Before you make a large purchase, you Google the item to see what’s out there about it, right? This product could be a game-changer for your business, but if there’s nothing out there about the product (or even worse, there are only negative reviews from disgruntled users), you will probably become skeptical and lose confidence in its value - you might even decide not to buy it altogether. Well, employers and clients do the same thing when they’re looking to invest in your services or products. It's important to promote your brand.
You could be the absolute best at what you do, but if you don’t promote your brand or your services, no one is going to know about you (or believe you’re the best, for that matter). By neglecting to maintain your brand, you’re basically giving up control of it.
These days, it’s an absolute MUST to promote your brand online. People want to get to know you - and they want to do it fast. They want to be able to look you up, see your face, your experience, and your work - all from their smartphones. If you can’t provide them with that simple request, you’re basically walking away from a customer.
Social Media Is A Must...
“For professionals today, belonging to social networks is the minimum expectation,” said Charles Pooley, founder and CEO of
Workfolio, an award-winning website platform.
Yes, it’s better to be on social media than not being online at all. At this point, social media is sort of an unspoken requirement in the professional world. Your LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Google+ accounts have a higher priority than most results in a Google search. That’s great, but the reality is, just maintaining those platforms isn’t enough.
…But A Personal Website Gives You An Edge Over The Competition
“The hard truth is, your social profile looks like everyone else’s and isn’t impressing anyone,” said Pooley. “Many websites get viewed more than social profiles. My website gets about three times the visits that my social profiles do.”
Related:3 Reasons Social Media Isn’t Enough To Build Your Brand
According to Pooley, 95% of employers conduct cyber-vetting of candidates. A personal website gives you an official home that helps them find the real you and see what you want them to see. This is an advantage that can get you ahead of the competition, and getting a jumpstart on your personal marketing will keep you ahead.
“The average length of position is less than four years,” he said. “By 2020, 50% of all employment will be contract work in the United States. Personal marketing is the new must-have-skill to survive today’s career climate. We are all the Chief Marketing Officer at our business-of-one.”
Having your own website or blog is a game-changer because it demonstrates that you are invested in your brand, service, and/or field of interest. Not only does it give you control over how you present yourself to the world, but it also gives you a platform to showcase your work.
“There’s nothing like having your own website with custom domain that says you care about your career and, excuse the cliché, go the extra mile,” said Pooley.
This post was originally published on an earlier date.Photo Credit: Shutterstock
