How (and why) you can start establishing your professional brand NOW!

“Are you actively working on establishing your professional brand?”

Are you standing out from your pack?
Are you standing out from your pack?

This is a question I put to the business professionals I train and coach.  “How?” is typically the first response.

My are my quick top three:

1. Take ownership of your Social Media footprint. You need to be “Google-able.” Google yourself and what do you find?

  • Get on Linked In and get on it with power.  Google “LinkedIN experts” for tips on how to create super profiles.
  • Fire up Twitter. Even if it’s a slow-build, it shows you’re relevant and you’ll get the hang of it soon.
  • Consider what other Social Media Platforms might work for you.  Business page on Facebook? SnapChat? Periscope? Pinterest? YouTube Channel? Some may work while others may be not.  Don’t kill yourself. But be aware.

2.  Establish a blog and post regularly. Multi-purpose your blog as articles on Linked In or submit to other influential blogs in your field.  Try submitting your article to Business Insider or a trade pub.

3. Establish yourself as an expert with the press. Write a great bio (see my previous article on how to write a powerful bio) and submit it to local news producers and business editors.  Tweak your introduction email to each individual. This may take a bit time and esearch, but that’s what “Google” is for and it’s worth it for you to become a “go-to” source!

BONUS:  At the very least, Sign on to HARO – “Help a Reporter.com”  –  a free service where reporters from all over seek out interview subjects.  It’s easy!  I have placed clients and been featured myself more than a dozen times.

Why do this now?  If you’re with a company, it’s good for them, while it’s good for you. And you never know….

Just last week, I was talking to a friend from college.

She had been with her company for 18 years – most recently as an executive in charge of a large department within her organization.

Over the past year, there was a revolving door of senior management types. Changes were announced and never implemented before a new person arrived with a new announcement.  When the spinning finally stopped, one of the newest announcements was that my friend’s position was eliminated.

Without warning, and sequestered from her own direct staff, my friend was given 15 minutes to pack up her office and leave the company she had worked for for nearly two decades.

That’s it.  Job over.

We were talking because she is now positioning herself as a consultant.  Certainly she has plenty of experience and knowledge to offer.

The question is how to establish an identify that is all her own.  One that isn’t merely supported and enhanced by the name of the company that she is no longer connected with.

In short, she must quickly establish her own brand.

For you, like her, it’s not too late.

And it’s not too soon.

I know you may be busy with your “real” job, but remember,  while you’re employed with someone else, establishing your point of distinction makes you more valuable for them – and for you.

Copyright 2015 Gina London. All Rights Reserved. 

Gina London

Gina London

An Emmy-winning former CNN correspondent and anchor with premier clients in five continents, she guides the top companies and executives in the world to more positively connect and engage with their employees, their board and themselves.

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Meet Gina!

An Emmy-winning former CNN correspondent and anchor with premier clients in five continents, she guides the top companies and executives in the world to more positively connect and engage with their employees, their board and themselves.

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