How Tech Workers Can Leverage Their Day Job To Build Personal Brand

Personal brand development is becoming increasingly important in the tech industry as the competition for top talent and entrepreneurship opportunities heats up. In the environment, we live in today, building your personal brand is necessary, especially as a woman or person of color looking to succeed in tech.

But where do you begin? How do you define your brand and your niche? Where will you get the resources to build your brand? Let's Dive in!

How to Design Your Personal Brand?

Building a successful personal brand takes time and effort, but it can help you stand out in your industry, attract new opportunities, and achieve your professional goals. Also, if you are at the right company that embraces employees for having a personal brand, you can partner with your current company to craft your messaging and brand development. Throughout my career, I knew my skillset was public speaking and receiving buy-in from pitching new ideas; I began to leverage this skillset by participating in webinars, fireside chats, and any other speaking opportunities that allowed me to use my voice and share my expertise. This was the start; I leveraged the company's brand that I worked for at the time to build my brand. I made sure I produced stellar work for the company and, in return, figured out ways to turn my work into educational resources and land-speaking gigs.

Remember you have to start somewhere, and that somewhere can be simply presenting at your company all hands and agreeing to do a blog for the company that will lead to external exposure. The moral of this is that you have to be willing to look at all different angles and search for resources. Building a personal brand takes work and dedication and will not happen overnight.

Steps to consider when building your personal brand

1. Define your niche: To build a successful personal brand, it's important to define your niche and identify what makes you unique. Consider what skills, experience, or knowledge you have that sets you apart from others in your industry.
2. Identify your target audience: Whom do you want to reach with your personal brand? Identifying your target audience will help you tailor your messaging and content to resonate with the people who matter most to you.
3. Develop your messaging: Once you've identified your niche and target audience, develop a clear message that highlights your unique value proposition. Your messaging should be consistent across all of your channels, including your website, social media profiles, and any other materials you produce.
4. Build a strong online presence: In today's digital age, building a strong online presence is critical to building a successful personal brand. Consider creating a website or blog that showcases your skills and experience, and use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram to connect with others in your industry.
5. Create valuable content: To build your reputation as an expert in your field, create valuable content that showcases your knowledge and experience. This can include blog posts, videos, podcasts, and social media updates that provide insights and solutions to the challenges facing your target audience.
6. Engage with your audience: Building a personal brand is all about building relationships with your audience. Engage with your followers by responding to comments, participating in discussions, and sharing your thoughts on industry news and trends.
7. Network and collaborate: Building relationships with others in your industry is key to building a successful personal brand. Attend industry events, participate in online groups and forums, and collaborate with others on projects to expand your network and build your reputation as a collaborative and innovative professional.

Remember that building a successful personal brand is an ongoing process. Stay up-to-date with industry trends, continue to create valuable content, and engage with your audience to maintain your brand's relevance and impact over time.

Personal Journey and What Worked for Me

In 2020, I identified my niche, which was building customer marketing strategies and advocating for a diverse and equitable environment for all people in tech. I was passionate, and my tech jobs gave me the energy to produce incredible marketing strategies, take risks, and learn every day, but also climbing the corporate ladder at a young age and also being female and African American came with many struggles. I always loved my work but not always my environments, so I channeled my negative experiences into positive opportunities to be creative and become a change agent.

1. I launched a podcast in 2020, UnapologeTECH with Kalina Bryant, when podcasts weren't seen as cool. The difference between my podcast and others is that I wanted to amplify not just my voice but other underrepresented voices in tech. It became an educational resource that people across the world could relate to. It wasn't just about black experiences, or business strategies, or generic DEI tactics. The podcast was raw, filled with real experiences and trials and tribulations. It was authentic and needed.
2. I joined companies that would complement my brand and where I knew I could provide the most value to the company. When you choose a tech company, you need to understand it's a relationship, and you need to make sure you can give results that the company needs, but also you need to be sure the company you choose can also give you a list of benefits that will help you reach your goal.
3. I launched a coaching company and community to help unrepresented communities get access to information in order to find success in tech in parallel to receiving Forbes 30 under 30 and leveraging other channels to build my audience and relationships.

The moral of my journey, it's a never-ending process, but it's important to be strategic and use all the tools you are given to make things work.

Cup of Tea when building a personal brand

1. Focus on the end goal.
2. Outline a plan and stay consistent.
3. Silence the opinions of others.
4. Welcome fear and failure.
5. Have fun with your brand development.

When you decide to build a personal brand, understand that many will love your work and others will not. You will try many things, and some may work, and some things may not work. If you can't get comfortable navigating uncertainty, then you aren't ready to build a personal brand. Put yourself out there and be true to what you stand for.

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If you are searching for a community of people who will support you, give you resources, and uplift you, be sure to join the Unapologetech Circle Community.

Happy Friday from your one and only Kalina M. Bryant ❤️

Perseverance 

Resiliency 

Grit