Do you need a Personal Brand?
MARK HODGSON
Executive Coach, Leadership Development, Personal Brand & Career Strategist, Business Advisor, International Keynote Speaker
This is a great question. As someone who has spent the last decade building my own brand, thought leadership and influence, it’s a no-brainer. But is it essential?
Here are a few points to consider.
We live in an online-world where we are judged?
Chances are the first thing you do to ‘check out’ someone you don’t know (new boss, peer, client, competitor, lead etc) is to look at their LinkedIn profile.
If they have a terrible portrait picture, the profile copy is uninspiring and there is no content or other information to tell you different, you will probably form a neutral/negative mental image of that person. Middle-of-the-pack. Too old/outdated. Too young/inexperienced. Just a bit ‘Meh!’
That may or may not be important in your field, but it’s worth thinking about.?
The market is competitive
Like it or not, you are in a marketplace. That means you have the opportunity to sell ‘YOU’, to position yourself as positively as possible to attract promotions, internal influence, customers, job-offers and opportunities.
Most professionals don’t bother to do this. They stick with name, rank and number profiles that are little more than an online version of their CV.
If you invest time and effort in creating a personal brand that goes beyond this, chances are you will stand out from the crowd.?
That has to be a good thing.
Unemployment in Australia is at an all time low - why bother?
Good question. Maybe you don’t need to. Certainly if you work in the public sector or a technical industry where your subject matter expertise is highly-valued, you may not have to - in an employment security sense.?
That said, investing in a strong personal brand by perhaps showcasing your thought leadership is very effective in these sectors.?
It’s often much easier to stand out from the pack where most do not play the brand game.
For other sectors? You decide.?
Forecasts for the next three years are of high inflation and increasing uncertainty. That usually means corporate cost-cutting and restructuring.?
From a defensive perspective, it strikes me as smart to be one of the few who stand out. Those with strong internal/external profiles, reputations for being proactive thinkers and therefore influencers. Aren’t they the ones likely to be first in the ‘keep’ pile?
More positively, these same qualities - encapsulated in a powerful personal brand - are the ones that will see you promoted and your career success amplified.
Whether you just want to increase your job security or fast-track your career, a personal brand is important.
Your shop window to the world
I see a personal brand as your shop window to the world.?
It’s that simple.?
What does yours look like?
Is it enticing, full of colour and interest? Does it invite people to find our more and ‘come inside’?
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Or is it nondescript, same and a bit boring - encouraging shoppers for your talents, interests and ambition to keep looking??
Upgrading your Personal Brand to stand out does not take long
I believe that every professional should invest some time and thought in their personal brand.?
It does not take a massive investment of time or money to cover the fundamentals.
The basics
Just doing this will place you in the top 1% of professionals using LinkedIn!
Making your personal brand work harder for your success?
Once you’ve mastered the basics, the scope is endless.?
You can be anything from an active influencer in your organization/sector to a fully-fledged industry thought leader. You can be a corporate leader or run your own show.
Both strategies can significantly accelerate your career success and satisfaction as you grow your thinking, your influence, your network and your income.?
The better question - Do you need a better personal brand?
Earlier, I posed the question, “Do you need a personal brand?”?
In truth, you already have a personal brand. Everyone does. But it’s probably not doing you much good, and may even be holding you back.
The real question: “Is my personal brand working hard for my future success, or letting me down?”
Investing in your personal brand is a massive opportunity that most professionals overlook. Getting started is easy once you make the decision that it’s time to invest in YOU.
Is it time for your personal brand upgrade?
Mark
Get started today
If you’d like to have a chat about your personal brand, respond CALL. I’ll be in touch and we can work out a plan for where you should pitch your Personal Brand and how to start.
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