As you progress through your career, you’ll realize that your success depends not only on your skills and expertise but also on learning how to build a personal brand. When someone hears your name, what comes to mind?
 
That’s your brand.
 
Building your personal brand requires you to focus on what others think of you and how you come across in different situations.
 
Here are some examples of what a strong personal brand might look like:
​

• Reliability – people trust you to do the job and expect quality results.
• Leadership – you can confidently manage projects, even in challenging situations.
• Expertise – you demonstrate deep knowledge in your field and offer practical, real-world solutions to problems.
• Positive attitude – you remain upbeat and are seen as an optimistic person.
• Professionalism – you treat everyone respectfully while upholding ethical standards and adhering to rules and regulations. 

Fast-track your career with personal branding. When you intentionally craft your brand, you demonstrate that you understand the importance of image and reputation and actively work to ensure that others perceive you in the best light.

Your personal brand is an important factor in determining career success. Employers, business partners, and collaborators seek unique people with the skills and qualifications.
 
It’s vital to think strategically about your brand and create a strong, memorable name and identity that sets you apart from the competition. Even if you work for yourself and not for someone else, this is vital information for you to have and implement for your success.
 
Step #1: Define Your Personal Brand
The first step in developing your personal brand is to define it. First, think about what you want to be known for and how you want to be perceived by others. Next, consider your values, strengths, and unique qualities. These will form the foundation of your personal brand.
 
Step #2: Craft Your Message
Once you have defined your personal brand, crafting a message that communicates it effectively is important. This message should be concise, memorable, and authentic. Then, use it in your online profiles, resume, and elevator pitch to communicate your value proposition to potential employers and clients.
 
Step #3: Build Your Online Presence
Your online presence is crucial to your personal brand. Make sure your profiles are up-to-date and optimized for search. Consider creating a website or blog to showcase your expertise and interests. Strengthen your reputation as an authority in your field by posting in-depth insights and opinions online.
 
Step #4: Network and Build a Professional Community
Networking is another key component of building your personal brand. Attend industry events, join professional organizations, and connect with people in your field. Building a strong professional community provides valuable opportunities for collaboration, mentorship, and career growth.
 
Step #5: Maintain Your Personal Brand
Your personal brand is not a one-time effort -- it requires ongoing maintenance. Keep your online profiles current, continue developing your skills and expertise, and actively engage with your community.
 
Step #6: Embrace Your Authentic Self
Remembering that your brand should be authentic to who you are is crucial. Don't try to be someone you're not or adopt a persona that doesn't feel genuine. Instead, embrace your unique qualities and let your personality shine through.

​With consistent effort, you’ll make your personal brand the cornerstone of your professional success. When you connect authentically with potential employers, colleagues, and partners, building trust and respect and attracting new opportunities becomes almost automatic. Take the time to invest in your personal brand to reap the rewards of professional growth, recognition, and success.

​Having a rewarding career depends upon whether or not you know how to follow your vision of career success. Otherwise, you’re likely to spend your days trying to live up to the expectations of others or mindlessly drifting from one job to the next.
 
Of course, success itself means different things to different people. For some, it’s a matter of earning more money and climbing the corporate ladder. For others, it may mean to learn how to step down the corporate ladder. In the end, it’s more about stretching their skills and contributing to society.
 
Make your work life more satisfying and build accomplishments that you can be proud of. Use this checklist to plan your future and put your plans into action.

Appearing online has proved a highly effective method for many people to advance in their career.
 
Recruiters and employers alike are looking online more than ever before. Professional networking sites such as LinkedIn continue to grow in popularity when it comes to looking for a job or finding suitable candidates to fill a job.
 
Furthermore, building a strategic and professional online presence will expand your network beyond the industry or geographical area where you work. Groups online and multiple social media platforms facilitate your interactions with other professionals regardless of region.
 
With a stronger network in your field, you open yourself up to more job opportunities and visibility in your industry.
 
So why not create an online personal brand to help advance your career? Creating an online presence can help you stand out from others in your field.
 
