Written on the 5th of March 2015 by Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist
50 Shades of Personal Branding
By now you've heard about or watched the recently released first instalment of the Fifty Shades Trilogy - Fifty Shades of Grey? Before you read on I offer a warning with this article, some of the contents maybe a little provocative but not too x rated - read at your own risk .
A great deal of negative commentary surrounded the release of Fifty Shades of Grey, specifically about the lack lustre love scenes. Many people asked where was the erotica??
If you haven't seen the film, I am sure you'll be shocked at the volume of nudity unless you were anticipating a movie with a XXX rating rather than R.
And well, if you've read the books you'll know firstly, a lot of the expected erotica is in the next book and secondly, the book series is not all about sex. All be it, there are a number of extremely steamy scenes within the pages of the book that had over 80 million readers fanning themselves.
People are shocked when I say the Fifty Shades series is not all about sex. I think the books are about determining your personal brand values and boundaries; understanding the psychology behind a healthy self identity; and ultimately recognising we are all worthy of love. Let me know your thoughts once I've explained my rationale below.
Personal branding is about finding clarity, about and within yourself. Removing or reducing the shades of grey and becoming crystal clear about who you are and what your mission is. Fifty shades of grey is where most people dwell - unclear and unsure of who they are, what they represent and where they're going.
The fifty shades line is significant. The frustrated revelation "Because I'm fifty shades of #$@!ed-up, Anastasia" is voiced by Christian Grey. His dark desires and lifestyle stem from a broken, traumatic childhood where control becomes paramount and disturbingly confused with childhood memories and experiences.
Anastasia however, after a conscious decision to taste the temptations of the dark side, retreats from the darkness; establishes her boundaries reinforcing her values and personal limitations. These measures intrinsically force Christian to question his values, what is important to him and the future expression of his love.
"This is a man in need. His fear is naked and obvious, but he's lost. . . Somewhere in his darkness.
His eyes wide and bleak and tortured. I can soothe him. Join him briefly in the darkness and bring him into the light." Anastasia Steele E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
Each of us will be tempted, tested by trials and tribulations and forced to determine and maintain our values - what is important to us.
"We're coming near to the end of the bridge, and the road is once more bathed in the neon light of the street lamps so his face is intermittently in the light and the dark. And it's such a fitting metaphor. This man, whom I once thought of as a romantic hero, a brave shining white knightor the dark knight, as he said. He's not a hero; he's a man with serious, deep emotional flaws, and he's dragging me into the dark. Can I not guide him into the light?" Anastasia E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
This is at the heart of personal branding. Our brand is strengthened by our strong sense of self and our clear understanding of our own self identity.
Within our training series - Brand Yourself the Authority we case study the Fifty Shades Brand, so you can imagine we have a lot fun, laughs and red cheek moments (no palm-twitching pun intended). We look at the characters, the author, the brand attributes and the erotic brand empire which is Fifty Shades of Grey.
This article is not to discuss the brand attributes of Fifty Shades or the lifestyles reflected or its moral fibre but to provoke your thinking, like the book. In your life where are your Fifty Shades of Grey? Where is your area of calmity? Where is your area of clarity? What are your personal brand values? What or who may be tempting you to step away from your true self or your true calling? Where are your brand boundaries? What are your hard limits? Where have these been compromised? What can you do to move into the light?
"I don't have a philosophy as such. Maybe a guiding principle, Carnegie's A man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled.' I'm very singular, driven. I like control... of myself and those around me." "You sound like a control freak." The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. "Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele," he says without a trace of humor in his smile." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
I often say our spotlight is in our story, in our shame. "There's a very fine line between pleasure and pain. They are two sides of the same coin, one not existing without the other." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey. Christian Grey's fears, subsequent lifestyle and personal journey are what rivets the audience as he struggles towards the light. While Anastasia Steele's concise conscious consideration of her choices provokes our own internal debate about saying no, resisting temptation and remaining true to ourselves. Understanding your strengths and weakness is invalable to your brand and it is often said that your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness. Case in point, Christian Grey's self control has made him financially successful while also manifesting in a darker issue, which he himself recognises and hence his comment about being fifty shades.
Finding your true self and your personal strengths is often the journey exposed as we establish and build our personal brand. Discovering and creating your personal brand is simply revisiting the foundations of your brand, your personal and professional values and establishing a blueprint for your personal brand growth.
"This is all I know, too. Perhaps together we can chart a new course." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
Copyright permission: You have permission to use this article by respecting the copyright by publishing the entire article as it is with no changes and by agreeing to include the above reference at the end of the article, or where you quote the author in which case please include the authors name and company name. In the event you wish to use any or all of this content please advise Jump the Q.
The brand Fifty Shades of Grey and all quotes of EL James, Fifty Shades of Grey remain the property of EL James and associated brands.
