Building your personal brand will strengthen your relationship skills and add to your personal and professional network. When trying to build your personal brand, keep in mind that you want to be known as a problem solver, an outstanding team member, and a friendly professional.
Developing a personal brand is critical to building networks. A personal network is an excellent source of information and ideas about events, trends, opportunities, and industry news. Follow the personal branding tips below, and you will build lasting relationships with internal and external contacts that are mutually beneficial.
Five Personal Branding Tips
1. First Impression: Since humans are very visual beings, first impressions are the most lasting and critical to building your personal brand. Dress appropriately for the occasion, present a firm handshake, smile, and use appropriate eye contact.
2. Introduction: Aim to spend a maximum of ten minutes with each person. Set a goal to spend eighty percent of your time listening and twenty percent talking. Be a good listener, and encourage others to talk about themselves.
3. Ticket: “What brought you here?” and “What do you do?” are some questions that will steer the conversation and allow you to use your personal brand. Your personal branding statement should focus on skills, strengths, and unique qualities.
4. Linking Cards: Have a clean supply of business cards accessible. Present your business card so that the type is facing up toward the other person. When given a business card, stop and read it and comment on the design. Check to see if there is a mobile
number and email address. If not, ask for it.
5. Exit: To end a conversation graciously, simply say, “It was a pleasure meeting you, (name). Perhaps we could have coffee in the near future.” “Remember that a person’s name is to that person the sweetest and most important sound in any language” (Dale Carnegie). Follow up and send information to link the person to your network.