A good friend recently sent me a video where someone said they were moving away from their personal brand to focus on building their company’s brand. “Huh?” was my gut reaction. This assertion struck me as odd because you can’t “move away” from your personal brand — it’s inherently part of you. So let’s clear up some misunderstandings about what a personal brand is and is not.
What a Personal Brand Is NOT
Here’s what a personal brand is not:
1. It’s not a company or business entity.
2. It’s not a business model or product.
3. It’s not temporary.
Personal branding has been around for ages, even if the term is relatively new. Think about influencer marketing from decades past: Michael Jackson in Pepsi commercials or Britney Spears in advertisements. These were early examples of personal branding before the term even existed.
What a Personal Brand Actually Is
At its core, a personal brand is the formalization, organization, and digitization of your reputation. It consolidates all your life experiences and expertise into something coherent and meaningful. It’s not what you do but who you are. It’s the essence of your purpose and what you stand for.
I used the word “purpose” because we’re all searching for meaning and purpose in our lives. If you’ve found your purpose and have the resources to act on it, you have a great responsibility to do so. But many people are still searching for their purpose. If you’re reading this, you likely have an idea of what yours is, and consider it a blessing. It means you have the power to act on it and the responsibility to fulfill it.
3 Major Reasons Why Personal Branding Matters
1. Future of doing business: Your unique perspective and filter differentiate you from AI. As AI continues to integrate into various aspects of our lives, your personal brand will set you apart.
2. Profitability: Personal branding is highly profitable. Our research shows that over half of Americans are willing to pay more to receive services from someone with an established personal brand. People trust individuals more than companies.
3. Trust accelerator: A strong personal brand accelerates trust. People are more likely to do business with someone they feel they know, and a personal brand helps build that familiarity.
3 Practical Steps to Building Your Personal Brand
Now the fun part: how do you actually build your personal brand? Start with these three steps.
1. Identify what you want to be known for. Reflect on your experiences, values, and expertise. What do you want people to think of when they hear your name?
2. Be consistent and authentic. Your brand should be a true reflection of who you are. Consistency in your messaging, actions, and content is key.
3. Use digital platforms. Use social media, blogs, and other digital platforms to share your story and connect with your audience. This is where the digitization of your reputation happens.
Your Reputation is Your Brand
Your personal brand is ultimately your reputation. It’s what people think of when they think of you. And if you’d like some expert guidance in building yours, reach out for a Free Brand Call with Brand Builders Group. We’ve helped hundreds of people build and monetize their personal brands, and we’d love to lend a hand in building yours.
