Investment is defined as savings, outlays, deals, and ventures among many other words. ‘Social’ has the same meaning with communal, community, shared, collective etc. The combination of the two words- social investment- then can mean any deal, outlays, savings that is made towards a community and shared for collective use. In relation to personal branding, we can say that social investment is any value shared by an individual that will benefit a community. In another words, social investment by an individual (personal brand) is a shared gift by an individual to enhance quality of lives within or outside one’s area of influence. Though a focus on one’s area of influence will be great.

Having said these, there is no excuse for an individual who want to build a strong personal brand to say social investment is for corporate organizations alone. Albert Einstein once wrote ‘the world we have created is a product of our thinking; we can not be changed without changing our thinking’. Expertise is one of the strongest, vital forces in personal branding after sound integrity. It does mean that every personal brand has an expertise in one area or the other. A sharing spirit to give your knowledge away without a notion to receive pay, physical cash instantly should propel an individual to be involved. It is clear that those who get involve reap untold benefit. Most times the rewards are instant, but social investment dividends are often long term with lots of benefits. There are several avenues, platforms to be engaged in social investment that can enhance Brand You rating, effectiveness as well as build larger followership.

1. Professional association: being a member of professional association is not just for the hype. As a professional, Brand You has a differentiator. Sharing what differentiate you in your professional association can be a form of social investment for this professional group. The returns on investment here may not be immediate but somehow, you would have enlightened other professional colleagues in the process. This can lead to business collaboration in the near distance future. Even if it does not, the effect such can have on others may be phenomenon.

2. Ymca/religious association: Brand you may also annex Young men Christian association or other religious bodies to share your expertise. Writing a letter to do so to the right persons in these associations usually receive necessary attention particularly if Brand you is known as an expert in your niche. The opportunity this can offer in the future can be overwhelming

3. Chamber of commerce and industry: There are ample opportunities in some chambers of commerce in different countries to help the business people with your level of expertise. I am trying to annex this opportunity too even though I have a busy schedule.But if any desire my inputs, please give me a call.

4. Clubs/associations; There are several community associations which can benefit from your knowledge, do not insist that you must receive pay for every act of kindness. There are associations, groups within your own religious organizations which can benefit from you, offer something for free, you will be spreading the influence of brand you.

5. Student bodies: Many students’ associations are in dire need of professionals who can offer a guide to them in many areas. Being there for them will spread Brand You. You may not know, one of them may become the Managing Director of a company tomorrow. So accept to teach a free class with some of these bodies as time permit.

6. Papers/Free e-books: Many do not realize the power of sharing through these platforms. Writing a book or a paper of any form can demand a lot of sacrifices from you but the viral effect of such free gift can be phenomenon. Plan to give a research study that can help others away and this will help your spread. Personal Brand needs to be involved in social investment like the corporate brands because social investment is a saving, deal, venture that will yield dividends in the nearest future. It breeds loyalty, emotional attachment that brands need today. In the light of the above our free e-book on Personal Branding is almost ready, just a little editing here and there. Please look out for this soon