Importance of Building a Personal Brand

We often confuse our reputation as our personal brand. But that’s not true. Everyone has a reputation. The first impressions you make, the relationships you form with managers and peers, and how you communicate — all of these things impact how others see you. Your personal brand, on the other hand, is much more intentional. It is how you want people to see you.

To start building your personal brand, figure out what drives you. What motivates you to get up in the morning and go to work? What skills are you curious about but have yet to build? What subjects pique your interest?Next, align your values to your organization’s goals. Say your organization regularly brings the most cutting-edge new products to market and values leaders who challenge the status quo and think outside the box. How do your current strengths align with the company’s goals? You see yourself as a creative person, who loves solving complex problems. Given that, you may decide on “innovator” as your key personal brand attribute.

Just like in the commercial world, a brand has no value unless people are aware of it. To increase your visibility, create a stakeholder map. It could be a simple list of people you want to know or people who can help you progress at the organization or an intricate document that highlights how others might be able to advocate for you.

Finally, reach out to the people you want to connect with. When you meet them, use the opportunity to highlight your skills and interests and how those competencies might benefit them and their work.

Essential Guidelines for Personal Branding

Having a focused key message

“Too many people are unfocused when it comes to press and coverage, trying to be "everything to everyone." Decide what your key message is and stick to it,” says Cooper Harris, founder and CEO of Klickly. Her personal brand has undergone a dramatic shift—from working actress to respected tech entrepreneur and she has handled this shift by only focusing on one message at a time. Keeping your message focused for your target demographic will make it that much easier to both create content around your personal brand and have others define you.

In fact, Adam Smiley Poswolsky, millennial workplace expert and author of The Breakthrough Speaker, takes it one step further when he’s advising speakers: “Carve a niche, and then carve a niche within your niche. The best personal brands are very specific.” And Juan Felipe Campos, VP of tech and partner at Manos Accelerator, goes one step further to focus on communities that he targets with his large-scale clients. “Keep your message and content consistent to one niche topic to become memorable within a targeted community.” The narrower and more focused your brand is, the easier it is for people to remember who you are. And when it comes time to hire a speaker or a new employee, your narrowed-down brand will be what they remember.

Embracing authenticity and genuineness

There’s an easy way to have an original personal brand—and that is to be genuine and authentic. Millennial influencer and head of marketing at Popular Demand, Monica Lin, says “People can see right through a disingenuous act.” The more obviously a brand is a copycat, the more the audience will call out the perpetrator for it. Monica's personal brand experienced a huge amount of growth after she began engaging with her audience more meaningfully on Twitter.

"Be genuine. It will make it much easier to manage your personal brand on a daily basis," explained William Harris, Facebook ads expert at Elumynt. Your personal brand should be an easy daily filter that you create content and reach out to your audience with. And finally, Justin Wu, founder of CoinState says "Be a master of your craft, skillset or industry before starting a personal brand. Then your content will help amplify who you are." When initially building his personal brand, he garnered a reputation of being an expert in his field while simultaneously amplifying on social media that same renown. If you’re deeply skilled in one area, your reputation alone will help you build the brand you want.

Telling a compelling and engaging story

If your personal brand isn’t telling a story, you’ve already lost half of your potential audience. Allen Gannett, chief strategy officer at Skyword and author of The Creative Curve explains it best:” The most effective personal branding strategy these days is to build a true narrative - single character monologues are boring in Tinseltown, and even more boring for your personal brand.” No one wants to hear you shout about your brand into the social media void, so create a story around your brand that your audience can engage with. Allen regularly meets and chats with his audience in airports around the world, further developing his warm and friendly personal brand.

One of the best ways to tell that story is through written content or video. For Pelpina Trip, social video strategist, this is definitely the case. Her own video channel on LinkedIn sees some of the highest levels of engagement across the platform. “The most personal way to communicate online is with video. Simply use your smartphone to video message your clients, make a personal connection with prospective clients and connect with co-workers.After all, you always have your smartphone on you!”

Crafting a Successful Personal Branding Strategy

To create a successful personal brand, it is important to define clear goals, establish a unified theme, tell a compelling story, and maintain a human touch in brand representation. By setting specific goals for your personal brand, you can clarify your vision and focus your efforts towards achieving those goals.Additionally, establishing a unified theme throughout your brand helps create a consistent and recognizable image that resonates with your target audience.

Telling a compelling story is another crucial aspect of personal branding. Your story should reflect your values, experiences, and expertise, and it should be engaging to your audience. By sharing your story authentically, you will connect with your audience on a deeper level and build trust and loyalty.

Maintaining a human touch in your brand representation is essential to creating an emotional connection with your audience. This can be achieved through personalized interactions, meaningful content, and showing vulnerability. By being relatable and approachable, you can build a strong and loyal community around your personal brand.

Resources for Developing a Strong Personal Brand

Creating a recognizable and unique personal brand is crucial in standing out in a saturated marketplace. Fortunately, there are numerous free resources available to help individuals kickstart their personal branding journey. These resources include templates for writing a professional bio, defining goals, and creating a personal branding strategy.

By utilizing these resources and following the essential guidelines mentioned earlier, individuals can develop a strong personal brand that sets them apart from the competition. Remember, building a personal brand is a lifelong project that constantly evolves and changes. It requires continuous effort, consistency, and adaptability to remain relevant and influential in your chosen industry.

FAQs

What is a personal brand and why is it important?

A personal brand is the projected image of an individual's personality, skills, experience, and behavior that defines their unique identity. It is how they want others to see them. Building a personal brand is important because it allows individuals to differentiate themselves from competitors, gain the trust of potential buyers, and establish a strong online presence. A well-defined personal brand can lead to better connections with customers, increased visibility in the industry, reputation shaping, and higher sales potential.

How does building a personal brand benefit individuals?

Building a personal brand benefits individuals in several ways. It helps them differentiate themselves from competitors, gain recognition and trust from their target audience, and establish a strong online presence. A strong personal brand can also open up new opportunities for career advancement, entrepreneurship, and professional growth. Additionally, a well-established personal brand can lead to increased sales and engagement with the audience, ultimately contributing to success in their chosen field.

In what ways can a strong personal brand impact career development?

A strong personal brand can have a significant impact on career development. It can help individuals stand out in a competitive job market, attract new opportunities, and build a professional network. A well-established personal brand can also enhance credibility and visibility, making it easier for individuals to establish themselves as industry experts or thought leaders. Furthermore, a strong personal brand can contribute to career advancement by increasing the chances of promotions and recognition from employers and peers.

What are some key strategies for effectively building and promoting a personal brand?

Some key strategies for effectively building and promoting a personal brand include defining clear goals, establishing a unified theme, telling a compelling story, maintaining a consistent and engaging online presence, engaging with your target audience, and seeking opportunities to showcase your expertise and skills. It is also important to embrace authenticity, be genuine, and create meaningful connections with others in your industry. Additionally, leveraging social media platforms, creating valuable content, and utilizing personal branding resources can contribute to the success of your personal brand.

By following these strategies and keeping your personal brand aligned with your values and goals, you can establish a strong and influential brand that resonates with your target audience and opens up new opportunities for personal and professional growth.

At Maraki Media, we’re passionate about helping businesses, individuals, and brands craft authentic stories and drive meaningful engagement. Ready to elevate your online presence? Explore our services to see how we can help you stand out in a crowded digital landscape.

Why You Should Build a Strong Personal Brand: Engaging Insights for Everyone