I don’t want to get political on this blog but I have been struck by the remarkable surge in support for Nick Clegg of the Social Democrat Party in the election campaign and the lessons therein for us all.

Depending on which poll you look at, the Liberal Democrats in many cases have gone from third to first in what was supposed to be a “two-horse race”. All as a direct result of Mr Clegg’s appearance on the televised leaders’ debate last week.

Was this transformation in fortunes as a result of WHAT Clegg said? I have asked plenty of intelligent people and most still have trouble distinguishing the policies of all three front-runners. So that can’t be it.

Was it HOW he said it? Certainly his manner, confidence and Teflon attitude to the jibes of Cameron and Brown have not hurt his image.

I actually think it was the mere fact of his appearance that was sufficient to apparently sway the millions of voters. I was more surprised than most by the explosion in popularity because I have followed with interest Clegg’s rise and rise. I have read, listened and watched several interviews with him and he is clearly intelligent and able to capture the mood of the nation. But the absence until now of exposure for him compared to the other two party leaders has been striking.

Now that millions of people feel they know Mr Clegg almost as well as Mr Brown and Mr Cameron, this familiarity makes them more comfortable considering the Liberal Democrats as a serious contender in the election. Previously they had not, in my view. It is almost as if they were looking for a “proper” party to vote for that was not Labour or Conservative and now they have it.

This is why the most successful salespeople make sure they build their personal brand. They allow people to get to know them easily. They appear “ubiquitous”. They may be that ever-present networker, that seems to waste so much time on their blogging and tweeting and does the pointless videos. But it is that very individual that is breeding familiarity with their cheerleaders and prospects.

People buy from people they like. If they don’t know you, the can’t know to like you. If they don’t know you, it is almost irrelevant how good is your product or service.

Learn from Mr Clegg and get yourself seen in the same light and environment as your larger competitors. From that exposure,you have a springboard to sell your wares.