Personal branding tips for people who cringe at the idea of personal branding
For a lot of us, the term 'personal branding' feels a little… bleurgh. It conjures up images of ego driven extroverts vlogging their every move. However, like it or not we all have a personal brand and if you're not taking charge of your personal brand, you're missing out on opportunities to advance your career and showcase your unique skills and talents. You may also find it helpful to learn more about 'Selling versus owning your skillset'.
We get it, it can be daunting to think about promoting ourselves and marketing our skills like a product. That's why we've come up with some personal branding tips for people who hate the idea of person branding.
Shift your thinking
Don't think of it as personal branding. Think of it as personal reputation management. Instead of feeling like you're marketing yourself, focus on maintaining a positive reputation. Your reputation is how others perceive you, and that's what matters most.
Authenticity
Be honest about who you are. Don't try to be someone you're not just because you think it will make you more appealing to others. Embrace your quirks and unique personality traits. People can see through falsehoods and people appreciate and respect authenticity.
Live your values
Producing content such as posting on LinkedIn, creating a blog or guest blogging on one you enjoy is a great way to showcase your skills and expertise. But instead of trying to appeal to everyone, focus on creating content that aligns with your values. By doing so, you'll attract individuals who share those same values and will be more likely to appreciate what you have to offer.
Be consistent
Once you've established your personal reputation, maintain it by being consistent in your actions and communication. Consistency is key to building trust with others.
Embrace your personal style
Your personal style is an extension of your personal brand. So embrace it! Whether you prefer a classic look or more of a quirky vibe, let your personal style shine through in everything you do.
Network naturally
Making connections is a huge part of personal branding, but that doesn't mean you have to force it. Instead of attending networking events just for the sake of it, make connections naturally by attending events that align with your interests or by simply starting conversations with those around you.
pg takeaway:
With these tips in mind, take control of your personal reputation and showcase your unique skills and personality without feeling like you're selling yourself. After all, personal branding is just another way of presenting your best self to the world.
If you're looking to get started with personal branding, take a look at our course- Personal Branding: Unleashing Your Authenticity. We'll take you through personal branding essentials. Our course is focused on authenticity, making your true self shine rather than trying to be someone you’re not. It includes a workbook with step by step actions for creating, communicating and managing your personal brand.
You got this.