How effective is your personal branding?

I disagree with this premise. Often, you won't know your goals at first. All you'll have is an empty canvas that will need to be filled with SOMETHING great. The goals will be discovered along the journey. But the first step is often just movement in some direction. From there, the goals will emerge. Would it be helpful to have your goals defined up front? Certainly. But the real world is messier than that!

I would take a step back. Even before goals is purpose. The purpose defines who we are and why we are. Articulating that purpose and the value it brings to others - this is important because if the purpose is self-serving then social branding becomes ineffective right at the get go - is the first step. Goals to achieve that purpose is the next step.

Personal branding It's a decision at first. This decision is based on⬇️⬇️ -Who am I ? -What do I have to offer? -Who will I target to benefit from my talents? -Methods of communication and the ground on which I practice creating my personal brand -The most important thing is [continuity or permanence or persistence or duration or stability] 🌱🌿☘️🍀🌳🚀 I meant to use synonyms for the word continuity because it is the basis of personal-branding

Let's think about personal branding differently. Instead of just asking "What do I want to be known for?", let's dig deeper and ask "Why do I want to be known for this? Your 'why' brings authenticity to your brand and creates emotional resonance with your audience. Your 'why' will become the lighthouse guiding you towards your goals while shedding light on the dynamic nature of your personal brand. As for metrics—don't get tied to vanity ones. Instead, look at engagement, meaningful conversations, and the influence you're having in your network. This framing will always be more fulfilling than focusing on followers because it's about who you are being is service of others and is rooted in the 'why' you've created for yourself.

Having one of multiple goals in mind can help shape your personal branding efforts. The goal(s) don’t have to be too specific, they can be “grow my network,” “become an authority in my field,” or “find a new job” for example. Having a goal can help shape your content and how you decide to set your strategy. 90% of your content should be aimed at sharing your experience and being a resource to others, but the remaining 10% (the “so what?”) of your content will be determined by your ultimate goal. The call-to-action for your audience and what they should do with your information will be key to setting you up for clarity and success.

Asking folks what comes to mind when they think of you is a good informal audit. Several years ago, when I was dabbling with a dozen things, the answers from the community were very revealing. I was a victim of the dilution effect - doing too many things diluted my social brand. Since then, focusing on one or a few goals and tying everything around that has helped drive singular brand awareness.

Definitely creating engaging content helps a lot. Focus on one platform, create content, engage with others, show your authority and grow there. It is all about social selling and creating good relationship with your audience. For me, it is all about growing on one platform and moving to other platforms. Also asking connections, followers and your clients about you is very important in growing and developing your own personal brand.

I would rely on feedback from peers, mentors, or clients above all else. Reach out to people that you trust, who will be truthful and not just pay you lip service. Ask them the hard questions. Is your message coming through clearly? Is it consistent? One thing to be cognizant of is that your brand is consistent across all platforms. Your style, tone, brand colors etc should all be aligned across different social media platforms, your website, and any other tools that you leverage. Anything less confuses your audience and sends a mixed message.

Did you know that having a strong and consistent brand across all platforms can work wonders in strengthening your brand? It's true! But that's not all - engaging with your audience and consistently creating high-quality content can also help boost your visibility and take your brand to the next level.

It's important to understand where your ideal target audience is and then listen carefully to their feedback to improve and adapt along the way. Being flexible without losing the brand identity is important in personal branding.

Most people find it difficult to see themselves as a personal brand. And knowing their value proposition, this is far fetched because many people do not think in "value propositions". I did a workshop with a large sales organization and I use this simple formula to help them define their value proposition. I help X do Y. Example: "I help people use their stories and talents to build powerful personal brands". If you can start of by answering this very simple equation. Then you will be that much closer to defining your value proposition.

The best way I have seen to do this is answer the three Whys. Why bother - what's the need for someone to pay attention to the problem or opportunity you are articulating? Why you - credibility. customers, recommendations, uniqueness Why now - immediacy to act. What's the urgency?

Value proposition is the most missed element in expertise building. I see that happen over and over when professionals create a 10 page resume without having a clear “value” they bring on the table along with what they are looking to build or deliever in the next career move. Likewise, in business, niche expertise and how your service or product is uniquely helping your prospect/client alleviate pain and add more value - is what you need to focus and show through your content.

Exactly! I so believe in USP! Defining your value proposition is a crucial step in personal branding. It's all about showcasing what makes you unique and valuable. Think about the problems you can solve and the benefits you can offer to others. Highlight your skills, experiences, and passions that set you apart from the crowd. Your value proposition should be concise, compelling, and authentic, reflecting your personal brand statement. Craft a catchy summary that captures who you are, what you do, and why you do it.💯

Different strokes for different folks. I don’t think what works well on LinkedIn would work well on Instagram, and by the same extension what works well for one person might not work as well for another person in a different role and industry What I am suggesting is that you have to be very intentional and strategic about the brand you aspire to become, and work toward it. There is a lot of good and well intentioned advice and you have to decide what works best given your unique strengths and circumstance

This is super important. The uniqueness. The differentiation is so important. And constant evolution. For instance, on my show @StandOutIn90Sec, as the name suggests, have my guest answer super probing questions in 90 seconds so they stand out. And after 250 of these videos, did something unique last time with my guest David Alto. We did an impromptu jam of Queen's "Want to break free" in the last 20 seconds! Why - to add to the personality!

