how a personal brand can help grow your business
The TikTok kids these days are all about their ‘aesthetics’ but they may be onto something. Modern entrepreneurs are now challenged with growing an online presence, and a personal brand is a way to stand out amongst the noise.
We can confidently say that Gen Z is the first generation to master the importance of personal branding. A personal brand is essentially the combination of your unique perspective, experiences, and personality that you want the world to see in you. It reflects the way you present yourself, both online and offline to potential clients, customers and followers. Personal brands have gained popularity in the last five years with the growth of social media (and yes, this is why we see more and more people adopting aesthetics and trends). Now more than ever people understand the way they market themselves online is the most effective way to grow an engaged audience.
Why is Personal Branding Important?
Building Trust and Credibility: People crave connection and to be involved with a community. Your brand helps establish trust with your clients and audience. When your audience understands who you are and what you stand for, they’re more likely to trust you. Investing in visual branding adds the next level of professionalism and expertise to your online presence.
Standing Out: The entrepreneurial world is crowded, essspecially online. A strong personal brand helps you stand out from millions of others doing the same thing by highlighting what makes you and your business unique. Incorporating a consistent visual aesthetic (think colour palette and graphics) into your online presence makes you memorable to your audience and increases the chance of returning visitors.
Creating Consistency: If you let me toot my own horn for a minute. I was chatting with a friend who mentioned they always notice when posts from Kind show up on their Instagram feed because of the brand colours. They recognize my content at first glance without reading it because of the consistency in branding. A consistent personal brand ensures that no matter where someone encounters you or your business, they get the same impression.
Networking: A clear personal brand makes it easier to network and build professional relationships. It helps others understand who you are and what value you can offer. Visual branding just adds a level of authority and professionalism that just speaks ‘I know what I do is impactful, and I invested in my expertise’. It’s a small but mighty change that takes you from side hustle to professional.
Career Growth: As your business grows, so does your personal brand. It opens doors to new opportunities, partnerships, and growth. Having a personal brand ensures your website, social media, Linkedin or even resume stands out. Having the confidence to know your values, skills and perspective not only builds career confidence but takes you from amateur to expert.
How To Start Building A Personal Brand?
Identify Your Unique Selling Proposition (USP): What sets you apart? This could be your unique approach, specific services, or even your personal journey.
Be Consistent: Ensure your communication and visual branding are consistent across all platforms – your website, social media, business cards, and even how you present yourself in meetings.
Stay Visible and Engaged: Regularly engage with your community, attend industry events, and be active on social platforms where your audience spends their time.
Be Authentic: Your brand should be a reflection of your true self. Authenticity resonates with people and builds deeper connections.
Network Actively: Build relationships with other entrepreneurs and professionals. Networking isn’t just about gaining clients; it’s about building a supportive community.
Industries that Benefit From Personal Branding
Almost every professional can benefit from having a strong personal brand, but it's particularly crucial for those in careers where trust, expertise, and visibility are key. Some careers where personal branding is especially beneficial include:
Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: This is always the hill we’ll die on. Investing in branding from the start helps in building trust, credibility, and a customer base.
Freelancers and Consultants: Essential for attracting clients and standing out in a competitive market.
Creative Professionals (Artists, Writers, Designers, etc.): Vital for showcasing their unique style and vision. Creative industries are some of the most competitive of them all, and having a personal brand is the only way to have a level spot on the playing field.
Sales and Marketing Professionals: What makes sales successful? Trust. Personal branding assists in establishing authority and expertise in their field, making potential customers trust their business.
Public Speakers, Podcasts & Coaches: Crucial for establishing credibility and attracting audiences or clients. Personal branding adds legitimacy and authority to speakers.
Job Seekers: Applying a personal brand to business cards, LinkedIn and resumes creates an impactful first impression and helps to distinguish applicants from other candidates in a pile of resumes.
Executives and Leaders: Important for establishing thought leadership and a reputation in their industry. A polished brand highlights expertise and experience gaining trust from employees and clients.
Influencers and Public Figures: Central to their career as their brand is directly tied to their audience reach. Graphics are a great way to consistently create recognition across social media platforms, pitch packages and merchandise.
How We Can Help You Build Your Personal Brand
We start all of our new projects with a discovery questionnaire. This questionnaire helps us thoroughly understand your story and discover what makes you unique. Using the answers from the questionnaire, we know how to pick out little gems (usually things you’d never notice) and incorporate them into your brand. Using this information we create a logo, colour palette, and graphics that communicate your values and expertise.
Personal brands are slowly growing in popularity, and now is the perfect time to jump on the trend early and stand out in your industry. Whether you’re a creative, influencer or coach; investing in a personal brand shows your confidence and expertise in yourself and the value you offer. We would love to chat and see if a personal brand is a good fit for you. If this sounds good, let’s get in touch.
