We all are somewhat aware of the meaning of personal branding. But how much of it is implemented in our life is the question and why is the need for it.
Personal branding – It is a process of building up over a period of time a set of skills, qualities and personality. When you use all these in every day situations, you gain experience. So it is experience together with the other three forming the four pillars of personal branding.
Without knowing it, our personal branding keeps improving, the problem is we do not show it to the outside world. Many times personal branding becomes a private thing. Other instances we use it for personal life only.
But there is definitely an opportunity for entrepreneurs to use the power of personal branding to reach more clients and gain their trust.
Individual Identity
Any person who knows you remembers or recollects certain qualities and skills. That is your individual identity. If someone knows your personally or as a friend, then the qualities like humorous, jolly and so on come to mind. Certain qualities are remembered by clients when they do business transactions. So which quality of yours would you want your client to remember you for.
Online Presence
The importance of online presence is the most misjudged factor of personal branding. Clients are going to form an opinion about you based on your online personal. There is a strong likelihood that clients will also make buying decisions based on your online profile.
Consistency and Authenticity
There have been successful entrepreneurs and business owners who basically earn money through questionable business practises. But in such cases they are not able to build a reputation. Consistency is the key to create life long connections with clients. Authenticity is the way to take it forward.
Professional Growth
Usually brand owners say that they are 100% committed to client work and earning money. That is not a good idea and it will not sustain you for long. You should work on research and getting skills update for about 60% of your time. Rest can be client work. The question you might ask is why so much time in professional growth. That is because this will give you confidence while doing client’s work will give you exhaustion. So the right balance will keep you going day in and day out.
So these are the four approaches you need to take for personal branding. Some other practical tips are as follows. Use your name frequently, full name or abbreviated, that does not matter. Personal hygiene is very important, put a lot of emphasis on it. Try to be on time, that is the most powerful statement you can ever make. If you can earn money, flaunt it and not the other way around.
I am an MBA graduate with dual qualification in Finance and HR. I have done a Google Certified course in Digital Marketing. With many such qualifications under my belt, I am now focused on women entrepreneurship. With brands like SukaOne and Narisakti, I help women to make their idea to reality and navigate their way through the maze of digital work.