. “It’s been really fun to watch. When I share my credentials as a best selling author, as well as being on TV and radio shows, there’s a difference in body language. Then, when I actually hand them the book with my picture on the cover, their heads literally snap back. The impact is incredible.” Bretthauer makes frequent appearances on radio programs and he’s begun to give away PDF copies of the book during his most recent ones. “The last time I did that, I got seventy-two leads from just one appearance.” He’s also found that conversions with those leads has increased on every level; “The success rate has been amazing.”

Bretthauer’s wife Vicki, who is also a realtor and works with him, was initially against the investment in working with the Celebrity Branding Agency®; as she thought it would be hard to calculate the ROI. She’s completely changed her mind after all the positive results – and new deals – that have come out of the experience.

But perhaps the best pay-off from Bretthauer’s Celebrity Expert® exposure is yet to come. “I sent a video of the things I was doing to an international investor, who wants to do a joint venture involving commercial and residential development projects. She took me to lunch and said she wants me to be the spokesperson for the projects; she’ll put up the money and we’ll be equal partners.”

“I was curious. Why me? She had worked with literally over a hundred agents. So I asked her.”

“Her answer? ‘You are the most credible.”

Oh, and by the way - at the lunch - she also asked Bretthauer to autograph a copy of his book!

Personal Branding: Be a Giver, Not a Taker

admin — Tue, 19 Mar 2013 16:24:06 +0000

The legendary motivational speaker Zig Ziglar used to say that “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help other people get what they want.”

He was right—but you wouldn’t know that by the way much of our culture operates today, especially in business. Businesses and professionals often seem to approach those around them with a “what can I get out of this” mentality.

What does this have to do with personal branding?

Personal branding is all about defining and communicating your personality, your abilities, and your strengths. Establishing yourself as talented, intelligent, experienced, and so on is very important. But I’d like to challenge you to add something else to the brand you are creating: brand yourself as a giver. As someone who looks for opportunities to help others get what they want. If Zig Ziglar was right (and I believe that he was), this will ensure your own success as well.

Practically, here are several ways to become a “giver” and build your brand at the same time.

Connect people. Sometimes, all it takes is a brief introduction to solve two problems at once – An employer or individual looking for an employee or a partner, and another individual looking for an opportunity. Look for opportunities to connect people- they’ll appreciate it!

Lend a hand to a good cause. Look for an opportunity to contribute to a local cause or charity. It doesn’t have to be financial – donate your time to a good cause, and encourage your staff to do the same. Investing back into the community is the right thing to do, and it also improves your visibility. Many of our clients have led the way on this issue—all of the authors that we help publish have agreed to donate their royalties to Entrepreneurs International, and we were proud to be a part of a “Mission for Good” trip to benefit an orphanage in Mexico along with several clients.

Speak at local schools. Speaking at a school or a college is a great way to encourage and equip students while building your own brand at the same time. It’s also very rewarding – speaking at the University of Florida (my alma mater) is one of my absolute favorite things to do.

Looking for opportunities to give, rather than to get, may seem counterintuitive—especially in business. But it’s the right thing to do, it’s good for your personal brand, and it’s good for your business!

Personal Branding Expert Nick Nanton Interviewed on Huffington Post Live

admin — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 20:33:25 +0000

Nick Nanton, The Celebrity Lawyer and Agent to top Celebrity Experts, discussed branding implications of the Martha Stewart, Macy’s, J.C. Penney legal fight.

Orlando, FL – March 13, 2013 - Nick Nanton, Esq., Founder of The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a media, marketing and public relations agency that focuses on Personal Branding, recently appeared on HuffPost Live to discuss his take on the legal and branding implications of the battle between Martha Stewart, Macy’s and J.C. Penney.

Martha Stewart was under an exclusive contract to sell her products at Macy’s, but recently started marketing her goods at J.C. Penney stores as well, through what some are calling a “loophole” in the agreement. HuffPost Live Host Alicia Menendez asked a panel of experts whether her move was unethical or smart business.

The entire interview can be found at http://huff.lv/10CYMxi

To learn more about Nick Nanton, please visit http://www.nicknanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About Nick Nanton, Esq.:

Learn more at http://www.NickNanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

Personal Branding Expert J.W. Dicks Publishes New Article Discussing The Combination Of Branding And Direct Marketing

admin — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 16:11:37 +0000

JW Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency, a Personal Branding company, explains that direct marketing is a powerful means by which a strong brand can be leveraged.

Orlando, FL – March 13, 2013- J.W. Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published an article on his website (www.jwdicks.com) discussing personal branding strategy. The article, titled “Three Ways to Leverage Your Brand through Direct Marketing” provides four suggestions for business owners.

J.W. Dicks writes, “Taking a powerful brand and communicating it via direct marketing is a winning combination.”

Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire article can be found at http://www.jwdicks.com/articles/three-ways-to-leverage-your-brand-through-direct-marketing.php

To learn more about JW Dicks and Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, please visit http://www.JWDicks.com and http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/

About J.W. Dicks:

JWDicks@DicksNanton.com • 800.980.1626

http://www.DicksNanton.com

Celebrity Branding Agency Signs Documentary Deal With Gary Martin Hayes and CelebrityFilms

admin — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 17:32:58 +0000

The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency has recently signed safety advocate Gary Martin Hayes to a documentary deal with CelebrityFilms®.

Orlando, FL – March 11, 2013 – Personal Branding company, Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, has recently finalized a deal with Atlanta, Georgia-based personal injury attorney and safety advocate Gary Martin Hayes to produce a documentary film. The film will be produced by the Emmy® Award winning team at CelebrityFilms®.

Gary Martin Hays is not just a successful and prominent personal injury attorney in Georgia. He is also a Best Selling Author of eight (8) books, a television and radio host, and a nationally recognized safety advocate who works to educate families and children on issues ranging from bullying to internet safety to abduction prevention. His legal accomplishments include being a member of one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates’ Forum. Membership is limited to attorneys who have had a verdict or settlement of at least $2 Million Dollars. He is a frequent lecturer on continuing education topics to other attorneys in Georgia. He has been interviewed several times on CNN’s Headline News, and appears frequently as a guest on all of the major television affiliates in Atlanta. His passion is working with Keep Georgia Safe, a 501( c)( 3) non-profit organization he founded in 2008 to help protect Georgia’s families. Gary has the honorable distinction of working with Ed and Elizabeth Smart as a member of the Board of Directors for the Elizabeth Smart Foundation in their mission to bring hope and stop victimization.

Emmy® Award Winning Director and Producer, Nick Nanton, Esq., will be at the forefront of the currently untitled documentary short film. Principal photography will begin in Atlanta, Georgia this summer.

