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When I first ventured into the online world, I had little to no presence at all. Despite years of experience and wealth of information, it seemed almost inconceivable to break through the noise of self-proclaimed “gurus” and “experts.”
It wasn’t until I began usually appearing online and engaging on various platforms that I began to notice something interesting: I used to be unintentionally building my personal brand.
Do you actually need a personal brand? Read more and resolve for yourself.
Why personal brand matters
They say that investing in yourself creates a higher future. Your personal brand could also be the most vital thing you invest in.
It’s not about vanity; it’s about defining who you are, what you stand for and how you wish to be perceived by others. It’s about taking control of the way you’re perceived in a world where impressions are often formed long before you even enter the room (or log into a Zoom call).
Your personal brand is what people say about you when you are not in the room. If you do not control and manage your brand, others do it for you. When you actively work to create your personal brand, YOU control the narrative of how others perceive you.
Here are the 4 elements of building a personal brand:
1. Authenticity: Your brand should reflect your true self, not a made-up image. People connect with real people they will relate to, not an artificial person. Authenticity builds deeper connections and trust that are essential to long-term success.
2. Consistency: Regular engagement and maintaining a consistent message and presence across platforms is key to brand recognition. Regular posting, tailored messaging, and a consistent tone help reinforce your identity and ensure your audience knows what to expect from you.
3. Value: Your personal brand should clearly communicate what sets you apart. Highlight the skills, knowledge and experience that make you unique and focus on how your knowledge will profit your audience or industry.
4. Visibility: Being lively on platforms that are essential to your audience is crucial. The more visible you are on relevant social media platforms or industry networks, the more opportunities you create for engagement and increasing your influence.
7 steps to building a personal brand
- Identify what makes you unique: Reflect on your strengths, experiences and values that set you apart. What do you naturally bring to the table that others cannot?
- Create a personal brand statement: Create a clear, concise statement that captures who you are and what you stand for. This will allow you to present yourself online and in person.
- Optimize your online presence: select the platforms that best fit your goals and audience. Remember, it is probably not your favorite platform, but you wish to be where your audience is. Make sure your profiles are complete and consistently reflect your brand. As you grow and change positions, make sure your profiles are updated to reflect this. Enjoy skilled photos and attractive bios on all platforms.
- Engage consistently: Show up usually on your chosen platforms. Share your insights, comment on industry trends and participate in relevant discussions. Build relationships by interacting with other people’s content and supporting your network.
- Showcase your knowledge: Create and share content that demonstrates your knowledge. Speak at events or webinars in your field. Publish articles in industry publications or start your personal blog.
- Network strategically: Attend industry events and conferences. Join skilled associations in your field. Collaborate with others on projects or content creation.
- Seek feedback and evolve: Your personal brand should grow with you, so be open to your brand evolving over time.
Where to start
Professional networks are great for showcasing your work history, skills and profession achievements. In turn, social media allows you to share insights, connect with your audience and show the human side of your brand.
Using platforms like LinkedIn or Instagram to build your personal brand is not about gaining followers – it’s about creating an authentic narrative that speaks to your audience, builds trust and reinforces your expertise.
Personal branding is about being your authentic self, consistently and strategically. As Tim Ferriss notes, “Personal branding is about managing your name—even if you don’t run a business—in a world of misinformation, misinformation, and semi-permanent Google data.”
By investing time and energy in building your personal brand, you possibly can change your skilled life. I experienced this first hand, going from having almost no online presence to becoming a recognized voice in my industry, LinkedIn ™ Top Voice and writing for major publications. These milestones didn’t occur overnight, but they show the power of consistent, authentic commitment.
Start today by defining what you wish your personal brand to represent, then take small, intentional steps to bring that vision to life. Remember that investing in your personal brand is an investment in your future.
Your brand and your future, start now.