How To
How to Build Your Personal Brand
Update: In November 2018, Full Sail’s Internet Marketing programs were updated and are now Digital Marketing Bachelor’s, Digital Marketing Master’s, and Digital Marketing Certificate.
You are your own brand – and when you're applying for jobs in your chosen industry, it's important that you make that brand as appealing as possible. So, how do you do that? Industry experts and Full Sail faculty members offer a few of their tips for harnessing the power of the Internet to create a memorable personable brand.
- Have Some Personality. Entertainment Business Bachelor's Department Chair Dr. Heather Dartez says that a lot of times people will think, "This is my professional image," so they have to be professional. But employers actually like people with personality, and it's okay to have personality as long as it's not too offensive. Heather also says that employers look for transparency: they want to know who you are as a person both professionally and personally, so give that to them.
- Create a Personal Branding Statement. Write a short (2-3 sentences long) statement to describe your brand passion, your brand attributes, and what makes you stand out, suggests Internet Marketing Course Director Diane Diaz. It's an easy way to be able to convey something important about yourself to any potential employer. It should be memorable and impactful.
- Every Social Media Platform Has a Specific Purpose. Full Sail Entertainment Business Master's grad and brand strategist Phil Pallen says that you need to make sure you create social media accounts on your targeted audience's preferred platforms. Twitter and YouTube are good if you're a comedian or entertainer, while Instagram and Pinterest are great for visual artists. Also: don't create a bunch of profiles on different mediums and then ignore them. According to Diana, by not saying something, that says something.
- Jazz up your Twitter bio. The experts on this panel agreed that Twitter is a must-have in the entrainment industry. Phil offers up a very specific way to write your twitter bio. It should be two sentences: The first sentence should answer the question of who you are and why people should care. The second sentence should give people an indication of your personality. That way, you get your personality in there, and not just boring credentials.
And remember, your personal brand goes beyond who you are online. Says Heather: "Every interaction you have in every social situation represents your personal brand. The way you dress, the things you say, the conversations you have, all of that is part of who you are. You have to be aware of those things at all times."
Check out more personal branding tips in the "You.com: How to Create a Powerful Personal Brand" panel from Full Sail's Fifth Annual Hall of Fame Celebration.
For more video footage of the guest speakers and industry panels at the Fifth Annual Hall of Fame Celebration, visit Full Sail University's YouTube page.
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