Personal Branding Matters
You are your brand!
Have you ever wondered what people have said about you when you’re not in the room? If your immediate response is: "Nope and I don't care!"....you might want to re-evaluate that. What if a future employer was in that room, a prospective client or even a potential spouse? (Ok, not so much the spouse part, but you get the point). Your personal brand reflects what people say when you are not in the room, NOT what you think people are saying. Don't know what your personal brand is? Don't worry, I'm still figuring it out myself. Learning how to define your personal brand is not as easy as one may think but it is very important. It makes you employable and not just employed. Looking to be a Brand Ambassador? This is what attracts a paying brand to you. An influencer or thought leader? Your future following. When someone clicks on your profile or website will they see someone authentic and relatable or just another person with thousands of followers but no substance? Dig deep, build, inspire and repeat. Your personal brand is what sets you apart from everyone else, hence the word "personal."
So I challenge you. Ask someone you know professionally to tell you what they think about you. Use these following questions as your guide:
In 2-3 sentences, how would you describe me to someone else who doesn't know me?
What was your first impression of me and why?
If a problem should arise, how would I solve it?
What are 3 key attributes you think defines my work ethic?
What do you think I am most passionate about?
My stomach dropped when I asked these questions. How can I possibly give someone the power to basically tell me things about myself that I should already know? Surprisingly, I received great constructive feedback. Actual feedback that I can apply, as I learn how to further define my brand. This may seem like a hard task at first, but trust me you'll be happy you did it!