Did you know, 82% of consumers are more likely to trust a company when its senior executives are active on social media? That’s the power of personal branding!
Whether you’re a coach, consultant, influencer or entrepreneur, your personal brand is your secret weapon in standing out from the crowd.
Ready to make your mark?
Let’s dive into the six essential steps to build a personal brand that shines!
1. Define Your Unique Value Proposition
A Unique Value Proposition (UVP) is your personal branding secret sauce. This special ingredient makes you stand out in a sea of sameness. It’s the reason clients or customers should choose you over everyone else.
Key Strengths
So, how do you figure out your UVP? Start by digging deep into your core strengths. What are you naturally good at? Maybe you’ve got a knack for simplifying complex ideas or perhaps you’re a wizard at spotting trends before anyone else.
For me, it was the ability to put clients at ease, bringing out the best even in people who say they hate having their photo taken. Going beyond the technical side of photography and understanding the people I work with became a key part of my UVP.
Stand Out
Next, think about what sets you apart. This isn’t about being better than others – it’s about being different. Maybe your unique background or approach gives you a fresh perspective. Don’t be afraid to embrace your quirks!
Clear Message
Once you’ve got all this figured out, it’s time to package it into a clear, compelling message. This is where a lot of people trip up. Your UVP should be easy to understand and remember. No jargon, no fluff – the essence of what makes you valuable.
Solve Problems
Finally, always keep your target audience in mind. Your UVP isn’t about you – it’s about how you can solve their problems. What keeps them awake at night? How can your unique skills make their lives easier?
Crafting your UVP takes time and effort, but it’s worth it. It’s the foundation of your personal brand and the key to standing out in your field.
2. Develop Your Brand Voice and Story
Creating a brand voice is about more than sounding professional – it’s about sounding like YOU. Your tone should be as natural as chatting with a friend over coffee. Are you naturally funny? Throw in some jokes. More serious? That’s cool too. The key is consistency.
It takes seconds for clients to sniff out a mismatch between that fun brand photoshoot and the stiff, business-formal web copy accompanying it.
Your Journey
Now, let’s talk about your brand story. This isn’t a boring resume – it’s the juicy details about your life and journey. What struggles have you overcome? What lightbulb moments changed your path? For me, it was my love for photography and realising the importance of preserving memories for future generations. Don’t be afraid to share the ups and downs.
Core Values
Brand themes and values are like your personal North Star. They guide everything you do and say. Think about what matters to you. Is it innovation? Honesty? Empowering others?
Tell It Well
Articulating your story takes practice. Start with the key points you want to hit, then flesh it out. Use vivid details to bring your story to life. And always, always be authentic. People can spot a phoney a mile away.
Remember, your brand voice and story will evolve. That’s okay! As you grow, your brand should grow with you. Keep it real, keep it consistent and pay attention to what your audience loves.
3. Personal Branding Visual Identity
Creating a strong visual identity is like giving your personal branding a face and personality. It’s not just about looking pretty – it’s about communicating who you are and what you stand for at a glance.
A well-crafted visual identity can make you instantly recognizable and help you stand out in a sea of competitors. Think of it as your brand’s outfit – you want it to make the right impression and feel like an authentic representation of you.
Logo Magic
Your logo is the cornerstone of your visual identity. It’s often the first thing people see, so it needs to pack a punch. Start by brainstorming ideas to capture your brand’s essence. Play with shapes, symbols and typography to represent your values and services. If you’re not design-savvy, don’t sweat it. Many professionals specialise in logo design and can turn your ideas into a polished, memorable mark.
Colour Me Impressed
Colours speak louder than words sometimes. They evoke emotions and set the tone for your brand. Choose a palette that reflects your personality and appeals to your target audience. Maybe you’re all about calm and trust – think blues and greens. Or perhaps you’re energetic and creative – bright oranges and purples might be your jam. Whatever you choose, make sure it feels like you.
For a coherent personal brand, carry that colour scheme through from your website to your outfit choices for your personal branding photoshoot.
4. Personal Branding Photography
Personal branding photography is your secret weapon and it’s often the first impression people get of you and your business.
You want your personal branding photos to be authentically you and showcase your personality!
For example, if you’re a life coach, capture photos of you in action – maybe leading a workshop or in a one-on-one session. A chef? Capture behind-the-scenes footage in the kitchen creating your signature dish. The key is to show off your personality and what you do.
A professional photographer will make you feel comfortable and capture you at your best. They’ll also help with things like lighting and poses. Trust me, it’s worth the investment.
When planning your shoot, think about where you’ll use these photos. You’ll want a mix of horizontal and vertical shots for different social media platforms. And don’t forget to get some photos with negative space – they’re perfect for adding text overlay later.
Take multiple outfits on the day. You want variety in your shots and changing clothes is an easy way to get it. Plus, if you spill coffee on yourself (not that I’ve ever done that…), you’ve got a backup.
If you’re ready to take the leap and get some personal brand photos taken, hop over to our personal branding page to learn more about the process.
