Personal Branding, has begun to occupy an important place in today’s world. From business to personal circles, an individual’s perception can make or break his chances of success. While earlier it was sufficient for a person’s work to speak for him or for a brand to simply focus on the perception of their products so as to generate sales, today it is the face behind a brand or the individual perception, philosophy, character and conduct, that are the decisive factor for mass acceptance.
Personal branding allows one to integrate better with the society at large and helps attract the desired kind of people – support ecosystem, vendors, customers and audiences, and helps create a smoother and harmonious environment. It also enables one to create a network that is highly trusted and mutually beneficial. So, it is immaterial where you are standing on your ladder of success as personal branding can be equally beneficial to all.
Here are five keys to building an influential personal branding:
- Be Visible
In a world saturated by choices, being visible at the right place for the right reason with the right impact, is extremely important. In terms of personal brand building, visibility largely translates as consistent, and positive engagement. As an entrepreneur or an executive, it is crucial to be ‘seen’ and heard, engaging with both internal and external stakeholders. It can mean both one on one or group engagement with vendors, employees, media, consumers and the like. On a personal level, this could mean being visible among friends and family as well as at community events, lending a positive contribution. When people see you and know you, they are more likely to feel a personal connection with you, thereby creating a positive image in their minds.
- Be Accessible/ Available
While being visible is the first and the most important part of building a personal brand, being accessible is the next important part. While visibility means reaching out to people, accessibility ensures one is open to be being available for people, when they wish to meet. Essentially, being available and accessible makes it a stronger, two way engagements. For instance when you know that a particular person in your business needs help or when somebody approaches you with a problem and you immediately try to solve it, it showcases your priority towards them. Over time being accessible helps you in building trust and reliability. It also contributes towards creating a larger, credible brand perception that showcases your trustworthiness and resourcefulness.
- Create Solutions
One of the crucial keys to personal branding is being able to create solutions. Unless your contributions turn into positive solution, even a consistent engagement through right visibility and accessibility, would hold no value. Being able to make a real difference, solve problems or simply be a think tank and add value to every interaction, can go a long way in building an admirable personal image. The scope of the word solutions is rather large here. It can mean driving thought leadership, or sharing and voicing opinions that can drive larger good, set a visionary goal, or make life better for the marginalised sections. It also means being more humane and accommodating. If you can think of a revolutionary new way of conducting business, even that is counted as creating solutions.
- Drive Positive Change
An important aspect of personal branding is about taking initiative and being responsible towards the community or the environment. From supporting a cause to practicing ethical business policies, driving positive change and creating a supportive ecosystem that allows growth for all stakeholders, can do wonders to a person’s perception. Just finding means of selling your product is not enough. Today, a majority of your potential customers, partners, and prospective clients are likely to see what positive changes have you actually been able bring in your immediate surrounding or in the world at large through your influential persona.
- Motivate Action
Motivating action may sound as influencing people, to be more active in their participation towards your business, but it is not entirely so. Motivating people really means empowering people and helping them find a goal, and supporting them to achieve the same. A credible and respected leader/ change maker is often judged by not only what he is doing for the people but also how he is impacting, motivating and enabling those around him also, to be better, successful versions of themselves.
If handled correctly, and through effective strategic communication, these keys attributes can go a long way in building a powerful personal brand that speaks to all.
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
With 16 years of professional experience in Public Relations & Marketing, Anindita comes with a deep understanding of the dynamic media and communication landscape in India. Through her successful stint with reputed PR consultancies like Genesis Burson & Marsteller, Percept Profile and Mileage Communications etc., she has worked closely with clients across verticals, such as, travel, hospitality, F&B, Fashion & Lifestyle, Entertainment, IT and corporate. Her clients portfolio includes California Tourism Board, Flanders, Hong Kong Tourism Board, New Zealand Tourism Board, Brand USA, GHM Hotel, Venetian Macao, Deltin Corp, Aspri Spirit, Broadcast Asia, Schwarzkopf, Indola, BlackBerry, Giovani, Dwarkadas Chandumal Jewelers, Zee Entertainment, FLY mobile, Education New Zealand, Essel World & water Kingdom etc. Her Key skills include strategising public relations, marketing and advertisement campaign with a methodical and disciplined approach.
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