An important aspect of my business is creating and preserving my own brand. However, these days, it is crucial for everybody, not only thought leaders, entrepreneurs, and influencers. Be it a blogger, designer, architect, lawyer, or someone else entirely, having a strong personal brand may make you stand out and lead to interesting new chances.

It may surprise you to learn that you already have a personal brand. Everyone does. A prospective employer or customer will probably discover your LinkedIn page, social media profiles, and perhaps some articles or websites that mention you if they Google your name. Your internet reputation, or personal brand, is basically what someone perceives from these results.

Taking charge of your reputation and reshaping it to reflect your desired image is the goal of personal branding.

For instance, a web search for my name will turn up my website, social media accounts, YouTube channel, and LinkedIn page. It is evident from a quick look that my main interests are company performance, digital transformation, and emerging technologies. My message is clear, my images are constant, and everything I post reflects who I am and what I do. That is what a powerful personal brand can do.

Although it is not the only strategy, social media is unquestionably one of the most crucial for developing your own brand. Here's a quick way to get going:

1. Update and tidy up your profiles

To establish a consistent image across all of your social media sites, use a crisp, well taken picture. Take time to delete any outdated text, images, or postings that you would not want a prospective client or employer to view. Consider maintaining a private account just for friends and family if you still want to share intimate experiences. Your professional brand will remain polished and professional in this manner.

2. Be genuine

Maintaining a professional appearance is crucial, but do not disguise who you really are. In your posts, show off your individuality. Write as you normally would, express your own feelings, and discuss subjects that are important to you. Never strive to be someone you are not, and do not follow trends only to fit in. Authenticity gives your brand a genuine, approachable sense.

3. Share what you're learning

Sharing fascinating business news and updates is a simple method to develop your own brand. It establishes you as knowledgeable and demonstrates that you are keeping up to date. You may create Google alerts for certain subjects or sign up for industry newsletters to stay up to date on pertinent content. Include a personal touch when posting these tales on social media, even if it is just a short remark like, "I thought this was interesting and wanted to share it." "What are your thoughts?" may encourage audience participation and highlight your distinct viewpoint.

4. Join your industry groups on social media

Participate in conversations, respond to inquiries, and interact with other people's postings by liking, commenting, and sharing to become active in groups that are relevant to your industry. This makes you more prominent in the group and helps you form relationships.

5. Be generous with your time and knowledge

Assist people online by responding to their queries, leaving comments, and engaging with them. Give stuff that interests or helps you a like or a share. In other words, lend a helping hand and give back.

6. Make new connections

Make an effort to consistently engage with new people, particularly on LinkedIn. Send a couple of invitations every week, along with a brief personal note to individuals in your field you would want to connect with. Developing this practice can help you expand your network rapidly.

7. Create polls

Make brief surveys with thought-provoking questions to promote participation. Posting both general and professional questions will provide some variety.

8. Share

Share quality images and videos from your professional life. Share it if you are at a conference, client visit, event, or doing anything else work-related since people like visual stuff. Keep it professional, but feel free to include a few informal pictures, such as you drinking coffee in the morning while working from home.

9. Post for Engagement

You can post any content that helps build your reputation, like advice, interesting questions, parts of presentations you've done, expert tips, how to guides, or anything else.

10. Explore LFG

If you want to show your expertise, try writing longer articles and sharing them on LinkedIn. I've done this a lot, and it's really helped grow my personal brand.

11. Use tools

Use tools that make it easier to schedule your posts in advance. You can share content across different platforms, like Instagram and YouTube, from one place. This saves you time and helps you get the most out of your content.