Personal branding is coming to the forefront of professional development, with the realization that whether actively cultivated or not, everyone has a personal brand. The key to a successful personal brand lies in visibility and clarity, rather than popularity or influencer status. Understanding your values, expertise, story, and how you interact with others form the core of your personal brand.
The notion that it’s “too late” to start building a personal brand is debunked by the fact that businesses operate with people at their core, and a personal brand can help to enhance memory, relevance, and trust. Showcasing one’s knowledge and skills is always valuable, regardless of the timeline. Opportunities often favor those who make themselves visible, and there is no ‘perfect’ moment to start building a personal brand.
LinkedIn, as a leading platform for professional brand-building, boasts 1 billion users. However, only 2% of these users consistently post, and much of this content is predictable and impersonal, focusing on achievements and career milestones. Yet, the opportunity lies in the gaps, or the ‘white space,’ as it’s referred to. The ability to consistently show up as a human being, to be genuine and unapologetically oneself, is where the personal