Personal Branding (Corporates)

I've spent 14 years in the corporate jungle (B2B) & 6 more building B2C startups. If you think that personal branding is only for startups, you couldn't be further from the truth. There's a reason that LinkedIn gives more weightage to posts from personal profiles, rather than a company page. As a consumer / client, you don't want to be talking to a brick wall - you want to be talking to a person. You might not get access to the CEO, but you would want to know how the cultural DNA of that organization is. 

Let's start with corporates. In fact, let's go still deeper - let's talk about people looking for a change. In a world teeming with talent and expertise, it's the unique narrative you weave around your professional journey that resonates with authenticity, making an indelible mark in the minds of those around you.

I've friends who told me that they login to LinkedIn when they are looking to switch jobs and land something and then log off again. What's the problem with this? The "Opportunity cost." Can you imagine what this same person would have got, had he been actually posting regularly on his learnings? Perhaps a much more lucrative offer when they weren't looking for a job change - which for some might mean, better salary hikes within the organization you currently are in. (P.S. I've never negotiated with an offer letter in hand, but I've got incredible hikes & awards, because my manager realised I could move on anytime)

So how do you begin?

Easy. Just post 3x a week on LinkedIn and build your network. If I learnt one lesson too late in life.. it's that "Network is your net worth". I really wish I knew it 5 years before. 

Penning down your insights, experiences, and musings not only showcases your experiences and knowledge, but also fosters an engaged community. Here's another interesting piece of info.. hardly 3% of people on LinkedIn actually create data! 3%.. so 97% are just consuming data!

The other option is to start your own podcast. Podcasting has emerged as the vanguard of personal branding. It serves as an auditory canvas to paint your expertise, story, and perspective, engendering a symbiotic relationship with your audience. The resonance of your voice, the depth of your insights, and the sincerity of your narrative can forge an unbreakable bond with your listeners, transcending boundaries.

I've had successful guests on my "Brain Box" show and the kind of learning I've got from this show is incredible! In fact, I've kept a repository of 100+ "2 minute videos" from just about 20 such leaders with Pearls of Wisdom. (The "Brain Box Gurukul" platform has 1-year free access if you sign up before Dec 31, 2023) 

What stops you?

"Log kya kahenge?" (What will people say?)

Guess what do people say when you flaunt your car? Or your new phone? DKDC, right - Don't Know, Don't Care. Leverage the same concept here.

The second constraint people talk about is time. Do you know how long it'll take you to make 3 posts a week? Not more than 2 hours (assuming you put in a whole tonne of thought & write it to perfection). So the math is less than 20 minutes a day.. how long do you spend endlessly surfing on social media daily? My suggestion though would be use to the scheduling option now available in LinkedIn. So, just sit once a week & schedule it. If you come across something else interesting in between or something more relevant to what's going on.. simply push one of your scheduled posts & make the new one. 

Biggest reason to build your personal brand?

While building your personal brand directs opportunities toward you, and amplifies your visibility in professional spheres, cultivates trust and credibility .. I've saved the best for last! It makes you a "leader". What's the difference between a leader and a manager? The leader doesn't wait to be told what to do. He voices his opinion. 

That's exactly the path posting on LinkedIn will do.. voice your opinion. My suggestion is stay away from politics or religion, because that'll have absolutely nothing to do with your professional growth - and there are enough other topics to discuss about. 

Highlight that you are an expert in your domain, show that you're not afraid to take risks & therefore are a leader.