10 Tips to Take Your Personal Brand to the Next Level

There are so many great tips in this article. I especially think the idea of a unique selling point is important. It's so easy to get lost in a glutted marketplace, but really identifying the things that make you the best person for whatever job you're either working or aiming to work is vital. I think, in general, there's a tendency toward undervaluing oneself. Thanks for this great read.

There are many suggestions from this article that I need to do to creating a more effective brand for myself. Branding is not something I've ever learned about in school. The tip of getting a professional headshot is great. None of the current photos that I have of myself look very professional. I also need to make business cards for myself. This is such a cheap investment and you never know when it will come in handy. It's interesting that something as simple as a color palate on a website or a font on a business card can make such a difference in branding.

I need to work more on my personal branding, but it is really hard for me to define my goals. I wear a lot of different hats professionally, and I want my brand to extend across all my titles. This is something I need to think about some more. I like the advice to choose a theme and keep it consistent. I am going to be working more on creating a consistent image from website to social media to my personal focal points while networking. Thank you for the helpful advice.

As a self-employed freelance writer, I honestly have never thought about "branding" myself, so this article was really interesting and helpful to me. The thought that "companies like to see consistency" rang true to me. It also just seems like a super easy little extra thing to do to set yourself apart from others vying for the same jobs.

The importance of offline networking can't be overstated in today's ultra-connected world. It's so tempting to get totally caught up in online ventures and forget about face-to-face communication, but an in-person meeting remains one of the most compelling ways to attract new business. I think that applies when you're employed by someone else and also when you're freelance.

Thanks everyone for the great comments. Personal branding is a personal choice. Some say that it is needed if you want to land that dream job while others say that you don't need to brand yourself to get that dream job. Personal preference here. But, if you do take the time to come up with your own personal brand, then it would be best to have all of your social media accounts as well as your resumes and cover letters contain that same personal brand. This way, when a hiring company is checking you out, they see the same sort of personal branding across the board. There is no right or wrong here but completely a personal decision. The concept behind it is marketing - marketing yourself to prospective employers using your "brand" across all social media. This way, when an employer is checking you out, they are seeing consistency. Companies seem to like that!

I've always found the idea of a personal brand discomforting, as they seem so antithetical. A brand is something tied to marketing and sales, whereas what is "personal" is so much deeper and more nuanced. I'd add an 11 to this list: never forget the difference between your person and your personal brand!

Consistency is the key once you find a good personal brand. Although the messages can change over the years, mission statements for companies usually stay the same for several years until corporations literally rebrand themselves as an entirely new entity. A personal brand that stays the same over several years earns you a reputation in whatever industry you choose. Once you earn that respect, then try to change the brand.

Katharine, I see where you're coming from, yet still disagree. You can create your own personal brand by choosing a theme, colors, fonts and a message that stays consistent. Meanwhile, you should recognize who your audience is when it comes to a cover letter and what information is included on a resume. If you're seeking employment in more than one field, this is especially important. A person who wants a job in graphic design likely would create a different vibe than someone who wanted a job in, say, banking.

@Jacob T.

I understand your concern about personal branding, but I find that all of these things are tasks business professionals should be doing anyway. If you don't want to focus on your personal brand, per se, you can do these same activities with a focus on networking or finding new customers for your business. It's always good to have a USP, whether you are trying to find a job or start your own business, and I think we can all benefit from having a professional-looking photo and personal website.

I understand that it is important to be professional and convey the sort of employee you could be, but to consume your entire life in the pursuit of the ideal personal brand seems rather callow and underwhelming. I don't disagree that prospective employees should be careful with what images and stories of themselves are readily available online, but the rigor with which well-regarded brands are protected is a lifetime pursuit of many people dedicated to the process.

The suggestion "identify your audience" seems contradictory with the idea of having a personal brand. If you're modifying it for each audience, how can it be a consistent brand that sets you apart? It seems like tailoring a message to your audience is more about figuring out what they want to hear than identifying yourself as a unique candidate.

Excellent advice. As a college professor, I am always encouraging my students to revamp their social media presence with a professional approach. A website with sample work is also a valuable tool for employers to preview your work before you even step in the door for an interview. Leaving a professional online footprint is so important.