Top 5 Things Damaging your Personal Brand

Everyone is time poor, there are so many things going on and choices to be made every day. People often ask me, “if I had to implement just a handful of touch points that communicate my brand well what would they be?” Whilst everyone is different there are a few key ones that are common for each of us:

1. Not managing your Facebook Page

If you’re being tagged in picture you don’t want to be tagged in you need to change it in the settings area. It’s dangerous letting people tag you without your permission. Also manage your pages' visibility of Likes. Last year was thinking about asking a personal trainer at my gym to train me. I did a bit of homework and it seemed he liked some pretty unsavoury type pictures and pages that would have made me feel uncomfortable training with him. You never know who’s looking at your profile! Take control.

2. Not managing your diary

If you don’t have your work in your calendar that you need to do, people who can see your calendar think that you’re not busy. Having your work in your calendar helps you to plan your time and manage interruptions so you can more consciously prioritise your work. Take control of your time so you can deliver on results. Without results you're busy being busy but not being effective.

3. Not filling out your LinkedIn Profile

Saying nothing because you don’t know what to say is no excuse. LinkedIn is a public document and an insurance policy for your career. If you don’t know what to write get a professional LinkedIn writer (who knows what they’re doing, not just any writer) to do it for you.

4. Dressing for your current job rather than the one you want

There is no point thinking “I’ll change how I dress when I get that job.” The whole ‘Be Do Have’ approach applies with how you dress. You need to be that person or that job long before you've got it so that’s it’s clear that you’re the right person all along!

5. Not managing your first 4 seconds

Building authentic rapport is a fine art sometimes. If you can be 100% present, with a smile, eye contact and openness when meeting someone in the first 4 seconds you’ll make that other person feel important and acknowledged which means you’re more likely to get what you want!

By not reviewing these key touch points your efforts will be watered down on your other touch points. So keep these going and it will take the pressure off the rest of your touch points that communicate your brand and what you want to be known for.

Love to know your thoughts...