Are you the world’s best kept secret? Refusing to update your LinkedIn profile from 2001 because somebody might see it? It’s time to sort out your branding and get visible!
Your Personal Brand is how you promote yourself and the image that people see of you. It's the unique telling of your story which could include your skills, experience, passions and interests. It's also a reflection of your personality, attitudes, behaviour and spoken/unspoken words.
You can use your personal branding to differentiate yourself from other people, creating your own USP.
Here are five things to think about:
1.What image of yourself do you want to put out there? Who are you? [That’s not intended to be deep.]
Think about who you are and what you represent. What are your strengths and key talents? What do you value? What do you stand for? The answers to these questions will help build the foundations of your brand. If you are really struggling, think about feedback you’ve had (we love a bit of evidence) or ask an ex-colleague to help you.
2. Are you embracing social media? Or using it with anti-bac hand gel?
Social media is integral to the world in which we live and work. Your personal branding should include social media accounts on at least some of the social networks where potential professional connections and clients spend their time. Profiles don’t have to be perfect either but whilst we’re on the subject, you cannot have a blank photo (unless you’re on the run from the Police) or one of you in your wedding dress on LinkedIn. I know it was a lovely photo, but …just no.
3. Who do you want your personal brand to target?
You want to make sure that your personal brand matches your end target. Suppose you are a professional lawyer for instance, you may want your branding to portray a smart and professional image. If you are a marketing professional, perhaps your branding will be more creative and artistic. Ultimately, you want to build a reputation which resonates with your ideal employer.
4. Are you consistent with your self-marketing?
The secret of successful personal branding is consistency. You are trying to establish an external depiction of “you.” This means that you want to act consistently within that.
5. Do you revise and update your brand?
That’s not to say never ever change! Personal brands evolve over time as you grow and develop, whether becoming a mum, kids going to uni, developing your own skills and talents, taking on new attitudes or adopting new passions in life. It’s ok to make sympathetic revisions to your personal brand to keep it a true reflection of who you are.