Companies work hard and invest a lot of money to try and establish their company brand. Whether they aim to be part of the world’s most valuable brands, or trusted brands, it is a priority of the world’s top companies. When you think of Google, Facebook, Apple, Microsoft, Coca Cola, Disney, it is easy to state that they have one of the world’s strongest brands. Most entrepreneurs and businesses understand the importance of branding when it comes to business. So why then do so many people fail to recognize the importance of their own personal branding?
This is the final part of a 3-part personal branding series:
- Part 1 was about, “Why Everyone Should Act Like an Entrepreneur”.
- In Part 2, I wrote about the “10 Actions You Can Take Today to increase Your Value in your Industry”.
Personal Branding is the practice of people marketing themselves and their careers as brands. While previous self-help management techniques were about self-improvement, the personal–branding concept suggests instead that success comes from self-packaging.
One’s personal brand can be so strong that it can become more valuable than the company itself. Here are some examples of people who have strong personal brands in different industries:
You don’t need to be Elon Musk to have a strong personal brand. No matter which industry you are in, a strong personal brand will help propel you forward in your career. What does your name represent to those who know you?
Traits and Habits are a key component in developing a strong Personal Brand. What do people with strong personal brands have in common?
Here are 10 Success Habits and Traits to Increase Your Personal Brand:
Belief
Everything starts with BELIEF. Before you embark on any long journey, your belief is what gets you going through all those bumps on the road. There will be detours and some road blocks but your success in establishing your brand will be fueled by your Belief that in the end, you will arrive.
Focus
The type of Focus needed is less about how you spend each minute or hour of your day and more about ensuring that you spend those minutes on things that move you towards your goals. What are the 1-2 things that you need to accomplish that will make the biggest impact in achieving what you want? Now, keep your Focus on those actions.
Hunger
If you want a strong Personal Brand, you need to have a hunger for Continuous Self-Improvement. Good is just not good enough. You aim for Great. In order to do that, your work ethic needs to be part of your traits.
[tweetthis] “Today I will do what others won’t, so tomorrow I can accomplish what others can’t”. ― Jerry Rice[/tweetthis]
Integrity
Integrity is not only about speaking the truth. It is also about making sure that your actions match your words. It is also about doing the right thing at all times and in all circumstances, whether or not anyone is watching. In a world where “the end justifies the means”, it is a trait that one cannot take for granted.
Networking
Never underestimate the benefit of a strong network. Cultivated over time, it can be a powerful resource. An Entrepreneur needs to build a tribe in order to maintain success but they are not the only ones to benefit. It took me a while to fully understand the importance of building my network. When I think back at my last 3 jobs, it was all through referrals and all for a higher position.
“NETWORKING is the single most powerful marketing tactic to accelerate and sustain success for any individual or organization!” – Adam Small
Tom Farley, president of the NYSE, wrote in a Forbes article:
When I think about my own career, I owe every job I’ve ever had to networking. In fact, my current role is the end result of a relationship that began with a business meeting in suburban Atlanta in 2001 with the current Chairman of the NYSE, Jeff Sprecher.
Fear
Throughout your career, there will be many decisions that you will need to make and risks you will need to take. Don’t let Fear prevent you from going for what you want.
Is there a job that interests you but you are afraid to try? Have you avoided taking steps that would have a potential for great returns because you had a fear of failure?
Learning to overcome and act despite your fears will take you places that you would never have traveled by giving in to your fear.
“Do not let your fears choose your destiny.” – Unknown
Open Mindedness
Being open-minded can be difficult at times. Most of us are brought up with a set of beliefs and values, and throughout our lives, tend to surround ourselves with people who share the same values and beliefs. It can be difficult when we’re faced with ideas that challenge our own and, though we may wish to be open-minded, we may struggle with the act of it from time to time.
Your ideas and thoughts will only get you so far, but your willingness to have an open mind will take you further. Be open to change and to the ideas and feedback of others.
Consistent
The first time I planted seeds on my front lawn, I was so excited about what it would become that I waited with the patience of a child. A week later, I kept looking at the flower bed expecting to see results. Of course, it doesn’t work that way.
Building a personal brand works the same way. It is not about one action but the small consistent actions that build a strong brand. Inch by Inch your results will cement who you are perceived to be in the market place.
“No”
There are two parts to the word, “No”; saying No and hearing No.
You will hear the word “No” more than once. Don’t let that stop you. Use it as feedback on what you need to improve on. Remember, it’s not Personal.
An important trait is in your ability to be able to say, “No”. How do you say No without feeling guilty? Remember, that you are always saying no to something, other people’s priorities or your own.
People with strong Personal Branding not only don’t let the word, “No” stop them. They instead use it as feedback and then modify their strategy.
Social Media
Have you ever Googled someone you just met? Or did you ever look up a LinkedIn profile on a new employee? You can be sure that more than once; someone has done the exact same thing to you. You work hard on building your personal brand, make sure your social media sites reflect what you want your personal brand to say. Use LinkedIn for your professional profile and your Facebook personal page for your personal friends and family. Remember, once it’s online, it’s hard to take it back.
I hope you enjoyed this Personal Branding Series. Which part was your favorite? Pick an action that you will work on and commit to developing that trait or habit. One habit, one trait, one action at time.