In today’s digital age, personal branding is important, and there is no better time than the present to start building your personal brand. Building your brand this year will open doors for fresh opportunities that can elevate your professional life. It will become more and more necessary to have a personal brand as digital interactions continue to dominate the world.
While your personal brand helps you to stand out, there is a lot more to personal branding. Experts around the world emphasise that your personal brand should reflect your values. Today we are diving into ten personal branding tips shared by Forbes from global experts.
1. Unearth Your Authentic Self
Your personal brand is not about creating a brand from scratch. Your brand should be a reflection of who you are and what you believe in, so it is something you discover within yourself. Bobby Umar, a global personal branding expert, emphasised the importance of self-exploration when building a personal brand. Bobby urged individuals to embark on a self-journey to identify their “unique strengths.” This journey should include deep reflection on your experiences, values, and passions, allowing your brand to mirror your authentic self.
2. Seek External Perspectives
Self-explorations are an effective method to form a deeper understanding of who you are, and they can be twice as effective with help from others. It is difficult to truly see yourself when you are on the inside of the fence looking out. When you attain the perspectives of others who are on the opposite side of the fence, this can help you to see things differently. Lesley Everett, a branding leader, explained that “We can’t read the label when we’re inside the bottle” and urged persons to seek external perspectives that can help to “align your profile with your true values.” Consider seeking feedback from mentors, colleagues, or a coach.
3. Define Your Core Values
The type of personal brand you build will be determined by your core goals. When your brand mirrors your values, it helps to build trust and credibility in the workspace. Another branding expert, Jean Oplinger, explained that knowing what drives you helps to “align your actions and reputation with authenticity.”
4. Stop Comparing—Start Differentiating
Comparing your personal brand to other brands will significantly affect your brand. Expert Michelle B. Griffin advised persons to identify their own uniqueness rather than chasing others. When you have identified what makes you different, you will be seen in a new light and be acknowledged as an expert in your field.
5. Diversify Your Online Presence
When building your personal brand, it is best to diversify your online presence instead of relying solely on social media platforms. When you use other proprietary platforms such as blogs, podcasts, or newsletters, you can always connect with your audience. This ensures that the changes in the algorithm do not affect the message you want to send out. Guillem Recolons explained that proprietary platforms offer long-term stability and complete control over your brand.
6. Stay Consistent Across Channels
Staying consistent is the only way for your brand to thrive. Expert Valerie Sokolosky advised tracking your progress and using audience feedback to refine your strategy. According to Sokolosky, by being clear, concise, and consistent, your brand will be strong, and your online presence will align with the core values and objectives of your brand.
7. Say “No” Strategically
When building your personal brand, it is important to not conform to what others think. Your brand should reflect your true self, which means you must say no to the things that do not align with your core values. You should not try to please people. William Arruda explained, ““Every ‘yes’ to something that doesn’t serve your goals is a ‘no’ to something that could.”
