I love when people ask me “How do I build my personal brand, where do I start?” I usually end up giving them bits and pieces from my journey however, this bothered me since I am someone who loves structure, clarity, and playbooks— And that’s where my framework comes into play!
I’ve spent quite some time building this framework and I hope it helps you. I call it the “CRED” framework.
Let’s dive in!
C- Community: Building and Engaging
Anyone can say I want to build a community, however, building a supportive community isn’t just a buzzword; it’s the backbone of any successful brand. Imagine you’re at a networking event – do you just stand in a corner, or do you mingle, share insights, and build relationships? That’s exactly what you should do online too!
Engage Actively: Participate in industry forums, join social media groups, and attend networking events. It’s not just about showing up; it’s about contributing valuable insights. It’s about being supportive and lifting each other up.
“Personal” brand may sound very self-centered and self-serving, but it’s quite the opposite actually. You’re showcasing what you know and how that can help others.
Share Valuable Content: Establish yourself as a thought leader by sharing content that genuinely helps your audience. Remember, people follow those who provide value!!
R- Realness: Authenticity.
I could very easily ask someone to write my LinkedIn posts and blogs, sometimes it seems like the best way to keep growing while eating ice cream and binge-watching Netflix shows. Being real is refreshing. People connect with authenticity, so don’t be afraid to show your true self. Your online version doesn't have to look any different than your offline version.
Stay Authentic: Maintain genuine communication and interactions. Your audience will appreciate your honesty.
Share Your Stories: Personal stories, both successes and failures, resonate more than any polished PR message.
Be Transparent: Let people in on your journey. Sharing your challenges and how you overcome them builds trust.
In this episode, we are taking a look at Personal Branding, what it actually means, and why it is important to build your personal brand. In future episodes, we will dive deeper into various aspects of building a personal brand such as positioning, identifying a target audience, etc.
E- Education: Never Stop Learning
The marketing world is ever-evolving. To stay ahead, continuous learning is crucial. But it’s not just about soaking up knowledge – it’s about sharing it too. Many people mistakenly equate courses and certifications with true learning, and some even believe that education ends once school is over. However, education has no end date.
Seek Knowledge: Always be on the lookout for new skills and insights relevant to your field.
Participate in Learning Opportunities: Attend workshops, webinars, and conferences.
Share Your Learnings: What’s the use of knowledge if not shared? Post/Blog about your experiences, start a podcast or post on social media or start a newsletter (which reminds me, get my twice weekly newsletter sent your inbox every week! Sign up here
D- Data-driven: Let Numbers Guide You
Data isn’t just for analysts- just saying! Being data-driven is essential for making informed decisions and proving your impact. You’ve gotta be able to back up your perspectives, adds more weight and credibility.
Speaking of which, find different stats that may help you understand why personal branding is important (different sectors) Read here
Strategic Decisions: Use data and analytics to shape your strategies. The gut feeling is great, but the data backs it up.
Measure and Analyze: Regularly track your performance. What’s working? What’s not? and Why?
Adapt and Improve: Use these insights to refine your approach. Flexibility and responsiveness are key!!
Adopting the CRED framework can transform how you build and communicate your personal brand. It’s all about engaging with your community, being authentic, constantly learning, and making data-driven decisions.
So, start today. Engage with your community, be real, keep learning, and let data guide you.
