These days, it is more than just who you work for. It is who you are as a professional and establishing a personal brand that is respectable, reputable and recognized. But what does it take to establish such a brand? And if you feel like you already have one...is it strong enough to stand out?
Who You Are
It's no secret that most of us work to earn money, pay bills, maintain a household and keep up with our ever-changing economy. But if you can dig a little deeper into what you do and how that impacts the world around you, you will have a better chance at developing a personal brand that is genuine. Why did you choose the profession you did? What is it about that job that motivates and inspires you? When you can communicate these things to others in a way that is meaningful, you have a profession that you and others can believe in.
And Where You Want to Be
We all have plans for the future. Whether that be 5 or 10 years from now, there are all things that we would like to accomplish, places we would like to see and other career paths we would like to go down. Planning for that now can help you realize the skill sets you need to establish and grow to get there. Finding someone who is where you want to be is a good place to start. Learn about that person, their path and where they are headed next. Stay 10 steps ahead of yourself and you'll never be behind.
Social Media
On the screens of computers, tablets and smart phones, anyone can see who you are both in and out of the office. Personal branding is a matter of optimizing who you are and letting the best shine through. Your social media platforms should show off your expertise and what separates you from the rest. Having a variety of presence on social media is important, but stay consistent. Names, photos, imagery and even your personal blurb or phrase should be the same across the board. It is also important to be consistent with posting, sharing and linking on all of these platforms. Become someone with a respected personal brand, as people will look for your content and be interested in what you have to say and share.
This is only the beginning of ways to think about yourself as a professional and how that is portrayed to others. Personal brand is something that should always be worked on and improved upon. By thinking ahead to where you want to be, both as a person and as a professional, you will be able to develop a personal brand that sticks out from the rest, gains attention and is looked to for content curation.
