In B2B, your personal brand is one of the most important things you have. After all, people do business with people they know, like, and trust.B2B is more complex than B2C, requiring strong relationships to be built over time. A strong personal brand can help you win new clients, get hired for that dream job, or land a seat on the coveted board. In this blog post, you’ll learn about personal brands and how to build personal branding for B2B leaders.
What Is a Personal Brand?
A personal brand is the way others perceive you. It’s what makes you unique and differentiates you from everyone else. While we all have a personal brand, some people are better at managing and cultivating their brand than others.
In B2B, your personal brand is how you’re known in the industry. It’s your reputation, and it’s what sets you apart from your competitors. Your personal brand is made up of everything that appears online about you. This includes:
- Your social media profiles and appearance
- Articles written about you or your company
- Your website
- Any speaking engagements you’ve done
- The way you communicate (online and offline)
Each of these plays a role in how others perceive you and your brand. Managing these things is important because it can help you control the narrative about who you are and what you do.
Why Is a Personal Brand Important for B2B?
Establishing a personal brand has become increasingly important in a world where the internet has made it easier than ever for people to connect. When people can easily find and connect, they are more likely to do business with those they know. What better way to build trust than by creating an authentic and transparent personal brand?
In a B2B context, a personal brand can help you build credibility and trust with potential clients. It can also be a powerful marketing tool, helping you to connect with your target audience and stand out from the competition. A strong personal brand can also help you attract top talent to your organization. When people see that you’re an expert in your field, a good leader, or a proponent of positive company culture, they’re more likely to want to work with you.
Personal Branding Tips for B2B Leaders
How can B2B leaders curate a positive online presence and develop a strong personal brand? Here are a few tips:
1. Talk about topics that you care about on social media
Social media is the best place to get started with building your personal brand. Millions of people use social media daily, giving you a huge opportunity to reach your target audience. LinkedIn, TikTok, and Twitter are all great platforms for sharing your thoughts on industry news, giving insights into your area of expertise, or simply humanizing your brand.
If you plan to build your brand on social media, it’s important to be authentic and transparent. Talk about the things you’re passionate about, and avoid talking about things that you don’t know much about. You may not know exactly what to talk about at first, but here are a few ideas for B2B leaders:
- Content about company culture, diversity, and inclusion
- Thought-provoking questions about the industry
- Personal experience as a business leader (e.g., things you have learned, advice for other leaders, etc.)
- Sharing your company’s news (e.g., new product launches and awards)
Remember, social media is a two-way street. So be sure to engage with others in the industry by liking, commenting on, and sharing their content as well.
2. Invest in a personal website or blog
By creating a website for your personal brand, you create a unique platform to share your thoughts on the industry, your company, or any other passionate topics. It’s also a great way to show off your personality and build trust with potential clients. There aren’t as many people who have personal websites as there are who use social media, so having one can help you stand out from the crowd.
SaaStr is a great example of a website done well. When it started, Jason Lemkin’s goal was simply to document what he was learning as he grew his software company, but it quickly turned into much more than that.
Today, SaaStr is one of the most popular software blogs, with millions of monthly readers. Jason has used his personal website to build a strong personal brand and establish himself as an expert in the software space. Now, SaaStr is a community and a resource for software-as-a-service (SaaS) entrepreneurs. If you aren’t ready to invest completely in a website or writing isn’t your thing, consider using a B2B content marketing service like CopyPress to get started.
3. Guest post on high-authority websites and forums
Many leaders are hesitant to put themselves out there and share their thoughts publicly, but if you want to build a strong personal brand, it’s important to get your name and face out there. One of the best ways to do this is by guest posting on high-authority websites and forums in your industry. When you contribute thoughtful content to these sites, you’ll build your personal brand and improve your company’s visibility.
For example, if you’re in the B2B marketing space, consider writing a guest post for HubSpot, Forbes, or Business Insider. These high-authority sites will give you great exposure to new audiences. To find guest posting opportunities, try using Google search operators like “guest post” or “write for us.” Just be sure to only guest post on websites that are relevant to your industry and that have helpful and relevant content.
Another outlet that many B2B leaders find success with is Quora. This platform is full of people asking questions about all sorts of topics, allowing you to chime in with your expert insights. When a user asks a relevant question, take the time to write a well-thought-out answer. Not only will this help build your personal brand, but it will also establish you as an expert in your field.
Endnote
Building a personal brand can be a great way to differentiate yourself from other leaders in your industry. By following the tips above, you can start to build a strong personal brand that will help you attract new clients and grow your business.
