Why your personal brand is so important for 2024

Something to celebrate for the new year - Business and the workplace is becoming more human.

Hopefully, you are seeing this for yourself. From a solo-preneur to an executive cog in a large corporate wheel, there is no doubt that 2024 is going to be all about bringing your best self to the table, whatever stage of your career you are.

Wise employers know that their best asset is their people, and now, more than ever,? is the time to explore your own personal brand, whether you are the CEO or the newest recruit.

What is your personal brand?

Your personal brand is not just about a nicely curated social media image - it is how you show up in your real life too. It is what your colleagues would say about you when you are not in the room. It is the very essence of who you are and your unique set of skills, values and ethics, and about communicating them effectively so that there is no doubt as to what it is you stand for, what you know best, and how you share that with others.

Why do you need a personal brand?

We all have one, whether we realise it or not! We could say that ‘personal brand’ is just another term for your personality and character, and it could seem that only extroverts and CEO’s need to cultivate theirs for self promotion, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. As we move towards a more people centric workplace, the focus is well and truly on what you can bring to the table. It is never too early (or late) to see how cultivating a positive personal brand can future proof your career or business plans - especially when so many of us are hybrid working, with side hustles adjacent to the day job or seeking advancement via promotion or pivot. What your personal brand says about you, whether online or off is noticed by people in ways you might not yet imagine.If indeed you are the boss, we are seeing an emergence of the post-pandemic leader. You might not be looking for a new move, but it’s wise to cement your expertise and show your values by sharing thought leadership style help, insight and advice where you can.

Build credibility for your career and your network

More than ever, companies need their employees to be the voice of the brand and you can do this without feeling like your job title is your only status. It’s not about tying yourself to a particular company or feeling ‘faceless’ - it’s about advocating for yourself, your work and that of your team. As brands and businesses recognise the value of looking after their best assets, they are starting to promote them visibly too. When an employee engages with company brand messaging, it is more authentic and the company themselves recognise the benefits of genuine discourse online - this can amplify your personal efforts and the content you might be producing online also. More exposure means more opportunities, and we know that collaboration is always key - you are not going to meet anyone by being invisible, and who knows what that next conversation may lead to!

The future of business is personal

When it comes to impact and influence, no matter what your industry, showing up and being seen is vital. When you know what you stand for and what your true expertise is, it becomes easier to communicate your value naturally, which in turn leads to increased interaction and truly standing out.

Aligning your personal brand with your career objectives is the smart thing to do. Testimonials, recommendations, storytelling and relatable conversations are just the start. Becoming the ‘go to’ person in your particular niche is not just the preserve of the ‘famous’ or powerful.

The keyword for any solid personal brand is ‘authenticity’ - we cannot create a brand new ‘self’ online that doesn’t not match up with our genuine persona. ‘Fake it until you make it’ really doesn’t apply here. You might need more confidence to get comfortable with being more visible and putting yourself out there, but this should never translate to pretending to be something you are not.?