Working from home? Now could be the perfect time to sharpen your personal brand.
With all of us spending a little more time indoors these days, we’re finding ourselves with more free time than ever. You could spend that time reading a book or starting a craft project. But something that could have a profound benefit on your future is renovating your personal brand. Whether you’re looking for a little sprucing up or a full-on overhaul, we’ve got the tips to best take advantage of working from home.
Figure Out Your Goals
It’s hard to accomplish anything if you have nothing to aspire to. The more specific you can be, the easier it is to figure out how to get it. Here are some questions to help you get started.
● What do you want to do? It may seem obvious, but it’s important to be clear. You may say you want to be a writer, but there are lots of types of writers. Do you want to write social media posts? TV scripts? Blogs? Figure out the kind of writing you want to do (and the writing you absolutely don’t.) Then you can plan around that.
● Where do you want to be? You can take this any number of ways, all valid. What kind of city do you want to work in? What kind of company? What culture and workspace? Knowing your boundaries can help you focus the goals of your brand.
● What do you have to get you there? What are your skills, your personality, your values? These are importantly qualities to have at the ready when you’re looking to build your brand. Discover them, then practice them.
Get Your LinkedIn Right
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression, and these days, those first impressions are happening on LinkedIn. Companies of all sizes are looking for talent through LinkedIn, from investment banks to insurance companies like Freeway Insurance. What can you do to make recruiters take notice?
● Take a good photo: Remember that Dolly Parton tweet with different photos for each social media platform? It wasn’t just a fun goof, it’s right on the money. You’re way more likely to have your profile viewed if you include a photo, but that photo needs to showcase your professional side. Make sure it’s a high-quality headshot that sees you smiling and looking right into the lens.
● Write a meaningful summary: This is your space to convey exactly who you are and what you’re about. Stay concise by making sure each sentence includes relevant information about the kind of person you are and/or the things you’re capable of doing. Of course, the trick is to do this while also staying cheerful and warm.
● Add in skills and endorsements: It can be easy to skip this part, but you get a huge boost to your views when you complete this important section. This is a quick way recruiters can learn your qualifications. It’s OK if it’s a little long, just make sure it’s all true. Nothing is worse than a recruiter asking you about the C++ experience you listed and having to admit you don’t really know anything about it.
Consider Building A Website
Not everyone needs a personal website, but those looking to make a brand around creative pursuits really should have a place to showcase their talent. LinkedIn can only get you so far. But what does your website need to do and how can you make it happen?
● Get a professional logo: Just like McDonald’s or Apple or Nike, a logo is a shorthand that can communicate so much to your audience and stick in their minds. A good logo is worth its weight in gold. Just remember that less is more.
● Present your work cleanly and clearly: It doesn’t have to be fancy, but it does have to be usable. People are coming to your site to see what you can do. Don’t be afraid to show it to them.
● Make it easy to get in touch: If someone is impressed by your work and wants to talk to you, make it easy for them to do so. Clearly present your contact info. Email is often preferred, but know that some people and businesses appreciate a phone number too.
