The Art of Personal Branding
It’s More Than a Logo
Branding is important because not only is it what makes a memorable impression on consumers but it allows your customers and clients to know what to expect from your company. It is a way of distinguishing yourself from the competitors and clarifying what it is you offer that makes you the better choice
For starters, branding is way more than just an iridescent dash of colors (aka logo). It includes everything you do, or claim to do as a business — even if your organization is only about you.
Put differently:
Your brand is the sum total of your customers’ perceptions, notions and experience. It is the face, personality and the values espoused by your business and everything in between.
More importantly, every single facet of your business be it your social media profile, the tone of your voicemails or the way you present, market and deliver a service captures the essence of your branding and sends an implicit message about how much you respect your own business.
Beyond that, your brand represents who you are, what you believe in and how you want to be perceived by your audience. That is why branding is so important to an organization.
What is Your Personal Brand?
Your personal brand is how you promote yourself. It is the unique combination of skills, experience, and personality that you want the world to see you. It is the telling of your story, and how it reflects your conduct, behavior, spoken and unspoken words, and attitudes
Why is it Important?
- Inputs Trust : A personal brand explains the why in the what of a person. In short, these are the things that motivate and drive people to success. Building a personal brand makes people feel comfortable while working. It also establishes trusts to the colleagues. Having a personal brand also creates intentions that are clear and genuine, which are key in fostering trust. People will feel more comfortable when they can guess what a person can do. When people are aware of a person’s energy source, they will feel at ease in letting him or her be in charge of their needs. Even handing out business cards wouldn’t be a problem if people already put their trust in the person.
- Builds Connections : Personal branding helps a person build connections in different fields and their areas of specialty. There is no limit to personal branding. It can go beyond the digital world. Once a person builds his reputation, it will help them to get more exposure like speaking events. With the help of these events, he can start collecting low-cost business cards to work on possible leads and connections.
- Builds Credibility : Personal branding aids a person in establishing his name as a thought leader and expert in his area of specialty. It helps in gaining recognition in their area of expertise. A person also builds a lasting impression and a self-reward for the individuality itself. Admiration, respect, and trust will come along with a person’s name. There are messages embedded in the awareness of the targeted market. People will perceive a person as an expert if he or she is more visible to their target audience. A brand will drive a person to the top of the chosen marketplace, even a person’s cheap printed cards can pass after establishing credibility. It is the ability that people are looking instead of physical things.
- Confidence : Individuals can also gain confidence while they are developing their brand. The gain of confidence will come from their positive qualities and strengths that they could share publicly. If people know that they have something which they can offer, their self-esteem will soar. A well done personal branding will emphasize the strengths of an individual and can give direction as to where he or she can use those strengths
- Having Authenticity : A personal brand comes from passion, skills, goals, and values. It is a result of a person’s hunt for fulfillment and meaning. Personal branding helps a person grow from something that he or she believes. Personal branding is a person itself and no one else. Personal branding doesn’t allow individuals to create a contrived voice or a fake persona that is not genuinely them. Personal branding helps a person be authentic, which can also help him or her in fulfilling things in life easier. A person’s life will revolve around work while prioritizing strengths and taking advantage of the talents that brings him or her joy.
Key Takeaways
Personal branding offers numerous benefits to a person’s life and career. Also, it helps in building confidence while gaining trust, authenticity, and credibility. It is important that people know that building their branding is important and helpful.