Whether you are a CEO in a thriving industry or starting a new sales position, competing in the digital age requires an element of personal brand development. Some say it is the most critical aspect of professional success and growth.

Building and maintaining a strong emotional attachment to your personal brand can mean winning new business or getting that promotion.

The great news is that we can enhance our personal brand a succeed with just a few small activities.

IT IS NEVER TOO LATE TO ENHANCE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Building a personal brand is challenging and extremely rewarding for business and, more importantly, your personal relationships.

In today’s digital playground, it is easy to get lost behind a keyboard when trying to connect; sometimes, the emotional connection can get lost. Creating emotional connections can be a tremendous personal brand enhancer, but it takes some work. Below are a few quick tips for enhancing your personal brand: knowing why we should constantly grow our brand is essential.

1. Aids in creating authentic relationships with other thought leaders
2. Creates and elevates credibility as an expert
3. It allows you to expand your reach across multiple channels.
4. It establishes leadership opportunities.

Consider these seven tactics to expand your personal brand.

Connect your personal brand with your industry and your company brand.

Think of it as a triangle. You can draft or ride on top of those waves in a hot industry or with a well-branded company. For example, a sales professional with a leading semiconductor company uses that brand and branding to enhance your brand. Create a “halo effect.” Sometimes being in a particular industry can provide instant credibility. Maintaining that status is up to you, but the proximity of the brand will help.

Remember that it is essential to clear your company’s brand position and show you are an expert facilitator for the company brand. This is important for staying connected to the company brand and helping the client see the value in the company you represent. Remember, your impression in person should match how you promote yourself online.

Be Sincere

Personal branding takes effort and integrity. It must be consistent. Providing a unique brand promise can help your prospects feel comfortable opening up and listening to you. This authenticity can create personal connections and trust. Help your contacts by being upfront about your interests, so people will see you have something in common. Don’t be afraid to discuss your unique or specific interests. If you love shooting and gardening or have an athletics background, you should share this. Those are things that tell others who you are.

Identify What Makes You Unique

Find your WHY! In other words, talk about what you know and are authentically passionate about. I am passionate about helping businesses see their brand from the outside and creating marketing strategies that help them help others. Think of someone you consider a thought leader in your industry. Why do you admire them? Because they share their expertise with you and they are an authority. Now, what makes you a thought leader in your industry?

The things that make you valuable in your career should be the focus areas of your personal brand. Your audience will perceive you the way you initially present yourself. Half the battle of personal branding is believing what you know about yourself. An authentic brand is natural and can’t be faked. Be a storyteller. Share stories about how you have helped others with your unique talent, and always be humble.

Another way to build your brand is to find opportunities to speak at events or write blogs for online publications and LinkedIn.

Utilize Social Selling

Social selling is a must for any sales and marketing professional.

Seventy-five percent of online Americans said product information found on social media influences their shopping behavior and enhances brand loyalty.

For any professional, the personal brand must be mirrored digitally and physically. Your social channels are essential because they are where new contacts or clients who haven’t met you yet get their first impression. A significant opportunity is ensuring we use the same profile pic on all social media channels. Another key is capturing recommendations from former and current clients, coworkers, and supervisors.

Many LinkedIn users have profiles that are focused on attracting recruiters. It is essential to tailor our LinkedIn brand as a client-facing profile. A profile that builds your personal and business brand is more important, even if you search for a new career. Remember where we talked about alignment with your company brand? LinkedIn is the primary location for the execution of this strategy.

Get Involved In Your Community

Another excellent way to build your brand is to humbly inform our network about any philanthropic activities you participate in. Giving back is healthy regardless of your personal brand presence. Volunteering also provides the opportunity for storytelling and finding connections. Be active and make friends.

Here is a link to finding a local charity where you can volunteer. #getinvolved
https://www.charitynavigator.org/

Promote the entire team when marketing or selling

Gone are the days of the sales maverick or the road-warrior loner. Today we incorporate tremendous sales support when completing a strategic marketing play or sale. We should be advocates for the team and use this as an opportunity to extend their brand. Remember, a rising tide raises all boats. So don’t just talk about what “YOU” can do for a client; talk about what “WE” can do and why we do it.

The team will notice, and if it is authentic, it will advocate for one another, enhancing your entire group brand and increasing brand equity. Clients will see this as well.

Make Human Connections

A reliable personal brand connects you with relevant people and allows you to form valuable relationships with them—for both sides. The secret to sales success does lie in the human connection.

People do not buy things; they buy from people.

We would love to learn about your personal brand. Reach out to us at Concept2Completion
https://2completion.com