When applying for a higher position, having an online presence shapes what employers see when they look you up online. Curating an online presence shows creativity and gives future employers opportunities to learn about you beyond a resume.
 
The online persona you present online can be someone’s first impression about you.

Here’s how you can create a captivating online presence:

Think about the company you want to work for and what values are important to you.
 

• What skills can you offer to companies and teams in the future?
  
• Why do you enjoy working in your field?
  
• What motivates you to do what you are doing?

Find creative ways to display your skill set and set high expectations of what you can bring to the table.
 

• For example, if you’re a graphic designer, showcase a portfolio of your graphics on a website or social media.
• If you’re a project manager, write case studies about different projects you’ve taken from inception to completion.
  
• Keep written statistics of the achievements you accomplish at work.

You can use the Internet to network, too! By joining communities related to your field, you open yourself up to potential job opportunities in the future or a colleague you can go to when you’re looking for advice.
 

• Actively participate and network at online seminars in your field.
  
• Find and interact with others in your field on a social media network such as LinkedIn or Twitter.
  
• Find an online community, such as a LinkedIn group or Facebook group, where you can network with others, offer support, or ask questions

​Displaying content or personal projects shows that you are dedicated to improving your skills. It might also show unique skills, such as problem-solving, sales, or customer service.

​Testimonials or reviews give social proof to potential employers of the strengths you can bring to the job. Ask employers and colleagues to send personal testimonials through email or LinkedIn so you can show the assets you will bring to an organization.

The more you invest in your online presence, the more potential employers can imagine how well you would fit within their company culture.
 
Everyone who applies for the next job will be submitting a resumé and cover letter. These things can display your skills and work experience, but developing an online presence can also show your personality and values.
 
By developing an online presence, you have the opportunity to stand out from the rest of the applicants. Future employers can get an insight into your own values, personality, and work ethic - and get to know you on a deeper level than they would just reading your resume.
 
The work you do to build an online presence will undoubtedly leave a positive impression on future employers and help you advance in your career!

1. Your personal brand is one of your biggest assets.

2. Your personal brand can take your business to places you never thought possible.

3. What Is a Personal Brand?

4. A personal brand is all- encompassing. It's about who you are and what you do.

5. Your personal brand is how you present yourself to your ideal audience.

6. Your personal brand includes your:

• Values
• Unique skills
• Experiences
• Stories
• Personality
• Image

7. Thanks to the internet and the power of social media, every person can be their own brand.

• Everyone can constantly put themselves out in front of their audience.
• Everyone can add value to their audience.
• Everyone can communicate their message loud and clear.

8. We all have the tools to build powerful personal brands.

9. The crucial question is whether you are actively taking control of your brand.

10. It’s always better when you’re in control of the process.

11. So, how do you actively build an effective personal brand?

12. Why Do You Need to Build a Personal Brand?

13. Every entrepreneur, coach, consultant, or freelancer should be building their own brand.

14. Personal Branding Allows You to Stand Out from the Competition

15. Your competitors can’t bring what you bring to the table.

16. You have unique:

• Experiences
• Strengths
• Beliefs
• Perspectives
• Skills
• Insights

17. ...that set you apart from everyone else.

18. Building your personal brand allows you to highlight your uniqueness.

19. Think about Rolex and how they’ve set themselves apart from the competition.

20. The more you work to build your personal brand, the greater the edge you’ll have over your competition.

21. Personal Branding Allows You to Charge a Premium Price

22. The stronger your brand, the more people want your services, and the higher price you can charge.

23. This is exactly why Nike is able to charge so much for their shoes.

24. By working hard to build your personal brand, you too can charge a premium price.

25. Personal Branding Highlights Your Expertise

26. With every piece of content that you share...

• Social media posts
• Blog posts
• Emails
• Videos
• Inspirational graphics
• Meditations
• Podcasts

27. ...you establish yourself as an expert in your field.

28. The more you demonstrate your expertise, the more your audience will trust you and come to you to solve their problems.

29. Personal Branding Allows You to Attract Your Ideal Audience

30. When you’re known as the expert in your industry:

• It attracts your ideal audience - the people who need your help the most.
• You get more referrals from others in your industry and related industries.
• You can charge a premium price - the kind of price that only an expert can charge.

