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Personal Branding: 5 Tips to Consider

Personal branding is imperative this day in age. It provides leadership opportunities, rewarding partnerships, steady clients, greater credibility, and even gives your company a higher perceived value. Everyone has a brand they are trying to convey, and if not they should. Put your best foot forward with these five personal branding tips.

1. Do Your Research

You can’t create a unique empire if someone from two states over has the same look and feel as your brand. Research what, and who, is out there already, to see what you can bring to the table that isn’t already there. If the area you are focusing on is very dry and boring, try adding photos, charts, and humor to attract your audience and keep them engaged. Find out what is going to make your brand resonate in people’s minds, and what you want to be known for.

Finding out what makes you unique might be difficult due to the large amount of competitors out there. Nonetheless, sit down and ask yourself “what are you good at?” or “what are your passions in life?” and the answer will soon come to you. Down the line, after you figure out your niche, you can enter other areas while sticking to your brand to see what happens.

2. Show The Real You on Social Media

Customers love to interact with people that resonate with them. Just like when you pick up magazines in the grocery line to see what the celebrities are doing- you are now that celebrity. People want to know about you. Use your real name and picture, and highlight what makes you different in your picture. Talk about your story and how you got to where you are today, because people love to hear success stories. Talk about lessons you have learned and what came from it. Teach people, give them advice, and they will keep coming back for more. Along with this, you want to come off to your customers as unique. Use your own style and tone to create content that describes who you are. Don’t be afraid to tell it like it is, but stay honest because people can see right through a fake and you will lose credibility very quickly.

3. Consistency

Along with showing the real you, make sure you keep the image you create consistent. Switching up the look or feel of your brand will confuse customers. In personal branding, use the show don’t tell method. You can have the best logo or t-shirts, but personal branding is about the total experience you provide for people. Make sure you consistently deliver on your commitment. If you promise that you will do something, make sure you do it. Customers don’t want to deal with people who waste their time, when there are plenty of other options out there for them.

4. Maintain a Detailed Database of Contacts

Keeping a detailed list of people you encounter or network with is important when it comes to personal branding. You should know who they are, where they are from, what they can be of benefit to you, and any other information you think is important. Building a strong network of people who believe in the same things you do will amplify your exposure and add to your personal brand. Also, always make sure to respond to people who take the time to reach out to you. You never know when you may need them in the future.

5. Give Back

After all is said and done, always give back. Giving back allows you to show a more humanized version of yourself offline. Whether it’s coaching your local baseball team, or donating money, charity work will not only make you feel good, but people will want to be involved with a brand that is philanthropic. You can even showcase your kind acts all over your website, or send out press releases to keep your community in the loop. Remember, people love a heartwarming story, and your acts will not go unnoticed.

Now pin this infographic to your board to start your personal branding endeavors!