To learn more about The Celebrity Branding® Agency and CelebrityFilms®, please visit http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com and http://www.CelebrityFilms.com

About The Celebrity Branding® Agency:

The Celebrity Branding® Agency is a multi-media, marketing and branding agency dedicated to celebrity branding entrepreneurs and professionals as experts in their fields of business. Founders, JW Dicks, Esq. & Nick Nanton, Esq., attorneys by trade and entrepreneurs by choice, focus on helping their clients make more money with creative business strategies. Lindsay Dicks focuses on business building through the online marketing and social media. Nick, Jack and Lindsay consult with clients internationally to help their clients grow their businesses exponentially both online and offline through the use of proprietary systems including Exclusive Marketing Licenses, Online Business Platforms™ and many more.

About CelebrityFilms®:

CelebrityFilms® is led by Emmy® Award Winning Director and Producer, Nick Nanton and Emmy® Nominated Producer, JW Dicks. Dicks and Nanton produce multiple syndicated television shows including The Brian Tracy Show, Meet the Experts, The Michael E. Gerber Show, World Fitness Elite, Consumer’s Advocate, The New American Dream and Health & Wellness Today. Their productions have been nominated for 2 Emmy’s and they have been awarded 11 Telly Awards for excellence in television and film production. Combined, they have produced and directed more than 300 television episodes and dozens of films.

Dicks & Nanton have been seen in USA Today, The Wall Street Journal, Newsweek, Inc. Magazine, The New York Times, Entrepreneur® Magazine, FastCompany.com and have appeared on ABC, NBC, CBS, and FOX television affiliates around the country, as well.

Learn more at http://www.CelebrityFilms.com

About Gary Martin Hays:

Gary Martin Hays is not only a successful lawyer, but is a recognized safety advocate who works tirelessly to educate our children on issues ranging from bullying to internet safety to abduction prevention. Gary has been seen on many television stations, including CNN Headline News, and ABC, CBS, NBC and FOX affiliates. He has appeared on over 110 radio stations, including AM 750 WSB and the Georgia News Network, discussing legal topics and providing safety tips to families. He has hosted “Georgia Behind The Scenes” on the CW Atlanta TV Network. Gary is also a co-author of eight best-selling books, including Trendsetters: The World’s Leading Experts Reveal Top Trends To Help You Achieve Greater Health, Wealth and Success!, Sold! The World’s Leading Real Estate Experts Reveal The Secrets To Selling Your Home For Top Dollar In Record Time!, Champions: Knockout Strategies For Health, Wealth And Success, Proven Strategies From America’s Leading Attorneys To Help You Protect & Defend Your Business, Family And Wealth, The Success Secret: The World’s Leading Experts Reveal Their Secrets For Success In Business And In Life, The Authority On Tout, and The Authority On Child Safety: How To Talk To Your Kids About Their Personal Safety Without Scaring Them, and Consumer’s Advocate: Today’s Leading Attorneys Share Their Secrets on Finding Justice For Those Who’ve Been Wronged and Protecting Those In The Right!

In 2008, Gary started the non-profit organization Keep Georgia Safe with the mission to provide safety education and crime prevention training in Georgia. Keep Georgia Safe has trained over 80 state and local law enforcement officers in CART (Child Abduction Response Teams) so our first responders will know what to do in the event a child is abducted in Georgia. Gary has completed Child Abduction Response Team training with the National AMBER Alert program through the U.S. Department of Justice and Fox Valley Technical College. He is a certified instructor in the radKIDS curriculum. His law firm has given away 1,000 bicycle helmets and 14 college scholarships.

To learn more about Gary Martin Hays, visit http://www.GaryMartinHays.com. To find out more about Keep Georgia Safe, please visit http://www.KeepGeorgiaSafe.org or call (770) 934-8000.

Personal Branding Expert J.W. Dicks Publishes New Blog Discussing Personal Branding On A Budget

admin — Sun, 10 Mar 2013 16:07:04 +0000

JW Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency, a Personal Branding company, offers practical tips for business owners.

Orlando, FL – March 10, 2013- J.W. Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published a blog on his website (www.jwdicks.com) discussing personal branding strategy. The blog, titled “Four Ways to Boost Your Brand… Without Busting Your Budget” offers practical tips to his readers.

J.W. Dicks writes, “To some, branding implies huge media campaigns that are simply too expensive. But the truth is that effective personal branding can be done with a limited budget.”

Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire blog can be found at http://www.jwdicks.com/blogroll/four-ways-to-boost-your-brand-without-busting-your-budget.php

To learn more about JW Dicks and Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, please visit http://www.JWDicks.com and http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/

About J.W. Dicks:

JWDicks@DicksNanton.com • 800.980.1626

http://www.DicksNanton.com

Personal Branding Expert J.W. Dicks Publishes New Article Offering Tips To Help Business Owners Stand Out Online

admin — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 15:53:40 +0000

JW Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency, a Personal Branding company, offers tips to help business owners stand out from the crowd on social media

Orlando, FL – March 8, 2013- J.W. Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published an article on his website (www.jwdicks.com) discussing personal branding. The article, titled “Personal Branding 101: Three Steps to Stand Out on Social Media” offers tangible tips for business owners.

J.W. Dicks writes, “At the end of the day, ‘people buy people’, and social media is a great way to get to know people that may ultimately become your customers.”

Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire article can be found at http://www.jwdicks.com/articles/personal-branding-101-three-steps-to-stand-out-on-social-media.php

To learn more about JW Dicks and Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, please visit http://www.JWDicks.com and http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/

About J.W. Dicks:

JWDicks@DicksNanton.com • 800.980.1626

http://www.DicksNanton.com

Personal Branding Expert Nick Nanton Publishes Article Offering Personal Branding Tips To Business Owners

admin — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 19:54:58 +0000

Nick Nanton, The Celebrity Lawyer and Agent to top Celebrity Experts, explains that telling a compelling “story” is crucial to creating a powerful brand.

Orlando, FL – March 7, 2013 - Nick Nanton, Esq., Founder of The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published an article on his website (http://www.nicknanton.com) discussing personal branding. The article, titled “Personal Branding 101: How to Tell a Better ‘Story’” offers practical tips for his readers.

Nick Nanton writes, “The ability of a brand to grow beyond just the products and services they sell is a major determining factor into the success or failure of that brand. This is true of global organizations and small businesses alike. And it’s true for you.”

The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire article can be found at http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/articles/personal-branding-101-how-to-tell-a-better-story.php

To learn more about Nick Nanton, please visit http://www.nicknanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About Nick Nanton, Esq.:

Learn more at http://www.NickNanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

Personal Branding 101: How to Tell a Better “Story”

admin — Tue, 05 Mar 2013 19:52:55 +0000

As I’ve written before, one of the most important elements to creating a strong personal brand is learning to tell a compelling story. Storytelling is what brings your brand to life, and instead of being “just another business owner”, all of a sudden you become compelling to your audience.

