Build Your Personal Brand with 6 Questions

Everyone wants to succeed.  Their definition of success may be different, but that desire is the same. 

The journey to success used to be simple.  You worked hard, you made the right connections, and you put your hand up.  And what made it even easier was that you did it within the hours of 9-5pm at the physical office you worked at.
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Our world isn’t like that anymore, it has changed.  People work all hours of the day, flexible work arrangements are on the rise and we work with teams and individuals virtually more than ever.
So we can’t lean on the old way of finding success as the only way anymore, we have to implement some new strategies and think about our path differently.

Being a committed employee who exceeds expectations is still vital to any definition of success, but how you share that message is different.  And that is where it gets more challenging.

We need to think of ourselves not as an employee but as a product.

This is so hard for us.  It is one of the biggest reasons why people come to me to rewrite their resume and LinkedIn profiles and to provide interview coaching.  We are so immersed in our careers that it is so hard to only focus on what matters. 

We forget that we aren’t creating a chapter book but instead a marketing plan.  I love to use the analogy of a magazine.  What is it about you that will grab someone’s attention to stop at your ad within the magazine?  You don’t need to tell them everything you just need to tell them what about you fits their needs.

The foundation of every marketing plan is a branding message, and in the case of your career, a personal brand.  The personal brand is your messaging that shows the world your personality, your goals and your differentiating factor aka the value you bring to the table.  

Your brand sends a message and creates an impression.  One that extends beyond your work, your LinkedIn page or your interactions with your colleagues.

You may think that creating a personal brand just isn’t for you, especially if you are not even in marketing!  But it is a super simple exercise. 

Here are six questions for you to ask yourself that will result in a personal brand that lets everyone know how amazing you are.

1. What does success mean to me?
You need to get clear on your goals.  On your own definition for success.  Remember to clear the noise of societal pressures and messages.  You don’t have to want something just because society or family makes you feel like you should want it.

2. What matters most to me?
This is a hard question to answer because it requires some digging.  I want you to think about what you value most – in your work, in others (colleagues, management), in yourself.   When you think of your definition of success, what type of impact does that lead you to?  Think back on your performance reviews, what feedback mattered most to you (made you really happy or upset).

3. What is my story?
This is a quick story, a 1-2 sentence story.  One that is cohesive and quickly shows off who you are, what you have done and where you want to go.  Don’t forget to show off you, the authentic you not the cookie cutter you.  So make sure you are genuine when crafting your story.

4. Where am I going?
Now it is time to focus on your future.  How do your goals lines up with your definition of success?  Are you looking at a promotion, a career pivot or a complete career change?   Maybe your goals have nothing to do with the actual job but more the type of workplace – one where you can work from home, or set up a new business.  Be clear on your destination.

5. What matters to my target audience?
When you know what you want, then you can have a clearer picture of who will be a decision maker on your future.  Think about what matters to them.  What skills, knowledge and experience do they want?

6. How can I tie it all together?
You know what you offer.  And you know what your audience wants.  So now you need to craft a message that reflects what they want.  Your message should hopefully convince them that you are the person to give them what they need.
 
These six questions leave you knowing your value in a nutshell!  This is the message you will weave throughout your marketing plan, including your LinkedIn profile, your elevator pitch, your resume and cover letter or a talent profile. 

You will also weave it throughout your networking with your current network and with new contacts.  When speaking with key decision makers, make sure you include some of these talking points casually into the conversation. 

This foundation will allow you to build a successful career, one that will stand the test of time.

Do you want to talk through your personal brand?  Set up a complimentary strategy call with me to go over it.