Personal Branding Series, Week 3: What to Put On Your Website

November 5, 2020

If you missed Weeks 1 or 2, start here to learn why event pros need a personal brand in the first place, then read this to discover how to build your brand foundation.

You’ve set the stage for crafting your personal brand on the Internet, and now it’s time to execute. It’s important to remember that creating a personal brand takes time and effort, so consider it a long-term solution that will help you to yield the results you’re after — rather than a quick fix for a lay-off or furlough situation.

To create a successful personal brand online, you should be two things: consistent and service focused.

“Inconsistency across channels is often a pitfall of personal branding,” explains Natasa Djukanovic, a personal branding expert and CMO at international tech company Domain.Me. “While you’ll need to adjust the tone of the voice depending on whether you are posting on Instagram or LinkedIn, for example, your logo, tagline, name, etc. should always be present.”

Being consistent also refers to creating and posting content regularly on social media platforms and your blog. It is important to establish a timeframe when your audience can expect content from you, Djukanovic adds.

Second, your content should be providing value. “[This is] what can help you hook your audience and convert them into your customers, and in today’s world, personalization is the key to making that happen,” Djukanovic says. Hint to your audience that you have the solutions tailored to their needs by asking questions, engaging in two-way conversations, going live on Instagram, etc.

We’ll dive into more about content strategy around personal brands next week, but first, you need to get your website up and running. Once you’ve secured a domain that is meaningful, easy to remember and contains a call to action, you are ready to make a checklist of the basic information you need to incorporate into your website, says Djukanovic. Here’s what to consider.

Homepage

Your homepage is the first impression a visitor has when they pay a visit to your website. This page should help visitors understand these three questions: who you are, what you do and how you can help them. 

Don’t over complicate or overcrowd the homepage. A clever hero text (also known as a headline) should be short and clear but send your desired message to your target audience. Another important element of a homepage is a cleverly worded call to action that prompts your prospective clients to take the next step, whether it be contacting you, seeing your portfolio, making appointments, etc.

About Page

This is one of the most important pages on your website. Think of it as your biography — but not the uninspiring, monotone kind. Here, you have the opportunity to introduce yourself to your target audience and acquire prospective clients by letting them know how you are uniquely positioned to solve their problems. 

Contact Page

The contact page tells visitors through which medium you’d like them to contact you. It can be anything from a contact form to simply stating your email address or social media handles. No matter what you choose, make sure the contact info is clearly visible. Chances are, if visitors cannot find your contact information right away, they’ll give up.

Portfolio

If your homepage and about page are ways to hook a client, consider your portfolio page as the way to seal the deal, says Djukanovic. Show your expertise by making sure your past projects are both visually and contextually presented in the best light possible. If you are just starting out and are short on projects to showcase, create a few personal projects that will depict your skills and level of expertise. Make sure you take time to write a quick summary underneath each project, explaining the idea and process behind each one. 

Blog

When you’re ready to take the next step, having a blog on your site becomes your space to showcase your expertise and set yourself up as an industry leader through words, tutorials, etc. Enrich your blog content with keywords to increase SEO value and share your posts on your social channels to bring in more traffic.

Have you launched your own website this year? Share it with us in the comments below.

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Partner Voices
Overview: The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality. In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way. “We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.” Amenities: The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.  The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need. Gold Key Members The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events. OCCC Events: This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.  The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:  AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023 200,000 Attendees $257 Million in Economic Impact MEGACON 2023 160,000 Attendees $205 Million in Economic Impact Open Championship Series 2023 69,500 Attendees $89 Million in Economic Impact Sunshine Classic 2023 42,000 Attendees $54 Million in Economic Impact Premiere Orlando 2023 42,000 Attendees $108 Million in Economic Impact