Is it wrong for parents to start preparing their kids for
success before they can talk, walk or decide what they want to do in life? This
question popped into my head, when I started thinking about the process of
developing a personal brand for student athletes. If we can begin branding high
school students we certainly can brand junior high students and even younger. Think about it, if you develop a
personal brand for each of your children, it will give them an advantage over
their peers, IF, it is done the right way. I definitely want my children to have as many advantages as
possible and if creating a brand for them will help them to be the best they
can be in life and in their chosen profession…. Then let the kiddie branding
begin.
But what
exactly is baby branding and how do you get started?
I recall watching a Will and Jada Smith interview on Oprah
several years ago when they were discussing their family business plan and I
thought to myself… that is ingenious.
What better way to get your family started on the right track, then to
write your family’s goals down and then create a family (business) plan. This does a few things… It starts an
incredibly important discussion on what each of you (meaning the parents) wants
for your individual and family’s future.
It ensures that both of you are starting out on the same page as it
pertains to your future. As you
continue to update your plan(s) it gives develops important checks and balances
that show that you are both still a cohesive unit moving in the same direction. Obviously your family plan will evolve
when your first bundle of joy arrives.
Your current plan(s) could drastically change depending on your off
springs talents, health, personality and so on… but as the children grow you
can determine what their plans are as a family. I am an advocate for setting up a great foundation for the
future, but please allow your kids to
enjoy their childhood, remember they only get one. The brand you
create for your child must be organic and specifically for them.
There are several things you can do to start branding your
child before they can even walk and none of them have anything to do with
putting up cute sometimes embarrassing pictures on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram
or any the other social media sites. I understand that the social media sites
are a place to share photos with family and friends that do not live close, but
please remember that things entered on the internet are there FOREVER. So that
cute photo that you have up now may not be so cute when he/she is running for
president. Secondly remember that
photos can be taken off of your sites and used for others personal use…Please protect
your children.
Baby
Branding tips
1. MyBabysname.com:
When a child is born one thing that you can do is reserve their domain name, so
if they need it when they get older you already have it for them. Some experts say check the domain name
before naming your child. I
disagree… Name your child and then find a domain name that works, because your
child’s name should have some emotional value to you. You can also create Facebook, Twitter or any other social
media sites, however the social media landscape changes so fast that those
sites, may not be valid when your child is able to use them
2. Genius Boot camp
– Children begin to
show their personalities, talents and traits at a young age, so your job as parents
is to discover and then nurture these abilities and provide avenues for
them to continue to expand.
Remember it is not for you to live your dreams through them… It is time
for them to live their dreams.
***Although some children may show their talents
early, other children may not exhibit their talents until later in life. Do not push them to decide. Continue to introduce them to new
things, activities, and let them enjoy their childhood.
3. Website Brag Page: Instead of flooding
social media sites with pictures, why not design a website that will allow you
to share their talents with the world.
A site that will continue to evolve as the child grows and their desires
change. Developing a site together
would be a great way to work with your child on maintaining a positive online
image.
4. Plan-it – After you have determined
what their goals are help them to develop a personal plan to make them
happen. Incorporate your child’s
plan into your families business plan. Revise the plan often to accommodate the changes that
constantly happen in your lives
5. Have Fun – It is great to have a plan,
but it is extremely important to enjoy every moment that you have with your
child, because it goes so fast.
God Bless
A. Mayartis J.
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