This is a secret that virtually every successful brand has embraced. Nike doesn’t just sell shoes and shirts—they turn their customers into winners. Coca-cola isn’t just a drink—it’s an attitude, fun-loving and community oriented. Steve Jobs wasn’t just a brilliant engineer—he came to stand for innovation, vision, and of course black turtlenecks.

The ability of a brand to grow beyond just the products and services they sell is a major determining factor into the success or failure of that brand. This is true of global organizations and small businesses alike. And it’s true for you.

As I explain this point to clients and friends, the most common response is something like “but Nick… I don’t have a story to tell. I’m just a realtor.” (Or an investment advisor, or a CPA, or a dentist, etc.)

And my response is always “yes you DO have a story to tell. We just have to find it.”

Today, we’re going to discuss how to find (or create) that story. Below are several ideas.

1) Always highlight the benefits of what you do, not the features. Chances are, the actual products and services you sell aren’t that exciting. If that is what you focus on, it’s hard to create a compelling story. Instead, focus on the benefits. You’re not a stockbroker, you’re building a brighter financial future. My business doesn’t just do PR and marketing… we create celebrities. See the difference?

2) Highlight your impact on the community. Another great way to tell a compelling story is to show your audience what you’re doing to help the community. Launching an initiative to support local schools, or something similar, makes it easy for your audience to “buy in” to the story you’re telling.

3) Work your personality into your brand. Even if your business isn’t unique, you still can be. There are lots of wealthy real estate investors, but Donald Trump’s outlandish personality has put him in an entirely different category. Look for ways to incorporate your personality into your brand—along with your hobbies and your passions.

4) Set an ambitious goal. Sometimes, publically setting an ambitious goal can be very effective in terms of creating an appealing story. For instance, you could state that your goal is to sell a specific number of products this year, or have your product featured in a major magazine. Even better, you could combine this goal with a community initiative so that you’re working towards a great cause.

The key to creating an appealing and effective personality brand is to find the right story to tell. And I promise you, you DO have a story to tell. If you’d like some help identifying and communicating that story, please get in touch with me or any of the Agents at our Agency today!

Personal Branding Expert Nick Nanton Publishes Blog Drawing Lessons From The Recent US Airways – American Airlines Merger

admin — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 16:14:22 +0000

Nick Nanton, The Celebrity Lawyer and Agent to top Celebrity Experts, offers practical branding lessons to business owners.

Orlando, FL – March 1, 2013 - Nick Nanton, Esq., Founder of The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published a blog on his website (http://www.nicknanton.com) discussing the recent merger of US Airways and American Airlines. The blog, titled “Branding 101: How Will the American Airlines - US Airways Merger Play Out?” offers specific advice to business owners.

Nick Nanton writes, “At the end of the day, every business owner wants what US Airways and American Airlines want: to build a brand that stands for excellence and an exceptional customer experience.”

The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire blog can be found at http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/blog/branding-101-how-will-the-american-airlines-us-airways-merger-play-out.php

To learn more about Nick Nanton, please visit http://www.nicknanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About Nick Nanton, Esq.:

Learn more at http://www.NickNanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

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admin — Thu, 28 Feb 2013 01:27:44 +0000

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Branding 101: How Will the American Airlines - US Airways Merger Play Out?

admin — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 16:13:14 +0000

The business world has been buzzing since the announcement of a major merger between US Airways and American Airlines earlier this month. As a frequent flyer, I can testify that this story got my attention too!

Obviously, a merger of this scale is enormously complex. And one of the many factors that must be carefully managed is the customer experience that will be provided. This is no small challenge when you’re dealing with businesses of this size—particularly in an industry where customer service is often suspect.

A recent article on Forbes.com previews these challenges and offers some suggested areas of focus for the airlines. I think that many of these principles could be applied to your business, as well. Take a look:

Setting and then keeping new public performance benchmarks. The new airline could establish targets — on-time, satisfaction — and launch new ways to not only narrate its efforts but new incentives for its operations to meet them.

Committing to customer benefits. Do you understand the rules for what an airline does when weather cancels your flight? American could specify the principles for how it treats (and charges) its passengers and thereby change the industry. What differentiates its loyalty programs? What isn’t an extra charge?

Creating communities for real participation. The new airline could forsake Facebook pages and other silly social media marketing stunts, and involve its passengers in real communities to test systems, programs, processes, etc. Make us all co-operators.

Fixing employee relations first and always. American, like any airline, is in the service business, and the biggest (if not only) variable in its delivery are its employees. Making sure they were happy and impassioned would differentiate the brand. Make the commitment to them, and then tell us, too.

Guaranteeing what will never change. Financial circumstances are always changing and can be used to legitimize many corporate behaviors. Which ones will the new American never forsake (leadership on safety is one, of course)? Again, declare them.

I would summarize these ideas as follows:

Set and meet high standards.
Communicate clearly with your customers—and keep your promises.
Engage customers and build community.
Invest into employees so that they in turn invest into customers.
Commit to the core of the brand—i.e., what makes you unique.

In addition to being good advice for airlines, these ideas would benefit most of our businesses as well. At the end of the day, every business owner wants what US Airways and American Airlines want: to build a brand that stands for excellence and an exceptional customer experience. Keep these principles in mind and you’ll be well on your way!

Producer and Director Nick Nanton To Executive Produce New Documentary Film

admin — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 22:00:34 +0000

Personal Branding Expert Nick Nanton will be one of the Executive Producers of a new documentary being filmed in Acapulco, Mexico.

Orlando, FL – February 20, 2012 – In a joint effort with Entrepreneurs International Foundation, Emmy® Award Winning Director and Producer, Nick Nanton, Esq., will serve as Director and Executive Producer of an upcoming documentary film from CelebrityFilms®. The film, a documentary about the Casa Hogar children’s home in Acapulco, Mexico, launched production in early January, 2013.

The documentary will reveal an in-depth look at the incredible story of the Casa Hogar children’s home in Acapulco, specifically how the home is providing a nurturing environment with a focus on education in this economically disadvantaged region. Casa Hogar is a children’s home that provides care, shelter, strength, love and hope in a Christian environment for orphaned and abandoned children in Acapulco, Mexico.

The work that the orphanage is doing “is changing the lives of these kids. They are bringing in kids from the streets and providing them with not only food, shelter and education, but most importantly the love of a family environment,” said Director Nick Nanton. “We are excited that we got to film a movie as well as renovate their library and computer center with hundreds of new books and 10 new computers,” Nanton continued.

Nick Nanton traveled with rest of the Emmy® Award winning team at CelebrityFilms® to Acapulco to help bring this film to full production.

