Building Your Personal Brand in 2024
So, you are looking to become a full-time digital nomad…
I’ll be honest, I love hearing that but I need to ask you one question before we get ahead of ourselves:
How much time have you spent focusing on your personal brand?
If you don’t already know, your personal brand is the combination of your experiences, skills, and values that differentiate you from the crowd. Whether you’re a freelancer, an influencer, or you just want your name to reach a bigger audience, building a personal brand can help you “sell” yourself to employers and clients alike.
In today's digital age, your online presence can either lift you up or drag you down but that narrative is entirely within your control.
Here are 5 reasons why you should be building your personal brand in 2024:
1. Stand out from the competition.
Everything has already moved online, or it is in the process of doing so. That means millions of people are competing for the same clients, jobs, and customers. So, you need to set yourself apart from the crowd.
Personal branding allows you to build your own spotlight. You have the power to tell your own story, the way you want it to be told.
Do this by sharing what makes you different from every other Joe Schmoe. Your goal should be to become memorable and recognizable online.
By building your brand you’ll be able to use your platform to connect with others and show everyone why you’re the best choice within your domain.
2. Connect with clients.
With there being so many choices online, clients are choosing to work with the people who align with their personal or professional values.
Your personal brand can be used to make your mission clear and express what it is that drives you. Those who align with your message will gravitate towards you when you are authentic by showcasing your strengths and experience, and show how you can use them to help your audience.
However, no one will be able to know any of this about you if you aren’t willing to put yourself out there for them to find you.
3. Increase your visibility.
There is a saying that’s more relevant than ever in this scenario: “Money flows, where attention goes.”
Therefore, you need to be where your potential clients and peers are. If people don’t see you, they won’t even be able to forget about you because they didn’t know you in the first place.
Building a recognizable personal brand allows you to stay top of mind. While doing so, again make sure you’re letting your audience know exactly who you are and what you can do for them.
When I say that I really mean - Don’t just post random content. Ensure it is directed toward your target audience. This way, when people have a problem, they will trust you to give them the solution.
4. Build trust.
Here is a hard truth in business: People trust people, not companies or agencies.
So, your audience wants to know what you’re all about, but it’s not enough to just tell them. You need to show them. You can do this through personal stories, testimonials, providing value, etc.
Your personal brand should take out all the guess work.
If you're relatable and authentic in your content, and you’re able to provide value while positioning yourself as an authority in your field of expertise, opportunities will come knocking at the door.
5. Generate opportunity.
Here are a couple facts if you’re still on the fence about building a personal brand:
60% of consumers are more likely to buy from a business they’ve heard of before.
70% of employers use social media to screen candidates.
This means that whether you’re looking for a job, or you’re looking for clients, you online presence matters heavily! Are they going to like what they see when they look up your name on Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, etc?
If you have built up your personal brand, then you don’t have to worry about what they’ll find because you’ve openly stated your mission, values, skills, experience, etc. You’re an open book! And remember this, it’s not just about clients or employers - there could be so much more!
You could use your personal brand to find collaborations, networks, business partners, etc. A well-crafted personal brand can and will open many opportunities that you couldn’t even fathom in this very moment.
TLDR;
1. Stand out from the competition.
2. Connect with clients.
3. Increase visibility.
4. Build trust.
5. Generate opportunity.
Will 2024 be the year you build your personal brand?