Personal Branding: Time wasting or opportunity creating?

I've just returned from a ten-day trip to the US, and let me tell you, it was a real eye-opener. Sometimes, getting away from your daily grind gives you a fresh perspective. During my trip, I experienced something that reminded me of a crucial lesson in business: opportunities are often hidden in what seems like a waste of time. This insight is not just relevant to me, but it’s vital for anyone trying to build a successful business. Let me share some stories and insights that could help you find success in unexpected places.

Opportunities Often Look Like a Waste of Time

Picture this: I was at the airport during a global IT glitch that disrupted systems worldwide—planes, hotels, you name it. I saw queues building up and decided to film the chaos. I posted the videos on TikTok and Twitter, thinking it was just a curious moment to share. Next thing I know, the footage went viral. Within hours, I was doing TV interviews with major news outlets like ITV, BBC, and Sky News.

This experience taught me a huge lesson: what seems like a trivial activity can sometimes lead to massive opportunities. Had I dismissed the idea of filming and sharing the airport chaos, I would have missed out on media exposure and the subsequent opportunities that came my way. It's a powerful reminder that significant breakthroughs often come from seemingly insignificant actions.

Let me tell you about another time. Someone saw my posts on Twitter and asked for a meeting. I was sceptical because it involved a two to three-hour drive for a coffee meeting, and I’d been burned before by time-wasters. But I went. Initially, it seemed pointless. But a week later, I got a call to discuss a potential project. This led to a pitch to their board and eventually turned into a big deal —a three-and-a-half-year contract that changed my business trajectory.

The lesson here is clear: don’t dismiss opportunities that seem insignificant. Often, the biggest breakthroughs come from the most unexpected places. By being open to these possibilities, you position yourself to seize opportunities that others might overlook.

Building Your Personal Brand

Key to unlocking opportunities is building your personal brand. Being in the right place at the right time is often about being known and visible to the right people for the right time. Your personal brand is your ticket to this visibility. We can often expect or looking for overnight success, but building your personal brand is a long term game. It's about being top of mind for people when their need arises.

Why Personal Branding Matters

When you build a strong personal brand, you make it easier for opportunities to find you. Despite the challenging economic times and the negative news, there's always a ton of opportunities around us. But people need to know who you are and what you can do to take advantage of these opportunities. It's easy to take your foot off the gas when you are busy, or if you are not seeing the results you might want, but your brand is your real estate, it's a long term investment which pays off in months and years not days.

For example, my consistent social media presence over the years, especially on LinkedIn, has helped me build a recognisable brand. This visibility means that when opportunities arise, people think of me and reach out. A strong personal brand ensures that you’re not just in the right place at the right time by luck, but because you’ve positioned yourself there through consistent effort and visibility.

Practical Tips for Building Your Brand

1. Be Active online: Regularly share valuable insights and updates on social media - be consistent. Engage with your audience by commenting on their posts and participating in discussions relevant to your industry.

2. Create Valuable Content: Whether it’s blog posts, videos, or social media updates, ensure that your content provides real value to your audience. This establishes you as a thought leader and keeps you top-of-mind.

3. Network Proactively: Attend industry events, both virtual and in-person, to meet potential clients and collaborators. The more people you connect with, the more opportunities you’ll discover.

Taking the time to build relationships, even when your task list is overflowing, is essential. These relationships can be the source of unexpected opportunities and referrals.

Why Relationships Matter

During my travels and numerous workshops, I was reminded of how important it is to invest in relationships. Whether it’s a simple coffee meeting or a virtual chat, these interactions can lead to significant opportunities. For instance, the viral TikTok video at the airport wouldn’t have had the same impact if I hadn’t built relationships with media contacts who then amplified my content.

Balancing Task Lists and Relationships

It’s easy to get caught up in daily tasks and overlook the importance of networking. However, my experience has shown that allocating time to build and maintain relationships pays off in the long run. Here are some strategies to balance your workload and relationship-building efforts:

1. Dedicate a portion of your week to networking activities. Whether it’s attending events, meeting for coffee, or engaging on social media, make it a non-negotiable part of your routine.

2. Virtual coffees are efficient and can be just as impactful as in-person meetings. They allow you to connect with more people without the time and cost of travel.

3. Recognise that building relationships is an investment in your future. It might not have immediate returns, but it creates a foundation for long-term success.

Take a step back and evaluate how you approach opportunities. Are you building your personal brand and relationships effectively? Are you open to new possibilities, even if they seem like a waste of time initially? By making space for networking and personal branding, you position yourself for unexpected opportunities that can significantly impact your business.

The world is full of opportunities waiting to be seized. Stay visible, build strong relationships, and be ready to act when the moment presents itself. If you invest in these areas, you’ll find that what seemed like wasted time can turn into the biggest opportunities of your career.