If you think that personal branding just benefits you, then you're mistaken. It's a strategy with far-reaching advantages that go beyond your brand. But to see why, let's answer the question, what is personal branding and then examine how a personal brand can support your business.

Social media is like a blank canvas for both personal and work life. Depending on how you use it, you can draw attention to your expertise and establish a solid reputation in your industry. There's no doubt that there's an important place for personal branding on social media.

Today you can't have a robust business without a solid personal brand. But it's not always easy to know where to start. That's why I wanted to share with you a list of 15 personal branding experts whose content will help you to develop and polish your own brand.

Personal branding puts you in front of your brand instead of behind it. It's not about dressing you up and giving you a script. It is about taking you -- the person you really are -- and showing your audience what you're all about. 

Thought leadership is a tested concept that works. But the tactics behind this strategy have changed. So what should you know about thought leadership as it's used today? Let's look at the top thought leadership trends and how you need to respond to these trends.

Thought leadership is one of those buzzwords that gets bruited about without a lot of substance behind it.

What exactly does it mean? 

Thought leadership strategy is like climbing a mountain. There are no shortcuts. It takes a lot of time and effort to work your way to the top, but once you're there...man, what a view! You'll also have the advantage of towering over your competitors. 

We've become a review-driven society. We like to know that it's a sure thing before we lay down our hard-earned money for it. We comb through reviews to ensure we're making the right decision. And that means that, as a business, online reputation management should be a top priority.

What is thought leadership? It's a question that has troubled business owners and entrepreneurs for years. The definition seems to expand year after year, while the term itself has blown up in search engines across the internet. Everyone wants it. So how can you get it?