Learn more about Casa Hogar at http://micasahogar.org/

Nanton previously won an Emmy Award for his passionate work as one of the Directors of the inspirational short film documentary, “Jacob’s Turn.” He is also nominated this year for the documentary films “Let Your Life Speak” and “Car Men.”

To learn more about Nick Nanton, please visit http://www.nicknanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About Nick Nanton, Esq.:

Learn more at http://www.NickNanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About CelebrityFilms®:

Learn more at http://www.CelebrityFilms.com

About Entrepreneurs International Foundation:

Drawing upon the expertise of the top international marketing minds of our time, Entrepreneurs International Foundation (EIF), formerly Marketers For Good, is a not for profit organization dedicated to creating unique campaigns to raise money and awareness for charitable causes. Utilizing cutting edge business and marketing strategies, EIF brings together top marketing and business minds in order to encourage and lift up those in need.

Entrepreneurs International Foundation is constantly seeking new supporters who are interested in giving back and using their ability to raise money for important causes.

Learn more at http://www.EntrepreneursFoundation.com/

Articles

admin — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:29:09 +0000

Greg Crabtree: How to Keep the Cash Flowing at Your Business

Greg Crabtree: How to Keep the Cash Flowing at Your Business

admin — Fri, 15 Feb 2013 14:28:39 +0000

by Nick Nanton

This month, I’d like to share some profitable wisdom from a guy who definitely has a lot of it to spare.

I had heard of Greg Crabtree and his book, Simple Numbers, Straight Talk, Big Profits: 4 Keys to Unlock Your Business Potential, for a few months before I actually talked to him. Verne Harnish, who wrote the bestseller, Mastering the Rockefeller Habits, said, “It’s one of the top ten books of the year, you’ve got to get it.” Then my partner Jack also told me I HAD to read it – and to make sure I did, he dropped a copy on my desk!

Well, I picked up that copy and I’m glad I did – there’s a reason it has a 5 Star review average on Amazon. Greg has consulted with us on our accounting and finances and we’ve loved the results. Recently, on one of our Platinum Coaching calls, I had the opportunity to talk with Greg about how any business can drill down on the numbers to really make profits soar.

Although Greg’s background is as an accountant, he feels his profession has really done businesses a disservice by not providing the numbers they need to make the right financial decisions. Over the years, the entrepreneurs he worked with in his hometown of Huntsville, Alabama, challenged him to provide simple, understandable data they could act on. That, in turn, caused him to develop some simple ways to help companies and entrepreneurs make the best financial moves for their future.

One of the biggest challenges for a small or medium-sized business is cash flow. Greg, however, says it’s not usually a cash flow problem they have, it’s a profitability problem. If you can get up to realizing a 10 to 15% profitability, you have a good chance of eliminating that cash flow problem if you deal correctly with what Greg calls “the Four Forces of Cash Flow.”

Force #1 - Taxes: Nobody likes to hear it, but the first thing you should do is set your tax payments aside so you don’t have trouble down the line. Greg says, “The number one key performance indicator of true wealth creation is how big of a check you write to the IRS.” Of course, there are things you can do to minimize your taxes, but, in general, those methods usually involve using money to buy tax credits or put in some other kind of investment. That means the money is locked up and you can’t use it – and, of course, that leads to more cash flow problems. Plus, in general, you’ll have to pay those taxes later – and, most likely, taxes are going to go up, not down.

Force #32– Line of Credit: The second thing you need to consider is getting off whatever lines of credit you’re using. To Greg, lines of credit are like crack cocaine to entrepreneurs! The only exception is if you’re using that line of credit to fund profitable growth, instead of covering losses. Also, if you’re in a business that requires you to buy and use heavy equipment, obviously a line of credit is probably going to be a necessity.

Force #3 – Core Capital:

Your next step, and the best possible scenario for your business moving forward, is to create a core capital cash balance from your after-tax profits that allows you to have two months of operating expenses and cash in your business. That’s what being a fully capitalized business is all about and it can become a magnet of opportunity. You’re not struggling week-to-week - instead, you’re building from a debt-free foundation.

Force #4 - Distribution:

Most of you reading this are most likely an S corporation or an LLC – so, once you’ve taken care of taxes, once you’re off any lines of credit, and once you have your two months of expenses socked away, you can then distribute your profits to all shareholders and take it out of the company – or, of course, you can reinvest it in your business with an eye towards some aggressive growth. Either way, you can be sure all your obligations are taken care of, and you can move forward as you want.

Greg believes understanding your profit model is the most important thing any entrepreneur or business can do. In his words, “You’ve got to learn how to self-develop your capital. A way to do that is you make sure you have profits in the business after you paid the taxes - and remember that the cash flow cycle requires about 10% profitability for about three years. We see people be diligent and disciplined for those three years and maintain their 10% profitability – and that, in turn, creates a foundation that most of their businesses can build on forever.”

You can find out more about Greg and his awesome advice at the website for his book, www.SeeingBeyondNumbers.com. See for yourself – his numbers definitely add up!

Your Customer Compass: Are You Headed in the Right Direction?

admin — Mon, 11 Feb 2013 15:45:19 +0000

This post was originally featured on FastCompany.com. The original blog, written by Nick Nanton and JW Dicks can be found here: Taking Direction From Disney's Customer-Care Philosophy

Last month, we held our first Celebrity Expert Marketing Academy. And, because our Dicks + Nanton Agency is located in Orlando, we knew we didn’t have to travel far to give our clients the best (and most productive) experience possible. We just took them all over to our neighbor’s place, which has plenty of room.

And we’re not kidding when we say that. It covers over 30,000 acres and includes four theme parks, two water parks, 24 themed resorts, two spas and fitness centers, and five golf courses.

Our neighbor, of course, is Disney World, the world’s most visited entertainment resort. And, no, we didn’t go there to ride the flying elephants at the Dumbo ride (we have plenty of time to do that on our own). Instead, we went with our clients to learn some of the special secrets that have made Disney the incredible success it’s been for over 80 years. Fortunately, the corporation has set up The Disney Institute to enable all of us not wearing mouse ears to get some inside business tips.

Many of those tips focus on providing the customer with the best experience possible. The fact is that Disney’s customer service is the gold standard for every business--because their management understands that if you don’t treat your paying patrons as you should, you’re going in the wrong direction.

So let’s talk about how to go in the right direction--with the help of a very special compass.

Walt Disney evidently loved compasses. You’ll find what’s called the “Compass Rose” in front of the walking area in front of and in back of Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland. Not only that, but it was Compass East Corporation that began buying land in the Orlando area in the mid-1960s. That company was a cover for the Disney organization, which was snatching up property left and right for what would become Disney World; they hid their name from the transactions because, of course, sellers would have demanded more than the fair market price if they had known who was really after the transaction.

