Building A Personal Brand: Why You Need One in 2024 and Beyond 🍷

You may have heard about the benefits of building a personal brand, but why is it more crucial than ever in 2024 and beyond? A personal brand is your online resume - it can help you attract opportunities aligned with your values, passions and mission. How good would it feel if instead of knocking on people's doors begging for opportunities - you had them landing in your inbox? Attraction marketing, my friends. Some of my biggest life-changing opportunities came through building a personal brand online (from working with incredible companies to finding my soul mate). We are now operating in a global marketplace, and THAT is something to both get excited about and take advantage of.

But what exactly is a personal brand, and how do you build one?

A personal brand is defined by your unique voice, style, and values. It’s about showcasing your expertise, passions and experiences in a way that resonates and adds value to your target audience or community. This can be done through online platforms such as Linkedin, by building a podcast or a blog, or even through speaking engagements (hint: your personal brand extends way beyond the internet and should reflect who you are in the offline world). 

Let’s explore five practical steps to kickstart your personal brand today:

Step 1: Decide.

The first step in building a personal brand is deciding what you want to be known for. This is more than just choosing a job title or profession. Think about what makes you unique and consider what you are passionate about. List your skills, interests, and passions, and identify the areas where you can add value. Once you have a clear idea of who you are and what you stand for, you can build your brand around these core values.

Step 2: Find your niche or speciality. 

In today's competitive landscape, it's important to have a niche. A niche is an area of specialisation that sets you apart from others in your industry. Think about the unique angle you can bring. It could be a specific topic you will become an expert on, a strong value you have within the workplace, a cause you are championing or any unique spin you have on ANYTHING. If you are super passionate about Old World Chardonnay, SPEAK about it. The more specific you are, the more you will stand out. By identifying your niche, you can create content and engage with an audience interested in what you offer.

Step 3: Be authentic.

Authenticity is the key to a successful personal brand. Be yourself and communicate in a way that feels natural to you. Don't try to mimic someone else's style or personality. Instead, focus on building a brand that reflects who you are as a person and wine industry professional. This will help you attract the right audience and build meaningful relationships.

Step 4: Share your value. 

One of the biggest mistakes people make when building a personal brand is focusing too much on themselves. Remember, people are interested in what you can do for them. Share your knowledge, expertise, and insights in a way that provides value to your audience. Be generous with your time and resources, and be open to collaboration with others in your industry.

Step 5: Show up.

Finally, building a personal brand requires consistent effort. Don't just create a profile on LinkedIn or Instagram and forget about it. Engage with your audience, create content regularly, and show up in places where your target audience or community hangs out. Attend events, join industry groups, and participate in online conversations. By being visible and active, you will build your personal brand and attract new opportunities. They will even appear unannounced in your inbox - how cool is that!?

Remember to be authentic, share your value, and show up consistently and you’ll reap the benefits of a strong personal brand. With the right mindset and strategy, you can create opportunities for yourself and establish yourself as a go-to expert. The world is literally at your fingertips - now go get em’ 🍷

If you’d like to learn more about Personal Branding within the wine industry, listen in on this conversation I had with our guest expert on the Beverage Business Hub Podcast with wine specialist and consultant Priscilla Hennekam, who has built a solid reputation for herself on many social media platforms, particularly right here on LinkedIn! Catch the episode here.