Grow Your Brand In 5 Small Habits

Every single one of us has a personal brand, whether intentional or not.

Your personal brand is the word or image that comes to mind when people think of you- it can be positive, negative or neutral. Your professional identity is shaped by the lens through which others perceive you, a culmination of your work, actions, and the image you project, collectively influencing the impressions that others form about you.

With this perspective in mind, consider initiating a series of small, intentional habits to sculpt your personal brand, crafting a deliberate image of yourself as an expert in your niche, a thought leader, innovative, trustworthy, and a visionary, influencing how others perceive your professional identity.

Decide who you want to be, where your passions lie and work towards being that person. That may mean you carve out your specific niche in your field, or maybe you need to take courses, get additional training, certifications, etc.

I never made a conscious decision to take control of my career and shape my personal brand; rather, it evolved organically from a challenging life experience, prompting me to redefine myself and my professional trajectory.

Back in 2019, I found myself among several other hundreds of employees at Altria that were displaced as a result of a cost reduction initiative. Despite the reassurance of a six-month severance package, the prospect of losing my job left me terrified and deeply concerned about providing for my two young children, adding a layer of uncertainty to our future. Consulting and owning my own company had never crossed my mind.

During this time, I explored all options possible:

• Teaching

• Academic Research

• Another Postdoctoral position

• Medical writing

• Back to school for Pharmacovigilance

I applied to numerous positions on LinkedIn, Indeed and CareerBuilder, submitting hundreds of job applications and simultaneously initiating the unemployment application process.

After about a month of rejections, I decided to create my company, ToxPharm LLC, and started using LinkedIn for more than just accepting connections and applying for positions posted. With nearly seven years of experience in the tobacco regulatory space, I recognized that I possessed valuable knowledge and expertise that I could impart to others. Most often posting on LinkedIn took the form of a recently published article or an FDA regulatory update, but the key was to post consistently.

In the initial stages, I prioritized posting early, taking advantage of the luxury of time. Even with a full consulting workload, I aimed to share insights at least once a week, consistently maintaining my online presence even when not actively seeking new opportunities. While it wasn’t an overnight transformation, the incremental steps in building my personal brand eventually led to the creation of job opportunities- a story I’ll delve into in another post.

My trajectory looked pretty traditional until I really started to own my future and that’s where crafting a strong personal brand not only enhances your professional identity but also serves as a powerful catalyst propelling you towards your desired career destination by establishing credibility, differentiation and a lasting impression on colleagues and employers. For a Pharmacology PhD stepping into regulatory toxicology consulting, this meant distilling years of scientific expertise into a cohesive narrative that showcases adaptability, analytical prowess, and a comprehensive understanding of regulatory frameworks.

This may even entail additional education, certifications and training. In my case, recognizing the importance of expertise, I dedicated two years to the pursuit of becoming a board-certified toxicologist, a journey that marked significant commitment to my professional growth and competence in the field.

With consistency in these small habits brings trust, loyalty and the establishment of your brand. While many individuals embark on new endeavors with the enthusiasm of New Year’s resolutions, a significant number find themselves giving up before the month’s end, succumbing to the challenges and demands of their pursuits.

Rather than trying to create a complex elaborate brand and investing all of your time and energy, pick a few small habits that you can commit to consistently every day. My list of five small habits:

1. Read. Allocate 30 minutes of your daily routine to reading, a simple yet powerful investment of time that can lead to continuous learning, personal growth and discovery of inspiration and direction.

2. Listen to Podcasts. Podcasts are a treasure trove of information and insights on a vast assay of topics.

3. Research. Deep dive into topics that resonate with your niche and share your insights and expertise to cultivate thought leadership.

4. Write. Find industry-related articles that you can write about. Write your opinion or interpretation of a recent publication. Even if it is only a few sentences. Write on LinkedIn.

5. Linkedin. Transform your LinkedIn presence by setting a deliberate goal of one impactful post per week, engaging with two meaningful comments, and forging connections with 3 new professionals- a strategic commitment to elevate your profile.

Building a personal brand isn't a one-time endeavor; it's an ongoing process of small habits and consistency. It involves establishing credibility through thought leadership—sharing insights, contributing to industry discussions, and showcasing a deep understanding of the field. This might involve publishing articles, presenting at conferences, or engaging with peers and stakeholders through various professional networks and via social media.

Each individual’s branding is inherently unique, shaped by their distinct qualities, experiences, and values, making it a personalized and authentic representation of who they are.

Thanks for reading and I hope you found value and motivation to begin your personal brand journey. If you liked this post, please share with a friend and don’t forget to subscribe to get the latest posts direct to your inbox.

Chat soon,

Bonnie