5 Easy Steps to Building A Strong Personal Brand 

One thing I like about the Management Communications classes is how practical they are and how well they touch on important everyday topics. In a recent class, we talked about the usefulness of personal branding. Before going into that, it’s important to explain what a personal brand is. A personal brand is the combination of perceptions and emotions held by someone other than you describing the experience of coming in contact with you. Personal branding is not just a buzzword. It is the way you present yourself to the world, both online and offline. It is the impression you make on others, the value you offer, and the reputation you build.

You are your own brand manager, and so your role is to steer these perceptions so that they align with the vision you have for your brand and the goals you have for yourself.

Essentially, in Dr Ogbu’s words, “Think of yourself as a service that people must pay for.” If this is the case, then ask yourself: Why should they even consider buying what you sell them?

Your personal brand is important because it can help you achieve your personal and professional goals. Whether you want to land your dream job, grow your business, or make a difference in your community, you need a strong personal brand that showcases your strengths, skills, and passions.

So how do you create a personal brand that stands out from the crowd? How do you communicate your value and deliver on your promises? It’s one thing to build a brand; how do you nurture and maintain your brand over time? What is the continuous work involved?

In this article and the next, I will share five easy steps to building and sustaining a strong personal brand that can help you reach your full potential.

Step 1: Identify Your Value

The first step to building a personal brand is to identify your value proposition. This is the unique combination of qualities, skills, and experiences that make you who you are and set you apart from others.

To identify your value proposition, you need to ask yourself some questions, such as:

• What are you passionate about?
• What are you good at?
• What are your goals and aspirations?
• What problems can you solve?
• What benefits can you provide?
• What makes you different from others in your field or niche?

The answers to these questions will help you define your brand statement. If you’re wondering what this is, it is a concise and compelling summary of your value proposition. Your brand statement should capture your essence, your purpose, and your promise.

For example, here is a personal brand statement from Oprah Winfrey:

I am a global media leader, philanthropist, producer and actress. I have created an unparalleled connection with people around the world, making me one of the most respected and admired public figures today.

Think of your brand statement as an affirmative description of how and where you see yourself. So yes, in a way, it can be aspirational. The most important thing is that you consider it attainable.

In my usual style of dropping tidbits in the first post, I will stop here for now. In my next post, I’ll talk about the remaining four steps. Stay tuned!