Why Building A Personal Brand Is Important

We are in an era where the attention span is getting shorter; attention has become a currency, and the need to make an impression is more important than ever. With over 4.8 billion social media users globally, (Wong, 2024) there has been an increased need to be unique and building a personal brand is the vehicle to creating a solid and memorable brand identity.

Personal branding is the process of constructing a distinctive online brand identity, typically in a professional context, as it can help you establish a strong personal reputation, gain influence and create a sense of relatability with your target audience. (Walter, 2023)

Why is a personal branding important?

There are a few reasons you should consider building a personal brand, among which are:

1.  It Boosts Your Credibility:

As you share your knowledge and experiences, a personal brand makes you more relatable and trustworthy and your audience connects better with you. People want to do business with people, not faceless corporations. By creating a personal brand that highlights your unique personality, interests and quirks, you can connect with your audience on a deeper level and build long-lasting relationships. (Heitzman, 2024)

2.  Increases Visibility and Recognition

As you push out content consistently, the social media platforms push your content to others and as your audience grows, so does your popularity. In addition, you have more control over your online presence. For instance, you are more likely to be checked on Google and Google will pull out all available information on you to the searcher, usually from your uploaded content.

How to build a personal brand using social media

Social media has made it easier to connect with people and to build a personal brand. A well-developed personal brand clearly communicates your unique value proposition, making it easier for decision-makers to see why you’re the best fit for new projects and opportunities (Heitzman, 2024)  

Here are the steps to building a personal brand on social media.

1.  Define Your Brand Identity

What do you want to be known for? What do you stand for (values)? What abilities do you possess that others can learn from (expertise, strength, weaknesses, unique perspectives). These are questions you need to answer to map out the direction of your branding.

2.  Develop a personal brand statement

A personal brand statement is a succinct description of who you are, what you do, and why it matters. It should be compelling and memorable, encapsulating your unique value proposition. A solid brand statement helps focus your communication across different platforms and differentiates you from others. (Walter, 2023)

3.  Define Your Target Audience

Clarify who your personal brand is speaking to. The target audience could be a specific industry, professional community or those who share similar interests. Understand what they care about and their challenges to that your contents are tailored appropriately.

4.  Optimize Your Online Presence

Ensure your social media profiles are polished, professional looking and align with your brand identity.

5.  Create And Share Valuable and Quality Content Consistently

Post high-quality content to amplify your message. Ensure content is well-researched, informative and valuable to your audience. Consistency will ensure growth.

6.  Be Authentic and Engage Your Audience

Stay true to yourself and engage your audience regularly. Engagement shows social media algorithms that your content is important and will ensure they are pushed to prospective audience.

Good examples of those who have used social media for personal branding are:

1. Jackie Aina: A beauty blogger, who started from Youtube and has now become an influencer in the beauty circle. She currently has over 3.5million subscribers on Youtube alone. She has gone on to create her own beauty products for sale. 
2. Stormzy: A British rapper. He used his Instagram and Youtube platforms to introduce people to his music and gain followership. 

References

1.  Wong, B. (2024) Top Social Media Statistics And Trends Of 2024. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/social-media-statistics/. (Accessed: July 5, 2024)

2.  Walter, Y. (2023) Brand Yourself, Build Your Future: The Importance Of Personal Branding For Professional Success. Available at: https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2023/03/30/brand-yourself-build-your-future-the-importance-of-personal-branding-for-professional-success/#:~:text=With%20a%20strong%20personal%20brand,of%20a%20strong%20professional%20identity. (Accessed: July 5, 2024)

3.  Heitzman, A. (2024) What Is Personal Branding? Here’s Why It’s So Important. Available at: https://www.searchenginejournal.com/what-is-personal-branding-why-important/327367/. (Accessed: July 5, 2024)