7 Tips for Creating a Personal Brand Online

Building a consistent, recognizable brand is key to achieving your professional goals. Whether you realize it or not, you already have a personal brand. People make assumptions about you based on information they discover, and those assumptions shape your online reputation for better or worse. For example, have you ever searched for a company’s website or social media account only to find that they either don’t have one or rarely update it? Often, we assume they are either no longer in business or will not provide the quality of service that we’d want to receive. Then, we continue our search until we find a company that is more active online. 

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Similarly, curating your personal brand can help boost your expertise and authority online. It can also be a great way to connect with and land new clients. Potential clients will search for you, and if they believe you can help solve their problem, it will lead to more business. Additionally, your personal brand shows potential employers what you’re passionate about and what skills you bring to the table. 

These days, building a presence online is non-negotiable, so take control of yours today. Here are seven tips for creating a successful personal brand online. 

1. Determine What You Want to Be Known For

Before you do anything else, you need to figure out what you want to be recognized for. What are you most passionate about? What makes you unique? What’s your story? Choose a theme or niche that you would like to stick to. Then identify the target audience for that theme. What are their pain points? How can you help them? The answers to these questions will help guide your decisions moving forward. By focusing on a particular area of expertise, you’ll attract an engaged audience that is interested in what you have to say. It will also be easier to create content when you stick to a few pillars versus a wide variety of categories. The more specific you can get, the better. 

2. Create an Awesome Bio and Take Professional Headshots

Now that you’ve determined what you want to be known for and have identified a target audience, it’s time to build your online profile. When people come across your LinkedIn or Twitter, for example, they should be able to read your bio and understand right away how you can solve their problem. Rather than simply listing a bunch of skills and certifications, add some flair by showing off your personality while still being professional. Use a professional headshot to make your profile stand out even more. You don’t have to wear a business suit — just make sure your presentation aligns with your brand. 

3. Develop a Strong Social Media Presence

Social media is inescapable now. With so many platforms being introduced each year, it can be hard to figure out where you should focus your efforts. Start by choosing one or two platforms that you know your target audience uses. Then, learn how to optimize your account for search on that platform so you can show up consistently. 

4. Start a Blog About Your Expertise

A blog is a great way to show that you are an expert in your field. Not only does it build credibility, but you can also use it as a portfolio for potential clients or employers. Additionally, a blog can grow your online community. For example, start an email list and send out weekly or monthly newsletters with valuable content in your niche. Then, connect your social media profiles so that readers can engage with you across platforms. Besides writing great, informational content, include an About page that goes into more detail about your experience and how readers can contact you. Don’t forget to add a link to your blog on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, etc. 

5. Repurpose Your Content Across Multiple Platforms

Consistency is key when building a personal brand online. However, that doesn’t mean you have to create new content every day; you just have to be intentional and strategic. The goal is to create valuable and shareable content. For example, after writing a detailed blog post about a specific topic, use excerpts to create multiple social media posts to share across LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter. Alternatively, you could record yourself essentially reading the blog post for YouTube videos or TikToks to help build a connection and trust with your audience. 

6. Connect with Your Audience

Now more than ever, people use the internet to establish connections with people near and far. Focus on building a genuine relationship with your audience by replying to comments and messages in a timely manner. After all, people love to support brands that interact with them. The more you position yourself as a real person who can provide real help, the more human your personal brand will be and the more business you will attract. 

7. Collaborate with Other Leaders in Your Niche

In the online space, collaboration trumps competition. In addition to engaging with your audience, you should also engage with other leaders and influencers in your niche. Working with other leaders will not only increase your credibility, but it will also allow you to learn from them. Plus, it provides opportunities for others with large followings to promote you on their channels, getting more eyes on you and your offerings. 

You already have a personal brand, so why not take control of it and leverage it to your advantage? Use these tips to establish your reputation online. If you need help repairing, building, and protecting your brand, reach out to see how we can help!