Building an online presence is now easier than ever with all the technologies available. With the right content management system and domain name, anyone can build a website to attract employment opportunities, build influence, or network with other Internet users.
This is called “personal branding”, which is the practice of individuals marketing themselves and their careers as if they were a brand, with the intention of self-packaging to attract opportunity. The idea was coined by motivational speaker and entrepreneur Napoleon Hill in his book Think and Grow Rich in 1937.
Creating a personal brand can be a great experience and net wonderful rewards and, with today’s technologies, can be done without much knowledge of coding, too. Check out some of our tips for building a personal brand that helps you stand out:
1. Start a Blog on Your Website
A static website is no longer the standard for keeping Internet visitors interested. Blogging, a concept introduced in the late 1990s, is hotter than ever and a part of the fabric of the Internet as well. Studies show that 81% of United States consumers trust information and advice from blogs and 23% of all Internet usage is devoted to consuming content on social networks or blogs.
Starting a blog is easy if you have the right web application to support your needs. At myhosting.com, we offer a variety of easy-to-use tools like WordPress and Drupal where blogging is one of the main functionalities. These tools offer publishing features that let you write long form text posts and upload photos and video, while offering templates that can make it all look appealing and clean.
Remember, if you do blog, then keep your writing consistent as well. Consider utilizing a blogging calendar that will keep you on track and allow you to brainstorm your thoughts so you are never suffering from writer’s block.
2. Connect Your Website to Social Media
Getting social on your website is another way to build a personal brand. Enabling social sharing buttons gives your visitors the opportunity to share your website to others and bring in more traffic. Additionally, having social shares on your website also builds credibility. 42% of visitors measure the influence of a blog by the amount of social shares it gets, so the higher the shares and recommendations, the more likely you’ll also be respected in a given community as well.
Connecting your site to social media should also include placement of widgets. Be sure to put your Twitter or Facebook feed on one of the columns of your website so that visitors are able to continue the conversation you started on your website.
3. Upload Your Portfolio for Later Viewing
Another way a website can be a powerful tool for personal branding is the utilization of a portfolio. If you are seeking a job, creating a portfolio is the perfect way to showcase your talent passively without having an email conversation. Website tools like WordPress and Drupal contain features which allow the uploading and linking to files.
Alternatively of course, if you feel that you want more security for your files, you can also take a look at virtual private servers as a potential solution.
With these action items in mind, you’re now ready to create your personal brand and become known across the Internet. Myhosting.com can be at the center of your needs whether it’s a domain name, web services, or storage services. Check out our personal brand building services today, and let us know in the comments below any tips you have for building your brand on a website!
