Have you ever stumbled across a new personality on Instagram or Facebook and wondered what they were all about?
Maybe you found them in your feed, or saw them as a personality of interest on a friend's page.
Regardless, you wanted to know more. You found that their Instagram page linked to their Facebook page (and vice-versa). You Googled them and quickly found their LinkedIn page and their personal website. Within a few minutes, you had all of the information you wanted—and then some. And, you followed them on all of your favorite channels so that whenever they did something interesting, you would know. Right away.
It gets even better. You now recognize them on commercials and feeds because they have a unique logo they add to their content. Their sign-off is the same on all of their videos. And they have a unique way of dressing that sets them apart from the crowd.
That's masterful personal branding.
In this day and age, it's not enough for entrepreneurs to wang-jangle some text-based website and post once a month on Twitter. You need to be present, active, and recognizable.
Fortunately, the tools for honing your personal brand are at your fingertips—and, for the most, are free. To that end, here are 5 straightforward ways to burnish your brand and build your following. As you position yourself as an expert in your field, you can start to leverage your reputation for sales.
1. Spruce Up Your LinkedIn Profile
This is #1 for a reason. LinkedIn is becoming the main jumping-off point for the majority of individuals seeking to grow their personal brand, which is exactly what LinkedIn was built to do.
In boosting the “strength” of your LinkedIn profile, you’re fully utilizing features that dovetail neatly into what clients need to see, such as an optimized personal summary, job descriptions, and endorsements. Ensure that your job experience and credentials are well-reflected on your profile, and beef up your endorsements and recommendations sections by asking 5-10 previous coworkers or clients for some nods.
Also, share and write original content regularly. While you're at it, follow big wigs in your industry and engage other users.
A quick note: LinkedIn's algorithm for pushing original content is more generous than Facebook's right now, so you'll probably have good luck getting serious engagement from a timely post. As with any platform, the more regularly you use LinkedIn, the faster your following will grow.
2. Get New Headshots
How many times have you seen poorly cropped webcam photos anchoring an otherwise professional website or profile? Too many, probably.
With professional headshots, you stage yourself as someone to be taken seriously in your industry. You'd be surprised how often they come in handy—on business cards, for speaking gigs, for guest interviews, and so on. Have one ready so you look sharp (and recognizable) in any medium.
Read on at earlytorise.com: How to improve your personal brand and increase your followers... |