A swoosh is associated with a specific shoe company, and we’ve all seen how powerful branding can be. Building your own personal brand will help you achieve similar recognition.
In order to expand your business or advance your career, a personal brand can help you associate your name and face with certain ideas, allowing you to access more opportunities or earn more money. Not to mention the upkeep.
There are several ways to do this, but here are three of the most effective.
1. Social media
If you’re serious about building your own brand, you’ve probably considered social media. But if you’re new to the game, you’re probably lost.
While certain audiences may benefit from Twitter or Instagram, most people will benefit from LinkedIn. The platform has over 774 million active users — and they aren’t just any users. They’re CEOs, professionals, and entrepreneurs. That is, the people you want to reach.
Getting started
Fortunately, joining LinkedIn is simple and intuitive. Consider your profile as an enlarged résumé, including a description of your most relevant job history and qualifications. Remember we stated most relevant – some users enter every part-time job since school. Don’t be like them; highlight your greatest positions.
We also suggest giving your headline, summary, and photo some thought. Pick a good photo of yourself, write a creative headline (don’t just state your work title), and make your summary brief and snappy.
Of course, you need to do more than merely establish a profile and wait for the results. It’s time to connect and post!
2. Testimonials
Aristotle defined three modes of persuasion: ethos, logos, and pathos. Ethos appeals to the emotions, logos to reasoning, and pathos to credibility. Testimonials are one of the best ways to increase your reputation.
Then comes the question of where to exhibit them.
A personal website is a terrific alternative if you have one (they’re beneficial but not needed). Since you’ll be constructing a LinkedIn profile anyhow, use it as a hub for your testimonials.
LinkedIn provides a helpful tool that allows you to obtain a testimonial from any of your connections. It will then be shown on your profile as badges of honor. It’s okay to post them on your website if the individual who gave the testimonial doesn’t mind.
When and how to ask for testimonials
Most people understand the value of testimonials, but getting them to ask for them is a another story.
And if you offer a testimonial in return (for coworkers) or ask right after they’ve commended you for assisting them, you might be astonished (for clients).
Make a list of all former coworkers or clients and reach out to everyone still in touch. What has it to lose?
3. Thought leadership
After you’ve created your social media profile and used testimonials to establish your credibility, it’s time for the big stuff: thought leadership.
Thought leadership is just interacting with your audience by discussing their interests. Sharing your ideas establishes you as a leader.
This can take many forms. Some thought leaders closely follow industry news and provide commentary, while others focus on their own personal experiences.
You’ve probably seen this type of content. On LinkedIn, people often submit one-line statements to debate a topic and encourage their followers to comment.
You might also explore an email newsletter, blog entries on Medium, or your own personal website. The most productive place to use this strategy is LinkedIn. If you opt for it, plan your posting schedule carefully.
Get the recognition you deserve
You’ve probably heard it’s a marathon, not a sprint. When it comes to personal branding, you need to become used to that idea. Nobody becomes a thought leader overnight, and building a brand takes time.
If you persevere, you may be astonished at how rapidly things snowball, and you may find yourself being recommended by strangers. It’s never too late to start!