Branding is a very common concept in the business sphere; however, most business owners and their teams don’t pay half as much attention to personal branding. Personal branding can help open many doors and in this article, we will dive into what a personal brand is and how to build a professional but authentic one in 2022.
What is personal branding and why does it matter?
Personal branding is the process of establishing your professional identity by communicating your values, beliefs, goals and purpose in a way that is authentic to you but also appeals to your professional network. A strong personal brand that showcases you as an individual and allows other people to develop a great understanding of who you are. and Being aware of your personal brand can help provide a clear focus for your career development and success, make you stand out from competitors and can rapidly increase your chances of securing a new client or a new role.
A well developed personal brand can boost your presence in the industry, portray you as a thought leader and naturally, help secure new opportunities. Thanks to social media platforms like LinkedIn, more and more people have started to utilise their voices to build unique personal brands.
What makes a strong personal brand?
Ensure your LinkedIn profile is complete.
LinkedIn is at the centre of your personal brand and whether it be a potential client, employer or industry colleague, most individuals will view your profile prior to making a decision to work with you. Ensure that you have:
- An up-to-date profile reflecting work experience, education and skills
- A professional profile picture (that is less than 3 years old)
- A descriptive and optimised headline
- A compelling “About” section
Know your strengths and decide what you want to be known for.
Creating a compelling personal brand is like creating a mission statement which you choose to follow for the foreseeable future. Find what it is that you are good at, and passionate about, and create a strong personal brand by posting content that is relevant and adds value in those areas. Focus on your personal “USPs” and your “why” because as Simon Sinek says “People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”
Define your target audience and stick to consistent messaging.
Make sure that all content that you share has a clear purpose that aligns with the needs of your audience. If your audience feels like you have nothing of significance to offer, they will seek out competitors instead. You can never appeal to everyone so focus on your niche and create clarity around the message you want to consistently share with your audience. Establishing yourself professionally requires regular input and attention but quality over quantity is something to also keep in mind. If you show up for your audiences and serve them good content on a regular basis, you’ll establish trust and credibility within your network..
No matter what industry or niche you are in, building a strong personal brand centred around who you are and what you have to offer is extremely important. If you feel like you could use some help building your personal brand, get in touch! Our team would love to support you!