31. Tony Robbins is a prime example of this.

32. He attracts huge audiences of people who want to fulfill their potential.

33. Do you want to experience the Tony Robbins effect?

34. Personal Branding Puts You in Charge of the Narrative

35. Your personal brand will evolve, whether you want it to or not. If you:

• Use social media
• Have an email list
• Have a blog
• Speak to groups
• Record and share videos

36. ...then you’re already building your personal brand.

37. The question is whether you’re intentionally shaping the narrative of your brand.

38. The beauty of intentional personal branding is that it ensures that you’re actively shaping your own narrative.

39. Personal Branding Increases Your Visibility

40. The more you build your personal brand, the more visible you’ll become.

• You’ll attract more fans on social media.
• Those fans will share your content with their tribes.
• The more your content gets shared, the more fans you’ll attract.

41. As your fan base grows, you can expect to be featured in the media.

42. The more you’re featured in media outlets, the more opportunities you’ll have to speak in front of crowds.

43. Building your personal brand and building your platform go hand-in- hand.

44. Personal Branding Shapes What Content You Share

45. Only share content that aligns with and promotes the values of your personal brand.

46. Personal Branding Connects You More with Individuals

47. The more you work to build your personal brand, the more individuals will want to connect with you.

48. Personal Branding Allows You to Become an Influencer

49. There are some significant benefits to being an influencer...

50. Big brands want to work with influencers that have a large audience, which can result in more revenue for you.

51. You often receive free things from companies who are interested in partnering with you.

52. You receive media requests to speak at, or even just attend, events.

53. Are you starting to see the power of your personal brand?

54. There are few things more powerful than your personal brand.

55. Are you ready to start building your personal brand?

56. How to Build a Personal Brand

57. Step #1
Determine Who You Really Are

58. Ask yourself:

1. What unique skills do I have?
2. What are my core values?
3. What am I most passionate about?
4. What unique experiences have shaped who I am?
5. How can I most effectively serve my core audience?
6. What do I have to offer that no one else does?

59. The answers to these questions should shape your personal brand.

60. Step #2
Determine What You Want to Accomplish

61. Answer these questions:

• What would I like to accomplish, both personally and professionally?
• What do I want to be known for?
• If I could be the world’s foremost expert on a topic, what would it be?
• What key message do I want to communicate?
• If I could only give one piece of advice, what would it be?

62. Step #3
Identify Your Target Audience

63. To identify your core audience, ask yourself these questions:

• Who can I most effectively help?
• Who will benefit most from my skill set and knowledge?
• Who am I most passionate about serving?
• Who will resonate most with me and my brand?

64. When determining your core audience, it can be helpful to create a persona which represents your ideal client.

65. Include the following information in the persona:

• Demographics: How old are they? Male? Female? Single? Married? What is their level of education? What career are they in? How much do they make?
• Hopes and dreams: What do they want their future to look like? What are their goals?
• Challenges: What obstacles do they face? Why haven’t they been able to reach their goals?

66. Step #4
Determine Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP)

67. I help (target person) to (achieve X) so that they can (outcome).

68. Your USP should portray the heart of who you are and how you help your audience.

69. It may help to give your USP a unique name that will stick in people’s minds.

70. Creating your USP gives you a high degree of clarity about what your brand is all about.

71. Step #5
Start Treating Yourself as a Brand

72. In every communication with your audience, you stay true to your brand message.

73. It also means creating a strong, compelling website.

74. It means creating a media page or media kit on your site for media inquiries.

75. It could mean having an assistant answer your emails.

76. You have to treat yourself like you truly are: a powerful brand that has a powerful message.

77. Step #6
Optimize Your Website

78. Your website is one of the primary places people get to know who you are and what you do.

79. Your website also functions as one of the primary ways you turn visitors into paying clients.

80. First impressions are really important when it comes to your website.

81. Have a professional logo designed.

82. Show off your Unique Selling Proposition.

83. Use professional photographs.

84. Use testimonials.

85. Present a clear call-to-action.

86. Create a compelling “About” page.

87. Create a Services page.

88. Give away free resources.

89. Create a Contact page.

90. Step #7
Develop Your Content Strategy

91. One effective content strategy is the “Pillar Method.” It works like this…

92. At set intervals create a longer piece of “pillar” content.

93. Publish your pillar content on your primary platform.

94. Take your pillar content and cut it up into smaller, shareable pieces of content.

95. Share the smaller pieces of content across all your channels.

96. Repeat the process again and again.

97. By using the “Pillar Method” for your content strategy, you ensure that every piece of content you post is always on brand.

