This article is written by April Han. She is a multi-passionate entrepreneur. With a formal education in Business Administration and years of working with healthcare startups under her belt, she is able to provide valuable advice to aspiring locums in terms of creativity, innovation, and discovery of solutions to the challenges amid our society’s growing demand for health services. A life-long learner with a growth mindset, she is currently expanding her knowledge of the healthcare marketplace through online courses and hands-on training from world-class mentors.
General practitioners are often proud of what they do, albeit quietly. Many find the now popular practice of self-promotion. It is, however, a necessary part of going freelance especially when you just started being a locum GP.
Some people may advise you to “be everywhere.” Use social media, join online forums, have a blog, and go to networking activities here and there. This can be exhausting and could take a lot of your time. Self-promotion is but a small piece of the whole puzzle. With self-promotion, you can make people know you, like you, and trust you. But the big question is, who are those people?
This is where personal branding comes in.
What is the Purpose of Personal Branding?
Successful personal branding allows you to showcase your valuable skills to prospective employers and other interested parties, or if you are a locum GP, potential clients. Personal branding was traditionally used by celebrities, politicians, artists, and athletes. But now that self-promotion tools are widely available through the Internet and social media, everyone can take advantage of personal branding to advance their career.
Personal branding starts with finding out what’s genuinely important to you. Some of the questions you need to ask yourself when developing your personal brand are:
- What are my values?
- What kind of work do I want to do?
- Who are my ideal clients?
- What are my strengths?
- What is my expertise?
- What sets me apart from other locum GPs?
Once you are able to answer these questions, you will be able to promote yourself in the most honest way possible. It will make it easier for you to find the right kinds of people and the right kinds of contract.
How to Create a Personal Brand
You don’t need to be the “hottest doctor on Instagram” to succeed in personal branding as a locum GP. You also don’t need to identify a dangerous disease like Dr. Carlo Urbani. You just have to be passionate about what you do and be able to tell the world what you have to offer. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to create an authentic personal brand:
1. Know yourself
When creating a personal brand, knowing your real self is of utmost importance. Understanding how and why you react the way you do, what your strengths are, and what you want to do will guide you to the right path.
One of the most popular ways of understanding yourself is by taking the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI) personality assessment. Take the test to understand your perception of the world and the people around you and what usually influences your decisions.
2. Start a Personal Website
A personal website can house your resume, links to your social media profiles, a short personal bio, and testimonials from satisfied clients. You can expand your website after some time to include a blog where you can share your stories and experiences with the public.
Continuing your career as a locum offers flexibility, freedom, and control over your work-life balance. Click below to register as a locum GP or call us at 6258 6683 for any enquiries.
3. Share Valuable Content on Social Media
Some people use social media, of course, to socialize. But as a locum GP, you can use social media to promote your personal brand. Find ways to educate and entertain your audience by sharing content that’s relevant to your brand. Knowing your purpose, knowing how you wish to be perceived, and knowing who you want to work with makes it easier for you to pick what you post.
4. Associate with Reputable Brands
It might not be obvious, but your personal brand is affected hugely by other brands you associate yourself with. Only connect with companies, colleges, and colleagues (the three Cs) that not only will make you popular but will also help shape your behavior in a good way.
5. Do Some Good Deeds
However great your online content is or how admirable the personal brand you created for yourself, people such as your colleagues, clients, and patients will want to know what you do offline. You can establish a remarkable personal brand when you are involved in things that you’re passionate about. This could mean doing non-profit work, donating to charities or helping in your local community.
So Do Locum GPs Need Personal Branding?
By the year 2020, 50% of the US workforce will be freelancers, according to a report by Forbes. The rise of the “freelance economy” is, however, not confined to the States alone. It has already gained popularity in Europe and Asia. Many industries have adopted this trend, including the health industry.
Another trend in the healthcare sector is the transition from being labor-driven and technology-enabled to a technology-driven and human-enabled one. Yes, many are claiming humans are going to be replaced by machines. This isn’t possible in the health industry because medicine is a science, but it’s also an art. Hence, a locum GP whose personal brand shows a people first attitude and a strong knowledge of technology to boot will dominate the freelance economy.
Related articles that might interest you:
6 Signs You Are Ready To Be a Locum GP
4 Advantages of Working as a Locum Doctor
What Makes a Good Locum Doctor? 6 Must-Have Qualities
Understanding Tort of Negligence as a Medical Professional Freelancer
Freelancing and Illness: What Can You Do?
5 Complaint Resolution Best Practices for Medical Freelancers
Your Do's and Don'ts Checklist to Get Started as a Freelancer
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