The first time I heard anyone speak about personal branding a decade ago, it was considered a fad. The speaker was trying to get a few good laughs from the audience. Today, a decade later, the same speaker would get a few good laughs if he said personal branding is a fad. The speaker would be laughed off stage.
Personal branding has come a long way in the last decade. It is not just a phrase but a critical part of every professional’s success. It is no longer just a buzzword but a science.
We now know how personal brands are built, how they are destroyed, and how they can be rebuilt. We also know how they can be used to grow businesses. We have seen personal brands become larger than the businesses they represent. We have seen personal brands become more powerful than the companies that employed them.
We have seen personal brands become global icons. We have seen personal brands become global thought leaders. We have seen personal brands dominate industries.
We have seen personal brands become millionaires and billionaires. We have seen personal brands become powerful political figures. We have seen personal brands change the world.
A personal brand is not just a career. It is not just a business. It is not just a science. It is not just a brand. It is not just a trend. It is not just a fad. A personal brand is a legacy.
1. Start a Blog
Starting a blog is one of the best ways to build your personal brand. It’s a place where you can share your thoughts, ideas, and expertise with the world. Plus, it’s a great way to drive traffic to your website and increase your visibility online.
When you start a blog, you should focus on creating high-quality, valuable content that your target audience will find interesting and useful. You should also make sure that your blog posts are well-written and well-researched.
In addition to writing blog posts, you can also use your blog to share other types of content, such as videos, infographics, and podcasts. This will help you reach a wider audience and keep your content fresh and interesting.
Finally, be sure to promote your blog posts on social media and other online platforms to get the word out about your content and increase your visibility.
2. Create Valuable Content
One of the best ways to build a personal brand is by creating valuable content that your target audience will find interesting and useful.
Content comes in many different forms, including blog posts, guides, videos, podcasts, infographics, product proposals, and more.
The key is to find the type of content that you enjoy creating and that resonates with your audience.
The more valuable content you create, the more you will position yourself as an expert in your field, and the more you will build trust with your audience.
3. Be Authentic
The key to a great personal brand is authenticity. Your brand should be a reflection of who you are and what you stand for. Don’t try to be something that you’re not. People can spot a fake a mile away, and if they don’t believe in you, they won’t believe in your brand.
Be honest about your strengths and weaknesses, and be willing to share your story. People are drawn to those who are real and relatable, so don’t be afraid to show your human side. Being authentic doesn’t mean being unprofessional, but it does mean being true to yourself.
4. Create a Professional Headshot
Your headshot is the first thing people see when they visit your website or social media profiles.
So, it’s important to make sure it looks professional and represents you well.
You don’t need to spend a lot of money on a professional photographer, but you should take the time to get a good quality photo that looks like you and represents your personal brand.
Make sure you’re dressed professionally and that the background of your headshot is clean and uncluttered.
If you don’t have a professional headshot, ask a friend to take a few photos of you, or use a self-timer on your camera or smartphone to take your own.
5. Claim Your Name
Claim your name across the most popular social media platforms to help increase your visibility in the search engines and to help potential customers find and connect with you.
If you are a business owner, coach, author, speaker, doctor, dentist, attorney, or other professional, you should at least claim your name on the following popular social media platforms:
• YouTube
• Google+
6. Develop Your Online Persona
Who are you? What are your values? What are your beliefs? How do you want to be perceived? These are all important questions to ask yourself as you develop your online persona. Just like a company has a brand, you have a personal brand. You need to develop the image you want to portray to your audience.
Your online persona is how you present yourself to the world. It’s the image you want to portray and how you want to be perceived. This is where you’ll want to develop your voice and tone, your values, and your beliefs.
Remember, you are not your company. You are an individual, and you have the right to express your own opinions and beliefs. Just make sure that you are respectful of others and that you are not causing harm to anyone.
Your online persona is how you present yourself to the world. It’s the image you want to portray and how you want to be perceived. This is where you’ll want to develop your voice and tone, your values, and your beliefs.
7. Share Your Expertise
The internet has democratized the way we consume information. Today, anyone can share their expertise with the world through a blog, a podcast, or a YouTube channel.
If you have a passion for a particular subject, sharing your expertise online or hosting online meetings can be a great way to build your personal brand. Not only does it position you as a thought leader in your space, but it also gives you a platform to connect with your audience on a deeper level.
When you share your expertise online, you are not only building your personal brand, but you are also building trust with your audience. People want to do business with people who are knowledgeable and trustworthy, and sharing your expertise is a great way to show that you are both.
8. Get Social
Social media is one of the most effective tools for building a personal brand. It allows you to connect with people who are interested in what you have to offer and to share your message with the world.
There are many different social media platforms to choose from, so you’ll need to decide which ones are best for you. Some popular options include Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
Once you’ve chosen your platforms, it’s important to post regularly and engage with your audience. You can share your content, as well as other people’s content that you find interesting. You can also ask questions, run polls, and respond to comments.
The more you engage with your audience, the more they’ll get to know you and trust you. This will help you build a loyal following and grow your personal brand.
9. Engage Your Audience
Branding is no longer a one-way street. It is important to engage with your audience. Respond to comments and questions on your social media posts with the help of a social media virtual assistant. Thank people for sharing your content. Create polls and ask open-ended questions.
The more you engage with your audience, the more they will feel like they know you, and the more they will trust you. If you don’t engage with your audience, they will think you are too busy to talk to them, and they will go somewhere else.
10. Be Consistent
A strong personal brand requires consistency. You can’t expect to post a few things and see results. You need to be consistent in your posting and the way you present yourself online.
This means you should use the same profile picture across all your social media accounts. It also means you should have a consistent posting schedule.
Conclusion
Building a personal brand is not only about selling your product. In fact, it’s not about selling at all. It’s about showing what you stand for and what you believe in. It’s about connecting with your audience on a personal level. It’s about adding value to your audience’s life.
By building a personal brand, you will be able to grow a loyal audience that will follow you for life.
