My Gen-Y colleague Dan Schawbel has strategically positioned himself as a personal branding expert over the last few years, and he continues to impress me on nearly a monthly basis. Among his many projects, Dan founded an online magazine called, fittingly, Personal Branding Magazine, and their new quarterly issue is out on November 1st.

From the beginning, Dan has partnered up with big names like Chris Brogan, Neil Patel, J.D. Roth, Jim Wang, Carmine Gallo, and many other valuable contributors, and his team has scored interviews with the likes of Donald Trump, Guy Kawasaki, Om Malik and Gina Trapani. Each issue offers some great interviews and profiles of a few big names, tips for career development, personal branding, and social media.

This month’s edition—titled “The Personal Branding Gold Rush”—has a feature interview with Gary Vaynerchuk, the social marketing guru behind Wine Library TV, and discussions with David Allen (author of GTD), Keith Ferrazzi (master of networking & author of Never Eat Alone) and Robert Cialdini (author of Influence: The Psychology of Persuasion). From Dan:

“Now is the time for building your personal eBrand. Laggards will be lost in a Google cloud of dust, while early adopters will rank #1 for their name.  Stop watching everyone else steal your gold (your THUNDER) and get involved today.  Many people are scared to develop an online presence, yet it’s the only way you can safeguard your brand and have “job security.”  This issue will highlight Gary Vaynerchuk, who will passionately force you to get involved in the GOLD RUSH.  As you read each page, you will gather the knowledge needed to not let these opportunities pass you by.”

Dan Schawbel’s own successful branding and his relentless work ethic have earned him recognition around the web and print media for his efforts. He’s recently been interviewed at Entrepreneur.com and Business Week (check out Thrilling Heroics’ interview with him in 2007).

If you’re interested to try out Personal Branding Magazine, a free sample issue is available here. The full issue will be available for subscribers on November 1st. If you’re an entrepreneur or freelancer of any sort, distinguishing yourself from the crowd is a top priority in today’s business world. Dan has been kind enough to include me as a lifetime VIP subscriber, so I can say from experience that every issue is a great investment. And if you needed any more excuse, 50% of the subscription proceeds get donated to the American Cancer Society.

[source: Personal Branding Magazine - Dan Schawbel]