No matter which path you're on,
your brand is how you set yourself apart from the pack
So, what's your story?
Use your brand story to open one of the most important doors of your career. While most college students aren't even paying attention, you have a window of opportunity to beat the competition before they even realize they're in a competition.
Leapfrog the stacks of uninspiring resumes and generic cover letters with a personal brand that establishes you as a must-hire for any company serious about recruiting the best. The contrast between you and the competition will be apparent from the first point of contact and set the tone for the remainder of the interview process.
Whether you're trying to recruit top-tier talent, or inspire the confidence of potential investors, your brand is your most valuable asset. VC's and sought-after talent alike will both say the most important factor in their decision of which company to choose is the person not the idea. The ROI on a founder's brand is immeasurable.
Staying relevant is the best way to keep your career interesting and in-tact. Tell your personal brand story to inspire people with what's next vs re-packaging the glory of your past. Use your personal brand as a platform to explore new, disruptive ideas to show that you're not hanging your hat on what you did years ago.
Why Does A Personal Brand Matter?
Artificial Intelligence
Let's address the elephant in the room. If you're under 55 and don't think AI is going to disrupt your career, you're fooling yourself. As more and more job functions become fulfilled by bots, your personal brand is going to be the only way to differentiate yourself from the human herd.
Job Security
+ Career Advancement
It's simple, those with solid, personal brands are perceived to be irreplaceable, receive more in-bound job offers, demand higher salaries and secure more senior titles. Your brand works for you 24/7. You don't know what opportunities you're missing because you're invisible to world.
Identity
Your identity is only going to become more vulnerable as technology and scams evolve. The most basic step you can take toward building your personal brand is to secure any place where your name and/or likeness could be stolen or manipulated. This is important for you and everyone in your life.
Happiness
The more clarity you have about who you are and what fulfills you, the more effective and satisfied you will be in both your career and your personal lives. It's never too late, or too soon to start telling your story. Start today and watch a new world of opportunities and fulfillment unfold in front of you.
FAQ
Some of the most common questions about building your personal brand
Q - How is "Your Brand Path" different from other personal branding services?​
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A - "Your Brand Path" is focused on results. We find many services are way too heady and spend an inordinate amount of time talking about what your brand could be vs helping you figure out what it should be. Too many of our clients spent months and thousands of dollars working with idea people before they found us. We are action-based and results-based.
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Conversely, some services attract customers with a low price point and do-it-yourself ethos. This works for some people who already have a clear understanding of their brand and, more importantly, have the creative and technical chops to bring it to life. More often than not, we find clients end up with something that doesn't reach a level of professionalism required for them to feel inspired to promote their brand (or, even put it on the internet).​ Whether you work with us or another partner it is imperative you do it right the first time.
Q - Why is a personal brand important?
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A - Personal branding is important because it can help you:
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Stand out from the competition. In today's competitive marketplace, it is more important than ever to stand out from the crowd. A strong personal brand helps you differentiate yourself by presenting a strong sense of self and direction that shows potential employers, employees and/or partners that you have focused, professional maturity. Perhaps most importantly, a powerful personal brand is rooted in your unique perspectives as expressed through your original content. Does this mean you need to become an influencer and release content everyday? No, it doesn't, but a thoughtful blog is the best way to set yourself apart from the pulp of resume bullet points and LinkedIn profiles.
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Attract opportunities. A strong personal brand works for you 24/7. It helps you to attract opportunities, such as job offers, speaking engagements, partnerships and more. When people know who you are and what you stand for, they are more likely to want to work with you.
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Build relationships. A strong personal brand helps you build relationships with people who can help you achieve your personal and professional goals. When people know and trust you, they are more likely to refer you to others and help you out when you need it. Your personal brand will empower you with an entirely new level of confidence and purpose when it comes to networking.
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Gain credibility and trust. A strong personal brand establishes credibility and trust that precedes your direct interactions with others and allows a more fluid development of rapport.
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Achieve your goals. A strong personal brand helps you achieve your goals by giving you a clear sense of direction and purpose. When you know who you are and what you want to achieve, it is easier to stay motivated and focused on your goals. Your personal brand gives you the confidence to say "NO" to what may seem like an opportunity, but offers no long-term value to your mission as a person and a professional.
Q - How do I build a personal brand?
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A - Building a personal brand takes time and effort, but it is definitely possible. Here are some tips to help you get started:
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Define your personal brand. What do you want to be known for? What are your unique skills and talents? What are your passions? ​
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Identify your target audience. Who are you trying to reach with your personal brand? What are their needs and interests?
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Set your personal brand goals. What do you want to achieve with your personal brand? Do you want to get a job, start a business, raise capital, recruit talent, advance in your current job or build a community?
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Choose the right channels. Where will you build your personal brand? This could include social media, your website, speaking engagements, news sites/syndication or blogging platforms.
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Create consistent content. Your content should be consistent with your personal brand and should reflect your unique voice, personality and goals.
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Be active and engaged. Don't just create content and then disappear. Be active and engaged with your audience in whatever way is relevant to your goals.
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Measure your results. How do you know if your personal branding efforts are working? Track your results so that you can see what's working and what's not.
NOTE: Defining and maintaining your authentic personal brand is highly personal and cannot be achieved in a one-size-fits-all approach. Not everyone wants to be, nor needs to be a prolific content creator or consummate promoter, and building a successful personal brand does not mean you have to become an "influencer". It is 100% contingent upon your individual goals.
Q - What are the most common mistakes when building a personal brand?
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A - The most common mistakes in building a personal brand include:
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Trying to be someone you're not. Your personal brand should be authentic and genuine. People can spot a fake from a mile away.
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Inconsistency. Your personal brand should be reflected in everything you do, from your online presence to your offline interactions.
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Not being active and engaged. Don't just sit back and wait for people to find you. Get out there and network, share your content and ideas and participate in conversations offline and online.
Q - How do I measure success of my personal brand?
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A - Success is completely individualized, but may include some or all of the following:
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Finding a new job
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Receiving unsolicited job offers
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Career advancement
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Followers and Influence
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Leads and sales
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Press coverage
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Speaking Engagements
The Dos and Dont's of Personal Branding
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Dos:
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Have clear goals for your brand
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Be authentic and genuine.
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Be consistent.
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Be active and engaged.
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Be patient.
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Measure your results.
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Don'ts:
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Try to be someone you're not.
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Get discouraged.
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Give up.
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Ignore negative feedback.
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Spend too much time and money