The most essential tool a professional can possess is their personal brand. If constructed effectively, it can articulate your skills, knowledge, and overall worth in today’s competitive industry. A successful personal brand not only makes you stand out from the crowd but can also elevate you to the next level of achieving your goals. It’s important to do extensive research when beginning to develop your personal brand, but here are 5 additional tips to help you better your brand.
- Determine your unique value: What makes you different from the rest? If you left your job today, what skills and experiences would you have that would put you above the competition? What hobbies and interests do you have that make you interesting to talk to and contribute to the type of person you are as a whole? Your brand should represent who you are at the core. Try your best to communicate your individual and potential value to your network, both business and personal. Make sure you do not try to fabricate a brand that is not true to you. Embrace your quirks and run with them.
- Utilize Feedback: Consequently, the true measure of your brand is the impression you leave on others. Be conscious of that, especially when meeting new people. Take every opportunity to make sure that your first impression is an accurate representation of your brand. Almost as important as conveying your brand to others is asking for their feedback. Friends and colleagues are valuable tools for evaluating your brand strength. Ask them what your top brand attributes and core strengths are. If they can easily tell you, then you’ve succeeded in branding YOU. Finding our how others see you is very crucial to measuring the success of the translation of your brand.
- Remember the 3 Cs of branding: Branding yourself is not much different than branding a product. The 3 C’s always apply: Clarity, consistency, and constancy. Remain clear about who you are as a person. Do not exaggerate on accomplishments or interests. Refer to tip #1 and be yourself! Remain consistent in your branding efforts. Determining your brand initially is very important because once you take off, changing your brand is difficult and detrimental. Lastly remain constant with expressing your brand. Expand your social media presence and keep a firm foot in the game.
- Have a website: Highlight your professional profile. Make sure to update your site regularly and link to your other social media pages. Post blogs that are meaningful and thoughtful in regards to your business and what you are interested in as a person. Let the audience know you as a person with thoughts, interests and skills- that will work to strengthen your brand. Also- the three Cs, make sure you’re consistent and clear on your website.
- Be passionate about what you do: “Fake it til you make it” only goes so far, especially faking passion. You can’t pretend to be interested in what you’re doing. Make sure you are passionate about your job and that will translate into your brand. If you don’t find your current position makes you thrive, find what does and make it your goal to get there.
If you want to be successful, creating a personal brand isn’t just an option, it’s a necessity. Whether you aspire to get that promotion or land your dream job, creating a compelling and consistent brand will help you meet your goals.
Article by Erin M.