7 STEPS TO BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

If you’re starting out afresh, discovering your brand means figuring out your message, your mission and your goals. If you’ve been around for a while you’ve would have already developed a personal brand – whether or not you’re aware of it! People know your name, what you’re working on, what you offer and what you’re about. However, if you’ve not paid attention to it, your personal brand might be flimsy and to strengthen it you need to make an investment in yourself. A strong personal brand is a magnet for opportunities. I uncover the key steps you need to consider in order to be a brand that disrupts and authentically tells your story, so you can be on your way to gaining valuable media exposure and earning your credibility and become a legend. So here’s how…

Step 1: Defining your Personal Brand and Goals When you ask yourself the following key questions, think about the ideas you want people to associate with you. These answers are important – they’ll become the foundations of your personal brand. What do people think of when they hear your name? How do you want to be perceived? What are you ‘about’? What is your cause in the world? Every good brand involves the notion of expertise. What’s yours? Where are you positioned in your eld and where do you want to be? Tip: In everything you do from this point on, you must keep your personal branding statement and goals in mind. Step 2: Choosing the Right Personal Branding Trainer/Mentor When defining your personal brand it’s a lot easier if you have someone who can act as a ‘mirror’, or a facilitator to your thoughts and development. Just as a personal trainer helps you set and work towards your fitness goals, a Mentor will do exactly the same for your business. The right Mentor will help you with insights, strategies and expertise. Having someone like this on your team is invaluable and will really fast track your growth as an entrepreneur. Step 3: Determine “why” you are in your business The market that has identified a problem that they have and they are actively seeking a solution - Who this is for? Be specific. Is the solution scalable and reproducible or leverage-able into higher price point options (so the revenue model works)? Does this business serve your higher passion right now? What is this all about (emotionally) for you? How is this different? Why you? Facts about you and your business partner(s) Messaging: All of the things you say about your brand and your work - it includes your branding and your positioning strategy Also, WHY would someone call you or buy from you And WHEN would someone buy from you and call you HOW they get in touch with you and HOW they buy from you. Step 4: Developing your Personal Brand Whatever goals you have set for your personal brand these are ways that will help you achieve them. Start speaking as the expert in your field. This can be online (in blogs, webinars and videos), and offline, at events, conferences, conventions and committees. Grow your network. Think about your personal brand in every interaction you have. Manage people’s expectations by making clear your intentions (ie. in order not to disappoint people, tell them what they can and can’t expect from you). Make a real effort to remember a few details about the people you meet – especially influencers who have an audience of their own. It always makes a strong impression and those who feel connected to you will talk about you to others – this is how your personal brand gains strength. "Your network is your net worth" pretty much sums up what I think about the value of your network. Never underestimate the power of networking and the opportunities that are going to be created by the people you know. Step 5: Maintaining your Brand - Keeping your brand fresh No matter how good your content is, you'll risk seeming stale and repetitive if you don’t continue adding new elements to your brand. You can’t ride one idea forever so keep it fresh by adding new layers. And remember to coordinate and update all your online and offline activities so they present one cohesive brand image. You are the master of your own personal brand, but you need to keep track of what people are saying about you - it’s likely that in some cases you’ll want to respond. If your personal brand shows a consistently strong track record, people will be more likely to come along for your ride. Also, let your work show that you personally care about what you do and who you affect Step 6: Promoting your Brand E-Books: Ever growing in popularity, E-Books are essentially PDF documents that can be cost effectively produced, promoted and distributed yet are powerful ways to communicate your brand. Unlike printed books, editing and updating is simple and graphic content can be included at no extra cost. Webinars: If you want to add a powerful dimension to your brand marketing try using Webinars. Typically 45 – 90 minutes duration, you can leverage your time across multiple clients simultaneously (while still keeping that intimate feel), and they’re a great way to promote yourself as the ‘go-to’ resource in your niche. By giving your desktop audience access to interactive communication with you, you are in the best position to start building a solid relationship with them. Blog/website: Your website is you online portfolio and the first point of call for anyone who wants to find out more about you. Your domain name should incorporate your name in some way. If you have the time and inclination you should start a blog. Blogging is a great way to get yourself exposure in your niche as long as you’re prepared to engage directly with your peers and your customers. Facebook/Instagram profile: Exploit all the branding opportunities that the world’s No1 social network. Be sure to include your picture (without any compromising shots that would harm your public image). Use all the opportunities you can to add details of your experience. Tip: Make sure you turn on the privacy preference that disables the option for people to tag you in pictures and videos – you don’t want to get caught out! Email address: Your email address is another opportunity to stamp your brand. Most people use business email over all social networks and when you connect with someone on a social network, you are notified via email. LinkedIn profile: Leveraging this business-oriented social network is a great way to add to your personal brand. It combines your resume, cover letter, references and a live database of your network. Creating valuable opportunities for your own personal advertising, jobs searches and to meet new contacts. Step 7: Pricing & Packaging Package up multiple solutions to the biggest problems of your perfect customers Revenue Streams. Name Your System, Product, Service. Must be catchy! SMART System - Specific, Measurable, Actionable, Relevant & Time Bound SALES Mastery - System, Actions, Lead Generation, Everyone Wins, Satisfied Clients! Info products are powerful lead generation & sales Different price points will allow you to monetize more You need a Premium Package for your top clients READY TO TAKE ACTION? While the projects you’re working on right now might get sold on or shut down, your personal brand will endure and (hopefully) add value to each new project you create. Your personal brand also has the potential to outlive you. It will be your legacy, the mark you’ve made, and how you’ll be remembered. So share your brand and your message with the world – and make it count! Never stop learning. If you do, you’ll get left behind. Find out where the world is going and get there first! Excited? You should be! Feel free to reach out if you have further questions: Mail: inquiries@edvondra.com #personalbranding #personalbrandingprogram #buildyourbrand #bealegend