If you have an established customer base, many of these customers probably know your name or the name of a key individual at your business. It’s not unusual for a customer to search your name online to look for reviews or additional information on your business background. If you haven’t taken the time to build a personal online brand, it might be a good time to do it.
Add Your Name to Your Contact Page
Customers tend to like to know who they are dealing with; or at least have a contact name they can reference when making initial contact with your business. On your contact page, it generally makes sense to include the following individuals:
- Business owner(s)
- Managers or project managers
- Other key people associated with your business (associates, contact person in HR, etc.)
This is where you would include names and phone numbers and/or email addresses associated with each name. This may also include presenting a list of your team members with a small photo and short blurb of info. If it is an extensive list, this can be relegated to another website page or placed on a sidebar on the homepage.
Create a Content-Rich LinkedIn Profile
Curious customers are likely to search for your LinkedIn profile or search your business in connection with your name or the individual they dealt with most of the time. You can accomplish this goal by simply adding your name and contact information into your LinkedIn profile. If a customer searches by your name, they will likely find your LinkedIn page. Your profile should include:
- Business name
- Name of business owner or CEO
- Brief intro for key figures
Register Your Domain Name
If you happen to be a business all by yourself, this should be a priority. As for a regular business name, there are times when it makes sense to register your domain name. Even if you have a unique business name, there is always the possibility that another business in a completely different field could use the same name.
By registering your domain name, you have the security of knowing that yours is the only business that will be associated with that domain. Think Donald Trump. He owns several businesses that have their own websites, yet he has created a strong personal brand too.
Build a Website with Your Domain Name
Once you register a domain name, you might as well use it. Create a website with your registered domain name. Create a link to your site on any other online platforms you are using for your business. If you are shifting from a URL you previously used for your website to your new site based on your domain name, send out a press release or at least place a post on your other platforms.
In Conclusion
When you create a personal brand, make sure you keep personal accounts private. The last thing you want is for customers to find embarrassing photos or ramblings online in your personal accounts that have nothing to do with your business. Keep all non-business accounts as private as possible. It takes time to establish a personal brand, but there are many rewards for successfully creating a brand based on your reputation and experience.
