What's a Personal Brand and Why it Matters to Your Success

What is a Personal Brand?

A personal brand is your unique promise of value. It is how you want others to perceive you, and it is based on your skills, experience, and personality. A strong personal brand can help you stand out, build credibility, and achieve your career goals.

The aspects of a compelling brand include:

• Clarity: Your brand should be clear and concise. People should easily understand what you do and what you offer.
• Relevance: Your brand should be relevant to your target audience. You should focus on what resonates with the people you want to reach.
• Authenticity: Your brand should be authentic. People can spot a fake a mile away, so it is important to be true to yourself.
• Consistency: Your brand should be consistent across all channels. This means using the same messaging and imagery on your website, social media, and other platforms.

According to a LinkedIn study, 94% of hiring managers believe that a candidate's personal brand can help them get a job. A study by Weber Shandwick found that 66% of consumers believe that the CEO's personal brand directly impacts their company's brand.

How to Build a Compelling Personal Brand

Building a strong personal brand takes time and effort, but it is well worth it. Here are some steps you can take to get started:

1. Define your unique value proposition. What do you have to offer that others don't? What are your strengths and skills?
2. Identify your target audience. Who are you trying to reach with your brand? What are their needs and wants?
3. Create a compelling brand story. Your brand story should be engaging and memorable. It should tell people who you are and what you do.
4. Develop your brand identity, which includes your brand name, logo, tagline, and visual style.
5. Build your online presence. Your website and social media profiles (particularly LinkedIn) should be professional and up-to-date.
6. Network with others. Get involved in your industry and build relationships with other professionals.
7. Be consistent. Stick to your brand message and values across all channels.

How a Strong Personal Brand Can Support Your Career Goals

A strong personal brand can help you achieve your career goals in several ways. For example, it can:

• Help you to get promoted. When you have a solid personal brand, you are more likely to be seen as a leader and a valuable asset to your organization. This can increase your chances of getting promoted.
• Make it easier to transition to a new career. If you are considering changing careers, a solid personal brand can help you market yourself to new employers.
• Help you to influence organizational reputation. Your personal brand can reflect positively on your organization. This can help your organization to attract top talent and build customer loyalty.
• Help you to be a successful team leader. When you have a strong personal brand, you are more likely to be able to inspire and motivate your team. This can help you to be a successful team leader.

Conclusion

A strong personal brand is essential for success in today's competitive job market. Following the steps outlined in this article, you can build a compelling personal brand to help you achieve your career goals.

Need support building a compelling personal brand. We're certified personal and digital brand strategists and image consultants and can help you build an authority brand from the inside out! Click here to schedule a call.