It’s a question worth asking yourself.

Too often, however, we skip it and let our reputations write themselves.

Rarely, we end up with a reputation equal to or better than we deserve.

More often, we end up with one that sells us and our work short.

Most often, however, when we let others write our reputation, it ends up fractured.

While we may be known for delivering solid work, beyond that, each of our clients, customers, and audience members has a different story to tell about what we’re uniquely positioned to bring to the world.

Of course, being known for delivering solid work isn’t a bad thing.

But most people deliver equally solid work and have the reputations to match.

Without a clear, consistent, unified message beyond that, it’s hard to stand out in a crowded market.

When you have a clear view of what we want to be known for, you give yourself a roadmap and a measuring stick to help you get there.

Whether it’s the quality of your work, customer service, communication, ease of use, or any other metric imaginable, having a clear idea of what you want people to say about you helps you craft an experience of your brand that encourages that narrative.

Just remember you can’t be known for everything.

Pick the one trait you want associated with your name and create a list of actions that will help you establish that reputation.

Then, spend more time pursuing those actions, making your vision a reality, until it’s so obviously tied to your brand experience that it can’t be ignored.

Then, watch as your clients, customers, and audience begin to do your marketing for you, with a unified message about why you truly are the best in the world at what you do.

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