Creating your personal brand is deeply important for an executive as they grow their company's ... [+]
If there were ever a time for C-level executives to focus on building their personal reputation and digital footprint, it would be now. In an era of unpredictability, when consumers are turning to authentic and inspiring companies they can trust, a strong employee and company brand is crucial. Your digital reputation can make or break a sale, an investment, a connection, a job transition. It can determine your future. While you don’t have to aspire to be the next Oprah, having a strong personal brand can reap a host of benefits.
Go your own direction to build a strong brand.
1) It builds credibility.
A trustworthy brand proves to consumers and investors that your company is reliable and relatable. Given that more than 75 percent of social media discussions revolve around consumers seeking recommendations, information, and advice, according to Mention, just sharing accomplishments, strengths, and industry knowledge can garner a large following. It’s an easy way to become a resource for others—a dependable thought leader. It proves you not only know what you’re talking about—you live it. In turn, you will inspire trust within both your internal team and the larger global brand. People will turn to you for ideas and for what’s next—and therefore also turn to your company. Building a must-follow brand increases your visibility and ultimately fosters admiration and a connection to like-minded consumers. As a leader, your credibility around subject matter, clear communication, and visible confidence, equals success.
Leading the crowd, means choosing a direction and building an audience.
2) It strengthens your network.
While building a can’t-miss LinkedIn profile and improving your Instagram content, you will steadily accrue followers. As you make connections with your ever-increasing audience, you can intentionally foster professional relationships. Over time, you will have a large pool of dedicated fans invested in your success.
3) It gives you better job stability and client retention.
When your own brand becomes invaluable, you are seen as integral to your company and to your customers. Your professional worth increases exponentially, enabling you to pursue exciting roles and opportunities. And who wouldn’t like to be sought for a potential job role instead of arduously searching for one? If your knowledge and experience is kept under wraps, there’s little chance of that happening. A strong personal image increases your chances of being discovered, of being hired, and of being coveted. Likewise, your company is likely to attract prospective employees if you have a strong digital presence (according to a LinkedIn and Altimeter Group study, companies with socially engaged employees were 58 percent more likely to attract talent). In other words, it’ll improve job security and growth from every angle.
4) It boosts sales.
People buy brands and invest in people, rather than simply purchase products. Consider that 82 percent of buyers are more willing to place trust in a company when the C-suite is active on social media, according to Lee Odden of TopRank Online Marketing in “War of Words: Myth-Busting Social Media, SEO & Content Marketing.” Odden also says that, if a CEO uses social media, a whopping 77 percent of buyers are more likely to make a purchase. A buyer considering purchasing a Tesla, for example, might solely buy it—or not—based on their impression of Elon Musk. That’s the power behind a personal brand. A well-executed image that fosters credibility can directly boost the believability of the entire company. Skeptics and investors invest in brands they trust.
By establishing and elevating your personal brand, you can cultivate an admirable reputation, trust from colleagues and clients, and a more robust network. Your company will be viewed as trustworthy and authentic, ultimately increasing sales. All of this—with a little digital input. What is there to lose?
