If you thought that building a personal brand is something that is reserved for the rich and famous or that creating a brand is solely for business purposes you couldn't be more wrong. Not only has building a personal brand become increasingly important in recent years. Since the rise and rise of social media there has been an increase in opportunity for people to showcase and promote their skills and abilities, and creating a brand is a great tool to achieve this.
Building and developing your own personal brand can also come with a huge number of advantages. Below is the top things you need to remember when building a personal brand. But firstly...
Why Build A Personal Brand?
Building a personal brand will allow you to communicate what you know, as well as your areas and levels of expertise. This, in turn, can lead to new opportunities in your career, including new contacts, job offers, and chances to network. Your audience will also have a greater level of trust in you. After all, you have proven that you know what you are talking about. Personal branding offers greater control over your online image.
If you're still having doubts and feels that it is on par with arrogance and succumbing to the ego, consider this, when someone Googles you, what are the things that you want to highlight? Cultivating a personal brand helps you to take control, and puts you in the driver's seat. Building a personal brand has nothing to do with ego or arrogance, and everything to do with setting yourself apart from the competition in your chosen field.
How To Build A Personal Brand
There are a few key steps to building a personal brand, and these include:
Identifying Your Passions
You will have no problem conveying your passions once you identify them to your intended audience. True passion always shines through. Also ensure that you have the skills and confidence to really go all the way in your chosen topic.
Avoid trying to fake something you know nothing about. It will soon become obvious that you are bluffing, and this can reduce your audience's trust.
Discover What Sets You Apart
Amazon, Nike, Beyoncé, Rhianna, when we think of successful business and personal brands, there is always something that sets them apart - a Unique Selling Point (USP). When cultivating your brand, you need to find your USP; this will be at the forefront of your marketing.
Perhaps you offer great job interview advice, have worked for a particular company, or have experience overseas. Find something that makes you stand out and your audience will follow.
Be Authentic
Perhaps the most important thing to remember is to be yourself. Authenticity will shine through. By being open, honest and approachable, you present yourself as reliable and trustworthy - all attributes that will attract your dream audience.
Find Your Audience
It's important to find your audience as no matter how great you are, you can never be all things to every person. One way of tapping into the audience you wish to attract is by outlining the characteristics of your potential customers. Ask yourself firstly; Who do you want to attract? What does your ideal audience look like? Where are they hanging out? Who do they follow?
Align yourself with your values to help you to engage with new audiences and win potential customers.
Remember, it’s better to tap into a smaller niche than to spread yourself too thinly over every area.
It doesn’t have to be complicated building a personal brand, although you will need to be pro-active in researching, planning, and, most importantly, being authentic as this will ultimately be the foundation of your success.
By|womenwhoslay @womenwhoslay