How to create a personal brand

A personal brand is how you present yourself to the world. It’s your unique combination of skills, experiences, interests and personality that you can curate to establish a public persona. And it can set you apart from the rest—giving you a competitive business edge, increasing your reputation as a leader and helping you advance your career.

And before you think, “Eh, creating a personal brand just isn’t for me”, consider this: Your personal brand exists whether you create it or not. Every time you post on social media, create a blog entry, even have a job interview, you’re revealing key aspects of yourself to the world. Taking control of it puts you in the driver seat. And we’re here to help.

Who am I?

That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it? Before you can begin to market yourself, you need to figure out what’s going to make you stand out on a planet of almost 8 billion people. Ask yourself some questions:

• What do I do better than anyone else?
• What interests truly make me happy?
• What do friends and peers consistently compliment me on?
• What do I want to be known for in my career?

Still confused? Ask people! See how they would define you to others to get a clearer idea of your strengths. The key is to be authentic. Your brand should follow you everywhere you go, so be genuine. Be real. Be honest. And if you try to copy someone else, you will get called out for it—and that’s not the kind of attention you want.

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Look around you.

As you go about creating a personal brand, look at others. Research the leaders in your industry and experts in your field. See what they’re doing—and then differentiate yourself. And don’t just lurk on the sidelines. Network and engage with them on social media, and develop relationships with other brands, influencers and content creators. Remember, the competition isn’t always the enemy. They can help push you in the right direction.

Think small.

Now is not the time to be a jack of all trades. For the biggest and best results, think small and narrow your focus. The best personal brands are very specific, so find your niche and become an expert on it. The narrower your focus, the easier it will be to be remembered.

Tell a story.

If your personal brand doesn’t tell a story, you’ve already lost your audience. Start with an elevator pitch—a 30-second summary of who you are and what you’re all about. Think about how’d you’d introduce yourself at a cocktail party. You want to be thoughtful, engaging and memorable. If you need some extra help, download a free template to get you started. Taking this approach to your personal brand will help open doors, whether it’s securing a job interview or landing a new client. Then, keep telling your story through social media, your website, blogging, video content and podcasts. Maintaining your audience means keeping your content fresh and engaging with them in a personal way.

Be consistent.

This does not mean be boring. Your audience wants to know what they can expect from you—that’s what’s going to keep them coming back. When you’re consistent in your message and tone, you’re more likely to build and sustain a following. If humor is your thing, inject it in every blog entry you make. Dog lover? Have your pooch make a sly cameo in each video you create. Even something as simple as hashtagging a catchphrase you’re known for in your social media posts can help strengthen your personal brand.

Creating a personal brand isn’t something that will happen overnight. Define what success will mean to you, whether it’s a new job, an increase in product sales or more social media mentions. And then time it out—what do you hope to achieve in 3 months, 9 months, 1 year. Remember, the best brands are born from trial and error. Be prepared to face some negativity and setbacks along the way as you push yourself out of your comfort zone and find your groove. But don’t let them stop you. Even if your goal isn’t to become a social media star, a strong personal brand will take you wherever you want to go. #geterdone