![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/square1_logo_centred_2-300x300.jpg\" "\\"Square1"){kind=logo}
<\/a>Visit the Square1 website ><\/a><\/p><\/div>\n The Gray Dawes Group is made up of brands predominately operating in the travel sector. But did you know that the award-winning marketing agency, Square1<\/a><\/strong>, is also part of the Group?<\/p>\n With over 10 years delivering brand and marketing excellence, we\u2019re able to utilise Square1 as part of our extended communications team to deliver marketing strategy and creative assets.<\/p>\n The team at Square1 has been instrumental in delivery of our new Traveller Toolkit<\/a><\/strong> and continue to support the Group \u2013 and their own client base \u2013 with strategic brand and marketing communications.<\/p>\n Square1 previously offered a guest post on getting COVID-19 communications messaging right<\/strong><\/a>, and today they’re back with their view on personal branding…[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_5,3_5,1_5″ admin_label=”divider” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ collapsed=”off”][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″][et_pb_divider _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_5″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”content” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_margin=”-16px||||false|false” collapsed=”off”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″][et_pb_text admin_label=”guest post content 1″ _builder_version=”4.8.2″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false”]<\/p>\n When thinking of branding, many people are quick to think of logos and colour palettes, maybe brand guidelines and tone of voice documents. These tangible elements are certainly part of a brand, but as we\u2019ve discussed before, a brand is so much more than that.\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n If you were to think about some of your favourite brands, you\u2019ll probably find that the ones that spring to mind are those that make you actually\u00a0feel<\/strong>\u00a0something. Whether that\u2019s because a particular advert made you laugh, you\u2019ve liked the way the brand interacts and represents itself on social media, or maybe simply that you had a great, personal response when dealing with a representative from the brand on the phone. It\u2019s that sentiment that really defines what a brand is, rather than just how it looks.<\/p>\n Evoking an emotional response helps to build connections \u2013 and hopefully positive connotations \u2013 with your brand in the minds of your audience. Conversely, those brands offering the very same product or service that don\u2019t manage to make those connections will be quickly forgotten or disregarded. Personal branding can certainly support with building these emotional connections. If it\u2019s not something you\u2019ve actively considered before, getting to your \u201cwhy\u201d might take a bit of time and effort (and Square1 could certainly support you there!). Many companies start out with the best intentions and a clear why statement. But over time, if it\u2019s not kept central to the everyday operation of the brand, the why can be forgotten in favour of commercial goals. In marketing communications the why can often be superseded with the what \u2013 \u201cwhat we do\u201d. With the continued rise of social media, the vast majority of us have something of a personal brand already, whether we think about it in those terms or not. The difference with a considered personal brand is ensuring that it helps tell your story and that the way you present yourself to the world is authentic (which, let\u2019s face it, we all know can be in short supply on social media).<\/p>\n The benefit of a focus on personal branding is shared by both the business and the individual. The individual can demonstrate their expertise and receive the kudos that they deserve and, in turn, improve the perception of the businesses brand by association. Your personal branded communications should include your thoughts and feelings on the industry that your business brand operates in, but should also demonstrate your personality. It\u2019s that personality that will make the difference, provide real connections and make you memorable.<\/p>\n Format (e.g. written post, imagery or video) is less important than the content itself, and you should use the format that you\u2019re most comfortable with. But it\u2019s worth having a go at a range of content types to see what resonates with your audience to find the best way to demonstrate your personal brand. We\u2019re all human and we all have our own individual ways of interacting \u2013 this should be the case in how you present yourself. If you try to be something you\u2019re not, people will eventually recognise this. You\u2019ll contradict your own personal brand, the work that you\u2019ve done will be undermined and you\u2019ll lose the trust of your audience. With that in mind, you should of course consider your company\u2019s social media policy and remember that simply sticking \u201call thoughts my own\u201d in your bio doesn\u2019t give you a get of jail free card.<\/p>\n Your company may not look on you favourably if you choose to broach controversial topics which could be interpreted externally as the businesses official line. And it\u2019s also highly likely that your company has a robust social media policy that you\u2019ve agreed to adhere to as part of your employment contract.<\/p>\n So, while you need to be authentically you, you also need to make sure you think about the implication of your own \u201cpersonal brand\u201d posts could have on the wider business brand.<\/p>\n All that being said, many businesses would be delighted if you embrace social media and the power of your personal brand in order to promote the business. It\u2019s a win-win if the right balance can be struck. Other social channels may be more appropriate for those operating in a B2C environment. You may find that Youtube feels right to use as your core platform, because you like making videos, or that Instagram works well as you\u2019re a keen photographer. Be present in the areas that are appropriate, and consider having multiple outlets for your personal brand to maximise reach as you would do with any other brand. For example, you could\u00a0follow some of Square1’s content marketing tips<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0to get the most out of each of your pieces of content by creating multiple pieces from one topic. Ultimately, treat your personal brand with as much respect as your businesses brand. Take the time to come up with a coherent strategy and open yourself up to discussion with your audience.