“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” Jeff Bezos

Personal branding means taking control of your online reputation and shaping it so people see you how you want to be seen. It is how you project your brand and its values to the world and ensure that your target audience knows who you are, what you stand for, and why it’s worth choosing you over your competitors. 

Notable examples of personal brands that come to mind include Oprah, Richard Branson, Beyoncé and David Beckham. 

Why Personal Branding is Important

In a world where anyone can just hop onto the internet and create a social media profile, having a personal brand has become more critical than ever. To get ahead of the pack, you need to understand that you are responsible for the growth of your personal brand. It’s really a steep competition to be the number one go-to person in your field. Be it a startup founder, or small business owner, you’re faced with one major problem: there are a thousand other people just like you. 

Steps to Build A Personal Brand Online

Of course, social media isn’t the only way to establish your brand, but it plays a huge role. Regarding actionable tips, we’ve broken the process down into three key points you need to hit to put you on the right track.

Create Your Brand Identity 

The first step is working on your brand identity. In building your brand, emphasise personal sites with good user interface, and curate your social media pages with beautiful photography and an easily identifiable logo. Research by Gitte Lindgaard, Gary Fernández, Cathy Dudek &J. Brown discovered that 94% of the time, someone’s first impression about a brand is based on design, and it only takes 50 milliseconds for that split-second decision to be made.

Update Your Social Media Accounts

Choose the social media network – Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tiktok that resonates with your target audience. You can have accounts (presence) on all networks, but your primary devotion should be the one that speaks to the demographics you are targeting. According to research by Kredible, 53% percent of vendors have lost orders based on information found or not found about them online. Ensure all your information is complete and accurate for the platforms you will be using. This will help you to direct and grow traffic and showcase yourself and your work. 

Show Authenticity and Trustworthiness 

Be authentic, confident, and passionate, and don’t give your followers any reason to doubt you. But above all, don’t lie or pretend to have experiences, skills, or credentials you’ve never acquired. You don’t need to have an opinion on any trending issue or topic. Sit it out if you don’t know what to say.

Engage your followers and Be Positive. 

The trick is to figure out what kind of content works best for you and your target audience. Create engaging content, and don’t be afraid to talk about your experiences and achievements. Focus on fun ways to pass your message across and share positive news. It’s important not to always be a contrarian or a scaremonger. Positively engaging your network will ensure you’re top of mind when followers seek direction, especially in your niche. 

Be Human

Building trust among your target audience is easier when they feel more connected to you personally. While you may want your personal brand to be all about business, it’s beneficial to add some personality and show your human side occasionally. Mention your customers, colleagues, or work relationships. Share content from leaders you admire and people in your network.

Need help designing your personal brand? GLG Communications can get you off to a great start as you develop your professional persona and forge a closer relationship with your target audience. Reach us on our socials @GLGcomms or send a mail to hello@glgcommunication.com