Personal Branding Basics

You’re a business person who wants more of your target audience to know, like, and trust you. How can personal branding help with that — and how much focus should you place on personal branding?

Personal branding is more than posting your logo or graphics and talking about how great your business is or your products or service are. It dives into you as a person. It shows your audience a deeper level of you — your likes, even your dislikes, your habits, what drives you, etc.

Woman exercises on exercise ball on a dock in front of a lake in the sun

Personal branding is crucial for several reasons:

Builds Trust and Credibility

Personal branding allows you to showcase your expertise, experience, and values, which in turn builds trust and credibility among your audience. When people can relate to you as a person, they are more likely to trust your business and what you offer.

Differentiation

In today’s competitive marketplace, personal branding helps you stand out from the crowd. It allows you to highlight what makes you unique and differentiates you from others in your industry.

Creates Emotional Connection

Personal branding enables you to create a more personal and emotional connection with your audience. By sharing your story, values, and passions, you can resonate with people on a deeper level, fostering loyalty and advocacy.

Increases Visibility And Opportunities

A strong personal brand increases your visibility both online and offline. It opens up opportunities for collaborations, partnerships, speaking engagements, and media features, which can further elevate your reputation and reach.

Long-Term Career Investment

Personal branding is not just about the present; it’s an investment in your long-term career or business success. A well-crafted personal brand can continue to benefit you throughout your professional journey, even if you switch industries or ventures.

Examples of various personal branding styles:

Your personal branding should be tailored to align with your values, expertise, and aspirations. Expressing your values, etc through your personal brand will ultimately resonate with and attract your target audience. Here are some examples of impactful personal branding:

  1. Gary Vaynerchuk: Known for his no-nonsense approach to entrepreneurship and marketing, Gary Vaynerchuk has built a personal brand around authenticity, hustle, and social media expertise. He shares his insights through videos, podcasts, books, and speaking engagements, positioning himself as a thought leader in the business world.

  2. Oprah Winfrey: Oprah’s personal brand is synonymous with authenticity, empathy, and empowerment. Through her media empire, she has created a platform to inspire and uplift millions of people worldwide. Her personal brand extends beyond her television show to encompass various philanthropic endeavors and lifestyle products.

  3. Elon Musk: Elon Musk’s personal brand revolves around innovation, ambition, and disruption. As the CEO of SpaceX, Tesla, and other ventures, he is known for his bold vision for the future and willingness to take risks. Musk’s personal brand is closely tied to his companies’ missions, making him a polarizing yet influential figure in the tech and automotive industries.

  4. Marie Forleo: Marie Forleo has built a personal brand centered on personal development, entrepreneurship, and female empowerment. Through her online platform, MarieTV, books, and coaching programs, she inspires and educates her audience to create a life and business they love.

  5. Richard Branson: Richard Branson’s personal brand embodies adventure, innovation, and rebellion. As the founder of the Virgin Group, he has leveraged his personality and lifestyle to promote his businesses and causes, from space tourism with Virgin Galactic to environmental sustainability initiatives.

These examples demonstrate how wide and varied personal branding can and should be. Is it time to take a deeper dive into your personal brand and how you want to show up in the market? How can you change up your social media posts and other marketing to start including or showcasing your personal brand?

I need to do a deeper dive into my personal brand

Click the button above and we’ll schedule a time to talk more about how you see yourself and how you want to be seen by your current and future clients and business partners!