Five Tips To Amp Up Your Very Own Personal Branding
In this guest post, founder of branding studio WRD and CEO of The Creative Fringe, Debbie O’Connor (pictured below), offers her tips on how any of us can turn ourselves into our own personal super brand…
Developing your personal brand can have a significant impact, not only on your career, but also on your business or the company that you work for. Whether you are an entrepreneur or an intrapreneur the power of personal branding is more prevalent in today’s ‘brand new world’ than ever before.
Simply look at people like Steve Jobs, Richard Branson and Oprah to name a few. They are people who have leveraged off their personal brand resulting in better recognition, exposure and sales for their businesses.
But it’s not just entrepreneurs who are using their personal brands to elevate their business. Intrapreneurs are employees working within a business that have built a reputation that can positively affect the company that they work for. Examples such as Gail Kelly who became one of Australia’s most prominent business women and CEO of Westpac, and Ita Buttrose previous editor of Woman’s Weekly who has gone on to be a house hold name in her own right.
The person behind the brand can be just as powerful and effective as the brand itself – after all, people like to do business with people, and we love a good story where individuals rise to the occasion.
Five super powers of personal branding:
- Thought leadership
If you are the person authentically, honestly and openly talking, educating and sharing information on a particular topic or cause, you have a much better chance of becoming a thought leader for your industry. If you are prepared to shout it from the mountaintops, create content, post on social media and engage in robust conversation, this will result in you becoming the go-to when it comes time to comment on the topic. This kind of exposure to the media and the market is one of the super powers of a personal brand.
- Credibility
Once you become the go-to for all things relating to your topic, you start to build credibility. And credibility leads to respect and referrals. In a Nielsen survey it states that people are 4 times more likely to buy when referred to a person or business and 92 per cent trusted referrals from people they knew.
- Trust
In the Edelman Trust Barometer survey for the first time in 17 years it showed a decline in the level of trust in business, media, government and NGO’s. The reality is that we trust people more than we trusts brands. Statistics show that brand messages reached 561% further when shared by individuals rather than through the official brand channels. If you become a thought leader who has credibility and respect, it will result in trust. And trust is the backbone of any connection.
- Impact
Once you have built your reputation, credibility and trust, your personal brand allows you the opportunity to have more impact on more people. Sharing your wisdom or passion with multiple people or organisations rather than those in your immediate circle. I love the example of Simon Sinek who catapulted to fame after his Ted Talk on ‘Start with Why’. He has now become a thought leader on inspiration and has impacted millions of people around the world who now talk about ‘their why’ rather than ‘their what’.
- Leverage
Your personal brand allows you to leverage off your knowledge and the contacts it exposes you to. This leverage can open doors to bigger and better opportunities and experiences. Let’s face it, if Oprah rang you, you would drop everything to attend to her call and her every need! This type of leverage becomes more possible the stronger your personal brand is.
Is it time to harness your personal brand super power?
Latest News
TV Ratings (06/05/2024): Emotional Lego Masters Goodbye Does The Numbers For Nine
And we thought Lego could only make you cry when you accidentally stood on a piece.
Lisa Wilkinson AM To Join Cannes In Cairns As Keynote Speaker
Multi-Award Winning Journalist and TV Host Lisa Wilkinson AM to speak at Cannes in Cains, sponsored by Pinterest.
Mamamia Names Natalie Harvey As New CEO
Mamamia has today announces the appointment of Natalie Harvey as Chief Executive Officer.
‘The Media Has A Way To Go On Diversity’ – Diversity Council Leader Lisa Annese On Industry Diversity And Why Sunita Gloster Is An Important Addition To Their Board
Few are more qualified than a Gruen regular to knock adland and the media into shape on diversity.
Mike Shows Up At A Wake And Still Hasn’t Seen That Show, In Latest Instalment Of ‘I Saw It On Binge’, Via Thinkerbell
Why is it we pay for 19 SVOD accounts namely due to FOMO but then rarely bother to watch the shows anyway?
Flexiroam Partners With Specialist Agencies To Launch “Ready For Anything” Global Campaign
Do you return from overseas with Bali belly, a possible STI & a huge phone bill? FlexiRoam may help with the last one.
Samsung Unveils Power Of AI To ‘Upscale Every Moment’ With Neo QLED 8K
Got mates who brag about their 83-inch, 10K resolution, OLED screen TV? You're just as bored & baffled as all of us.
Media-Wize Wins AUSCERT PR Account
Media-Wize calls itself "a media training and technology and cyber security PR agency". Think nerds with better hair.
Snapchat Taps Gelato Messina In New Brand Campaign
B&T needs little tempting to scoff more Gelato Messina. Apart from having to go up a size.
Travel Insurer Trippi Draws Ire From The Brazilian Embassy Over Cheeky Brazilian Ad
There's a very fine line between "playful" and "utterly offensive". These ads are almost a dictionary definition of it.
Racing NSW Hits Tabcorp With Legal Action Over $6 Million Revenue Loss
Here's some horse racing news that thankfully doesn't require a silly hat or passing out in a nearby rose bush.
