What Is Personal Branding & Why Is It Important?

A question for you - What do people say about you when you're not in the room?

According to Jeff Bezos, this is the definition of your Personal Brand, which is "an amalgamation of the associations, beliefs, feelings, attitudes, and expectations that people collectively hold about you" (Harvard Business Review).

Crafting a personal brand isn't just about what you do; it's about HOW you present yourself, and it's what sets you apart from others. As a woman in business in a very busy world, this is critical.

Why Your Personal Brand Matters

Professional Visibility: A strong personal brand can make you stand out to employers, clients, and peers. It's your chance to showcase what makes you unique and valuable. It can open doors to new opportunities, and helps you build credibility and establish yourself as an expert in your field.

You Own It: It's also something you own, not your employer, not even your business. So should you decide to change career or pivot in your business or even sell it, your personal brand goes with you. That's why it's incredibly important to invest time and effort in cultivating a powerful personal brand.

Networking Power: Your personal brand shapes how others perceive you, establishes and empowers you as an industry leader and can attract like-minded professionals and potential collaborators. The opportunities can literally be unlimited!

Consistency and Trust: A great personal brand conveys consistency and reliability. When your personal brand aligns with your values and goals, it builds trust with your audience, whether they're employers, clients, or followers.

Here are some top tips for shaping and promoting your personal brand

Define Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): Identify what sets you apart from others in your field. What are your strengths, skills, and passions?

Craft Your Story: Share your journey, experiences, and accomplishments authentically, both online and offline in the form or a story or series of stories.

Polish Your Online Presence: Make sure your online presence is professional, consistent, and reflects your values and expertise.

Engage and Network: Engage with your industry peers, attend networking events, and participate in online communities to expand your network and showcase your expertise.

Seek Feedback and Adapt: Use feedback from mentors, colleagues, and peers to assess how your personal brand is perceived, so you can refine your brand and adapt to new opportunities and challenges.

Stay Authentic: Authenticity is crucial to building a sustainable personal brand. Be true to yourself, stay consistent with your values, and avoid trying to be someone you're not.

By defining what makes you unique and showcasing your expertise authentically, you can create a powerful personal brand that opens doors and propels your career and/or business forward.

Here's a quote from a recent client who I helped with her personal brand: "I worked with Natalie [Natalie Montagnani, Founder of IGNITE] at a stage in my journey where I was in need of some guidance and structure of how to approach my own story and how to begin speaking about this publicly. Natalie was super professional and friendly throughout the process. The session was very productive, it has given me a lot of food for thought! I would definately recommend Natalie and I look forward to working with her again." Natasha Thakur, CEO & Co-Founder, Emizio.

If you would like some help crafting your personal branding strategy, we offer a 2-hour high-impact 121 coaching package (online or in-person) that helps us to not only define what your brand is, but we also create a tangible, tactical communication plan so you can then let the world know what you're made of! Contact us today to find out more.