Welcome to Manorisms, a newsletter where I'll share lessons from my 30+ years in the car business, life reflections, and insights that I hope will provide value to my peers. While I write this newsletter for myself as much as for you, I aim to reach those who may be on a similar journey, seeking clarity and freedom in both their personal and professional lives.
At the beginning of 2023, I was blindsided, both professionally and personally. The combination of these two events forced me to confront decades of unaddressed thoughts, habits, and experiences.
I decided to step back from working in my life and instead started working on my life. In doing so, I dug deep to answer fundamental questions:
Who am I?
Why am I here?
One of the most profound discoveries I made during this period was identifying my top core value:
Freedom. I believe this is something we all crave…control, autonomy, and mastery over our own fate. This realization became the foundation of my pursuit to live a life aligned with my values.
Through this process, I began to study people who embodied the life I aspired to…those who had not only financial success but also personal freedom. The common denominator among all these individuals? They had thriving personal brands, and they gave freely. They shared wisdom, insights, and lessons about growth, change, and the human experience.
A quote from the movie “The Edge” has always resonated with me: "What one man can do, another can do." As Anthony Hopkins' character in the movie says to Alec Baldwin’s, they repeat it over and over as a mantra for overcoming a difficult challenge. In my pursuit of understanding myself and seeing the people I admired putting themselves out there publicly, I began to believe…”What one man can do, another can do.”
This belief pushed me to step out of my comfort zone. I began building my own personal brand, despite being an introvert. My goal was to share my life experiences, hoping others fighting similar battles would see me and say, “If he can do it, I can do it too.”
That’s what I want for all of you reading this: the feeling that you can build the life you want…one full of freedom, resilience, and control. The best way I’ve found to create this is through personal branding…living authentically and sharing your journey to help others. When done right, you’ll rarely need to even mention your business interests because people will naturally gravitate toward you, knowing, liking, and trusting you before you ever meet.
In today’s world, those who are known for their story and experience will be the most valuable. These are things that cannot be replicated by AI, no matter how advanced it becomes. If you have a personal brand that reflects your story, your values, and your unique perspective, you will open doors you never imagined.
As we kick off this newsletter, I want to share the steps I used to start building my brand and take back control of my narrative. This edition will serve as the foundation for the journey to come.
This edition of Manorisms is proudly sponsored by Auto Auction Review. Looking for transparency and real insights into the auction world? Visit Auto Auction Review today and experience the future of auction rating and reviews!
The First Steps to Building a Personal Brand
- Identify Who You Are & Your Core Values. Take time to reflect on your life and uncover what truly matters to you. For me, it was Freedom. What drives you? What core value shapes your decisions?
- Choose Your Platform. Pick a platform that aligns with your audience. For business-to-business, LinkedIn is the go-to. For retail, it could be Facebook or Instagram. Focus on where your audience spends time.
- Define Your Ideal Client Profile (ICP). Who do you want to reach? Define your target audience and be as specific as possible. Whether it’s dealership owners, sales managers, or general managers, tailor your message to them.
- Build Your Online Presence. Create a simple website or landing page. Ideally, you’ll want to own your name as a domain. This will be the digital home of your brand, where people can learn more about you and what you offer.
- Post Consistent Content. You don’t need to overcomplicate things. Choose 3-4 topics you are passionate about, such as leadership, automotive insights, or wellness, and stick to a posting schedule. Share your experiences and thoughts on these topics regularly.
- Engage, Grow, & Monetize. Always include a call to action (CTA) in your content, driving people to sign up for your newsletter or visit your website. As you grow, you’ll find natural opportunities to monetize through consulting, partnerships, or affiliate opportunities.
A thriving personal brand is The Edge you’ve been seeking
What’s Next?
I’ll be sharing more insights, personal stories, and strategies in each edition of Manorisms. My goal is to provide deep dives into the four core content cornerstones that guide my life and business:
- Freedom & Personal Branding
- Wholesale Mastery
- Men’s Wellness and Mental Health
- Entrepreneurship
These are the areas I’ve mastered over the last 56 years, and I hope you’ll find value in them, too. Whether you’re a general manager, business owner, or car dealership professional, there’s something in these lessons for you.
I’m excited to see where this takes us.
Thanks so much for joining me on this ride
Ready to Forge Your Freedom?
Subscribe to Manorisms to receive weekly insights and exclusive content designed to help car dealership professionals like you take control and unlock new opportunities.
Or, take the first step toward building your personal brand with Freedom Formula Lite—a free, easy-to-follow guide to get you started on your journey. Download [here] for instant access.
About Bob Manor
Bob Manor is the founder of South Ontario Auto Remarketing, Can-Am Dealer Services, and is Co-Founder of Auto Auction Review. Bob is also the creator of the Freedom Formula. With over 30 years of experience in the car dealership world, Bob specializes in wholesale, dealer services, and personal branding. His mission is to help dealership professionals take control of their careers, build resilient personal brands, and achieve lasting freedom in business and life.
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