The rise of social media has definitely prompted people to think more about their professional personal brand. In the social media training workshops I run one of the first questions I ask is, ‘what is your thing?’ Sometimes the answer to this translates well for amplification via their social profiles and other times we need to do a little searching to discover what this may be so it’s also suitable for professional purposes.
Knowing who you are, your philosophies, what you believe in, and what you want to be known for lay the foundations for developing your personal brand. These should come through in how you represent yourself offline and online, for this means you are being truly authentic and transparent and how you build trust.
I’m a fairly straight-up, tell-it-how-it-is but tactful individual and I’m pretty sure most people who know me would agree. This is one of my ‘things’ (I’m also usually the person in a group who takes on the responsibility of having ‘awkward conversations’, something else I’m known for!).
One of my other ‘things’ is sharing my #MobileOffice moments on social, something I have the pleasure/pain (there’s a fine line!) of enjoying as a freelancer and consultant for businesses with a remote work business culture.
I have other ‘things’ related to my personality, profession and personal life people in my network know me for at various levels, but there is consistency which is key for any brand strategy.
What is your ‘thing’?