Why do you think CEO's, authors, actors and athletes make so much money?
It's because people are attracted to people that they know, like and trust.
Their personal brand is what makes them liked by other people....and liked enough to expand their paychecks.
According to a UCLA study, 85% of all decisions are made with our eyes.
The image you project which is your personal brand affects how potential clients make a decision about you.
Your personal brand is not just about the way you look (eye color, weight, height or hair color)....its much more than that.
It's really based on the personality you project to your audience.
It's also the way you speak to people and your audience.
People who use personal branding often get paid a lot higher than those who hide their personalities from the public.
If you are selling a product or a service you need to sell yourself first.
There was a study done in the Wall Street Journal that showed how the more charismatic the CEO was , the more money the company made.
Even if you are running a consulting agency or firm, your personal brand can land you higher paying contracts.
And personal branding is a great way to sell physical products.
What Exactly Do I need to Have a Personal Brand?
Personal branding is about putting yourself out there.
Its about letting people see your photos, see you on video, hear you on audio or even seeing you in person.
It's all about being very visible and selling your personality to people.
Let's get started with the basics of promoting your own personal brand to help you make more money.
Get Professional Photos Done
The first thing you should do is get a professional photo done.
You want to add this photo to all of your social media profiles and to the "About" section of your website.
You can take photos of yourself doing the work you actually do or you can take portrait photos.
Many photographers have packages for consultants and professionals to help them promote themselves.
If you work with a good photographer, they can make suggestions on what you should wear and what type of backgrounds would be good for the image you are trying to convey.
Host Webinars and Workshops
Public speaking is one of the most powerful ways to attract people to your brand.
You can do a live webinar and present on a topic you are very knowledgeable about.
You can also do a live stream on Facebook using a screensharing tool and present it like a webinar.
Many people are afraid of public speaking and if this is you, there are a few things you can do to get over this fear.
A lot of it is really preparing your mind to get in front of people.
You can do positive self talk and affirmations.
But the best advice is to just practice.
Practice at home in the mirror.
Do a live stream with your only a few friends watching you.
Start small so that you can build up confidence over time.
Live Streaming and Instagram Stories
Using video will help you convert people into paying customers a lot faster than a blog article would.
This is because people like visuals and they want to see your face.
This helps you establish trust with people before they pay you (so that they feel comfortable and secure that they are dealing with a real human).
Write a Book
This is a great way to establish your expertise.
It's not mandatory to write a book to grow your brand, but if you do like to write, this is a great opportunity for you to really make an impact.
By writing a book, you will be seen as an expert especially if you market it the right way.
Be a Guest Speaker
You can do public speaking at in-person conferences. This is one of the most powerful ways to book really high paying clients.
The other option is to do online public speaking by doing a join webinar or being a panelist on a virtual summit which is totally online.
Start a Blog
A blog is also a great way to allow people to know more about you. You should also include a photo of yourself in your blog posts if possible.
You can add an "About the Author" at the very end of each blog post.
Be on a Podcast
Podcasts are really growing in popularity as people like to listen to them while driving in their cars or even doing laundry.
A podcast allows your audience to get intimate with you as they hear your voice.
You can either be a guest on someone's else's podcast or you can start your own.
Work with Influencers
When people see you working with an influencer who has a huge audience, this can really help open up doors for your brand.
Partner with someone who has a bigger audience with you.
Get Published
You can write for online magazines, print magazines, newspapers and popular blogs.
Writing for a leading online publication can help you build your audience.
Conclusion
Since personal branding is really about selling your personality and making yourself visible, you need to feel comfortable with the process.
Start out small and build your confidence over time.
It takes practice but after you have done it several times you will get used to being visible.
At the end of the day, you should think of it as part of the work you need to do as a business owner.
.....because it's one of the fastest ways to really grow your business.
About The Author
Alma Bradford teaches freelancers and consultants how to outsource and do project management in order to scale their business at: AlmaBradford.com
