“Regardless of age, regardless of position, regardless of the business we happen to be in, all of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEO’s of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called you.”
– Tom Peters in Fast Company
We are all familiar with product brands. Coca Cola, Nike, etc. but personal branding is the way you present yourself to the world. It is often defined as the process of developing an identity around your personal name or your career.
Everyone has an opinion of you whether you like it or not so personal branding helps you to influence that opinion and turn it to a favorable one.
Everyone you interact with will get to know your personal brand. Coworkers, bosses, people searching your name online, social circles, networking circles, etc.
Think of it as making an investment in yourself. This is something that will add value to everything you do professionally and personally.
Your brand includes:
- Personality
- Wardrobe
- Resume
- Email signature
- Resume
- Business cards
- Website – how are you presented on your company website or other websites?
- Blog –what are you saying?
- Portfolio – do you have a career portfolio
- Social Media Portfolios – how do you present yourself on facebook or other media?
Think of how you want to present yourself to the world and make sure that you put that effort into everything you do no matter how big or small.
Next time I will tell you more about how to build up your personal brand through using your personal story.
