It’s so easy to recognize many popular brands without really thinking about it. Toyota, Google and Oreo are examples of brands pretty much everyone knows. But branding isn’t something that only big corporations do. It’s something that can have a profound effect on your blog’s success too.
Personal branding is all about getting noticed and standing out from the crowd. When you set out to create your personal brand, you want to create an image and feeling about you that really grabs your audience’s attention and inspires loyalty.
Creating a personal brand as a blogger can be challenging because there are so many blogs out there also trying to get noticed. The big question to ask yourself is: if you’re one of many, how do you stand out from the crowd?
Establish Your Identity and Stick with It
Think carefully about your blog header, logo and the photo that you will use on your blog. This is your business identity. Use the same images/photo when commenting on blogs and in social media sites so that people start to recognize you. Be consistent.
Become the Resident Expert
Personal branding can establish you as an expert in your chosen niche. Readers will begin looking to you for the latest information.
Comment Regularly on Other Blogs within Your Niche
It’s just good etiquette really. You can’t expect for people to just show up and start commenting on your blog if you put no effort into doing the same for others. Blogging can be a profitable business, but it’s also a fun, social activity. Take time to get to know other bloggers and build genuine relationships within your community.
Leave insightful comments that actually contribute to the discussion. Someone reading your comments might be interested in learning more about you, click on your link and wind up becoming a loyal follower of your blog.
Increase Your Presence on Social Media Sites
Social media can increase your presence in a positive way if used correctly. Sites like Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn are great places to build your personal brand. Eighty percent of your time should be spent socializing and helping others by answering questions and resending material promoting someone else. The other 20 percent can be spent promoting your blog and any products or services you provide.
StumbleUpon and Digg are popular bookmarking sites can also bring you more exposure. Build a positive presence at these sites by pointing out great articles within your niche and encouraging others to help you find similar articles.
Ask to Interview Someone Who’s Well-Known within your Niche
Interviewing a well-known blogger within your community is a great way to get people to sit up and take notice. Make sure to get the information your audience wants from the interview.
Regularly Link to Other Interesting Blog Posts
This is not only a good way to increase your online presence, it’s just good manners. You should always be willing to share information with your readers about relevant posts other bloggers have written that may be interesting or beneficial.
Guest Post
Getting your blog post read on a blog that thousands of people read daily is a pretty big deal. Make sure to include a short bio at the end of your post with a link to your blog so that interested readers can pop in and see what you’re about.
Include a Link to Your Blog on all Email and Forum Signatures
Here’s a classic example of never missing a personal branding opportunity. You should always include a link to your blog in all email correspondence and in the signature section of your forum identity. That way whenever you communicate, people will instantly recognize you.
Be Available to Others
Make yourself accessible and available through email, social media and forums to help others and answer questions. It’s a good way to build your personal brand as someone who genuinely wants to help others, and you get to know more about your audience’s needs.
Be Aware of Your Surroundings
There are may be controversial forums and blogs where it’s best you not be associated as you build your personal brand. You should also avoid engaging in certain behaviors and conversations on social media sites. Your personal brand is tied to your reputation, so guard it carefully.
photo credit: Bjørn Giesenbauer
Kimberly, good blog post on personal branding. I like how you mention that people should become the resident expert on a topic. I would take that a step further and say that people need to be specific on their expertise if they want to stand out.
Great post. Although I disagree a bit on the photo. You should be recognizable from photo to photo, but your photo should fit the network. Twitter != Facebook != LinkedIn != your Blog. Each is unique. So should your photo
Hi Kimberly,
Came across this post via Dan Schawbel (I follow him on Twitter). Thanks for the post. It's nice and concise and yet gives you what you need.
I agree, you have to work hard at the networking, by commenting on blogs, helping people out etc. Yes it takes time, but to be fair – you should actually enjoy it. If you don't you've probably chosen the wrong subject area.
Thanks again!
Oh, for some reason I couldnt log in under Twitter for the comment.
Thanks so much, Dan. I appreciate your comment. Good point. You've given me a great topic idea for a future post.
Thanks for commenting, Cody. I'll have to try harder to post more targeted images to make sure I'm getting my point across.
Thanks for your encouraging comment, johnhutson. I totally agree with you – networking and being social is a big part of building online recognition. It's hard work and time-consuming, so you'd better enjoy doing it.
These are really good tips. This post will definitely be one of the ones I link to my blog HS-WAHM. I'm learning that blogging is really a social activity that can lead to employment. One of my best clients came from a blogging experience. This is a post that should be printed and put up on your wall as a reminder. Thanks for sharing.
Being a designer, sticking with a look poses difficulty BUT I am working on something for 3 things to tie together. Other than that I totally try to follow the other tips you have here.