In your view, what's a lesser-known but critical aspect of personal branding for business professionals?

Question

Unveiling the nuances of personal branding for business professionals, we've gathered insights from 21 experts, including Founders and CEOs. From balancing organic reach with brand identity to crafting a memorable LinkedIn profile, these leaders reveal lesser-known yet pivotal elements that can elevate your personal brand.

Bridget Hom · Answer

A lesser-known, although critical, aspect of branding is the juggling act between implementing organic market research, gaining feedback from networking with individuals, and creating catchy and influential language associated with your unique brand identity to match what your prospects want! When you build your authentic brand, you want to focus on the definition of branding: 'Programming your prospects to want you.' Keep your thumb on the pulse of your industry so you maintain showing up as the authority.

Nikki Green · Answer

Most business professionals rely on the brand names on their resumes to form their brand, but that's no longer good enough. In the age of frequent job-hopping and diminishing loyalty between employer and employee, it's essential for people to create their own brand. We need to treat our careers like businesses. Our mission and values define our work style, work culture choices, and how we lead our teams. Our personal brand should reflect these things and be apparent to those with whom we spend our days working side by side. Long gone are the days when we could separate our life from our work. In a virtual world, the walls between those two things have disappeared, and it's time for us to operate as a whole.

Farhan Siraj · Answer

One of the underrated aspects of personal branding is showing vulnerability. Not only should you be able to openly discuss past setbacks and failures, but you should also open up about challenges that you still struggle with. This attitude will make you more relatable to different audiences, who will develop a sense of empathy for you and seek inspiration from your stories. This way, you will be able to form deep connections with your audience.

Claire Bahn · Answer

A lesser-known and rarely-done aspect of personal branding is creating content for your audience, not for you. Most people don’t do this. They get fixated on creating Pulitzer Prize-winning blogs, social media posts, and videos, only to burn out because they don't see traction.Personal branding isn't about self-promotion and creating what you want. The most successful personal brands gain traction by creating content that helps others by sharing their expertise.

Mike Sadowski · Answer

Have you ever made a business or shopping decision simply because you liked the person you talked with?Personal branding always begins with interaction. I believe we began to forget about it as we transitioned to an online world.That's at least my impression after years of growing my business both in-person and online. I've seen that many people these days are only concerned with building their online presence and maintaining flawless social media accounts. Those accounts are well-designed, consistent, appealing to the intended target, and communicate solely the message they need to share. Of course, they are authentic, as they must be on social media. The point is that even this authenticity has been carefully created content that leaves no room for debate.The question is: Would you like to meet those people in person? Can you imagine how they might communicate with you, behave, and engage with others in the group?When creating your brand image as a business professional, you will inevitably have to engage with real people. It's simply a businessman's daily bread. You must handle meetings, calls, and occasionally attend larger events, such as conferences. Throughout these interactions, people will compare you to what you post on social media. The key is that your behavior should reflect your online content.As we spend more time online networking, we may forget that our behaviors, relationships, and speech are all part of our personal brands and should be consistent with the stuff we share online. But even if we move to remote work, we still have a lot of in-person interactions. So we shouldn't forget to work on our interaction style.

Matt Earle · Answer

When managing my reputation and the reputation of my clients, I believe in the importance of maintaining consistency across all online platforms. While I tend to focus on my LinkedIn profile and company website, I think it's important not to forget about other platforms like Twitter (now X), industry forums, and personal blogs. Depending on the client, a number of platforms can really stand out.In today's age, people will judge you and your business based on your overall online presence. To earn trust and credibility with your audience, I feel it's imperative to make sure your messaging, tone, and values are consistent on all platforms. Every interaction or comment, regardless of its size, has the potential to shape perceptions. Keeping a uniform online image is important to building a strong personal brand that resonates with others.

Jim Hamilton · Answer

Don't sleep on personality if you're a business professional looking to build your personal brand. Because infographics and actionable tips are a dime a dozen. They don't do anything to set you apart from everyone else shouting for attention on social media.Your personality is how you can create a category of one within any niche.Sharing personal stories on social media is a powerful way to illustrate your values, build up know, like, and trust (KLT), and reveal deeper insights for your audience. Here's a simple four-step framework for crafting personality-driven stories that resonate:1) What do you see? (This is the story.)2) What does it mean? (This is the lesson.)3) How does it also apply to them? (This is the pivot.)4) What should they do next? (This is the call to action.)Following this framework will help you create unique content that makes you stand out.

Habiba Elfass · Answer

One critical aspect that’s often overlooked when building your personal brand as a business professional is the power of not conforming to industry norms or stereotypes. In a sea of similar-looking brands and personas, daring to be different can make you stand out and be memorable. This doesn’t mean being eccentric for the sake of it, but rather authentically expressing your unique perspective, values, and style. By breaking away from the mold, you can attract attention, spark conversations, and attract like-minded individuals who appreciate your authenticity and fresh approach.When you challenge conventional thinking and norms within your industry, you can discover new opportunities, niches, or untapped markets that others may have overlooked. This willingness to think outside the box can lead to groundbreaking ideas, products, or services that set you apart as a trailblazer in your field.

