I've been asked to think about personal branding this week. I could not come up with a concise answer to what personal branding means to me. I found this list of ideas of what branding is. When reviewing this list, which items do you think are important considering the social, economic, and political environment we are currently in?
6
12 Comments
12 Comments
Amy Hughes
92
Creative Communications Professional
01/28/21 at 4:09PM UTC
For branding I always first consider what new or fresh approach someone can bring to the space they are entering: leadership, small business, industry, etc. And then go from there. As well what should inform each of these from the logo to voice, tone, and style, to culture(MSV) is that every element is indeed personal to you. You should know why that font, those colors, that quote, this value were all used and selected.
For me the most important parts of the list:
Logo/Color Scheme/Fonts
Voice, Tone, and Style/Naming/Mission, purpose, and values
Personality/Culture/Consistency
I think, personally, by focusing on these elements one would have a great foundation on starting their personal brand. The rest comes along naturally in the process :)
Great question!
Amy
1 Reply
Carmelita Ervin
185
Implementation Consultant
01/28/21 at 6:09PM UTC
Thanks Amy! Excellent advise. I now feel I have a direction to start to make decisions.
2
Reply
Kaley
57
Coordinator of Gift Processing
01/28/21 at 4:16PM UTC
I love the idea of personal branding! For myself, I think of my personal brand as the way others perceive me, so mostly intangible items? I want my coworkers to perceive me and be able to rely on me for things.
I am a part of a larger organization that has its own logo and mission statement, I get to be absorbed into my Org's logo/mission statement. Because I dont have to represent myself, I need to be proud of the work that my Org does because not only do they represent me but I also represent them.
1
1 Reply
Carmelita Ervin
185
Implementation Consultant
01/28/21 at 6:11PM UTC
Thank you for sharing that with me and others on the site.
Reply
Heather Bingham
59
Organisational Psychologist & Performance Coach
01/28/21 at 4:38PM UTC
Building a personal brand is a notion that many I work with - predominantly Brits and South Africans - find very uncomfortable. To them it often, incorrectly, smacks of boastfulness and bigheadedness. Because of this, I merely ask them to think about where they stand out above others as a professional and whether they have any particular skills that another employer would find attractive. Typically they name two or three aspects of their job that they are best at first, and then they mention one or two of their behaviours that give them a sense of satisfaction or pride. As they grow, they also get a sense of what they most enjoy. I find this is a better way to guide them towards a personal brand and onwards in their career, rather than asking them to envisage where they will be in 5 years time, and it helps me and my colleagues to determine a professional development programme with which they engage fully. By the time they have 5-6 years of work experience under their belt, they are automatically able to single out their individual offering to us and to the wider job market, and they have a very solid appreciation of their personal brand, without sacrificing the effort needed by them to make them successful all round performers too.
1
1 Reply
Carmelita Ervin
185
Implementation Consultant
01/28/21 at 6:12PM UTC
Heather, what a wonderful way to explain it. Love it! Thanks for sharing.
Reply
Kat Brown
66
Technical Project Manager/Scientist in Missouri
01/28/21 at 4:43PM UTC
I think Linked in has some great examples of this. Tone is what really resonates. Once you have the basics down, like summarizing your expertise and niche, tone especially considering the pandemic is important. A simple "wishing you and your family the best" is a nice touch at the end of emails. And especially starting meetings with, how are you doing, and responding appropriately, "I hope your day gets better" etc is important.
1
Reply
Katie Copenhaver
16
Business Development Manager
01/28/21 at 4:55PM UTC
Thank you for sharing! I’ve always struggled with knowing when to “stay in my lane” in my career with personal branding. I love the advice here!
1
Reply
Katrina McNair
2.67k
Site Director and Online Educator
01/28/21 at 5:52PM UTC
Hello Carmelita,
I believe it has to be very visual such as bright, bold and colorful. The wording has to be catchy or grasp your attention. Then you have to figure out what your target market is such as women, children, men or a diverse group of people. I hope this helps.
Sincerely,
Katrina
Reply
Carmelita Ervin
185
Implementation Consultant
01/28/21 at 6:14PM UTC
Thanks Katrina. It really does. I have been all over the place. The advice and suggestions I have received so far have been clarifying.
Reply
Anonymous
01/28/21 at 7:07PM UTC
I saw a short course yesterday on LinkedIn Learning about learning personal branding: https://www.linkedin.com/learning/learning-personal-branding-2/your-most-powerful-marketing-tool
1 Reply
Carmelita Ervin
185
Implementation Consultant
01/29/21 at 2:54PM UTC
Thanks for sharing. The course was an excellent education tool. I watch it!
Reply
Looking for a new job?
Our employer partners are actively recruiting women! Update your profile today.
The Fairygodboss Feed
We're a community of women sharing advice and asking questions