98. In addition to using the “Pillar Method,” you can also simply repurpose content into different formats.

99. Step #8
Constantly Add Value to Your Audience

100. The main thing people should take away when interacting with your brand is how much value you provide.

101. Step #9
Build a Community

102. Start a private Facebook group.

103. Host live events.

104. Create a membership site.

105. Now Is the Time to Build Your Brand

106. “We all have a personal brand whether we think about it that way or not. So, let’s be intentional about it.” Kathy Klotz-Guest

107. Here’s a quick summary of how to build your brand:

• Identify what matters to you.
• Define your core audience.
• Determine your Unique Selling Proposition.
• Treat yourself like a brand.
• Create a compelling website.
• Plan your content strategy.
• Constantly bring your best self to your audience.
• Build your community.

108. The more you do those things, the more you’ll attract an audience of raving fans. Need help? Reach out to https://www.market-connections.net.

​Your personal brand is no longer something to be taken lightly if you want to be taken seriously in business. This is to outline the value of personal branding, identifying your brand, and promoting your brand for career growth.

Increase your visibility. Post fresh content on your website or blog regularly. Stay active on social media. Look for opportunities to teach classes, give presentations, or write articles in your field.
​ 

1. Build buzz. Collect samples of positive feedback you get in the workplace. Assemble testimonials from happy clients and encourage them to make referrals. Word of mouth is often more effective and certainly cheaper than paid advertising.

1. Tell your success stories. Craft brief anecdotes about your accomplishments that showcase your skills and make you proud. Rehearse telling them so you sound natural.

• Monetize your contribution. Numbers sound convincing. Try to quantify the value you can deliver. For example, if you’re pitching your IT services to a small business owner, discuss how much money they can save by signing up with you for monthly maintenance visits that reduce the risk of expensive repairs and downtime.  

1. Put together a dream team. It’s difficult to go it alone. Cultivate your network. Help others  market their brand, and they’re more likely to do the same for you. Team up with complementary partners. Exchange services like cooking meals for a friend who cuts your hair.

Branding used to be for cattle and big corporations, but now everyone is in on the act. Take charge of your personal brand to achieve more career success and guide your life in a direction that is meaningful for you.

Source: https://www.market-connections.net/blog/how-to-build-a-personal-brand

​Learn how to write an elevator pitch as a short summary to talk about yourself in a compelling and concise way. Knowing how to do this right is imperative. Your elevator pitch tells the employers about what your expertise is, how you can contribute and what is the impact of your contribution. Try out these suggestions for preparing and presenting your introduction.

• ​Invent multiple versions. Adapt your elevator pitch to a variety of circumstances. That way you can respond if you have extra time. You’ll also be able to talk to industry insiders and other professionals who are less familiar with your background.
• Rehearse carefully. Practice while looking in a mirror or record yourself. Talking out loud will help you determine if your speech sounds natural.
• Invite feedback. Ask friends to let you practice on them. Use their suggestions and questions to make adjustments. You may need to speak more slowly or translate industry jargon into language that’s easier to understand.
• Stay up to date. Review your pitch on a regular basis. There may be buzzwords that grow stale over time and need to be replaced. Also, you may have earned new credentials that you want to include.
• Spend time listening. Watch for the other person’s reactions and listen to their comments. Ideally, you’ll open up a two-way conversation. Pick someone you admire and pay attention to the way they introduce themselves. It could give you some worthwhile ideas.
• Exude confidence. Start out with a firm handshake as long as it’s appropriate for the setting and situation. Radiate enthusiasm. Hold your head up high and smile. Make eye contact for a few seconds.
• Be prepared. You can use your speech for more than just job interviews. Keep it in mind when you’re at cocktail parties, soccer games, or shopping malls. It’s possible you’ll bump into someone who may have a lead on the kind of position you are seeking.
• Remember to follow up. Think of your pitch as the first step in a longer process. Hand out and collect business cards. Suggest getting together for coffee to continue a discussion.

