Personal branding with the help of an agency? Fad or a must have?
Most executives think that they can handle their personal branding efforts on their own without the help of an executive branding agency. That they can log into social media channels and establish themselves as thought leaders and build a strong professional reputation by the touch of a screen.
But just because an executive brand focuses on you as an individual thought leader, it carries as much or even more weight than your corporate brand. Most companies invest significant time and money in building their corporate brand, and would never task someone inexperienced in branding with doing so. With more than 4.76 billion, or 59.4% of the world’s population active on social media, your personal brand merits the same treatment if you want to make an impact and stand out from the crowd.
The Cost of Ignoring Executive Branding Agencies Is High
Personal branding is not a one-time task, but rather an ongoing process. A personal branding agency for executives can develop a consistent brand message across all digital channels, ensuring that they maintain a strong and unified presence online. This includes not only posting content regularly but also consistent graphics, images, videos, and overall branding. Inconsistency in any aspect of the brand can cause the audience to lose trust.
In addition, without proper management, negative comments or reviews can damage an executive’s personal brand. Executives may overlook the importance of monitoring their online reputation but in reality, there is a need to respond to negative feedback in a timely and professional manner.
That’s not all. Executives may not understand the full scope of personal branding, including its impact on other areas of their professional lives. For example, personal branding can influence an executive’s networking, speaking engagements, and job opportunities. A executive branding agency can help CEOs, entrepreneurs, heads of nonprofits and NGOs, attorneys, healthcare administrators, university presidents, government officials and other senior level-executives leverage their personal insights to maximize their professional potential.
It’s rather obvious that attempting to manage personal branding without professional guidance may confuse or even alienate your audience causing more damage than good.
What Then Is the Point of Using an Agency?
Here are some reasons why using a personal branding agency is essential for success in today’s digital world:
- Expertise and experience: An executive branding agency has the expertise and experience to help you build a strong personal brand that communicates your unique value proposition and resonates with your target audience. They have a deep understanding of the latest branding and marketing trends, as well as the tools and techniques required to succeed in today’s digital world.
- Time-saving: Building a personal brand requires a lot of time and effort, which can be challenging if you have a busy schedule or are unfamiliar with the process. An executive branding agency can take care of the branding and marketing aspects of your business, allowing you to focus on your core competencies and achieve your goals.
- Professional branding materials: An executive branding agency can create professional branding materials, such as logos, business cards, websites, and social media profiles, that communicate your brand identity and values. This ensures that your personal brand is consistent and effective across all channels, which is critical for success in today’s digital world.
- Networking and collaborations: An executive branding agency can help you expand your network and collaborate with others in your industry, which is essential for building a strong personal brand. They can connect you with other professionals, influencers, and media outlets, helping you reach a wider audience and establish yourself as an authority in your field.
- Measurable results: A personal branding agency can track and measure the success of your personal branding efforts, providing you with insights and data that can help you refine and improve your strategy over time. This ensures that your personal brand is effective and aligned with your business goals.
Leave It to the Experts and Focus on What You Do Best-Being a CEO
LinkedIn. Twitter, Instagram. Youtube. Ring a bell?
Well, people today are glued to their screens! They have their phones with them all the time, no matter where they go. Whether it’s at a restaurant, in a meeting, or even while walking down the street,they are scrolling through social media, texting, or checking emails.
On average, people spend around 2 hours and 25 minutes per day on social media. So every executive is struggling to meet the 47 second attention span online.
Let’s be fair though. As a CEO, you have a packed schedule with meetings, conferences, and various other obligations while trying to balance the many responsibilities and obligations that come with leading a company. And still you have to keep up with social media and build an authentic strong brand.
Truthfully, building a personal brand can be a daunting task, especially if you’re not familiar with the latest trends and strategies in branding and marketing. So what do you do yet other CEOs and entrepreneurs are actively establishing their expertise, building a following, and standing out from the competition?
Leave it to a personal branding agency as they are the experts. They do their job in elevating your brand online while you build your company.
By working with a personal branding agency like Prestidge Group, you can benefit from the expertise of professionals who are dedicated to helping you build a strong and consistent brand as well as build your reputation through social media. They can help you develop a clear brand message, create engaging content, and ensure that your brand is represented consistently across all digital channels.
