Our theme this month is: Personal Branding. Very few concepts polarise people so much. Some people love it, some people loathe it. In today's social media centred world new jobs and service offerings have emerged with the goal to help people hone into their personal brand.

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“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.”

(Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon)

 

So what is Personal Branding and how can you use it without alienating people along the way? That's what we'll focus in our monthly Personal Development & Leadership workshop - because 'form without substance' is a big no no.

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Let's look at the definition of Personal Branding....A term coined by Tom Peters in 1997. Personal branding is the conscious and intentional effort to create and influence public perception of an individual by positioning them as an authority in their industry, elevating their credibility, and differentiating themselves from the competition, to ultimately advance their career, widen their circle of influence, and have a larger impact.  Unfortunately, too often personal branding defines success as a form of self-packaging. 

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MIND THE TRAP(S)​ 

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While personal branding can be a valuable tool for self-promotion and professional growth, there are potential traps and negative elements to be aware of:

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• Inauthenticity: One of the biggest traps in personal branding is presenting an image that is not aligned with your true self. Trying to be someone you're not can lead to a lack of credibility and trust from your audience. It's important to remain authentic and genuine in your personal branding efforts.

 

• Self-promotion overload: Excessive self-promotion can alienate your audience and make your personal brand appear self-centered. Balance your self-promotional content with valuable and helpful information for your audience. Focus on building relationships and providing value rather than constantly promoting yourself.

 

• Lack of substance: A strong personal brand requires substance and expertise. Merely projecting an image without backing it up with knowledge and skills can be detrimental to your brand. Invest in continuous learning and development to enhance your expertise and deliver valuable content.

 

• Negative online presence: In the digital age, your online presence plays a significant role in personal branding. Negative behavior, controversial opinions, or inappropriate content can harm your personal brand. Be mindful of what you share and how you engage with others online.

 

• Overemphasis on personal life: Personal branding focuses on your professional identity, but sometimes people blur the lines and overshare personal aspects of their lives. While some personal anecdotes can be relatable and humanize your brand, oversharing personal information can be counterproductive and detract from your professional image.

 

• Over-reliance on social media metrics: While social media metrics can provide valuable insights, obsessing over likes, shares, and followers can become a trap. Quantity does not always equate to quality. Instead, focus on building genuine connections and engagement with your target audience.

 

• Lack of consistency: Inconsistency in your personal branding efforts can confuse your audience and dilute your message. Ensure that your brand message, visual identity, and content are consistent across different platforms and over time. Consistency helps build recognition and trust.

 

• Difficulty in separating personal and professional life: When your personal brand becomes closely intertwined with your personal life, it can be challenging to maintain boundaries. It's important to strike a balance and carefully consider what aspects of your personal life you share publicly.

 

To avoid these traps and negative elements, it's crucial to be self-aware, intentional, and authentic in your personal branding journey. Regularly evaluate your actions and their alignment with your values and goals. Seek feedback from trusted sources to ensure that your personal brand is positively perceived and resonates with your audience.

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To help identify your personal brand, here are some questions you can ask yourself: