Eight Tips for Building a Great Personal Brand

What is the image you portray to the world? Developing a likeable and professional personal brand is essential for succeeding. If you want to rise to the top of your particular arena, you need to first be able to sell yourself.

Think about it. Would you rather do business with a person who smiles and comes across as friendly or with one who snarls and ignores you? Your first impression is absolutely critical. Make it a good one.

How can you accomplish this?

One: Become an expert source. We talk a lot about being a “thought leader” – and it can sound intimidating. But, it basically means being able to share your knowledge, wisdom, and opinion in a way that others pay attention to.

Two: Become a great communicator. Research shows communications skill is the top determinant for upward social and professional mobility. There is simply no excuse for typos, bad grammar, and so on. If you make a mistake, FIX IT! Online posts can be edited or even deleted.

Three: Create a marketing plan for yourself annually and review it quarterly. Include specific goals, strategies, action steps, and a timetable.

Four: Develop your elevator pitch that talks about you, not your company. Within the time that it takes an elevator to travel one floor – about 60-seconds – be able to deliver a succinct description of what you do, how you do it differently, and the benefit you provide.

Five: Build your Rolodex. For those who don’t know what a Rolodex is, it’s about building your connections! Make new business contacts and stay in touch with them. Most people with powerful brands have powerful and influential friends.

Be VERY strategic with who you connect with on LinkedIn. Quality is definitely better than quantity.

Six: Balance your individual style with clothing that will appeal to those you are trying to impress. Even on a virtual meeting, be conscious of your appearance. From the waist up, be professional! Also, be conscious of what appears behind you. Is it professional…or silly? Just because you can add an image of the beach, it doesn’t mean you should!

Seven: Practice good business and social etiquette. Buy elegant personal stationery and send hand-written notes. No one sends personal notes, so they’ll stand out!

Even if you’re not sending hand-written notes, never, never, NEVER forget to say Thank You! You might think something is insignificant, but the person who you thank will be grateful – and even more likely to help if you ask for something again.

Eight: Give something back. Giving your time, talent, and money to charitable causes is a brand-builder especially when it complements your brand strategy. Find a cause you are passionate about. And it’s OK to talk about it!

Or, give back to individuals. Become a mentor! YOU have so much to share!

Final Thoughts

Your personal brand is one of your greatest business assets. Put as much time and effort into it as you do in branding your product or service. In the end, if you can’t sell yourself, you’ll find it nearly impossible to sell anything else.