Think Personal Brands are just for Influencers? Think again

The buzz around ‘personal brands’ isn't just hot air. If you’ve been dismissing the idea as something only Instagram or TikTok influencers need fret over, it’s high time to recalibrate your compass.

Welcome to the age where your personal brand can be your biggest ally, helping you stand out in —even if your most avid follower is your best friend from back home.

It's Not Just a Buzzword – It's Your Career Arsenal

First things first, let’s debunk a myth: personal branding isn’t about crafting an artificial persona that you parade on social media.

It’s much deeper.

It’s about carving out your professional identity and letting your unique mix of skills, experiences, and personality shine.

Why?

Because where everyone is armed with similar technical skills and certifications, your personal brand pokes your head above the parapet, showing not just what you can do, but who you are.

Start With Self-Reflection

As a Coach, I invite you to kick things off by asking yourself some questions:

• What are your core strengths?
• What skills do you have?
• How do others perceive you?
• What do you want them to think when they hear your name?

This isn’t an exercise in vanity; it's about aligning your professional image with your career aspirations. Once you’ve nailed down your brand attributes, you’re ready to broadcast them to the world—or at least to your industry.

Make LinkedIn Your Place of Work.

If LinkedIn isn’t part of your daily digest, you’re missing a trick. This platform isn’t just for job hunting; it's a goldmine for building your personal brand. Start by sprucing up your profile.

A professional photo where you're not holding a glass of Fizz at BFF wedding? Check. ✅

A compelling bio that tells your story beyond the CV? Absolutely. ✅

Engage consistently.

Share articles, write posts, and comment on trends that align with your brand/business/role.

Show you’re not just another cog ⚙️ in the machine; you're a thought leader in your field.

And remember, it’s not about the quantity of connections, but the quality. Nurture your network, engage with their content, and when they see your name pop up, they won't just scroll-on-by.

Networking: Not Just for Free Drinks (although they do help with the nerves).

Now, let’s talk networking.

I'm not suggesting you flutter around conferences like a social butterfly, collecting business cards like they’re going out of fashion.

Networking, specifically in the tech world is about genuine connections.

Attend webinars, join tech forums, participate in discussions. Be seen, be helpful, and be knowledgeable. When you solve a problem on a forum or share insightful commentary during a webinar, you’re not just networking; you’re building your brand.

Be Consistently Consistent

With all this talk about branding, it’s crucial to stay consistent. Whether it’s the tone of your posts, the quality of your insights, or how you interact online, inconsistency is a surefire brand killer.

Your personal brand should be like your shadow—consistently present and unmistakably yours.

So, there you have it. Personal branding isn’t just for the gurus with their glossy headshots.

It’s for you too.

And it’s time to own it, with all the sass and savvy you can muster.

About Career Column

This is a monthly LinkedIn newsletter by me, Lucy Grimwade ACC. My goal is help you make moves in the workplace by providing holistic + actionable career advice, guidance and insights.