Any event manager who wishes to keep up a successful business and be consistently relevant must build a strong personal brand. This is because, as the event management industry is becoming more promising in most parts of the world, the event management space is becoming tougher with each passing day, thereby increasing the rate of competitiveness in the industry.
Let me share some crucial facts with you on what to do to grow your personal brand as an event manager in order to remain relevant in spite of the hard times.
Table of Contents
Let’s begin by understanding personal branding
What is personal branding for an events manager?
For an events manager, personal branding is the deliberate process of shaping and promoting their professional identity in the event ecosystem. It entails and begins with identifying your real make-up, in other words, your unique strengths, values, expertise, and skills. This is followed by discovering how to communicate these values effectively to audiences that are unique to you.
It simply means that your personal brand is not expected to talk to just anybody or everybody; you are expected to figure out the right people by segmenting your target audience. These are the people who are in affinity with what you represent, such as your expertise, skills, and values.
Why you need to develop your personal brand as an event manager
The event planning and management business environment is known for where reputation and relationships are used as currencies. These two ingredients, in addition to a strong personal brand, will make you stand out among the pack. This ultimately opens up more opportunities for you because more people will like to associate with your brand, and they will deal with you based on your worth and your promise. This means more profit and more recognition for you.
Second, people need to see you as an industry authority. This means that individuals will feel comfortable approaching you for solutions and advice on specific areas of concern for them. They will also take your word for it in any intervention you provide. According to Forbes magazine, “People should immediately think of the qualities that characterize you, your ideals, and what you stand for when they hear your name.”
Thirdly, your uniqueness will not be in question: in the events industry, diversity and specialization are key to a successful career as an event manager. When you are known for just one thing even though you are versatile, your core skill and competence will sell you and your brand.
Steps to take to develop your personal brand
1. Consistently define your brand identity
In the events industry, people need not only to see you but also perceive you as what you brand yourself to be. You must consistently show them what you stand for. In essence, your brand identity should be reflected through your values, virtues or personality traits. Part of this is your unique expertise, which all together shows your strengths and ability to deliver when called upon.
In addition, people need to consistently see this all the time for them to build their beliefs and their confidence in your identity.
2. Build relationships and take advantage of networks
Even though you are building your brand you still need people to validate your brand claims. In other words, you can’t build your brand without others. Hence relationship is the currency. Take good advantage of any opportunity to meet with people, especially industry professionals, mentors etc. Participate in industry associations and collaborative projects to broaden your network and demonstrate your dedication to the profession.
3. Build your online profile
In today’s digital age, a strong online presence is essential for personal branding. Necessities have made many professionals natives of certain social media platforms. As a result, these social media space has become a common room, a talk shop and a “go-to” for like minds. Take advantage of this also by getting your identity known on such platforms.
Platforms such as LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram are good spaces for you to ply your trade. In addition to this, you may get a professional website where you can showcase your expertise, skills past projects and especially your testimonials
4. Seek feedback
In order to understand how your brand is viewed, regularly seek input from clients, coworkers, professional colleagues and mentors. Consider constructive criticism favourably and make the required adjustments to match your brand with the image you want to project. As you advance and acquire new knowledge in the field of event management, continually hone and develop your brand.
In conclusion, developing your personal brand as an event planner is an investment you must make in your event management career.
