Dolly Parton – her personal brand is exaggerated feminine. She’s consistent, authentic, genuine, courageous, philanthropic, a brilliant business woman, and her personal brand is famously unique.
What’s Personal Branding and why is it important
Your personal brand is your story … it’s an ongoing process of developing and maintaining a reputation and impression which is individual, authentic, and represents a person’s values, lifestyle, and progression through life.
Personal branding is the conscious and intentional effort to create and influence public perception of a person by positioning them as an authority in their industry, elevating their credibility, and differentiating themselves from the competition, to ultimately advance their career, and increase their potential.
The term ‘branding’ used to be associated with businesses, but with the gig economy, and social media sites, personal branding has become fundamental. A personal brand is the unique combination of skills and experiences that make you who you are. It’s how you present yourself to the world.
Effective personal branding will differentiate you from the competition and allow you to build trust with your peers and the community you serve.
Whatever your profession, cultivating a personal brand has become more important than ever. According to a 2018 American Survey, 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates during the hiring process, and 43% of employers use social media to check on current employees.
Personal branding is beneficial from the employer’s perspective too. Companies, government or Not for Profit organisations who encourage employees to build strong personal brands are more successful in achieving their goals – and that’s what it’s all about.
When employees represent their workplace at conferences or any sort of event, they’re not only developing themselves but also providing their organisation with positive exposure.
A personal brand can help you reach any number of goals, both personal and professional, and it can also lead to many opportunities for advancement in your career.
A personal brand is a life-long project that constantly evolves and changes. Creating the right personal brand will help you be known for the right reasons and build and support your reputation.
