Get online, build your brand image
This is a fact and just as branding is top priority in marketing so it is in your professional success as well. Think about it, what makes you special or sets you apart from others? For organisations, you are just like others, another commodity that they can buy anytime anywhere, this is sad but true. So to prevent yourself from being just another face in the crowd, you need to stand out.
In order to build an identity, which will have recall and recognition value, you need to develop a professional brand image. This will help you add more self-value, negotiate a better pay package and even get chosen over your generic counterparts.
Building a brand image of a product takes time. Similarly, building your professional image is also a process. It cannot happen overnight and takes a lot of hard work. It also requires utilising every available opportunity to build recall value to your professional reputation, and the bottom line is it has to be done by you.
Before you decide to build your own professional brand, decide what is going to be your USP. You will have to make up your mind whether you want to be known as the “brilliant dealmaker” or the “suave client manager” Once you have decided on your brand name, you can work towards building it.
The next step is to project this image of yours constantly, but use a different method or platform each time you reinforce this image. Here are some tips to get your self-branding strategy going:
Using the Internet as a platform will be a clever move. Leveraging on the net’s widespread reach and access can only build your brand. Blogs are the first step in this direction. You can either start your own blogspot where you will talk about your areas of expertise and keep updating it regularly. Besides this you will also need to visit other blogspots to write your comments and also participate in online discussions. This will promote your reputation as an expert in the field.
Another option is to write a book or report on your area of specialisation and get it published online.
Yet another option is to seek out speaking opportunities. This means giving speeches at professional forums and seminars related to your field.
This will increase your visibility and recall value. If you are standing before a group of people and delivering a speech, not only will you get everyone’s attention but also everyone will think you are an expert on the subject you are talking about.
Following some or all of these options will build your brand image and you can definitely make your presence felt.
But remember you will have to make your presentation in such a way that it catches people’s attention and once this is done then the rest is easy. As they say in marketing circles, the packaging is more important than the actual product.
HEMA. G
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