WHAT IS PERSONAL BRANDING?
Personal branding is something that intimidates many people. You’re not only building a brand, but making it personal too. Doing so brings a lot of attention to yourself, and this is something that many people find uncomfortable. However, personal branding plays a very important role in the life of an entrepreneur. It gives you something that a corporate company or faceless brand cannot ever give you. So what is personal branding, why is it so important, and why should you start building yours?
IT’S PERSONAL
Just as the name implies, personal branding is when you make your brand personal. Instead of just keeping things to logos and automated promo emails, you make it something individual with your own personal touch. Your personal brand tells your story and reflects who you are, the beliefs you have, the values you hold, and the actions you take. It’s built around you as an individual being the face of your brand.
YOU GAIN TRUST AND BUILD AUTHENTICITY
One of the biggest reasons why it’s important to have a personal brand is that it builds your trust and authenticity. When a company has no face, it’s difficult for people to connect with it and trust that the company has the customer's best interest in mind. When an actual human is the voice and image of a brand, it’s easier for potential clients and customers to trust them and believe that this is a brand worth doing business with. Companies that hide behind logos also have a higher chance of being scammers, or when they are legitimate, they often become more difficult to get a hold of in case you have questions, concerns, or wish to have a refund. When you make an effort to become personal and connect with your audience, your customers and clients are more likely to trust you and want to do business with you.
HOW DO YOU KNOW WHAT KIND OF PERSONAL BRAND YOU HAVE?
The simplest way to find out what type of image you are portraying is to simply Google yourself. Type in your own name in the search bar and see what comes up. You may be surprised by what you see. Is it old selfies you took as a teenager? Is it your company podcast? Is it a press article talking all about how awful you are? Or does nothing come up? Are you invisible online?
IF YOU HAVE A NAME, YOU HAVE A PERSONAL BRAND
The truth is that if you have a name, you already have a personal brand, even if you’re not selling anything. Your personal brand is what somebody thinks of at the mention of your name. It’s what comes up when somebody searches you up on Google or social media. So even if you refuse to make your brand personal, you still have a personal brand. However, the good news is that you have complete control over it. If you don’t want people to think you’re a party animal, then don’t post photos or videos of you partying. If you want people to know you love basketball, start sharing more about your love for it. If you want people to like you, stop gossiping about others behind their back and start complimenting them instead.
IT’S IMPORTANT TO TAKE CONTROL BEFORE SOMEONE ELSE DOES
Even if you search up your name on Google and nothing comes up, people are still talking about you. What they say though is up to you. If you refuse to build your personal brand, people will create your brand for you. They will decide what to say about you. For many people, this means false rumors start to spread simply because people want something to talk about. However, if you take control of your own story, you will be able to direct what people talk about. If you want a positive brand image, you can make it happen. If you want people to trust you, all you need to do is show up. Becoming consistent, authentic, and trustworthy is all possible if you are willing to take the steps to make it happen.
3 THINGS THAT HAPPEN WHEN YOU BUILD YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
Today, the internet is so saturated with noise that it’s difficult to stand out and easy to get scammed. When you take control of your narrative, you have a chance to stand out and become different from all your competitors. Here are three things that happen to people who have their own personal brand:
You become unique and stand out from your competitors.
You become trustworthy because it’s clear that you are a real person.
You begin to attract an audience that has the same values as you and is more likely to want to work with you.
YOU CONTROL WHAT PEOPLE SAY
In the end, it’s important to remember that personal branding is something that everyone has access to. Your values, attitudes, and personality make up your brand. Whether you choose to take control of your image or not is up to you, but it is an important aspect that all entrepreneurs should be aware of and consider.
HOW PR TIES IN WITH PERSONAL BRANDING
Being active on social media is not the only way to build your personal brand. The good news is that there are other ways to get your name known online as well. PR is a great place to start because of how personal and widespread you can get. Whether you get interviewed on TV or a podcast, get published in a press article, or get to speak on a big stage, PR is one of the best ways to build your personal brand. If you’re interested in some potential options for growing your own brand, you can check out our list of services here or apply for a phone call with our expert personal branding team here.
