How do I build a personal brand? This has become a very popular question.
Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon, has been famously quoted as saying, “Your brand is what other people say about you when you are not in the room.” A personal brand is a public perception or reputation that you want to create. You can decide what kind of brand you want to create for yourself, however your actions are what determine what your brand really is.
It is critical to have a personal brand that is favorable and one that aligns with the kinds of career opportunities you want to pursue. With the rise of social media and the world being connected more than ever before, your personal brand can begin to develop the minute you become a working professional. Your actions contribute to your personal brand every day and as your career grows, you have an opportunity to continue influencing it.
I’m going to provide you with three general tips that can help you build a personal brand that will allow you to attract the right opportunities.
1. Master the ability to work well with others
Let’s face it. No one wants to work with someone who they don’t look forward to interacting with no matter how talented they are. There will be plenty of situations that will be difficult to deal with but it’s up to you to master the ability to diffuse them and come to an understanding where you can work with others in a productive manner. This is a critical skill to master as someone who has been branded as difficult to work with will lose out on opportunities.
2. Consistently add value
If you are a subject matter expert or have a specific set of leadership skills that a project or team can use to solve a problem or come up with ideas, use it to add value consistently. In an ever-changing business climate, professionals who are known for stepping in and contributing in a positive way will always be highly regarded and used as a resource.
3. Deliver on every promise
When you commit to something, follow through every single time. If you are part of a project, make sure you deliver your portion on time. If you have committed to referring someone or making an introduction, do it. Being known as someone who sticks to their word is a great way to build a personal brand people want to associate themselves with.
A successful personal brand takes time to build. The good news is that you have the power to build one that will open doors for you.
If you have a question or are interested in learning more, connect with me.