AI Tools Such As ChatGPT Leading To ‘Content Overwhelm’ Among Marketers
Study says tech leading to an avalanche of content for marketers. Not to mention having to read the instruction manuals.
Stake Appoints 72andSunny As It’s Creative Partner
72andSunny nabs Stake's creative. And by that we mean the investment platform, not the nemesis of all vampires.
61% Of Aussies Want Corporate Australia To Stay Away From Social & Political Issues Leo Burnett Study Finds
Do you love a study that appears to fly in the face of every study before it? Be mesmerised by these results from Leos.
Brendon Cook, OAM, Inducted into the OMA Hall of Fame
Other than Australia's typically pleasant weather, no one's done more for outdoor than the former oOH! boss.
New Campaign Highlighting Renewable Gas As A Crucial Component Of Energy Transition
It's hard not to make a renewable gas ad sound like a tedious Year 9 science lesson. So well done to the agency here.
Love Media Welcomes Alana Dowling As New Client Director
Seasoned media pro Alana Dowling joins the Love Media team. Clearly replacing someone who didn't love it
B&T 30 Under 30 – Where Are They Now? Until Recently, Prison!
A prestigious 30 Under 30 gong can get you headhunted, promoted or, in this instance, a two-year stint in the slammer.
“We Will Never Tell A Journalist What To Write” – Nine’s Aimie Rigas On How Data Is Shaping News
Data becoming the journalist's tool for more engaged content. Still not beating dodgy MAFS contestants or a Kardashian.
Beware The Bad Guy. Billie Eilish Fans Brace Themselves For Scammers
Thought getting Tay Tay tickets was an unimaginable nightmare? Read on as Billie Eilish promoters say hold my beer.
Twilio Names Chris Koehler As CMO
Chris Koehler named as Twilio's CMO. Which may prove a prickly tongue twister after a lengthy open bar tab.
ARN Announces Ad Sales Partnership With The Athletic
Can we slow the rotation of the sun? Because that's the only way we'll fit all these new podcasts into one day.
Burger Wars Continue As Hungry Jack’s Brings Back The Big Jack & Mega Jack
Hungry Jack's' Big Mac ripoff set to return after recent legal win. Still no one racing to clone the Filet-O-Fish.
Diverse Voices, Sustainable Choices: Natalie Dean-Weymark On Why Sustainability Is A Non-Negotiable
Here, Compass Studios' Natalie Dean-Weymark talks diversity in media. It's the human equivalent of the Family Assorted.
New Partnership Between The Sweetshop And The Gardening.Club
Thought you'd be getting tips on aphids & fungus gnats from this Gardening. Club news? Prove yourself totally wrong here.
‘A Very Rare Breed Of Creative’ – Clemenger BBDO hires Chief Creative Officer
B&T's chatting with Clems boss Dani Bassil on Adrián Flores CCO appointment. We never got to Italian or Thai herbs.
Concrete Playground Debuts Innovative Urban Exploration Platform With Lexus As Launch Partner
Concrete Playground announced the launch of its redesigned website in partnership with Lexus. This partnership introduces a new era of urban discovery, enabling a deeper, more intuitive engagement with cities through a state-of-the-art digital platform. Revolutionised Digital Experience Concrete Playground’s website has undergone a significant transformation, designed to enhance the way users interact with their […]
Mindshare And The Brand Agency Take Top April’s New Business Rankings
Which agencies soared like an eagle for the month of April? As in stellar performance, not Eddie the hapless ski jumper.
Suntory BOSS Coffee Fuels Ambition With New Campaign From It’s Friday
Does your workplace have a strict, policed illegal drug policy? Then Suntory BOSS Coffee will have to do.
Resolution Digital Wins MyPlates Media Account
The best thing about personalised number plates is it makes spotting wankers on the road far easier. And drug kingpins.
Debunking The “Three Year Lie”: A New Approach To Retail Digital Strategy
This columnist says it's wrong to claim digital always has a three-year pay off. Has no opinion on the seven-year itch.
TV Ratings (06/05/2024): The Farmer Is Back And He Wants A Wife
It was a good night for lovers of farming and love.
The Growth Distillery Unveils The New Rules Of Influence
The New Rules Of Influence has arrived. And there appears to be no "difficult second album" syndrome here.
Whittaker’s Launch New Brand Platform, ‘Hello Chocolate Lovers’ Via Bastion Shine
New Zealand chocolate brand continues its insidious march into the Aussie market. Much like New Zealanders themselves.
Tyro Shows They Are ‘Into Business Big Time’ With New Brand Campaign Via Howatson+Company
Think finance isn't funny? Think again with this fun work. Yes, it still applies to funeral homes & Clive Palmer ads.
IAB Study Finds 66% Of Advertisers Have Five Or Less Years Experience With Affiliate & Partnership Marketing
Study finds advertisers & agencies not overly experienced with affiliate marketing. The opposite to networking drinks.