Why Prestidge Group
Prestidge Group is a boutique executive branding agency founded in 2016, with operations in Dubai, New York and London. Naturally diverse and inclusive by design, we feature an international team of nearly 30 personal branding professionals who possess expertise in brand positioning and strategy, thought-leadership campaigns, content creation, social media management, media production and identifying and securing high-value speaking engagements and podcasts, including TEDx Talks.
We work with High Networth Individuals, CEOs, Entrepreneurs, founders, nonprofit directors, and more.
Why? You may wonder. We deliver, authentically build long term relationships, are transparent and are very selective with who we work with.
What is a Personal Brand?
Let’s remind ourselves first so that we all come from a point of understanding.
When you google yourself, what comes up on the screen? Your online search results reflect your personal brand and shape people’s perception of you.
A personal brand encompasses how you are perceived in various circles, both online and offline. It reflects your reputation and what people expect from you. It involves managing your messaging, body language, and values to shape how others perceive you. Personal branding is important for everyone as it establishes trust, credibility, and authenticity. It helps professionals become recognized experts, attract clients, secure better job opportunities, expand their network, and gain influential positions within their industry and media outlets.
Who We Are
We are a vibrant and diverse collective of professionals hailing from various countries around the globe. Different faces, perspectives, creativity and ideas but one goal-to elevate the positions, authority and credibility of our clients and position their personal brands highly.
With expertise spanning multiple disciplines, we form a powerhouse of talent comprising PR and communications professionals, content writers, designers, personal brand managers, social media managers, digital marketers, producers, and videographers.
We firmly believe that this blend of cultures, languages, and experiences is the key to unlocking unparalleled creativity and innovation.
The Process
We understand that each client is unique, with distinct objectives and challenges. Hence, we approach every project with an open mind and a commitment to thinking outside the box.
By embracing unconventional strategies and exploring novel avenues, we seek to position our clients with a level of elevation that sets them apart from the competition.
This is what happens when you sign with us:
- Kick off meeting: This is like a first date – the only difference is that you can have it virtually or physically. We can come to you or you can come to our office. But wait, we are in 2023 so we can have this meeting in the metaverse too. Similar to a first date, our purpose is to truly understand who you are, what drives you, and how we can become an integral part of your journey. We want to delve into your passions, your profession, and uncover the reasons behind your interest in collaborating with us. Moreover, we’re intrigued to learn about your leisure activities, your musical preferences, and the individuals who inspire you. Our commitment is to invest ourselves wholly in your aspirations, making your objectives our top priority-we make your our business, our business.
- We will then familiarize ourselves with the scope of work, which will dictate what services we will offer you. We will also take a look at your current accounts / digital activity across Google / Social media accounts to familiarize yourself with current baseline activity and tone of voice.
- Then we will prepare a strategy document and present it to you. Through our collaboration, we will execute a meticulously designed strategy, leveraging our collective expertise and creative prowess. With careful precision, we will implement innovative campaigns, manage your personal brand, curate captivating content, execute digital marketing strategies, and produce exceptional visual experiences. By executing these actions, we will position you at the forefront of your industry, amplifying your voice and propelling your success to new heights.
Of course we want to spill more beans but what follows is in-house top secrets . More like the secret ingredient in a meal. However, it is the subsequent steps that truly shine a spotlight on your journey towards becoming a star in your field. That is why you should be talking to the team already.
How We Bring a Positive Image With Our Personal Branding
1.We get you interviews with authority newspapers and magazines
From front page appearances to features, to commentaries,to Q&As, we make it happen. Your job, have a proper headshot session organized by our team so that we have the right images in the right quality to share with the media alongside your key messages.
2.We get you on stages that matter for top tier speaking events
We are selective about where you speak and who you speak to. We approach the selection of speaking engagements and audiences with great care and discernment. We understand the critical importance of forging connections that align with your unique vision and goals. Therefore, we meticulously evaluate and choose platforms and audiences that resonate with your message.
Through our expertise and market insights, we identify the platforms and events that attract individuals and communities who are most receptive to your ideas and aspirations. By speaking to these carefully selected audiences, we optimize your impact, fostering connections that have the potential to shape your professional journey.
