3 Excellent Ways to Build Your Personal Brand

With the technology available today you can create your own personal brand. It's important to establish yourself as an individual and it's never been easier. Personal brands have been around a long time and are one of the smartest things we can create. An older and successful example is Michael Jordan's Air Jordan brand. People love/d these shoes because they were MJ's, not because Nike made them. Why are personal brands being discussed more today? What can they do? How can one start a personal brand? I'll answer these questions and explore three ways to jump-start your personal brand.

What is a Personal Brand?

A personal brand is created by and/or endorsed by an individual. Famous chefs are great examples of personal brands. It doesn't matter where they cook, it only matters that they themselves cook. It wouldn't make a big difference if Emeril was on the Food Network or ABC; his fans want to see him, wherever his show airs.

What can a Personal Brand Do?

Personal brands, like any brand, attempt to influence people. However, personal brands are controlled by individuals and are easily movable. For example, the Howard Stern show used to be on terrestrial radio, now he and his brand are on satellite. Many followed him to Sirius. This is the power of a personal brand, to influence others. Imagine how a personal brand could help while searching for a job, starting a new company or product.

Personal brands are growing in popularity because it's never been easier to create one. With technology that's already available and hard work you can create your own.

The key to branding using technology is to use what works for you. There's no point spreading yourself too thin. If you like to chat a lot, use Twitter (follow me here). If you like writing articles, start a blog. Either way, find what works, and stick with it.

Starting a personal brand from scratch, is always an option, like the SEO rapper, but I see three great ways to jump start a personal brand.

Build the Institution

Why would someone value your personal brand? What do you have to offer? The hardest way to create a personal brand is to build something great first. Michael Arrington wouldn't have the personal brand he does today without TechCrunch. By creating and making TechCrunch successful, Arrington gains credibility. This is why we care about what he says. He has a proven track record of knowing what's going on in the tech scene; his opinion matters.

The best way to create an institution is to start with your talents. If you can start a popular blog, band, magazine or store, you're on the right track. However, you needn't create something from scratch. Startup companies are a great place to get in at the ground level and help build something special.

Leverage the Institution

The second way to create a great personal brand is to leverage an institution as a launch pad. Jim Cramer is a perfect example. He started off as a hedge fund manager at Goldman Sachs. From Goldman, he gained credibility and insight. With this he was able to create his own brand, TV show and company. Jim Cramer launched a credible personal brand because he had important Wall Street experience.

To leverage an institution's credibility, choose a great one and become part of it. Learn how it works, learn its space and help it grow. When you part ways, your personal brand will be stronger and more established.

The Mix

The Mix is the subtle way to create a personal brand. Gary Vaynerchuk is a stellar mixer. Gary's business success + his personality = the Gary Vaynerchuk brand. Gary took his family's wine business from $4m in sales to $50m. This demonstrates Gary's business skills and establishes his credibility. Gary displayed his business smarts then created something new - GaryVaynerchuk.com.

GaryVaynerchuk.com is a vlog, it's his "2 minute take on life." You should watch because you know Gary is successful and you might learn something. From here Gary provides life/business tips and establishes his personal brand, which reinforces his wine business. It's a positive feedback circle, watch because you know Gary is smart, get exposed to more of the brand, and then start watching Wine Library.

Start Today

It's important for us to get as much out of technology as we can. Personal brands can be started by anyone and will grow with them through their life. It's never been easier or more important to create a personal brand. When you leave your job, what will you have to show for it? By establishing a personal brand you can display experience and credibility to help you on your next endeavor.

Gregory is a co-founder of SoUrban.net, an East Village blog about music, tech and fashion, and is the Web Producer at beYOU.tv, a fitness and wellness video community.