How to Build A Personal Brand to Boost Visibility, Opportunity & Growth

Admin

posted on 4 months ago — updated on 1 second ago

30
views

Building a personal brand is key to gaining credibility, standing out and attracting opportunities. Define your brand and share it online and beyond. | SUCCESS

Search ... Results See all results

Quick Links

SECTIONS

JOIN US

GET IN TOUCH

CONNECT

Instagram Facebook Tiktok Linkedin Pinterest X-twitter

Get SUCCESS® Magazine PLUS 80+ Hours of Exclusive Training (& More!) to Multiply Your Earning Potential SUBSCRIBE TODAY!

Save Up to 20% Before Oct. 2!

BOOKMARK Share

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Branding. It’s a term we hear consistently in the context of both product and company identity. But, what is personal branding? In the same vein, personal branding is the strategic process of defining your unique value proposition and managing the outward expression of your professional self. It extends well beyond an elevator pitch or a resume. Rather, it’s a comprehensive image of who you are, your experiences, your goals—and what you stand for. Learning how to build a personal brand can be a key step in boosting your personal and professional goals.

Building a personal brand is critical in the modern age because your reputation follows you in real life and online. When created and managed correctly, this presence helps you build credibility, differentiate yourself from others in your field and gain visibility to attract new opportunities.

Journalist and marketing consultant Chris Brogan once said, “Cultivate visibility because attention is currency.” Developing a personal brand can go a long way in gaining visibility and attracting new opportunities both personally and professionally. It can help you with personal goals, with launching or growing a business or with your career growth. Personal branding is also key for showcasing your authority, being relevant and relatable to your audience, and building your influence.

It can take some effort to develop your brand, but these tips can help you get the ball rolling.

Whether you’re just starting in your career or have years of experience as a seasoned professional, you’ve likely already begun to build your brand. You may know the direction you want to head in and the way you want to be recognized but simply haven’t put those thoughts into a formal master plan. Use the following personal branding tips to get started.

How do you start your own brand? First, consider taking some time for introspection. Think about who you are and what you want to be known for. Ask yourself questions like:

Answering these questions can help you identify any gaps between your current situation and where you want to be in the future.

Tip: Looking at a core values list or using a values worksheet can help in thinking about who you are and what you would like to be known for. Thoughtfully considering and defining your goals to align with your values can also help.

Who are you speaking to? Hint: The answer doesn’t need to be just anyone who will listen. Start by defining your specific area of focus, or niche, whether it be in the health and wellness field, business industry, technology world, etc. Then, hone in even further to identify the people you are looking to reach. Perhaps your message is aimed at clients or customers to gain new business. You may want to communicate with hiring managers or recruiters to find a new position. Or, maybe you’re looking to network with peers.

Take the time to learn about the landscape of your market. Analyze top competitors, trends, customer needs and where there are market gaps. Blogs and articles written by thought leaders in the space are a great place to start. They can even give you hints on how to be successful in the industry.

Armed with a greater understanding of your goals and where there are opportunities in your industry, establish your unique value add–essentially what sets you apart. From there, craft your own narrative highlighting your one-of-a-kind journey and experiences that have shaped you. Don’t be afraid to let your personality and character shine through.

Summarize all of the above into a concise and memorable one-to-three-sentence personal brand statement. Touch on your expertise, who you serve, and your unique positioning. For example, a copywriter’s statement may read, “Your eyes in the sky and hands at the keyboard. I craft compelling digital copy using your brand voice but backed by data and ever-changing customer trends.”

Stay true to your personal brand and always show up as your authentic professional self. Commit to keeping your message and identity the same on all online platforms—as well as offline.

The internet is a new-age career tool at your disposal, and you can use it to your advantage. Let your voice echo throughout different websites and online platforms. No matter where you decide to engage, you’ll need to stay active and share your own expert thoughts to break through the rest of the digital noise. Here are just a few examples of self-branding online.

