If you haven’t heard of personal branding and its importance in today’s marketplace, you need to start here. If you have heard of it, but don’t think it applies to you, then start here.

Now that we are all on the same page, let’s discuss what personal branding can do for your career or business. Personal branding, like corporate branding, is based on how others percieve you. It is the idea of how all of your “marketing messages” work together to create an impression of you. These messages can be delivered intentionally (resumes, personal website, business cards, etc.) or unintentionally (blog posts, email messages, voice mail greetings, etc.). Think of a typical work day…how many impressions is your brand making? Probably a lot more than you realize.

But why the sudden importance on personal branding? In today’s workforce, employees are less likely to stay with one company as compared with 10 years ago. Job instability, the trend towards “soloprenuership” and increased competition among job candidates make standing out even more vital. Discovering your brand, learning your strengths and identifying what you can do for others are all key elements to the process. So, how do I discover my personal brand?

• Self-Esteem is crucial to the process. If you don’t believe you can do it, well, then you probably won’t. Notice I didn’t say can’t but rather won’t. The mind is an amazing motivator and should be tapped to its fullest potential.
• Be true to yourself. Yes, you could make a billion dollars if you create the “new” iPod that’s better, faster and cheaper…but if you aren’t technically savvy, you aren’t going to get very far. And chances are you will waste time and money in the process. Know what you enjoy, what you are good at and where your strengths are to create your personal brand.
• Offer something of value to others. Branding is more about what you do for others than what you do yourself. Remember, a brand is the perception of you by others. Are you a nice individual always willing to help out, or are you caught up in your own initiatives with little time left for others? You would be amazed how far a kind offer or contribution to someone else’s success will carry your own.
• Don’t be invisible. Give people a way to reach you, and reach out to others yourself. Join in on conversations, blogs dedicated to your topic(s) of interest or forums. Just remember to speak from the heart and always be honest and true to your beliefs. Focus on communicating well and clearly, remembering to follow through on any commitments you may make in the process. These are all things that will give others an impression of your brand - so it’s important to represent it well.
• Be creative and innovative! In a world where we all have access to the same tools, you’re going to have to think of new ways to utilize them while building your brand. It isn’t easy but if you try hard, you’ll stand out from the crowd.

You might think this seems like a lot of work without a clear picture of the benefits. Well, for starters, the benefits of building your personal brand really depend on where you are in your career. But that does not mean they lose importance.

If you are a job seeker, personal branding can make or break your chances with a potential employer. Hiring managers are turning to the Internet to verify employment histories and skill sets. Personal branding also helps you stand out in a competitive job market. In a tough economic market where there are fewer jobs available, understanding how to be a more valuable candidate is of the utmost importance. Make sure you stay on top of your Google results and you’ll stay on the top of a potential employer’s list.

If you are a business owner, your personal brand helps build confidence in your business and with potential customers. In an increasingly connected world, clients can be thousands of miles away but still want a personal connection to their business partners. Having a strong personal brand helps to foster that relationship. Now, keep in mind that a personal brand isn’t going to bring about overnight business success. You still have to work at that and use smart marketing tactics to grow your business. But what a personal brand does bring to the table is strength and confidence in you, and that is what your potential clients will respond to.

It takes effort, perserverance and, most of all, dedication to create a meaningful personal brand. But if you move forward despite the hardships, you will find friends and supporters along the way who will be ready to help build BRAND YOU. And you might even discover some new talents along the way.

About The Author: Stephanie Wetzel

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