Is Your Personal Brand Cohesive? Try These Easy Steps.

So, I just got approval from my editor at Entrepreneur.com to do a series on branding. Being the nerd I am, I am completely stoked to look at how some of the coolest companies successfully use a myriad of tools to establish a cohesive brand. The companies I am going to cover don’t just have customers: they have fans. As I started to plan out my first column, it got me thinking about the importance of personal branding. Even if you aren’t aiming to an entrepreneur, it is important to create a personal brand that helps you stand out professionally.

I sorta wish there was another word for branding because it has become a meaningless buzz word, right up there with “company culture”, “innovation”, blah blah blah. What exactly is personal branding? It essentially means that everything you put out there in the world should have your personal touch on it. This gives you a unique personality that will make you stand out when looking for a job or climbing the ranks at your current company. Putting an emphasis on branding makes you more irreplaceable.

How exactly do you create your personal brand? Here are 4 easy ways:

1)   Personality: Just because you are going to a job interview, doesn’t mean you have to become sterile. Be yourself! You can still let your personality shine in a professional setting. Obviously, you aren’t going to cuss or make inappropriate racial jokes like you would with your friends. However, if you are the funny one, then show some humor! Who doesn’t like to laugh? Being boring is not memorable. Most of the time, the people competing with you for a job have the same qualifications, so your personality can really set you apart.

2)   Personal Style: The outfit you have on is one of the first things someone will notice about you. It is an easy way to make an impression. Especially if you work in a creative industry, use your wardrobe as self-expression. Suits are not necessary. Keep it professional and fun!

3)   Printed Materials: Even though we live in the digital age, giving someone something on paper is a sure-fire way to stand out. Your business cards, stationary and resume should all have the same color scheme and design. You want someone to be able to look at one of them, and say “ah yes, this is from so and so”. It is important to take the time and effort to present a consistent aesthetic.

4)   Social media. Nowadays before your job interview, your future employer has probably Googled you to see what skeletons you have hiding. Make sure your social media channels reflect your personality and interest. Obviously, if your accounts are public, do air on the side of caution when you post something. You don’t want to come off as inappropriate or immature. That being said, you should still use social media to showcase what makes you different.

Like with any successful brand, it is all about consistent and uniformed messaging. As you apply for jobs and promotions, you want to be presenting a packaged deal. Brands that have conflicting messages never get anywhere because their customers get confused. The same goes for you when you are thinking about your personal brand.