Social Media Icon ... at 50?

Last week was a big week for me.  I'm putting the finishing touches on my next book (the third in the series), which is coming along quite well I am happy to say.  It's all about personal branding and getting what you want out of life by marketing yourself like a brand.  I really hope that people like it.

And ... I won a Social Media Icon award from PRNews for this very blog that you are reading right this very second.  I am thrilled beyond belief, as you can imagine, for the recognition and vote of confidence.  It's not always easy writing a post every day, but I really enjoy it.  A little nod along the way really helps though.

The irony of these two seemingly different events is that they both occurred the week I am celebrating a major milestone birthday.  So to get a Social Media Icon award at 50 (FIFTY!) ... and to write a book about personal branding at 50 (FIFTY!), is not lost on me.

We tend to think that social media is for the young and we tend to think that getting what you want out of life is for the young as well.  Well, not so much, at least not exclusively.

I just turned 50 and I have never been in a better "place" in my life.  I work on my "brand" every single day and I am surrounded by people that I thoroughly enjoy both personally and professionally.  I get up every morning and comment on something going on in marketing that is helping me to continually learn.  Social media has given my "brand" a voice that perhaps would have never been heard before, and for that I am eternally grateful.  If that makes me an "icon," then I will take it.

Thanks for every one of you who reads my blog and listens to my brand's voice ... you are a huge part of my brand.

What's your experience?  Jim.

Jim Joseph
- President, Cohn & Wolfe NA
- Author, The Experience Effect series
- Professor, NYU
- Contributor, Entrepreneur