Your personal brand is the first thing that springs to mind when someone hears or sees your name, for good or bad. The corollary of this is that your brand can affect everything from your job or promotion prospects to how you are treated in the workplace. How can you make it work for you?
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Know Who You Are
Spend some time working out what your values are and do a personal SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats) analysis. Obviously, you will want to focus on your strengths, but knowing your weaknesses will help you to steer yourself away from them.
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Know Where to Position Yourself
In exactly the
same way that a company would, work out your elevator pitch – something you can
say about yourself in just a couple of minutes. It’s important to say who you
are but also what you can offer others, so you might start with something like:
when it comes to branding Cheltenham is the place where I can help most people
create their personal brand.
Know What You Want and Where You Want to
Go
Unless you know
where you want to go, you will just drift. Use your SWOT analysis to help you
focus. It’s easier if your goal is something that you are already good at – if
you’re not, work to get the skills you need. Keep focussing on the end game,
even if you have to take a few detours before you get back on track. If you get
stuck, try using a marketing agency such as www.reallyhelpfulmarketing.co.uk/brand-development/, who will help you.
Social Media and Networking
Make sure your
social media profiles reflect the brand you want to present to the world. Use
appropriate keywords and start connecting. Join online groups that reflect your
goals, and make sure you participate to improve your profile. However,
according to Forbes, you shouldn’t let it rule your life – use it to your
advantage.
Find ways to network with people who work in the same arena and remember to be
interested in them.
Finally, be prepared to accept feedback and use it to your advantage. As you
grow and develop, grow and develop your personal brand. Remember to act is if
you are already the successful person you want to be, and you will soon start
being that person.
