Having a personal brand is something anyone can benefit from. Most people associate having a brand with owning a business or being your own boss, but that isn’t all it’s good for.
When you define yourself, you are more likely to stand out to employers, job recruiters, and your peers. Many people do this well, such as Gary Vaynerchuk and Daymond John. Both have gone on to build an empire around their brand.
Building a brand can be a daunting task, but after you’re done reading, it’s sure to feel easier to handle.
Focus on your one thing.
Everyone has something special, a superpower if you will. It may sound cliché, but there is only one you. You can’t be everything, and you certainly can’t make everyone happy.
So, focus on what makes you, you.
Figure out what you are good at and turn it into something that you represent. If you are passionate about marketing businesses, turn that into something you are known for by doing the dang thing! You could offer your services to local businesses or create brands for fictional companies to boost your portfolio.
If you aren’t sure what you want to do, try this Career Quiz by the Princeton Review.
Once you find your one thing, it is crucial to share your passion with your audience, and the most efficient way to do that is through social media. Be sure to pick the right platform for your brand. I recommend Instagram or LinkedIn, but explore them all and do what’s best for you.
Define your target audience.
Building your brand is essentially marketing a product, where the product is you.
You’ll need to know who you are marketing yourself to so you can tailor your choices for your brand in the future. When you do anything, you should ask yourself, “how is this relevant to my target audience?”
If you’re looking for a new job, you may be targeting recruiters or HR professionals. If you’re growing your career, you may want to target folks who are in the next career level you’re looking to get to.
There are a ton of other characteristics to consider, such as income, age, and location. This article by Inc. can help you further narrow down your target market. The Inc. article focuses on selling a product, but the advice could easily translate it into marketing your one thing.
Being yourself is extremely important.
People can spot deception from miles away.
Not to mention, it is hard to pretend to be something you’re not, and you’re only cheating yourself by doing so. Being your authentic self shows honesty and trustworthiness, two traits that are highly admired in a leader.
As a leader, people will be naturally attracted to your brand if it's authentic.
Use social networking.
Social media is a platform that cannot be ignored and can be a handy tool in establishing and reinforcing your brand.
Gary Vaynerchuk and Daymond John’s Instagram feeds are used in a very similar way. Both entrepreneurs use their platforms to promote their material. Take the brand you are selling and present it in a way that flows throughout your feed. It is essential to keep everything cohesive.
Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn have highlight reels and stories that allow you to connect in meaningful ways in real-time. This will help people connect with you and your brand.
Stay inspired.
There are going to be times where your inspiration is lacking, and that is okay.
Choose someone or something that inspires you. It can be a successful person in your niche, a family member you look up to, or even a ritual that keeps you going. Having something to remind you of your goals will act as support on the days you feel a lack of motivation.
Remember the first tip on this list? Your one thing. Chances are, if you are passionate about your work, you’ll be inspired to work hard at it.
Creating a brand for yourself can seem permanent but remember, you can tweak it along the way, and testing what works and doesn’t work is a part of success. As Albert Einstein said, “I have tried 99 times and have failed, but on the 100th time came success”. Many successful companies have failed and had to start over and are still thriving today.
So, you’ve defined your brand; now it’s time to get to work! Show your audience what you’re made of, and keep pushing to achieve your goals.
Check out this episode of the Work Awesome podcast, where we sit down with Communication experts to talk about personal brands and using the tools we have to build an audience.
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