And to have a memorable brand, you need three things; originality, authenticity, and style.

Nope, I'm not talking about your martial art style... I'm referring to your brand's style -- or lack thereof.

So, let's address style as it pertains to your brand.

Quick! Name The Most Memorable Martial Artists In History...

Off the top of your head, name the most memorable martial arts personalities in history. Don't take too long, just name one or two.

Did Bruce Lee's name pop up?

Undoubtedly, Bruce Lee would be at the top of almost any martial artist's list of the most memorable people in the martial arts. But just why is he so memorable?

Sure, his ideas and concepts have influenced modern martial artists a great deal. And, he was the first international Asian movie star.

But he never won any major titles in the fight world... heck, he never even competed, as far as we know. So how did this nearsighted cha cha dancer with a limp end up entrancing generations of martial artists, both on the silver screen and in real life?

Honestly, I think Bruce Lee was able to achieve such notoriety in the entertainment industry because he knew how to steal the show. 

While it's often considered a breach of martial arts etiquette to stand out, without a doubt that's precisely the reason why Bruce Lee was able to garner so much attention to his work.

Arguably, there were many martial artists who were just as dedicated, skilled, and talented as Bruce Lee in his time. But in the minds of millions of his fans, there is still only one Bruce Lee. 

Was He Conceited? Or Just Good At Self-Promotion?

Without question, Bruce Lee was a bright individual... so much so that he was smart enough to develop a memorable brand (long before "brand" became a buzzword in business and culture, I might add).

And while he certainly came across as a peacock, I honestly don't think he was as conceited as he appeared. Sure, he had an ego -- but I believe all that swagger was mostly a carefully constructed self-promotion strategy.

I could be wrong. But think about it for a second... how did an unknown college drop out and dishwasher from Hong Kong manage to become the world's best-known Asian actor and martial artist, all within the span of a decade?

Yes, he worked hard. Yes, he was incredibly disciplined. But peel away the onion that is Bruce Lee, and at the heart of his success I believe you'll find that he understood the power of building his own unique brand.

"But Mike -- Everyone Can't Be Bruce Lee!"

Yes, I'm aware of that. However, you can take a few lessons from Bruce Lee on adding your own unique flair to your brand.

#1 - Be Boldly Different

Bruce Lee was unabashedly unique at a time when martial artists were all about conformity. 

In fact, that became a part of his shtick, an angle he worked in promoting himself and his ideas. Bruce stood out because the things he said and did stood in sharp contrast to his peers at the time. 

And, he didn't hide those differences under a rock; instead, he shouted them from the rooftops. So, take a hint from Bruce -- be boldly different.

The Takeaway: Don't follow the herd in your brand, image, and marketing! When everyone else is going left, you go right. Make an effort to look, sound, and be different in the brand and image you present to the public.

#2 - Toot Your Own Horn

I've observed that many martial artists are almost actively working against getting the word out about their own dojos. They are so caught up in living the values of humility and "killing the ego" that they're also killing their chances to have a successful business.

Look, I'm not saying that you have to be a strutting peacock like Bruce Lee. He was in the entertainment industry, and frankly I think he knew that he needed to be a showman to succeed.

But, I am saying that you need to be willing to toot your own horn. No one else is going to do it for you, so it's up to you to promote yourself and your dojo. There's no need to be obnoxious about it, but being shy about sharing your business is not going to help spread your brand.

The Takeaway: You need to be shameless about self-promotion. There are definitely classy and tasteful ways to promote yourself. But if you're shy about it, no one is ever going to hear about your brand. Again, be bold.

#3 - Let Your Unique Self Shine Through

One thing's for sure... Bruce Lee was not afraid to be himself. 

Just watch any interview or public appearance he did, and you'll see his personality in how he dressed, how he stood, and how he spoke. Yeah, he was a character, but he was a memorable character.

And, he was also authentic. He never came across like he was acting or faking it -- you could tell that what you were seeing was 100% Bruce Lee.

The guy was just not afraid to be himself. And, that's one reason why he stood out. He let the things that made him unique shine through in everything he did.

The Takeaway: Once you figure out what makes "brand you" unique, then you need to let that part of your brand and image shine. Be enthusiastic about your mission and values, and share them with the world. Don't hide yourself under a rock -- let people know why you're different and how that difference is going to change the world.

- - -

This just about wraps up this series on brand and image before I take a break for the holidays. Tomorrow I'll close the series with a recap and some final tips. 

Then, instead of the usual random video Friday message, I'll share how we're working on brand and image in my coaching group.