Managing personal brand as we enter further into a digital age has become much more involved than simply practicing good email etiquette. With social media increasingly playing a role in job hiring and firing, and careers built on individual profile popularity and influence, the ability to favourably portray your personal brand across multiple channels is an integral part of your success.
I define personal brand as, “The initial perception people have of you that is reinforced over time by your clarity of communication, trust worthiness and willingness to listen to and try new concepts.” You can follow many avenues to consistently build your personal brand over time.
The digital universe is vast and remains largely self-policing, which catches many off-guard in spite of tales of woe from those who have been negatively affected by their personal social profiles.
When someone locates us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook or other social media channels, they may or may not see our photograph and a description of who we are and what we do along with all of our posts about current events and personal milestones.
Most people looking to expand their circles with “quality” connections want to put their best foot forward and appear credible, interesting and worth knowing. (Others choose a different, sensational approach to be controversial or generally unnerve and/or annoy people.)
Here are ten tips to enhancing your personal brand while leveraging the digital sphere.
- Ensure your profile image is clear and of high quality. People form lasting impressions of others based on their initial visual impact. Many people photograph themselves against dramatic outdoor or architectural backdrops and are barely discernible. People want to see your face.
- Before joining a group on LinkedIn or other social media, get a clear sense of content themes, its members and their interests and whether the group represents your values and is one of which you can be proud. Red flags include nasty conversations among members and inappropriate language. You are known by the company you keep.
- Fully understand how to make the most of the digital channels you are using to promote your personal brand. Time spent researching tips and strategies relating to each channel can pay off quickly.
- Remember that all the time and effort you spend in creating your digital presence can be undone quickly in an arena that never rests. Keep current on all that is being said about you – positive or negative – and be ready to seize opportunities and manage challenges. According to eMarketer.com, 83% of consumers say online reviews influence their views of companies and 80% say that negative online comments changed their purchasing decision. Whether you run a large company or are an independent business owner, these stats can affect your personal brand.
- Blogging combines art, science and a glimpse into your soul. By all means, share your passion. But ensure that any claims you make are supported by credible sources. This lets readers know you are honest, trustworthy and that you do your homework.
- When blogging or posting on LinkedIn, for example, remember that your content should also be relevant to your readers and not just about things you feel are important.
- If you want to find key influencers in your industry and learn what they are saying, there are a number of tools available. Per Schmitz recommended Topsy in his Social Media Examiner article. It is a Twitter search tool that goes deeper than Twitter’s native search and is easy to use.
- Your e-mail emotional intelligence is a great indicator of your personal brand quality. Limit emails to one topic per e-email, keep them as short as possible and don’t forget the telephone when it comes to sensitive or lengthy conversations. Your original intent can often be misconstrued when it appears on a screen. And you can never gauge the recipient’s mood when they open your e-mail. E-mails written in anger or haste seldom have the desired effect. Re-read your emails multiple times, and put yourself in the position of the recipient before you hit send.
- Sharing useful information is a sure-fire way to garner credibility and let people know you are accessible and helpful. With each piece of useful information you share, you will be closer to becoming a “go-to” person and opinion leader. Better to have one or two areas of interest and nail them rather than sharing many and varied bits and pieces on an ad hoc
basis. - Be able to clearly articulate what you do and the value you bring to clients and prospects, whether you are communicating in cyberspace or face-to-face. A real-time conversation will never become obsolete.
This article was originally posted on LinkedIn.
