Personal
branding is about managing the impression and perception that people have of you.
As human beings we often base our decisions on visuals. The phrase ‘Don’t judge
a book by it’s cover’ exists because that is how we are; we look and judge.
The first
element of your personal brand is your image; how you dress and present
yourself. The way that you consistently appear affects how people perceive you.
This makes it imperative that we dress the way we want to be treated. The
second element is your character. We refer to people based on what we see in
them, whether it be positive or negative. You probably know people that are
given labels such as ‘the late comer’ or ‘the rude lady’. People describe us
using the behaviors that we display. To build a positive brand, you need to
always aim to have positive encounters with people. Your speech is the final
element. The manner of speaking that we employ daily reflects who we are and
informs what people think of us. We describe people as proud, shy or arrogant
due to how they speak about themselves and about others.
The most
effective way to position yourself locally and globally is through online
branding especially via social media. Given that there are 2.7 billion people
on Facebook, 1 billion on Instagram and 740 million on LinkedIn, your reach can
extend well beyond people within your country. The audience is available but
what will get you noticed is being strategic, consistent with your content and excellent
in your presentation. Social media features mainly text and pictures, the
people we follow are either those that look amazing in their pictures or people
that have a sound grasp on a topic. This understanding is the foundation of
winning social media personalities. If you want to stand out, don’t undervalue
the need for always posting clear, quality pictures of yourself. Couple that your
positive appearance with communicating your unique value and you will gain both
a following and opportunities in your field.
Social media is a key positioning tool
The internet has truly brought the world closer together. A great example of how social media can propel brands onto a global stage is in the case of Kenya’s Elsa Majimbo. Her hilarious videos landed her on CNN and other American platforms. She stood out because of her humor and very down to earth style. In the same manner, the success of your personal brand is hinged on your uniqueness. The foundation of your brand are the qualities, skills and experiences that set you apart. Take time to audit yourself, unearth your outstanding traits and work on your packaging; image, character and speech. Once you have your value and packaging sorted out, the world awaits.
