The Undeniable Impact Personal Branding has on Your Success!

‘Yes, personal branding may work for some people. But it’s not for me!’ or ‘I don’t know where to begin, so I’ll leave it for the time being.’

Does this sound familiar?

Introduction

If you think your skills alone are going to propel you to success, think again!

In today's very connected world, personal branding is kind of a big deal. Whether you're an entrepreneur, a freelancer or a professional climbing the corporate ladder, building a strong personal brand can be the difference between landing that life-changing role or not.

Let’s break down why it's not just an option but a career necessity and how you can make it work for you in today’s modern landscape.

How?

​Let’s start with the f-word.

Focus. Hone in on a specific area of expertise, the subject for which you'd like to be recognized. This doesn't necessarily have to be a narrow niche; rather, it should be something you are genuinely knowledgeable about. Become an authority in that domain. You can then produce content related to your specialization, making it simpler for others in your field to discover you.

Keep your brand consistent – this helps create brand recognition. People will remember you across different platforms and what’s more, it makes you look reliable and gives people a sense of familiarity.

Which brings us nicely to the next point...

Credibility and Trust

The cornerstone of any relationship, professional or otherwise, is trust.

When people recognize your name and associate it with quality, reliability and expertise, they are more likely to choose you over competitors. ​

Networking Opportunities

Your personal brand is like a magnet to like-minded professionals and potential collaborators.

The stronger your brand, the higher the quality of the opportunities that come your way. Moreover, a well-crafted personal brand often opens doors to speaking engagements, collaborations, partnerships and even mentorship opportunities that you might otherwise miss.

Career Development

With a strong personal brand, you're no longer just another CV in a stack of applications. Hiring managers and recruiters are more likely to take notice if they’ve heard of you before. Your personal brand can act as a catalyst, speeding up your career growth and helping you reach milestones that may have seemed far off in the past. ​

Control Your Digital Destiny

The internet never forgets. Your digital footprint often speaks for you before you do, so isn't it better to take charge of your own story? Keep in mind, employers or clients are likely to look you up online before making decisions, so use this opportunity to impress them.

Get Paid to Be You

An established personal brand can literally pay you more. Being an industry authority means you can set higher rates and people will be willing to pay. Your unique value can justify the premium that clients or employers are willing to pay for your services. People would rather buy a brand they trust like Coca Cola at full whack than pay for ‘Rola Cola’ at a discount.

But isn’t this just another new fad?

Personal branding is (like it or not) here to stay and is strengthening over time. You may be reading this thinking, great, but I don’t really need it for my occupation. No matter what industry you are in, there will be someone out there who’s killing it! This is why big corporations spend millions on marketing and advertising. To stay top of mind! With attention spans shorter than ever, making a solid first impression counts. If the difference between you and the competition is a strong online presence, then why not give it a go?

Mic Drop

The world is noisy… and nosy! Tell a story. Better yet. Tell your story. Let people know how far you’ve come or if you are just starting out, take them on the journey with you. Grow your audience, be relevant and be authoritative!

Blog written for Discovered MENA