Branding Beast: Personal Branding

“Personal branding is about managing your name — even if you don’t own a business — in a world of misinformation, disinformation, and semi-permanent Google records. Going on a date? Chances are that your “blind” date has Googled your name. Going to a job interview? Ditto.” - Tim Ferriss, Author of the 4-Hour Work Week

THE BOTTOM LINE
Personal branding is IMPORTANT. How do you present yourself? What are your values? What is your mission in life? Being able to answer these questions with confidence is key to shaping your personal brand identity and managing a reputation that precedes your name. Much like corporate branding, personal branding may require an investment of time and resources. By definition, “personal branding is the practice of people marketing themselves and their careers as brands.” How you market yourself can strongly affect your career and possibly increase or limit potential opportunities. Exploring your various skill sets will allow you to highlight your strengths and clearly define ways in which you can help those around you. Although it may take some concerted effort, building a personal brand can be quite advantageous.

THE BUILDING BLOCKS
If you would like to build a personal brand or strengthen your current brand, the following suggestions may be helpful: 

1.   Define your brand (Who are you? What do you have to offer? What are your values?)
2.   Identify your target audience (Who would be interested in your skill set?)
3.   Create goals for yourself (What can you do to expose your brand?)
4.   Start a website or blog that includes a small bio and other articles of information that enhance your brand
5.   Keep your brand fresh by adding new elements to your social media/website/blog on a regular basis

THE BENEFITS
Developing a strong personal brand can be beneficial on a variety of different levels. By creating a personal brand, you are able to:  

1.   Separate yourself from the competition
2.   Build confidence
3.   Strengthen your networking skills
4.   Increase your credibility
5.   Build trust with your target audience
6.   Be more authentic
7.   Manage your life better
8.   Make the most of your skills and talents
9.   Create a niche for yourself
10. Leave a lasting impression

You must believe in your brand before you can expect anyone else to do the same. Spend some time with yourself and identify all the things that make you one of a kind. Take all of those things and begin building your brand. 

Look out for more "Branding Beast" blogs (from a "well-tamed" branding beast: Jennifer T. Graham) with topics to help build your brand!

Jennifer T. Graham, MBA | Creative Director | Branding Blog Post #006