Building a personal brand is to an entrepreneur what a resume is to a recent college grad… it’s priceless. Branding yourself, gives you the opportunity to tell the world your story, in your own way. It also provides the ability to let others know what you’re working on and what you’ve achieved. Initially, it may seem a little vain to flaunt your accomplishments, skills, and talents – but creating a dynamic story around who you are and who you are aiming to become is essential in this uber-connected and over-exposed world that we live in.

Branding yourself, gives you the opportunity to tell the world your story, in your own way.

Whether you’re a new blogger, a freelancer, an experienced entrepreneur or just someone with bold ideas, building your personal brand should be at the very top of your must-do list!

You’ve probably already started on it anyway. Think about it. If you’re currently on any social media platform, you most likely have actually begun to create a personal brand… whether you realize it or not. But now is the time to put some real energy and creativity into cultivating a true expression of you and all that you have to offer.

Let’s get started with my top 3 tips for building a personal brand you love

1 – Be Authentic

One very important aspect of being socially successful is being able to connect well with others. A connection is developed through trust. Most people are drawn to what is real, what is transparent and what is believable.

So just be yourself.

No one is expecting you to put on a show, and since you can’t fake being something that you’re not for very long, authenticity will ensure consistency, give you an edge on the competition and also help you gain a loyal engaged following.  

2 – Invest in Yourself

Let’s be real, having a strong personal brand is essential to differentiate yourself in an overcrowded market (no matter what your niche is). This makes identifying the correct social media platforms and in-person avenues, to participate in, an important part of sharing who you are with the world. 

It’s easy to think that there’s a one-size-fits-all formula, but that is not the case. It is up to you to research opportunities that are the best fit for your brand.

For example:

– Choose networking events that will strategically place you in the company of those who have the ability to elevate your status

– Collaborate with others who have a following that you may otherwise have difficulty reaching

– Create a strong online presence by using social media platforms that appeal to your target audience.

3 – Integrate Social Media

We are social beings.

We live in the most socially saturated period (of time) in history and are exposed to the daily life (often minute-by-minute) of those that we know, and those that we don’t, because of the connectivity that social media provides. For some, it has been an adjustment. Being open and sharing your life, experiences, memories and even the successes and failures of your life or business, may not be your idea of great marketing. For others, social media provides a platform that allows open transparent communication, exposure to previously unavailable audiences, and potentially a new revenue stream.

No matter how you currently feel about social media, it’s important that you form an effective relationship with it. Integrate it into your daily marketing activities and watch your audience grow. For most of us, social media will be the hub, of your personal brand. By creating a strong social media presence, through a personal website, a blog or a YouTube channel or Instagram account, you control your message. You control the presentation of your thoughts and ideas, business concepts and new offerings.

Once you’ve invested time into developing your personal brand it’s up to you to cultivate it. There are several ways to do this:

– Become a thought leader in your respective field by sharing valuable easy-to-understand information.

– Share behind-the-scenes experiences. If you’re a business owner, this can help you make deeper connections with your customers.

– Learn as much as you can about your area of expertise or topic of choice. In turn, provide that information to your followers. They will value it and begin to trust your thoughts and opinions.

By implementing these steps, you can gain exposure, maximize your influence and develop a loyal following. Your personal brand will open doors for you, that you may not have come across through traditional marketing alone. It will take some time and consistent effort, but it will be well worth the investment.