Personal branding seems like it is the latest web phenomenon. As communication changes more are moving to personal branding because they realize that when applying for jobs, web content will give them the step up than just a simple cover letter and resume and it also can work as a networking tool.
My personal branding story started back in 1996 when I was in college looking for a summer internship. At that time I built a 1 page website on geocities (hey! it was free) with a head-shot, 4 paragraphs about me, a link to my resume, a link to my email address and a link to some photos. At the time I always included my web address on the top of my resume. I registered the site on Yahoo! and monitored the search on my name to make sure my site was always towards the top of the first page.
Now about a year ago, I went to the next step. I created a normal multiple page website, purchased ryanendres.com; started a blog on Project Management; joined Linkedin (I think I joined that about 5 yrs ago) and have come up with some creative ways to try to drive traffic to my blog (like add a link to it in my signature line on message forums).
Since I have created this I was found (by way of The Google) by a group setting up a talk on PMOs (Project Management Offices) and they asked me to come give a presentation on setting up a PMO that makes sense for your organization.
My next step was to add some press articles that I have been featured in. My first one came out this past month (I was selected for Madison's WI top 40 under the age of 40 for 2009 by InBusiness magazine).
The days of the paper resume are numbered....
Tips on How to create your own personal brand:
1. Create a Linkedin account (and join other social networking sites; twitter, facebook…); and then build your network of “friends”.
2. Create a webpage about yourself
3. Create a blog. This is the most important one. If you keep your blog to 1 topic you will show the world that you are passionate about what you do! Also, by adding more info to it you will increase your chance to be seen. Companies like alice.com are jumping on the company blogging idea too. Alice.com has 1 full time person dedicated to the social media aspect of their website.
4. Read and comment on other blogs and message forums and have a signature line to promote yourself.
5. Set up an alert on your name (assuming your name is not a common one) so you know when something about you has been added to the web: http://www.google.com/alerts
6. Use your status updates in facebook, twitter, linkedin to let your followers know you have a new blog post (shorten the link with: http://tr.im), or that you are keeping your eyes open for new opportunities (... is looking for new opportunities at a PMO in Madison).
Notable Quote:
Dan Schwabel
“Life is one big pitch, so you better start practicing.”
Links:
http://personalbrandingblog.com/you-dont-need-to-be-an-expert-to-build-your-personal-brand/
http://www.brazencareerist.com/career-blogging/Career_Blogging_Ryan_Healy_Brazen_Careerist.pdf
Great new book on Personal Branding:
http://www.amazon.com/Me-2-0-Powerful-Achieve-Success/dp/1427798206
http://everything.typepad.com/blog/2009/03/how-a-blog-can-help-your-job-search.html
http://mashable.com/2009/02/05/personal-branding-101/
http://www.collectiblescornertv.com/7-ways-to-convince-people-youre-an-expert-even-your-mother-should-know/
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/28/your-money/28shortcuts.html?_r=3&ref=business
http://www.jer979.com/igniting-the-revolution/brandintro/
That is a really great blog and very thought provoking. I have to agree about the paper resume going the way of the dinosaur. There is so much potential with a web-based resume. The ease of putting information out there is amazing! Keep up the good work!
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