Building a personal brand is a continuous process that requires consistent effort and reflection. It cannot be accomplished overnight. A common mistake is failing to regularly assess ourselves, our skills, newfound purposes, and passions. At 72 Smalldive, our coaching clients are advised to run a self-audit regularly to determine what skills and mindsets they need to acquire to update their brand.
"When I decided to broaden my entrepreneurial passion into training and coaching, I knew I needed to convince people that I had the knowledge and skills in coaching. Besides my employees, colleagues, and collaborators, there were many potential clients who did not know me, my ethos, and my modus operandi. To build trust and my brand in this new field, I signed up for psychology and mindset practices courses to "talk the talk" and also for professional certifications. But I didn't stop there. I also volunteered as a business mentor in hackathons and a teenage counselor in a shelter home to put what I've learned into practice. That was only the start of enriching my curriculum vitae for my new role. The process is actually ongoing! To this day, I am constantly reading widely to understand social phenomena that are impacting work organizations and professionals and writing articles about them. Branding requires constant self-work!" said our founder as he spoke about his journey to enrich his curriculum vitae for his new role as an executive coach.
Here are some tips to keep in mind as you build your brand:
- Personal branding is an ongoing process that requires consistent effort and reflection. Take up courses to upgrade your knowledge and skills, and remember that building a personal brand takes time and effort.
- Be patient with yourself and recognize that building a personal brand is a process that takes time. It's okay to make mistakes along the way.
- Continuously assess your progress, reflect on your strengths and weaknesses, and make adjustments where necessary. Stay on track and align your brand with your updated goals and values.
- Embrace feedback and use it to improve your brand. Constructive criticism is essential to personal growth and development.
- Personal branding is not a one-time event. It's an ongoing process that requires you to be flexible, adaptable, and willing to learn and grow over time.
- Engage with your network, socialize, and share your journey or knowledge so that your peers may uncover your updated brand.
Remember to audit, tweak, and repeat! Over time, this self-auditing process will allow you to stay on top of your professional and personal growth. Building a personal brand is a journey, not a destination. Be patient, stay focused, and embrace the process. With time, effort, and persistence, you can establish a personal brand that resonates with your audience and sets you apart in your professional network.