3 steps to building a memorable personal brand
You know that branding is important for businesses, but how much time do you invest in your own personal brand?
Building a memorable personal brand is fundamental to networking and establishing successful relationships that will bolster your career. Here are three ways to make sure your name not only stands out, but sticks in people's minds.
1. Image
Whether it's online or in person, visuals are the first thing that will give people an impression of you. To make your personal brand stand out, you should have a polished and professional image, projecting an aura of capability.
Personal branding in this day and age largely refers to your online presence and how you present yourself on various social media channels. The photo you choose to go next to your name is the first thing people will see, so make sure it packs a punch. Professional photos are the best way to project the desired image, but you can still let some personality show – let your big smile, quirky glasses or unique personality shine.
Creating your image is an exercise in balance. You want to project professionalism, but people trust people, so you can also show your human side. There is huge value in coming across as a person people can trust, rather than just a corporate figure. Research from Nielsen says that 90 per cent of people trust the word of a friend or family member, whereas only 15 per cent of people trust a brand. Incorporating personal elements in your public brand can help to make you more relatable and build your credibility.
2. Engagement
To make sure your personal brand gets noticed and remembered, you should also be active in the right places. Engage with people in your field and maintain conversations to keep a high profile. Join online conversations, write blogs, post updates and interact with people.
Boosting your presence by staying active online can increase your discoverability, and help to establish you as a leader in your field.
3. Consistency
Consistency is a cornerstone of branding. Once you have identified your brand, you should ensure it is consistent across all channels, and also in keeping with your professional persona. This means using the same image and information wherever relevant. This will help people to identify you quickly and set you up as a go-to person in your field.
A strong personal brand could help you find your next big role – and so could we. Reach out to us for more advice on executive search and recruitment opportunities.