Branding Lessons We Can Learn On Strong Leadership from President Zelenskyy of Ukraine

Brand Yourself like Donald Trump

by Rachel Quilty | Thursday, November 10, 2016 | Celebrity Brand Lessons

“Donald Trump is the real deal. “Celebrity Brand Commentator Rachel Quilty, CEO of Jump the Q states, “One of the most notable branding trends for 2016 onwards is the desire for authenticity and social responsibility and Trump delivers in his outspoken tell-it-how-it-is manner.”

People knew who they were getting. No hidden agenda.

Trump didn’t brand himself as a politician but a business man who couldn’t be bought, who was willing get his hands dirty to fix the US political crisis and fight the smooth self-interested stances of career politicians.

Trump branded himself as an authority not in politics but in the business of winning. Yesterday the citizens of the USA choose a different path. They effectively said, “We are sick of the lies, self-interest, dirty politics and even dirtier politicians. Hilary… You’re fired!”

Like Trump, position yourself with your personal brand.  You should develop the habit of continually thinking about how you are positioned in the hearts and minds of your client, customers and constituents. Your brand should identify you as a leader and therefore, should be distinctive and visible as well as being consistent.

Within the Jump the Q’s Brand Yourself Action Plan, we consider the principles of positioning your personal brand as an AUTHORITY in your industry or field.

Let’s consider some of the significant branding insights and lessons we can learn when Brand Yourself the Authority like Donald Trump: –

A = Attributes

What is the best positive personality to support your brand?  People largely accept you, initially at your own evaluation of yourself.

Donald Trump is arrogant and opinionated so why would you vote for him. Well, I call it the Doctor Complex. Who would you like to perform your surgery a confident, slightly arrogant surgeon with some swag and potential sway with God or an individual whose hung around enough, know the ropes and who may be able to do the job.   Trump is a fighter and he can have a laugh at himself. Think, Hair.

U = Unique

How do your express yourself in a unique way?

What is distinctive about you?

The Trump brand is uniquely positioned with success and winning.  When you have made, it you purchase a Penthouse in a Trump Towers building. The apartments in Trump towers, Waikiki allegedly sold out in 45 minutes. Trump reveals himself as a fighter with a strong work ethic and sense of achievement always striving for success without necessarily forgetting his roots and humbling experience of almost bankruptcy.

T = Territory

Focus your brand on area of achievement.

What one area of specialization will be the most helpful to my brand?

What’s your niche?

Trump becomes the man in the arena. Who elects to step out of his comfort zone, to do what he considers the right thing to do? He questioned the erosion of solid, middle class Christian values, the very values that made the USA great. He questioned a government that placed business interests and war profiteering over protecting those at home through socially responsible actions. By rejecting campaign funds, Trump made a statement that big businesses were no longer going to be wiping their hands of their responsibilities while rubbing their hands as they profited from the poor and uneducated through political shenanigans.

H = Hook

Focus your brand on area of achievement.

What one area of specialization will be the most helpful to my brand? What’s your niche?

If you have watched the Sandra Bullock movie, A Brand Called Crisis, use can see a similar theme in Trump’s campaign. Basically, the USA is in crisis and only Trump can fix it. If you want to be on the winning team vote for Trump. Trump is synonymous with hard earned success.

O = Opportunity

When commencing a brand campaign you have to:-

• Think like a Leader
• Take advantage of opportunities
• Take the opportunity to take a lead role
• Say yes and then figure it out
• Think like a marketer and tap into trends

We also saw a Rocky themed campaign emerge whereby the hero, is the underdog. All the elite boxers, underestimate a passionate, connected grass roots fighter. Also, we see the consistent message that Trump isn’t doing this for status or money or celebrity but because to him it was the right thing to do, because he cares and he can do something about it.

In a tsunami of political correctness, watering down of values, of boarders compromised, the unethical creation of wars to obtain not peace but resources, Donald held the Trump card, “He didn’t need the lobby funding and the political machinations of suits in backrooms to be successful.”

