It’s quite easy to get wrapped up in getting good results for your clients when you first start a business, but this often means entrepreneurs let aspects such as their brand fall by the wayside.
In order for customers to want to do business with you and recommend you to others, they need to feel connected to you, which is where personal branding comes in.
Whether you live a big city like Atlanta, Ga, it's suburbs (Johns Creek, Alpharetta, Roswell, Suwanee, Peachtree Corners, etc.) or you're on the other side of the country in California, if you want your personal brand to thrive, here are a few of the most common mistakes you absolutely need to avoid!
Mistake 1: Hiding behind a logo or slogan. If you want people to do business with you, you need to show them who you are – be the face of your brand. In an age where consumers are bombarded with advertising, entrepreneurs need to give people a reason to trust them. Have your personal branding photos taken by a professional photographer who specializes in personal brand photography to really make an impact.
Mistake 2: Not building your network. To grow your personal brand, you are going to need to keep making connections and nurturing your relationships with customers. The internet makes it easy to avoid face to face interactions, but they are still important in order to create genuine connections.
Mistake 3: Failing to share your story. People need to be able to relate to and trust you, so if you want to grow your personal brand, you need to be willing to share your story. Storytelling is a powerful marketing tool and one which can be used in a multitude of ways on many different platforms.
Mistake 4: Being inconsistent. Your brand needs to be prominent and consistent if you truly want to make an impact. Be where your audience is and make sure that they’re hearing from you on a regular basis. Consistency is another way to build trust, which is crucial to the success of any business. Being consistent also gives you the chance to get to your customers before your competitors do.
Mistake 5: Failing to grow your online presence. It’s no secret that we live in a world of technology and instant gratification. Customers can find almost any information they want within a matter of minutes. If you want your personal brand to thrive this year, it’s important for you to create a digital footprint that will ensure more people are finding you online more often. It’s also a good idea to review which platforms you are currently present on and whether you are missing out on any key opportunities.
If you want to become known for your expertise, you need to work on your personal brand each and every year!