Many people still believe that building a personal brand is reserved for celebrities, influencers, and business leaders. While this may have been the case a decade ago, this is no longer true today. Believe it or not, your online activity, social media profiles, and real-world interactions make up your brand. And that brand has an impact on your career.
Here are five ways to boost your brand:
1. Audit your public profiles
Headhunters, hiring managers, and HR professionals are increasingly checking applicants’ social media profiles. Why? Candidates’ social media activity can be very revealing and can help recruiters determine the validity of the claims on their resumes. Yes, social media can be used as screening tools and to catch job applicants in a lie. Some people claim to have worked for a company for a year. But, their social profiles reveal that they interned there for under a month. But while your online personal brand can be used to validate your claims, you can also use them to take control of your narrative.
No one is saying that you should pretend to be someone you’re not by removing old, embarrassing photos. However, it would be best if you thought about archiving any posts that may misrepresent who you are today. A good example would be a status you posted from a decade ago that no longer holds true for you.
You may also think about what appears on your public profiles. Most social media platforms have custom tools allowing you to choose what can be seen by the public and what is only accessible by your private connections. If you’re actively looking for a job, think about what you would like employers to see.
2. Be consistent with your message
Multiple social media platforms mean multiple bios and descriptions. While you don’t have to use the same headshot across all channels, try to stay consistent with your messaging about who you are. This helps all your followers recognize your uniqueness.
While the focus on building and boosting your brand has mostly been about your online audience, remember that you need to remain consistent in the real world. Don’t pretend to be someone you’re not. Instead, focus on promoting your strengths and the authentic attitudes and actions that contribute to an identifiable personal brand.
3. Showcase your expertise
Building a brand involves boosting your presence as someone who has something to offer. Write a blog, post it on your website, and share it across your social media channels. Alternatively, you can create posts directly on LinkedIn or Facebook. Show your readers that you’re a thought leader.
4. Share and engage with content that aligns with your mission
Beyond showing off your expertise, you can also show your audience that you value and support others’ opinions in your niche. This is also a great way of gaining the attention of other thought leaders in your industry. Carefully curate industry-specific content that you align with and share it across your channels. Engage through insightful comments that help others identify you as a valued member of your community. You can also contribute your advice or compliment others for their contributions to discussions.
5. Stay active
Building an identifiable personal brand requires work. And this means staying up-to-date on industry news, maintaining your online presence, and engaging with your audience. The frequency of activity will differ by person and industry. Define what is right for you.
Let’s talk more about boosting and building your brand. I think everyone needs a vision about what they would like their life to be. I urge you to define that vision. Contact us today!
