Last Update: October 6, 2014

As the world population hits 7 billion, startup barriers to entry decrease, social technology usage multiplies, fragmentation of media consumption continues, and the movement of people and ideas increase — can entrepreneurs afford not to brand themselves?

The Business of Managing Me

“You’re a brand if you do and a brand if you don’t,” according to Los Angeles-based personal branding consultant Kimberly Bordonaro.

Gen-Y workplace and career expert, Dan Schawbel agrees. “All small business owners should develop their own brands so they can leverage them to build trust with customers, create new alliances and generate new business,” said Schawbel.

“If a small business owner doesn’t have a strong brand and their company fails, then they fail with it. Your personal brand is transferable from one company to the next and serves as your best protection against business factors you can’t control.”

The Truth About Personal Brands

Every facet of life and business is impacted by your personal brand — how you position yourself to reflect who you are, what you value and what you do.

A brave new world exists where Google search results impact your bottom line, social media is the great unequalizer, and unprecedented consumer access marks the era of a growing divide — the brand haves and brand have-nots.

There’s a good chance that if you’re not controlling your personal brand someone else is.

Experts Reveal Personal Branding Tips

Robert Greene, author of The 48 Laws of Power suggests that you must “be the master of your own image rather than letting others define if for you.”

Thankfully, every small business owner can become the master of their unique image.

Here are 12 tips from four personal branding experts to help you grow your personal brand.

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