My Personal Branding Story as a Sales Professional & How it Created Relationships and Opportunities Beyond My Wildest Dreams
Creating a personal brand is becoming increasingly important for salespeople in today’s world. I recently came across an audiobook titled “The Psychology of Winning in the 21st Century” by Dennis Waitley, where he emphasizes that we are all free agents, and our careers should be a reflection of our strengths and superpowers.
As salespeople, our personal brand is all about showcasing our unique strengths and experiences. Anyone can do what we do in our profession, but our personal brand sets us apart. I owe much of my success and the opportunities I’ve received to my brand. It’s not easy to predict the future, but having a strong personal brand can open doors we never imagined.
Building a personal brand involves consistently sharing content, whether it’s through blog posts, videos, or other forms of media. Not every piece of content will go viral, but it gradually creates an online reputation and makes us a known entity in our industry. Let me share a personal experience – when I got laid off a few years ago, I actively looked for a new job while also writing a book. Having that book on my resume made it stand out, and it played a significant role in landing me an interview for a job I desired. Sometimes, all we need is that one chance to get in the room, and our personal brand can be that calling card.
I’ve had numerous successful deals worth millions of dollars that wouldn’t have happened if I hadn’t leveraged platforms like LinkedIn and engaged in social selling to create opportunities. When people noticed my success, they started asking for guidance, and I began training others on a small scale, which eventually grew into a global sales training role for a major corporation.
Creating a personal brand is not without its challenges. Many fear coming off as arrogant or boastful when sharing their accomplishments. I’ve experienced these doubts too, wondering how my posts will be received. But what matters is consistency, authenticity, and knowing our audience. Understanding our niche and the unique value we bring to others is crucial. In my case, my experience and the lessons I’ve learned throughout my career have become the essence of my brand.
The power of social media and other platforms is that they give us the means to showcase our passions and make a difference for others. By engaging meaningfully with our audience, we can build connections and relationships that can lead to new opportunities.
My first book’s publisher advised me to embrace social media, and I followed that advice by engaging with people in my industry and consistently sharing valuable content. As a result, I’ve amassed over 300,000 social followers. Being an active participant in discussions and commenting thoughtfully on others’ posts has been particularly impactful in strengthening my brand.
Our personal brand is an ever-evolving masterpiece, much like life itself. Embracing the value of our brand and living authentically will allow us to build meaningful relationships and let our true selves shine. I encourage all salespeople to consider the impact their brand can have, be true to themselves, and use it to foster more meaningful connections. With dedication and effort, your personal brand can be a powerful tool that propels your career to new heights.