About the Author:
Rachel Quilty is a Personal Branding Strategist. She is also known as the "Authority" on Personal Branding within Australia.
Rachel is the owner and CEO of Jump the Q Inc, a Personal Brand consulting firm with offices in Brisbane as well as in Las Vegas, in the US.
Rachel is also the Author of the book, 'Brand Yourself: How to design, build and position your personal brand' which is also now listed on Amazon.
Rachel regularly speaks on the importance of personal branding and strategic brand management. She assists her students and clients around the world to leverage their professional profile and expertise to establish their personal brand as the authority and recognised leader within their industry.
Rachel regularly speaks at seminars, conferences and workshops on personal branding, professional image and developing your signature brand. She has presented at Bond University, Gr iffith University Business School, Ernst & Young, Westfield, NSAA; conferences in Las Vegas, Hawaii, Tasmania, Gold Coast and Expos in Brisbane.
Rachel has also been featured in Australia on the Today show as well various national radio programs including 4BC & ABC. She recently featured in the Australian Institute of Management magazine and is regularly featured in popular magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Cleo, Marie Claire and national newspapers include the Courier Mail, Sun Herald and the Weekend Australian.
Rachel made a splash in the USA with a recent interview on Voice America Radio hosted by Personal Finance Guru Jordon E Goodman the author of a dozen best sellers and is a regular on CNN and The View. Rachel also recently spoke in Las Vegas at the Ultimate Joint Venture Boot Camp with some of the most prominent speakers in the world.
Media Contact:
Rachel Quilty
Brand Strategist
Jump the Q
web: www.jumptheq.com.au
Please email questions or story angle and a schedule call for interview.
Written on the 5th of March 2015 by Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist
50 Shades of Personal Branding
By now you've heard about or watched the recently released first instalment of the Fifty Shades Trilogy - Fifty Shades of Grey? Before you read on I offer a warning with this article, some of the contents maybe a little provocative but not too x rated - read at your own risk .
A great deal of negative commentary surrounded the release of Fifty Shades of Grey, specifically about the lack lustre love scenes. Many people asked where was the erotica??
If you haven't seen the film, I am sure you'll be shocked at the volume of nudity unless you were anticipating a movie with a XXX rating rather than R.
And well, if you've read the books you'll know firstly, a lot of the expected erotica is in the next book and secondly, the book series is not all about sex. All be it, there are a number of extremely steamy scenes within the pages of the book that had over 80 million readers fanning themselves.
People are shocked when I say the Fifty Shades series is not all about sex. I think the books are about determining your personal brand values and boundaries; understanding the psychology behind a healthy self identity; and ultimately recognising we are all worthy of love. Let me know your thoughts once I've explained my rationale below.
Personal branding is about finding clarity, about and within yourself. Removing or reducing the shades of grey and becoming crystal clear about who you are and what your mission is. Fifty shades of grey is where most people dwell - unclear and unsure of who they are, what they represent and where they're going.
The fifty shades line is significant. The frustrated revelation "Because I'm fifty shades of #$@!ed-up, Anastasia" is voiced by Christian Grey. His dark desires and lifestyle stem from a broken, traumatic childhood where control becomes paramount and disturbingly confused with childhood memories and experiences.
Anastasia however, after a conscious decision to taste the temptations of the dark side, retreats from the darkness; establishes her boundaries reinforcing her values and personal limitations. These measures intrinsically force Christian to question his values, what is important to him and the future expression of his love.
"This is a man in need. His fear is naked and obvious, but he's lost. . . Somewhere in his darkness.
His eyes wide and bleak and tortured. I can soothe him. Join him briefly in the darkness and bring him into the light." Anastasia Steele E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
Each of us will be tempted, tested by trials and tribulations and forced to determine and maintain our values - what is important to us.
"We're coming near to the end of the bridge, and the road is once more bathed in the neon light of the street lamps so his face is intermittently in the light and the dark. And it's such a fitting metaphor. This man, whom I once thought of as a romantic hero, a brave shining white knightor the dark knight, as he said. He's not a hero; he's a man with serious, deep emotional flaws, and he's dragging me into the dark. Can I not guide him into the light?" Anastasia E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
This is at the heart of personal branding. Our brand is strengthened by our strong sense of self and our clear understanding of our own self identity.
Within our training series - Brand Yourself the Authority we case study the Fifty Shades Brand, so you can imagine we have a lot fun, laughs and red cheek moments (no palm-twitching pun intended). We look at the characters, the author, the brand attributes and the erotic brand empire which is Fifty Shades of Grey.
This article is not to discuss the brand attributes of Fifty Shades or the lifestyles reflected or its moral fibre but to provoke your thinking, like the book. In your life where are your Fifty Shades of Grey? Where is your area of calmity? Where is your area of clarity? What are your personal brand values? What or who may be tempting you to step away from your true self or your true calling? Where are your brand boundaries? What are your hard limits? Where have these been compromised? What can you do to move into the light?
