Personal branding – it’s easily overlooked as just another career buzzword. However, professional branding can be one of the most important steps in building a successful career.
Visibility is influence. Professionals who avoid cultivating a personal brand could be denying themselves opportunities and limiting their reach.
Here are some common excuses holding people back from developing a person brand and how to reframe them so you can reap the benefits.
"I don't need a personal brand."
Plenty of professionals, especially established ones, believe they don’t need a personal brand. We can see why they think that. You’ve earned your reputation. You’re already established your career. Your work speaks for itself. There’s no reason, so why bother?
In years past, that may have been enough. Today, the marketplace is crowded and everyone is online. Establishing a personal brand ensures that when people look you up, which they always do, your story is there for them to see. You always want to put your best foot forward.
According to Forbes, 70% of employers research a potential employee’s online presence before making a hiring decision. Likewise, entrepreneurs with a strong personal brand attract 45% more business opportunities.
So, established professional or not, personal branding is a must!
"It feels like shameless self-promotion."
It’s easy to feel boastful and braggy when you begin to create your personal brand. And it’s fair – no one wants to come off as overly performative or self-important.
But personal branding isn’t bragging, it’s how you tell the story of your career. It doesn’t have to be self-promotion, and it doesn’t have to be shameless. It can be as simple as putting your ideas, insights, and values on full display. That way, people can learn from your experiences despite never having met you.
Update that LinkedIn page, share your favorite business read, or post about a time you overcame an obstacle at work. It’s not shameless, it’s strategic!
"I don't have the time."
Life is busy, don’t we all know it! Meetings, deadlines, endless inboxes; it’s hard to imagine where you could find extra the time to work on your branding. Maybe personal branding even feels like a luxury.
The truth is, it’s not. Personal branding is a necessity, and you don’t need to spend hours a day (or even a week) to be visible. You can jump start your personal brand by investing a little time on the most effective brand-boosting habits.
- Updating your LinkedIn with a clear, eye-catching headline.
- Sharing one professional reflection a month.
- Commenting on thought leadership posts that interest you.
The small steps add up. Give yourself time to invest in your branding because it’s investing in yourself and your future. Just a few minutes a month can strengthen your digital presence and open new doors.
"I don't know where to start."
Starting your personal brand can seem overwhelming. It’s daunting when you don’t know where to begin, even when you know how much personal branding matters. There are a lot of buzzwords and over-performing in professional circles when it comes to personal branding. It’s hard to know what’s just noise and what needs work.
We suggest starting simple. Start with you. Ask yourself these questions:
- What do you want to be known for?
- What do you excel at and who do you want to know that?
- What do you value and how does that shape your work?
- What kind of legacy do you want to build?
Once you answer those questions, you can choose a platform and show up – intentionally of course. You don’t have to be loud. You don’t have to be overbearing. The only thing you have to be is clear.
You already have a personal brand, but is it working for you?
Whether you like it or not, people form their opinions of you with your online presence in mind; customers, co-workers, and recruiters alike. What shows up when they search your name – that’s in your control. Does it reflect your experience, your expertise, your work ethic?
At Marquis Who’s Who, we believe that every professional has a story worth sharing. Your legacy is too important to leave to chance.
