Tips for Building Your Personal Brand in the Post-Pandemic World
On March 31, 2021, I had the privilege to host an interactive online workshop title "Building Your Personal Brand For Success" for the FT Women in Business Asia Forum. Along with the event, I wrote this blog post below for the attendees. Hope you'll find it useful as well. - Kaitlin Zhang
As opportunities to network face to face decreases with remote working, it is even more crucial to build your personal brand online.
Even before remote working, Zoom and WFH took over our collective working lives, it wasn’t unusual for many of us to conduct a quick Google or Linkedin search to find out about others prior to meeting them for the first time.
There is significant value in creating a positive first impression face to face with a great personality, a confident outfit and a steady handshake. But in a post-pandemic world, those opportunities are fewer and further between. For all we know, the handshake might become a thing of the past. What we are left with are versions of our digital selves on the internet, social media and video calls.
Therefore, it is more crucial than ever for everyone to proactively manage their online reputation.
Whether you are looking to find a new job, to get a promotion or to create a competitive advantage, it is imperative that you represent the best version of who you are online and clearly showcase what you do, what you stand for and what you believe in. What search results come up on the internet can build your credibility, make you more trustworthy and encourage others to work with you. This is likely your first touchpoint with people who want to know more about you. So make this count.
In addition, personal branding can be especially beneficial for women.
“Women in leadership have to walk a fine line between being too ‘assertive’ and being too ‘soft’. Throughout my career, I've been given conflicting feedback on these two directions - sometimes even by the same person”, says one of my personal branding clients, Lisa Loud, fintech expert, speaker and GM of Digital Currency at Zytara, Inc. “Personal branding for me is a way to transcend the turbulence of external assessment and making the biggest and loudest statement about who I am.”
5 Steps To Build Your Personal Brand Online Kaitlin Zhang Oval Branding
Here are 5 steps to build your personal brand online
1. Your brand position should be clearly identified
Start by considering your market: your target audience, your industry, and your competitor. Guided by these, create your brand position containing your mission, vision, and values. Always remember that personal branding is not about you. It is about clearly communicating how you can serve others.
One client in the finance industry approached me for help with her personal brand was in between jobs in 2020. We were able to clarify her brand message and core services, which helped her land a dream role and end a difficult 2020 on a high note.
2. Use photos and videos to increase your personal brand image
Visuals are important. A profile photo is more than just a photo; it communicates a lot about you and is worth getting them done professionally. Those who more comfortable with being on camera can benefit from making short form videos that showcase their brand and expertise. Another thing to consider is creating a more professional background for video calls, with good lighting and some visual interests that represent you, perhaps even considering finding a personal colour scheme that can increase your brand recognition.
3. Your personal website is your best friend
A personal website with your name as a domain name is recommended because it helps you control the narrative of your brand rather than depending on other websites. Personal websites also rank well on Google and they are often the first stop for anyone who is searching for you online.
4. Manage your social media and create content
You can start by building a comprehensive Linkedin profile and adding more social media channels depending on your goals and target audience. One of the best ways to increase your credibility in your chosen field is consistently to create content related to it, such as social media posts, blogs, podcasts, or videos.
5. Build your network to elevate your brand
Align yourself with the right brand partners and media partners. Don’t be afraid to reach out to other people with strong personal brands who can help elevate your brand and grow your audience.
“Women need to team up and work together,” says Karen L. Gamba, Co-Founder and CMO of ExV Agency, and Executive Director of Women Building Women. “An impactful way to elevate your personal brand is through the mentorship and support of other women. Women have been competing for the same, limited positions and it is through mentorship that we can create more opportunities and camaraderie that will allow our personal brands to shine through in their own unique way.”
In conclusion, as opportunities to network face-to-face decrease with remote working in a post-pandemic world, there is no better time than now to start building your personal brand online.
Thanks again to the Financial Times Women in Business Asia Forum for having me as a speaker!
For more information about hiring me as a speaker, please visit: http://kaitlinzhang.com/speaker/
