We are living in some interesting times. Right now, you may find yourself questioning who you are and what you bring to the table. Maybe you are asking these questions:
If there is one thing I want you to know, it is this: You have a voice, and you have expertise that can impact and influence culture. You’re here because you want to make a difference. You want to grow your Kingdom influence. Somewhere in the middle of your busy schedule, you want to know that your life counts for something – but you do not know where to start.
Now, I know the thought of developing your personal brand may make you feel a bit uncomfortable. Why? Because for so long, we have believed that personal brands are all about:
However, here is the good news: Those are all personal branding misconceptions. Your personal brand goes so much deeper. Personal branding is about:
God has gifted you with specific skills for a Kingdom impact. Please do not shy away from them. Instead, be open to sharing what you bring to the table. Why? Because when you do, God can and will open doors of opportunity for you to use what He has given you to impact and influence culture for Him ultimately.
Building a successful personal brand is not about the amount of attention or followers you get, it's about sharing your own personal brand with the right people to share your message and meet your goals. An effective personal brand can look different for each person. For example, someone starting their own company will have a different personal branding strategy than someone who is looking to build community with other creatives. Effective personal branding strategy is all about knowing your goals and developing a solid personal brand that helps you build a personal connection with the right people.
Here are four ways to start building your personal brand online:
If you find yourself not having the time to be as active online as you would like, let me encourage you to focus on one platform: LinkedIn.
What message are you passionate about? What idea moves you? What area do you have much knowledge in? What message do you want to become “known” for? When I first started building my personal brand online, I was very passionate about social media marketing. I noticed that while everyone else was teaching on social media vanity metrics (likes, followers, etc.), I was excited about helping people #BeWorthFollowing. So, I ran with this message – so much that I wrote a book about it. What is your message?
Once you have claimed your main message, begin creating content around that central message. Break it down into smaller pieces. Write blog posts, create videos, create social media posts around the central message, etc. Share your ideas and your thoughts. You can share as much of your personal life as you feel comfortable with sharing. Building an online personal brand will build your credibility, but it will also help you stand out from the competition. Position yourself as a thought leader.
It used to be that hard work and being good at something were enough. Those days are long gone. If you want to step into new opportunities, be open and willing to step out of your comfort zone. Do not be afraid to advocate for yourself. Do not be fearful of engaging in projects and opportunities outside of your job description. See a conference where speakers are needed? Apply for it! See a chance to write a blog post around your area of expertise? Go for it! Claim your opportunities.
One thing to not overlook when it comes to building a strong personal brand is how you interact with people. If you want building community to be part of your personal brand than you need to make meaningful connections with people. Be sure to treat each person with kindness and be open to making new connections and friends in a variety of settings. A well defined personal brand is more about who you are as a person than it is about what you share online.
One way to think about this is if you've ever met someone in person you first knew online. Were they who you thought they would be? What personal branding examples defined who they were in your mind? In the same way, does your brand voice line up with the real you?
Remember, building a personal brand does not happen overnight. It takes time. It takes changing your course of direction at different points throughout your journey. It takes consistency. Nevertheless, I can promise you this: If you are committed and open to helping others on their journey, doors of opportunity will open for you!
As you build your personal brand, our team at IWU-National & Global wants to support you. Connect with us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.
