It’s already the first week in December, which means 2014 will be here before you know it. The start of the year signifies the opportunity to reevaluate habits and start doing something good. With all of the self-reflection happening, it’s a great time to reexamine your personal brand. How are you presenting yourself on social channels? Does your digital self reflect your self in real life? Could you optimize your digital presence to improve your career?

Make a commitment in 2014 to build your personal brand, grow your network and become a thought leader. Check out these tips for some ways you can grow and improve your personal brand:

Freshen up. When was the last time you updated your social media profiles? If it’s been awhile, it may be time to spruce up and refresh the content. It’s important to keep your profiles updated and relevant since it’s often one of the first places new followers and contacts will look when deciding to connect with you.

Be Transparent. It’s critical that employees are open and transparent about their relationship to the companies that they work for – especially if they are sharing content about the brand. Stating where you work in your profile is an easy way to do just that. Being transparent and disclosing your employer is a best practice, plus it builds trust with your contacts and network.

Build relationships. The beauty of social media is that it allows for people to have one-to-one conversations that transcend traditional boundaries. Make it a goal to engage in meaningful conversation and add value whenever possible. One great way to meet new people in your space is to attend and engage in Twitter Chats.

Stay current. Share interesting and timely content with your networks helps build your thought leadership and better position yourself amongst your network. Staying on top of relevant topics and sharing regularly is a way that you can provide value to your connections.

Make the your personal brand a priority in 2014; with just a few minutes a day you can take your social presence to the next level.

Read more: