You are many different things to many different people. Take me, for example. I’m a mother, a daughter, a sister, a niece, and a soon-to-be aunt. I’m also a coach, an artist, a mentor, and an account coordinator of this inspiring company. You probably fulfill similar roles as well. But who does the public know you as? Or more importantly, who do you want the public to know you as? Take a minute to think about it. (Seriously… take a minute.)
Time’s up. If the person you outlined in your head doesn’t exist online, you have a great opportunity in front of you. Using the three digital methods described below, you can start to grow your personal brand.
1. Create a Personal Website
A personal website is the best way to get your name ranked by search engines. It doesn’t have to be wildly complicated; a few pages should do the trick. A good place to start is with Tumblr or WordPress. Not sure how to choose a domain name? I’ll tell you how in this blog post.
Include a headshot, your resume, links to your social media platforms, a bio, and whatever contact information you’re willing to provide. Once you have a firm grasp on your personal brand, you can expand your website as you see fit.
2. Start Blogging
Whether your blog is a part of your website or its own separate entity, you should have one. Not only will blogging improve your SEO score, it will help you:
- Establish your expertise
- Gain online influence
- Build a bigger network
- Strengthen your brand
Read more about the benefits of blogging here.
When blogging, be sure to create content that benefits your readers and is in line with the brand you’re trying to establish. A strong personal brand grows out of a personal narrative that is clear, consistent, and memorable. If you have multiple passions or areas of interest, find a unified theme and stick to it. If you’re not sure what all of that means, here are a few celebrities you might know (and probably will never forget) that have used their fame and fortune to create a brand unique to them.
3. Converse on Social Media
Social media is the golden goose of personal branding, but you have to lay those eggs in the right places to make the most of your efforts.
Every tweet, every post, every like, every share contributes to your personal brand. Decide how you want your brand to be perceived, be strategic with your interactions, and make sure you can be found on the most popular social media platforms. Network with strong brands like colleges, companies, and colleagues for example. Look for hidden opportunities (like writing a guest blog post which you can share on social) to leverage your connections with people in high places and make these connections public.
Your personal brand won’t blossom into a tree overnight, but it will begin to sprout and grow with the right care. The key is to be patient and stay consistent with your efforts. A little water, a little fertilizer, a little blogging, a little social, add some glorious sunshine and you’ll be surprised at how many connections you develop over the course of a year.
Want to learn more about what we do at Baker Labs? Visit us online or find us on Facebook.
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