The compass, to this day, figures prominently in the Disney philosophy of customer service. For instance, we learned about the four points of The Disney Compass when it comes to how to treat a customer (an area of study Disney calls Guestology). We’d like to share these four profitable and productive directions with you here:

N - Needs
W - Wants
S - Stereotypes
E – Emotions

Let’s take these in turn and see how they impact your relationships with your clients or customers.

When we discuss a customer’s needs, we’re talking about the basics. If a person goes to the doctor, they might “need” medicine to get well. If someone goes to a CPA, they might “need” someone to do their taxes. It’s about meeting the minimum requirements of your business, whatever they might be.

Wants allow you the opportunity to kick it up a notch or two. For example, the person going to the CPA may also “want” new strategies to save on their taxes. When you provide that extra optional level of service, you differentiate yourself and give people more reason to come back to you, as well as refer you to other people.

Stereotypes require you to overcome negative impressions a customer might have of you or your business. For example, a stereotype of doctors might be that they only care about money and don’t care how long they make you cool your heels in the waiting area. If you are an MD, you can overcome that stereotype by attempting to minimize a patient’s waiting time and maximizing the one-on-one consultation time with you.

Finally, it’s common knowledge that emotions are often more powerful than logic when it comes to buying decisions. That’s why it’s always important to tap into what makes your customers or clients feel good about buying from you and focus on that in your delivery and fulfillment systems.

The Disney Institute is full of simple concepts like the above that enable you to bring a clear, yet sophisticated approach to doing business in the best possible way. We love to deliver those kinds of concepts to our clients (as well as ourselves, because we find they work like gangbusters), and we’re happy to share this one with you here.

With that in mind, we’ll leave you with seven more big ideas from seven rather small guys that will enable you to serve your clientele at the highest level possible.

1. Be Happy…make eye contact and smile!

2. Be like Sneezy…greet and welcome each and every client. Spread the spirit of Hospitality…it’s contagious!

3. Don’t be Bashful…seek out client contact.

4. Be like Doc…provide immediate service recovery.

5. Don’t be Grumpy…always display appropriate body language at all times.

6. Be like Sleepy…create dreams and preserve the magical client experience.

7. Don’t be Dopey…thank each and every customer!

Keep those seven principles in mind and you’re sure to dwarf the competition.

Personal Branding Expert Nick Nanton Publishes Article Discussing The Benefits Of Personal Branding

admin — Tue, 29 Jan 2013 16:23:15 +0000

Nick Nanton, The Celebrity Lawyer and Agent to top Celebrity Experts, highlights the benefits of a powerful personal brand.

Orlando, FL – January 29, 2013 - Nick Nanton, Esq., Founder of The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published an article on his website (http://www.nicknanton.com) discussing personal branding. The article, titled “Personal Branding: Why It’s Worth Your Time” offers three specific benefits of a powerful personal brand.

Nick Nanton writes, “Every once in a while, it’s a good idea to remind ourselves why we’re working so hard to build a strong brand. The payoff, if you will.”

The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire article can be found at http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/blog/personal-branding-why-its-worth-your-time.php

To learn more about Nick Nanton, please visit http://www.nicknanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About Nick Nanton, Esq.:

Learn more at http://www.NickNanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

Personal Branding: Why It’s Worth Your Time

admin — Mon, 28 Jan 2013 08:18:17 +0000

We talk about personal branding strategies regularly in this space. But every once in a while, it’s a good idea to remind ourselves why we’re working so hard to build a strong brand. The payoff, if you will. Below are some of the primary benefits of a powerful personal brand:

Instant credibility. If you’re an accountant, for instance, the last thing you want to do every time you come in contact with a potential client is have to convince them of your expertise. If you’ve built your personal brand right, you’ll be seen as an expert before you even meet. Your website, your staff, your marketing materials… everything works together to position you as the expert in your area of practice—so by the time you meet a client in person, your expert status is unquestioned. This is also important when it comes to referrals—other professionals don’t want to refer their clients to anyone but the best. A strong personal brand makes it clear that you are the go-to expert.
Stand out in the mind of clients and referral sources. A strong personal brand creates a memorable persona and helps you stand out in the minds of your audience. Whether it’s your intensity, your sense of humor, even the décor of your office—a strong personal brand stands out in the mind of everyone who encounters it. Such top-of-mind awareness is invaluable—it will result in more referrals and highly loyal clients.
Command a premium price. If your car breaks down, you’re willing to pay a premium to have a highly qualified mechanic take a look at it. You’ll pay more for entrepreneurial advice from an established expert like Dan Kennedy than you will for advice from your father-in-law. That’s just a reality. Your personal brand creates a perception of yourself as an expert, and it puts you in position to command a premium price.

At the end of the day, a strong personal brand will result in more leads, more business, and the ability to charge premium rates. It’s one of the best investments you can make. If you’d like to learn more, or if you need some help getting started, please get in touch with me or any of the Agents at our Agency today!

Personal Branding Expert J.W. Dicks Publishes New Article Helping Business Owners Evaluate The State of Their Personal Brand

admin — Sun, 27 Jan 2013 16:30:46 +0000

JW Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency, a Personal Branding company, suggests an exercise to help business owners identify their personal brand.

Orlando, FL – January 27, 2013 - J.W. Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published an article on his website (www.jwdicks.com) discussing personal branding strategy. The article, titled “Personal Branding 101: What Do You Stand For… and What Do You Want to Stand For?” provides an exercise to help business owners define their personal brand.

J.W. Dicks writes, “At the end of the day, personal branding is all about defining yourself to your market. It’s about deciding how you want your audience to perceive you, and then creating that perception.”

Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire article can be found at http://www.jwdicks.com/jwdicks/personal-branding-101-what-do-you-stand-for-and-what-do-you-want-to-stand-for.php

To learn more about JW Dicks and Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, please visit http://www.JWDicks.com and http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/

About J.W. Dicks:

JWDicks@DicksNanton.com • 800.980.1626

http://www.DicksNanton.com

Personal Branding Expert J.W. Dicks Publishes New Blog Drawing Lessons From Super Bowl Commercials

admin — Thu, 24 Jan 2013 16:17:01 +0000

JW Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency, a Personal Branding company, urges business owners to pay attention to three elements of each Super Bowl ad.

Orlando, FL – January 24, 2013- J.W. Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published a blog on his website (www.jwdicks.com) discussing personal branding. The blog, titled “Personal Branding Secrets: What Can We Learn from the Super Bowl Ads?” identifies three practical lessons for business owners.

J.W. Dicks writes, As a small business you’re probably not planning to shell out millions for a 30 second spot… but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t pay attention. Because the truth is, there is a lot to be learned about personal branding from the Super Bowl Commercials.”

Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire blog can be found at http://www.jwdicks.com/blogroll/personal-branding-secrets-what-can-we-learn-from-the-super-bowl-ads.php

To learn more about JW Dicks and Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, please visit http://www.JWDicks.com and http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/

About J.W. Dicks:

JWDicks@DicksNanton.com • 800.980.1626

http://www.DicksNanton.com

Personal Branding Expert J.W. Dicks Earns Emmy Nomination For “Car Men”

admin — Wed, 23 Jan 2013 19:06:10 +0000

JW Dicks, personal branding expert and Emmy award-winning producer, recently earned another Emmy® nomination for his work on the short film “Car Men.”

Orlando, FL – January 23, 2013 – J.W. Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, was recently honored to receive another Emmy® Award nomination for his work with the short film documentary, “Car Men” from CelebrityFilms® featuring Tracy Myers, Owner of Frank Myers Auto Maxx, a nationally recognized car dealership.

About the Film:

He's gone on TV dressed up as a giant pickle. Nowadays, you'll see him most often sporting a giant red, white and blue Uncle Sam hat. Tracy Myers may play outrageous to sell cars - but this best-selling author, nationally-recognized entrepreneur, and devoted family man is dead serious when it comes to building a business he, his family and his city can be proud of.

"Car Men" details the touching and occasionally hilarious story of how the Myers men created a car business that's known all across America for its successful out-of-the-box thinking - not to mention its off-kilter TV commercials, featuring such quirky characters as Uncle Frank and Chainsaw Charlie.

As one auto pro says, "In the car business, Tracy Myers is who everybody wants to be."

“Car Men” is the winner of 5 Telly Awards and has been featured on national cable.

JW Dicks has earned the Emmy® Nomination for his work as Producer of the film. Other members of the CelebrityFilms® team to earn nominations include Nick Nanton (Director and Producer), Amardeep Kaleka (Director of Photography), Craig and Hanny Boyer (Editing) and Robert Davidowitz (2^nd Camera and Sound). “Car Men” was filmed in North Carolina. The Emmy® Ceremony will be held on January 26^th, 2013.

“My dad and I are honored and humbled that this film was made. It’s an amazing legacy, not only for our family but also for the city of Winston-Salem,” said Tracy Myers, one of the films stars.

JW Dicks was previously nominated for an Emmy Award for his passionate work as one of the Producers of the inspirational short film documentary, “Jacob’s Turn.” He is also nominated this year for the documentary film “Let Your Life Speak.”

Learn more and watch this Emmy® Award Nominated Film at http://www.celebrityfilms.com/films

To learn more about JW Dicks, please visit http://www.JWDicks.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About J.W. Dicks:

JWDicks@DicksNanton.com • 800.980.1626

http://www.DicksNanton.com

About CelebrityFilms®:

Learn more at http://www.CelebrityFilms.com

Lance Armstrong, Branding Catastrophes, And What Not To Do

admin — Tue, 22 Jan 2013 15:35:55 +0000

This post was originally featured on FastCompany.com. The original blog, written by Nick Nanton and JW Dicks can be found here: Lance Armstrong, Branding Catastrophes, And What Not To Do

----

For years, cyclist champion Lance Armstrong denied using performance-enhancing drugs to aid him in his record-setting string of Tour de France titles. He stonewalled critics, threatened whistleblowers, and repeatedly denied all doping charges.

Until this week.

Armstrong threw himself at the mercy of the official court of public opinion this week--that would be Oprah Winfrey’s show – and finally admitted to doing what he’s been denying for over a decade.

Is Armstrong doing too little too late?

It’s probably too soon to tell. Armstrong, of course, has done a lot of good throughLivestrong, his cancer survivors’ charity. But unnecessary damage has been done to what was once an amazing success story simply by being unwilling to acknowledge simple facts. Armstrong’s heated denials of the drugs he is now finally acknowledging taking has resulted in behavior that some judge as being worse than the actual doping itself.

The point is you can only hold off brutal reality for so long, and the longer you try, the more you put your brand story at risk. Your authenticity begins to suffer and the public begins to lose trust in what you stand for. Since the Watergate scandal all the way back in 1974, the truth of the mantra, “It’s not the crime, it’s the cover-up,” has just loomed larger and larger, especially in this area of social media transparency, where every lie gets magnified to a gargantuan scale.

So, what’s a personal or corporate brand to do when it’s confronted with an unpleasant situation that’s not about to go away on its own?

Last year, a client of ours faced his own dilemma along these lines. Tracy Myers, owner of theFrank Myers AutoMaxx dealership in the Winston-Salem area of North Carolina, found his business under attack from the FTC (Federal Trade Commission) for a single phrase he had used in some YouTube videos promoting his business. They claimed the phrase was deceptive; he claimed it was just the dealership’s policy, but, nonetheless, pulled the offending videos down.

He was shocked a few months later to find out that the government agency was publicly accusing him of deceptive advertising, even though he had done everything required by the agency to comply with their requests.

Tracy didn’t take this lying down--nor was he about to let the negative news play out and harm his business. He immediately took to his social media outlets and began telling his side of the story, and quickly got a smattering of positive support from his followers. That motivated him to go back to YouTube and post his own videos explaining what had happened with the FTC and why it was unfair.

Virtually all the comments he got on the video were positive. Not only that, but some of the car dealer’s supporters got together and took their own photo holding up “Free Uncle Frank!” (Uncle Frank being the car lot’s mascot) signs, which they posted on Facebook. Tracy was also lauded for how he dealt with a potentially difficult business situation.

The truth is you can turn around a negative and find substantial support in the process. Here are three tips we believe can help improve almost any difficult situation when it comes to your personal or professional brand:

1. Get out in front of the story.

Tracy Myers didn’t wait when the FTC action hit. He immediately put out his side of the story (one of the distinct advantages social media has to offer all of us) before bad publicity could snowball. In contrast, Armstrong saw a problem he would inevitably have to confront grow to monstrous proportions before he did act. If he hadn’t been so afraid to deal with the issues, he might have found ways to mitigate the damage along the way.

2. Be as honest and transparent as possible.

Do any of us remember that late night favorite David Letterman was once embroiled in a huge sex scandal? It all went away pretty quickly--because, when it broke, Letterman at once took to the airwaves on his show to admit his culpability in a forthcoming and serious way (so forthcoming that the audience actually laughed, because they didn’t think he could possibly be serious). The incident did little to no damage to his career, simply because he handled it as honestly as possible, even though he was guilty.