<\/p>\n You might be surprised at just how much of a difference this could make to your business performance. And if you need any support,\u00a0let Square1 know<\/a>. You\u2019ll also find innovative and interactive virtual trips<\/a><\/strong>, which walk you through each step of\u00a0 being at the airport, on the train and in the hotel. You can even check the travel restrictions and health status of your destination with our comprehensive COVID-19 Country Tracker, updated five times daily to ensure you have the very latest information to help keep you and your travellers safe.<\/p>\n Travel is changing. But with common sense and a good TMC behind you, travellers should have the confidence to once again take to the skies. It\u2019ll soon be business as (un)usual. START YOUR NEW\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Texts” _builder_version=”3.27.4″ header_font=”|||on|” header_4_font=”|||on|||||” z_index_tablet=”500″ locked=”off”]<\/p>\n 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_button button_url=”\/contact-us” button_text=”GET IN TOUCH” module_id=”get_in_touch_button_footer” _builder_version=”4.0.6″ custom_button=”on” button_bg_color=”#5b8cb1″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_font=”|||on|||||” button_icon_color=”#5b8cb1″ transform_scale=”98%|98%” transform_translate=”-1px|8px” background_layout=”dark” z_index_tablet=”500″ button_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_size__hover=”null” button_one_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_size__hover=”null” button_two_text_size__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_size__hover=”null” button_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_text_color__hover=”null” button_one_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_text_color__hover=”null” button_two_text_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_text_color__hover=”null” button_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_border_width__hover=”null” button_one_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_width__hover=”null” button_two_border_width__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_width__hover=”null” button_border_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_color__hover=”#6D6E71″ button_one_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_color__hover=”null” button_two_border_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_color__hover=”null” button_border_radius__hover_enabled=”on” button_border_radius__hover=”0px” button_one_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_border_radius__hover=”null” button_two_border_radius__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_border_radius__hover=”null” button_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”on” button_letter_spacing__hover=”0px” button_one_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_two_letter_spacing__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_letter_spacing__hover=”null” button_bg_color__hover_enabled=”on” button_bg_color__hover=”#6D6E71″ button_one_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_one_bg_color__hover=”null” button_two_bg_color__hover_enabled=”off” button_two_bg_color__hover=”null”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″ background_color=”#414042″ custom_padding=”100px|10%|100px|10%” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_blurb title=”HEAD OFFICE” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%249%%” icon_placement=”left” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”28px” _builder_version=”3.21.1″ header_level=”h5″ header_font=”|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”28px” header_line_height=”1.2em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#5b8cb1″ body_line_height=”1.8em” animation_style=”zoom” animation_direction=”left” animation_intensity_zoom=”12%” z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n 27 Middleborough<\/span><\/p>\n Colchester, CO1 1TG<\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”CALL US” use_icon=”on” font_icon=”%%264%%” icon_placement=”left” use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”28px” module_id=”call_us_phone_cta_footer” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ header_level=”h5″ header_font=”|500|||||||” header_text_color=”#ffffff” header_font_size=”28px” header_line_height=”1.2em” body_font=”||||||||” body_text_color=”#5b8cb1″ body_line_height=”1.8em” animation_style=”zoom” animation_direction=”left” animation_delay=”100ms” animation_intensity_zoom=”12%” z_index_tablet=”500″]<\/p>\n 0844 855 3700<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nHow Personal Branding Can Support Your Business<\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_divider show_divider=”off” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”||23px|||”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_toggle title=”Consider The Why” admin_label=”the why” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”]So let\u2019s start by going back to\u2026 ahem\u2026 Square1. When considering your businesses brand, you should start with the why \u2013 why you do what you do. Importantly, this shouldn\u2019t be commercially led. Your why shouldn\u2019t be \u201cto make loads of money\u201d. That might (or might not) be what success looks like to you. But at most it\u2019s a goal, it\u2019s not why you exist.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=” Getting Personal” admin_label=”getting personal” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”]Having a focus on your own personal brand, and of others within the organisation, acts as a great lightning rod to keep you focussed on the why and keep your messaging on track. After all, you and your people are what bring the brand to life, so those core why values of your brand should be shared personal values of your people.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Get Social, Be Memorable” admin_label=”Get Social, Be Memorable” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”]Social media is the main place that you\u2019ll be growing and developing that personal brand as it offers the chance to create connections with a vast array of people, have two-way conversations to build those relationships and maintain a consistent presence.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”The Human Touch” admin_label=”The Human Touch” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”]Being human in your posts is the best way to develop a personal brand that people will want to follow. Again, it\u2019s important that the human element is authentically YOU!