Personal Branding for Success: Steps to Creating a Powerful Personal Brand

Columns by Expert Columnists / EXPERTS / LATEST / People / June 7, 2016

Personal Branding for Success: Steps to Creating a Powerful Personal Brand

“Personal Branding is NOT an OPTION. It’s a NECESSITY to self promote to build a compelling and consistent brand, to help meet your goals.” – Dawn Dugan – Salary.Com

Simply defined, “How you market yourself to others” is Personal Branding.

While the entire concept of Personal Branding may seem obnoxious and unwelcome in certain societies – Nigeria inclusive; the would be successful business owners in today’s world, will have to leverage the strength of their personal brands to propel said businesses forward.

Fret not, like any skill – Personal Branding can be learned, practiced and executed seamlessly to successful fruition. Now is the time in your business and personal growth to open your mind to embracing the art and science of Personal Branding.

Tips to Defining and Sowing your Personal Brand

Determine your Unique Value Proposition – what’s different about you. If you left your organization, business etc – what would be missed about you? Who are you, who are you not?
How do Others See You? Ask colleagues, acquaintances, friends and family for 4-5 adjectives to describe you.
Identify your Goals – Short, mid, long term. These will drive you to define your brand; which will help you reach your desired goals.
Identify your Target Audience – hone your message to speak directly to your target audience
Change your Priorities – Focus on Loyalty to Yourself. Readjust and realign your activities, commitments, people you spend your invaluable time with, what you’ve with your time etc. Guard your time jealously.
Pay Attention to Details – EVERYTHING adds to your Personal Brand. From your appearance, clothing, language, speaking style and tones, non verbal communications, behavior habits, to your team and peer interactions.
Update your Resume – accurately define YOU, your goals, skills, experiences etc
Plug into your Social Network – engage your target audiences, invite your contacts to your pages, update daily with value added content.
Create Your Personal Website – this is solely about you. Load up your skills, experiences, values, ethos, anecdotes etc. This should have no company or client focus. It’s all about YOU and what you bring to the table.
BLOG! Talk to your target audiences, continue to share value ad content, highlight your unique skills, strengths and expertise.
Get Published – Write a book and/or industry publications, update web content with web publication / excerpts
Go Offline – Promote your brand in person. Join, and be visible within industry groups, volunteer to lead, take public speaking, training roles etc
Tend to Your Marketing Network – Ensure your Network is saying what you want said about you. Remember: “Word of Mouth sells the most.”
Conduct Frequent Brand Reviews and Portrayal – Regularly review your entire Personal Brand portfolio to ensure concise, easily understood communications across all your media channels.