5 Ways to Build Your Personal Brand

By Wanda Guerra

What is a personal brand?
A personal brand is an element that not only helps us build our own online identity but also makes us stand out from the rest. It helps to communicate a unique identity and clear value to potential employers or clients. With the influence of new technologies and social networks, it is more than necessary to project a cohesive personal that is capable of sending a positive message about your identities and values. But where do you start? Here are 5 strategies to build your personal brand.

1. Define who you are
To create your personal brand, first, you must focus on yourself. Analyze yourself.
How would you define yourself? What is your greatest passion? Do you know a lot about a specific subject? It is also very helpful to know the perceptions that your family and friends have about you. Define your mission, your reason for being, the reason why you are who you are and how you are. Determine your vision, who would you like to be in the future, what achievements would you like to achieve. And lastly, define your values that define you as a person and as a professional. For example, some values are responsibility, punctuality and honesty.

2. Determine what you want to be known for
After defining yourself personally, you must shorten the type of information that you will provide. What is it that you do extremely well? It starts with one or two related themes, for example: Advertising and Design. Thus, you have a larger range of topics. Choose a particular area you would like to focus on and let it evolve over time. Get some interesting ideas about what your audience needs and how to differentiate yourself from the competition. According to Jonathan Long, founder of Uber Brands, your value proposition is what you are going to offer to your target audience and that will make you unique and unrepeatable. Create a value that speaks to what you do and who you best help.

3. Define your target audience
Determining objectives is a crucial factor in successfully developing a personal brand. It is true that good content tends to attract a large audience. However, this fact does not ensure success, as it does not guarantee that this is the right target audience for your brand. Defining who your target audience is will help you generate not only good content but the correct content to achieve your goals. The definition of your buyer persona is closely linked your objectives, so you should keep in mind who you want to address such as colleagues, clients, suppliers, contacts, etc. 

4. Build your online identity 
With so many different social media platforms available, your online presence will likely look different depending on the medium you choose. Just as companies create their own name, their own colors and their own logo that represents them, for your personal brand, it will be important to define the logo, colors and typography that represent you. Your logo is the visual element that represents you. It should be easily recognizable and associated with you. Your logo will include unique colors and typography that convey the brand concept that you have generated. In addition, using a photograph with the same filter, color temperature or concept is essential to maintain a consistent photographic narrative. Lastly, add your personal brand into your Twitter bio by using hashtags that focus on your niche, follow important people in your field, and retweet posts related to your industry. You can also create a portfolio that provides essential information about who you are and visually highlight your work. Remember to be visible and accessible!

4. Networking
​According to Forbes, 85% of all jobs are filled through networking. Building interpersonal connections can help you gain credibility thanks to the knowledge and opportunities presented by more established people in your field. Use the networking strategies to generate new contacts and strengthen current ones for the future of your career. LinkedIn is perfect for professional networking. The more connections you make, the more value you can provide in your interactions. In your profile, include key industry skills, as job recruiters will often search for keywords that relate to the role they are trying to fill. And do not forget to include personal accomplishments! Keep in mind that you are a brand; try to use the same username, profile photo, background images and about section on all the pages and networks that you register. 

Creating a personal brand is a daily job that challenges us to show ourselves how we want others to see us, through our messages, ideas and actions. The work and continuous care of your personal brand will pay off in the medium and long term, generating a good base of new professional and personal opportunities. What are you waiting for? Follow this strategic plan and start developing your own personal brand in a serious, professional, and effective way. Achieve your goals!

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