Whether you run your own one-man consulting shop, work in the bowels of a corporate Goliath or are just another PR person trying to figure out the Social Media science, you better be developing your personal brand. I just “met” Barry Moltz on Twitter the other day, and his first DM to me was brilliant – he shot me a URL of a brief video introducing himself, his business and his obsession with vintage cars. In less than 120 seconds, I knew all about Barry’s personal brand. Social Media = professional networking on Speed.

Personal Branding Tips:
1. If you’re not already, at the very least make sure you have pages on LinkedIn, YouTube, Twitter and a Blog.
2. Use the same picture and title for all of your pages/platforms to build familiarity/continuity.
3. Create a video of yourself and/or your work. It can be more conversational/informal, like Barry’s, or it can go in another direction.
4. Let your personality/creativity come out. Personal branding is about the person, after all.
5. Check out what other successful personal brands look like and copy what works.

Why do a Personal Brand?
1. Your next job depends on it.
2. It’s a living, breathing, evolving example of your skills, talents and accomplishments.
3. It will organically bring you into contact with other professionals who share your passions/interests. (See #1)
4. It’s all about you, and who doesn’t like a little self-focus now and then?
5. It will give increased visibility/value to your current position/employer as you become more well-known within your industry.

How about it? Will you share your own Personal Brand in the comments?