Leading corporate psychologist, Glenda May believes women in leadership roles have been held back for far too long and part of the challenge is personal branding. Building a personal brand can be straightforward, but it does demand a little time and devotion. If you’re a woman in leadership and have yet to build your brand, or perhaps don’t know about the benefits of doing so, this article is designed to kickstart your personal brand so you can break through the glass ceiling.
What is a personal brand?
A personal brand is an impression you give out to the world based on your real-world interactions as well as your online presence. In particular, your online presence is a huge factor in your personal brand because it can amplify who you are, meaning you can interact with more people. Your personal brand can be built on anything from your Facebook posts, tweets and Instagram posts, but it is also how you interact with others and who you interact with.
Why do I need a personal brand?
A personal brand allows you to make your stance about certain topics. It also allows you to express yourself, and more importantly, show off your talents. You can showcase your career, personal highlights and character online, which can get you noticed by headhunters and fellow women in power. Your personal brand is what makes you stand out from your competitors. It also allows you to make connections with people outside of your own professional circle and network with more people. (Also read How Can Your Online Reputation Hurt (or Help) Your Chances of Success?)
How do I build my personal brand?
Now you know what a personal brand is and why it’s important, you need to start creating yours. Here we have our top tips for building your personal brand and online presence:
- Blog – a blog is a fantastic way to talk about your passion, and hopefully your career will be your passion. By blogging about your field, you can attract the attention of others on a similar career path and perhaps gain some interest in your skills.
- Talk – whether it’s an online forum or getting involved with open social media channels such as Twitter, by invoking or joining in a conversation, you are more likely to be remembered and build long-lasting connections. You never know who you might meet and how that person can help you, and vice versa. In a male-dominated world, women in leadership need to help one another to succeed.
- Be confident – it can be a little unnerving to put yourself out there online, but in general, you are likely to meet very supportive and like-minded people. If you aren’t confident, the good thing about the internet is that no-one can see you so it’s easy to fake confidence! By appearing confident you are cementing your position and authority in your career, which gains respect amongst other women and men.
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