As a small business owner, I’m always looking for ways to build my brand online. I’m active on Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn, but I decided to explore taking branding further and really connect to potential clients and professionals in my industry.
While doing some research online, I came across a video of Michael Stelzner interviewing Mari Smith on how she leverages her personality to strengthen her brand online.
First, a quick intro to the difference between the terms “brand” and “branding.” Your brand is the experience you want your audience to have when they come in contact with you, while branding is everything you do to get your brand out there.
Here are a few key points from the interview that stood out for me:
The Power of “Brand You”
Personal branding involves using the persona associated with your name to power your brand equity. Social media has amplified our ability to build brand equity by giving us the opportunity to connect with anyone, anywhere. As we join online conversations and communities, we begin to notice that our names become associated with expertise.
Even if you work at a large company, you can still create a personal brand. The best thing about brand equity is that it’s portable – you can take it with you if you ever decide to leave a job and start your own business.
Why Personal Branding Is a Must
According to Mari Smith, personal branding is the way of the future. Many professional relationships today are forged and nurtured online via social media, so it’s the perfect place to let your clients, customers, and peers get to know the real you.
If you need another reason to build an online presence, Smith predicts that those with the most Twitter followers, Facebook friends, etc., will earn the big bucks in the future.
Establishing Your Brand Online
To build Brand You, you should use your name as your Twitter handle and Facebook URL. If your name is already taken, just add a middle initial or an underscore.
Smith recommends making your name your domain for your Facebook fan page rather than for your personal Facebook profile page. If you’ve already used your name for your personal page, Facebook gives you one opportunity to change it. Simply click Account–Username–Change, and move your name over to your fan page.
Whether you’re self-employed or work for a large company, leveraging your brand equity can help you network, attract clients, and get the most out of your professional life. What personality traits or areas of expertise will you use to build your personal brand?
Image by Flickr user Jerry Kirkhart (Creative Commons)
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