Make 2023 the year to focus on your personal brand

Welcome to issue 4 of my LinkedIn newsletter! If you see this in your email, I'd be grateful if you could open this on LinkedIn and react and comment. It will certainly help me in my analysis of who is getting value from my personal branding advice. Thank you!

We tend to reflect when we arrive at the end of the year on how things have gone and I've been mulling over what's worked for me in 2022. I’ve definitely noticed an upturn in the strength of my personal brand and I’ve learnt some valuable lessons.

I thought I’d share these with you to hopefully incentivise you for the new year.

I’ve turned these lessons into a Q&A format as it was the easiest way to organise my thoughts.

How will I know my personal brand is working?

When people start to remember you, this is a useful indicator that our personal brand is working. Whether you post regularly, publish your blog frequently, have a ‘live’ show on one of the platforms or attend networking events, people are going to start recognising you. Even if you are talked about by other people, then you’ll have some kind of recognition.

I heard a great talk recently entitled ‘I’ve heard your name before’ and I realised that that this is such a valuable marker of whether or not you are becoming memorable.

If you want people to know you, they’ve got to remember you first.

What difference does posting regularly on social media make?

I understand how social media often feels like it’s all rather showy and also very time-consuming. However, it is the ideal way to talk about what makes you you, and once you get used to the routine of posting, coming up with content ideas can be less time-consuming and onerous than you think.

 I always say that your personal brand is built on what is unique and individual about you. There is only one of your in the world, even if there are thousands of people doing the same thing as you. No-one will do it like you and your personal brand is a perfect way to attract clients who like something about you in particular.

🦸🏾♀️ Don’t be coy about sharing your superpowers:

• What are your talents?
• What is your expertise?
• What’s your experience?
• What are the achievements that you are proud of?
• What are the best lessons that you have learned?
• Who do you work with?
• How do you help them?
• What are your offers and services?

Consistent posting created around these themes will give you sufficient social media content, so you shouldn’t be stuck on what to post about.

Add to this your stories which shine a light on more of your personality and interests:

• What motivated you to start in your current career?
• What do you like most about your work?
• What do you like least about your work?
• How do you relax outside of work?
• Do you have any hobbies or leisure interests?
• What causes do you champion?

You may wonder why posting about this on social media will make a difference, but people are inquisitive (call it nosey!) by nature.

Social media is very much about being part of online communities and networks. When you share something of yourself and you start conversations through your content, this makes a huge difference to people getting to know your personal brand. Do this consistently so you create familiarity. Then your community is more likely to remember you and support your posts by engaging on them.

Why does commenting on posts make a difference to my personal brand?

I have found that commenting can be equally as valuable as posting because, again, you are making yourself visible and showing support for the author of the post and the community.

If you write a comment which shares some valuable insights or adds to the existing comment thread, it’s more likely to attract attention to your profile. People are much more likely to visit your LinkedIn profile if you say something of interest and/or substance, rather than if you just write ‘great’ or ‘thank you’ for sharing.

Again this adds to raising the profile of your personal brand. I comment on LinkedIn posts every day for at least 5 - 10 minutes. That’s around an hour a week and it’s amazing how it can attract new views to your profile.

A word of advice. Don’t just make commenting part of your routine for posts on the feed. Do the same in any groups you are in. I often comment on posts in Facebook groups as well as on here. Also make sure you comment on live interview chats and webinars as this is much more likely to pique people’s interest in you.

How does video make a difference to my personal brand?

I’ve always been fairly comfortable with being on video. I created my first one on here back in Autumn 2018. I’ve got used to using it and I can see how it’s helped me to stand out.

This year I have started creating content consistently for TikTok, about how to use LinkedIn for business. It’s had a big impact on how I focus on my messaging in my videos and my editing skills. I’m convinced that I get to the point a lot quicker and my delivery is more direct and personal. I’m learning to think about it less and just do it.

You can be as spontaneous or as prepared as you like with creating video. Going live on platforms such as Instagram and Facebook means that you just hit the play button and record. It’s fairly rough and ready and you can keep it and share it – or delete it if you’re not happy with the broadcast.

Live video is very authentic and in the moment!

On LinkedIn Live, you'll need to more preparation as you need use a 3rd party app such as Streamyard so it's less spontaneous. However it's still a great way to build your confidence on video and attract new followers.

If you want to be more measured and scripted, then you can create video content with more preparation. You will some idea with knowing what you want to say (perhaps a prepared script) and your smartphone and lighting set up correctly. The final result will take longer to create as there will be retakes and quite lot of bloopers! However you’ll have a good catalogue of personal brand video that you can re-use time and time again.

What are the benefits of attending events for my personal brand?

Promoting your personal brand online is undoubtedly effective, but you’ll notice the difference significantly when you meet people in person. To be greeted by your online connections like an old friend is such a special experience. This is because they have got to know you so well through your personal brand. Even if people don’t remember exactly what you do, they’ll remember you from seeing you online.

This will result your online relationships becoming better established and you having more meaningful conversations later.

Your personal brand is taken to the next level when you go to events.

Should I look out for opportunities to promote my personal brand?

Yes, absolutely! Take every opportunity you can to get your personal brand out there. I’ve created my own opportunities but also been invited to participate in a lot more. Say yes when people ask you to join discussions or collaborate on a mini project. It’s made a huge difference to the amount of personal brand content I’ve produced this year.

• Speak at LinkedIn audio events or on Clubhouse (yes, it’s still a thing!)
•  Start a LinkedIn newsletter or a regular blog.
• Be a podcast guest. I’ve been on 6 this year and created a Spotify playlist of my appearances.
• Write a guest blog. I wrote my first one this year.
• Host your own lives on Instagram, LinkedIn or Facebook.
• Be a guest on a live broadcast.
• Speak at an in person event. I did my first one of these this year too at the You Are The Media Creator Day.
• Be an expert panellist.

📸 Another great way to get your personal brand noticed is to have a personal brand photo shoot as I did in the summer with the fantastically talented Catherine Turner , the results of which you'll see in all my online content. I also had a visual brand refresh courtesy of the amazing skill of Vardeep Edwards . My thanks to both of them for giving my visuals a much needed lift this year.

Final thoughts

I started working on my personal brand in 2019 and I can’t deny that it takes focus, consistency, commitment and enthusiasm. However I’m truly starting to see the benefits. I’m joining in collaborations, being invited to join events, being asked to speak and most importantly, becoming known for what I do.

🙋🏾♀️ I admit it! know this newsletter is a bit 'all about me' but I wanted to show you what can be achieved if you set your mind on becoming known and chosen by your ideal client through your personal brand.

Hopefully I’ve given you some ideas and incentives to raise your profile in the year ahead.

Have you thought about how you are going to promote your personal brand in 2023? Is there a new idea that you will try? Do let me know.  

If this has helped you, please subscribe if you haven't already. Also do share my newsletter not just on LinkedIn but elsewhere. Thank you!

I'll see you in 2023.

Thank you for reading - it's always appreciated!

Ella ✨