Before I landed my first real job after college, I remember the brand was just for corporations. As an impatient marketing graduate, I believed in this whole heart, thinking I just needed to be well what I’m doing and successful.
I clearly remember the conversation during a network event on my early career. Accidentally, the marketing executive quotes Jay-Z “I’m not a businessman, I’m a business, a man.” The statement, despite the cryptographic, later became the cornerstone of my personal and professional growth.
Fast forward, my prospect has been abruptly moved. I have learned that everyone, regardless of their profession, is their own brand and how do you design the brand plays an important role in your overall success?
Just as companies are strategically creating and managing their brand identity, I realized the importance of developing my personal brand, a unique mix of skills and experience that make me …
Initial steps were uncomfortable and filled with uncertainty. How I had to sell “me”. To reconsider my elevator playing field, to realize my online presence I have challenged every step of the way. But the payment was worth it.
When I started treating me as a brand, the doors began to open. Opportunities came my way that would not have otherwise. The connections I did were more meaningful because they were aligned who I was and what I wanted to achieve.
But this transformation did not happen overnight. There were mistakes and moments of self-confidence. There were times when the line between authenticity and self-improvement seemed to be rude. But when I sailed through these challenges, which became clear, it was the power of my story and effective communication.
In the last decade, there is something that surprised me, the impact on my personal life. Yes, the personal brand undefined me in my career, but the real magic lies on how it shaped it as a person.
Here is what I learned about being my own brand, and why this can be a game-modifier in your journey.
The power of being your own brand
When I first started watching me as a brand I was a little skeptical. It felt odd, almost the way I was summarizing myself. But when I was deeper, I realized that this is not about selling myself, but to understand my unique strengths and values and to communicate them effectively.
One of the first things I did to create a vision for my personal brand. I spent time thinking about my strengths, my passions and what I wanted to be known professionally and in person.
After discovering these main aspects, I began to arrange them with my actions and decision. I introduced myself to everything I took the projects through which I interacted with others. Everything became a reflection of my personal brand.
Social media also played an important role. LinkedIn became my professional platform, where I distributed the content of the industry and I was connected with ashy. In Instagram, I showed more my personal life and interests, which allowed me to contact people on a more individual level.
The conversion was not immediate. It was required to consistency and patience. But over time I saw a change. Opportunities began to equalize more with my strong and interests. People began to recognize me for my expertise.
But it was not just about professional benefits. Myself, as a brand, made me understand more deeply who I am and for what I was for. It helped me more valid and be sure both in my professional and personal life.
Debunking misunderstanding
When I first started my personal brand trip, I met some of my peers with skepticism. They insisted that the personal brand is appropriate for celebrities or high quality individuals. It was a luxury in their eyes, no necessity.
Can I understand why they feel like that? The term “personal branding” may seem intimidating and exceptional. But in reality, we are not talking about glory or status. It’s about validity and consistency.
I am sure that everyone, regardless of their profession or industry, have unique skills and suggestions. We all have a history of telling, and that story forms our personal brand.
Private Branding is not showing a show or pretending to be someone you are not. It’s about understanding the word about who you are, what you orient yourself, and how do you want to be perceived by others? It’s about equating your actions with your values and creating a reputation that reflects who you really are.
That’s why I challenge the idea that personal brand is only for “elite”. The most important thing for everyone who wants to succeed in today’s competitive landscape. Whether you are an entrepreneur, a student, employee, job seeker or approved specialist.
Building your personal brand. Road Map:
So how are you going to build your personal brand? Here are some basic steps I’ve taken you can find helpful.
First identify your unique value offer. Think about what separates you from the others in your field. What are your strengths, passions and what do you want to know for? This forms the basis of your personal brand.
Next, align your actions with your brand. Each decision you make will reflect your personal brand from your projects. This consistency is the key to building a major and authentic brand.
Don’t ignore the power of social media. Use LinkedIn platforms and Instagram to show your experience and contact with like-minded individuals. Remember that it is only about broadcasting your achievements, but also about engaging meaningful conversations.
Finally, be patient. The construction of a personal brand takes time. Stay consistent and true who you are, and over time you will see the benefits to happen.
The construction of my personal brand has been one of the most paid travels you started. It not only shaped my career, but also helped me equalize my professional life with my personal values and aspirations.
I hope my experience can inspire you to take the first step towards building your own personal brand.
Taking and get rid of free
The construction of a personal brand is exercise in a self-report and strengthening. It’s about assuming responsibility on how the world understands you. During my journey I learned to challenge the social norms and expectations that had previously formed my decisions.
I realized the importance of thinking on your own and without being looped from external influences. This allowed me to equalize my actions in my true nature and aspirations, not trying to fit pre-defined mold.
During this process, I faced my fair share of struggle and dissatisfaction. But instead of brushing these feelings under the carpet, I chose to recognize them. I used them as fuel to drive me to build a brand that really reflected who I am.
Here are few keys from my experience.
- Take responsibility for your personal brand, it’s about how the world understands you.
- Challenge social norms and expectations. Think on your own.
- Accept your struggle. Use them as motivation.
- Align your actions in your true nature with external imposed expectations.
Building a personal brand is not only about professional growth. It is also a journey of self-development and self-development. We are free from social expectations and life to live with your own terms.
The journey to build a personal brand is not a sprint. It’s a marathon. Accept the process, learn from your experiences and most importantly, remain faithful to yourself.