An effective elevator pitch entices people’s curiosity and makes them want to hear more. Formulate an elevator pitch to tell the employers why hiring you is the right decision.

Did you know that giving a speech tops the list of most common fears. Standing in front of a group of people, hoping you don’t mess up, and praying that the words come out right is frightening. Try these tips to help you stay calm and give that all-star speech that you’re capable of giving...

• What to say in an elevator pitch?
• ​What is a good elevator pitch?
• Why is an elevator pitch important?
• How important is the length of your elevator speech?
• Who must have a career pitch ready at all times?
• How to nail your elevator pitch?
• Is there an elevator pitch formula?
• ​Sign up for an  interview coaching session  for answers to the above questions and more about a customized elevator pitch for you.

​The term “branding yourself” has already become a part of many people’s vocabulary, while others are still wondering about its definition. While “branding” (which is defined as “to make an indelible mark or impression on somebody or something”) is a valuable strategy, you may be more comfortable with the idea of simply positioning yourself to be successful in your job search and career.
 
Many job seekers don’t realize they have already positioned themselves — they just haven’t articulated it yet. Maybe you’re known as “the sales manager that makes quota, no matter what’s going on in the economy,” or “the engineer that can speak in language the customer understands.” That’s your positioning.
 
To cultivate the job positioning that will help you reach your career goals, you must understand and be able to communicate what makes you exceptional and compelling.
 
You must find a way to stand out in a crowded job search. If you’re not known for something, you won’t be known for anything. One size does not fit all.

​Knowing your skills and professional qualifications — and being able to articulate them — will also help you navigate applicant tracking systems (ATS).
 
Position yourself effectively to attract connections, opportunities, and job offers.

To identify how to position yourself, it helps to examine a couple of key issues:

• What is the Company’s Need? What specific problem are they trying to solve with this job? Are they trying to make money? Save money? Save time? Keep existing customers? Acquire new customers?
• What are your Core Abilities? What special abilities do you possess that separate you from other candidates for this position?
• What are your Values? What is your belief system (behavior and ethics) that is inherent to you? Does this set you apart?
• What is your Connection to the Company’s Need? Do you possess something special that solves your target employer’s problem?

 
Be aware of the kind of work you are willing to do and the kind of work you don’t want to do. Make a list of the things you like to do, and what you don’t like to do.
 
Look to your work history for clues to your job positioning. What in your work history did you do to make things better? Look for instances where you showed leadership and accomplishments.
 
Check out your existing online profile. What comes up when you Google yourself? What is your social media presence? What are you known for online?
 
Begin with the end in mind: What job do you want? Then figure out what qualities and attributes set you apart from your competition.
 
Additional resources to help you identify what makes you stand out:

• Performance evaluations
• Customer appreciation letters
• Look through your emails to see what great things people have said about you and your work
• LinkedIn Recommendations
• Letters of commendation from colleagues and supervisors
• Ask people you know (and people you work with) for feedback. How do others see you?

​Researching your desired job can also help you identify your unique job positioning. Looking at job postings can help, but you should also consider going further in-depth. These sites can help:

O*NET Online (https://www.onetonline.org/)
This website was created for the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration by the National Center for O*NET Development. The O*NET program is “the nation’s primary source of occupational information,” according to the site. It contains information on hundreds of occupations and is available to job seekers at no cost.
 
Every occupation requires unique knowledge, skills, and abilities. These occupational characteristics are outlined on the site. The occupational descriptions, which include descriptions of day-to-day work, along with qualifications and interests of the typical worker, allow job seekers to identify unique job positioning opportunities for themselves in their job search.

