Elite Personal Brand Management
Branding is not for companies alone. You have a brand—a personal brand—yourself, whether you realize it or not. And, today, with social media and instant access to information, your brand is more important than ever.
For example, according to recent studies, “82% of customers trust a company when their senior management members are active on social media.” Sales representatives who incorporate social media into their sales techniques “outsell 78% of their peers.”
And personal branding can impact your corporate brand. For example, “[e]mployees at companies that invest in personal branding initiatives are 27% more likely to feel optimistic about their company’s future,” reflecting positively on the company overall.
No matter the size of your business, whether you’re a freelancer or you have numerous employees, you should understand how to build your personal brand while incorporating it into your public relations (PR) strategy.
Personal branding is your story. Who you are, where you came from, and where you’re going. It’s your experience, your skills, and your goals. And, “[i]n today’s increasingly digital world, a personal brand is no longer a nice-to-have; it’s expected.”
A personal brand, however, cannot be well-crafted by jumping on LinkedIn a couple of times. It would be best if you had a strategy.
Is your messaging across social media channels consistent? What do you see when you Google yourself? What is your online reputation?
According to Forbes, “[e]ffective personal branding will differentiate you from the competition and allow you to build trust with prospective clients and employers.” In other words, it’s how you communicate who you are by telling your story while demonstrating your value to potential customers. In addition, Northwestern University states that “[y]our personal brand should highlight your strengths, establish a reputation, build trust, and communicate the unique attributes that you bring to your current (or desired) industry.”
Creating a strategy for your personal brand can’t be done in a vacuum. It must be part of your overall PR strategy of getting your message out there through crafting your story and resonating with the right audiences.
Most PR can be broken down into three categories: owned, paid, and earned.
For example, owned includes content you publish on social media or your website. Paid includes advertising your message, such as buying ads on Facebook. Earned is when others sing your praises by becoming followers of your social media accounts or reposting your content.
Do you sell products B2B? Then, you’d want to include LinkedIn in your strategy. Want to deliver expert tips? Then, you’d incorporate a blog or a guest article in an industry publication as well. Do you want to show your altruistic side? Then, highlight your work with charities or your support of a cause.
No matter your message, to be truly effective, you need to choose the right channel while telling your story consistently. And, just like with any marketing or communications strategy, it requires your commitment to create coherent, achievable goals, use the right tools, and create excellent content that resonates with your intended audience.
Feeling overwhelmed with the necessity of integrating your brand into a PR strategy? For your personal brand and digital marketing, you’re not alone. After years of working exclusively with enterprise clients, we couldn’t ignore the call for marketing and personal branding services coming for individuals and small businesses who weren’t ready to hire a full-service agency.
Bell + Ivy offers online services such as content research, personal brand websites, and personal brand bios to use across platforms. With our expertise in strategic consulting, personal branding, and digital marketing strategies, we can maximize the reach and authority of your brand, allowing you to focus on your business. For a consultation, contact us today.
