Personal Branding // Self-Positioning

Let’s talk about taking positioning yourself. Why is it important and who should do it?

Quick answer: All of us, because no matter what position we are in, at some point you will have to talk about a raise or a promotion, or you will lose/change your job and have to look for something new. If people don’t know what you stand for and what you can do, why would they hire or promote you?

By positioning yourself, you increase your visibility and credibility.

Important: Don’t define yourself around a job description, but position yourself thematically.

How do you approach this challenge? Think about your talents, your interests, values and topics that inspire you. Do your research, read, listen, ask questions and make yourself a specialist on a particular subject (or a few). Form an opinion and prepare your arguments. I wrote in my notes ” Think of it it like your final thesis at university”. Share your point of views offline and online and let people know that this is your field of expertise.

Offline activities are very important, but a bit difficult at the moment as there are limited opportunities to attend networking events and meet. When arranging a meeting, try to bring in the topics you’re interested in and let others know that these are your core topics. Also, check if there are organizations/clubs/NGOs in your area that you could join.

When I reviewed my LinkedIn profile, I realized that I was sharing mainly posts that were developing around my work. While LinkedIn is all about business and your work, it should also reflect your thematic interests (which you defined above). If I write about a newsletter that my company has just launched, do I shape my profile? Not at all. Should I avoid posting about it? Not at all, but you have to make sure that you regularly post something that shapes your profile.

So, how did I start? At the end of last year I wrote a short but precise annual review on LinkedIn – I mentioned business achievements , events I attended and collaborations I organized. I made sure to tag those involved. That was a good start. Over the past months, I shared regular posts to shape my profile - industry related news, Vancouver news, and some insights into my professional life. My focus has been on digital marketing, cleantech and innovation and female empowerment.

On Instagram I was struggling with the positioning of my account @creative_kommunikation. Somehow I knew what I wanted, but I neither invested enough time nor did I really share my ideas. When I started the journey of personal branding, I realized that there could be so many people, especially women, out there who have the same struggles and who could join me on this journey. And now I combine my passion for writing with a new passion of mine – personal branding. The next few months will show how I can position my account and myself on Instagram.

Thank you for following my challenge and please feel free to share some thoughts with me in the comment section.