4 Steps to Building a Strong Personal Brand as a Working Woman
In today's ultra-competitive corporate landscape, establishing a powerful personal brand is crucial for working women. Whether you’re looking to advance your career, build a great reputation, and/or make a lasting impact, it can be the singular defining factor that sets you apart. And in my personal opinion, a weak personal brand can thoroughly hurt any chance you have to succeed if you’re a woman. As a Gender Bias Coach who has helped countless hard-working women break through barriers and redefine success (and as a woman who rose up the corporate ranks myself), I know firsthand the importance of cultivating a strong personal brand that feels authentic to YOU. In this blog, I'll share 4 actionable steps that will empower you to build a compelling brand that truly resonates with your values, expertise, and aspirations.
Step 1: Define Your Unique Value Proposition
At the core of any strong personal brand lies a clear understanding of your unique value proposition. What exactly is a unique value proposition? Most often used in business, a UVP is a statement that defines how you are different and what truly sets you apart. Take this company’s UVP as an example:
Imperfect Foods: Groceries that help you fight food waste.
Sustainably sourced, affordable, and conveniently delivered to your door.¹
Your UVP should explain the worth you bring, your target audience, and what sets you apart from your rivals/colleagues.²
My unique value proposition would be….
The Gender Bias Coach: Providing transformational career mentoring that empowers women to break through bias barriers, shatter stereotypes, and redefine success on their terms.
And yes, you can and should have a UVP even as someone working in the corporate world. It may not be something you ever share with your colleagues but it can serve as your compass and guiding light as you navigate your career.
Take some time to reflect on your strengths, skills, and passions. What sets you apart from your peers? What do you bring to the table that others don't? By identifying your unique value proposition, you'll be better equipped to communicate your strengths and differentiate yourself in a crowded industry, company, or even within your department.
Step 2: Craft Your Story
Every strong personal brand is built on a compelling narrative. Your story is what connects you to your audience on a deeper level and humanizes your brand. Think about the experiences, challenges, and successes that have shaped your journey as a woman in business. Be authentic and vulnerable in sharing your story, as it will help you build trust and credibility. Remember, authenticity is key to building a genuine connection with your audience.
Here’s my story:
Hello, I’m Rachel.
Your Proud Champion in Our Rebellion Against Workplace Gender Bias.
As a former, self-diagnosed "boss lady" who subscribed to the hustle culture, I've learned that there is a much better way to thrive and succeed as a working woman – one that doesn't have to involve blood, sweat, and tears (or burnout, sacrifice, and trauma as I like to think of it).
Today, I champion go-getting women wrestling with the stress and distress of biased workplaces.
Maybe you’re a fierce feminist already clued into the not-so-fun ways gender inequality can shove a wrench in your career goals.
Or maybe you’re only just starting to spot how those sneaky gender inequality hurdles have been tripping you up without you even realizing it.
Whichever camp you're in, I’m here to help you kick gender bias’s butt and rewrite your success story – no matter what page and path you’re on.
Step 3: Establish Your Online Presence
In today's digital age, your online presence plays a pivotal role in shaping your personal brand. Start by auditing your existing online profiles and ensuring they reflect the image you want to project.
If your social media is public, make sure your content is something you want associated with your personal brand/professional image.
Update your LinkedIn profile with a professional headshot, compelling summary, and relevant experience. ChatGPT can be a great resource for ensuring your profile text is professional and succinct. And make sure to ask for recommendations from your peers!
Don’t be afraid to send connection requests either! Search for other users who fit certain criteria on LinkedIn and send a personalized message with the request. For example, if you work in finance, you could search for other women who work in finance in your city and then send them a message that says something like, “Hi there! I’m Rachel. I’m looking to expand my network and noticed you’re a fellow woman in finance! Would love to connect.” Once they’ve accepted you’ll be able to send them a DM and voilà! You have one new ally.
Consider starting a blog or contributing articles to industry publications to showcase your expertise and thought leadership. You can also do this on LinkedIn! I repurpose all of my blogs as articles on Linkedin with a link at the end that directs readers back to my website. (This tip isn’t strictly necessary, but if you’re interested in boosting yourself as a thought leader, then this is a great way to do just that.)
Engage with your audience on social media platforms by sharing valuable content and participating in meaningful conversations. And it’s okay if LinkedIn is your primary social media platform for your professional brand. There are tons of ways to engage with posts and articles that will get you noticed.
And remember, consistency is key when it comes to building an online presence.
Step 4: Network Strategically
Building a strong personal brand is not just about self-promotion; it's also about building meaningful relationships with others in your industry. Invest time in networking strategically by attending industry events, joining professional associations, and connecting with influencers in your field. I know this can be daunting, especially if you’re more introverted like me. But the more you do it, the better and easier it will be. (I say this confidently from experience.)
And luckily for you, it’s easy nowadays to find events/groups to join with the help of Google. Try searching for things like “networking events for women in (insert your city)” and “groups for women in construction”.
When looking for influencers/leaders in your field, try searching for articles related to women in your industry. Take note of the authors and websites you find, then connect with them on LinkedIn. Love one of the articles? Send them a message and tell them! Feel free to steal mine below:
Hi Name,
I just finished reading your piece in (list the media source). I found your take really fascinating and spot on with my experience. As a (fill in with how you relate to the article), you spoke to the exact issues I'm passionate about.
I would love to connect!
Rachel
Don't be afraid to reach out to existing or potential mentors and peers for advice and support. Building a strong network can open doors to new opportunities and help you expand your reach as a thought leader in your industry.
Believe It or Not, You Already Have a Personal Brand
That’s right. Everyone has a personal brand. That’s why it’s so important to make sure your brand is exactly how you want to be projected to the world.
Now, I won’t lie. Building a strong personal brand is a journey that requires dedication, authenticity, and strategic planning. But by following these four steps, you'll be well on your way to establishing a compelling personal brand that sets you apart and positions you as an expert and authority. And remember, your brand is a reflection of who you are and what you stand for, so stay true to yourself and the rest will follow.
Ready to take your personal brand to the next level and accelerate your career growth?
As a Gender Bias Coach, I specialize in helping ambitious women like you break through barriers, shatter stereotypes, and redefine success on your own terms. Schedule a consultation today to learn more about how my coaching services can help you unlock your full potential and achieve your goals in the corporate world. Your journey to success starts here!
