How to Successfully Build your Personal Brand

Getting Comfortable with Marketing Yourself

It can feel a little uncomfortable if you’re not used to doing it.
Possible side effects include: decreased eye contact, a cortisol spike and feeling “the ick.”
Some consider it a necessary evil … others call it shameless.

We’ve all been there. Even if you don’t run your own business, you still have moments in life where you have to promote yourself, often in a high-pressure situation like a job interview. An elevator pitch about the product or service you provide, well … the way in which that pitch is delivered is just as important as the pitch itself. But you know that already because you read my previous blog mentioning content vs. distribution.

How exactly do you establish your personal brand?

Establishing your brand involves some self-reflection. You need to find a way to strategically define and showcase your identity, expertise, core values and personality in a way that will differentiate you from others in your field. Communicate these things in a clear, concise, relatable way that will leave a positive first impression on your audience.

Ask yourself about …

What you Offer

• What are my professional strengths?
• How is what I offer unique?
• Who is my target audience and why?
• Which specific problems or pain points am I solving for my target audience?

How and Where you Offer it

• Of all available digital channels, which ones do my target audience use most? (i.e. LinkedIn, Facebook, website)
• Which colours, fonts and imagery best define my visual brand?
• In terms of language, which tone and approach best represent my brand voice?
• What do I want to be known for in my industry?
• Who can I reach out to in order to expand my network and build my audience?
• Are there influencers or industry leaders I can collaborate with to elevate my brand?
• Is there content I can create and share that is meaningful to my audience while extending my brand’s message?

Evolve or Die

Inevitably, your brand will evolve in subtle and not-so-subtle ways over time. Subtle, like Pepsi launching their “new” logo (which is really just a slight modernization of their classic logo) ahead of their 125th anniversary. Not so subtle like Beyoncé dropping a country music album, Cowboy Carter, to equal parts acclaim and criticism. Being bold and taking risks is part of the marketing game – monitor the reaction closely, measure results and truly listen to your people. If the changes aren’t well received, evolve again and keep moving forward. All the best brands do.

Need help defining your brand? We should talk!