Dramatists, musicians and artists have been creating leitmotifs that imprint unforgettable memories. For instance, Pink Floyd’s The Wall evokes ‘another brick in the wall’ instantly.

You are a work of art

Creating a leitmotif allows us to ‘lead’ viewers into a multi-sensory experience that carves a new groove in their memory.

We create art with ourselves.

Inside-out thinking

The leitmotif needs to be thought through inside-out and not be a slave to the latest trend.

While choosing the latest ‘in’ thing may get you noticed now, when the trend changes, where does it leave you?

At the core of this is: Choosing what works for you, so that it comes across as natural and reflects who we really are and want to be seen as. And is not a copy of role models or trendy celebrities!

Elements that help find our leopard spots

A leitmotif works ‘with’ the way our brains are geared to remember.

Wearing a colour. Paulo Coelho wears all shades of black!

An outstanding introduction. Mr. Stephen Fry

A never-seen-without accessory. We all know this one!

A specific dress-sense that’s recognised as your uber chic code!

How to imprint

Imprinting your personal leitmotif requires repetition and consistency.

Working the groove, with every person you meet or talk to.

Now look at Seth Godin. If you’ve visualised Seth Godin’s face, err pate – you’ve got the point. Also remember, it took him and Malcolm Gladwell over 10,000 hours of practise to get where they are today!

The tricky one is consistency. Little tweaks to improve the grand design are a must to keep it fresh and memorable, while staying true to what the leitmotif represents i.e. you.

How do you know it’s working?

Start with the first ten people. If they get it, try the first 100. Proof arrives when people in your direct circle recognise you instinctively. And they tell the next 100 and so on! This measure of marketing by Seth Godin works at a deeply personal level too.

Your circle of engagement will signal success – so observe and ask for feedback.

Why do this?

Personal branding has zoomed up discussion charts. For every @danschawbel who propounds it and @davidspinks who counters the idea, there are many of us still figuring out.

The world’s a stage and we are living the story of our own stories.

Creating everyday presence, without seeming melodramatic or forgettable isn’t easy.

The challenge is in creating a personal leitmotif which is authentic, memorable and fresh, or the audience will wander off.

What’s your personal leitmotif? And how did you ‘refresh’ it?

How do you bring authenticity to your leitmotif? Share your tips on what works and traps to avoid.

Notes and links:

leitmotif \LYT-moh-teef\, noun:

1. In music drama, a marked melodic phrase or short passage which always accompanies the reappearance of a certain person, situation, abstract idea, or allusion in the course of the play; a sort of musical label.
2. A dominant and recurring theme.

Leitmotif (also spelled leitmotiv) is from German Leitmotiv, “leading motif,” from leiten, “to lead” (from Old High German leitan) + Motiv, “motif,” from the French. It is especially associated with the operas of German composer Richard Wagner.

Seth Godin’s Blog: First, ten

Outliers, Malcolm Gladwell: The 10,000 hour rule

Dan Schawbel

David Spinks: My Problem with Personal Branding « The Spinks Blog

Image credit: Driven leaders