5. Establish Your Online Presence
Creating a strong online presence is like building a virtual storefront for your personal brand. It’s where potential clients or employers can find you, learn about your skills and get a feel for your personality. But you want more than a basic website – you want to make a real impact.
Website
First things first, you need a killer website. Think of it as your digital home base. I’ve seen too many folks skimp on this and trust me, it shows. Your website should be clean, easy to navigate and showcase your best work. Don’t forget to include a compelling “About” page with one of those brand photos we talked about above. People love to know the person behind the brand.
Pro Personal Branding Tip: make sure your site is mobile-friendly. Over 50% of web traffic comes from mobile devices these days. If your site looks wonky on a smartphone, you’re losing potential clients.
Social Media
Trying to be everywhere at once is a recipe for burnout. Instead, focus on platforms where your target audience hangs out. For me, Facebook is the best place to connect with clients, after all, it’s where people are sharing their family photos already.
When you’re setting up your profiles, a personal branding tip is to use the same profile picture and bio across platforms. It helps with brand recognition. As well as posting about your services, share industry insights, behind-the-scenes peeks and the occasional personal update. It makes you more relatable and keeps your followers engaged.
Content is still king when it comes to establishing your online presence. Whether it’s blog posts, videos or podcasts, create stuff to showcase your expertise and provide real value to your audience. And don’t be afraid to repurpose your content across different platforms:
- Turn blog posts into LinkedIn carousels or YouTube videos.
- Pull the best bits into Canva and make shareable quote graphics.
- Distil the essence of a long-form post into your email newsletter.
Building an online presence takes time and effort. But stick with it and you’ll see the payoff in visibility, credibility and opportunities. It’s like planting a garden – tend to it regularly and watch it grow!
6. Strategic Networking and Collaboration
Networking and collaboration are like secret weapons for personal branding. They’re not just about swapping business cards – they’re about building connections that can skyrocket your career.
Industry events and conferences are goldmines for meeting people who get what you do. I once struck up a conversation in a coffee line at a marketing conference and ended up with a new client! Don’t be shy – everyone’s there to connect. Bring your A-game and some killer business cards.
Pro Personal Branding Tip: Follow up with new contacts within 48 hours. A quick “Great to meet you!” email goes a long way towards keeping you in someone’s mind.
Speaking Gigs
Speaking gigs are awesome for boosting your visibility. Start small with local meetups or webinars. As you build confidence, aim for bigger stages.
Collabs
Collaborating with others in your niche can open doors you didn’t know existed. Look for brands or influencers whose values align with yours. Maybe you can co-host a webinar, write a joint blog post or create a mini-course together. It’s a win-win – you both get exposure to each other’s audiences.
Content Creation
Starting a podcast or YouTube channel might sound daunting, but it’s a fantastic way to showcase your expertise and personality. You don’t need fancy equipment to start – a smartphone and a $20 mic can take you a long way.
Networking and collaboration are all about giving as much as you get. Be genuine, be helpful and watch your personal brand grow!
Awesome Personal Branding Examples
Sometimes the best way to figure out your branding is to take a look at what other coaches, influencers, thought leaders and entrepreneurs are doing.
Here are five coaches and thought leaders who are crushing it in the personal branding game. These guys aren’t just successful – their special “wow factor” makes them stand out in a crowded market.
Gary Vaynerchuk (GaryVee)
Gary’s personal brand is all about hustle, authenticity and cutting-edge digital marketing. His no-nonsense approach and consistent presence across multiple platforms (YouTube, Instagram, TikTok) give him a strong, clear identity. He’s mastered the art of repurposing content, turning long-form talks into bite-sized, shareable nuggets.
Marie Forleo
Marie has built a professional yet approachable brand. Her “B-School” program and “MarieTV” show a perfect blend of business savvy and relatable personality. Her tagline “Everything is Figureoutable” encapsulates her brand’s optimistic, can-do attitude.
Brené Brown
Brené has built her personal brand on vulnerability and courage. Her TED talks, books and Netflix special all reinforce her core message. She’s managed to take complex research and make it accessible and applicable to everyday life, creating a strong emotional connection with her audience.
Simon Sinek
Simon’s “Find Your Why” concept has become a cornerstone of his personal brand. His simple, powerful ideas about leadership and purpose are reinforced across his books, talks and social media. His calm, authoritative speaking style has become a signature part of his brand.
Mel Robbins
Why she’s outstanding: Mel’s “5 Second Rule” has become synonymous with her brand. She’s turned this simple concept into books, speaking engagements and online courses. Her personal stories of overcoming anxiety and procrastination make her relatable, while her success story gives her credibility.
These thought leaders have nailed personal branding by delivering value, having a clear message and focusing on their audience at every step. They’ve also adapted their content to various platforms, making their brands accessible and engaging across different media.
But this doesn’t happen overnight! Take the time needed to create personal branding that is a reflection of YOU!
Whether you’re coaching clients, consulting for businesses, influencing on social media or running your own company, a strong personal brand will open doors and create opportunities you never thought possible.