Travis Schreiber · Answer

Be yourself and not who you think you should be. You're probably not Tony Robbins, and if people want Tony Robbins, they can just go to Tony Robbins, so be yourself and embrace it. If you can't be yourself, you're only going to go so far before the inauthenticity bleeds through.

Cesar Cobo · Answer

Cultural Context Calibration indeed serves as a vital, yet often overlooked, aspect of personal branding. This essentially refers to the attentiveness one pays to the cultural subtleties, local customs, or the particular trends that prevail within the specific region or demographic that business professionals target. Just consider this: when your personal brand respects and mirrors these elements, not only does it convey a deep sense of understanding towards your audience, but it also establishes more relatable and enduring connections.Furthermore, it's important to acknowledge that each culture and region has its unique set of values, norms, and practices. That makes it crucial for any personal brand to adapt and align its communication style accordingly. For instance, humor, which can be a good icebreaker in certain cultures, might be seen as informal or even inappropriate in others. It's all about striking the right balance—it's like dancing. You have to read and respond to your partner (in this case, your target market), to make sure you're both moving to the same rhythm. Similarly, being culturally calibrated can make your personal brand resonate on a deeper level with the audience, enhancing your overall brand image, and eventually propelling it to greater heights.

Amie Sparrow · Answer

A critical aspect of personal branding that I overlooked for years was showcasing my skills, experience, and achievements, and assuming people would deduce that I excel in specific areas related to my expertise. I've learned that you need to be clear about what your unique value proposition is and actively communicate it to your audience. Simply listing your skills and experience or calling yourself an “expert” isn't enough; you must tell people how these attributes benefit them and solve their problems.By clearly defining and communicating your strengths and expertise, you position yourself as the go-to expert for those specific areas. This clarity attracts opportunities and helps you build a reputation as a trusted authority. Confused people don't buy (or hire) if they're unsure whether your experience and expertise are a good fit.Proactively showcase your skills, experience, and achievements in a way that highlights their relevance and value to others—not their value to you.

Bridget Montes · Answer

As a business professional myself, who primarily works with other women, I have observed (and personally dealt with) the lack of confidence being a major obstacle in creating a personal brand. Fear of failure, public ridicule, or being perceived as "cringy" can cause many women to shy away from putting themselves out there and building a personal brand. However, it's critical to remember that personal branding is not about being perfect or having all the answers. Rather, it is about being authentic, genuine, and true to yourself. By embracing your unique qualities, strengths, and skills, you can create a personal brand that stands out in a crowded marketplace. The confidence you have in yourself will shine while attracting your ideal audience and new opportunities. Remember, your confidence is not something that can be given to you by others—confidence comes from within. So, take the time to invest in yourself, celebrate your successes, and embrace what makes you YOU.

Jen Seran · Answer

I've seen first-hand how personal branding for business professionals extends beyond just an online presence. One of the most critical, but often overlooked, aspects of personal branding is “consistency across every touchpoint.” This includes how you present yourself online, how you engage in meetings, your emails, and even your problem-solving style.I've been in the logistics and customer service business for 8 years, and one of the most important things I've learned is how important it is to maintain a consistent brand. For example, ensuring every customer interaction aligns with our core values increases customer satisfaction and retention. According to a McKinsey study, consistent customer service increases customer satisfaction by 20% and sales growth by 15%.If you're a professional looking to build your brand, remember that every encounter is a chance to remind yourself of who you are, what you're about, and why you're here. This consistency helps build trust and confidence, two of the most powerful things you can communicate to your colleagues and clients.

Ann Koppuzha · Answer

Establishing yourself as a trusted authority in your field is a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of personal branding for businesses. Positioning yourself as a leader not only elevates your visibility but also ensures that potential clients think of you first when they require your services.

Casey Meraz · Answer

Micro-interactions include prompt responses to emails, crafting personalized thank-you notes, or meaningful engagement on social media platforms. Though these might appear as minor tasks, they are significant in portraying a professional image, demonstrating attentiveness, and conveying respect for the time of others.These small but impactful gestures subtly work towards fostering positive relationships, enhancing people's perception of you and your brand. Hence, mastery of micro-interactions forms a crucial component of personal branding for business professionals, significantly contributing to their reputation and success. It's therefore not just the large-scale efforts, but these nuanced details, that can make a lasting impact in the realm of personal branding.

Alexandra Vaughan · Answer

Developing a unique and authentic personal voice is a crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of personal branding for professionals. Beyond crafting a polished image or maintaining an online presence, your personal voice—comprising tone, style, and personality—sets you apart and leaves a lasting impression.Your personal voice fosters connection and engagement with your audience, which is crucial in today's competitive marketplace. It helps cut through the noise, forging genuine connections and building trust over time. Additionally, it serves as a powerful storytelling tool, conveying your message and creating emotional resonance.Furthermore, your personal voice guides decision-making and behavior, both online and offline, enhancing credibility and influence. Importantly, it must be authentic, reflecting your unique personality, experiences, and worldview, and requires introspection and ongoing refinement.In essence, while personal branding involves various elements, cultivating a distinct personal voice is paramount. It not only differentiates you but also strengthens your brand, resonating deeply with your audience and fostering long-term relationships.

