[youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kKz2rmhhRzA&w=560&h=315]

DICETV: The Script

Personal branding has been around for a while, but there’s often confusion about what it is and the best way to use it to your benefit. A strong personal brand and value proposition are integral to achieving your career goals. So it’s time to debunk the most common myths about your personal brand. I’m Cat Miller and this is Dice TV. Myth number one: “Having a personal brand is optional.” Not so. Everyone has a professional reputation or value proposition. Just ask your boss or co-workers. So it’s better to conduct your own market research, discover your brand and promote an image that’s consistent with your goals, than to leave it to chance. Consider this quote from management guru Tom Peters:

A personal brand is your promise to the marketplace and the world. Since everyone makes a promise to the world, one does not have a choice of having or not having a personal brand. Everyone has one. The real question is whether someone’s personal brand is powerful enough to be meaningful to the person and the marketplace.

That’s pretty good. Another myth is: “Social media is personal branding.” Facebook and Twitter are vehicles that help you promote or market your brand… but your actions, behaviors and on-the-job performance actually create it. So even if you are all that on social media. It is not a personal brand. Myth number three: “You can’t change your brand.” Your brand will morph over the course of your career, so you can achieve new goals by highlighting different attributes and emphasizing unique elements of your value proposition. For example, maybe you’re known as a great software developer, as well as a great team player and inspirational leader. If you want to move up the corporate ladder, maybe you should promote your leadership qualities and motivational skills rather than your coding experience. Pretty straightforward advice. It’s not that complicated. Myth number four: “Only job seekers need a personal brand.” Your brand is constantly influencing your career. A strong personal brand or reputation can be instrumental in helping you score a raise or a promotion. So it’s a really good idea for you to weave brand management into your daily activities. And finally: “Your brand should be consistent.” If you’re effective with how your brand speaks to your audience. Your boss and co-workers will view you differently. So change your message in order to achieve your goals. For example, emphasize the quality and quantity of your work to inspire your boss to give you a raise. Or tout your patience, communication skills and responsiveness with end-users to boost your job security. In short, you have a personal brand that’s already out there. You’ll be much better off if you take matters into you own hands… and craft the brand that will be most effective in building your career. I’m Cat Miller. This has been Dice TV, and we now return you to your regular desktop.