Unlocking Your Unique Edge: A Quick Guide to True Personal Branding
Personal branding sound like another buzzword, but what if it's actually less about creating an 'icky' persona and more about uncovering and presenting the authentic you?
Personal branding was all the rage in 2023 on LinkedIn, wasn't it? Everyone seemed to be banging on about how crucial it is to have your own brand. And you might be wondering, āIām a creative, not a brand. Whatās this got to do with me?ā I totally get it. I was in the same boat, questioning the whole idea ā after all, I wasnāt selling a product, just being my creative self. But then, it clicked: personal branding isnāt about putting on a show; itās about confidently being yourself, in all your unique glory, all the time.
Stepping into the freelancing world really opened my eyes to how game-changing a strong personal brand can be. Itās been my megaphone for shouting about what Iām passionate about (hello, Design and mentoring!) and has helped me not just blend into the crowd, but actually stand out.
So, for all you fellow designers and creatives out there, hereās a no-nonsense, no-cringe guide to personal branding ā because it's not just for the salesy types, it's for us, too.
š The Power of Personal Branding
I might get some flack for saying this, but most designers, especially in Tech, basically do the same thing. I can say this because Iāve looked through hundreds of portfolios over the years, whether getting inspired for my own or reviewing folios while hiring. Iāve seen the same presentation format, the same project types, and the same āabout meā pages plenty of times.
Now, I know it can be hard when you're early in your design career, most of the time all you want to do is fit in and be good. Be good like everyone else. But hereās the thing, youāll eventually blend in. When it comes to being a Good Designer, it's not just about skills and experiences, but also about the unique traits that make you different and stand out.
Mass tech layoffs, and the ever-growing number of bootcamps promising to make you a fully-functioning UX designer in just 3 months, are adding to the market saturation. So in a sea of sameness, itās time to make your mark. There have been many people Iāve interviewed over the years, and only a few have ever stood out because they had personality, and it was consistent. From the way they wrote their emails to how they chatted in interviews and showed their process.
š Discovering Your Unique Selling Point
You might be thinking, āBut Liz, I donāt know how Iām different or how to stand out.ā Well, fear not, Iām going to help you connect with what is so great about you and what others will want to connect with too.
š§āš¬ Analyse Your Role Models
Without a doubt, there will be people who you think are awesome. You love the way they behave, talk, tell stories, or just are. So, what is it about them that strikes a chord with you? Is it their honesty? Their flair for storytelling? Maybe their comedic sense? Whatever it is, write it down, however big or small.
Now consider, how much of you do you see in them? Where are you similar? Perhaps you have shared traits youāve not considered before.
š£ļø Ask Others
Sometimes weāre blinded by our own light. What I mean is that weāre so used to ourselves it can be really hard to see what is good about us because weāre just used to it. So, get yourself in front of people who love and care about you and ask them what they think is great about you. (Donāt worry, you can tell them why youāre asking, and that youāre not just after an ego boost!) Make sure to note down what they say.
You can also ask people who youāve worked with before, whether thatās team members or a boss. This is why I always ask for those Iāve worked with to give me a recommendation on LinkedIn. It's useful on the days when I struggle to figure out what Iām good at.
š List Your Unique Traits
Iāve added this last, as it feels similar to the dreaded icebreaker when you start a new team... āWhatās one surprising fact about you?ā ā I hate that question, but if I must answer, Iām an identical twin.
As a neurodivergent person, I used to take this question incredibly literally. I thought people would want to be surprised, but really, they just want to know something they donāt already know about you. So in this exercise, just write everything down you can think of. Yes, initially youāll have a list of things that donāt feel too unique, but once youāve got through the obvious, youāll no doubt uncover something very different and new.
Putting It Into Practice
Youāve got your list of traits, now itās time to bring it all together. Here are a few practical steps you can take to develop and showcase your personal brand:
Create a Personal Brand Statement: Summarise what you stand for and what you bring to the table in a clear, concise statement. Use this everywhere to drive the message home.
Showcase Your Brand Online: Update your LinkedIn profile, personal website, or portfolio to reflect your unique brand. This can be visual, but think about the tone of voice too.
Network Authentically: When networking, share stories and experiences that reflect your unique traits and professional journey.
Finally, start small. You might not want to jump from the āProfessionalā you to your āBrandedā you. Some people might think youāve been hacked because the difference will be so stark. So take things gradually.
If youāve found this post useful, let me know in the comments and be sure to share your surprising fact or unique trait about you! But also, what challenges do you face in building your personal brand? I'm all ears!
Before I go, here is this week's top jobs I found that I wanted to share with you.
š¤ Jobs
Muir Wood & Co: Product strategy intern
āThe internship gives you exposure to the early stages of product development and life as a strategy consultant. Weāll try and tailor it to your interests and strengths but itās likely to include: Desk research, Consumer research, Product and service experiments, Growing the consultancy.ā
(Side Note from me: The take wage is Ā£2,000 a monthā¦ This isnāt a lot but itās better than a completely unpaid internship!)
šš» Read more and apply
University of the Arts London (UAL): UX Designer x 2
āWe are looking for 2 exceptional UX professionals to join Student Experience within the Digital & Technology Group. One role will be a member of the Digital Public Platforms team and one will be a member of the Student Support Services team. You will work with our colleges, students,Ā key university services, and external contacts.ā
šš» Read more and apply
Epic Games: Lead UX / UI Designer
āWe're looking for a talented senior individual contributor to join the Fall Guys Team to help us create an amazing experience for our players and champion player-centric design in cross-functional development teams. Are you excited to grow your skills in the games industry and collaborate with your team to help improve design processes and work with product stakeholders? If you feel this is you, then we'd love for you to apply!ā
šš» Read more and apply
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