So What the Heck is a Personal Brand, and Why do I Need One?
It’s a fine question. 12 months ago we might all have been asking that question but that was before LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, and creating your own personal Web site (you did register your name as a domain, didn’t you?) put a radical new spin on how you network with professional contacts. Lunch with the Rotary and serving on The Board are still very important. But now anyone who wants to know more about you expects to be able to search your name on the Internet, and see some impressive results. Personal Branding is all about creating a “Digital Persona”. No, it’s not an avatar! This is you, really you, in a media that allows you to showcase your greatest professional accomplishments, as well as your favorite personal milestones: that 200 lb Halibut you fought for two hours to bring aboard, your first poetry award, your amazing family, your first summit. It’s daunting and intimidating, but your online persona, your Personal Brand, really allows you to present the multifaceted “you” who resides within the boring confines of your resume. Read your resume and ask yourself how much of who you are is represented there. Think about all of the “good stuff” about you that would speak to your character, dedication, drive, love for life, and whacked out sense of humor. Or whatever is your trademark. That’s your Personal Brand, that’s your digital persona. It puts the person behind the resume, it adds character and personality to a piece of paper.