Crafting Your Personal Brand in the Data Industry

Discover useful strategies to elevate your career and connect with your audience authentically

A while ago, I had an insightful conversation with Kate Strachnyi, the founder of DataCated and an expert in personal branding within the data space. Kate has not only established herself as a thought leader through her strong LinkedIn presence, but she's also wrote a book and created a course on personal branding. Our chat uncovered some of the most valuable tips and strategies for anyone looking to build a strong personal brand, particularly in the data industry. Here are the key takeaways.

What is Personal Branding?

Personal branding goes beyond your job title or the industry you work in; it’s about how others perceive you both professionally and personally. Kate defines personal branding as “what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” It encompasses your skills, interests, and even your personality traits. For instance, if you’re known for being an exceptional data engineer who also enjoys playing the guitar, that combination becomes part of your personal brand.

The Intersection of Career and Personal Life

While your career is a significant part of your personal brand, it’s essential to integrate your personal interests into your public persona. Kate suggests a 90/10 rule: 90% of your content should focus on your professional expertise, while 10% can showcase your hobbies or personal interests. This balance humanizes your brand and makes you more relatable, helping others connect with you on a deeper level. For example, Kate often shares her passion for running and recently picked up the guitar again, which resonates with her audience and adds a personal touch to her brand.

Intentional vs. Natural Branding

Your personal brand can develop naturally based on the work you do every day, or it can be shaped intentionally through strategic content creation and engagement. If you’re not happy with your current brand, it’s entirely possible to rebrand yourself by focusing on different skills or topics that you want to be known for. Kate shared her journey of transitioning from being known as the “PowerPoint person” to the “Tableau expert” by gradually shifting her focus and showcasing her new skills.

Getting Started with Personal Branding

If you’re just starting out with personal branding, the first step is to define what you want to be known for. Kate recommends a simple exercise: write your name on a piece of paper and surround it with five things you want people to associate with you. These could be technical skills, personal interests, or even personality traits. Once you have this foundation, start sharing content that aligns with these elements.

One of the most effective ways to build your brand is through consistent content creation. Posting regularly on platforms like LinkedIn can significantly increase your visibility. Kate advises sharing content that offers value, such as insights from a course you took, opinions on industry trends, or even summaries of recent projects. It’s not about reinventing the wheel; your unique perspective on existing topics is what makes your content valuable.

The Power of Polls and Engagement

Polls are an excellent tool for increasing engagement and visibility on LinkedIn. They tend to reach a broader audience compared to other types of posts, making them a great way to get your content seen. However, it’s essential to balance polls with other content types, like text posts, videos, and images, to keep your audience engaged.

Engagement isn’t just about posting content; it’s also about interacting with others. Commenting on posts related to your field, answering questions, and participating in discussions can help reinforce your brand. The more people see your name associated with insightful comments and valuable content, the stronger your personal brand becomes.

Overcoming Self-Promotion Anxiety

Many people, including myself, feel uncomfortable with self-promotion. It’s easy to worry that we’re coming across as pushy or self-centered. However, Kate emphasizes that promoting your work or skills is crucial for building your brand. It’s not about bragging; it’s about letting people know what you have to offer. If you don’t share your achievements and expertise, how will others know about them?

For those hesitant to post about their achievements, Kate suggests framing your content as a way to help others. For example, if you’re sharing a course or project, focus on the value it provides to your audience rather than just highlighting your involvement.

Internal Branding

Personal branding isn’t limited to social media or public platforms. You can also build your brand within your organization by hosting lunch-and-learn sessions, leading workshops, or simply sharing your expertise with colleagues. Internal branding is about becoming the go-to person for specific skills or knowledge within your company, which can lead to new opportunities and career growth.

Final Thoughts

Building a personal brand takes time, effort, and a bit of strategy, but the rewards are well worth it. Whether you’re looking to advance in your current role, switch careers, or start your own business, a strong personal brand can open doors and create opportunities. By consistently sharing valuable content, engaging with others, and integrating your personal interests into your professional persona, you can create a brand that not only represents who you are but also resonates with your audience.

So, take that first step—define your brand, start posting, and watch how your personal brand evolves and grows over time.

Plumbers of Data Science Podcast

By the way, this blog post is based on a Plumbers of Data Science podcast Hero Talk episode. You can watch the complete conversation with Kate on YouTube here. Or listen to it on all major podcast platforms here.

Best,

Andreas

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