It all begins early in life. People start to categorize you, your traits, your looks - the smart girl, the shy boy, the cheerleader, the kind kid. The first people who start to define your personal brand are teachers, parents, friends. As you expand your circle in the real world, your professional contacts define your personal brand - bitchy, go-getter, entitled, smart, problem solver etc. This starts to define you and becomes your personal brand whether you are aware or not and whether you agree or not. But you can take control of you personal brand and you should start to define it yourself, as you see yourself, and how you would like others to perceive you - Personal branding has become an essential component of career success.

Personal branding is the process of creating a unique identity for yourself, just like a product or service, that showcases your personality, values, expertise, and skills to your target audience. Your personal brand should accurately represent who you are and what you stand for.

Why is personal branding important to your career?

First, personal branding helps you stand out from the competition. In a crowded market, having a strong personal brand can make you more attractive to potential employers and clients.

Second, a well-defined personal brand can help you establish yourself as an expert in your field, allowing you to charge higher fees and attract more high-quality clients.

Defining yourself and your brand is crucial to creating a strong personal brand. Your brand should reflect your personality and values, as well as your career goals. It should also take into account your target market or audience, and what makes you different from your competition. In essence, your personal brand is your "why" - why do you do what you do, and what do you hope to achieve through your career?

Your personal brand is also a reflection of your expertise, talents, and skills. When developing your personal brand, it's important to identify your strengths and unique qualities, and use those to differentiate yourself from others in your field. For example, if you're a web developer, perhaps you specialize in creating user-friendly websites that are easy to navigate. This could be a key selling point that sets you apart from other web developers.

Consistency, authenticity, and honesty are essential elements of a strong personal brand. Your personal brand should be consistent across all platforms, including social media, your website, and any other materials you use to promote yourself. It's important to be authentic and honest in your brand messaging, as any discrepancies between your personal brand and who you actually are can damage your reputation.

Everyone has a personal brand, whether they realize it or not. Taking control of your personal brand and building a strong, consistent, and authentic brand is essential to professional success. By defining yourself, your goals, your expertise, and unique qualities, you can create a personal brand that sets you apart from the competition and establishes you as an expert in your field.