Building a personal brand today is no longer just for celebrities and CEOs; it is a useful way for professionals, entrepreneurs, creatives, and anyone to stand out in an oversaturated world. A personal brand is how you choose to represent yourself to the world, your reputation, your story, and the way others around you perceive your value.
What is a Personal Brand?
Your personal brand is the unique combination of skills, experience and personality that you want the world to see. It’s your way of communicating your value to your audience. A strong personal brand can help you stand out and be remembered whether you are job searching, trying to build a business or are simply trying to grow your influence online.The Value of Building a Personal Brand
Career Opportunities: Your personal brand is the first way to get in front of recruiters, clients, or collaborators. It differentiates you from the competition and opens doors to bigger opportunities.
Credibility and Trust: Consistency in how you express your brand will create trust. When others know who you are and what you believe, they are more likely to reach out and initiate a connection.
Composure Under Influence: In an age where almost anything about you can be found in a simple search of the web, establishing your brand gives you some control over other people’s perceptions of you.
Attract Opportunities: From public speaking to consulting, your personal brand can attract you opportunities that align with your career aspirations and values.
How to Establish Your Personal Brand
1. Decide Who You Want To Be
Reflect on yourself: What strengths do you have? What are you passionate about? What do you want people to know you for?
Identify the target audience you want to reach and influence.
2. Develop Your Message
Articulate your personal mission statement.
Articulate your values, and identify what makes you different.
3. Start Your Online Presence
Review your social media and professional accounts (LinkedIn, etc.) for consistency.
Create content that demonstrates your expertise and add to or start discussions by blogging, creating videos, podcasts, or simply making well thought out comments about current issues in your profession.
4. Network Intentionally
Meet people in your profession online and offline.
Your relationships are key to building your brand, so be helpful and authentic.
5. Be Consistent
Consistency across platforms creates trust. Where appropriate; use the same voice, tone, and visuals.
Regularly update your audience about your work, ideas, and success/failures.
6. Be Authentic
Your personal brand is an extension of you. It’s always better to be authentic than to choose to fit in.
Mistakes To Avoid
Being too self-promotional: The focus should be on adding value to the lives of others, not promoting yourself.
Ignoring feedback: Be open-minded to, and listen to how others see you. You may want to change or adapt your approach.
Having no online presence: If your profiles are irrelevant or inconsistent, this will undermine your credibility.
conclusion
A personal brand is a continual process and not a linear or even project. Your personal brand will also show up differently based on your career, roles, interests, and if you take on the lead role with your own growth.
A strong personal brand can lead to more visibility, more significant relationships, and a relevant career path when you approach your personal brand holistically.
The best way to begin is small, remain accountable to yourself, and remember: the most impactful brand is one that is authentic and purposeful.
Do you want this to be done as a LinkedIn post, a presentation, or something else?