3. Make the media your own.

There’s no point in playing someone else’s game, especially when, today more than ever, you can take the ball and run with it as far as you want. That’s exactly what Tracy Myers did when he used YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and every other online outlet he could to get his message out. The worst you can do is put yourself in a reactive position to what someone else is saying about you; it’s better to be proactive and control how your message is delivered and presented to your public. Armstrong limiting his exposure to a single Oprah interview was actually the smartest way to do a “confession.”

Everyone faces personal and professional challenges that threaten their personal brand at some point--it’s part of being a human being. It’s how you handle those challenges that really determine what the ultimate impact will be.

When Armstrong finally decided to go on Oprah, it was at a point where he really had no choice if he ever wanted a shot at public redemption. It would have been smart to act sooner and more decisively.

As David Letterman demonstrated, we are much more forgiving of those who come clean at the first sign of trouble; it’s much harder to support someone who’s accused of playing with matches and won’t admit it until the house has burnt down. Admit quickly and self-correct (if necessary) immediately. Every second you don’t take action is another second you’ve lost to repair your reputation.

Personal Branding Expert Nick Nanton Publishes Article Discussing Personal Branding Strategy

admin — Sat, 19 Jan 2013 15:44:56 +0000

Nick Nanton, The Celebrity Lawyer and Agent to top Celebrity Experts, urges business owners to create a personal branding habit.

Orlando, FL – January 19, 2013 - Nick Nanton, Esq., Founder of The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published an article on his website (http://www.nicknanton.com) discussing personal branding strategy. The article, titled “Personal Branding: Make it a Habit in 2013!” explains that for personal branding to be effective, it must become a habit.

Nick Nanton writes, “Building a personal brand is not as simple as pushing a button. A powerful personal brand takes time and commitment to construct— but that commitment pays off handsomely as the brand begins to grow.”

The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire article can be found at http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/articles/personal-branding-make-it-a-habit-in-2013.php

To learn more about Nick Nanton, please visit http://www.nicknanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About Nick Nanton, Esq.:

Learn more at http://www.NickNanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

Personal Branding: Make it a Habit in 2013!

admin — Thu, 17 Jan 2013 08:38:22 +0000

As you’ve heard me say before, a powerful personal brand allows a business owner to differentiate himself and his business from the competition. It allows him or her to charge a premium price and still attract a steady stream of new business. Properly leveraged through direct marketing, a powerful personal brand can completely revolutionize any business. I have personally seen it happen time and time again.

But building a personal brand is not as simple as pushing a button. A powerful personal brand takes time and commitment to construct— but that commitment pays off handsomely as the brand begins to grow.

Like many other forms of marketing, for a personal branding campaign to be successful, it must feature consistent effort. You can’t simply wake up one morning, decide to spend three hours working on your personal brand, and then forget about it for another two months. That approach will lead to frustration, and little in the way of results.

Instead, personal branding must become a habit—part of your everyday routine and system.

Yes, you’re busy. I get it. The demands of running your business are non-stop—the last thing you are looking for is more work. But you find time to brush your teeth twice a day, right? You take the time to straighten your tie before heading out the door. Where do you find the time and the energy? You don’t have to “find” the time—you just do it, because it’s a habit. And that’s what personal branding needs to become. A habit. This could mean a couple of minutes on Twitter after lunch each weekday, it could mean taking the time to personally call your customers to check in with them, or it could mean attending a networking function every week. (Note: if this is too much for you, get your team involved! Find a social media savvy member of your team and place him or her in charge of your social media presence. Just make sure that you set clear expectations and hold him/her accountable!)

Personal branding isn’t about flashes of brilliance. It’s about being yourself, consistently, and engaging with the world around you. You’ll see limited results from your networking efforts if you only make it to a function three times per year. This applies to social media as well—one Facebook post or Tweet each month is much less effective than getting involved more frequently, because the point is to build a connection with your audience. And you can’t do that without consistent interaction. That’s why it’s critical that you are active regularly. You don’t have to feel inspired—you just have to be there, and be yourself.

Effective branding requires consistent activity. But you aren’t going to be able to be active consistently unless you establish a habit. It could be first thing in the morning, it could be the last thing you do before you leave the office, it could be after lunch, it could be between meetings—but whenever it is, find time to dedicate to your personal brand and start building the habit! If you’d like to learn more, or if you need some guidance as you get started, feel free to get in touch with me or any of the Agents at our Agency today!

Personal Branding Expert Nick Nanton Publishes Article Urging Business Owners To Make Branding Fun

admin — Tue, 15 Jan 2013 18:30:58 +0000

Nick Nanton, The Celebrity Lawyer and Agent to top Celebrity Experts, explains that personal branding is most successful when the individual is having fun with the process.

Orlando, FL – January 15, 2013 - Nick Nanton, Esq., Founder of The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published an article on his website (http://www.nicknanton.com) discussing personal branding. The article, titled “Make Personal Branding Fun This Year” offers actionable tips for business owners.

Nick Nanton writes, “Personal branding is all about you – your personality, your strengths and weaknesses, your passions. For that reason, approaching it as simply another item on your to-do list won’t work. As 2013 kicks off, I encourage you to make personal branding a fun endeavor.”

The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire article can be found at http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/articles/make-personal-branding-fun-this-year.php

To learn more about Nick Nanton, please visit http://www.nicknanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About Nick Nanton, Esq.:

Learn more at http://www.NickNanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

Personal Branding Expert J.W. Dicks Earns Emmy Nomination For “Let Your Life Speak”

admin — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 16:39:11 +0000

JW Dicks, personal branding expert and Emmy award-winning producer, recently earned another Emmy® nomination for his work on the short film “Let Your Life Speak.”

Orlando, FL – January 14, 2013 – J.W. Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, was recently honored to receive another Emmy® Award nomination for his work with the short film documentary, “Let Your Life Speak” from CelebrityFilms® featuring Remarkability Expert and CEO of SpeakAmerica, Bart Queen.

About the Film:

An acclaimed best-selling author and communications coach, Bart Queen, has a love for people and life. He has coached hundreds of Fortune 500 executives and employees on how to live their life to the fullest, but there was one life that wasn't following the principles he teaches...his own. Watch as Bart Queen reveals the secret to "letting your life speak" that he learned from his toughest client ever, himself.

As the CEO of SpeakAmerica and founder of the Let Your Life Speak Foundation, Bart Queen is a valued asset and resource in helping individuals and businesses around the world develop solid communications skills for their professional and personal success. Bart is a highly sought after speaker, communication expert and trainer.

JW Dicks has earned the Emmy® Nomination for his work as Producer of the film. Other members of the CelebrityFilms® team to earn nominations include Nick Nanton (Director and Producer), Amardeep Kaleka (Director of Photography), Craig and Hanny Boyer (Editing) and Adam Bowen (2^nd Camera and Sound). The Emmy® Ceremony will be held on January 26^th, 2013.

