Most people think of branding when it comes to companies or celebrities. However, you may not be Target, Patagonia, or Oprah, but your personal brand is just as important. The biggest difference is that you don’t have an entire fleet of branding experts working on your brand 24/7…you need to build your brand yourself, and that is often easier said than done. In fact, most people don’t even know what their brand is or how to manage it as an effective career management strategy. Your brand is your reputation, what you’re known for, and what people think of you and say about you when you’re not in the room.
Think of your brand as a Venn diagram. It is the intersection of how you perceive yourself and how others perceive you. It is intentionally thinking about how you want others to experience you in a real and authentic way, and then knowing that is how people actually experience you…it’s a match! It’s a connection. Everyone is on the same page.
The first step is brand awareness and getting your name out there so people know who you are…it’s gaining visibility and standing out in a crowded and noisy market or industry. The second step is brand recognition so there is an instant association of qualities and characteristics to your name…think of the Nike swoosh. And the last step is brand loyalty where people can’t imagine working with anyone else but you…you become Diet Pepsi and no one would even consider switching to Diet Coke.
Branding makes total sense when we think about these big businesses, but the same is true for you. You want to set yourself apart from your peers or competition, be known for specific strengths and successes, and create the loyalty that leads to advanced positions, referrals, recommendations, and other opportunities.
Follow the ON Point Action Plan and build a personal brand that takes you to the next level.
7 Tips for Building a Powerful Personal Brand
Know Thyself – understand your unique strengths, skills, successes, core values, qualities & characteristics
Get Feedback – if you don’t know thyself, then ask; conduct your own 360 Feedback with people you know & trust
Make a List – identify the 3-5 words you want to be described as, known for & how you want others to experience you
Take Action – if you want to be known as “collaborative” then make sure your actions & behaviors align with your brand
Be Consistent – branding is a promise you make to others that you will show up & deliver the same way each and every time
Go Big – broaden your brand to include internal & external stakeholders, clients & every platform of your online presence
Protect & Defend – managing your brand & reputation means you don’t allow anyone or anything tarnish your brand
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