What are the best strategies for getting advice on developing your personal brand?

Before engaging the help of anyone (paid or otherwise) be clear on your reasons for wanting to do this - what do you hope to achieve? Is the aim to raise your profile and be seen as an SME or gain more attention from recruiters / internal TA teams or is there a longer-term purpose? Depending on what you decide there will be different strategies and investment of your time (and money) for each. Once you have clarity it is easier to determine who's the best person to talk to and agree on a practical approach to move forward. Be realistic about how much time you have. Updating your LinkedIn profile is one thing but committing to writing content daily is another ?? Results will not happen overnight - consistency is the key!

Seek and use feedback from your network to refine your brand. It is possible to sidetrack or lose track and hence constructive feedback can help here to align your brand more effectively with your goals. Their feedback is going to be honest. Forms, surveys, booking 1:1 could be great ways.

I would say: Don't rush it, and do good work in the meantime. Everyone knows the expression, "A great brand isn't built overnight," and the same is true of personal brands. In my experience, I've found that if I think I don't have something to say, it might be more valuable to me (and to my evolving brand) to pull up a chair and listen rather than try to step out on stage. Then, I take my learnings and apply them where I'm able, which has ultimately helped clarify my path forward and, by extension, strengthened my voice when I do speak.

Your professional network is a goldmine for personal branding advice. Reach out to mentors, colleagues, or industry leaders you admire. These individuals can provide insights based on their own experiences and successes. Consider setting up informational interviews or casual coffee meetings to discuss personal branding strategies.

Receiving feedback from others is invaluable in ensuring that the brand you aim to project aligns with the brand that is being received. It provides important perspective on how your message and image are being received and allows you the opportunity to make adjustments.

Create a Message Map. Start with a strong branding statement that distinguishes you and labels you for the 1 or 2 most important attributes. Then have 3-4 subcategories that branch off of your branding statement and have at least 1 achievment story of each of those subcategories.

Study the personal brands of individuals you admire in your field. Analyze how they present themselves online, their communication style, and how they engage with their audience. Learning from successful examples can provide actionable insights for your own brand. Seek feedback from trusted peers or mentors on your personal brand’s current state. Constructive criticism can be invaluable in identifying areas for improvement and growth.

Identify and follow personal branding experts and influencers on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter (X.com), or YouTube. Many of these professionals share valuable content, tips, and case studies that can inspire and guide your own branding journey. Reflect on the effectiveness of your strategies regularly and be willing to adapt and evolve your brand as your career grows and changes.

If you’re looking for personalized, in-depth advice, consider hiring a personal branding coach or consultant. These professionals can offer tailor-made strategies and ongoing support as you build and refine your brand.

One thing that really helped me was taking time to reflect on my path. I made a list of all the things that I'd learned so far that I thought could be of value to others. I also brainstormed why I wanted to build my brand and the impact I hoped to make. From there, I developed content pillars and ideas that would help me achieve that impact through content. Then, it's all about experimenting, tracking the results, and making adjustments as you go!

Look for workshops, webinars, or online courses focused on personal branding. These sessions, often led by experts in the field, can provide you with a structured approach to building your brand. They also offer an opportunity to ask questions and interact with peers.

Evolve with time, new skills, based on if your current strategy is working or not. Be prepared and ready to make corrections or changes to your current strategy. If your strategy is outdated, update your brand, learn new skills. Showcase newer strategies, update your audience.

Personal branding strategies can evolve with changing industry trends. Stay updated with the latest in digital marketing, social media, and personal branding to ensure your approach remains relevant and effective.

Una recomendación que no podemos dejar de lado para desarrollar una marca personal solida es estar abierto y receptivo a la retroalimentación y a la mentoría. El punto de vista y la experiencia de alguien que ya se enfrento a ciertos retos, puede ayudarte a considerar ciertos puntos que no habías tomado en cuenta. Rodéate siempre de personas que te puedan aportar y ten la disposición de escuchar y validar lo que te puedan compartir.