Your Personal Brand is Always On

Personal branding even while on vacation

Personal branding has become essential in our changing world. It’s because the competition today is incredibly fierce – you really have to ensure that you stand out from the crowd and that you are invaluable in the current market. You can’t let your knowledge and skills get stagnant, or else you’ll be left behind, forgotten and obsolete.

Wherever you are – whether you’re at work, on a meeting, eating out with friends, even on vacation – remember that your personal brand is always on. Everything you do says something about you, Don't forget that you’re always being assessed and evaluated by the people around you.

We all need some time off, some time for ourselves. We get exhausted from all our work and we get burned out. When this happens we really need some time to relax and build ourselves up again. This is why many people enjoy taking time off to have some vacation – it’s a way to clear our minds from all the problems and troubles at work, and to spend time with our family and friends.

Some people think that going on vacation is something private and does not affect our personal branding, but they are wrong. even what we do on our vacation tells something about us.

Vacations enhance personal brands

Though many may doubt this, our vacations actually enhance our personal brands at work. What you do during vacation says a lot about you, and affects the perceptions of your boss, colleagues, clients and customers.

People form opinions about you based on what you say and what you do. If you go on a family trip with your loved ones, people may see you as a family person – nice and dependable. Or if you like exploring new places and doing new things such as mountain climbing during vacation, people may view you as someone who’s adventurous and willing to take risks. Or maybe you enjoy giving back, helping out at charities and shelters during vacation – people will see you as an altruistic person, someone who really wants to give back to the world.

Truly, where you go and what you do during vacation offers an insight into who you really are. It is able to enhance your personal brand, so people don’t see you as just a one-dimensional person who only concentrates on work, work and more work. You’re now a multifaceted person with different layers, interesting and unique.

Vacations help your personal brand stand out

Your vacations also help you stand out in the sea of competitors, colleagues and similar professionals. It helps people remember and recall you – you’re not just another random working colleague or employee who works well but never stands out.

Typically, the question that people will typically ask you before you go is, “Where are you going on vacation?” Then when you return they will ask you, “How was your vacation?” How you answer really helps people remember you.

Of course, if you’re the type who goes to the same place every time you go on vacation, or simply stays at home and wiles away the time watching TV, then that isn’t going to help you stand out. It may even be detrimental to your brand since people may view you as someone who resists change, and who’ll probably remain in the same position until retirement. Your vacations can make you stand out not only in a good way, but also in a bad way.

Social marketing during vacation

As a personal brand, you can actually continue to update your followers and audience even when you’re on vacation by using social media. Wherever you are, you can just log onto your account, post a quick picture or status update in order to update everyone. Staying in touch with your audience has never been so easy.

Of course, some people would consider that social marketing during vacation is a bit too much work. After all, how can you enjoy the moment when you’re busy updating your Twitter, Facebook page or blog? But for others, keeping in touch regularly with their audience is essential. For them, it’s critical that they express their life through social media, updating regularly even when on vacation.

Personal branding even on vacation

The important thing to remember is that your personal brand never goes on vacation. Even when you’re relaxing and enjoying yourself in the Caribbean Islands, remember that your personal brand is always on. Balance in life is important, so make sure that you show your boss, colleagues, clients, customers and audience that your life is balanced – you enjoy your work as well as your vacation, and consider taking advantage of your vacations to enhance your personal brand.