People often think personal branding is simply what you post on your social media. It is so much more. I discovered the power of personal branding when scaling my first business and started actively seeking opportunities to get known in my industry.
I was a guest on podcasts, authored a book, became a columnist for an industry magazine, did a TEDx talk, appeared on radio and TV, and won multiple awards. I had always done voluntary work but I aligned my charity interests more clearly with my work and my own values. These activities all created great content for social media which helped grow my personal brand further online.
Two significant things happened because of my efforts to raise my profile. Firstly, when I turned up to sales meetings, my prospective clients were already warmed up. They would comment that they had seen my article or congratulate me on a recent award win. It made the conversation easier, and it felt like they had already decided to buy before I even started my pitch.
This significantly increased sales. Secondly, the more work I did on my profile, the more opportunities came my way. Following my TEDx talk, I was invited onto podcasts, approached to be an ambassador for a charitable organisation and secured several speaking engagements.
Standing out in your industry can feel like it will take a lot of time and effort. It will. But it will be completely worth it. My biggest tip to build a strong personal brand is focus on a collection of different things which will amplify your voice.
Over the next few months, I will use my column to share advice and tips on the substance behind your personal brand, looking at topics such as awards, networking, authority, speaking engagements, media and press and online presence. If you want to assess your current personal brand, try out this free quiz – thisismoja.com/profile-quiz