Above all else incorporating your personality into your BRAND (Be Real And Never Doubt) is essential. The tone and style you use is almost as important as the information you use when conveying who you are. Personally, I believe Emojis and graphics are a big part of this process. NAMASTE 🙏 🖖 Network And Make All Sorts of Terrific Energy #TheLinkedInGuru (please click and follow)

Your personal brand voice and tone is your unique identifier in a sea of similar voices. The tone of your brand – whether it's authoritative, playful, conversational, or informative – mirrors the personality and emotions behind your writing. It adds the human touch to your communications. Similarly, your brand voice should be a reflection of your core values. If authenticity is one of your main values, let your voice emanate genuine and honest tones. By effectively leveraging unique human elements, creativity, and your distinctive brand voice and tone, you can create a powerful personal brand that drives both your business and career development.

My favorite thought here is be AUTHENTIC! Authenticity always wins! People relate to people, so YOUR people will relate to you the more authentic you are. The tone of voice you use is very important to attract the right audience for you and also to make people relate to you & engage with you.

Humans remember and recognize humans. While building your personal brand, be as authentic as you can. Instead of pretending to be someone that you are not, showcase your authenticity. People like to see others they can relate to. Talk about your failures, traumas, how you overcame them, and, most importantly, in the rat race of being perfect, wear your flaws of imperfection proudly. I use storytelling and sometimes humor. Experiment with what style works best for you. I follow this 60-20-20 rule. Sixty percent of the time, I talk about my personal life stories, 20% showcasing my work and talent, and the remaining 20% educating others. See what works best for you.

Building your network should be a constant. Don’t wait to be perfect. Stay curious and be willing to learn from different people because that’s will allow you to become very inclusive and diverse in your thinking. I often tell my students don’t wait until you are ready to look for a job, to start building your network. Same goes for brand building as well. Own who are and stay authentic.

Building a strong network is essential for personal branding success. Instead of merely focusing on numbers, I prioritize building genuine connections and fostering a sense of community. I take the time to send personalized invitations, engage in meaningful conversations, and support others in their endeavors. This approach leads to authentic relationships and a network that not only supports me but also amplifies my personal brand.

As my grandfather once said, "Money comes and goes, but if you have strong relationships, they stay with you forever." That's why I'm committed to helping you build lasting connections that will serve you well throughout your life. Think of your network as your personal brand's stage. Share awesome content, drop knowledge bombs, and pass on referrals. Be the kind of networker you'd want to meet. Remember, your network isn't just about who you know, it's about who knows you. So, make sure they know the real, authentic you. Happy networking!

Networking: it's not just about shaking hands, it's about forging connections! 🔗 🌐Define your networking goals – who do you want to connect with and why? Join relevant online groups and communities, like LinkedIn groups or industry forums. 🤝Engage authentically – offer insights, ask questions, and share valuable content. 🌷Cultivate relationships by showing genuine interest in others. Remember, it's not just about what you can get; it's also about what you can give.

Building a network on LinkedIn is crucial for professional growth. By connecting with colleagues, industry professionals, and peers, you expand your reach and opportunities. Engage with your network by sharing valuable content, participating in discussions, and endorsing others' skills. Actively seeking meaningful connections, attending virtual events, and personalizing connection requests contribute to a robust and beneficial LinkedIn network. Regularly nurturing and expanding your connections enhances your visibility, opens doors for collaborations, and facilitates valuable professional interactions.

Personal branding is self-promoting? That's true. But there's much more than that. It’s how friends, colleagues or the public see you. It's how they think about you when they hear your name. It's what they say about you when you're not in the room. Realize it or not, you have a personal brand without building it. Go google your name, if you: • find nothing on the first page, that's your personal brand. • find an outdated Linkedin profile, that's your personal brand. • see a bunch of random social media posts, that too is. Your brand, your reputation is already out there. The question is: Do you want to own the narrative of your story? Or do you prefer chances or algorithms to do it? Take control and build it with intention :)

Personal branding takes time, effort, consistency and adaptation to build. Not falling for quick tricks, viral video posts, or other short cuts is very important. Authenticity is key. Especially in the age of AI, it is tempting to use AI to build one's brand. AI can be a great assistant but it cannot be the master. Having a supporting community that is willing to tell us when we are straying or misfiring is super important.

All this is a long term thing. Takes alot of time & effort as an investment. Make sure you build it right, create for the right impact and use it the right way!

Creating a strong personal brand requires: • Intentionality, • Effort, and. • Consistency. Follow this step-by-step guide to help you build an impactful presence: • Define yourself. • Share your story. • Be consistent and strategic. • Network and collaborate. • Maintain a positive online presence and avoid negativity. Remember, building a personal brand is a journey, not a destination. Building a strong personal brand takes time and effort. Be patient, consistent, and keep learning.

Personal branding is truly everything! I helped develop a graduate course once entirely focused on personal branding for healthcare leaders. This is truly where you define who you are and what your value is to industry.