​​You can also access the O*NET Resource Center, a free tool (available for immediate download) to assess your occupational interests.  The tool offers personalized career suggestions based on your interests and level of work experience.
 
Access the tool here: https://www.onetcenter.org/IP.html.

​My Next Move​ (https://www.mynextmove.org/)
You can start your research on an O*NET-affiliated site, My Next Move. The site is an interactive tool for job seekers to learn more about career options. It includes descriptions, skills, and salary information for more than 900 professions. You can identify careers through keyword search, by browsing industry classification, or through the O*NET Interest Profiler.

My Next Move is maintained by the National Center for O*NET Development under the sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration.

​​When you identify a profession, you can assess the knowledge, skills, and abilities required for success in the role. These can often guide job positioning. The “Personality” and “Technology” sections also give insight into your positioning.
 
The “On the Job, You Would” information includes common job functions. Look to see if these are areas where you excel — this can be a point of differentiation.
 
Also, check out the “Also Called” information under the occupation for related job titles you can use in your job positioning tagline.

America’s Career InfoNet (​https://www.careerinfonet.org/)
This website is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Labor’s CareerOneStop program. The website includes occupation and industry information, salary data, career videos, education resources, self-assessment tools, and career exploration assistance.

Occupational Outlook Handbook​ (https://www.bls.gov/ooh/)
The Occupational Outlook Handbook (OOH) provides information on what workers do, working conditions, what qualifications are required for success in the position, pay, job outlook, similar occupations, and sources of additional information for research for more than 300 occupational profiles.
 
To find an occupation, browse the occupational group of interest on the left-hand side of the website, or use the “A-Z Index” (if you know the specific occupation). You can also enter a job title into the “Search Handbook” box at the top of the site. You can also search for occupations by pay range, education level, training, projected number of new jobs, and projected job growth rate — using the “Occupation Finder” or occupation selector drop-down menus on the home page. If you can’t find an occupation you are interested in, look in the alphabetical index, using similar occupational titles to search for an occupation.

​Glassdoor (https://www.glassdoor.com/)
You can also research your prospective employer to identify how to effectively position yourself to work at that specific company. Glassdoor is an excellent way to assess what is important to the employer and how you might fit in.​​​

Here are things you should do:

• Do make sure your positioning reflects your personality.
• Do incorporate keywords (nouns, industry-specific terminology, and skills) into your positioning.
• Do be authentic. Make sure your positioning reflects your personal values, qualifications, and attributes.

 
Here are some things you should not do:

• Don’t go on and on. Don’t tell your whole life story. Get to the point quickly.
• Don’t be too general. One of the biggest mistakes with your position is not being specific enough. The more specific you are, the more effective your positioning will be.
• Don’t be boring. You need to get the reader’s attention! Be interesting.

Recruiters and hiring managers need help knowing what kind of position you’re focused on. It’s harder to find a job when you don’t know what kind of job you want. Conversely, it is easier to find a job if you know what kind of job you want.
 
There are fewer opportunities for average performers to be found in the hiring process, but there are tremendous opportunities for stars. Positioning helps you identify where you can be a star performer and then make the case (through your work and your career communication documents) to support this claim.
 
The next step is to align your job search with your positioning. Make sure your résumé and interview preparation support this and make your case.

Many job seekers develop their job positioning when they are looking for a new job. But job positioning can help you be more effective — and visible — in your current job.
 
In your current job, get attention for the work you’re already doing:

• Offer to do a presentation showing your (or your group’s) accomplishments for the quarter.
• Contact your company’s Communications Department to see if they are interested in doing an article for the company newsletter on a recent project.
• Make sure you are keeping an “Accomplishments Journal” documenting your current career successes.

 
Develop your own communications plan in your current position. Increase your personal visibility by speaking, writing, and participating in social media. Once you’ve identified your job positioning, see how you can incorporate it into your everyday work life. This will make you worth more to your current employer (remember, superstars stand out!) and make you more attractive as a job candidate when it is time for you to look for a new position.

Source: ​https://www.market-connections.net/blog/brand-position-yourself