Many people assume that ‘brands’ and ‘businesses’ mean the same thing and use the two terms interchangeably. In actuality, the two words are very different. We often think of brands as big companies like Pepsi or Apple, but a brand can be anything, unlike a company. A brand can also be a reflection of oneself, an affirmation of who you are and what you do. So, as an individual, you can have a personal brand registration status to safeguard your intellectual property rights.
A lot of people are apprehensive about personal branding, and they often think it’s unnecessary. However, why miss an opportunity to control your narrative? In this digitally advanced age, ‘Googling’ a person isn’t unheard. Right from your student phase through your professional journey, people are screening information about you. Personal branding is about being intentional about what you want to stand for.
UNDERSTAND THE VALUE OF YOUR BRAND
The value of your personal brand is not about your designation or the company you represent. It’s about your skills, what you bring to the table, and how you make a difference. It’s critical that you recognize what you are best at and brand yourself accordingly. Ask yourself the following questions:
- What am I good at doing?
- Who am I good at helping?
- How do I add value? (results)
SHOW WHAT YOU CAN DO: CREATE AN ESSENTIAL BRAND
For a startup business, creating a brand image is about creating a strong brand identity. And, for this, they use several strategies. For instance, they would use marketing platforms to ensure people associate their products with their brand marks like their name, logos, and tagline.
If you want to start building a personal brand, you also need to use a platform. You can use the platform to tell people about yourself, and how you make a difference. This way you can showcase your achievements and expertise. You can choose to use offline platforms like a magazine or online platforms like social networking sites.
Personal Branding for Entrepreneurs
For budding entrepreneurs and small companies, building a particular brand can help them separate themselves from the company. It helps create a public profile, which can be an effective way to make your company as well. For instance, people like Steve Jobs and Mark Zuckerberg have managed to create compelling brand images, and thus recognition in the public’s eye.
BUILD CREDIBILITY
Brand building can never be one dimensional. So, other than being the only one talking about your value, have others say it for you. Build your image through testimonials and build a network of advocates for yourself. In addition to the content you put on your own site and social networking spaces, make sure you undertake a content syndication exercise on well-established platforms. You can do this by working with third-party sites, guest blogging, etc.
Always ask yourself this question, what do you want people to know you for? That’s what personal branding works to achieve.