Personal Branding
Let’s turn this
”new year, new me” BS into something amazing,
shall we?
Build a better business. Double the income. Live a healthy lifestyle.
Meal-Prep. Follow a schedule. Open an NGO. Triple the income. Attract better clients.
REAL TALK - No wonder we fail to keep up with our resolution by the end of January.
Most of the time, we want to do too much, and time feels like our enemy. While our guide here is meant to help your personal brand, we’re sure you’ll find great info or ideas that can be applied in other areas of your life.
First, we need to DIG DEEP
take your time to answer this questions
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What were my biggest achievements in the last year?
What were my failures or setbacks, and what did I learn from them?
Which activities or projects brought me the most satisfaction & joy?
How did I improve professionally and personally last year?
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What are my core strengths, and how have I utilized them recently?
What am I most passionate about in my professional life?
Are there skills or interests I have that I haven’t yet explored?
How do others typically describe my strengths and talents? (ask your friends, mentors, colleagues)
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Is there a gap between how I perceive myself and others?
What feedback have I received that gives insight into my current brand?
What aspects of my personal brand am I most proud of, and what areas need improvement?
Don’t be afraid to ask your people or even us, the FAB LEAP members. You’ll gain valuable insights that can help you tremendously.
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Where do I see myself in one year, both personally and professionally?
What new skills or knowledge do I want to learn?
What kind of network or community do I want to build around my personal brand?
What does success look like for me in the context of personal branding?
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What does my client need or expect from me?
How can I add value to my clients while staying true to my brand?
What unique offer/thing/service can I bring to my client that others cannot?
*if you’re just starting your personal brand and don’t have clients, pick an ideal, imaginary one.
By answering these questions, you'll be able to get a better understanding of who you are, what you want to achieve, and how to get there. With this knowledge, you can create personal branding goals that are not only ambitious but also deeply aligned with your personality and aspirations. This will ensure that your goals are authentic and achievable, propelling you toward a year of focused growth.
Now that you have a rough idea about your goals, let’s set them
Setting SMART GOALS gives you direction, clarity, and a way to measure your progress. They transform vague aspirations into actionable steps, making your personal branding journey both manageable and effective.
Specificity is key
Why does specificity matter?
Specific goals clarify precisely what you aim for, eliminating ambiguity and focusing your efforts.
How to set specific goals:
Identify precisely what you want to achieve.
Ask yourself: Who is involved? What do I want to accomplish? Where will it happen? Why is this important?
Example: Rather than aiming to "increase networking," go for "attending two networking events per month related to your niche. Imagine what would happen if a leopard went after multiple prays at once - he would be left without food, right?
Measure everything
Setting measurable goals matters…
Because it allows you to track progress and know when you’ve achieved your target.
How to set measurable goals:
Determine what metrics or indicators will signify success.
Consider quantitative measures like numbers or percentages.
Example: If your goal is to enhance your online reach, quantify it: Increase my Instagram content engagement by 30% over the next six months by posting weekly educational tips.
Attainable Aspirations
Why do attainable goals matter?
Goals should stretch your abilities but remain possible. Unrealistic goals can demotivate due to their unattainability.
Creating Attainable Goals:
Be honest about your current capabilities and resources.
Set goals that challenge you but are within the realm of possibility.
Example: If you're new in your business, an attainable goal might be to have one to two best-selling products than a complete line of best-selling products in a year.
Relevance Matters
Significance of Relevant Goals
Relevant goals align with your broader career objectives and personal brand vision.
Choosing Relevant Goals:
Ensure your goals contribute to your long-term aspirations.
Reflect on whether the goal fits your current life situation and career path.
Example: For a graphic designer, a relevant goal is to Master Adobe Illustrator to an advanced level within six months to create more complex designs, rather than "Learn advanced video editing skills.
Timelines Keep You
on Track
Importance of Time-Bound Goals
Deadlines create a sense of urgency and help prioritize tasks.
Setting Time-Bound Goals:
Establish a realistic but ambitious end date for your goal.
Break down larger goals into smaller milestones with their own deadlines.
Example: If you want to build a personal brand website, set a timeline: Complete website design by March, content creation by April, and go live in May.
Why SMART goals are essential in Personal Branding
(& in life, too)
Focus and Direction: They prevent you from wandering aimlessly and keep your efforts concentrated on what’s important.
Motivation and Commitment: Clearly defined goals provide a sense of purpose.
Manageable Steps: Breaking down an immense DESIRE into smaller, manageable goals makes the task less overwhelming.
Tracking and Adaptation: With measurable and time-bound goals, you can track your progress and adjust as needed. Don’t stress; it’s ok if it doesn’t happen on the first try.
Let’s take an example
You want to post more on social media, right? How can we transform this goal into a SMART ONE?
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Instead of a general goal like "post more on social media," specify which platforms you'll focus on, what kind of content you'll post, and the purpose behind your posts.
Example: "I will post educational content on LinkedIn and Instagram to establish my expertise in my field (insert your niche)
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Decide on a quantifiable measure to track your progress. This could be the number of posts per week or the engagement rate per post.
Example: "I will post three times per week on each platform and aim for a reach rate of at least 1000 accounts per post."
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Ensure your goal is realistic given your current resources and time constraints. If you're new to consistent social media posting, starting with a manageable frequency is key.
Example: "Given my current schedule, posting three times per week is challenging but achievable. I will allocate specific times in my week to content creation."
Add slots in a virtual calendar, so you’ll stay consistent. -
Your social media activity should align with your broader personal branding goals. If you aim to be seen as an expert in your field, your content should reflect this.
Example: "My posts will focus on the latest marketing trends, my insights from the industry, and tips for effective strategies."
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Set a clear timeframe for your goal to keep you focused and motivated. This can include both short-term and long-term timelines.
Example: "Over the next three months, I will maintain this posting schedule. At the end of each month, I'll review my engagement rates and adjust my content strategy as needed."
Keep your goals in sight
"Let's make things easier! Why not put those important goals on your fridge, in your office, or even on your phone wallpaper? It doesn't matter where you choose to put them, as long as they're in a place where you can easily see them. With so many daily tasks fighting for our attention, it's easy to lose track of YOUR IMPORTANT GOALS.
Helpful Resource
watch this video for a more scientific approach to goal-setting