10 Rules for Building a Successful Personal Brand

3 months ago

Join @TheLoop21 on Twitter 2/12 at 1pm EST for the 2nd installment of how to build your brand!

No matter what career path you choose your best asset should always be YOU. While most people tend to focus on the things they want out of life and how to quickly climb the ladder to achieve those goals, many don’t take the time to evaluate their skill sets (weaknesses included) and how much of an impact they actually have on the bottom line.

Nobody is exempt. A personal brand is not just some jazzy little title bestowed on entrepreneurs and high-powered executives. If you are a human being, than you too can develop your very own personal brand.

For those of you who don’t know where to begin you can start with my 10 Rules for building a successful personal brand:

1. Be Consistent

While it is okay to grow your brand through several phases it’s not okay to change your legal name 12 times in one year. Think about who you are and who you wish to become. Make sure this is a true reflection of self and not a watered down carbon copy of someone else. Consistency will lead to recognition and ultimately this is what we’re all after.

2. Live and Breathe Your Craft

Don’t talk about it. BE about it. If you make the conscious decision to go ‘all in’ for something whether it be entrepreneurship, modeling, singing, acting, etc….actually go ‘all in’. In order for your brand to thrive, you need to practice what you preach and soak up new knowledge about your field, new technology and best practices. I know sometimes the road gets rough and your passion may get tested but realize that this is what you came to do. The only thing left is to start now and never look back.

3. Sweat Equity is the Best Equity

Get on that good ole’ American grind: late nights and early mornings. If you believe in what you’re selling/saying to the world then prove it. If you aren’t investing any time into your own brand than why should someone spend any money on it.

4. Be Professional

You would think this would be self-explanatory but it’s not. No matter what you do, where you go, or who you talk to, always keep in mind that impressions are everything. I live by the quote, “You can’t control how you are perceived but you have 100% control over how you are presented.” Believe that, because you never know who is watching.

5. Be Resilient

How many times have you heard the word NO in the past week? Month? Year? If you are a Gen Y entrepreneur probably a lot. DON’T GIVE UP. No matter what! Yes, it’s okay to take a minute and pick your chin up off the ground but dust yourself off and get right back at it. Maybe you need to go back to the lab and hone your skills or maybe every thing is in place but your timing was off.

Keep grinding and never let someone else determine your future. Do not let your personal brand be dictated by a third party.