“Brand” is a big word that stands for a lot of things. For some it might evoke the likes of Coca-Cola or Ferrari, while others see it as a much broader term, as the ultimate validation of any venture, business-oriented or other.
Bringing it down to the individual level, a personal brand represents the final outcome of all the messages we send out to the world – what we wear, what we like, what we say, write, share and put online.
In a way, we are all brands. Everything we say, do or wear sends out a message, and if you care about your public perception, you’ll want that message to be a positive one.
Invent yourself
Think long and hard about how you wish to be perceived. It doesn’t matter if you’re starting a business or just looking to raise your status within a certain sphere of your interest – you need to define the overall impression you need to achieve and then be consistent. Just like a successful business brand, you need to be clear, distinct and striking.
Present yourself
In this day and age the first thing people will do in order to get to know you a bit better is to look you up online. Your website and your social profiles are the channels you can control. Forget about sharing Twitter wisdom after you’ve just come home from a wild night, and try to resist the temptation of posting that photo from the peak of the party last night. Sure, it will make a few of your friends laugh, but those who don’t know you just might get the wrong first impression.
Engage yourself
Again, in this day and age the good old human contact is gradually becoming a dying art, which makes it all the more important in building your personal brand. Get out there and mingle! Identify others you admire and respect and reach out to them. Remember, the secret to quality networking is building relationships before they become business opportunities.
Brand yourself
The visual aspect of all your endeavors is the first thing people catch. Everything from the soles of your shoes to the way you do your hair unites to create a certain effect, and you should do your best to make it a positive one. You can even go as far as “trademarking” it. Have a catchy slogan you just came up with or a cool new logo for your latest venture? Have fun with it and put it on anything from a t-shirt to a water bottle label. If you think it important enough, someone else might too.
Improve yourself
Once you’ve designed your personal brand, don’t act like it is carved in stone. Change is the essential part of human existence and evolution is what got us here in the first place, and you are bound to change and evolve as well. To an extent you can control the direction of your personal changes by constantly learning new skills and building upon the foundation you have set.
Do you have any more tips for self-promotion? Let us know in the comments below!
Photo: catarina bessell / Flickr
Jenny Hahn is a marketing consultant from Sydney, Australia who loves sharing her knowledge and experience with free thinking entrepreneurs and small business owners anywhere.
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