How to Brand Yourself in the Digital Age
Technology has been on the rise for a few decades now, but in recent years, it has become a crucial component in personal success. Nearly every businessperson has made the switch from physical to digital when it comes to selling personal services, and it can be overwhelming to take the leap with them. Trying to compete with millions of people doing the same thing as you may seem impossible if you don’t have the right strategy in place.
This is where your personal branding comes in. Sure, there’s plenty of professional competition out there that makes it feel impossible to be seen, but the people who stand out the most had to start somewhere. A key component in selling your services or picking up jobs online is knowing who you are and being confident in what you have to offer.
1.Treat Your Personal Brand Like a Business
If you were to start a business selling, say, sandwiches, you’d likely go about it in a completely different way. Maybe you’d hire a company to create branding material for you. You’d think about what makes your brand stand out from other sandwich shops and play up that quality. You’d find the best place for your business to be seen by potential customers and open up shop there. The list goes on.
When you start thinking of yourself—your skills, qualifications, and
and experience—as a real brand, you’ll realize you need to shift your way of thinking. Start with a logo, or at least some visuals (colors, text, style, etc.) that make you stand out as a brand. Then think about selling your services like you would sell anything else. Sometimes it just takes a little distance to get a new perspective.
2. Take Advantage of What’s Already Out There
Trying to sell your services from your own personal website with limited experience can feel like being stuck on a small island all by yourself. Start somewhere small with websites like Fiverr and Upwork. These may seem overcrowded with people trying to do the same thing, but if you’re patient, jobs will eventually start rolling in. Make sure to promote yourself on as many platforms as possible, too. Instagram and Facebook are two great tools for reaching potential customers. It might be frustrating handing over a percentage of your earnings for using a service sometimes, but trust me, it’s better than writing cold emails all day long to companies who may never respond.
3. Find Your Specialty
When you’re trying to create a professional persona on the internet, you’re going to realize that there will almost always be someone better than you. Don’t try to take on too much at once. Find what you’re really good at and focus on working to become the best at it. Avoid comparing yourself too much to others in the business when creating your own branding. Most people try to make their content fit the mold of what is popular, but a little touch of your own creativity can go a long way.
Tags: Personal brand, PR