What Is Online Personal Branding?

Well for a start it's not as painful as the feature image, and it is something all of us at WA need to be considering. But why?

This is an area I have been interested in since starting my online business, I've started researching for my article on my Bootcamp site and thought I'd share some of what I am learning.

Even if you don't know it you already have an online personal brand.

Everything you or others have ever posted on any social media has and is contributing to your personal brand right now.

If this thought horrifies you, maybe you had a misspent youth as I may have (yeah alright I did) there is even more incentive to get cracking on developing the personal brand you DO want.

If you are squeaky clean and think there will be nothing 'out there' then you have a wonderful clean slate to commence branding yourself.

I have been watching and reading quite a lot of motivational and online business success blogs lately. Personal development and growth have always been an interest of mine.

The way you are perceived through searches, photos, news articles etc. all easily available online, can make or break your career success. If you are serious about building an online business that makes a bit of extra pocket money or an affiliate marketing empire, you need to take control of how you are seen on the internet.

Step 1 - Be your Authentic Self

What makes you unique? What is it about you that is different to everyone else? What makes you .. you? What are your inherent strengths?

Are you empathetic? Do you have a history of trauma or a defining event that has shaped your life and made you stronger? Do you have never ending patience? Are you a flamboyant extrovert or a wall flower introvert?

Set aside some time and think about who you really are. This can not be overstated, because it is impossible to build a brand on something that you are not.

Our followers are super savvy these days and they know when your faking it.

It is near on impossible to maintain a false persona. At the very least it's draining and at the very worst it will come back to bite you in the long run when you are exposed as a fraud.

Imagine you spend the next few years developing your personal brand as The Gourmet Granny, you get so popular that you start getting asked to attend speaking engagements.

I don't think it's going to go down to well when an 18 year old punk rocker walks out on stage! Keep it real people.

Be authentic, this is an opportunity to be your true self. Have a good think about it, write down all the things that make you you. Don't edit your list, just write what comes to you.

If you are having trouble coming up with ideas ask someone close to you that you trust.

These ideas don't need to always be sunshine and rainbows. You might be able to work with - disorganised, confused, nerdy. You get my drift.

Step 2 - Find a Handle

I have been finding it easiest to try to think of a handle that might suit.

The food industry comes to mind for me - the Naked Chef (Jamie Oliver), the Barefoot Contessa (Ina Garten), the Domestic Goddess (Nigella Lawson), the list goes on.

I'm thinking to start with it should be something relative to your niche.

We all now it's important to think small when it comes to niches and I think the same applies to your online brand.

You can always branch out later as you grow and your businesses expand and deviates but these people all made their names in food, it is what they are synonymous for and we all know them for it.

You may not choose to actually promote your handle, but I am finding it is helping me narrow down what I want to be known for.

Step 3 - Use It

As I said you may not actually use the exact words of your handle once you have decided, but consider how you will portray yourself moving forward. In signatures, with colours, the language you use, suitable images.

Everything you connect with your name should be in keeping with your personal brand so as not to cause disharmony and to keep your brand consistent and reliable.

What will you choose?

So what have I chosen as my handle? I haven't yet.

It is an important decision which will hopefully be with me for quite some time, I want to let it ruminate, so while I do some more research on personal branding I'm letting my subconscious play with a few ideas.

I'm sure something will feel right in the days or weeks to come.

If you have some good suggestions either for yourself or for others to choose from please pop them in the comments box below and we might be able to help someone out.

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