Jodi Brandstetter · Answer

Authenticity and self-awareness are critical to a personal brand. It is essential to know who you are, what you stand for, and what you value when creating a brand. Authenticity builds trust and credibility with your target audience, as people are naturally drawn to genuine individuals. By staying true to yourself and your values, you can build a personal brand that resonates with others and sets you apart from your competitors. Authenticity also helps you navigate challenges and make decisions that align with your brand, ensuring consistency and integrity in your personal and professional life.

Erin Ollila · Answer

When people think of personal branding for business professionals, they almost automatically think of the visuals: headshots, business logos, brand fonts, colors, and website layout. Yet, messaging should really be driving all of those visual decisions. Business professionals should ask themselves what they want to be known for and how their products, services, or offerings tie into that overall message.Another critical aspect of personal branding for business professionals is investing immediately in SEO. You don't need to be internet-famous in order to 'claim' the search engine traffic for branded terms. For example, when I first launched my podcast, “Talk Copy to Me,” no one was searching for that string of words on the internet. There was quite literally zero search volume for long-tail keywords like “Talk Copy to Me” or “Talk Copy to Me podcast.” But I worked to create a website presence to drive future listeners to, and I always focused on optimizing my brand assets, like my podcast, and now there IS a regular monthly search volume for my show's brand assets. Investing in the initial optimization proved fruitful over time as I can drive search traffic right to my show.

Lida Citroën · Answer

While the name might imply that your personal brand is all about you, it isn't. Your brand needs to speak to your target audience—the people who'll find you interesting, relevant, compelling, credible, and memorable. Not everyone with a pulse and a checkbook is your target audience. If we forget that our brand needs to matter to the people who matter to us, we create reputations that are generic and unfocused. On the other hand, when you focus on a specific target audience (or a few) and what they need to know and feel about you, you can build a lasting brand relationship.Consider what your target audience cares about, what they dream about, and what they fear. Who do they admire? What turns them off? How do they aspire to be? In ways that are authentic to you, promote your value to your target audience so that they see you as someone they can build a connection with, buy from, and who'll lead them.Finding your target audience and studying them takes time and effort. And it's worth it! Your audience needs you—to know you and feel you know them. When you speak to who they are, what they care about, and what they need, they'll endorse you, refer to you, promote you, and even forgive you (if you make a mistake).

Debora Prossomariti · Answer

Most people believe personal branding is a popularity contest. The more followers and likes you get, the more powerful your personal brand is. In reality, personal branding extends far beyond these surface metrics. It relates to what you stand for and what you're remembered for.A critical but often overlooked aspect of personal branding is intentionality. Being intentional means understanding the message you want to convey and consistently aligning your actions and words with that message.It's about consciously crafting every aspect of your professional persona, from what you post on social media to how you present yourself in meetings, from the company you keep to how you allocate your time and resources. It's about building a reputation that resonates with your audience and earns their trust over time.Maintaining that alignment and consistency is essential to build a strong personal brand that works for (and not against) you.

Lynnaire Johnston · Answer

A complete, coherent, and compelling LinkedIn profile is critical, as it is your most visible online presence. Any time someone Googles your name, your LinkedIn profile will be near the top of the search results, so make it memorable.Complete your profile fully by using all the available sections, the most important of which are your banner, profile photo, and headline. Add much more information than is on your CV, including up to 100 skills.Write your profile text coherently with no errors, in a logical order, and in the first person (I, not he/she). To make your profile compelling, include plenty of links, videos, images, recommendations, reviews, and presentations that showcase your skills, experience, and expertise.

21 Critical Aspects of Personal Branding for Business Professionals

Table of Contents

21 Critical Aspects of Personal Branding for Business Professionals

Balance Organic Research and Brand Identity

Treat a Career as Your Personal Business

Embrace Vulnerability in Your Brand

Create Audience-Centric Content

Align Online Presence with Real Interactions

Maintain Consistency Across Online Platforms

Infuse Personality into Your Brand

Dare to Break Industry Norms

Be Your Authentic Self

Calibrate Your Cultural Context

Communicate Your Unique Value Proposition

Consider Confidence the Branding Cornerstone

Maintain Consistency Across Every Touchpoint

Position Yourself as a Trusted Authority

Master the Art of Micro-Interactions

Cultivate a Distinct Personal Voice

Authenticity Builds Trust and Credibility

Messaging Drives Visual Branding Choices

Target Audience Dictates Brand Relevance

Intentionality Behind Your Personal Brand

Craft a Memorable LinkedIn Profile

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