Nowadays our world, both personally and in business, is governed by the internet which is reflected in a staggering statistic that there are 3.5 billion queries entered into Google on a daily basis, which makes branding a vital component of any successful enterprise.
Branding yourself or your business, has always been significant in the marketplace, but never has there been such a wide range of tools at the individual’s disposal, or the possibility for a greater reach, than in the current climate.
Ensuring therefore, that your brand is created diligently, so that it works in your favour whether on a CV, or to promote a business or service, has never been more important.
Initially therefore, before embarking on constructing strap-lines or catchy commercial copy, it is essential to take the time to really uncover what your personal brand actually is. This has to be a description that you can stand by – and deliver – otherwise it will be tantamount to shooting yourself in the foot. Do you know who you are?
A couple of very simple questions can help position you, or your company, positively and constructively. Ask yourself:
What are my/our biggest strengths?
What makes me/us unique?
Where does my/our passion lie?
Although very simple enquiries, it is surprising how many businesses and individuals fall by failing to spend energy on these basics. Take some time to list your qualities, and describe your beliefs, ethos and skills, so that ultimately you arrive at a description that fits you, or your business, like a glove. You will discover that as you jot down these observations, that key phrases and words will jump out at you and these are the clues to unlocking and developing your personal brand.
With online marketing available to all, unless of course you live in a cave, the competition is fierce on the web to establish a presence that is unique, so time taken to really assess what it is you can offer is invaluable.
Of course, SEO knowledge is another essential tool in building a brand, but you will discover that as you unveil keywords in your research, that describe you, these will act as a formula for your SEO as well.
Subsequently, having created an identity that resonates perfectly with you as an individual, or business, this is the moment in your strategy, to take your foot off the gas, once again, and factor in another ingredient in the process.
Having arrived at a formula to describe yourself, or your enterprise, it now becomes apparent who it is that you should be targeting in the workplace or the marketplace. Which particular demographic would be interested in the service or goods you are selling? What sort of employer would be interested in the individual described in your personal brand?
Researching these areas will allow you to target your audience and avoid time-wasting on dead-ends that will do nothing to boost your profile.
However, before you apply for that job, or launch that business, be smart and check out the competition. See if there is something you can add to your brand that would separate you from your competitors, embrace your difference and stand by it.
The final part of the personal branding puzzle is to ensure you carry through all the messages you have settled upon across your social media platforms, be that LinkedIn, Facebook or Twitter. There is nothing like continuity and repetition to reinforce your status as an individual or a company.