Build a Powerful YOU
Oftentimes people think of a brand as just a business logo and colors. Although branding is so much more than that, a brand is something you already have – YOU!
Whether you work for a big corporation, a local business, are an entrepreneur, a stay-at-home mom or in-between careers, it’s important to know, maintain and build your personal brand. You aren’t defined by your company, work or title therefore neither is your brand – who you are. Your brand is the affirmation of who you are and what you love to do. So start with your fabulous, beautiful inside and out, unique and powerful individual self and build from there!
I’ll help get you started with these 5 tips on how to build a powerful personal brand:
Know your value
What is it that you do, do extremely well and who does it best serve? Your value is based on your experience and knowledge – what you bring to the table. It’s not who you work for or your job title. Be specific with what you do in order for people to come to you for it. With time and consistently they will see you as an expert and a, or “the”, go-to person in your space. It doesn’t happen overnight or through pure will. You have to earn it and that takes time.Show rather than tell
Apart from the visual, i.e. photos, aspect of who you are, you also need to show who you are through your work and accomplishments. Share your work and accomplishments wherever you have a presence (LinkedIn, Facebook, website, etc.). Have testimonials or people who applaud your work? Share it! Showing your audience what you do (not just telling them) will build your credibility and expertise in your space.Be authentic
The first and best thing you can do is accept yourself for the person you are. Don’t change to be like someone else. If you want to change, change to become a better version of yourself. If you are consistently being your authentic self, your target customer will naturally gravitate towards you. When the real you shines through it allows others to get to know you, understand you and communicate with you. Once you understand your personal style, incorporate that into your voice and how you communicate. And keep it consistent in person and online as well as across all platforms. You do you...best.Be consistently good
Wherever you are in person and online be present, be good and be consistent. For people to find you and be genuinely interested in you, your purpose and your content, it’s important for you to consistently show a strong track record. People are more likely to follow you if they see you taking a consistent effort in letting others get to know you and your purpose. Let your work show that you personally care about what you do and who you affect. That’s one way to develop an emotional connection to your personal brand.Increase your value through learning
The moment you become stagnant or stop investing in yourself, you start to decrease your value. Increasing your value doesn’t have to come just from book learning. It can also come from networking events, engaging in conversations on your platforms by asking questions and providing your two cents on your peers posts, those with whom you look up to and your target customers. Be interested in others, ask questions and listen more and be a life-long student in your space. If you aren’t evolving you’ll quickly become obsolete.
There are many ways to get started with finding or building your personal brand. If you’re going to invest time into building and maintaining a business, you need to start with you.
Some of you already have this mastered. Others may seek advice from branding specialists, executive coaches or personal branding photographers. Whichever path you’re on, have a clear plan of your goals and how you will manage, develop and continue building your personal brand.
Lastly, here’s a NOTE TO your SELF: Plant your scepter in the ground and claim your space. You are your own royal masterpiece and nothing can be built or grown until you know who you are, what you want and what you can already bring to the table.