Groundswell Winter 2014 Winter 2014 | Page 16

IDENTITY MAKE YOUR MARK Creating a successful brand in the online professional sphere. T he word “branding” tends to be associated with corporations and cattle. Fortunately, since the advent of social media and the rise of “personal branding,” we’ve been charged with making our own individual marks in the world, thus influencing how others perceive us. For job-seekers and those looking to expand their business opportunities, creating a strong professional online brand provides a cringe-free icebreaker for approaching colleagues and companies that can further one’s career. The tools at our disposal include social media networks (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn), blogs, and personal websites. But before you begin online empire building, Skilset Communications’ Michele Lando, a pioneer in personal branding who’s based in Pasadena, California, recommends taking the following steps to build a personal brand. 14 | WINTER 2014 J0953_GroundswellR.indd 14 12/18/13 11:18 AM