“People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it.”

This quote by Simon Sinek explains what a personal brand revolves around. It’s not just what you do and the skills you have, but why you do it: your values, story, and the deeper purpose that drives you. A well-crafted personal brand allows you to shape how others perceive you, making it a powerful tool for standing out in today's competitive marketplace, especially because first impressions (online and offline) can make or break opportunities. 

Nowadays, having a good personal brand isn’t just for companies, celebrities and influencers. Just like your favourite companies attract customers with memorable logos and slogans, your personal brand must convey what makes you unique.

Your brand is your reputation and, if it’s strong, it can open doors to new opportunities in your career journey. According to a LinkedIn report, users with a strong personal brand are 40 times more likely to receive job opportunities such as offers, promotions or partnerships. When you apply for a job, and ask for a promotion or network, you are showing your brand. That’s why it’s important to actively work towards shaping it.

Don’t just tell your story, be intentional in how you transmit your value to the world. Let’s explore the steps to build a brand that reflects who you are.

Creating a strong personal brand

Using Simon Sinek’s “Start with Why” framework, you can easily build a personal brand that reveals who you are and what moves you.

Here’s how:

1. Start with why
   • Define your purpose: What truly drives you? Why do you do the work you do? Take a moment to reflect on what is behind your professional choices.
   • Understand your values: Your core values are the basis for your personal brand and can guide your career choices.
2. How you bring your why to life
   • Identify your method: How do you live out your purpose in your daily work life?
   • Develop your unique value proposition (UVP): Formulate a statement that makes you stand out where you explain how your qualities and strengths align with your purpose.
3. What you do
   • Define your offer: What is your skill set? What kind of service or products do you provide?
   • Know your audience: To tailor your message identify who you are speaking to; prospective employers, experts in your field, and potential customers. 

But it doesn’t just end here, you need to present yourself in an authentic way that will help build trust and credibility. To do this, you can use storytelling. 

Through personal interactions or online platforms, always present your purpose and values.

This way, your personal brand will not only be meaningful but connect with your audience, especially online, where you can have the greatest impact.

The importance of a professional online presence

We live in a highly digital and connected world where your online presence is often the first interaction someone will have with you. A study by CareerBuilder found that 70% of employers use social media to screen candidates, and approximately 50% say they wouldn’t hire someone without an online presence. This shows that being online isn’t just an advantage, but a necessity.

Your online presence should be a direct reflection of your brand. Via LinkedIn, social media or a personal website, it’s in the digital world where you can make a lasting impression. To ensure this happens, you need to inspect your profile across all platforms to validate you’re conveying the right image:

• Be professional: avoid controversial content like inappropriate humour or polarising opinions just to get attention
• Be honest: show your real achievements, there’s no need to exaggerate or plagiarise others’ content
• Be respectful: engage in healthy debates without attacking those you disagree with
• Be adaptable: regularly review outdated posts that don’t align with your current values or image.

There are many online platforms available that can help promote your brand.

It is important to note, though, that LinkedIn is the most useful to build a professional online identity. An optimised and updated profile can enhance your visibility to recruiters and fellow professionals. Create a clear and impactful headline, show your relevant skills and use strategic keywords in your summary.

Your online presence is the foundation of your personal brand, but it’s not static. Let’s look at how you can continue growing it.

Regular updates, professional engagements, and continuous learning are essential to keep your brand relevant. 

Maintaining and growing your personal brand

As your brand reflects you, it will continue to grow as you do. For that, you need to have an active presence and keep your online profiles up to date with your latest achievements and experiences. 

Your commitment to professional development can significantly enhance your brand. Share articles or certificates from completed courses to demonstrate your keenness to continue improving and learning new trends.

Another way to sustain your brand is by building relationships. Online, for example, you can comment on posts, share insights and start conversations. However, don’t forget it’s important to network in both the digital and real world.

All in all, it’s important to ensure your brand always reflects who you are. Audit it periodically to keep it aligned with your goals or seek feedback from trusted colleagues or mentors.

If you need help with your personal brand, do not hesitate to get in touch with us