This informal CPD article on How to Build your Personal Brand was provided by the London School of Public Relations (LSPR) a training and business development organisation located in Notting Hill Gate, London.
The shortening of attention spans, the rise of social media and the movement towards online working has made it even harder to stand out professionally amongst the crowd. Developing a unique and impactful personal brand is the solution to showcasing your talents and expertise in today's crowded society.
How to Build your Personal Brand
Your personal brand is an indication of what you offer, how people remember you and ultimately the reason why people seek your expertise. A successful personal brand can bring increased income, raise your profile, propel career success, and open up new opportunities. Let's explore how can you gain influence internally and externally, and become a thought-leader within your industry.
Step 1: Ensure that you are an expert in your field
Your reputation as an industry expert and thought-leader hinges on your ability to simplify complicated and challenging content, and your ability to convey this information in an exciting and clear manner.
Step 2: Direction
Consider and evaluate what your personal brand currently is, and what you want to transform it into. What is your USP (Unique Selling Point) that can help you distinguish yourself from others?
Step 3: Target Audience
Define your target audience, considering demographics and psychographics. Establishing a personal branding statement that briefly explains who you are and what you do can help you identify your target audience if it is not immediately evident.
Step 4: Skillset
Assess your strengths, weaknesses, and your skills, and then put into place a plan to work on the weak links that may be holding you back. One way you may improve on these weak links is by enrolling on a relevant training course.
Step 5: Your Strategy
Creating a strategy with precise steps to improving your personal brand is important. Stay persistent and follow what you set out to do. Set short, medium, and long-term goals, and map out your route to achieving these.
Step 6: Tools and Routes
There are plenty of different tools and routes that you can use to build your personal brand. Producing a podcast, engaging in public speaking, creating your own website or blog, and email marketing are all great ways to build connections and establish your position as an expert.
Step 7: Social Profiles
It is not enough just to be on social media anymore. You need to ensure you are on the right platforms, that you are engaging with your audiences, and that the content you post is professional and of high quality.
LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, and even TikTok are all social platforms you should consider using if appropriate to your brand.
Step 8: Review
You should constantly monitor the quantitative results of your personal branding; web and social media analytics are consequently your best friends. Reviewing these analytics can help you pivot and adapt your strategies, as well as helping you convert attention into more business.
Step 9: Enjoy
Enjoy the rewards that come with transforming your personal brand and becoming a thought leader. However, beware, if you do not continue to stay on top of the latest developments in your industry, and if you do not spend time managing your image then you may be usurped.
We hope this article on How to Build your Personal Brand was helpful. For more information from London School of Public Relations (LSPR), please visit their CPD Member Directory page. Alternatively please visit the CPD Industry Hubs for more CPD articles, courses and events relevant to your Continuing Professional Development requirements.
