How’s your personal brand holding up? A little saggy round the edges? Or does it fit as well as it ever did?
If it’s beginning to resemble your favourite band T-shirt with moth-eaten holes and worn lettering, it might be time for an overhaul.
Like it or not we all have a personal brand; it’s our image to the world. And like our wardrobe it needs updating, accessorising and adapting from time to time if it’s to present an assured, confident face at work.
Nowhere is that more important than the polished world of public relations. PR professionals know all about the importance of brand value and reputation – after all it’s their daily bread and butter.
And, if you’re getting paid for promoting brands, the best way to prove your worth is to perfect your own.
Whether you’re starting out as a Communications Assistant or Account Executive, or moving through the ranks to Press Officer, Content Manager or Account Manager, start defining your personal brand when writing your CV.
It’s the perfect starting point for crafting that professional image. Sell yourself in the same way you would a feature idea or design brief.
The facts and figures need to be in there but tell your own personal story in an imaginative way. Are you all about the words? Do you love meeting new clients? Thrive on chasing deadlines?
Remember great brands are founded on authenticity so this is no time for embellishing or exaggeration.
You also need to look the part. Your attire can speak volumes about your professional persona. Hoodies might work for Mark Zuckerberg but your client may not be too impressed.
You’re working in a creative industry so go for something formal with a dash of personality.
Position your brand. Identify your own USP by developing a specific area of expertise. You’ll soon become the go-to person in the office, helping to differentiate your personal brand from anyone else in the market.
Keep your word. Become known as someone who honours commitments such as sending out those promised PDFs or getting back to a client when you said you would.
Invest in some killer confidence. Identify your own personal roadblocks, such as speaking up at meetings or dwelling on negatives. Raise a couple of points at the next department meeting or focus on your strengths to remind yourself you have something of value to share.
Your self-esteem will soon rocket . . . and so will your career.
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