KUALA LUMPUR: Women should create a solid personal brand to enable them to assert their expertise, amplify their voices, and establish themselves as leaders in their respective fields.
Deputy Minister of Entrepreneur Development and Cooperatives, Senator Saraswathy Kandasami in making the call emphasised that personal branding empowers women to challenge stereotypes, break barriers, and inspire others to do the same.
“Personal branding has emerged as a crucial aspect of our lives in today’s fast-paced and interconnected world.
“It is the art of intentionally shaping and presenting our unique identity to the world. This powerful tool can help us stand out, make an impact, and achieve success,” she said in her speech during the recent launch of the book ‘From Individual to Brand: A Step by Step Personal Brand Guide for Professionals’, authored by Shalini Subramaniam at Raja Tun Uda Library in Shah Alam, Selangor.
During her speech, Saraswathy highlighted the success story of Datin Vivy Sofinas Yusof, a Malaysian fashion icon and social media-savvy businesswoman with over a million followers on Instagram.
Vivy successfully utilised personal branding to build an empire in the fashion industry, earning her a spot on Forbes’ 30 Under 30 Asia list in 2017.
Drawing from her legal and media background, Saraswathy shared her personal experience of creating a brand for herself by advocating for various causes through her writing, even when it led to trouble at times.
She further stressed that using social media is instrumental in building personal brands, showcasing expertise, and connecting with like-minded individuals to exponentially grow one’s business.
Saraswathy also commended author Shalini’s efforts in the book, praising her for revealing the secrets to crafting a compelling personal brand that resonates with audiences and creates a lasting impact.
“Through her book, Shalini also emphasised that personal branding is not only for celebrities or influencers but is essential for individuals from all walks of life,” she added.
Meanwhile, Shalini, who specialises in building personal brands for professionals through content creation, thought leadership and storytelling, said her book stresses the importance of positioning oneself as a thought leader within a niche segment, creating a perception of exclusivity and eventually leading to unforeseen opportunities.
“The book, consisting of 115 pages and six chapters, emphasises the need to develop a purposeful personal brand. It is my mission to aspire professionals to build a thriving online presence to attract opportunities in career and business,” said the entrepreneur who has groomed over 150 professionals.
According to the author who has been recognised as LinkedIn Rising Personality in Malaysia, building a personal brand requires extensive self-reflection, leading individuals to be purposeful about everything they share with their audience.
For those who are interested to purchase the book, can visit https://www.shalinis.co/fromindividualtobrand or contact: 017-580 2027. – BERNAMA
