Mayple logo

In this article

What is a Personal Brand?

Octavia Drexler
By Octavia Drexler
Ben Kazinik
Edited by Ben Kazinik

Published May 2, 2024.

what-is-a-personal-brand

A personal brand is the unique combination of skills, experiences, and personality that make you who you are. It is how you present yourself to the world and how others perceive you. Your personal brand sets you apart from others and makes you stand out in a competitive market.

Very often, people think personal branding is just for social media influencers and social media marketing experts. But truth be told, anyone and everyone can and should have a personal brand and maximize the power of social media outlets to build a name for themselves.

There are a lot of personal branding examples of people to inspire you, from Justin Welsh on LinkedIn to Gary Vee and many others who have made their branding journey not just public but extremely successful, too.



How to define your personal brand

Building a personal branding strategy starts with introspection and understanding what truly drives you. It involves identifying your unique strengths, passions, and the value you bring to others. Most times, a personal branding journey takes time, and will need you to make adjustments as you move along.

The advantages of a personal brand 

Embarking on a personal branding journey takes effort and time - but it is absolutely worth it. Here are some of the biggest benefits of doing it:

Increased credibility 

Having a well-defined personal brand significantly boosts your credibility within your industry. It serves as a testament to your expertise and dedication, making you a more attractive option to potential clients or employers. This increased credibility not only opens doors to new roles and opportunities but also establishes you as an authority in your industry, attracting more engagement and fostering trust.

Differentiation on the market

A strong personal brand helps you stand out and be remembered by potential employers or clients (or your target audience). It highlights your unique skills, experiences, and personality, differentiating you from others in your field.

Ultimately, this differentiation not only enhances your professional image but also significantly boosts your chances of success in your current role and career as a whole.

Lasting impression 

Creating a lasting impression through your personal brand ensures that you remain at the forefront of decision-makers' minds when opportunities arise. It's about leaving a mark through your actions, communications, and how you interact with others both online and offline.

A memorable personal brand can open doors to new opportunities and establish a legacy that resonates within your industry and new potential audiences.

Connecting you with a relevant audience

Your personal brand paves the way for you to connect with people who share your values, interests, and professional aspirations. By clearly communicating who you are and what you stand for, you attract a community that is aligned with your vision and goals. This connection not only enriches your network but also significantly enhances opportunities for collaboration and growth.

How to create a personal brand 

Creating a personal brand is an incremental, ongoing process. Here are some personal branding tips to help you get started: 



Define your vision & purpose

Defining your vision and purpose is a core component of building your personal brand. It's about pinpointing what sets your soul on fire and understanding the broader impact you wish to have through your professional endeavors. Start by asking yourself a series of reflective questions to gain clarity on your vision and purpose:

  • What drives and motivates you? Consider the activities, causes, or goals that inspire you to take action and work hard.
  • What are your best skills? Reflect on the talents and abilities that come naturally to you and are consistently praised by others.
  • What skills are you building on? Identify the areas you're actively working to improve or new competencies you're acquiring to stay relevant in your field.
  • What kind of work and subjects give you energy? Think about the tasks or topics that ignite your passion and make you lose track of time when you're engaged with them.
  • What do people you admire have in common? Look at the qualities of individuals / influencers / business owners you look up to and see what traits, values, or achievements they share.

Answering these questions helps you create a foundation for your personal brand that is authentic and aligned with your true self. It goes beyond mere professional achievements to encompass the essence of who you are and what you stand for, setting the stage for genuine connections and opportunities that resonate with your personal and professional goals.

Knowing your position on these topics will also help you leverage your social media accounts to build a content strategy that will support your personal branding journey. Every piece of content you create will have to align with your values, who you are, and what you offer.

Audit your existing brand 

An audit of your existing brand involves taking a comprehensive look at how you're currently perceived both online and offline.

This step is crucial for understanding the gap between your actual self-presentation and the perception others have of you. It might include reviewing your social media profiles, website, and professional interactions to identify inconsistencies or areas for improvement.

ben-linkedin-post

  • Are you only sharing the articles you've published (boring) without telling the story/context?
  • Do you talk about the successes and failures of your business?
  • Do you share personal stories or career advice?

If the answer is no on these then you should re-think your strategy. Chances are, you're not taking enough risks, you're not building meaningful connections with you branding.



Build your personal narrative

Your personal narrative is essentially the story of your brand, crafted to convey your unique path, values, and vision to your audience. It synthesizes your experiences, achievements, and the lessons learned along the way into a cohesive and relatable story.

This narrative serves as a powerful tool to create consistent content (and helpful content) which connecst with your audience on a deeper level, demonstrating not just what you do, but who you are and why you do it.

rakefet-linkedin-profile


For example: Are you a Facebook Ads expert? Don't just talk about ads campaigns, showcase the ones that did well for you, describe your successes and failures, tell some stories, make some bold statements, share some funny memes. Laugh a little, live a little. You get the point.

Build a consistent strategy

Building a consistent strategy involves developing a plan to consistently communicate and showcase your personal brand across various platforms. This means aligning your messaging, visuals, and interactions to reflect your core values and vision.

It's crucial for reinforcing your brand identity and ensuring that your audience receives a unified and authentic experience whenever they engage with your content or interact with you.

Remember, changing gears every couple of months and not maintaining a consistent brand image can confuse your audience and dilute the impact of your personal brand.

Align your values to your organization’s

Aligning your personal values with those of your organization is crucial for sustained career growth and satisfaction. This congruence boosts morale, enhances job performance, and fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty towards your workplace. It ensures that your efforts contribute to a larger purpose, aligning with your individual goals and the collective objectives of the organization.



Be intentional with your communication

Effective communication is a cornerstone of building and maintaining a strong personal brand. It involves being mindful of your language, tone, and the platforms you use to share your message, ensuring they align with your brand identity and audience expectations.

By intentionally curating your words and actions, you create a coherent and impactful presence that resonates with your community and bolsters your professional image. It's not about growing your followers count, it's about sharing valuable content to the right people.

  • Does every piece of content speak to my target audience's needs?
  • What valuable advice can I share to solve my audience's problem?
  • What content can I share to create a personal connection with my audience?

Communicate your brand story & self-promote

Communicating your brand story and self-promotion are key to making your personal brand visible and memorable in a competitive landscape. It's about sharing your unique journey, challenges, and victories in a way that resonates with your audience and highlights your professional value.

Engaging in strategic self-promotion (on social media platforms, for example) helps you showcase your achievements and capabilities, thereby enhancing your marketability and connecting you with opportunities that align with your career aspirations.

Pro tip: ever heard of Gary Vaynerchuk's Jab, Jab, Jab, Right Hook concept? You post some educational content that's valuable to your audience 3 times, and then you post something self-promotional.



Evaluate and fine-tune

Evaluating and fine-tuning your personal brand is an essential continuous process that involves regularly reviewing your brand's performance and impact.

This step allows you to measure the effectiveness of your strategies and make necessary adjustments to align with your evolving goals and market dynamics. Through constant reflection and adaptation, you ensure your personal brand remains relevant, compelling, and true to your vision and purpose.

It may take a long period of time, but if you stay consistent you will see tremendous benefits and grow your influence over time.