8 Tips to create and grow your personal brand

Cropped Image Of Woman Working On Laptop In Home

While branding might be more commonly associated with companies, it is no secret that today almost every individual has a personal brand, whether consciously cultivated or not. In this digital age, our digital footprint speaks volumes about how we are perceived. In fact, harnessing your very own personal brand is one of the best ways to communicate your worth and selling point in today’s competitive job market. Here are 8 effective ways to start building your very own personal brand!

1. Start seeing yourself as a brand

The first step to carving out your personal brand is to begin envisioning yourself as a brand. Ask yourself: what do you wish for people to associate with you when they think of your name? Do you want to be perceived as an expert on a subject matter, or are there generic qualities you want associated to your brand? Commit yourself to a niche that you know you’ll be great at. Once you’ve established an idea about how you want your personal brand to be perceived, it will be easier to be more strategic about developing it.

2. Curate your online presence

Google yourself to assess what is out there on the web linked to your name. Make sure that whatever’s available on the Internet linked to your name is consistent with your personal brand and how you want to be perceived. Also, if you have a fairly common name, consider using your middle initial or middle name to differentiate it!

3. Identify your goals and target audience

Defining your goals is necessary to crafting a message that helps you reach them. Set short-term and long-term goals for yourself. Determine where you would like to be and what you’d like to achieve in 6 months, a year, five years and ten years. Also define who your target audience is. This will not only help you hone your message, but also help you deliver it to the right places.

4. Create a personal website

Securing a personal website for yourself is one of the best ways to rank your name on the search engine. A simple two or three page website with your biography, resume, link to your social media platforms or portfolio of work (if you have one) will suffice. You can always update your website along the way. Your website should be about you and not your clients; highlight your professional accomplishments, your skills and knowledge, what you stand for, and your overall value.

5. Generate relevant and consistent content

Always seek ways to add your value to your audience by creating or curating content on your online or social media platforms that is consistent with your brand. Remember that in this digital age, authenticity is key and can really make the difference between a generic or strong personal brand. Commit to posting a couple of times a week on topics that your audience will find interesting and educational, but that also highlight your unique skills and experience.

6. Play to your strengths

There are different online and social media medium available today – like Instagram, YouTube, Twitter and Facebook. Each of these platforms are distinct in the best messages it is optimal for. If you take great pictures, Instagram is of course your best bet; however, if you’re a writer or a visual content creator, perhaps Twitter or YouTube are better options for you to showcase your wit and creativity.

7. Network

Make sure you keep your friends, family, co-workers and clients abreast with what you are doing. Word of mouth is a surprisingly powerful marketing tool, and what the people in your network say about you will have a profound effect on your brand. Be sure to promote your brand in person, too! Attend and participate in industry groups, give talks at conferences, or offer to spearhead a project that highlights your strengths and talents.

8. Last, re-invent

Martha Stewart, Ellen Degeneres, Richard Branson – what do these business empire moguls have in common? A strong personal brand. Mention Martha Stewart and you’ll immediately think home and lifestyle. These brands have also managed to remain evergreen through different phases and have still managed to remain relevant today. A strong personal brand hinges on a strong narrative. If you have different passions or interests, a narrative is even more crucial, so there is a common theme and thread to it. Remember that the strongest personal brands are ever-evolving, so make sure to step back and assess if a re-branding is in order.

Sarah Khan

Photo: Getty Images

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