Personal Branding In The Gig Economy: 3 Tips To Excel With Your Personal Brand In A Hyper Connected World

Do you know that another billion people are getting online in 5 years ?

Therefore, how you stand out as an individual matters to capture opportunities on offer. In a world where the 9 - 5 work model is set to become extinct, you should right now focus on the gig economy. The global gig economy is projected to reach $ 455 billion by 2030. This will be driven by rapid digitalization and changing work preferences.

How did the “gig-economy” originate ?

The global financial crisis in 2008 made people think in different ways and many professionals and skilled workers began engaging in short-term jobs because the crisis resulted in unemployment. The metaphor “gig economy” was derived from the music industry where artists performed gigs. IT professionals were the initial catalyst of spreading the gig economy where they used online platforms to search for such opportunities. The recent example is the situation during the pandemic and post-pandemic where people explored opportunities in the gig economy because companies closed down, layoffs and many other challenges.

When you are building your personal brand for the gig economy your strong online presence makes an impact. The amount of value you add through your content and its consistency will make your online presence strong. As time progresses and trends change, it’s essential that we identify how algorithms work in the diverse platforms we use. The way you used LinkedIn 2 years ago would not apply now when you leverage LinkedIn. Likewise, each platforms have evolved offering us pros and cons. Therefore, it’s crucial to understand how these algorithms work.

Engaging with your audience and networking is a game changer. It’s an activity that enables you understand the particular professional in your network and build deeper connections by identifying their interests.

Showcasing your unique skills makes you stand out among the rest. This uniqueness comes in the form of your offering. What is the value you are adding to your audience and importantly, what is the problem you are helping them solve through your offering. If you have a niche area of expertise, it is recommended that you pursue this area where you could add specialised value through your knowledge.

One of the integral parts of building a personal brand is engaging with your community. Content creation is the way to engage with your community. Newsletters, Blog posts, posts, videos, etc are the types of content you should release and through the content people will connect with you if they resonate with them. The other aspect is networking. Getting yourself out and joining industry events, online forums, webinars, meetups, etc is essential because the idea exchange which takes place during these interactions will lead you to many opportunities in the long term.

Personal storytelling is a method you use to get closer to people. During our childhood we love to listen to stories narrated by our parents or grandparents. Likewise, the human brain prefers stories. Your story would inspire another, there may be instances where you went through unforgettable situations. All these can be crafted into stories and your personal storytelling skills could be explored through this practice.

Considering all these factors, building your personal brand in the gig economy relies on three tips. These 3 tips will enable you to position your personal brand in an effective manner.

Here are the 3 tips;

1. Authority: Authority is usually built through long form content such as newsletters, podcasts, etc. The reason behind is that, to release long form content you require extensive research. The effort you out in to your research is released through your writing skill through your newsletter and the effort you put into your research is released through your speaking skills through your podcasts. Therefore, this build authority and you position yourself as a thought leader by showcasing your knowledge.
2. Influence in your marketplace: Influence can be created in positive or negative ways. We are discussing about the positive aspect here. You can create an influence in your marketplace through the authority you have built and the knowledge you possess. Influence is a result of years of hardship, trial and error and resilience. Therefore, how you influence your marketplace depends on the work you do, content you consume and the people you meet.
3. Credibility: I reckon credibility is built through consistency. You may have other views. I accept all your views. Credibility cannot be built overnight. It’s a long journey. Do traverse on this long journey you need consistency. Therefore, consistency comes from disciplines and discipline comes from habit. It’s recommended whatever you do, do it consistently for a long term; that’s where credibility is built.

These 3 factors of authority, influence in your marketplace and credibility are integral ingredients to build and position your personal brand in the gig economy. The gig economy would create immense economic impact contributing to productivity. It is certainly a force to be reckoned with.

If you want to build a one-of-a-kind personal, you must become a one-of-a-kind thinker.

Wish You Success !

Sasanka Dias

Personal Branding Strategist