Whether you are competing in the job market, applying to school, or growing your connections with others, learning how to craft your brand and use it as a spotlight in the midst of so many others is essential to maintaining confidence in yourself and your abilities. Follow along for advice on how to establish and showcase your brand:
Understand your Value Proposition
What is your elevator pitch? How do you grab attention and differentiate yourself from others? What are your unique values, skills, and experiences that set your apart from the crowd? Once you understand the answers to these questions, you can begin to shape your brand and determine how you could bring value to any university, company, or relationship that you're aiming for.
Build your Resources & Presence
Now that you know how important your contributions are, it's time to share them. This could look like building up your social media presence (especially that LinkedIn profile), gathering references and mentors for support, or creating content, a website, or a portfolio to show for it. Such content could look like a personal blog, podcasting, or even sharing insights that establish your expertise. Throughout this process, make sure that your displays and resources align with your brand values and goals -- consistency is key!
Network
You've established your brand, broadened your resources, and built a presence, and now it's time to begin sharing your knowledge with others. During this phase, your focus should remain on creating relationships and developing trust with others. On social media, be sure to engage with your audience; listen, respond, and learn from those who reach out. As well, attend events or volunteer with companies or organizations that align with your values, and see where new connections blossom.
Avoiding Pitfalls
As you continue to use your brand as a tool to gain interest, following, and understanding, remember to always be authentically yourself. One of the hardest pitfalls you may come across is the desire to exaggerate your experience or build your brand up so high that you are not able to fulfill expectations. Connect with your values, return to your mission, and be honest. More people will respect you for sticking to your beliefs and ethics than changing for someone (or something) else.
Reflect & Adjust
Just like a business, complete regular "brand audits" to monitor your ambitions, and reflect on your successes and lessons learned. Stay open to learning opportunities, and don't be afraid to readjust your mission if you find that your dreams have changed. Learn from past mistakes, and continue striving to be your best self.
Best,
Hailey
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