Building Your Personal Brand

I was recently asked by an employee I just started a mentoring relationship with “Regina how do you stand out and get noticed when seeking to advance in the company?” They wanted to know “how do I get that extra edge to stand out from my peers?”.   As I sat and pondered about the last 23 years of my career and the first time I was promoted into leadership. I instantly remembered it took focus, determination, drive and me deciding I needed to “Build my personal brand”. I needed to “show up” to work, look and perform based on what I wanted people to believe about me, “my personal brand”. How others “experience” you speaks to your personal brand. 

You see today as consumers we don’t buy and or invest in products and services whose brand is unreliable and has no value. Let’s take Nike, people will spend upwards to 150 bucks on those sneakers because of “brand awareness”. They know by experience they’ll get a good product; it lasts long, they are always up to date on current footwear fashion and even though they’re costly “it’s so worth it and I know what I’m getting”. The Nike “brand” comes with years of experience in footwear and can be counted on to deliver a good performance in wear and tear consistently. Your personal brand will follow you your entire career. What’s your brand? How does one build their personal brand? What do YOU want to be known for? 

Although the term “brand” is often associated with business, the two are similar in many ways. A brand is something you’re constantly building because it’s the affirmation of who YOU are, what you're good at and what you love to do. Whether you’re a full-time employee, independent freelancer or business owner, your personal brand speaks before you. Being intentional about what you want it to stand for shapes the opportunities you attract. 

5 Ways to Build A Powerful Personal Brand:

1. Understand your value. Know what “unique” experiences and attributes you bring to the table.

2.  Show rather than tell. The more you understand your value, the easier it becomes to articulate and do it. If you’re considering a few job openings and you know you’d make a great hire, put yourself out there and let your work and accomplishments speak for itself.

3.  Deliver on your value consistently and get testimonials. Don’t be the only one talking about your value. Have other people do it too. You do this by consistently delivering and going above and beyond in all the contacts you have. This is ultimately how you can build a loyal network of brand ambassadors and get people to refer you organically. Do what you do so well that other people start raving about you.

4.  Increase your value through educational experiences that improve your existing skills and add new ones. Constantly sharpening your skills and staying in growth-mode. Raise your hand and volunteer at work for extra projects that highlight your capabilities while allowing you to build new ones. 

5.  While in build mode always look and sound the part you want, not the one you currently have. Perform at the level of the job you desire, which will always display your readiness. 

Personal branding allows you to position yourself for success. Shaping your own brand allows you to be received by others the way YOU desire to be received instead of leaving it to “chance”. I wanted to share with you this Ted Talk below I recently listened to that confirmed my thoughts around the benefits of Building Your Personal Brand, besides…..it worked for me! Just read my LinkedIn Recommendations here….that’s my “Personal Brand”. What’s yours? If you don’t have one, let’s get to building it!!!!! Let me know how I can help?