Anyone who knows Marketing Logix knows we always say, “People do business with people.” Having senior management, staff, and clients visible in your marketing is essential for a business. Whether external or internal marketing, having a solid personal brand can be a powerful tool to strengthen and promote your business in several ways:
Build Trust and Credibility
Establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry through your personal brand. A personal brand builds trust and credibility with potential prospects, customers, and even potential hires, making them more likely to consider your business. Think about how having you or your team visible in marketing could help open doors and build relationships.
Increases Reach and Awareness
By actively engaging online and offline, you can leverage your personal brand to spread awareness about your business to a broader audience. Many top business leaders sit on boards of local charities and consider supporting their community initiatives essential and part of their brand.
Attract Business and Talent
A solid personal brand can also help you attract top talent to your business or event clients. People who admire your work and values will likely want to work with you. In speaking to university students, I talk about knowing the type of leader you want to work with. I remember starting my career and hearing the stories of the good old days with Herb Kelleher of Southwest Airlines. It was my dream to one day work with him and his marketing team. While it never transpired, I saw the importance in working for an amazing leader. His personal brand was synonymous with his clients, board, and, most importantly, the staff. For business owners or individuals alike, think about how you can build a personal brand that attracts talent or makes people want to support your company.
Steps to Build a Personal Brand
Building a personal brand is about creating a consistent and memorable image that showcases your unique value. OK, are you convinced to start working on your personal brand? Here are some critical steps to get you started:
- Self-understanding – you need to understand your strengths, passions, and values. What are you good at? What are you enthusiastic about? What principles guide your work? This introspection forms the foundation of your brand identity.
- Identify your target audience – Don’t try to be everything to everyone. Identify your target audience and the people you want to connect with. Understanding their needs and interests allows you to tailor your brand message for maximum impact.
- Share your expertise – Write articles, give talks, or create content showcasing your field knowledge and experience.
- Social media is also great for sharing content and engaging in conversations. You can quickly establish solid online brand awareness through large social networks.
- Network strategically: Attend industry and charitable events and build relationships with other professionals in your field and your local community. Community involvement is essential! Also, make sure to develop your elevator pitch. Imagine you have just 30 seconds to tell someone about yourself and your brand. Craft a concise and compelling statement that captures your essence and value proposition.
- Develop a strong narrative through storytelling – People connect with stories. Develop a narrative that showcases your expertise, experiences, and values.
Have fun developing your personal brand, and be yourself. Let your personality shine through in your brand. Authenticity builds trust and allows your audience to connect with you on a deeper level.
Remember, building a strong personal brand takes time and effort. There can also be the challenge of being shy! In typing this blog, I’m reminded of the times I delay a post or don’t post at all because I’m shy–believe it or not. Remember to be patient, stay focused, consistently deliver valuable content, connect with your audience, and be yourself! By cultivating a strong personal brand that aligns with your business values, you can create a powerful synergy that will ultimately benefit your professional reputation and bottom line.
I hope to see your personal brand message soon!
