Personal branding has become increasingly important in today’s digital age, as it can help you stand out from the crowd, build credibility, and establish or grow a professional reputation within your chosen field. Authentic branding will lead to meaningful connections and trust, which is important in real estate as this is a big life event for most! If you are looking to communicate a message before ever speaking a word out loud, attract your ideal client, and stand out from others, good branding is crucial. Heck, even South Park recently had an episode that touched on personal branding! Here are some reasons why personal branding is so important for everyone, not just marketers.
Differentiate Yourself from Others
In a competitive job market or industry, personal branding can help differentiate you from others with similar qualifications or experience. By establishing a unique brand that showcases your strengths, skills, and values, you can stand out and be more memorable to potential employers or clients.
Establish Credibility and Trust
Personal branding can help establish your credibility and build trust with your audience or peers. When you consistently share valuable content that demonstrates your expertise, you build a reputation as a knowledgeable and trustworthy professional.
Increase Visibility and Exposure
By building a strong personal brand, you can increase your visibility and exposure online and offline. This can lead to new opportunities, collaborations, and partnerships. A strong personal brand can also help you attract a following on social media, which can be beneficial if you’re looking to expand your network or reach a wider audience.
With the current state of the job market and economy, a wide reach can never hurt and could certainly come in handy. A strong personal brand can lead to new career opportunities, whether it’s a new job, a promotion, or a new venture. By showcasing your skills, experience, and achievements, you can attract the attention of potential employers or clients who are looking for someone with your expertise and qualities.
Shape Your Professional Image
Personal branding can help you shape your professional image and how you’re perceived by others. By being intentional about the content you share, the language you use, and the way you present yourself online and offline, you can create a consistent and positive image that aligns with your goals and values.
In college, I had a professor (shout out Mr. Marsh!) that talked about taking control of your online presence and it has really stuck with me over the years. Would you rather someone google you and something you didn’t personally craft come up first or would you prefer it was your website or your LinkedIn? By establishing a personal brand, you can take control of your narrative and shape how you’re perceived by others.
So how can you figure out your personal brand?
Start with why.
People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. Why you do what you do will serve as your mission statement. All brand and business decisions should reflect this statement. Try answering the following questions to get you started.
- Why do you do what you do?
- What got you into your field?
- Why do you come to work every day?
What makes you stand out?
What are your strengths, both professionally and personally. What are the key traits that make working with you different than anyone else in your industry, department, or even the room?
- Personality traits
- Professional experience
- Background, etc.
How do you want your brand to make people feel?
What emotions or adjectives would you like your clients to use when describing working with you, seeing your branding, and talking about you to others? Write down anything and everything you can think of and see if you notice any patterns. After reviewing everything you wrote down, select 3 words that are your top to describe your ideal personal brand. These 3 words should embody your brand in every way – colors, logo, tagline, business cards, email signature, bio, etc.
Remain true to you
Are you being genuine about your services, promises to others, and your personal values? By keeping authenticity at the forefront while developing a personal brand, you will create a more relatable brand that others will believe in and accept.
Personal branding is an essential tool for professionals in any industry who want to stand out, build credibility, and establish a reputation in their field. By taking the time to develop a strong and authentic personal brand and being intentional about how you present yourself, you can increase your visibility, attract new opportunities, and achieve your career goals.