Learn more and watch this Emmy® Award Nominated Film at http://www.celebrityfilms.com/films

To learn more about JW Dicks, please visit http://www.JWDicks.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About J.W. Dicks:

JWDicks@DicksNanton.com • 800.980.1626

http://www.DicksNanton.com

About CelebrityFilms®:

Learn more at http://www.CelebrityFilms.com

Make Personal Branding Fun This Year

admin — Mon, 14 Jan 2013 08:28:20 +0000

Personal branding requires work. Personal branding can be very profitable. But there’s nothing that says it can’t also be fun.

In fact, the truth is that personal branding is more effective when you’re having fun. Personal branding is all about you – your personality, your strengths and weaknesses, your passions. For that reason, approaching it as simply another item on your to-do list won’t work. As 2013 kicks off, I encourage you to make personal branding a fun endeavor. Below are a few ways you can do this:

1) Be yourself. Many business owners make the mistake of building a serious, all-business personal brand. And while the core of your brand has to be your expertise within your market, a boring brand is simply not going to be memorable. So spice it up. Showcase your sense of humor. Share some opinions that may surprise people. Don’t hesitate to include your family and personal life into your public brand. You will connect with your customers and potential customers most effectively when they feel that you are a “real” person just like them—so stop being so uptight all the time!

2) Join associations and organizations that you genuinely enjoy. Networking is a big part of personal branding—after all, your brand needs an audience. But too many people force themselves to attend conventions and trade shows that they truly have no interest in. Do not go down that road. Instead, seek out organizations that you will truly enjoy—related to your industry, or not! If you like acting, join a theatre club that meets every week. Or find a club for fellow hobby enthusiasts. Make friends, be yourself, build your brand—and you will be surprised by how many valuable connections you create. And you will have fun in the process!

3) Support causes that you believe in. Supporting the community is a great way to gain exposure for you and your business—while helping out a good cause at the same time. Rather than supporting specific causes because you always have, or because you feel a duty to, seek out causes that you are passionate about. This could include local schools, community outreach—just about anything. By supporting an effort you truly believe in, you’ll be getting your brand out there while doing something you can truly feel good about.

Today’s consumers are savvy. They know when they’re looking at something genuine, and they know when they’re not. If you’re not truly committed to your branding efforts, they’re not going to ring true. That’s why it’s so important to stay true to yourself and to have some fun with the process. Give your audience a chance to get to know the real you—what makes you different, what makes you great at what you do. Make personal branding fun, and you’re going to be more successful at it. If you’d like to learn more, feel free to get in touch with me or with any of the Agents at our Agency!

Personal Branding Expert Nick Nanton Publishes Blog Discussing Personal Branding Strategy

admin — Sat, 12 Jan 2013 18:27:10 +0000

Nick Nanton, The Celebrity Lawyer and Agent to top Celebrity Experts, urges business owners to evaluate the core of their brand.

Orlando, FL – January 12, 2013- Nick Nanton, Esq., Founder of The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published a blog on his website (http://www.nicknanton.com) discussing the importance of focus. The blog, titled “Personal Branding: Do You Need to Shift Your Focus in 2013?” urges business owners to take this opportunity to examine the strength of their personal brand.

Nick Nanton writes, “The beginning of the New Year is a perfect opportunity to evaluate the state of your brand. Take some time to ponder these questions… and ask yourself if perhaps your brand needs a new focus for 2013.”

The Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire blog can be found at http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/blog/personal-branding-do-you-need-to-shift-your-focus-in-2013.php

To learn more about Nick Nanton, please visit http://www.nicknanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

About Nick Nanton, Esq.:

Learn more at http://www.NickNanton.com and http://www.CelebrityBrandingAgency.com

Personal Branding Expert J.W. Dicks Publishes New Blog Urging Business Owners To Create Consistency

admin — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 18:20:52 +0000

JW Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency, a Personal Branding company, discusses the importance of consistency when it comes to personal branding.

Orlando, FL – January 11, 2013- J.W. Dicks, Founder of Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, a Personal Branding company, recently published a blog on his website (www.jwdicks.com) discussing personal branding. The blog, titled “Personal Branding 101: Keep it Consistent” explains that consistency is key to sucess.

J.W. Dicks writes, “The key to establishing your personal brand is consistency. Determine what you want your brand to stand for and resist the temptation to stray from these attributes. Focus on the core of your brand and drive it home… over and over and over.”

Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency® specializes in Personal Branding. They help clients to elevate their recognition and credibility in their business or professional niche.

The entire blog can be found at http://www.jwdicks.com/blogroll/personal-branding-101-keep-it-consistent.php

To learn more about JW Dicks and Dicks and Nanton Celebrity Branding Agency®, please visit http://www.JWDicks.com and http://www.celebritybrandingagency.com/

About J.W. Dicks:

JWDicks@DicksNanton.com • 800.980.1626

http://www.DicksNanton.com

Personal Branding: Do You Need to Shift Your Focus in 2013?

admin — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 08:21:53 +0000

As we’ve discussed previously, one of the key elements to a powerful personal brand is focus. Effective brands, personal or corporate, are focused on a particular niche and a particular set of characteristics that separate the business from others in their market. McDonalds is very successful at what they do—namely, selling affordable burgers and fries that taste the same no matter which location you visit. Meanwhile, just about every city in the USA has at least one local, high-end steakhouse. They’re not cheap, they’re not fast—but they are classy, distinctive, and known for delicious entrees.

Two very different restaurants with a very different focus—and both have found success.

The question is… what is your focus?

Who is your target market? What are the characteristics of your ideal customer?

How does your brand appeal to these customers? (Common answers might include “an emphasis on customer service” or “years of experience” or “a unique product that no one else can offer.”)

Now that you’ve got an idea of the focus of your brand, let’s take a few moments to evaluate it critically. Answer each of these questions as honestly as you can:

Does your brand resonate with your target market? In other words, is it appealing? Times change, and a brand that was attractive ten years ago could easily be obsolete today. (How many of us still use AOL as our internet provider?)

Does your brand set you apart from others in your market? The whole point of a strong personal brand is that it differentiates you from your competition. When successful, this gives you the ability to virtually “lock out” competitors because they simply can’t provide what you can. But the marketplace is fast-moving—so honestly evaluate whether your brand is still unique.

Does your brand focus on the value you provide to your customers? Ultimately, your brand should answer the question “why should I do business with you?” McDonalds offers fast, affordable burgers—consistent time after time. Apple offers cutting edge technology and a “cool” factor. Nike makes their customers feel like world-class athletes. What value does your brand provide?

The beginning of the New Year is a perfect opportunity to evaluate the state of your brand. Take some time to ponder these questions… and ask yourself if perhaps your brand needs a new focus for 2013.