Prosper as a free agent. Your personal brand is your reputation. It’s the way others see you. If you’re like most people, you may be going through a job change or career change. Your personal brand is an asset you can take with you wherever you go.

Chart your own direction. Your brand will help you to establish your goal for professional development, priorities, and action plans. Even while taking care of daily obligations, you’ll have a bigger picture in mind.

Serve others. Self promotion can go too far, so it’s easy to think that branding is somehow vain or self-absorbed. In reality, building your personal brand will show the positive impact you can have on other people and the world around you.

Take an inventory. Take a good look at yourself. Write out your strengths and weaknesses. Figure out how to find your passions. Think about what you’re good at and what you like to do.

Distinguish yourself from your colleagues. There are plenty of talented and dependable people in every field. Pinpoint your unique selling point. Get started on how to quantify your accomplishments on your resume. Maybe you’re a gas station owner who maintains the cleanest gas station in town.

Talk about benefits. Let your target audience know what you can do for them. Explain how you can boost profits by increasing sales or saving money. Use the STAR method interview questions to help tell your story.

Summarize your mission in 10 seconds or less. Be prepared to capture people’s attention quickly. Let them know what you do in 15 words or less. Learn how to write an elevator pitch. You can tell you’re on the right track when they ask for more details.

Ask for feedback. Survey your family, friends, customers and colleagues to find out what they think of you and your abilities. Show your appreciation for constructive criticism so they’ll keep sharing it with you.

Stay updated. Review your personal mission statement every six months. Make new action plans so you’re always getting closer to your goals.

Increase your visibility. Post fresh content on your website or blog regularly. Learn the secret to networking at social events and attend local events every few weeks. Stay active in social media. Look for opportunities to teach classes, give presentations, or write articles in your field.

Build buzz. Collect samples of positive feedback you get in the workplace. Assemble testimonials from happy clients and encourage them to make referrals. Word of mouth is often more effective and certainly cheaper than paid advertising.

Tell your success stories. Craft brief anecdotes about your accomplishments that showcase your skills and make you proud. Rehearse telling them so you sound natural.

Monetize your contribution. Numbers sound convincing. Learn how to quantify  results on your resume when your job isn’t big on numbers. Also, if you’re pitching your services to a new client, mention how much money they can save by signing up with you .

Put together a dream team. It’s difficult to go it alone. Learn  how to revive your personal network. Help others to market their brand and they’re more likely to do the same for you. Team up with complementary partners. Exchange services like cooking meals for a friend who cuts your hair.