Did anyone ever tell you that becoming a freelancer also means becoming a marketer?
Sure, freelancing gives you the freedom, flexibility, and ownership to focus on the services you want to provide. But one unexpected challenge is that you have to know how to promote yourself and your work effectively to secure the clients you want.
If you’re just starting out, here are a few resources that’ll help you get up to speed quickly.
Personal branding shouldn’t be a buzzword. In fact, it shouldn’t be something “new” or brought on by modern advances in social media. At its core, it’s a facet every single one of you should be aware of and have control over.
It’s not a “nice-to-know”, it’s a must have.
By definition, and depending on the source, personal branding is knowing yourself, your preferred industry, and whom you serve.
It’s what people think about you when you’re not in the room.
The first thought that pops into their mind when your name comes up.
It’s the alignment of your core values and day-to-day actions.
I was in a marketing workshop recently and the presenter asked the room if anyone actually thought of themselves as a “brand.”
I hesitated. My inner thoughts went something like this:
“I mean…yeah. I’m supposed to say yes, right? I’ve taught personal branding workshops all over the world. I’ve built a lot of my career on my personal brand. I sell personal branding to other people.”
But no one raised their hand.
I didn’t want to be the only one to do so.
So I stayed quiet. And then I started wondering what a personal brand actually means.
Whether online or off, we all have a brand.
From the moment you meet someone, they immediately begin to develop an opinion of you and they quickly discover what they can expect and depend on you for. Knowing this, the key to the “Personal Branding” puzzle is clear. If you know what you stand for, you can use the tools available today to guide others to form a clearer picture of “Brand You.”
How do you use about.me?
For Veronica Belmont, her page serves as the place where she can show all of her different online identities.
Aliza Licht knows how to leave a mark.
As the former voice behind DKNY’s social media famous DKNY PR Girl, Aliza is an expert at not only branding herself, but also doing so successfully for a household name in fashion.
Aliza grew up with a love for fashion, but originally chose the science route, hoping to pursue plastic surgery. However, once she fell into the fashion industry, she climbed to the top with an honest attitude and a heck of a lot of experience under her belt.
Christian Sommer isn’t afraid of chaos.
Why? Because chaos gives him the opportunity to do his magic. Christian’s magic is brand building and he sources his inspiration from architecture, art, film and music. Christian’s led branding strategy for companies such as Voodoo Energy, an all-natural energy drink that encourages people to form happy moments with friends.
Christian also teaches courses on branding where he emphasizes the importance of stimulating his students and keeping them engaged. Read more about Christian’s life in Denmark including how he stays openminded, what he thinks makes for great marketing and who Christian’s connected to through his page.
Are you aware of how you look online? What kind of online identity do you have and are you in control? If you’re a job seeker, millennial or student, these questions are for you.
Having a strong online identity is key if you want to stand out to employers and start building your career. At about.me, we’ve created the best tools in the game for you to start building your personal and professional brands and we’re excited to share them with you.
Whether you’re traveling in a new city or taking a few months off to explore the world, travel is an exciting way to open your eyes, develop new connections and build your story.
For nomads and new explorers alike, here are three ways that travel can help you enhance your personal brand.
