This post breaks down the key components to building a personal brand when you are career pivoting without having to share it on LinkedIn (yet).
Deciding to pivot your career is an exciting new adventure that also requires pivoting your personal brand. But what if you are not ready to reveal your new career change to colleagues or peers in your current industry? Can you still build a personal brand without using LinkedIn?
Yes, you can.
Building a personal brand takes two key components:
- A Social media presence to grow and to connect with an audience.
- An online platform to showcase your work or highlight your expertise.
In this post, we will go over which social media platform is the best option to build your personal brand (other than LinkedIn). And which online platform will be the best place to showcase your expertise and knowledge.
What to expect in this post:
- Which Social Media Platform to Build a Personal Brand
- How to Build a Personal Brand on Instagram
- Build a Personal Brand with Long-Form Content
- Where to Showcase Your Long-Form Content
Which Social Media Platform to Build a Personal Brand
To build a personal brand you will need an audience to speak to. People who will be interested in what you have to offer, share, and say.
The perfect platform is Instagram.
I know what you are thinking- why Instagram? OK, Hear me out.
Instagram is a combination of a profile and portfolio.
A place where you have control over the design and narrative of building your personal brand.
This new profile will be different from your personal account because it will start with an intention of building a story around your new direction.
How to Start Building a Personal Brand on Instagram
Before you start signing up for a new profile on Instagram, take the time to brainstorm the setup of your new profile and what you plan to post.
Your profile handle:
- Should incorporate your new direction.
- You do not have to include your name as a part of the handle
- Include keywords based on your new industry or space
Private or Public Profile:
Pros for Choosing a Private Profile
- Gives you control of who can see your content.
- Gives you time to start building an audience without your employer seeing it
Cons for Choosing a Private Profile
- It will take longer to build your audience
- It will be more challenging to connect with people within your new industry
Instagram Bio
- An opportunity to state your intentions for creating this profile (within 150 characters)
- A mission statement or a personal brand statement
- Make sure to include keywords
- A Strong Call To Action (where should people go next to learn more about you?)
Research Hashtags
- Make a list of hashtags related to your new industry or space
- Review the content and the other profiles in the space
- Take notes on the type of content you like and the ones you don't like
- Brainstorm how your profile will be different in this new space
Posting with the Intention
- Define your space by designing posts with a continuous theme (using the same colors, fonts, and filters) that represents you and your personality.
- Build trust by sharing your unique thoughts and speaking in your authentic voice.
- Decide on the key topics related to your new career direction that you plan to post about.
Bonus! Two other Social Media Platforms (in addition to Instagram) to build an audience are Clubhouse and Twitter. Clubhouse, a social media app, to add your voice to conversations or to host rooms on a subject of your choice. Or Twitter, to share your opinions related to the new industry or space you are pivoting into.
Build a Personal Brand with Long-Form Content
As you are building and connecting to an audience on Instagram by consistently posting. The posts reveal small snippets of who you are.
But it is long-form content that does most of the heavy lifting to build your personal brand.
What is long-form content?
- A blog
- Visual Portfolio
- Podcast
- Videos
These are ways for you to showcase your talent, expertise, and knowledge in this new space.
Choosing your type of long-form content
The type of long-form content you choose to take action on maybe a no-brainer because it's a direct correlation to what you are pivoting into.
For example: if you are pivoting into graphic design, an online portfolio is the obvious choice.
However, you may feel stuck between writing, being in front of a camera, or sitting behind a mic.
Before you decide which long-form content is right for you, ask yourself these questions:
- Will I enjoy creating this type of content?
- Can I commit to posting fresh content consistently?
Evolving a personal brand into a new direction with a career pivot will take posting consistently, maintaining fresh content, and feeling comfortable actually doing it.
Where to Publish Your Long-form Content
The last step to building a personal brand during a career pivot is deciding which online platform will showcase your long-form content.
a list of different website platforms based on the long-form content:
Blogging? Use WordPress.org plus BlueHost
I use WordPress.org and host this site on BlueHost. WordPress.org is the #1 choice for bloggers to use for their website platform.
Visual Portfolio? Squarespace
Squarespace is known for its well-designed templates that are easy to use. They have a section dedicated to visual portfolios.
Podcast? Anchor plus a landing page
Anchor is a free podcast hosting platform that you can upload audio files, create the cover artwork and add the show notes. Plus they will distribute your episodes to other podcasting platforms- like Spotify, Apple, and Stitcher.
What is a Landing Page? A standalone web page with general information and a clear call to action for the viewer. Example: Check out the latest Podcast or YouTube Video. Enter a link that will take you to another site.
Video? YouTube plus a landing page
YouTube is hands down the largest and most reputable platform to find videos online. It’s free to use and you can create a channel to help build your personal brand.
One Last Tip:
Keep in mind, these options for platforms were selected because of ease of use and free to a low cost to start. The intention to keep the selection simple is not to overwhelm you during this career change.
So, a low barrier of entry is the best way to keep you motivated as you evolving your personal brand.
There you have it! How to build your personal brand during a career pivot without having to reveal your pivot on LinkedIn (yet).
Happy Building!
We want to hear from you! Are you thinking about making a career pivot? Share your thoughts below.
