Jon Michail is Founder & Group CEO of Image Group International & best-selling author of Life Branding. Follow him on LinkedIn & Twitter.
Life branding is an approach to personal and professional development that centers around creating a strong and powerful personal brand with a holistic outlook. It focuses on developing an image of yourself that is authentic, recognizable and impactful.
In my 2002 book Life Branding, I define the concept further as “the process of establishing a strong and credible personal brand, based on key attributes and values, and communicating these qualities to the world in a consistent and compelling way.” Life branding also includes the process of creating and managing your reputation and digital presence. Life branding has become increasingly important in the digital age as it allows individuals to control how they present themselves online and the impact they have beyond their careers and business. It’s also a way to ensure that one’s online presence is accurate, consistent and reflects their authentic identity.
Why Does It Matter?
With the job market and business landscape becoming increasingly competitive, life branding is an essential concept. It helps individuals distinguish themselves from their peers and showcase their strengths and values in a powerful and effective manner. Through life branding, individuals can create a unique identity that will set them apart and give them an edge in their respective fields.
Life branding can have a number of benefits, including:
• Increasing visibility and recognition in your field, helping establish you as an authority
• Creating a strong, consistent image of yourself in the minds of others, which makes it easier for people to remember and connect with you
• Elevating trust in your personal brand beyond the standard corporate spin
• Growing your worth and value, including financial
• Creating a strong sense of identity and purpose in your life
Take Control Of Your Online Presence
Having a personal leadership brand can be a great way to stay connected and put yourself out there for opportunities, but spreading this brand online comes with certain risks. Taking control of your online presence is important to protect yourself and your family. (I discussed this in more detail in a previous article.) With a few simple steps, you can make sure that your online presence is used to its fullest advantage and that your identity and information remain safe.
Firstly, I suggest that individuals keep their profiles and settings updated. The most important part of creating a successful online presence is updating social media profiles. Ensure that your profile information is accurate and up-to-date and that your profile picture is appropriate.
Secondly, curate the content you share online and be mindful of the message you are portraying; remember that your content can be seen by anyone. Avoid posting anything that can be perceived as offensive or inappropriate. If you live in a glass house, don’t throw stones… or worse, display your dirty laundry.
Thirdly, it is important to be aware of the networks and platforms you are using and each one’s rules of engagement. Take the time to check all your online accounts for any suspicious activity, such as strange messages or posts.
The Process Of Life Branding
Life branding is an ongoing process that requires dedication and effort. It involves four distinct steps:
1. Define your strengths and values.
The first step in the process of life branding is to determine your unique strengths and values. Ask yourself what makes you unique and sets you apart from the competition. Identify the qualities you have that can help you make a positive impression.
2. Communicate your strengths and values.
Once you have identified your unique strengths and values, it is important to communicate your story to the world in a clear, consistent and authentic manner. This can be done through your résumé, LinkedIn, other social media, Google “knowledge panels,” a personal website and other forms of communication.
3. Develop an image.
In order to create a strong and memorable brand, it is important to develop and position an authentic image that reflects your strengths and values. This can be done through the use of logos, colors, fonts and other visual elements. This image can feature on a personal website, in your content on social media sites, and should also be used offline—think business cards, but also wardrobe and accessories—so you project a congruent image.
4. Monitor and adjust.
The last step in the process of life branding is to monitor and adjust your brand as needed. This involves keeping track of changes in the market and adjusting your brand accordingly. Your personal reputation depends on it.
Conclusion
When executed well, life branding can help create a powerful and memorable personal brand. Life branding can help individuals stand out from the competition and be remembered for who they authentically are. You just need to define your unique strengths and values, develop an image, communicate these things to the world online while protecting your identity, and monitor and adjust your brand as needed. Big changes are upon us; it’s the responsibility of an individual to make their life branding matter.
Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Credit: Source link
