Whether you know it or not, you have a personal brand. Admit it you have at least once Googled your name, I confess, I check my google presence regularly. Reason is to see how my different online blog posts, podcasts, videos are found in the all mighty Google. I also check out my prospective business contacts to see how they present themselves and their personal brand on Linkedin and Google. The results are always interesting and tells something about the person.
This podcast episode ¨Why your personal brand is important ¨, shares important tips for students, job seekers, entrepreneurs and people past their corporate career keen to make an impact.
Someone once said: ̈If you lose your brand and integrity you lose everything. ¨
Chances are someone is going to Google you to learn more about who you are. The question is, do you want to allow your online reputation to take on a life of its own or control the narrative? With the proliferation of social media and the gig economy, it has become essential for everyone to embrace personal branding.
Diane Mulcahy, the author of The Gig Economy, says,
¨We’re seeing only one trend here, which is that the gig economy is big and getting bigger. Companies will do just about anything to avoid hiring full-time employees. Add to that the fact that there is no job security anymore, and workers are increasingly aware that they need to work differently if they want to create any sort of stability for themselves.”
As a result, workers need to be able to clearly communicate who they are and what they do to stand out to prospective clients and employers. If you aren’t effectively managing your online reputation, then you run the risk of losing out on business.
- Gary Vaynerchuk, aka Gary Vee, known for his work in digital marketing and social media, chairman of New York-based communications company once said ̈Your personal brand is your reputation. And your reputation in perpetuity is the foundation of your career.¨
Whether you’re looking for a better job or more sales for your company, personal branding is more important than ever. You don’t need to be Richard Branson to have a great personal brand. It’s just a matter of continually crafting and curating your digital presence and most importantly, keep it real! Your honesty, transparency and authenticity are what will differentiate you in the long-run. You never get a second chance to make a first impression—make it one that will set you apart, build trust and reflect who you are.
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