Personal Branding is anything that distinguishes you from others. It’s your trademark — how people refer to you. It’s what people know about you. Your personal brand is how you get to tell your story. So beyond getting people to know you, think about what you want to be known for.
Understanding why our brand matters and how we benefit from having strong personal branding is the first step towards learning how to build one. A powerful personal brand is beneficial in various ways, which include:
- Builds your confidence– This increases as you continue to harness your strengths and also allows you to meet goals more easily.
- Gives you credibility — when you are known for a unique set of characteristics, you build your reputation around them.
Avoid trying to be too many things to too many people. You cannot be a master of everything.
- Enables you to create and leave your mark — You leave your legacy by consistently delivering quality results which you can tap into years later.
- Helps you to connect with your target audience — Honing your skills and showing a particular disposition enables you to relate to your target audience a lot faster.
- Distinguishes you from the competition — It’s no longer about how good you look on paper. You need to show why you should be selected. To do this, you need to deliver on what makes you unique – through personal branding.
- Helps you garner the support you need — Build “emotional bank accounts.” (When you help other people they will be willing to help you when you reach out to them).
- Sells you — A powerful brand differentiates you and sets you apart from others. In turn, you lead more; you win more and eventually, you earn more.
Establishing your personal brand:
When trying to establish personal branding, ask yourself a couple of questions to understand where you currently stand:
- What are you most passionate about?
- What are your best skills/strongest attributes?
- How would you summarize yourself in a 2-minute story?
- How will someone describe you when they are referring you to an opportunity?
- Think about how others would perceive you, seek feedback from colleagues, family, and friends. Note down the answers, start living them and keep building your brand.
As you begin to build your personal brand, selling yourself is key. Remember: It’s no good being the best-kept secret in the world.
How do you sell yourself?
- Understand what is it about you that people cannot replicate – What’s your unique skill-set/superpower? Our strengths may not be visible to us! You might want to have this discussion with those who know you well and can speak about/tell your strengths.
- Build a robust professional network – Build your personal brand with your network. Your most precious resources will always be in your richest resources.
- Upgrade your profile – Don’t be brilliant and anonymous. Find ways to put yourself out there -speak to people, write if you can and showcase your brilliance. (Speak and Write)
- Be authentic – Trying to be someone else produces a hybrid of what you should be –If you talk like everyone else and sound like someone else you’ll never stand out.-
In conclusion, the key to building a powerful/remarkable brand is to start soon and consistently make progress. Let go the need to be perfect and instead, focus on continuous learning and improvement. Personal branding is a lifelong journey.
What are some of the tips that have worked for you when it comes to building your personal brand? Do share….
In the meantime, here’s a related article.
Looking for tips to ace your job interviews, navigating career and job opportunities, we have a weekly newsletter specially for you.
