In this article, I’ll cover:
What a personal brand is
Why you need a personal brand as a freelancer
How to build a personal brand
It’s no understatement that this knowledge can literally change your life.
Let’s get into it!
What Is A Personal Brand?
A personal brand is essentially your reputation.
It's how people perceive you, what they expect from you, and why they should choose you over someone else.
In simple terms, it's not just about what you do, but how you do it and why you do it.
Takeaways:
List your skills, experiences, and personality type.
Identify what sets you apart from the competition.
Do something about it.
Why You Need A Personal Brand As A Freelancer
In two words: Opportunities and credibility.
Opportunities
The amount of opportunities coming your way will often surprise you…
Credibility
People are more likely to hire someone they trust. A strong personal brand builds that trust.
Visibility
The freelance market is crowded. A personal brand helps you stand out.
Financial Upside
Clients are willing to pay more for a brand they recognize and trust.
Takeaways
Identify the top freelancers in your field and analyze their personal brands to get inspired.
What do you want your personal brand to achieve for you? More clients? Higher rates? Now act accordingly
How To Build A Personal Brand
There are many ways to build a brand, but here is the 80/20 version:
Online Presence
Your website, social media profiles, and online portfolio are your brand's real estate. Make sure they're consistent and professional.
It requires you to step out of you comfort zone, but trust me, it’s worth it.
Some freelancers to get inspired by:
Content Creation
Stop always consuming and start creating.
Share valuable content that showcases your expertise. This could be blog posts, videos, or social media updates.
Networking
Connect with people doing the same things you do, and see what happens 🙂
As you know by now, I’m a big fan of being in a community (like FreelanceFam) as the connections you build along with the opportunities that come you way can change your life!
Takeaways
Website Audit: Make sure your online profiles are up-to-date and reflect your brand.
Content Calendar: Plan out a month's worth of content to share.
Wrapping Up:
Building a personal brand is not a one-time effort; it's an ongoing process.
But the payoff is worth is:
Credibility, visibility, and the financial freedom to charge what you're worth.
So stop treating your freelance career like a hobby and start building your personal brand.
Cheers for now,
Kyle