What are the key elements of a personal branding strategy that aligns with your career goals?

I first wrote about this in my book CareerKred but Personal Branding is really about one thing; asking and answering this question, “What do you want to the known for?” When you can answer that question, everything else in this post becomes easier.

??Start by asking yourself some key questions: What do I truly love doing? What am I exceptionally good at? Where do I see myself in 5, 10, or even 20 years? Your answers will help you pinpoint your career destination. ??Once you've got your goals locked in, you can now tailor your personal branding message to support your journey. If you're gunning for that top spot in your current field, emphasize your expertise and achievements. If you're eyeing a fresh start in a new industry, highlight transferable skills and adaptability. ??Showcase your unique insights and passion for your niche. ??Remember, your personal brand is like your career's online resume, and it should shout your aspirations loud and clear.

I would add as a first step to identify your personal and professional values. Who are you, at the core? Your personal brand will feel fake if you are not true to yourself. It will show sooner or later as it will taint everything you say and do.

One thing I've found helpful is regularly revisiting and reassessing these goals. As our professional journey evolves, so do our aspirations and perspectives. Periodic reflection ensures our personal brand remains relevant and aligned with our evolving ambitions.

This is something really important for building a personal brand. Identifying the target audience is crucial. Funnel down your target audience and positioning your brand will help you to nurture your brand. This will help your audience to resonate and relate to your brand

First, understand your ideal audience. Know their needs, challenges, and desires. Then, craft content that resonates. Use the right platforms and tone. Serve their needs, and your personal brand will attract the right opportunities. ??

Understanding your target audience in personal branding is like tuning a radio to the right frequency. By aligning with their needs and values, you ensure your message resonates and creates lasting impact.

Share the nitty-gritty details of your work. - considerations - decision-making - emotions - mistakes It shows the depth of your knowledge. It shows the extent of your care. It shows your professionalism. It shows your passion. Don't just show the good stuff. Be human. Show your struggles. Show how you overcome. There will be times to demonstrate expertise. Do it with aplomb. But not with arrogance.

Showcasing your value proposition is like shining a spotlight on your unique strengths and impact. ??Start with self-discovery, pinpointing your key skills and passions. ??Craft a concise, compelling statement that leaves a lasting impression. Think of it as your elevator pitch for dream employers or clients. ??Actions speak louder than words, so let your track record do the talking. ??Consistency in delivering value will fast-track your career goals! ????

Adding what you bring to the table is really important, as it lets your audience know how you are different from others. Create a personal story that highlights your achievement in a way that connects with your target group.

I often find that it’s useful to look at both your technical and soft skills as a starting point. I always tell my clients that a good personal value proposition should encompass both. Soft skills are especially important as you progress in seniority. There are practical tools like Strength Finder and DISC which can help you gain better self-awareness.

Each of us is unique and has innate abilities. We can leverage and utilize social media, graphic design and outreach to share the journey of what we have done in our careers, how we have gotten to where we are and where we’re going. I feel that ever since social media “become what it is now” I really saw an opening like so many did to benefit from it and learn, grow my own career path. I am thankful for the various platforms also would encourage others to audit their social media and see how it feels like for them. How outdated is your profile picture? Do you have a banner that speaks to you and gives people an understanding of who you are. I’d encourage people to get out of the boxes and find ways to express themselves authentically.

Build an online presence for yourself that will not just show up and highlight your work but will help build authority and trust. Work on it consistently, so that people start knowing and recognizing you. By showing up every day and putting out genuine content, you are building a presence that is going to be unbeatable.

To align your online presence with career goals, focus on relevant platforms, share industry insights, showcase expertise, and maintain consistency. Crafting a personal brand narrative is key. ????

It certainly takes effort to curate your online profile! It’s no surprises that prospective employers pore through your social media (yes, not just LinkedIn) to get a good idea of who you are and whether you’re a good fit. But do at least start with your LinkedIn: 1. Develop a kickass intro that covers your experience, achievements, and personal values. 2. Update your experience to include a succinct overview of responsibilities and notable achievements. 3. Get endorsements on Key Skills and recommendations from peers, clients, partners, subordinates, and superiors. 4. Build a robust content calendar. Post regularly… could be an opinion, review or simply sharing of topics that are relevant to your area of expertise.

Being visible to your target group is really important. Engaging with your community members can help you build that credibility and attract more like-minded members to your profile.

To expand your network for career goals, engage in industry-related conversations, connect with professionals, attend events, and share valuable insights. Online and offline efforts can lead to meaningful connections. ????

My brand started in the careers and job search space as I was sharing tips from my time leading HR at several organizations and career coaching. As I broke into the entrepreneurship space and started personal brand coaching and ghostwriting, I slowly pivoted my content to lean into these new topics.

A personal brand is not static as it grows as you grow and changes as you change. An excellent personal branding strategy leaves room for growth and change. Incorporate the cycle of reviewing your personal brand either semi annually or annually. Re-evaluate your current personal brand and future goals. Consider if there is a need to readjust your trajectory or goals and make the necessary adjustments. Don't feel obligated to stick to a strategy that is no longer serving you.

In personal branding, authenticity allows you to stand out and differentiate yourself from others in your field. By showcasing your true self, you offer a refreshing and unique perspective that can attract like-minded individuals who appreciate and relate to your authentic voice. This creates a sense of trust and credibility, as people are drawn to individuals who are genuine and transparent.

Experiment with a new LinkedIn post format to help bring out your personality. Try LinkedIn Live and connect with your community. Host LinkedIn audio events to build a relationship with your followers. Create newsletters to share your insights or case studies.

Like a product, a professional does have a product life cycle. So this is very important to know where and which category am I in! Accordingly we should go about the self branding process. Building a personal brand is also about our evolution. One should be very clearly convinced and believe in the image which we are trying to build of our own selves. Nothing beats the age old saying here...walk the talk. Universe is smart enough to catch hold of makeovers. Accept yourself and present across the originality firmly. Beware of social media personal branding coaches who promise to make you an overnight brand. It is a process, chart out the SOP.

Your personal brand should be consistent across all channels. This means using the same keywords, images, and messaging in your website, social media, and portfolio.