Building Your Digital Identity with Personal Branding

Okay, so you are aspiring to become a virtual assistant, hoping you get hired and noticed by employers over thousands of other online applicants out there, but you do not know where and how to start. Will you start looking for clients right away with just your resume on hand? How do you increase your chances to get noticed? 

The competition for online jobs out there is increasing yearly because of the advancement of communication technology; as a result, your chances also gets smaller. So the question of who gets the job is more than a matter of skills anymore but how you show and present yourself out there to be noticed by the prospective employers. Once you realize this, your game gets you one step ahead.

One thing that can set you apart as a serious seeker and applicant is when you take time to build your digital identity and use it as a competing edge over others when you build it up well. It will create for you more possibilities that you will be glad you did.

Use this guide to help you prepare and build up your digital identity. 

First: Reflect and Understand Your Unique Value Proposition. 

This is when you identify what sets you apart from others in your field. Do list down your skills, experiences, and passions to determine your unique value proposition. Reflect and do a personal SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) to help you gain clarity on where you are as a professional, relative to working an online job. This will also make your search for a job leaner and more focused through many types of online work that you can find out there – what you are really aiming for and matches your skills, what you are good at and more confident to do or give you ideas on what areas you can improve or address. Get a piece of paper and start by reflecting and answering these questions: 

• Strengths:

1. What specific skills or expertise do you possess that make you well-suited for remote work?

2. What unique qualities or attributes do you bring to remote roles that set you apart from others?

3. What technical skills or tools are you proficient in that can enhance your performance in remote positions?

4. How do your previous experiences or achievements demonstrate your ability to excel in a remote work environment?

• Weaknesses:

1. In what areas do you feel less confident or lacking experience when it comes to remote work tasks?

2. Are there any technical skills or software applications that you struggle with, potentially hindering your effectiveness in remote roles?

3. How do you handle distractions or challenges when working remotely, and what strategies do you employ to overcome them?

4.Are there any specific aspects of remote work (e.g., time management, communication) where you feel you need improvement?

• Opportunities:

1. How can you leverage the flexibility of remote work to pursue personal or professional development opportunities?

2. What emerging trends or industries in remote work do you see as potential areas for growth or advancement in your career?

3. Are there any networking or professional connections you can tap into to explore new remote job opportunities or career paths?

4. How can you use remote work to broaden your geographic reach and access job markets outside of your immediate area?

• Threats:

1. What potential challenges or obstacles do you anticipate encountering in remote work environments?

2. How do you plan to address issues such as isolation or lack of face-to-face interaction that can arise in remote roles?

3. Are there any external factors, such as economic trends or industry shifts, that could impact the demand for remote work in your field?

4. How do you stay updated on technological advancements or changes in remote work practices to remain competitive in the job market?

Second: Create a Consistent Online Presence.

After assessing your professional footing, it is time to look at your online presence, or start to build one if you do not have them yet. It’s important to present yourself consistently and professionally on various online platforms like a personal website, social media platform like LinkedIn, and industry forums. You can share posts, engage on forums, offer tips on optimising profiles, and curating content to boost your credibility and visibility. This showcases your expertise and may attract potential employers to consider working with you.

Content creation plays a pivotal role in personal branding, serving as a powerful tool for showcasing expertise and digital identity – positioning oneself as a thought leader in the industry. By sharing valuable insights and original content, you can establish credibility, gain visibility, and attract opportunities. You can employ various strategies across different mediums such as blogs, articles, videos, or podcasts. 

Create this as your digital asset instead of thinking it as too much hard work for starting an online career. You cannot imagine the possibilities of how far doing this and consistency would go and accumulate opportunities for you not just in your job hunting, but in the duration of your career to come. 

I wrote an article about Creating Your Freelance Portfolio Online here.

Third: Networking and Building Relationships. 

After building your online presence, make an effort to engage in networks of professional circles and build connections. The importance of networking both online and offline to expand opportunities never goes out of the picture even if you are already working remotely. Networking helps you expand your opportunities in a variety of ways. You can engage with industry peers, join online communities, attend conferences, and use mutual connections to enhance your network. 

The importance of maintaining a consistent personal brand in offline interactions is just as significant for your digital identity. Be open for elevator pitches, personal appearance, and speaking engagements if there is an opportunity. Think of ways to align your offline actions with online branding efforts to reinforce your credibility and authenticity.

Last but most importantly: Stay Authentic.

Stay authentic online by aligning your digital persona with your values and personality. This builds trust and credibility, fostering genuine connections with your audience.

Don’t fake it or copy others. Stand out by being yourself and creating a unique identity. Show your personality in your interactions and content. This attracts like-minded people and helps you build a strong personal brand.

Overall, becoming a virtual assistant can be challenging due to competition, but preparation is key. Conduct a SWOT analysis to identify your strengths and align your career with your goals. Maintain a strong online presence on platforms like LinkedIn, create engaging content, and network to establish yourself as a thought leader. Stay authentic to build lasting connections and opportunities. Each step you take brings you closer to success in the virtual assistance field.