Written by: Christina Sims, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
When I grew up, it was widely taught that in order to advance in life you just had to work hard, stay the beaten course, and not draw too much attention. I’m sure many of you reading this were told the same. After all, that was the very essence of corporate professionalism. Those that had followed that blueprint typically excelled.
And then a global pandemic happened. A shift that changed our very way of life not only personally, but also professionally. In this article, I’m going to share why you can’t afford to ignore your personal brand in 2022 and how you can leverage it to achieve a career on your own terms! THE NEW CAREER ERA The days of the traditional path of graduating from college, working 30+ years to advance the corporate ladder at a single company and retiring with a huge company pension are gone. That was the old reality. In this new era, job security is no longer a guarantee. Last year, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported an average of 12.4 jobs held by individuals between the ages of 18 and 54. Even more revealing is that over 4.53 Americans resigned with the highest rates among mid-level employees. So what does this mean for you? It means your image is no longer defined by your title or company you work for ‒ it’s defined by the reputation you’ve created for yourself and the opportunities it can create for you. The very essence of a strong personal brand. 3 BENEFITS OF A PERSONAL BRAND Let’s break down what your personal brand is. A personal brand is the conscious and intentional design of your public perception that positions and differentiates you as a trusted and credible authority in your industry. There are several reasons why leveraging a personal brand is pivotal; but today, I am going to share with you the top three reasons why you shouldn’t delay taking action on yours. FINANCIAL STABILITY These last few years have taught us how fragile our employment security can be. Not only did we see many lose their jobs due to shutdowns, we also saw the emergence of a new remote work lifestyle that placed other industries on the brink of extinction. Let’s take this example into account. Molly is a director of ten years at a digital marketing agency who kept to herself, never interacted much with colleagues outside of her agency, neglected her LinkedIn and focused solely on doing her and going home. Then you have Andrea, who is a junior account executive fresh out of college at the same agency. Andrea proactively joined local professional networking groups, regularly published thought leadership articles, and stays active on social media. An unexpected downturn occurred in the agency that resulted in a massive layoff. Who do you think would have the best chance of being offered a new employment opportunity? Who took the time to build a personal brand?
The answer would be Andrea. She took the initiative to craft her own story and consistently built connections, both online and off through strong relationships. Your personal brand protects you from being pigeonholed and provides you with the ability to easily open new doors because you have created a reputation of positive experiences that leads right back to you. INCOME DIVERSIFYING OPPORTUNITIES One of the most amazing aspects of a personal brand is that it also increases your income potential. A strong personal brand can give you the opportunity to make more money. A personal brand allows you to factor in all of the experiences and interests you have far past your current employment. It integrates your story, your values, your expertise, and your personality. This in return opens up opportunities such as sponsorships, brand collaborations, book deals, and even speaking opportunities. Those who embody being their own professional force will thrive in this new climate. But in order to thrive, you need to begin creating your personal brand now so you can pave your own path tomorrow. Best of all, you can start today right where you are by seeking guest blog opportunities, press mentions in major publications, submitting for speaking engagements and even blogging on your LinkedIn or personal website. The more people can find about you online, the more your success will be visible and attract more people to your brand.
PERSONAL NETWORK It’s no secret that success attracts opportunities. People naturally are drawn to successful people. They want to be like them; aligned with them, have their names mentioned in the same room. The undeniable credibility that comes with having a strong personal brand gives you one of the best abilities of all: the power of choice. Imagine waking up to an inbox full of requests to partner or collaborate and you get to decide who you want to work with and choose the offers that light your soul. This is the power that personal branding can give you. THE TIME IS NOW TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR PERSONAL BRAND If you’re tired of feeling like a needle in the haystack, being passed over, or simply ready to embark on that passion you’ve had in your vision book for years, a personal brand is your ticket to the life of freedom on your terms.
Christina Sims, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Christina Sims is a personal branding coach, marketing strategist, speaker, and author. She is the founder of Mom Meets Life, where she specializes in helping impact-driven women transform into powerhouse personal brands so they can monetize and scale their personality, message, and unique gifts. Christina’s mission is to empower women to create profitable personal brands on their own terms while embodying an authentic and unapologetic mindset in an industry that is focused on perfectionism and scripted approaches.
