C-Level Personal Branding 101

If you are a C-level executive, I am guessing you are probably fairly busy, right? I know I am!  So how do you find the time to launch a personal branding campaign?  The answer lies in knowing your brand and creating a strategy that can even be delegated, in part, to others.

When working with clients to help them establish their own personal brand, I start with an assessment to determine the most prominent traits and attributes that can be marketed successfully to carve a unique niche and garner recognition in the business community. 

The purpose of personal branding is to create an identity that is unmistakably your own to establish and further the development of your reputation as a desired commodity.  As a result, you will enjoy the reward of being offered the best career opportunities in your industry.

Once you know the strengths and attributes you want to capitalize on, you can naturally let this guide all of your interactions with others. Focus your efforts on accentuating your core values. This will quickly help you establish your expertise and solidify your position as a leader in your space.

Personal brand development is time consuming. Blogging, tweeting, and participating in online communities requires commitment.  Of course you want all of your content to be authentic – things that you truly believe and can substantiate. However, there is no reason why you can’t enlist the aid of someone who knows you well and provide some direction so they can help drive your efforts. As long as he or she understands what your goals are and you do the final review of all materials to ensure their authenticity, it can be a huge timesaver. Do you think that Oprah Winfrey does it all herself?

Part of your efforts will involve your direct participation in events, volunteer activities, and industry-related programs that require your presence.  There is no substitute for the real YOU!  Be sure to spend time participating in programs and activities that have meaning for you. Equally important, as an expert, you will want to share information with others that will add value.

If all of this seems daunting, you may want to enlist the help of a professional career coach with experience devising branding campaigns for executive level clients. Developing your brand is an ongoing effort. As situations and trends change, you will be in a position to share your thoughts and opinions as a recognized and trusted resource.