"I don't have a philosophy as such. Maybe a guiding principle, Carnegie's A man who acquires the ability to take full possession of his own mind may take possession of anything else to which he is justly entitled.' I'm very singular, driven. I like control... of myself and those around me." "You sound like a control freak." The words are out of my mouth before I can stop them. "Oh, I exercise control in all things, Miss Steele," he says without a trace of humor in his smile." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
I often say our spotlight is in our story, in our shame. "There's a very fine line between pleasure and pain. They are two sides of the same coin, one not existing without the other." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey. Christian Grey's fears, subsequent lifestyle and personal journey are what rivets the audience as he struggles towards the light. While Anastasia Steele's concise conscious consideration of her choices provokes our own internal debate about saying no, resisting temptation and remaining true to ourselves. Understanding your strengths and weakness is invalable to your brand and it is often said that your greatest strength is also your greatest weakness. Case in point, Christian Grey's self control has made him financially successful while also manifesting in a darker issue, which he himself recognises and hence his comment about being fifty shades.
Finding your true self and your personal strengths is often the journey exposed as we establish and build our personal brand. Discovering and creating your personal brand is simply revisiting the foundations of your brand, your personal and professional values and establishing a blueprint for your personal brand growth.
"This is all I know, too. Perhaps together we can chart a new course." E.L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey
Copyright permission: You have permission to use this article by respecting the copyright by publishing the entire article as it is with no changes and by agreeing to include the above reference at the end of the article, or where you quote the author in which case please include the authors name and company name. In the event you wish to use any or all of this content please advise Jump the Q.
The brand Fifty Shades of Grey and all quotes of EL James, Fifty Shades of Grey remain the property of EL James and associated brands.
About the Author:
Rachel Quilty is a Personal Branding Strategist. She is also known as the "Authority" on Personal Branding within Australia.
Rachel is the owner and CEO of Jump the Q Inc, a Personal Brand consulting firm with offices in Brisbane as well as in Las Vegas, in the US.
Rachel is also the Author of the book, 'Brand Yourself: How to design, build and position your personal brand' which is also now listed on Amazon.
Rachel regularly speaks on the importance of personal branding and strategic brand management. She assists her students and clients around the world to leverage their professional profile and expertise to establish their personal brand as the authority and recognised leader within their industry.
Rachel regularly speaks at seminars, conferences and workshops on personal branding, professional image and developing your signature brand. She has presented at Bond University, Gr iffith University Business School, Ernst & Young, Westfield, NSAA; conferences in Las Vegas, Hawaii, Tasmania, Gold Coast and Expos in Brisbane.
Rachel has also been featured in Australia on the Today show as well various national radio programs including 4BC & ABC. She recently featured in the Australian Institute of Management magazine and is regularly featured in popular magazines such as Cosmopolitan, Cleo, Marie Claire and national newspapers include the Courier Mail, Sun Herald and the Weekend Australian.
Rachel made a splash in the USA with a recent interview on Voice America Radio hosted by Personal Finance Guru Jordon E Goodman the author of a dozen best sellers and is a regular on CNN and The View. Rachel also recently spoke in Las Vegas at the Ultimate Joint Venture Boot Camp with some of the most prominent speakers in the world.
Media Contact:
Rachel Quilty
Brand Strategist
Jump the Q
web: www.jumptheq.com.au
Please email questions or story angle and a schedule call for interview.
Written on the 17 July 2011 by By Sushma Waller @ Jump the Q
Since 1997, JK Rowling has captivated and enthralled audiences worldwide through the magical world of Harry Potter. Rowling has been the mastermind and creator of the Harry Potter Empire from the publication of the first novel, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, to the record breaking release of the final movie adaptation, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part Two.
No author could ever predict that their work would land them as one the richest women in world, or the title of ‘Most Influential Women in Britain.’ This article will discuss how JK Rowling shaped the Harry Potter and build a brand name that landed her a billion dollar empire.
On her official fan site Rowling stated that, “I was travelling back to London on my own on a crowded train, that the idea for Harry Potter simply fell into my head.” She also describes how she pondered for four hours before officially beginning the writing of the first novel that night at home. The idea for Harry Potter first occurred to her in 1990 but the final manuscript was not completed until 1993. Surprisingly many agents and publishers turned down the opportunity to publish the novel, and it wasn’t until 1996 that Bloomsbury finally made their first offer. The success and fame that followed the popularity of the books was extremely unanticipated.
Amazon.com recommends the debut Harry Potter novel is suitable for children aged 8 – 12.. Sushma Waller, a Harry Potter fan, states " Like the majority of Harry Potter readers, I was 9 years old when I first read Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s stone. I was instantly spellbound. I was instantly mesmerized by Harry, his friends, Hogwarts, Quidditch, Diagon Alley, and everything else that came with being in the magical world. The simplicity and innocence that this book showed opened up a new world to readers and leaving the final chapter open for a sequel kept everybody wanting more."
