It is more important than ever to develop your personal brand. So just what is a personal brand? Why do you need one and how do you develop one when you’re a new Online Business Owner? In this article, we’re going to find out.
Personal branding is the practice of creating and positioning yourself (and your business) as someone who is unique and appealing, in the eyes of your ideal customer.
It seems straightforward, so why do most people fail when it comes to personal branding? Unlike traditional branding, personal branding is not only about marketing yourself to potential and existing customers. It is more about gaining credibility, creating a positive personal image, and influencing how others perceive you. Your personal brand should convey the right message and appeal to the right people.
It involves building a name, face, story and personality around yourself so that people will associate you with these qualities. It also involves being a thought leader and innovator, setting yourself apart from the competition.
Why most people fail with Personal Branding
The second paragraph defines personal branding as positioning you as someone who is unique and appealing. Let’s look at that…
Internet marketing attracts a lot of new people. Many (if not all), think that to make sales online you need to be experienced, so they model from established brands and personalities often copying taglines, traits and branding assets.
Here are some typical examples that have been copied:
Top YouTuber Nick Nimmin has a branding quote “We’re going to get started right now…” to introduce his videos.
Gary Vaynerchuck made the word “hustle” famous.
…and many people have copied the hand-over-the-lens transition with vlogs.
The takeaway here is you need to be yourself because copying the branding assets of others tells your audience that you have nothing original to share.
Follow these steps to create a successful personal brand
1. Identify yourself: Who are you? What are your core values? What sets you apart from the competition?
2. Set a goal: What do you want to achieve? What areas of influence do you want to make an impact in?
3. Create a plan: How will you spread your message? What platforms will you use? How will you differentiate your brand?
4. Build relationships: It’s important to nurture relationships with other professionals, influencers and customers.
5. Develop a brand persona: It’s important to be consistent with your messaging and remain true to yourself.
How to build your personal brand when you’re new
I know. If you’re reading this and you’re brand new, you may think you don’t have the answers to these questions.
I’m here to tell you you do…
The most effective way to build a personal brand is to be 100% authentic and document your journey. If you’re new to the online business industry, tell your audience. If you’re finding things tough, share the experience because people resonate with the struggle before the success.
Remember these two things:
- You do not have to be a 6 figure marketer to share content of value.
- If your friends and family watch your content and ask questions, you’re doing it right.
Personal Branding
Personal branding is not only about marketing yourself. It’s also about having the right attitude and understanding how to use your relationships and personal values to benefit your career and life. It’s a way to gain credibility and become an example for others.
Personal Branding training
To learn more about personal branding head over to the personal branding department at the McLauchlan Academy
