Make 2016 the year you develop your personal brand

Branding: it’s not just for Oreos and Nikes. Your personal brand is what separates you from the crowd! Here are some great ways to get started:

Be authentic.  There are a lot of people out there who do what you do. Don’t be afraid to demonstrate what makes you different. It’s about letting people know what’s unique and great about you. It’s not about creating a whole new persona.

Go social. Who has time for social media anyway? You do. Social media marketing is an important way to develop a professional image. Focus on one or two channels — such as Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter — and make sure you’re posting, following and interacting regularly. Don’t forget your profiles! Make sure you have a quality profile and that your social channel appears professional. Steer clear of controversial topics and avoid posting only about yourself. Most of your content should be topics of interest to your target audience.

Take advantage of in-person networking opportunities. Set aside a specific amount of time to network each month. Don’t neglect face-to-face opportunities to reach out to others. It’s easy to put this valuable tool on the back burner.

Explore public speaking. Many people avoid public speaking like the plague. Yet public speaking can be a great way to brand yourself as an expert and make you much more credible. Groups like Toastmasters can help you develop your public speaking abilities.

Ask for feedback. Seek out a trusted colleague or peer who can give you objective advice about how you present yourself online and in-person. Feedback can help you fine-tune your personal branding efforts throughout the year.

Why not make 2016 the year you make major progress in developing your own personal brand?