Sequels to the debut novel followed in 1998, 1999 and 2000. The forth book, Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire broke sales records in both the UK and the US, with book shops selling out of copies in the first day. Each chapter in Harry’s life tacked new and exciting issues, and what made these books so relatable was that the characters were coinciding their experiences with that of their readers such as bullying, coming of age, and love; but in a fantasy land filled with magic and adventure. As the characters in the novels matured and grew up, so did the readers.
With the success of the first four novels, it was only a matter of time before there would be a movie adaptation. In 2001, Warner Brothers produced the film of Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone. The film was very successful and generally did not stray from the plot or dialogue from the novel. As predicted, the success of the films increased sales of the books. Brothers and Bloomsbury both cashed in on merchandise and book and cast tours. Similarly to the novel, the success of the first film opened up an even bigger market for success.
Reviews for Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone:
• “What a feast for children! Long, and engrossing. Kids will love it!”
• “A spectacular franchise takes flight”
One very important asset that JK Rowling has is her deep understanding of her target audience. Firstly, there are many different dimensions to the Harry Potter novels, which make the stories appealing to a wide age group. The niche market that JK Rowling does hold though is the younger generation that grew up with Harry Potter. These readers and viewers have an immense connection and understanding of Harry Potter himself. As Rachel Quilty (2011) from Jump the Q describes; knowing your target market will make or break your personal brand. Target marketing is choosing a specific audience for your personal brand based on their culture and growth potential.
The three remaining novels were released across 2003, 2005 and 2007. Each of these novels broke records consecutively for being the fastest selling book of all time. Warner Bros released the first 6 film adaptations throughout the years 2001 – 2009.
The final installment, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows was released in two segments, the first in November 2010 and the second in July 2011, 10 years after the release of the first film. JK Rowling had already predicted that she was going to be writing these novels across a long period of time. Harry Potter is a great example of brand consistency, as there are particular themes that are maintained throughout the series. It is also important to note how the style of the stories change considerably over time as Rowling adapts to her readers and the growing age group. As each novel was released, the characters would tackle diffrerent, coming of age issues. In the final book, the main characters are now adults, and therefore so are the readers that have followed the books from the very beginning.
Throughout the years the story evolved from a childlike fantasy to having a much darker plot. In doing this, JK Rowling has successfully maintained an audience across 10 years, which, considering the age of this audience is extremely impressive.
Ticket sales for the final installment of Harry Potter broke records 2 days prior to its release date. According to Box Office Mojo, Harry Potter is already the highest grossing movie franchise in history, with a total gross of a little over $2billion. These statistics have been calculated with the US release of the film still to come, so there is no telling how much higher that number will get. The positive feedback surrounding the release of the film has been overwhelming.
The Harry Potter culture that has been created surrounding all aspects of the brand has been a once in lifetime experience.
• “You may never see something like this again” – Leonard Maltin
• “A spectacular and satisfying end to the movies and characters we know and love.” – Bonnie Laufer, Tribute Entertainment.
• “A wonderful end to the best franchise in movie history!” – Bill Bregoli
• “A perfect Climax to a classic TV series” – Larry King, CNN
As well as writing the seven Harry Potter novels, JK Rowling as mass marketed her brand by writing three supplement Harry Potter books. There is now a Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando USA, and she will release the online Harry Potter experience, Pottermore, in October this year.
Harry Potter is now a global brand worth an estimated £7 billion, and the last four books have consecutively set records as the fastest selling books in history. The series has been translated into 65 languages. To all the adults who read the books or watched the movies, to the young children who have gained interest in the last few years, but mostly to the people who grew up with the Harry Potter phenomenon, we are all witnessing an end of an era.
JK Rowling captivated readers of all ages in a time where technology sparked more interest in the younger generation. It is highly unlikely we will ever witness the absorption into a fantasy world to this proportion again in our lifetime.
Rachel Quilty, Personal Branding Strategist, International Speaker, Author and CEO of Jump the Q believes, " Personal branding is about seeing who you could become. JK Rowlings took years to finally realise and acknowledge in her heart she was a writer. And when she stepped into her life purpose the magic begun."
Learn more on how you can turn your big idea into a dream come true at http://jumptheq.com.au/jump-the-q-brand-yourself-workshop.html
For more great resources go to http://www.Jump the Q.com.au today!
Copyright permission: You have permission to use this article by respecting the copyright by publishing the entire article as it is with no changes and by agreeing to include the above reference at the end of the article. Alternatively you may quote the author from the about text and including a quote by “Rachel Quilty, Personal Brand Strategist from Jump the Q.
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