How Strong Is Your Personal Brand?
Like company brands, personal brands can be positive, unknown, or negative. The first one is ideal. The second one is an opportunity. The third one is a career killer.
// By Alan Shoebridge //
Marketers and communicators understand the importance of a strong brand to the organizations they support. We also know how vital personal brands are to leaders of those organizations. We support those areas every day. So why aren’t more of us building our own robust personal brands that can help our careers — and our organizations — thrive?
For some people, personal branding feels too self-promotional. Others think a strong personal brand matters only when job hunting.
Many people object to the idea of a “personal brand” at all. You’re not a cereal, a car, or a hospital. If talking about your “brand” makes you feel uncomfortable, choose a different word — reputation, renown, or standing are good alternatives.
Why a Strong Personal Brand Matters
Jeff Bezos has been quoted as saying, “Your ‘brand’ is what other people say about you when you’re not in the room.” How far your career will go, and how quickly, depends on what others think of you. Like it or not, that’s the reality.
Here are three key points to remember:
- Nobody is as invested in your career as you are.
- Nobody will manage your career for you.
- It’s never bad to be known by more people for something good.
The good news? You have more control of your brand than you realize.
Whether you are just starting out or a seasoned professional, it’s never too late to improve your personal brand. Read on for tips on how you can build your reputation.