Having a personal brand is not enough — you have to do something with it.
You need a plan. You need a strategy for how to get it out into the world. Without a plan, it will only languish on your desktop.
You’ve got to put it to work thoughtfully.
Say you’ve got your personal brand locked and loaded. It’s ready to go. But you’re not sure what to do next.
A simple plan might look something like this:
- Get busy customizing your job search materials to reflect your new brand.
- Revamp and enhance your LinkedIn profile. Get a great headshot, use a great headline, and integrate your new key brand messages into your profile.
- Be all over LinkedIn, all the time. Share content, comment, and engage.
- Create an online portfolio or simple website that showcases you and your brand.
- Map out your editorial calendar and commit to a regular schedule of posting your LinkedIn stuff. It doesn’t have to be profound or win any prizes. The goal is visibility.
- Check in with your online self. Manage your online reputation. Google regularly.
A personal brand does you no good in isolation. It isn’t a once-and-done; it’s an ongoing, evolutionary, strategic process.