How To Build A Personal Brand

Key Takeaways

• A personal brand is how others perceive your character, capabilities, and values - building it deliberately puts you in control instead of leaving it to chance.
• Branding happens whether you engage with it or not; ignoring it risks missed promotions, partnerships, and client opportunities.
• Lean into the positive stereotypes people already associate with you rather than fighting them.
• Consistent content - blog, podcast, video - is the most effective way to build audience trust and establish thought leadership.
• A strategic, personality-driven social media presence extends your brand in real time and keeps your audience engaged.

Brand building: It’s a buzzword on everyone’s lips these days. What used to be a technical marketing term has become essential for any business owner, from dentists to musicians. At On Deck with Chris Herman, we specialize in personal branding strategy and helping entrepreneurs build their brand identity - so If you’re wondering about how to build a personal brand, read on.

What Is A Personal Brand?

A personal brand is what you stand for. It’s the package of capabilities and character traits that make you YOU. Your personal brand is a projection to the world of what you do, why you do it, and what you value. To build a personal brand, you need to identify these qualities and figure out how to express them in a way that people can immediately understand.

Why Does Personal Branding Matter?

Personal brand development happens whether you want to or not. Even if you’re not consciously projecting your brand, everyone who perceives you has their own quick gauge of your traits and what you have to offer - otherwise known as your reputation. Without trying, others are forming impressions of you and you are giving off an impression.

Brand awareness in the digital world is simply taking control of how others see you. It's easy to assume otherwise, but in the real world, how people perceive you directly impacts your life - whether or not they’re going to give you that next promotion, whether or not to hire your company for a gig, whether or not to trust you as a potential business partner, etc.

If your online presence doesn’t accurately reflect your real-world capabilities and communicate your values, you’re missing opportunities, getting shortchanged, or perhaps getting swamped in the wrong proposals. Knowing how to build a personal brand is critical to your professional reputation.

Take Jeffrey Carter, Brand Strategist at Herman Agency - hear his take on finding your brand's real truth on On Deck with Chris Herman.

Tips On How To Build A Personal Brand

Here are some tips to help you take control of your personal brand.

1. Lean into stereotypes

If you’ve worked this long, you probably already have a general idea of how others perceive you. Lean into positive traits that people probably get from a first impression and make stereotypes work for you rather than against you.

For example, if you’re a big, tattooed guy who owns a trucking company, people probably think you’re tough - which is a great thing if they’re looking for their goods to be protected. Lean into this impression by emphasizing the security and reliability of your transportation services.

2. Targeted content creation

Your digital footprint is how people are going to find you, so make sure the right people see the right things. Consistent blog, podcast, and video content is key for audience building and establishing thought leadership. Consistent content will help people find you and communicate your values and personality to your target audience.

3. Strategic social media presence

Make your social media an extension of your personal brand. It’s a great way to connect with your target audience in real time, letting people know what you and your business is up to, and highlighting the personality of your brand.

Contact on Deck With Chris Herman to Build Your Brand Today!

Learn how to build a personal brand and become the go-to expert in your field by communicating your unique traits and offerings. Reach out to On Deck with Chris Herman to learn more about brand strategy and take control of your digital reputation today!

FAQs

How to create a personal brand?

Personal branding is about presenting your unique values and offerings to the world in an understandable way. Brand development online includes social media strategizing and content creation.

What are some ways I can establish thought leadership?

Establish yourself as the trusted go-to expert in your field by regularly posting informative content, being featured on reputable channels such as On Deck with Chris Herman, and interacting with your targeted audience either online or in person.

Why is personal branding important?

You’re already unconsciously building a personal brand even without actively trying. By taking control of how others perceive you, you optimize opportunities to grow your business.

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