Creating a personal brand
You may have heard the term “personal brand” before but are unsure what exactly it means and how it might apply to you. It’s actually quite simple. A personal brand is a promise that you make to the world about who you are and the positive impact that you seek to have in the lives of others.
It helps people calibrate their expectations for you. It lets them know about the unique set of knowledge and skills that you bring to your work and relationships. Though it may seem that your brand is in the hands of others, you are the driving force behind it, and it’s up to you to shape that brand into something that you can be proud of and use to your advantage.
Choosing the right branding for you
Your brand shouldn’t come from trends or outside influences. It has to be rooted in who you are, your goals, and how you want to impact the world around you. If not, it will come off as disingenuous or fail to serve you the way you want it to.
A personal brand involves three things:
1) Defining your values and goals
To foster a satisfying career and meaningful life, you must identify what matters to you and share it with others.
2) Crafting your story
To communicate your values, goals, and strengths, you must tell and show people who you are and where you want to go.
3) Getting your story out there
To build a network of people who can help you apply your unique skill set, you need to share your story and connect with others.
How to get started
When thinking about your own brand, consider the people you admire most and consider why you admire them. Think about your reputation, what it is, and how it came to be, and write down what you want it to be. Consult with those who know you best and ask them what positive qualities they associate with you.
Use these responses to distill your brand into the qualities that you feel best define the person you are and what you would like to achieve. You might decide your brand is that you are innovative, curious, and hardworking, or that you are loyal, authentic, and competent.
Integrating your brand
Once you’ve defined your values and goals, use them to inform every facet of your life, career, or business. Always ensure that you consider whether your choices reflect the qualities you have used to define your personal brand and allow them to guide your decision-making as much as possible.
If you are using your branding as part of your career plan, incorporate it into your email signature, and online or social media presence. Include it on your resume. Use it to guide your decisions at work and reflect on whether the actions you are taking are working toward reinforcing your brand, re-assessing, and adjusting when necessary. Make it clear to everyone who interacts with you what your priorities are, and what they can count on getting when they work with you.
And while the concept of “personal branding” does not instantly appeal to everyone, when you centre your genuine values and goals at the core of your personal brand, it becomes more than a superficial label or sales pitch.
Figure out the branding that is right for you and implement it effectively. Use it to pursue your goals and let it lead you to the life of your dreams as you embody the qualities most important to you.
Use your personal brand to let the world know who you are, what you have to offer, and what you want to accomplish.
Learn more by checking out PowerED’s new FREE crowd-sourced course Elevate Your Personal Brand.
