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Personal brand Everyone has one
Over the Summer I talked to over 1000 teenagers about the importance of Personal Branding

They are digital natives – the generation that has grown up with technology and social media and are much more aware than their parents about how what they post on social media can impact their lives

This generation is the generation that grew up when LinkedIn lowered the age to 13, knows how to network their face off and will document their life online in a way that opens up doors and new opportunities

In this blog we look at a few of the questions around Personal Branding: what it is, why it’s important and how to enhance your personal brand this using social media

What is a personal brand? Do You Have A Personal Brand? What’s the most important part?
Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon describes a personal brand as “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room”

So in that respect everyone has a personal brand whether they like or not. You can’t opt out of other people perceiving you in one way or the other

A personal brand is what defines us and the intersection is that crossover between what we say about ourselves or how we market ourselves and what others say about us

Ultimately your brand can be good or bad depending on how you treat people

In terms of business this is hugely important as it dictates whether people want to do business with you

or

In terms of being an employee it could be the difference between being on the top of the list or being overlooked for an all important promotion

Personal Brand - Something you live and breathe every day
How does a personal brand differ from a CV?

A CV is just a list of factual achievements on paper. It’s quite sterile and to the point

A personal brand is something you live and breathe every day for life

It’s more than the shoes you wear, the watch on your wrist or the cut of your suit

It’s your personality and what makes you, you

It’s all about authenticity, so it isn’t something you can switch on and off. It isn’t a stage show and it isn’t one off campaign

Literally a personal brand is from cradle to grave

Personal brand everything is amplified by social media
Is the concept of a personal brand the outcome of the social media / digital age?

The idea of personal brands was 1st introduced in 1937, so personal brands aren’t something that were invented post-Social Media or after mobile phones

But like everything, your personal brand is amplified by social media

The average smart phone user picks up their phone 150 times a day and people are spending hours each day on social media, so social media is massively powerful in putting the spotlight on brand you

Think of your network – you’ll probably see most of your network more online than you do face 2 face

Even not turning up on LinkedIn or Twitter says a certain amount – people may perceive you as someone who isn’t passionate, dedicated or part of the community by your lack of profile

Social Media allows you to get eyeballs, ears and attention at greater scale and ease than ever before

Personal Brand You See More Of Your Network Online
How can social media specifically help build your personal brand?

Helping others and great content help you become the go to person in your industry

Firstly turn up daily and be that person that looks out for opportunities for others

You won’t enhance your personal brand using social media if you turn up once a week or once a month

You literally have to be all in – you can’t do something as important a social media half heartedly

Social Media is used far too often for broadcasting rather than listening

Simply looking at your Twitter / LinkedIn feed each day opens up opportunities to connect others and share others good news

It’s also important that you regularly produce content that enhances your audience’s life – whether that be a written blog, podcasts or videos

Look at leading business figures such as Richard Branson – they produce content on a regular basis

People buy from people
Some leading business figures, say “no” to a personal brand. Are they right?

The reality is these people have a personal brand whether they like it or not.

The anti-personal brand is a brand in itself

Often you’ll find that these leading business figures have a very strong brand and people know instantly what they stand for, what their beliefs are and how they treat people

You can decide to be part of the conversation or sit on the side-lines

It’s really important if you’re a small business owner, specifically in a relatively small community like Greater Manchester to be part of that community in an authentic way

People buy from people is a little clichéd, but it’s true.

Be Nice Always

What are your lasting tips for creating a lasting authentic personal brand?

Be nice always – 3 words that will serve you well

NEED HELP WITH YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA?
Chat to about Social Media Marketing for YOUR organisation , so we can better understand YOU and what will grow your organisation

We can only find out what is unique to your business by chatting with you

Look at our Social Media Training and Social Media Management services

Or

Please call Alex on 07806774279 or email alex@altrinchamhq.co.uk

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Alex McCann

Author Alex McCann

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