Discovering your personal brand is both empowering and liberating. When you are intentional about owning it, it helps to fortify your professional mind set about who you are and what you bring to the table. It will also help to articulate your professional value and assist you in attracting more of whom and what you want in business.
Think of your personal brand as the sum of your skills, talents, abilities, personality, character, values, goals, purpose – even your passions. Your brand is also comprised of your communication, etiquette, and how you appear – your brand packaging.
Your personal brand creates perceptions in the minds of others, and in part, tells the story of who you are, what you’re about, and how you show up in the world. When it comes to winning the business, the opportunity, or the promotion, it is your personal brand that will come to the forefront of one’s mind and can positively act on your behalf even if you are not there. The practice of taking your brand attributes and the different layers of who you are and packaging them together is the process of personal branding.
*TIP: When defining your personal brand, keep it real and authentic. Out of the place of authenticity you won’t feel pressured to be someone you are not, or “feel pressured to build too much and feel spread too thin”.
*TIP: Avoid the “fake it ‘til you make it mentality”. One of the best parts about being authentic is you never have to worry when things go awry. The truth about your word, your ability, and your look -is what it is. When you hit a bump in the road, acknowledge it, be accountable and move on. Tap into your core strengths now, hone the opportunity areas, and slowly but surely you will advance into stronger levels of proficiency, professional status, and a stronger personal brand. (BTW, do we ever really “make it” anyway? – It’s all a journey!)
*TIP: Invest the time in “getting to know” who you are and let your personal brand tell your real story. If you find things in your discovery process that you are not proud of, no problem. This provides the opportunity to make improvements if you want…..Remember, give yourself permission to be kind to yourself. Walk this journey with grace. Think progress, not perfection.
*TIP: Invest time in discovering the core strengths that you now bring, or want to bring to your brand. Not sure how to get the process going? With regards to your skills and talents, you can begin by asking yourself, “What am I passionate about?” You are usually talented at the very things you are passionate about or feel a strong connection of purpose to.
Other questions to ask? Where do I excel? What are common strengths that people have said about my work, personality, values, or character? What’s unique about me and what I do?
Uniquely Savvy’s personal brand consultation has helped hundreds of individuals discover key brand attributes that are then connected to create a “Personal Brand Statement”. The next step is quite empowering because that statement is translated into a unique “visual brand” – brand packaging if you will, to accurately speak to one’s personal brand from the inside-out.
While some of this may be old hat to some of you readers, I do hope you’ve been able to glean a nugget or two from this entry…I’d love to hear your thoughts or inquires, feel free to reach out and contact me!
Kim Crumpler is Founder of Uniquely Savvy, Inc and is an 11 year veteran Personal Style & Branding Coach, Personal Shopper, Author, and Speaker. An expert, Kim delivers results and is passionate about helping men & women BE comfortable and confident in their own skin, look and feel amazing, and attract more of who and what they want in life! Kim invites you to: Join the conversation on Uniquely Savvy’s facebook business page, call her for a phone consultation to determine how you will best benefit from her expertise, or book her to speak at your upcoming event. Available for keynotes, workshops, seminars, and girlfriend parties, the programs your audience will love range from personal style, to professional image and branding. Additionally, Kim co-authored, “Incredible Life: Top Experts Reveal How to Create Yours”, and speaks to a variety of audiences on personal empowerment – bringing inspirational messages of hope and sharing practical tips and tools learned on her inside-out, “From Fear to Freedom” journey. Contact Kim @ 425.503.9885 or learn more at www.uniquelysavvy.com.