A personal brand is a unique professional identity that differentiates you from others in your field. It encompasses your mission or purpose, key message pillars, values, personality, and tone. It defines your core target audience and highlights how you stand out in a crowded marketplace. Think of it as a professional fingerprint—no two personal brands are exactly alike.
Many business leaders struggle to tease apart their personal brand from their corporate one, since the latter is so close to their everyday business journey. However, the two should coexist in a way that complements both. The personal brand allows your audience to get a glimpse of the real you—your interests and passions in and outside of the workplace.
Why a Personal Brand Matters
Understanding what you stand for and distinguishing that from your company’s identity is important if you want to attract people who are aligned with your purpose.
Not only does your personal brand reflect your unique experiences, skills, and values, it also showcases your individual contributions, values, and vision. This differentiation helps you build trust and display authenticity, allowing you to connect more deeply with your audience.
Think through your “essence” before creating other assets like books, blog content and personal brand websites. Otherwise, you might create an image that isn’t true to who you are.
Craft Your Brand Strategy
Crafting your personal brand strategy can be challenging because you’re so close to the topic —yourself. You have a deep reservoir of experiences, thoughts, and feelings, making it hard to distill your essence into a concise and interesting narrative. It’s easy to get bogged down in details and lose sight of the bigger picture.
Having an objective perspective, such as a brand strategist, can help you identify and articulate your core message effectively.
Express Purpose in a Meaningful Way
If you want others to remember you, your purpose should speak to the heart and capture interest. Your audience should be compelled by your story and leave them asking why? Think of it this way—television ads are memorable and effective when the audience feels something. The same is true for you.
Authenticity is key – your purpose must genuinely reflect who you are and what you care about. When your purpose aligns with your actions and communication, it resonates more powerfully with your audience, inspiring trust and engagement.
There’s a reason Merriam Webster’s word of the year was authentic.
Build Your Brand
Building your personal brand doesn’t stop at defining it. You need to promote and nurture your brand as well. After developing the strategy, or framework, you can consider leveraging various platforms and tactics, such as:
- Books: Authoring a book can establish you as an expert in your field and extend your reach.
- Speaking Engagements: Public speaking opportunities can enhance your visibility and credibility.
- Email Marketing: Regular, value-driven emails keep your audience engaged and informed.
- Social Media Activity: Consistent and strategic social media presence helps maintain your relevance and connect with a broader audience.
- Advertising: Targeted advertising can amplify your brand’s reach and attract new followers.
Embrace the Journey
Creating a personal brand is not a one time task but an ongoing journey that evolves develops/strengthens with your growth and experiences. By staying true to your core values and authentically expressing your purpose, you’ll forge meaningful connections and leave a lasting impact.
Your journey may include books, speaking engagements, social media, or other platforms. Consistently nurturing your personal brand will enable you to reach new heights and inspire others. Remember, your personal brand is a powerful tool that reflects who you are and what you stand for—embrace it fully and let it shine.
Contact us for a free consultation and discover what a partner in personal branding can do for you.