A Career Hackers’ Classic, read the full post here.
In today’s hyper-connected world, personal branding is the secret sauce that sets you apart from the pack.
It’s not just for the A-listers or influencers; it’s a game-changer for anyone looking to make their mark in their career or personal pursuits.
Mastering the art of personal branding allows you to flaunt your skills, expertise, and personality with unrivaled confidence, leaving an indelible impression on your audience.
For some, sharing personal stories can be an uncomfortable experience. People usually strive to maintain a separation between their personal and professional lives, believing that few people truly care about one’s upbringing or what fuels one’s business success. But it’s time to acknowledge that there is very little to separate between one’s triumphs and the behind-the-scenes moments that lead up to it.
An article by Amber Mac reinforces the fact of how crucial it is to build a strong personal brand. The points that she highlights are:
Discover Your Story:
Reflect on key stories that define who you are today. They can be simple childhood memories or entertaining tales from your adult life. For instance, if you’re really good at multi-tasking and people ask you how you juggle multiple roles throughout the day, rather than attributing it to boundless energy, share your early work experiences. Share the moments that created lasting bonds and a sense of accomplishment for you.
Re-write Your Story:
If you have a website and value your personal brand, revamp your “About Me” section. Take a few minutes to incorporate personal anecdotes into your bio. Start small, and as you keep having amazing stories to tell and valuable experiences to share, keep adding to your tale and letting people know how you became what you are today.
Share Your Story:
To build your personal brand with confidence, get comfortable sharing your story. Whether it’s sharing tidbits of your life on Twitter or weaving anecdotes into blog posts, authentic storytelling fosters a deeper connection with your audience. Of course, privacy is important, and you need not reveal intimate details. Instead, sprinkle a few stories now and then that highlight what drives you to excel. These stories will define you beyond the dates on your resume.
A Powerful Excerpt from the Blog
“Arthur Germain, from Communication Strategy Group, refers to to storytelling to build a brand as brandtelling. As he explains on his site, “Brandtelling is built on the foundation of connecting people through a story that is relevant, real and repeatable.” While this approach is often used to sell products, many of the principles can apply to individuals building personal brands. For the ultra-private among you, this very action might be cringe-worthy. After all, selling yourself is not as easy or as comfortable or selling products and services. Nonetheless, it’s fair to say that in an increasingly wired world, where first encounters are often online, a little personality can go a long way. A great story? Even better. Whether interviewing for a job or making a presentation, a strong personal narrative could be the one thing that keeps you on top.”
A Career Hackers’ Classic, read the full post here.
About the Author:
Amber Mac is a bestselling author, TV host, speaker, and strategist. She has worked as a technology TV host with tech guru Leo Laporte on G4TechTV and currently co-hosts a popular show on Laporte’s TWiT.tv network
