3 Ways to Build Your Personal Brand

As a business leader, it's important to leverage your personal brand to differentiate and build your reputation. And I want you to think about reputation as what descriptors pop into someone’s head when they hear your name? What do you want them to think about you when they hear your name? (things like: diligent, gregarious, steady, creative, honest, reliable)  (For more about that see my prior blog The Secret to Creating the Brand Called You.

In this post I will share some further ideas about how to build what you are known for.

Be Authentic

One of the most important aspects of building a strong personal brand is being authentic. People can spot inauthenticity from a mile away, so it's important to be genuine in everything you do. Be true to your style and your values, don’t act in ways that aren’t aligned to either of these. Now, I am not advising you to stay in your comfort zone -  of course as a coach I encourage clients to try new things - but I'm talking about avoiding behaviors that are not “you.” Don’t hide what makes you unique.

Stay Relevant

Continuously learning and evolving so that you're always up-to-date on the latest industry developments, technologies, and developing your own skillset are requirements. Develop both what you know and how you do you work -  don’t stagnate. Staying relevant will allow your to show your expertise and build trust with others.

Be Consistent

When it comes to personal branding, consistency is key. Make sure that your interpersonal behavior, online presence, and communication align with the image you want to project. That way, people will know what to expect from you and will begin to associate that perspective with your brand.

 If you're not sure where to start, go to #1 in this list and list what makes you unique – if your are unsure then ask your friends and trusted colleagues. What do they see in your that you can bring forward more intentionally?