3. We prepare your press releases
We do not wait for you to be in a crisis.
We write and distribute your press releases because they help amplify your brand’s message, attract media coverage, manage your reputation, enhance SEO efforts,
establish thought leadership, and communicate important information to various stakeholders. By leveraging the power of press releases effectively, you can maximize brand visibility, engage with target audiences, and propel your business forward.
Here are several reasons why press releases are essential:
- Media Outreach: Press releases act as a formal invitation to the media, drawing attention to newsworthy events, product launches, company updates, or significant achievements. By crafting a well-written press release, you increase the likelihood of attracting journalists, reporters, and influencers to cover your story.
- Brand Visibility: Press releases boost brand visibility, reaching a wider audience through distribution on PR platforms, social media, and other channels. They amplify your message, connecting with customers, partners, investors, and industry influencers.
- Reputation Management: Press releases offer a controlled means of shaping and managing your brand’s reputation. They allow you to address any misconceptions, clarify information, or respond to crisis situations promptly and proactively.
- SEO Benefits: Press releases can significantly enhance your search engine optimization (SEO) efforts. By including relevant keywords and backlinks to your website, press releases can improve your online visibility and organic search rankings. This, in turn, increases the chances of potential customers and media professionals discovering your brand when conducting online searches.
- Thought Leadership and Expertise: Press releases provide an avenue for positioning your company as a thought leader and industry expert. By sharing valuable insights, industry trends, research findings, or expert opinions, you establish yourself as a credible source of information. This can attract media attention, secure speaking engagements, and further enhance your brand’s reputation.
- Investor Relations: Press releases are a crucial tool for communicating with investors and stakeholders. They can be used to announce financial results, mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance updates, or any other information relevant to the investment community. Press releases help maintain transparency, instill investor confidence, and keep stakeholders informed about the company’s progress and future plans.
4. We get you radio, TV and podcast opportunities
Radio and TV have extensive audience reach, allowing you to connect with a large number of people quickly. Through these mediums, you can reach a diverse range of individuals, including potential clients, industry professionals, influencers, and decision-makers.
According to research,92% of the population still listens to radio every week in America. That is approximately 272 million people. Now imagine the numbers across the globe! You sure want to be part of this!
Let’s review headshots
Image is everything.And that’s true.
It sets your tone and your reputation. It speaks volumes of who you are and what you want to achieve.A portfolio of high quality images is essential to enchant your target audience, add personality to your experience, and to tell your story in a unique way. At Prestidge Group, we understand the strong value that lies within a photograph. Our dedicated studio is well-equipped with state-of-the-art technology, cameras, lighting, decor, and seasoned photography professionals, ready to capture your aura and communicate your professionalism and value through visual content.
From organizing the photoshoot to final editing and touch-ups, we cover the full spectrum of personal branding photography.
What kind of photos does a CEO need?
A personal branding photography session is much more than just a headshot. At Prestidge Group, we showcase what no one else can compete with when it comes to personal branding: YOU.
Here are some angles and shots you should consider at your next photoshoot:
Headshots: These are portrait shots that are best used as a profile picture, passport photos, and affixed on documents.
Professional: These are formal photos taken in a corporate setting. It commands authority and leadership.
Event photography: These are a mix of professional and candid but planned shots that take place in a dedicated environment to give viewers an insight into your work-life and responsibilities. It may also feature colleagues, clients, contract signings, keynote speaker appearances, etc.
Lifestyle: These are casual but well-orchestrated shots that show you in a comfortable spotlight. This may include relaxing on the weekend, meeting acquaintances, or even admiring art at a museum, which add a hint of personality, friendliness and relatability to your profile.
What is the importance of the photoshoots anyway?
- Set you apart from competition.
- Help your audience to remember you, which is an incredible boost in retention.
- Build your identity. Keeping your visual content connected across platforms makes it possible for your audience to associate your photos with your brand regardless of the platform they are in.
- Grab your audience’s attention. Social media is crowded, so having great photographs that match your content builds your engagement.
- Set an authentic tone to build trust and credibility with your audience.
Conclusion
No matter who you are, the only thing you need is a personal brand to get to the next level.
Request a call today to find out more about personal branding. Or maybe you could start your journey by completing our lead form.