No matter what role you play at work, your personal brand can have a significant impact on your career. While branding previously focused almost exclusively on companies, social media platforms have now made personal branding and an online presence essential components in reaching and connecting with audiences today.
Knowing which strategies will most effectively resonate with audiences is difficult, as online spaces grow increasingly crowded, audience attention is limited and algorithms constantly change. Whether a professional is just building their online personal brand or is looking to enhance their current online presence, 18 Forbes Business Council members share specific ways professionals can improve their online personal branding.
1. Audit Your Current Online Presence
In order to improve or curate your brand, I would first suggest doing an audit of your current presence and postings on all social media platforms. As you do the audit, look for images, statements, pictures and more that may be construed as divisive or unprofessional. Think about how you want to present yourself. Is your current presence in alignment with your ideal persona? Is there anything you need to clean up or delete? – Bill Dickinson, C3 Leadership
2. Leverage Storytelling
Tell your story, as it is your unique signature. Share your journey, the challenges you’ve faced and the victories you’ve celebrated. For me, talking about transitioning from traditional banking roles to following my passion and purpose of empowering women in finance has resonated with many. Storytelling is effective because it humanizes you, making your brand relatable and memorable. – Aleesha Webb, Pioneer Bank
3. Bolster Your Storytelling With Data And Real-World Insights
To authentically boost your online brand, start with storytelling grounded in data and real-world insights. Using data and the on-the-ground experiences of your customers, share monthly industry stories that highlight your team’s projects. These stories will blend authenticity with evidence, engaging your network through relatable successes and lessons and ensuring those most affected are lifted up. – Julia Rafal-Baer, ILO Group
4. Get On Camera
The most important thing you can do in building your personal brand is point the camera at yourself and talk. Many people get so hung up on making storyboards and trying to craft the perfect brand image. The reality is that you are who you are. By pointing the camera at yourself and talking, you will attract those who are similar to you. This is also one way I continue to teach myself things. – Joshua Steinberger, NextGen Restoration
5. Regularly Create And Share Content
To improve your online personal branding, consistently create and share thought leadership content in your field. This will build authority and trust, making you a go-to expert. It’s effective because it showcases your expertise and unique insights, attracting opportunities and amplifying your brand. – Adi Prakash, Amazon Web Services (AWS)
6. Create An Updated Portfolio
Build a portfolio of your work, ensuring that it’s updated and SEO-optimized. This method is effective because people can see what sets you apart and observe the passion you have for whatever you’re interested in. Other profile-oriented tools are easy to set up but they can’t display that passion. – Danyal Ali, Xponential Fitness
7. Discuss Your Skills And Experiences
Consistently talking about your skills or the expertise you’ve gained over a period of time through different experiences is a great way to build your personal brand on professional platforms. Storytelling is also a good technique to present original thoughts, and it has the power to capture the attention of readers. – Vasudevan Swaminathan, Zuci Systems
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8. Focus On Increasing Visibility In Your Industry
Regularly sharing industry insights and engaging with others’ content on professional platforms can significantly enhance your online personal brand. This method establishes you as a thought leader and increases visibility in your field. It’s effective because it demonstrates your expertise and commitment to your profession, attracting opportunities and fostering professional connections. – Dustin Lemick, BriteCo
9. Create A PR Strategy
Build a strong PR strategy by sharing your experiences through social media and other professional channels. Utilize tools like professional memberships, Instagram Reels, LinkedIn’s creator mode, and featured articles and images. This is a very effective strategy because you will get maximum reach and visibility using these platforms to the best possible extent to generate more traffic online. – Vinay Chandrashekar, Long Boat Brewing Co.
10. Develop Messages From The Heart
Conveying a message that is anchored deep has a tendency to resonate, which can be seen in the responses and interactions you get across media. There is a noticeable difference in those who speak from the heart and align their purpose with the actions they take in both their personal and professional lives. Storytelling can attract audiences based on its relatability, elevating one further. – Paul L. Gunn, Jr., KUOG Corporation
11. Write A Book To Position Yourself As A Thought Leader
Once you become an author of a book on your area of expertise, you are no longer competing with others based on credentials or years of experience, as you will have cemented your position as an expert. A degree or some experience got you where you are today but positioning yourself as a thought leader can take you to new levels. This often begins with becoming an author. – Julie Broad, Book Launchers
12. Find Opportunities To Share Your Expertise
Look for opportunities to share your experience in dynamic ways that will add value to your network. You want your brand to reflect positively on the people interacting with your content, so ask yourself what value will this add to your network before posting. Speaking constantly from experience instead of theory and adding a personal touch to everything you share will add value to your brand. – Stephany Day, KIP Search
13. Remain Active On Social Media Platforms
If you want to build a strong online personal brand, stay active on social media platforms. I have multiple social media accounts and hired social media managers to keep them active. You have to share your expertise, interact with your peers and highlight your skills. This builds credibility, making you a go-to expert in your field and enhancing career prospects. – Pavel Stepanov, Virtudesk
14. Develop Content Around Your Expertise Or Interests
Regularly create and share valuable content related to your expertise or interests. Writing effective blog posts, sharing insights on social media, doing guest appearances on podcasts or participating in online discussions and joining forums relevant to your field all contribute to your personal online brand. Consistent, meaningful content establishes you as a credible authority and builds authentic connections. – Adam Povlitz, Anago Cleaning Systems
15. Collaborate With Other Professionals In Your Industry
In my experience, consistently participating and engaging in collaborations, podcasts and posting content is key to enhancing and sustaining your online personal branding. Commit yourself to these tasks rather than treating them as one-time events or duties. – Francisco Ramirez, The ACE Group (TAG)
16. Maintain An Active LinkedIn Presence
While it seems like LinkedIn has fallen by the wayside lately, I still find an active LinkedIn presence to be a great tool for building a personal brand–and you don’t have to be an obnoxious commenter to do so. Publish blog-style articles, PDF decks and photo carousels on LinkedIn to build engagement and allow your brand and personality to shine. – Emily Reynolds Bergh, R Public Relations Firm
17. Create Insightful Blog Content
Boost your personal brand by becoming a thought leader through insightful blogging. Engage your audience on platforms like LinkedIn or Forbes to build your reputation, attract opportunities and make connections. Much like a lighthouse guides ships, your unique writing style can draw in an audience in the vast online world. Craft your content wisely to shape your digital legacy. – Michael Shribman, APS Global Partners Inc.
18. Engage In Strategic Content Creation
One impactful way to enhance your business’s online brand is through consistent and strategic content creation. Strategic content creation is a powerful tool for building your online presence because it can establish credibility, create trust and cultivate relationships that propel your career. Sharing valuable content can expand your network to reach individuals who resonate with your message. – Matthew Davis, GDI Insurance Agency, Inc.
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