LESSON 3: PERSONAL BRANDING

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this session, participants should be able to:

1. Understand what personal branding is and why it matters.

2. Identify key elements that make up a strong personal brand.

3. Learn practical ways to build, communicate, and maintain their personal brand.

4. Create an action plan to improve their personal brand online and offline.

1. Introduction: What is Personal Branding?

📌 Definition:

Personal branding is the intentional effort to shape how others perceive you by consistently projecting your values, skills, personality, and strengths.

“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” – Jeff Bezos

💡 Why It Matters:

• Builds credibility and trust

• Attracts opportunities (jobs, partnerships, clients)

• Helps you stand out in a competitive market

• Positions you as a thought leader or expert

2. Key Elements of a Personal Brand

A. Clarity: Who Are You?

• Identify your:

  • Core values

  • Unique strengths

  • Passions and interests

  • Target audience

B. Consistency: What Do You Show?

• Align your:

  • Online profiles

  • Communication style

  • Portfolio/work samples

  • Personal appearance

C. Content: What Do You Share?

• Share valuable content that:

  • Reflects your expertise

  • Builds engagement

  • Tells your story

  • Educates, inspires, or entertains

D. Visibility: Where Are You Seen?

• Be present where your audience is:

  • LinkedIn, Instagram, YouTube, TikTok, Twitter

  • Blogs, newsletters, speaking events, webinars

3. Building Your Personal Brand

Step 1: Self-Awareness

• Conduct a personal SWOT analysis

• Identify what makes you different

Step 2: Craft Your Brand Statement

• A one-sentence summary of who you are and what you offer
  Example: “I help small businesses grow by creating compelling brand stories through digital content.”

Step 3: Optimize Your Online Presence

• LinkedIn: Use a professional photo, strong headline, summary

• Instagram/Twitter: Align bio with your brand message

• Personal Website or Portfolio: Showcase your work and testimonials

Step 4: Create & Share Content

• Blog posts, videos, carousels, tweets, reels

• Talk about your journey, lessons, tips, results

• Document your learning or behind-the-scenes

Step 5: Engage with Your Community

• Comment, collaborate, connect

• Join relevant groups and events

• Give value before expecting results

4. Personal Branding Best Practices

• Be authentic: Don’t fake a personality or lifestyle

• Be intentional: Post with purpose

• Be visible: Consistency builds memory

• Be valuable: Help others, answer questions, solve problems

• Be professional: Watch your tone, spelling, etiquette

5. Common Mistakes to Avoid

• Inconsistency across platforms

• Copying others instead of being original

• Neglecting offline reputation

• Being all over the place with no clear message

• Posting without interacting with your audience

6. Personal Brand Action Plan (Template)

Participants should fill in the following:

7. Activities / Hands-on Exercises

1. Brand Audit Exercise

   • Review your social media profiles

   • List 3 things that reflect your brand well

   • List 3 things that need improvement

2. Write Your Brand Statement

   • Use the format: “I help [who] do [what] through [how].”

   • Share and get feedback in pairs

3. 30-day Content Plan (Mini Task)

   • Write 5 content ideas aligned with your expertise or interest

   • Choose a platform and commit to posting weekly

4. Networking Map

   • List 5 people to follow, engage, or reach out to in your field

8. Conclusion:

Your personal brand is your reputation and your opportunity magnet. You’re already building it — either by design or by default. It’s time to be intentional, authentic, and consistent. Build it before you need it.

Recommendations:

• JomoRC Personal Profiling Workshop 

• LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram – Online presence

• Canva – Branding visuals and social content

• Notion / Trello – Content planning

• Namechk / Linktree – Brand identity and link management

• Medium / Substack – Long-form content writing