Building a personal brand
Over the years, these recognizable slogans have evolved into a cry – setting the tone for how each company interacts and identifies with the market. In a few words, these slogans told a story and influenced how people perceive the systems behind them. Together, they represent the power and potential of a personal brand.
A strong brand stands out in the crowd – resulting in higher sales, increased awareness, and a better customer experience.
But not just for branding companies. Professionals should each tell their own story and share goals, skills, and expertise.
What is a personal brand?
A personal brand, in many ways, is like a corporate brand, Kresh explains. A brand of a company helps customers communicate its value and stands apart from the competition, while an individual brand helps individuals to communicate with a unique identity and clear value to potential employers or customers.
Developing a personal brand can be challenging, but there are steps you can take to build credibility in your industry. Here are ten tips to help you build a truly unique brand – and grow your business in the process.
Ten tips for creating your personal brand
1. Find out who you are
To create a unique brand that accurately reflects your personal and professional identity, you must first know who you are. Introspect and make a list of your personal strengths and weaknesses.
Keep in mind that many people struggle to choose a particular place because they do not want to limit themselves. Realize that your personal brand, like many corporate brands, will change as your business grows. The best strategy is to select a specific area that you want to focus on and let it grow over time.
2. Determine what you want to be known for
Your personal brand is more than just a reflection of who you are today; here is a map of where you need to go.
Gresh advises not only to understand your current skills and abilities but also to assess your strengths and weaknesses as they are relevant to any career or career you want to pursue.
By doing this, you will discover the skills and characteristics that differentiate you. The areas where you need to improve or acquire new knowledge to progress.
3. Define your audience
Before you start building your personal brand, you also need to determine who you are trying to reach.
On the other hand, if you are a graphic designer who can attract existing customers and attract new customers. You can choose to tell your story through your personal website or portfolio, where you can better express your talents.
4. Research the field you want and follow the experts
As you begin to map out the work you want, Gresh recommends compiling research on experts in those roles.
In creating a personal brand, your goal should be to stand alone – but you can’t rise without listing who already exists.
5. Listen to informative interviews
As you begin to make a list of the companies you want to work for and the business leaders you admire, approach these experts to ask for an informative interview.
Even if you do not have a job in one of these interviews, there may be a day – and that employer should think about you when he or she imagines the best candidate.
6. Prepare a lift pitch
As you begin to think about your personal brand, take some time to design an elevator pitch- a 30-60 seconds story about who you are.
Keep your lift pitch brief by focusing on some key points that you want to emphasize. You are looking for a new position, you need strength in a certain place. Or recently increased the value of your current department or company.
7. Adapt to networking
As you grow your best personal brand, it is important to network continuously (and effectively) to grow your professional circle. Connect with colleagues and business leaders by attending formal and informal networking events.
In these cases, do not be shy in asking fellow participants to return for an informative interview or a casual coffee chat. Remember, if you do not have the opportunity to join the event, please contact us via email or LinkedIn to trigger a conversation.
8. Ask for suggestions
Approving you by current and former colleagues and managers is one of the easiest and most effective ways to define your personal brand, allowing others to express your value for you. Just as a business develops customer reviews and testimonials for use in the sales and marketing network, you also need to develop your own reviews in the form of recommendations.
LinkedIn is a great place to ask for approvals because these recommendations will attract the attention of future hiring managers.
9. Develop your online presence
With the wide variety of social media tools available today, your online presence will vary depending on the media you choose. Your story should fit all platforms, once you know where your target audience will turn, you can redouble your efforts in telling your best story.
Additionally, if you want one of your sites or profiles to be exclusively for friends and family, adjust your privacy settings so that potential employers do not stumble upon any information that could affect job opportunities.
10. Know that your personal brand is not just online
If you are in the field of marketing or design, it is very important to have a personal website or portfolio that provides essential information about who you are and helps to visually highlight your work.
Your brand is more than just an online person; how you carry yourself at home, in the office, and even in your daily commute.