Running a company is no joke.
You’re a titan of industry, a master strategist, a font of wisdom… basically, you’re awesome.
But let’s face it, in today’s digital age, being a boss behind the scenes isn’t enough.
You’ve got to cultivate your executive brand and become a thought leader – the Beyonce of the boardroom (minus the leotards, hopefully).
Now, you might think you’ve got this whole online thing on lock. You’ve got a LinkedIn profile that could intimidate a lion, and you occasionally retweet inspirational memes. But here’s the thing – a surprising number of C-suite leaders fall victim to branding blunders that could make an executive branding expert weep.
Don’t worry, this isn’t an intervention (yet).
Let’s take a look at 5 most common personal branding pitfalls, backed by data that would make a Harvard professor proud:
80% of social media engagement happens within the first 6 hours of a post. Sporadic posting is like leaving a voicemail – nobody checks them anymore.
Important issues are swirling around us. Don’t be afraid to take a stand! An Edelman Trust Barometer report found that 64% of employees expect their CEO to speak out on important societal issues. Share your well-reasoned opinions, even if they’re controversial (delivered respectfully, of course). It positions you as a thought leader and someone who has a backbone.
Let’s be honest, tooting your own horn gets old fast. A study by Salesforce found that 66% of B2B buyers say a company’s content is more trustworthy if it focuses on educating the audience, not self-promotion.
Be the Gandalf of guidance, not the Frodo of self-importance. Provide insights and your unique take on industry trends.
Share your brilliance in a way that lights a fire under your audience (metaphorically, of course. Fire hazards are bad for branding).
Who doesn’t appreciate a leader with a solid backbone? Yet, there’s something about vulnerability that really brings people together.
Leaders who open up about personal experiences tend to build high-trust companies.
According to this study on The Neuroscience of Trust at the Harvard Business Review, people at high-trust companies report 74% less stress, 106% more energy at work, 50% higher productivity, 13% fewer sick days, 76% more engagement, 29% more satisfaction with their lives, and 40% less burnout than people at low-trust companies.
So, why not regale us with a tale of triumph over adversity or perhaps share the quirks of that bizarre internship you had in college? It’s these moments that truly make you relatable to your audience.
So, find that cozy spot where people can relate to you, flaws and all.
Social media is a conversation, not a megaphone.
Conversations address concerns, build trust, and increase loyalty.
According to a Microsoft report, 72% of customers expect companies to respond to their social media inquiries within an hour. Similarly, our study at Reactionpower found that 84% of consumers say that social media helps them feel more connected to the brands they support.
Respond to questions, engage in discussions – show your audience you actually care what they think.
You’ve got the brains, the experience, the whole leadership package.
Avoid these branding blunders to amplify your voice, become a social media maven, and solidify your position as an industry icon.
Now go forth and conquer the digital world.
You’ve got this!
Leave a Reply