Attention Santa Clarita Professionals: If you’re missing out on the power of personal branding, you’re about to be left behind.
Whether you’re climbing the corporate ladder or building a business of your own, Santa Clarita professionals can no longer ignore the trend that’s taken the business world by storm: personal branding.
It’s not something to prepare for. The time has come. The change is here.
If you don’t have a personal online presence, you’re already getting left behind.
The Times, They Are A Changin’
You already know the internet and social media have changed the world in massive ways. Since that change has been so completely influential across the board, it’s important to understand how the digital world is impacting the business world — by tracking key trends.
While statistics show the number one way people begin their buying process still starts with a trusted referral, the second place they go to is Google. And oftentimes, people will still search Google to confirm the referral is what they need.
When there’s no referral to start with, most people are searching and researching their buying choices with much more depth than ever before. They want to know who they’re working with and what kind of company they’re supporting, as well as the underlying values or mission.
And that trend doesn’t just apply to potential customers. If you’re applying for jobs, you should know that 75% of HR departments are required to search job applicants online, according to a study by job-hunt.org. If you don’t have a presence, then you’re most likely being compared to others who do.
If you’re on the other side of the coin, however, entrepreneurs need to understand another trend: the gig economy. Diane Mulcahy, author of “The Gig Economy” writes that, by 2020, freelance and contract workers will make up at least 43% of the U.S. workforce.
She writes: “Companies will do just about anything to avoid hiring full-time employees. Add to that the fact that there is no job security anymore, and workers are increasingly aware that they need to work differently if they want to create any sort of stability for themselves.”
With more and more people picking up side hustles and online business ventures, the gig economy shows no signs of slowing down. That means you need to figure out a way to stand out now, before the market becomes too saturated with other talented entrepreneurs like yourself.
What Does Personal Branding Mean To Santa Clarita Professionals?
So what is a personal brand, you ask? Well, let’s see what the professionals say.
“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” — Jeff Bezos, Amazon
“Your personal brand is your reputation. And your reputation in perpetuity is the foundation of your career.” — Gary Vaynerchuk, entrepreneur
“If people believe they share values with a company, they will stay loyal to the brand.” — Howard Schultz, Starbucks
While the term “branding” used to be reserved for businesses, the development of digital marketing, social media and the gig economy has brought branding home to the personal level.
A personal brand is the unique combination of skills and experiences that you present to the world.
Looking for a more in-depth breakdown of personal branding? Check out these 5 must-know tips on how to build a powerful personal brand.
You Already Have A Personal Brand
Before we dive into the weeds, first, let’s get one thing straight: You already have a personal brand, whether you’re aware of it or not.
Unless you intentionally live an off-the-grid lifestyle, then all of your Internet history is out there, constructing a personal brand for you in the absence of your branded presence. By taking a backseat to your personal brand, you’re handing over control of your digital reputation to everyone else whoever writes or posts about you.
On the other hand, taking an active role in your personal brand allows you to control the narrative and show your audience what you want them to see — not what’s there by default.
What Are The Main Components Of Personal Branding?
Your personal brand is made up of the unique combination of skills, experiences and beliefs people associate with you. That includes all the content you create, from your Instagram to your blog posts, as well as your word-of-mouth reputation. It’s the way you do business and the stories you tell about your failures and successes. And on a detailed level, it includes the images you publish and the graphics you create. Most importantly, it’s driven by your mission and the way you show up in the world each and every day. Put simply, it refers to the public persona your target audience sees.
So how do you identify and communicate the components of your personal brand? Here are a few ideas to get you started.
The Components Of Personal Branding
- Mission / Vision
- Core Values & Beliefs
- Strengths & Weaknesses
- Skill Sets
- Likes, Interests & Hobbies
- Quirks
- Goals
- Obstacles You’ve Overcome
- Passions & Inspirations
- Relationships, Partnerships & Network
- Differentiating Factors
Visual Marketing For Santa Clarita Professionals: Personal Branding
At SchlickArt, we offer more than photography and video services to Santa Clarita professionals and beyond. We do our best to provide our clients with marketing expertise and direction every chance we get. We know you need your images and video to help grow your business — that’s why you invest in them, and that’s why do, too. Please take a minute to search through our blogs to find the visual marketing information that will help your business, or give us a call. We’re happy to help!