How I built my personal brand

I was asked by Boma Camp for my opinion on building my personal brand, and here’s what I said…

I was building my own brand from the day I started work.  

What I wore, how I carried myself and how I acted were all linked to this. It was long before we had mobile phones or social media - business in those days was done via landline phones or in face-to-face meetings. 

Now, we do the same amount of work, but through multiple channels.

I keep my photos and film footage up-to-date. I spend at least two days executing my personal brand photos, so they fit with the messages I’m conveying.

I work on my social media channels extensively. It’s not a full-time job, but I’m always on. I work in the media industry, so I have to demonstrate best practice.

Keeping yourself in the media helps to build your personal profile and enhance your website’s ranking in search engines. It also helps customers and your other stakeholders understand you and what you do. It’s about building a story

I speak at events, write editorial for publications, network and get involved with charities. I’m chair of Swindon Triathlon Club, which is a volunteering role. This allows me to put something back into the sport I love.

Sara Tye is an award winning, top 500 international PR, business and organisational development expert and serial entrepreneur. She is the founder and managing director of redheadPR and CEO of Etape Suisse.

Voted ‘Green PR of London’ by the Evening Standard, Sara is a passionate and motivational speaker, writer, coach, mentor and trainer. A keen networker, Sara is a top BNI member and Director Consultant in the UK.

Sara leads a team of smart, passionate people who identify opportunities and deliver return on investment for ambitious brands, individuals and organisations.

Sara has over 20 years of communications expertise and was a finalist in the first Cosmopolitan Women of the Year Awards in 1999. She played a key role in the implementation of the BT’s environmental policy and the development and management of the philanthropic Best Practice process at Yellow Pages.

Watch my video here 

Sara Tye talks about her book inspiration!

As a successful woman, Healthista asked Sara Tye to talk about the inspirational book that has helped her most.

Here's what she said about Detox for Life: The 28 Day Detox Diet and Beyond:

"I was really quite ill with endometriosis, and just overdoing it in most areas of my life. At the time, I was in Boston and it was so cold. I was so ill and traveling on the subway, and I thought I drastically needed to change something, so I decided to try something radical. 

It was a while ago and detoxing was quite new, but I was recommended this book. I read it twice first; you need to, so you can manage the food each day and the preparation. You need to eat what you are told and in the correct order. Lastly, you need to practice affirmations, body scrubbing and salt baths daily.  It’s a full body and mind change.  I felt unbelievable. I do all this and more now. 

I am gluten-free and I exercise 12 hours a week. I still drink coffee and have treats, but it changed my whole outlook. I learnt that you can completely change your eating and life habits, it just takes real commitment."

Sara Tye featured on Real Business - The biggest PR disasters in history

I was recently asked by Real Business to share what I believe to be one the biggest PR distastes in history.

For me, there was one disaster that stood out.

Here's what I said:

“One of the biggest PR disasters was the lack of comment and action from HRH the Queen after Princess Diana died. Probably one of the most high-profile news items and deaths ever – it was handled poorly by the Royals and by Buckingham Palace.

“There is a saying that ‘A gap left with no communication can be filled with misinterpretation, fear and dread’. We’ve all felt that at some stage in our lives, and the country felt this when the Queen left it days to return to London to mourn the death of Princess Diana with the people. She made a decision to stay with the boys in Scotland and unfortunately it was misinterpreted by many.

“This was the start of a profile/perception issue for the Queen. It took years to turn it around. It took films, documentaries, softening up, Prince William and social media to make sure our Queen felt more accessible. Could this have been mitigated? Of course. Better decision-making and discussions at Buckingham Palace on immediate and short-term PR actions, plans and outcomes would have helped.

“There was probably little communication of the reaction in London and at the gates of Kensington Palace until the family saw it on the news. Had someone been there and relayed the information correctly, then maybe a different decision would have been made. Also, the softening of the Queen could have started earlier. The approach taken now by the Royals in terms of perception is just fantastic and maybe it took a crisis to turn it around.”

For the full story, visit Real Business.

Sara Tye appointed chair of Swindon Triathlon Club

Sara Tye, award-winning entrepreneur, top 500 international PR, business and organisational development expert and triathlete, is the new chair of Swindon Triathlon Club.

Sara succeeds Paul Cox, who steps down from the chair after two years. Paul said: “It’s been a real pleasure to serve as chair of the Swindon Triathlon Club. Throughout my term in the role, we’ve achieved so many milestones. The club has grown in membership, our members are in races all over the world and I’m now delighted to be passing the reins on to Sara. She’s a keen middle distance triathlete and proven businesswoman with a deep commitment to the town of Swindon.”

Looking forward to her new role, Sara said: “Paul has done a fantastic job as chair at Swindon Triathlon Club, so I’m delighted to be taking up the role with the organisation in such great shape. We have an amazing membership, which includes around 140 people of all abilities. My aim is to bring a dynamic new culture to the club and invest in our members. Working with Justin Robbins, our head coach, who is also a former GB triathlete, we’re implementing a sophisticated new coaching strategy. Other new developments include swim analysis, which started last year.”

Established in 1985, Swindon Triathlon Club is a British Triathlon affiliated and insured club catering for all abilities of triathlete, from novice to international Ironman competitor level. Swindon is one of the best training areas in the UK, with access to outstanding running and cycling routes, a great swimming pools and fantastic lake venues.

Flexible membership options allow joiners to focus on one or two training disciplines rather than all three, yet still have access to expert knowledge and advice. Swindon Triathlon Club is run by triathletes for triathletes with the aim in helping members to achieve and surpass their fitness goals and ambitions.

Committee:

Sara Tye, Chair

Vince Knight, Treasurer

Mark Tredgett, Membership

Louise Wadsworth, Secretary

Felicity Westall, Social

Joanne Jackson, Communications and Welfare

Rosie Benson, Club development

Ben Walter, Committee member

Paul Cox, Committee member

Laura Rothwell, Communications and Welfare

Justin Robbins, Head Coach

Alec Cox, Website

Find out more about Swindon Triathlon Club at www.swindontriathlonclub.co.uk.

Top PR tips from top PR

The other day someone asked me what advice I would give if they embarked on their own PR

I said;

• Do it consistently and for the full life of the brand, organisation or individual
• Always produce brilliant content
• Engage with people properly

Start as you mean to go on. If you develop a presence on social media, keep it there all the time your brand is active, especially if that brand is you. Intervals of silence don’t go down well as they’re not consistent with best practice customer engagement. Worse, you’ll lose your place in the front of people’s minds and, eventually, be forgotten.

The same applies to journalists. Once you start sending them information, don’t suddenly stop. Also, make all the information you send excellent in every way. Position yourself by using vivid photographs, producing engaging films and writing compelling copy. In the end, content is everything: it’s you, it’s your business and it’s your brand.

Finally, always, always reply when people engage with you, even if it’s late in the evening. If you start a conversation, be around to keep it going. Be privileged when people show an interest in you and repay it by being courteous and curious with them.