Crafting Your Personal Brand: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

?It was always difficult for me to decode what personal branding was all about. It also created an inferiority complex about me after reading quite a few thought leadership articles, watching experts talk about this topic, etc.

?I was not sure if it was remotely possible to create a brand for myself. I thought it was something that was beyond my reach and felt embarrassed and dejected.?

?I then realized over a period of time that my personal brand was about my “Unique Selling Proposition (USP)”. It was not about comparing or emulating others. Once I discovered this framework it was possible for me to take the next steps.

I would like to share my experiences in coming up with my personal branding story.

?Step 1: What Are Your Core Values in Life

?I consider humility, self-respect, trust, compassion, transparency, and commitment as the building blocks of my core values. It is a litmus challenge to demonstrate ethics as a habit. But at least I am conscious of the fact that after committing a mistake it is crucial to take quick corrective actions.

?Establishing “Personal credibility” takes time and concerted efforts. We must never compromise on our core values despite the most challenging situations. Only then others will start to trust your words and deeds. You will have certain moral values that are dear to your heart. Core values are a manifestation of your character. These are the foundation for your move to the next step.

?Tip

?Authenticity should be the cornerstone of your personal brand. If you’re just pretending, it will be observed and damage your reputation.

?Step 2: How to Identify Your USP

?It was tempting for me to showcase all my competencies and skills in my resume and in other platforms. However, it did not yield any dividends. Again, it was sheer frustration for me.

?I felt it was crucial to differentiate between “breadth” and “depth” in portraying our value additions. Breadth widens horizons, it makes you feel humble. Cross-functional exposure facilitates innovation and creativity. It is quite possible to view and explore different ways of execution. However, if you are not an expert in a specific domain, you may be considered a jack of all and master of none.

?Depth permits you to garner respect from people. It gets you noticed and displays traits like commitment, patience, purpose, passion, interest, etc. It gives you the scope to explore different facets of an area. However, if you are not meticulous, it could narrow your vision. You need to keep in mind that it is important to “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.”

Tip

?Leverage your strengths and capabilities. Efficiently managing success can be the catalyst to grow your personal brand.

Step 3 : How Can You Solve?Others Problems

?It is quite natural to highlight our accomplishments and awards. There is nothing wrong with it. But I found that it was not about bragging about my track record.

On the contrary, it was all about identifying pain areas, issues, and challenges. that my audience was looking for solutions. ?It is also essential to be proactive and collaborate with others without any expectations. During the process, it will be quite possible to demonstrate your business value proposition, ROIs, etc. Over a period of time, your ideas/insights are bound to become success stories.

?Tip

?You must appreciate the fact that a potential problem for others is an opportunity for you to do your best.

?Step 4 : Do You Like to Network

?I used to be shy and an introvert during the early part of my career. It was a terrifying experience to meet and stand in front of a crowd. It was becoming clear to me that unless I move out of my comfort zone it will not be possible to enhance my visibility.

?The objective is to create a large, healthy, group of individuals to share information with and approach for assistance when required. It is important to remember that networking is a two-way street.

?Tip

?Your personal brand is what people remember of you. When done tactfully and effectively, networking can take your personal brand to the next level.

?Step 5 : Are You Consistent

?I started my campaign in high spirits. The plan was in place. I started to post, network, debate, etc. However, when I found the response was lukewarm my motivation levels dropped. I was left wondering if my strategy was really working. I abruptly stopped doing any tasks that were supporting my personal brand. I lost all my connections, good friends, and experts within my network. I had to start one more time to regain my lost time and confidence. You must ensure that it is not about sporadic spikes but a consistent approach to promoting your personal brand.

?Tip

?Hard work and perseverance are crucial to getting your personal brand to flourish. Don’t give up!

?Step 6 : Rebranding Yourself

?I was satisfied after going through all the stages of personal branding. But over time I felt left out. The reason being I failed to keep myself updated on the current trends and expectations. I then understood that learning/unlearning/relearning is essential for growing my personal brand.

The challenge is to be strategic about identifying how you wish to be perceived, evolving a compelling story that explains your evolution, and then sharing that message.

Tip

It is essential to know that a successful rebranding does not encompass inventing a new persona.

Conclusion

I know it’s challenging. But the long-term gains are really worth making this attempt. ?Don’t delay! I encourage you to take action now!