How to Level Up Your Brand with Next Level University’s Kevin and Alan

Branded

Welcome back to Branded: your comprehensive guide to creative branding. This episode is our first-ever interview with two guests, and despite some talking over each other, it is jam packed with value. We dive deep into the world of personal branding, social media dynamics, and the relentless pursuit of self-improvement. We are thrilled to welcome Kevin Palmieri and Alan Lazaros, the minds behind the acclaimed Next Level University podcast, which has amassed over 1700 episodes and boasts a spot in the top 100 podcast rankings with more than a million listeners. Throughout the episode, we explore the concept of "BIRGing," where individuals flaunt their association with successful brands or individuals to elevate their social standing. Kevin and Alan share their personal experiences and insights into how people who didn’t believe in their potential initially try to reconnect once they become successful, emphasizing the importance of caution regarding these intentions. We also venture into the intricacies of building a brand, where Kevin stresses the need for understanding and proactively seeking the audience that resonates with the brand, rather than waiting for demand to create itself. Alan underscores building a brand on one's obsessions and core values, illustrating this with the analogy of weddings to showcase finding common ground with an audience. The conversation seamlessly moves into discussing the challenges and triumphs of maintaining a podcast, punctuated by resounding themes of self-doubt, fear of judgment, and the influence of negative comments. We unpack strategies for combating these mental hurdles and dive into the overarching importance of staying true to one's core passions and values. To wrap up, we reminisce about the MySpace era, contrasting it with today’s podcasting landscape. We talk about niching down, personal growth, and how genuine passion drives long-term success in brand building. Key takeaways: 1. The Concept of "BIRGing" and Its Social Impact: Kevin Palmieri introduces us to “BIRGing,” or "basking in reflective glory," where people elevate their social status by flaunting their association with successful brands or individuals. We discuss the social dynamics and implications of this trend, along with cautioning against opportunistic reconnections from non-believers once success is achieved. 2. Proactive Audience Engagement: Kevin emphasizes the importance of actively seeking and understanding your audience. Rather than waiting for demand to appear, a proactive approach to audience engagement ensures that your brand resonates deeply with those who matter most. 3. Brand Building on Obsessions and Core Values: Alan Lazaros makes a compelling case for building brands rooted in personal obsessions and core values. Using the analogy of weddings, he illustrates the necessity of finding common ground with your audience, ensuring long-term brand relevance and authenticity. 4. Navigating Self-Doubt and Negative Feedback: Both Kevin and Alan share their personal battles with self-doubt and the influence of negative comments on their journey. We highlight strategies for overcoming these challenges, emphasizing the importance of a deep belief in one’s mission and the influence it seeks to have. 5. Evolving from MySpace to Modern Podcasting: We reminisce about the MySpace era and its evolution into today’s podcasting landscape. This nostalgic journey underscores the importance of adapting to technological advances while staying true to core branding principles and the personal growth that accompanies these changes. Join us for an enlightening discussion that not only addresses the nuances of personal and professional branding but also offers actionable insights into overcoming common hurdles faced by creators and entrepreneurs. This episode is more than just about branding—it's about staying true to oneself amidst the journey of growth and success. [embed]https://youtu.be/bzO4awILRU8[/embed] About Kevin Palmieri Kevin is the founder and co-host of the Next Level University podcast. Early in his life, Kevin found “success”, but after a brush with near suicide he realised he wasn´t living a life he truly wanted. He became passionate about self improvement and decided to make it his purpose in life to impact as many people as possible by becoming a role model podcaster and speaker. He has succeeded to make his podcast one of the top 100 with almost 1700 episodes and one million listens in over 170 countries. He has taken his life to the next level and achieved both personal and professional success. About Alan Lazaros At age 2, Alan’s father passed away in a car accident. At age 26, after getting into a nearly fatal car accident himself, Alan questioned everything he was doing in life. He questioned who he was and the choices he was making. He was at an all-time low, and decided to change his trajectory forever. Although he had a successful career in Corporate America,he made the hard decision to start his own business dedicated to helping others get to the Next Level in their life, love, health, and wealth. He is the CEO of the Next Level University podcast, a global top 100 podcast with 1700 episodes, listened in 170+ countries. Listen to the Next Level University podcast and get to know Kevin and Alan at www.nextleveluniverse.com