You are a brand; how should you be marketing yourself?

If your name was a brand, what would your brand identity be? Thinking yourself as a brand is an effective way to promote yourself. It is important to position yourself in the way you want to be perceived by your target audience. It's a skill everyone should master as this is a useful technique, whether you are seeking new job opportunities outside your organisation or looking for that promotion within it.

  Firstly, you need to understand what makes you unique and how to communicate that to employers. What can you bring to the party that perhaps your colleagues can’t? Think about both your skillset and experiences, but also your behaviours; what are your leadership qualities: how you interact with teams or your approach to developing individuals.

  Think where you want to get to. What are your long-term ambitions? Does your current skillset, and previous roles put you on the right path to get to the longer term aims? For example, if you want to be a Sales Director, have you managed accounts across multiple channels to give you the depth and breadth? Identify the gaps and seek the roles that can tick the right boxes.

  What is your ‘elevator pitch’? If you were to meet the CEO of your business in the lift and you had one minute before he or she got to the top floor, and they asked you what department you are in, what would you say? Hopefully, not just “Sales”! Take the opportunity to share some of the big things you are working on, the value you have added, and that you are now seeking new challenges. Don’t be afraid to sell yourself. If you do it in the right way – confident, not arrogant, you will make your mark. Practice your elevator pitch in the mirror or to a friend/colleague. Practice makes perfect. Doing this, also helps frame your thinking (and brand positioning) as to your strengths and where you want to get to.

  Build a network of not only like-minded individuals, but also those that can aid you in getting you where you want to get to. Whether that is individuals that can help you grow your skills, or individuals that can also promote your brand. Your line manager should be a good starting point. Be open and honest about where you want to get to. Ask for the guidance and support. Identify other senior colleagues that could perhaps mentor you, but also promote you in the right meetings.

  Also build the network on social. Spend focused time on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter and Facebook and online industry feeds. Share some of your expertise for free, and you can begin building a base of fans who trust you and look to you for expert advice.

  So, assess yourself, be clear where you want to get to, and identify the path that will enable you to get there. Get your pitch right, one that reflects what you stand for, as a brand and leverage your network. The world will be your oyster!

  If you have identified some gaps in your skillset or you need support with getting the right mindset, get in touch at: help@pureblueocean.com