I asked the The Personal Branding Blog contributors this question:
What has been the single most effective personal branding tool for you and why?
Elinor Stutz: Twitter
In regard to the most effective personal branding tool, I never thought of it in this light before, but for me Twitter has been exceptional. By posting helpful tips and personal insights, a large following (over 29,000 to date) came to know me well. Incredible opportunities came my way due to this phenomenal tool. The crowning glory was inclusion by OpenView Lab’s on their international list of “Top 25 Sales Influencers for 2012”.
Jun Loayza: Blogging
The most effective personal branding tool for me is my personal blog at http://www.junloayza.com/. I’ve raised funding through my blog, closed client deals through my blog, and written for leading online publications because of my blog. I stick to a strict schedule of two posts per week (Tuesday and Thursday) and write at least 1 guest post per week on an external blog.
Dan Gershenson: Blogging
For me, having a blog transformed my perspective from a person who is defined by where he works to a personal brand who is defined by his thoughts. I can’t tell you how liberating and exhilarating that’s been. I have met people and re-acquainted myself with colleagues who have said, “Yeah, I like what you’re doing with your blog!” Not only has this been pleasant surprise to me but the growing visibility of the blog over time has also led to opportunities from brands I may have never otherwise have encountered.
Roger C. Parker: Book
Without a doubt, writing a book. Income-wise, I had been successful before my first book. But, the 6 months following the appearance of my first book eclipsed everything that I had gone before in terms of income and opportunities. And, each book reinforced the foundation.
Nance Rosen: Facebook
Facebook works most effectively for me because the majority of my “friends” are not just friends, they are brand evangelists. I use my personal page to announce what I’m doing professionally, because on my Facebook are mostly people who have been in my audiences. Hence, they’ve understand what I do, they’ve benefited from my material and they personally know how I can help others.
Oscar Del Santo: Twitter
Twitter, twitter, twitter. For me it has turned out to be the single most powerful tool to transmit my brand’s core messages, publicize my contents (including my book) and become a referent in my country and Latin America. One of the distinct advantages of Twitter as far as I am concerned is that you can work out a targeted growth strategy.
Devin C. Hughes: Social Media
Relevancy and consistency. Social media flavors appear almost weekly but my messaging and keeping my eyes and ears open to what’s going on in the world and translating that to my tribe (how it impacts them) is where my secret sauce is right now. In some ways, it feels like a translator at the UN allowing all parties to decipher what’s being said so they walk away with a common understanding. That said, it is grind to keep coming up with fresh content.
Jacob Share: Blogging
Growing my blog JobMob into one of the most popular job search blogs in the world has built my personal brand on a global scale, leading to appearances on other major blogs and mainstream media while providing value to millions of visitors and growing my network in ways I could never have imagined. While social media is also a great tool in extending my reach, everything leads back to the blog as my main personal branding hub.
READ NOW: 10 Reasons Why A Blog Must Be Your Main Personal Branding Hub
Author:
Jacob Share, a job search expert, is the creator of JobMob, one of the biggest blogs in the world about finding jobs. Follow him on Twitter for job search tips and humor.
