Most people understand the importance of good branding when it comes to business success. But having a brand goes beyond creating a recognizable logo and having a snappy slogan. Many business people also have a personal brand that sets them apart as an individual and establishes a positive reputation in the eyes of the public. Developing a personal brand is vital because as a small business owner, you are likely the primary representative of your business.
Your personal brand can create a narrative that helps you connect with more clients. Many professionals are known as leaders or experts in their field through personal branding. Most people have a personal brand, but it doesn’t hurt to shape what gets said about you online. That said, here are eight tips for developing a personal brand.
1. Find Your Focus
Many people are unfocused when it comes to personal branding, which makes their message and persona unmemorable, defeating the entire purpose. Choose what you’d like to focus on and the target audience you want to reach. Then, maintain that focus in everything you do.
2. Be Authentic
If you want your personal brand to succeed, try to be authentic. What does this mean? It means to be yourself. Don’t try to be something you aren’t. People are able to see whether or not you are putting on an act or being genuine. Attempting to create a false personal brand will not reflect well on your business and will be difficult to maintain.
3. Provide Value
If you want an audience that pays attention to your brand, there has to be some incentive for them. In other words, you need to provide value. This can take a variety of forms. You might be funny, and that’s all it takes. Otherwise, maybe you provide valuable tips or something no one else does, like demo videos.
4. Be Consistent
Consistency is an essential element that successful personal brands have in common. Part of this involves regular posting on social media, but there’s more. You also need to have a consistent message and voice so you don’t confuse or upset your audience.
5. Walk Your Talk
If you’ve vowed to be authentic with developing a personal brand, this won’t be difficult. It’s easier to create a lasting and impactful personal brand if your actual lifestyle and brand are one and the same. If you are one person online and another in real life, you’ll eventually run into some issues.
6. Be an Expert
If you have some expertise, it’s important to let others know about it — in a subtle way. Most people hop online looking for answers to questions or solutions to problems. When you establish yourself as an expert in your field, they will remember your name when they are ready to buy.
7. Get Social
Personal branding can’t be built effectively without amplification. Specifically, you need to devote some of your time to interacting with people on social media. If someone asks a question, make sure you answer it promptly. If they tag you in a post, respond and thank them. When you humanize your brand, it will be more effective.
Get Helping Developing a Brand That Gets Results
If you’re ready to develop a personal and small business brand that gets results, find out how we can help. VisionPATH Marketing offers personalized advisory and consulting services to businesses of every shape and size. We understand that your brand is what makes you unique, and we’ve developed a reputation for delivering effective service to our clients. Contact us today to learn more about how our team of seasoned marketers can help you achieve your goals.