We’ve all been taught that a firm handshake, professional attire, and
sound credentials are the makings for a good first impression.
Today, that’s no longer enough.
The
advent of blogs, Facebook, and Twitter have enabled anyone and everyone
to become known; connect in almost real time directly with clients,
colleagues and friends; and build relationships across the globe. Now,
making an unforgettable first impression in-person is no longer the only way to establish your brand. Yes, your brand.
While you may not be Nike or Disney, who you are and how you come
across are really important to being successful. Our personal brands are
in the spotlight everyday for everyone to see online. Are you putting
your best foot forward? Maybe it’s time for some personal branding.
If you don’t brand yourself, someone else will, and the outcome might
not be so favorable. Branding yourself keeps you current in your field,
opens doors for you, and creates a lasting impression on potential and
existing clients. By developing your own brand, you’ll have control over
the initial perception people have of you.
“What is it that you want to be known for? Personal branding is how
we define ourselves in the work space while also incorporating the
personal elements that make us who we are,” according to Dawn Rasmussen,
president of the Portland, Oregon-based Pathfinder Writing and Career Services.
What Makes You, You
A successful brand can go a long way with self-promotion, conveying
loyalty, and offering consistency in the quality of the services you
provide.
#1: Define your brand and become an expert. Take the time to do some soul searching and determine exactly who you are and what makes up your brand. Use words such as collaborative,
resourceful, flexible, forward-thinking, connected, visionary,
diplomatic, intuitive, precise, enterprising, ethical, genuine and/or
accessible to describe your persona, culture, and outlook. Whether
you’re looking to garner media attention, attract new clients or build
your business, you should focus on becoming an expert in your field.
Avoid establishing an expertise that's irrelevant to your mission,
goals, and vision. You’ll just be wasting your time.
For example, if you know corporate tax accounting, it's probably not
wise to brand yourself as a personal financial expert. Yet, remember
that people want to hear about the professional you, but they also want to understand your personality. Don’t be afraid to inject your personality into the conversation.
#2: Establish a presence. You’re being Googled by
friends, colleagues, and potential customers, so make sure your branded
content is what people find when they Google your name. One way to do
this is to build a basic online presence through your own website or
blog.
For example, you can purchase your full name as a domain name
(yourfullname.com). By developing either a static website or a blog
under your domain name, you will own the first result for your name in
Google and other search engines. This should be a separate site than
your company's website. After purchasing your domain name, add your
picture, a bio, your email address, and links to the rest of your
presence (Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter). This way, people can get in
touch with you in their medium of choice. Claim your name before someone
else does. While search engines will pick up on your social media
pages, having your own domain will produce a more finite result.
#3: Generate brand awareness through networking. You
should be connecting with other young professionals in the accounting
industry by using social networks and commenting on their blogs.
Networking is one of the best ways to become known in the industry. By
forming relationships with people in your audience, you can grow your
business and your brand long-term.
#4: Remember the 3 Cs of branding. Clarity,
consistency, constancy. Be clear in who you are and are not. Don’t
sugar-coat your qualifications. Express your brand across all
communications mediums. Determine where you want to fit in (industry and
niche area of expertise) and then remain visible to your target
audience.
#5: Get feedback from those who know you best—at work, at home, anywhere.
The true measure of your brand is the reputation others hold of you in
their hearts and minds. Notice how they introduce you to others. Ask
them what your top brand attributes and core strengths are. If they can
easily tell you, then you’ve succeeded in branding you.
These days, branding the company you work for isn't enough. The world
wants to hear what you have to say as a professional within a company.
The work involved in uncovering your brand may seem daunting, but your
efforts can benefit you immeasurably. Your unique brand message
differentiates the best you have to offer, gives a good indication of
what you’re like to work with, and shows how you make things happen.
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