Have you ever been awed by those go-getters who get called by Forbes to be quoted in their next article, and seem to already have made friends with everyone at the conference? Well, here’s the secret, those people have been developing their own brand and doing one of the most essential forms of marketing: personal branding.
If you would like to have more impact and become known for excelling in your areas of passion, here are a few ideas:
(1). Develop expertise by developing a niche.
If you are the type to see possibilities everywhere, choosing a specialty can be a difficult proposition. Focus on the tasks that make you light up, that fascinate you intellectually, and that you find yourself getting excited about when you discuss them with people who don’t work with it.
If you’re new in your career, it’s important to pay attention to what you regard as the best part of your day. If exploring your websites stats on Google Analytics is the best part of your day, or reaching out to build new partnerships for your company gets you fired up, listen to these signals and start developing your expertise.
(2). Broaden your network through social media.
Don’t forget about social networking.
Connect with professionals in your industry through LinkedIn. It’s usually helpful to add a blurb in the introductory paragraph of your page explaining what you do and who you would like to network with. If you don’t already have it, recommendations from colleagues are great to secure.
Twitter is an excellent platform to get access to people who you normally wouldn’t be able to communicate with.
Facebook, as it is a more personal platform, is a place to share only the most compelling information that appeals to a broader audience.
(3). Engage your audience with original studies and content.
Get noticed online by figuring out what interesting and unique information and analysis you can share with your audience.
Colleagues, industry competitors, and your followers will take note of insightful results gleaned from a poll, insider interviews with professionals doing something unique, and industry trends you’re the first to catch wind of.
Remember to ask followers and friends for their ideas and opinions to benefit from their expertise and demonstrate that you acknowledge their value.
(4). Blog to refine your ideas and gain recognition.
Once you’ve developed a following, begin a personal blog or write for your company blog.
Blogging, like any form of writing, keeps you on-the-look-out for exciting new industry players and trends while forcing you to focus your thoughts and figure out why they’re relevant to readers. You can also forge a deeper relationship with your online contacts by inviting them to guest blog.
(5). Volunteer to present or lead groups.
If you’ve developed a special skill that could benefit your company, volunteer to hold an informational presentation or lead a group of people also interested in the topic.
If you already feel confident in your public speaking skills, volunteer to speak in front of associations, or begin and facilitate a Meetup group for professionals in your area.
(6). Give back by helping others achieve their goals.
Building your own brand can feel like a selfish pursuit centered on glorifying yourself at others’ expense. My mother has always told me that great leaders have a servant’s heart and in my opinion, the same applies to thought leaders.
If you’ve been in your role for a while, offer to mentor junior colleagues. Think broadly about what you can offer to your colleagues including possibilities for collaboration across departments. Be ready to share your expertise and use your talents to help others achieve great things.