When you consider what a brand is, you probably think about large companies and corporates, but have you ever considered that you’re building your own personal brand every time you post something on your website, blog, Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or any other social channel you choose to use.
Your digital footprint is out there and it’s time to decide whether you would like to take control of your own personal brand or let it linger and be defined without active input from yourself.
The first thing I’d like you to do is “Google” yourself…. don’t be shy, delve right in and discover how consistent your digital footprint is. It’s not vain or egotistical, it’s research. Remember, others will turn to Google to find out more about you both in business and personal life.
Now if you’ve done that Google search and you’re not dominating page 1, here are a few tips to help you do exactly that.
- Secure your own domain name. Now you might not use it straight a way, but think about how fed up you’ll be if somebody helps themselves to your name. Remember that there are new domain name extensions coming out all the time, with the latest .nz (without the “co”) about to be released. Please contact me if you’d like to reserve a domain name, Kate Coote. is a registered domain name reseller.
- Have a personal website. Now put that domain name to good use, having a personal website is one of the best ways to rank your name on search results. This can be a simple one or two page site with a short bio, your CV, and a link to your social platforms. Kate Coote. can help you with this.
- Get social. Social networking sites, LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter all rank highly on Google, so if you don’t have accounts with these platforms, create them now.
- Claim your personal URL across your social platforms. So, for example, your facebook url becomes facebook.com/yourname.
- Become a content creator. Blogging regularly on your own site, your company’s site, or through guest blogging opportunities can really help deliver great search results.
- Share and share alike. Be sure to make the most of any guest blogging you do by linking back to your personal site. When you post a blog on your own website, share the content through your social channels. If you have a Facebook page for your business be sure to share status updates on your personal profile too.
Moving on from the search results here are a few things to consider generally about building your personal brand online.
- If your name is John Smith. If you have a common name, or share your name with someone who already has a strong personal brand you may need to think outside the box. Perhaps use your middle name or initial as part of your personal brand. Or define yourself by what you do, if you work in recruitment become “John Smith the HR Super Star”.
- Think about your personal elevator pitch. Perfecting a short summary that can be used to quickly and simply define who you are and what you do will enable you to be consistent in your messaging.
- More on consistency. Keep your profile and cover photos the same across your personal branding. Use the same keywords in your bios.
- Get social. Do you see a pattern here? Join online groups and communities and share your content this will help draw others to you and and your brand… But…
- Keep good company. Your personal brand will be strengthened or weakened by your connection to other brands, so think about who you connect with and the effects that connection will have on your personal brand.
- Who’s talking about you. Create a Google alert for your name or check out other social monitoring tools such as Mention.
Above all, when you’re creating or developing your personal brand remember to be yourself, because everyone else is taken.
