In a fast-paced digital world, personal branding is no longer optional- it’s essential. Whether you’re looking to grow in your current position, build your presence as a thought leader, or transition to a new career, establishing your brand can open doors to new opportunities that set you apart.
Let’s take a look into why branding yourself matters and what steps you should take to start growing your personal brand.
What is Personal Branding and Why Does It Matter?
Having a strong brand is like any other message you’re trying to convey- the more defined, the better. At its core, personal branding is how you present yourself to the world, both personally and professionally. It’s all about crafting a consistent and clear image that authentically reflects your skills, values, and expertise.
A strong personal brand affects:
- Career Opportunities: Hiring managers and recruiters often research candidates online before making decisions.
- Networking: Your brand will help attract like-minded professionals to connect and build relationships with.
- Credibility: Authentic and thoughtful branding positions you as a trusted expert in your field.
In short, branding yourself helps you take control of how people perceive you. Personal branding is the identification and promotion of the value, skills, and experiences you bring to your career.
Benefits of a Strong Personal Brand
If your brand is well developed, you’ll receive tangible benefits.
- Recognition: A strong brand makes you memorable, whether its to potential employers, colleagues, or clients. In an ever changing landscape of what captures attention online, authenticity and consistency are constant winners.
- Career Growth: By improving your personal brand, this increases your credibility, leading to the increased likelihood of promotions, speaking opportunities, etc.
- Expanded Network: By focusing on your brand identity, you’ll naturally connect with others who have goals that align with your own.
Your personal brand isn’t just about making a long-lasting impression- it’s about making the right impression.
Steps to Build Your Personal Brand
Now that you’re ready to take control of your professional image, here are the key steps to start building your brand:
1. Define Your Unique Value Proposition (UVP)
- Ask yourself this question: What sets you apart? What skills or perspectives do you bring to the table that others don’t? Think of what drives you, what makes you unique.
- Craft a statement that communicates your strengths and the value you provide.
Take a look at this example of what your UVP might look like: “I help small businesses grow through creative digital marketing strategies that drive measurable value.”
2. Develop Your Personal Brand Identity
- Define your core values. We love this list of values from Brené Brown. She suggests by picking the top fifteen values you resonate most with, and from there, narrowing it down to your top two. Everything that ties into your personal brand should embody these top two values.
- Create a consistent look and feel for your personal brand based on your top two values across all the platforms you use. These can include LinkedIn, your personal website, or social media.
- Consistency in your profile pictures, logos, or color schemes strengthens your brand identity.
3. Leverage LinkedIn for Your Brand
- Share content with your own viewpoint that reflects your expertise and interests on LinkedIn. Doing this will position yourself as a thought leader in your field, leading to credibility and connection.
- Engage with posts from leaders in your industry and colleagues to build connections and expand your network.
4. Network and Collaborate
- Attend online and in-person events to build your network and gain industry insight.
- Join professional groups and connect with peers in your industry. There are many online groups you can join to meet other professionals, build connections, and seek out opportunities.
- Monitor and improve your reputation by accepting feedback from close colleagues, handling reviews, and engaging with industry leaders.
*Tip: Collaboration with influencers or experts in your field can boost your credibility and expand your audience.
Personal Branding Tips for Success
Here are five actionable tips to grow and maintain your personal brand for long-term success:
- Be Authentic: Remember who you are each day. Stay true to your values. Your authenticity will resonate with others and build relationships based on trust.
- Stay Consistent: Align your messaging, visuals, and tone to match your values. Be consistent across all platforms.
- Focus on Thought Leadership: As an individual, you have a unique viewpoint on the world. Use your past experiences and insights to position yourself as a leader in your industry.
- Invest in Professional Branding: Quality headshots, a polished LinkedIn profile, and a clean professional resume will significantly boost your brand. There are many benefits to working with a recruiter, but specifically, ask how they can help you tailor your resume and your LinkedIn profile to meet your needs and convey your skills.
- Evolve With Time: Your brand should grow alongside your career. Stay current in your messaging and update your goals.
Resources to Build Your Personal Brand
- Identify your values with Brené Brown’s List of Values
- Resources from Dave Gordon, Author of TIP: A Simple Strategy to Inspire High Performance and Lasting Success (We highly suggest this book! We read it for our Chief of Staff book club and loved it).
Conclusion: Build a Personal Brand That Lasts
Finally, it’s important to remember that you are your brand, so make sure it authentically reflects your values, skills, and experience. In today’s digital age, first impressions are often made online, so consistency across your professional profiles is key. LinkedIn is a frequent place that hiring managers and recruiters will go to gather information about you. Make sure it’s up-to-date and accurate.
Ready to take the next step? Start today by assessing your online presence and crafting a plan to enhance it. A strong personal brand isn’t built overnight, but with effort and intentionality, it can transform your professional journey!
Written by Kendall Jackson
Marketing Specialist at Chief of Staff KC
Currently hiring and need a helping hand? Haven’t had a smooth job search?
Reach out to Chief of Staff KC with any questions you may have, and we’ll pair you with a dedicated recruiter that is motivated to find the right fit for you. Let’s get started.