Why your personal brand is everything...

You've got the skills, you are going solo but are you blending into the crowd?

In today's saturated online world, your personal brand is what allows you to scale your business as a Virtual Assistant (VA). Although I am not a VA myself, I have been talking to assistants recently at events and in mentoring sessions, uncovering some great topics of further thought and conversation, so here is my take on why intentionally building your personal brand is a non-negotiable as a VA

Your personal brand is crucial, as a VA. It should be the core of your business. In a market filled with VAs and remote assistants, how can you make yourself stand out? How can you attract your clients? Command the rates that reflect your expertise?

The lightbulb moment for VAs lies in developing a respected brand.

Your personal brand communicates more than your skills and experience, it also reflects your personality and the unique value you bring to the table, plus...

• It shapes how potential clients and peers perceive you.
• A consistent personal brand across different outlets speaks volumes about your credibility and professionalism.
• A strong personal brand offers many advantages for a VA business

Sets You Apart From Others

The online market for sourcing virtual assistants is frankly saturated. By working on an intentional personal brand you can differentiate yourself and highlight your specialised services, showcasing what makes you unique whether it's your niche, work ethos or exceptional experience, there is a way to stand out.

Attracts Your Ideal Clients

By presenting a refined brand image and brand voice (how you communicate) you naturally draw in clients who resonate with your skills and values. They recognise you as someone who understands their needs and priorities.

Enhances Your Industry Influence

A VA with a personal brand establishes themselves as a respected authority, within their field or niche. This will position you as a leader or a go-to expert.

Creating engaging content such, as blogs, videos, how-to's and social media posts is key to showcasing your expertise in your field or niche.

Enhancing Customer Trust and Perceived Value

When your brand maintains a consistent and authentic presence across platforms it instills trust in the quality of your services. Clients perceive you as skilled, dependable and worthy of their investment.

Social media platforms have become the norm these days for shaping and creating the brand of VAs and any Assistants looking to increase their visibility.

LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram and TikTok offer the opportunity to engage with audiences to highlight your expertise. But you don't have to be prolific across all platforms but be present on those that matter.

Where does your ideal client or audience hang out?

I have seen content re-posted across all social media platforms with little or no thought as to the audience each platform attracts = lazy social media marketing and watered-down messaging?

Also, I would add to be mindful of how you show up on social media while creating your personal brand. Your peers and prospective clients may look at:

• What you share - is it of value?
• What advice do you give - is it true, kind and helpful?
• Your opinions - do they align with your brand voice and image?

More than anything, successful personal branding for VAs and all Assistants goes beyond managing social media profiles. It requires learning, skill enhancement and staying up to speed with technologies and new marketing strategies as well as keeping everything you do and say consistent.

This highlights the ongoing importance of personal and professional development or continuous professional development (CPD - one of my professional pastimes.

Join networks, attend conferences, get out of the house and interact in real life for a more rewarding way to share knowledge and learn something new.

Why? By upskilling, evaluating what you are lacking and networking in person where you can help you to remain relevant and seen while enhancing the value of your personal brand.

My overall advice: Be intentional, be choosy and most of all add value in all that you do.

By Jodie Mears - contact me if you need any 1:1 advice.

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