We did it Joe!
We are finally dropping a book review. If you want to know what the running joke is then check out my last blog post on why I’m the worst book blogger. This time we are reviewing a book that I describe as my wisest purchase yet. I Am My Brand is a book by Kubi Springer which teaches entrepreneurs and employees how to define, cultivate and grow their personal brands.
I first came across Kubi on LinkedIn quite a few years ago. We made a connection on LinkedIn and she immediately followed up with a polite, private introductory message. At the time I didn’t realise that I was connecting with a brand genius, an absolute expert in her field, a public speaker, marketer and all-around badass! In fact, it wasn’t until this year, when we became Instagram friends that I saw she had done a few lives with one of my favourite YouTubers. After that, I saw her book I Am My Brand on Audible and I knew God was up to something 🙂
A marketing book, self-help, or personal journal?
So what is I Am My Brand? It could be described as a marketing book, a self-help book, or a personal journal. Kubi begins the book by describing the pillars of success for any person or brand, then goes on to share a little bit about her background: a black girl from South London who went down the academic route. She studied her Masters, and amassed lots of debt, then had to figure things out from there.
Kubi’s honesty is so refreshing. The introductory chapter is highly personal as well as encouraging; she in fact admits, that when writing I Am My Brand, she thought she was going to write just another marketing book, until upon more reflection, when she challenged herself to be candid about her life experiences. In her, formal and polite tone, Kubi reminds the reader that what they get out of the book, and out of life, in general, is totally depend on their own mindset.
“If you believe are going to succeed, you’re right. If you believe you are going to fail, you’re also right”.
Obviously this made me sit up and pay closer attention 🙂 The rest of the book challenges the reader to put away fear, to give up the excuses and go for what life has to offer in full. She brings her theories to life by setting activities for the reader to complete, often referring to her website shebuildsbrands.com. Kubi is very clear in expressing herself, and well explains her theories and concepts. I know this this because I found myself pausing the audiobook to visit my LinkedIn account and put into action the checklist set out in the book (which took me less than 10 minutes to do).
“Branding is Like Dating”
What I love most about this book is Kubi’s candidness. For example when she he recounts an incident where she was bamboozled by a fashion company based in the UAE. Or when she begins by telling how she started her career second guessing herself and not being so sure of her own talents. tone of voice is formal and instructional without coming across as overly serious. I appreciate her no-nonsense stone and her her refusal to cuddle the reader.
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She covers topics such as the definition of a brand (and no it’s not just a logo or pretty colours); how to define your brand; what goes into creating a brand; who your brand’s friends are; how to find your customers how to build your tribe; and unfortunately how organisations and people kill their brand. She goes into why brand colours and logos are important, and why branding is like dating. Yes, there is a whole chapter named after this!
Like I said before, purchasing I Am My Brand was the best use of an Audible credit. So If you ask me whether I’d recommend this book, my answer would be “without a doubt”.
What books are you loving right now?
