You’ve probably heard the word “authenticity” tossed around more times than you can count lately. Be yourself, be authentic, and show your personality. The topic of personal branding has become a popular subject across all entrepreneur-centric publications in the past year — and with good reason. Personal branding is the most important part of your business. Yes, it can even be more important than getting your hands on the best project management tools you can find because it sets you apart from others within your industry and carves out a space that belongs only to you. Not to sound like a broken record, but when talking about personal branding, your authenticity really is your secret weapon.
Beyond addressing the importance of creating a unique personal brand, let’s talk about how to actually do that. We have five tips to build your personal brand that will help you sort through the rhetoric and create actionable steps for your business.
Get Comfortable in Your Skin
The best way to make your brand reflect your personality is to get to know yourself a little better. What do you really love about your job? What drives you crazy? How do you like to interact with people? Are you an all-business straight shooter, or are you a laid-back freestyler? What project management tools do you use? Your clients might like to know you’re using the best tools available, but don’t count on these tools to make you automatically successful. Whoever you are, it’s important that you feel comfortable with your unique style. That comfort will help you translate your persona into your brand messaging in a way that represents you and connects with your target audience.
Don’t be afraid to be quirky. Believe it or not, people love quirky, and they’ll respond to seeing you be comfortable in your own skin. Nothing reads as being less than authentic than a person who acts and speaks too carefully, trying to portray an image that they think people will like. It won’t do you any favors to pretend to be someone you’re not. Why try to mimic someone poorly when you’re so awesome at just being you?
Be Active in the Online Community
The best way to showcase your personality in the digital age is through social media. While your website provides a quick glimpse into your style and personality, social media presents an ongoing opportunity for your audience to get to know you on a personal level.
Use your Instagram to show snapshots of what makes your life special. Sharing your passions and adventures with your audience will help them connect with you. Take advantage of Facebook Live where you can answer questions and demonstrate your value for open communication. Contribute to conversations on Twitter with thoughtful, personal responses. Being an active member of the online community will show your potential clients that behind your brand is a living, breathing, interesting person, not just another robot.
Don’t Stop Learning
One common thread of all humanity is the desire to keep learning. We are constantly improving ourselves and expanding our minds. Your personal brand, as an extension of you, should do the same.
Take every opportunity to learn more about your industry and your clients. Hone your skills to improve the services you offer. Ask the right questions to discover what your clients really need so you can better meet those needs. Approach your continuous learning as a way to provide better, more personal service to your clients. Your desire to keep learning and growing will enhance your personal brand and reinforce your passion for your work.
Disable the Project Management Tools Autopilot
We get it. Everyone needs an autopilot from time to time. You can’t be available 24 hours a day, and sometimes you just need a vacation from monitoring your project management tools.
However, automation can be the enemy of authenticity. While you may think you’re getting away with automating all your content, it’s not going unnoticed by your audience. If using less automation means sharing less content in general, then consider the idea of quality over quantity. A few posts that are authentic, personal, and engaging will far outweigh a full day of mindless, automated content.
Take advantage of automation for the times when you can’t be present for your clients. But don’t rely on your project management tools too heavily.
Whether you’re just getting started, or you’ve been in business for a while, take a look at your personal branding. Does it really reflect who you are? If the answer is no, it’s time to get back to the basics and put yourself out there — your real self out there. The world doesn’t need another cookie-cutter brand. It needs your authentic voice.
Once you’ve got your personal brand nailed down and you’re starting to get some exposure, you’re probably ready to start looking at solid project management tools if you haven’t already. Your brand is going to help you attract and retain clients while your project management tools are going to lay the groundwork for making sure you consistently meet their needs.