Social media isn’t just for selfies and status updates. With over 5 billion users globally, it provides a treasure trove of opportunities to promote yourself and your work. Personal branding and social media can go hand in hand, but it’s important to approach this arena strategically. Success on social media typically comes from authenticity, regular posting, connecting with your audience and cultivating content that people are interested in viewing. Strive for content that’s engaging, entertaining or educational.

Of course, each individual platform also has its own nuances. The question of which will work best for you depends on your niche and specific goals.

Think of your personal website as an extension of your LinkedIn page but where you can add your own flair. Reinstate essentials including your skills, values and experience. Then, allow it to serve a dual purpose as a portfolio where you can show off your past work. A website is especially useful for entrepreneurs, graphic designers, writers, photographers or anyone else looking to boost their personal brand.

Social media isn’t the only way to distribute content. Information can also be shared through blogs, guest posts, infographics, whitepapers or even something like a podcast—an option more and more professionals are capitalizing on. Contributing to various online forums such as Reddit, Quora and even Medium (for tech gurus) can also be an effective way to gain visibility and prove yourself a thought leader in your field.

It’s also important to develop more than an online presence. Going back to visibility, spreading awareness about your personal brand is key. Making people aware of your brand through a face-to-face interaction, where you can shake someone’s hand and look them in the eyes, can go a long way. Even if you work remotely or independently, there are still opportunities for real-life connections.

How do you brand yourself beyond social media? Here are some ideas to build on your brand in person:

If you’re already established, you may have a slightly different question—what are some ways you can improve your personal brand? Developing your own brand is not a one-and-done situation. Keeping your professional mantra fresh is just as important as creating it in the first place. Continuously assess your current personal brand statement to ensure it still speaks to you and the business you’re working to mold. You may even ask peers to review your brand to help you identify any areas for improvement.

Update your social media channels, profiles, website, portfolio and resume with new work, accomplishments or career changes. Seek out new opportunities for learning and growth—whether that be through networking and events or online sleuthing—while also sharing your own knowledge with the world through content. Continue to show up as your authentic self to represent your personal brand in the best way possible.

We are all the CEOs of our own personal brands. But, the difference between simply owning a personal brand and launching a successful one is intention. Just as products would struggle if they lacked great branding and overarching guidance, you may face difficulties in the professional world without a clear vision of the person you want to be. Challenge yourself to put time and thought into developing your personal brand. Then, never stop fine-tuning this persona and breathing life into it online, offline and beyond.

Photo by G-Stock Studio/shutterstock.com

Wine glass with water and sign saying "Dry January"

January 22, 2025Dry January Benefits: The Effects Of Taking A Break From Alcohol

Megan Hagemanhttps://www.success.com/author/megan-hageman/

January 21, 202540 Accountability Quotes For Work, Leadership & Personal Growth

Megan Hagemanhttps://www.success.com/author/megan-hageman/

January 18, 202540+ MLK Quotes: “I Have a Dream” Plus Other Powerful Quotes You May Not Know

SECTIONS

JOIN US

GET IN TOUCH

CONNECT

Instagram Facebook Tiktok Linkedin Pinterest X-twitter

5473 Blair Road, Suite 100
PMB 30053
Dallas, TX 75231

Save Up to 20% Before Oct. 2!

Unlock the Latest Knowledge that Can You Help You Achieve More in Life with More Confidence

Print and Digital Options Available

Oops!

You’ve reached your limit of free
articles for this month!

(plus get access to hundreds of resources designed
to help you excel in life and business)

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive an email message to log in.

No, thanks, I’m not interested in personal growth.

Plus, get access to daily inspiration, weekly newsletters and podcasts, and occasional updates from us.

By signing up you are also added to SUCCESS® emails. You can easily unsubscribe at anytime. By clicking above, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive an email message to log in.

Get unlimited access to SUCCESS®
(+ a bunch of extras)! Learn more.

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive an email message to log in.

The exclusive article you’re trying to view is for subscribers only.

(plus get access to hundreds of resources designed
to help you excel in life and business)

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive an email message to log in.

https://www.success.com/how-to-build-your-personal-brand/