What is a personal brand?
A personal brand – also known as personal branding – is a set of unique characteristics, experiences and skills that distinguish you from others. Prof. Jennifer Aaker from Stanford University calls it someone's "unique added value", an individual 'brand' that creates recognition of the individual (more
Personal brand management involves country code +225, ivory coast phone numbers creating, shaping and maintaining a consistent, attractive image that will help you achieve your professional and personal goals (both selling products/services online and building the role of an opinion leader).
Why is it worth building a personal brand?
Building a personal brand is an investment that can bring many benefits, regardless of whether you are an entrepreneur, a freelancer or a corporate employee. In today's world, where we increasingly value authenticity and transparency, a strong personal brand helps you stand out from the competition and build trust among clients, employers or business partners.
A 2020 Nielsen study found that 92% of consumers worldwide trust recommendations from people they know more than advertising. And even more striking data from the 2022 Edelman Trust Barometer shows that well over 60% of respondents believe that trusting a brand leader is as important as trusting the brand itself.
In any free market system, where the labor and business market is extremely competitive – building a strong personal brand can be the key to gaining an advantage. In light of this research, it becomes clear that a personal brand is of great importance for both business and professional career.
How to start building a personal brand?
Define your goals
The first step in building a personal brand is to understand what you actually want to achieve. Is it to improve your professional standing? Or maybe you want to increase your online visibility? Maybe you want to gain new clients? Clearly defined goals are the foundation of effective personal brand management – they allow you to choose the right tools and content, and make it easier to monitor progress or elements that need improvement.