<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”The Business Perspective” admin_label=”The Business Perspective” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”]It\u2019s worth reiterating that while you\u2019re representing yourself, as we previously said, you\u2019re also representing your business and it\u2019s brand.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_toggle][et_pb_toggle title=”Where To Focus” admin_label=”Where To Focus” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ _module_preset=”default”]This all depends on the type of business that you\u2019re working for and what sort of\u00a0 content you\u2019re comfortable with. For those in the B2B space,\u00a0LinkedIn remains the pinnacle of social media<\/strong><\/a>\u00a0and has seen an upsurge in people making the most of their personal brands to really build successful business development machines. As anywhere else, originality (and, as we\u2019ve said authenticity!) is key to stick out and be memorable.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”sign off and cta” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_padding=”45px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” border_color_all=”rgba(255,186,96,0.6)” border_width_right=”8vw” border_color_right=”#5b8cb1″ collapsed=”off”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_5,2_5″ admin_label=”content” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ background_enable_color=”off” custom_margin=”-16px||||false|false” collapsed=”off” min_height__hover_enabled=”on|desktop”][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″][et_pb_text admin_label=”guest post content sign off” _builder_version=”4.8.2″ custom_margin=”||0px||false|false”]<\/p>\nGet some help<\/h2>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/s1-hp.jpg” _builder_version=”4.8.2″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/square1marketing.co.uk\/square1-school\/” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”visit the SQUARE1 WEBSITE” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”button: S1 SITE” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#5b8cb1″ button_border_width=”0px” button_icon=”%%28%%” button_icon_color=”#ffffff” background_layout=”dark” animation_style=”fade” box_shadow_style=”preset3″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.2″ min_height=”39px” custom_padding=”0px|||||”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.2″][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ min_height=”52px” custom_margin=”50px||0px||false|false”][\/et_pb_divider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=”2_5,3_5″ admin_label=”CTA” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_margin=”-150px||||false|false” custom_padding=”65px|0px|65px|0px|true|false” use_custom_width=”on” collapsed=”off”][et_pb_column type=”2_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/Traveller-Toolkit-Original-Image.jpg” url=”http:\/\/toolkit.gdg.travel” _builder_version=”4.4.2″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_button button_url=”http:\/\/toolkit.gdg.travel” url_new_window=”on” button_text=”visit the TRAVELLER TOOLKIT” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”button: Traveller Toolkit” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#5b8cb1″ button_border_width=”0px” button_icon=”%%126%%” button_icon_color=”#ffffff” background_layout=”dark” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” box_shadow_style=”preset3″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”3_5″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”text CTA” _builder_version=”4.8.2″]To help you navigate the changes of business travel, we\u2019ve created the brand-new Traveller Toolkit<\/strong><\/a>. This invaluable online resource is packed full of easy-to-use guides and checklists for every stage of every journey. We detail exactly what you need to know and do before, during and after your trip.<\/p>\n
\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row admin_label=”back button” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ min_height=”53px” custom_margin=”-50px||100px||false|false” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|true|false” use_custom_width=”on” locked=”off” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”3.25″ custom_padding=”|||” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_divider admin_label=”Divider” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ min_height=”45px” custom_margin=”50px||0px||false|false”][\/et_pb_divider][et_pb_button button_url=”\/workingfromhome\/” button_text=”back to Working From Home” button_alignment=”center” admin_label=”button: back to Working From Home” _builder_version=”4.0.6″ custom_button=”on” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#5b8cb1″ button_border_width=”0px” button_icon=”%%23%%” button_icon_color=”#ffffff” button_icon_placement=”left” background_layout=”dark” animation_style=”slide” animation_direction=”bottom” box_shadow_style=”preset3″][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Footer” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ background_color=”#414042″ background_color_gradient_direction=”90deg” background_image=”https:\/\/www.gdg.travel\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/11\/Train-Doors-Open-Start-Your-Journey.jpg” parallax=”on” custom_padding=”0px|0px|0px|0px|false|false” z_index_tablet=”500″ global_module=”1383″ saved_tabs=”all” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” admin_label=”Footer Row” module_id=”footer” module_class=” et_pb_row_fullwidth” _builder_version=”4.0.6″ background_enable_image=”off” width=”100%” width_tablet=”100%” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” max_width_tablet=”100%” max_width_phone=”” max_width_last_edited=”on|desktop” custom_margin=”|||” custom_padding=”0|0px|0|0px|false|false” animation_style=”fade” animation_duration=”1800ms” z_index_tablet=”500″ make_fullwidth=”on” collapsed=”on”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.0.6″ background_color=”rgba(65,64,66,0.75)” custom_padding=”100px|10%|100px|10%” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” custom_padding__hover=”|||”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Title” _builder_version=”4.4.2″ header_2_font=”|||on|||||” z_index_tablet=”500″ locked=”off”]<\/p>\nJOURNEY NOW …\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n
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WE ARE ALWAYS AVAILABLE<\/span><\/h3>\n