A personal brand helps to stand out from competitors and plays a key role in promoting goods and services, significantly influencing the level of sales.
Personal brand promotion is a strategic approach that requires understanding the target audience and working through all aspects of the public image. In this article, I will tell you who can promote a personal brand and share my personal experience.
What is a personal brand?
A personal brand is a set of associations and impressions associated with a person. It is formed on the basis of professional and personal qualities, appearance, manner of communication, values and achievements. A personal brand helps to stand out, become recognizable, and gain the trust of the audience.
Key aspects of a personal brand:
Professional skills and experience. Reputation, career success, awards, and public speeches inspire the audience's confidence in the product on which the expert is working.
Image and appearance. The appearance and style of clothing create the image you promote, reflect the individuality. And the manner of communication forms the perception of a person.
Values and beliefs. They show what a person considers important and what his approach to professional activity is based on. Consistency in actions and words creates a positive impression.
Online presence. Social networks, websites and blogs are channels for the distribution of expert content and a territory for interaction with the audience.
I promote a personal brand through content and social media activity, apply a deep understanding of the market, and strengthen my image as an expert. For me, it is important to have a holistic image that helps to stand out and establish trusting connections with the audience.
And a personal brand is not only content promotion and SMM, but also offline and online networking. Regular communication with other market participants and exchange of experience are necessary to keep abreast and constantly learn, and thereby maintain your expertise and observation.
The role of a personal brand in career and business
Promoting a personal brand brings significant benefits for career and business, increases awareness and builds reputation, allowing you to stand out from competitors and establish yourself as an authority in your field. The active development of a personal brand creates new opportunities for attracting customers and partners.
In addition, research highlights the importance of reputation for marketing and increasing a company's profits: 74% of consumers from all age groups trust professionals with a strong personal brand more, 63% of respondents are more likely to buy products offered by such a person, and 57% will listen to their recommendations.
The influence of the manager's personal brand on the company's image
Thanks to the development of a personal brand, the manager becomes the "face" of the business; His personal qualities are associated with the organization he manages. 45% of the company's image is formed on the basis of the reputation of its leader. If he is known for his professionalism and leadership qualities, then he "transfers" these associations to his organization.
A personal brand contributes to the development of business relationships and the creation of new opportunities. Executives with a good online presence are more likely to receive invitations to conferences and media outreach, which helps expand business contacts, thereby increasing revenue and business growth. Moreover, 87% of company directors note that a developed personal brand helps them attract investors.
The reputation of the manager also affects the search for qualified employees of the company: 50% of respondents would like to work for a person about whom you can find positive information on the Internet.
A negative perception of a personal brand can damage a business's reputation. Scandals and dissatisfaction associated with a top manager, as well as any negative incident related to the manager, can affect the perception of the entire company.
Thus, a personal brand and a business's reputation are interrelated. Effective personal brand management is important to maintain a positive perception of the organization.
Who cares about a personal brand?
Entrepreneurs and freelancers. For them, a personal brand helps them stand out, attract customers and build trust, which helps to promote services and strengthen their reputation in their niche.
Specialists of companies. A personal brand demonstrates their achievements and qualifications. This is important for career growth, transition to a new position, or change of direction. A strong personal brand opens up new opportunities and increases the chances of getting the desired position.
Executives and top managers. The personal brand of these persons is often associated with the reputation of the company, strengthens trust, attracts partners and forms a positive public opinion.
Public figures. For bloggers, writers, and speakers, a personal brand is important for demonstrating knowledge and expanding the audience.
Students and young professionals. Even in the early stages of a career, a personal brand helps to stand out, find internships, and build professional connections, which contributes to further career growth.
When is a personal brand not needed?
While a personal brand can provide many benefits, in some cases, developing it can be irrelevant and impractical. Let's consider situations when a personal brand is not a priority:
Highly specialized positions. For professionals in highly specialized fields, creating a personal brand is not so important, because they are required to have technical expertise, not a public image.
Anonymity and confidentiality. For people who prefer to stay out of public attention, the development of a personal brand is not available.
Areas with a low level of competition. In industries with low competition and stable demand, a personal brand may not matter much.
Contract and temporary positions. For employees on contracts or temporary projects, the development of a personal brand may be less relevant, since the main focus is on the implementation of specific tasks.
Results: the role of a personal brand in business
In today's world, a personal brand is becoming a key tool for business promotion. A personal brand helps to stand out, build trust, attract customers and partners, and open up new career opportunities.
However, promoting a personal brand requires a strategic approach. Not all professionals need it, and the emphasis on its development depends on the specifics of the work, personal preferences and career goals.
Ultimately, a personal brand should align with your values and goals, as it's part of your professional journey. Its construction and maintenance can be an important step towards success, this is a separate area of activity that needs to be planned and worked out.