In very simple words, personal branding sets you apart from the rest of the crowd. If you are not convinced, read on!
In the world dominated by social media, everything and everyone is just a click away. Having a personality in person is important but having a personality online can help you influence thousands of people that you still haven’t met.
Personal branding is your greatest and the most powerful asset online and it is non-negotiable. If done right, personal branding can help you climb the ladder of leadership fairly quickly. This is true not only for an entrepreneur but also for any industry professional.
So, what really is personal branding?
Personal branding is who you are, what you are saying, what you stand for and what you support. This can be through your posts, videos, photos or through the content you share. Personal branding is your own brand. You own it, you design it and you decide how people perceive you.
As LaKisha Greenwade put it,
“Personal branding is the modern-day scorecard that measures a leader’s core message delivery, their professional presence in person and online, and their application of foundational values both in and out of the office.”
Here are 3 reasons why you should invest your time in building your own brand:
- Increases your credibility– Personal branding is like putting a face to your business and that face is yours, not a well-known celebrity or an already established brand name. As you become more visible online and add value where it’s required, your credibility will increase too. People will trust your opinions and judgments. However, it is very important to be authentic and only share information-rich content with your audience to build a trustworthy relationship.
- Builds your network– Crafting a strong personal brand will help you connect with like-minded individuals who care about the same causes as you do and are passionate to sit in the driver’s seat and take control of their life. If you have your own business, this network can have a huge impact on your business success.
“A personal brand is like a garden. Once you lay the groundwork and plant the seeds, you’ll be in a great position to eventually reap the benefits.” – Jayson DeMers, Founder and CEO, Audience Bloom
- Access to bigger opportunities-Personal branding will provide you access to bigger opportunities as you build a wider network. When you become more credible, approachable and people start trusting your judgments, your goals will become more achievable. One clear example of this is when people reach out to you for job opportunities even though you are not actively looking. You never know what might come up.
Watch this amazing TED Talk on personal branding:
People want to do business with people, not companies. Remember this while crafting your very own personal branding strategies.
If you would like to read more on personal branding and how to execute it, please comment below. Share this article and let’s empower each other to shoot for the stars.
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