How to Become a Personal Brand

Whether you are an entrepreneur, an author, an artist, or a thought-leader, you are a creative individual with ground-breaking expertise to share. So if you are ready to take your offerings to the next level, creating a personal brand is the perfect way to make your services high-touch and attractive to your target audience. 

It’s important to remember that anyone can build a presence around a song and dance. But no one can replicate your story, experience, and the unique journey that led you to be the beacon you are today.

A personal brand is how the public perceives you. As Jeff Bezos, the CEO of Amazon, says: “Your personal brand is what others say about you when you leave the room.” However, your target audience should not see you as a hero, but someone to guide them through their problem and towards the success they deserve. Creating a personal brand requires a lot of self-discovery, but when you do the work, you will reap the benefits of being a strong and respected individual in your field.

It all comes to knowing yourself in order to serve your people. 

Here are 6 things to consider as you begin your journey towards becoming an influential personal brand:

Start at the Beginning

Slow down and go from the bottom up. What, in your life, are you passionate about? Where does your heart beat the hardest? Once you have a firm grasp on this, ask yourself: “Can I use my passion to (fill in the blank) others to (fill in the blank)?” Psst…with the right mindset, the answer is “yes!”.

“Street Cred.”

Take out a piece of paper or a voice recorder and consider this question: why should people listen to you? Why are you qualified, professionally and empathetically? Make a list of accomplishments, big and small. You can include any certifications, publications, awards, or successful campaigns under your belt. Also, include why you understand their pain points and how it inspired you to serve in your industry. 

Your Strengths

Now that you are ready to move forward, it’s time to consider the things you excel at. Give your talent a name. Are you good at talking? Writing? Teaching? Art? Ask other people what they think. These are the tools you will use to make an impact as a leader in your industry. For example, if your talent is leading others and you can confidently speak to a crowd, keep public speaking or podcasting in the cards as your platforms of influence.

Goal-Getting

Start creating goals for your personal brand (hint: it goes way beyond “becoming an InstaStar”!). Do you want to be a coach? An author? An entertainer? A journalist? Brain-dump that destination on a piece of paper or phone app. Nothing is too big, ridiculous, or far out of reach. Remember, you are one-of-a-kind and deserve it all!

Your Values

What are the things that are the most important to you? Chances are, your list also meets the values of your target customer. Your values can be personal, professional, or both, but it is essential to be very clear in your messaging so potential leads can look at you and say, “Hey – she totally gets me! I want her.” 

Your Message

Donald Miller, the creator and author of “Building a StoryBrand,” tells his readers that “If you confuse, you’ll lose.” You need to be crystal clear on your business’ messaging as a personal brand. That means understanding that, while your personal brand is YOU, you are not the main character in the story. That role is reserved for your customer! Make this clear by positioning yourself as a compassionate guide who understands where they stand, their needs, pain points, and where they ultimately want to be. Only then will you know how to help them succeed!

PS: Is your messaging solid? Being a StoryBrand Certified Guide, I know some of the best-kept industry secrets that can help you clarify your message! Let’s hop on a 20-minute Clarity Call to discuss how to position yourself as a personal brand.

Click here, and let’s have a virtual coffee date >>