ChicExecs Co-Founder and Co-President Nikki Carlson shares her tips on building up your personal brand as a CEO on Forbes blog. Here’s a highlight from the article.
As a leader, you have to curate an intentional brand for yourself. Every CEO quietly builds a personal brand of their own over time, but you have to gain control over your branding. Otherwise, you risk turning off your customers and losing authority with off-brand missteps.
Not sure how to brand yourself? Follow these five tips to create the perfect personal brand as a CEO.
1. Know your audience.
While your personality and beliefs should definitely fit into your personal brand, you have to remember that your friends and family aren’t the audience here. As a CEO, you need to consider your business’s audience.
2. Tie in your personal values.
You’re a CEO, but you’re still human! Your personal beliefs should have an impact on your professional brand. Your values are your strongly-held beliefs that are the backbone of who you are — whether you’re at home or in the boardroom.
3. Lean into your expertise and experience.
Every CEO is an expert in their field. As a leader, your personal brand should cater to your niche experience and expertise in your industry.
4. Don’t forget your differentiators.
Nobody wants to read another generic, “blah” CEO bio. Every CEO cares about teamwork, customer experience and growth. How are you different? What makes you memorable? Why are you a visionary leader?
5. Spread the word — consistently.
Consistency is the name of the game with branding. Once you create a personal brand framework, stick to it! If you want consumers to trust you, you need to show that you’re reliable, stable and trustworthy.
Read Nikki’s entire blog here.
