For freelancers and entrepreneurs, building a personal brand has never been more important than it is today. Anyone with access to the internet and social media can build an audience, position themselves as an expert, and start attracting clients for their business. And that’s exactly what a lot of people are doing.

A study by Upwork revealed that the freelance workforce is growing at a rate 3x faster than the overall workforce in the U.S. By 2027, freelancers are expected to make up the majority of the U.S. workforce.

While it’s great to see that so many people are embracing their entrepreneurial spirit, this also means that every self-employed freelancer, independent contractor, and entrepreneur will soon face more competition than they already do. The key to differentiating yourself from your competition is building a personal brand.

Why every entrepreneur should build a personal brand:

When you’re building a business aroundyour niche (as an author, speaker, coach, consultant, freelancer, etc.), the concept of building a personal branding probably comes naturally to you. When you’re the face of your business, building your personal brand makes perfect sense.

Your brand is what distinguishes you from your competitors, helping to form a lasting impression in the mind of your audience and customers. Without a compelling personal brand that attracts your target audience, you may find yourself struggling to build a profitable and sustainable business.

But even if you’re building a company that has its own brand (a software or physical product company, for example), building a personal brand still has its benefits.

Benefits of building a personal brand:

• Trust and authority: Having a personal brand helps to build trust with your audience, and position you as an authority and a thought leader in your industry.
• Get featured in media: Having a personal brand makes it easier for you to pitch and be found by media (online publications, magazines, television, radio, podcasts, etc.). The media is in constant search of experts that can share their insights with their audience.