One of my goals for the new year is to really focus on the idea of being known. I talk a lot about personal branding and becoming more memorable, but ultimately, it’s about helping you becoming known for what you want to be known for.
When people see your name or hear about your work, what do you want them to think of? We are multi-faceted and multi-passionate, so often, different people have different ideas about who we are and what we do. It’s up to us to establish our personal brands and make ourselves known in the way that’s most important to us.
With that in mind, here are four ways to start the process:
Know what you want to be known for.
It sounds simple, but I find that most people who struggle to establish their personal brands don’t really know what their personal brand is. They struggle to convey who they are and what they do, and aren’t 100% sure what they want to be known for. Before you begin to establish your personal brand out in the world, you must first clarify it for yourself. Here’s a worksheet to help:
Tell someone.
Again, this sounds simple. So why don’t more people do it? I can’t tell you how many times I’ve grabbed coffee with someone or had a call, and it isn’t until I pry and press on what they’re up to that they share what they’re working on or what they’re pursuing. People want to know how you work and what makes you unique. They want to send people your way. They might even want to work with you themselves! Whether you’re rolling out a new product or service, or just re-framing how you do business, make it a point to reach out to the people in your network and let them know. And no, posting something on social media doesn’t count; I’m talking direct and personal. Ask a friend to lunch, hop on a Zoom call, or share it on your next Mastermind call. Tell someone what you want to be known for, and let them help you get there.
Update your messaging.
For a long time, my social media profiles read: Dana Kaye, publicist, triathlete, and all-around hustler. And at the time I set up my accounts, that’s what I wanted to be known for. But since then, my personal brand has shifted, which means, my online messaging needed to shift as well. Now, it reads: I help authors and entrepreneurs become more memorable and make more meaningful connections. And just that small, simple shift to my Instagram and LinkedIn bios has resulted in dozens of new leads, more connections, and more clarity. Take a moment to review your website and social media profiles. Are your bios and About pages reflecting what you want to be known for?
Embody your brand.
It’s not just about talking the talk, you also have to walk the walk. By embodying your brand values, at all times, you will become known in the way you want to be perceived more quickly and effectively. It goes back to the old writing adage of show-don’t-tell. Telling people what you do is a start, but actually demonstrating will make a far greater impact. For me, I want to be known as a connector, as well as someone who helps others make more meaningful connections. To embody that brand, I spend more time forging connections for other people than I do for myself. It’s one thing to say I help entrepreneurs make more meaningful connections, it’s another to experience it first hand. What are some ways you can truly embody your brand?
If you’d like to continue this exploration of how to be known for the brand values you truly embody, I’m hosting a free webinar today! Click here to register!
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