“Keeping Up” with Your Personal Brand
Published on January 9, 2020, at 8:38 a.m.
by Ali Cushing.
The Kardashian family is one of the most well-known reality TV dynasties out there. The glamorous bunch is constantly popping up on television screens and in the tabloids, as well as across all social media platforms. Even if you don’t follow them religiously, as millions of people do, you probably know who they are because the family has mastered the art of branding, public relations and social media like none other.
Personal feelings aside, there is no denying that Kim Kardashian has successfully built a global brand for herself and her family since 2007. Kardashian knows how to distinguish her personal brand and leverage media attention to keep her iconic status within pop culture. When it comes to successful branding, Kardashian knows what she is doing. But what can we learn from her when it comes to building our own personal brands?
Know your audience.
Kardashian knows the importance of maintaining a relationship with her fan base. Without the high audience ratings on “Keeping Up with the Kardashians” and her millions of followers, she is just another reality television personality. Her ability to evolve alongside her ever-changing audience has allowed her to keep all 151 million of her Instagram followers constantly engaged.
There is value in knowing your audience and providing targeted, timely content that adds worth to your image. Sharing your knowledge and expertise will help build trust within your network and solidify your personal brand.
Network, network, network.
Any Kardashian family fanatic remembers Kim’s introduction to the limelight in the early 2000s as Paris Hilton’s personal assistant and quiet companion on “The Simple Life.”
Despite her rocky rise to fame, Kardashian has grown from her experiences and networked herself to the top of the social ladder. Though your professional network might not include Kris Jenner or Kanye West, relying on the people you do know is incredibly important in today’s job market.
Although it often brings people out of their comfort zone, there is immense value in networking. Getting to know more people will help you build your personal brand and broaden your sphere of influence.
Find your niche.
Whenever one thinks of a selfie the first person that comes to mind is the “Queen of Selfies” herself: Kim Kardashian. She even published her own selfie book in 2015 titled “Selfish,” which was snatched up by the thousands. She has carved out a niche for herself and supplemented her career out of her narcissistic love of taking her own picture.
Kardashian has taught us the importance of carving out your own personal niche. Demonstrate what is unique about you and play it to your advantage.
Know the power of rebranding.
Kardashian has been conducting a major personal rebrand since her marriage to Kanye West in 2014, including her announcement of her plans to take the bar exam and become a lawyer within the next few years. Due to this, millions of people have shifted their perception of her — the person who was once known as “Paris Hilton’s assistant,” and then “reality star” has now become “Kim, the lawyer and entrepreneur.”
The key to rebranding is to forget the past and focus on the future. Build up your résumé, apply for your first job, practice your interview skills and if anyone asks about your less-than-professional days, put your best foot forward.
Taking the time to figure out your personal brand is a valuable step toward gaining employment opportunities. Having and maintaining your own personal brand are necessary to succeed in today’s social media-riddled world. It won’t happen overnight, but managing your reputation will lead to enhanced professional potential in the long run.
