Tell Your Story with Video

I have been touting the power of video for over 20 years! In the digital world, it's the most powerful communications tool you have for building your personal brand.

In today's hybrid work world, first impressions are most often digital. People research you on Google and LinkedIn before meeting you. That makes having a video bio essential.

Whether you’re pursuing a new job, trying to get in to see a new client, or boosting your online presence, an authentic, engaging video bio is a must.

In this episode:

• Read
• Watch
• Soar

Craft Your Video Bio

Use these techniques to make your video bio a standout personal brand building tool.

Show Your Personality

Exude your unique style. Avoid stiffness and don’t over rehearse. Build an emotional connection with the viewer by letting the real you shine through. Your video should be authentic and differentiating.

Tell Your Story

Don't make your video bio a long list of credentials and accolades. Demonstrate thought leadership by articulating your perspective and value. And include the human elements of your brand – your values, passions, and purpose. This will allow you to connect with viewers on a deep, emotional level.

Focus On Quality

Invest in one professional-grade video with excellent content, lighting, and audio. Think of your video bio as the most powerful career marketing tool you have. It’s more important than your resume.

Dress Thoughtfully

Reflect your personal style while making sure your clothes are appropriate for the people you seek to impress. Avoid busy patterns that distract on camera. You want the focus to be on you.

Curate Your Background

What surrounds you says something about you. Choose a setting that reinforces your message and avoid these backgrounds. Remember, you are the star of the show.

Keep it Short

Give viewers a potent preview of you in 1-2 minutes. It’s a video introduction, not your life memoir. Make every word count. Attention spcans are waning, so work to keep people interested until the last second.

Invest Wisely

Video production companies can apply all the right resources to help you create something that’s more engaging than something you’d create yourself. Consider online professional services like?videoBIO. In our virtual world, this means you don’t have to go a physical studio to create your video.

THROW BACK MONDAY: I cringe when I watch this video. It's 12 years old and I look like a different person. But I share it here for two reasons:

1. To make the point that having a video bio is not a new idea!
2. To compel you to create one!

Publish And Promote Your Video Bio

Once created, maximize the impact of your new career building asset by making your video bio visible to your target audience:

Post it on YouTube

Create a channel on YouTube to showcase your video. Include your name in the title for searchability. You want your video bio to show up on page one of your Google search results (and in Google Video searches). Having your video posted in YouTube will also make it easier to distribute it to other sites.

Feature it on LinkedIn

Upload your video bio to LinkedIn's profile section called Featured. It’s a large plot of real estate near the top of your profile that was designed to house multimedia.

Showcase it on Your Website

If you have your own website, display your video bio prominently on your homepage or About page to emotionally connect with visitors.

Share it on Social Media

You invested a lot of time and energy into creating your authentic video bio, make it visible in all the right places. Post it on all relevant platforms you use to network and connect with your community.

It's Time to Create Your Video BIO

Video is the most powerful tool you have for expressing your personal brand – next to face-to-face interactions, that is. A video bio is the most engaging tool you have for introducing yourself to others.

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