If you’re keen to shape your own personal brand, doing so can help you build a distinct digital identity, showcase your passions, connect with others of similar interest, find new job prospects, and more. Essentially, every one of us has a personal brand, even if we aren’t doing it on purpose. Think about it – even if you don’t have an online presence, or if you’ve neglected your online image, people will still form opinions about you when they’re looking to network, collaborate, or even offer career possibilities.
Let’s dive into this topic, with insights from Julia Weikel, a branding pro over at TrueName Domains. She’s got some tips to share when it comes to crafting your personal brand identity.
Want to know how to get going? Julia suggests being observant. Look at how other professionals in your field or employees at companies you admire behave online. Note their posts, how they interact, and what receives a lot of engagement. Be aware of their posting frequency, the tone they use, their unique traits. That’s their personal brand, and it can teach you a lot.
Follow and engage with content that resonates with your perspective. Some folks even switch on notifications so they can actively participate or share their own views early on.
Also, ensure that your usernames are consistent and snatch a matching domain name – for example, [yourname].world or .today. This could help guide people to content you’ve published or social accounts where you’re trying to build a following.
What should you prioritize? Authenticity is paramount, advises Julia. A personal brand cannot be handled like a corporate brand. People love engaging with real individuals, hence personal accounts tend to have way more followers than company accounts. Share not just your professional journey, but also your human side and other interests.
How does it benefit your career? Your active engagement online can indeed boost your appeal to potential employers. Statistically, companies are seen as more reliable when their senior staff are present online – not necessarily promoting the brand, but just there. Recently, many startups have been recruiting teams whose members have a strong social media presence, valued for their varying skills, expertise, or even their sense of humor. Furthermore, it’s reported that most hiring managers find their top candidates through recommendations.
Not so great at networking? That’s okay. Building a digital brand is a process that even introverts can enjoy. Make your personal brand genuine and let it grow and change along with your interests and professional journey.
A little bit about Julia Weikel – she’s an industry insider specializing in branding and marketing across Australia, China, and the U.S. She provides insight on brand-focused topics and talks about the opportunities available to entrepreneurs in this internet age.