Faith Popcorn remarked on this trend many years ago. Australian Media Commentator, Ida Buttrose again recently stated that people were overwhelmed and were seeking more values based, conservative choices consistent with the emerging branding trends.

R = Reliability

You must be congruent with your brand. Your public behavior should always be consistent with your private behavior. Treat everyone the same and always be the same.

Trump didn’t need waiver from his brand because he is his brand. While others questioned Clinton’s integrity and honesty, Trump remain brutally honest. Even when his integrity was questioned, the line of questioning was still consistent with his brand. I don’t think it’s brain surgery. Trump loves women and I don’t mean bimbo’s, I mean intelligent, articulate and classy women who can stand up and stand out in a world often dominated by men.

I = Image

A great brand develops a consistent identity or image

Determine that you want to be the best.

Develop a Signature Style that reflects who you are. Style is about projecting an accurate sense of yourself and your business. A coordinated, consistent and professional image becomes your signature.

Trump was well known for his economy. While he may have an extravagant lifestyle and home he certainly knows how to cut costs too. Trump is well -known for purchasing suits off the rack. Stating tailor made is a waste of money, if it fits off the rack, buy it.

Self-image and self-belief make or break individuals. Without a doubt, as Paris Hilton once said, “Confidence is so sexy.” And no-one could say that Trump wasn’t a cocky bastard. A backhanded compliment for sure, but what a tried and true successful fighter wasn’t brimming with confidence.

T = Trustworthy

Ensure your brand is reflects excellence and quality that can be trusted.

While Donald had fallen on hard times, he personally revealed his grit and resilience when he rebuilt his empire, remaining true to his values and principles. Wiki-leaks portrayed a side of Clinton that questioned her moral compass. Trumps compass and personal agenda has never been in doubt …

Trump proved real.

Y = Yourself

You are your own PR Dept. Your brand should:-

• identify you as a leader
• position yourself
• commands authority
• deliver on promises made

Trump spent very little on his communication campaign, successfully generating air time from social media updates.

During the campaign, Donald Trump remained himself. We saw a hardworking man who stopped to buy cookies, who graciously thanked the couple who helped him when he had tyre troubles and walked through a township riddled with hazardous waste run off. We saw his consistent family values reflected in the support of his family and in the manner, that he often spoke of family. We saw a genuine family man who felt morally obligated to take a stand.

As I learn more about Hilary, the more I became confused. Who was Hilary Clinton? And in terms of selling techniques, a confused mind says, No.

In a closing note, I would say that I think Hilary Clinton is an extremely hardworking strategist who has shown tremendous grit and professionalism. There may have been times when the novelty of the first woman President may have been seductive to some, but ultimately in a climate seeking authentic and bona fide honesty, change for changes sake wasn’t the victor as it was eight years ago.

And in branding terms your brand is your trust mark.  Within seconds we decide if we trust someone, whether we want to spend time with them, do business with them. Whether we want to elect them as our President.

Trust is the new currency. And in today’s political climate, Trump = Trust….

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Brand Yourself! And Jump the Q! Your personal brand should reflect your abilities and potential. Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist & Chief Dream-caster, known as ‘the Authority’ on personal branding and author of must- have instructional manual ‘Brand Yourself’. http://www.brandyourselfbook.com

Jump the Q assists you to strategically and systematically leverage your professional profile and build your personal brand to become the authority in your industry. Grab your free personal branding blueprint full of strategies, tactics and tips. 

We assist you to develop your personal brand strategy by:

– discovering your strategic purpose and brand mission

– designing your best personal brand story and message

– developing your signature brand style and status.

Thanks for reading! 🙂 If you enjoyed it, hit that heart button and leave a comment. It would mean a lot to me and it helps other people see the story.

Remember, go to and grab a copy of Jump the Q’s FREE strategic brand blueprint and work journal.

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