How to Build a Personal Brand: A Step-By-Step Guide

brand strategy

Okay, so you know "personal branding" is important... but you might be wondering "Where do I even start?... How do I "brand" myself???" (And why?)

Well, let's break it down. Your personal brand is essentially the image and reputation you build for yourself in your industry or niche. It's how you present yourself to the world and how others perceive you.

Now, why is this important? A strong personal brand helps you stand out, build credibility, and grow your business in a crowded market.

Plus, in today's digital world, having a strong personal brand can also help you build a larger online presence and increase your visibility... and ultimately reach your business goals to serve more people and make more money.

So how do you go about building a personal brand? In this blog, I'll outline 7 simple steps to get started.

But first, let's quickly talk about what you should have in place FIRST beforehand.

Before building a personal brand...

Ask yourself "why" you want to build a personal brand. Is it to promote your coaching services? To attract clients for your creative business? To establish yourself as an expert in your industry?

Knowing your "why" will help guide your personal branding efforts and give you clear direction.

Additionally, make sure you have a solid grasp of who YOU are. This includes understanding your strengths, values, and unique qualities that make you stand out.

Your personal brand should be a reflection of who you are, not someone else's version of you. If you don't feel "solid" in your identity at first, that's okay... going through a personal branding journey can be a powerful self-discovery journey.

Finally, know what you offer and who your target audience is. This will help you tailor your brand messaging and visuals to appeal to potential clients or customers.

Now onto the steps for building a personal brand...

Step 1: Define Your Target Audience

As mentioned earlier, it's important to start with a clear focus on what you offer and who you serve. Therefore, the first step in building a personal brand is to define your target audience.

Who are you trying to reach with your brand? Think about who your potential clients or customers are - their age, gender, interests, pain points, desires, and values. This will help you tailor your personal brand messaging to resonate with them.

It's also important to know what you're selling - whether it's coaching services, educational resources, or a unique skill set. This will help you understand how to position yourself in the market and stand out from others in your field.

Step 2: Define Your Purpose and Values

Before you can effectively market yourself, you need to have a strong understanding of your purpose and values. This will help guide your brand messaging and ensure that it authentically represents who you are.

Ask yourself "What do I stand for? What is my mission?" These answers will serve as the foundation for your personal brand.

Step 3: Craft Your Brand Message

A brand message is a concise and compelling statement that communicates what you do, who you help, and what makes you unique. It should also align with your purpose and values.

When crafting your brand message, it's important to be clear, authentic, and consistent. Your message should resonate with your target audience and differentiate you from others in the market.

Some elements that are included in your brand message are:

Your unique selling proposition (USP): What sets you apart from others in your industry?
Your brand promise: What can clients or customers expect from working with you?
Emotions and values: How do you want people to feel when they interact with your brand?
Your brand story: What inspired you to do what you do? Why do you do what you? How do your past experiences contribute to your credibility and trust?

Step 4: Develop Your Visual Brand Identity

Your brand identity is a visual representation of your personal brand. This includes your logo, color scheme, fonts, and overall aesthetic.

When people think of building a "brand", this is usually all they think there is to it (but clearly brand strategy is WAY more complex than just colours and fonts).

However, your brand identity is still an important aspect of creating a strong and memorable personal brand. Aim to create a strong and cohesive brand identity that accurately reflects your personality, and yet is ALSO appealing to your ideal audience. Finding the balance here is key.

Consider hiring a professional designer to help you create a visually appealing and effective brand identity. Or you can DIY with my beginner Uplevel Your Brand course.

Whichever route you choose, make sure your brand identity is consistent across all platforms - including your website, social media profiles, and marketing materials.

Consistency is key when it comes to building a recognizable and trustworthy brand.

Step 5: Establish Your Online Presence

In today's digital age, having a strong online presence is essential for building a personal brand. This means creating and maintaining professional profiles on various social media platforms, as well as having a well-designed website.

Your website should serve as your central hub, where potential clients and followers can learn more about your services, brand message, and values.

Social media platforms can then be used to drive traffic to your website and engage with your target audience.

Some social media platforms to consider are Instagram, LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.

It's important to choose platforms that align with your target audience and the type of content you want to share. Don't try to be on every platform - focus on quality over quantity. Pick 1-2 to start.

It's important to not only share promotional content but also valuable and authentic content that showcases your expertise and personality.

Also, remember to engage with your followers by responding to comments and messages. This will help you connect with your audience on a deeper level and build trust.

Step 6: Network and Collaborate

Networking and collaborating with other professionals in your industry is another important aspect of building a personal brand. This can include attending events, joining online communities, and reaching out to potential collaborators.

By networking, you not only expand your professional circle but also create opportunities for cross-promotion and collaborations that can further boost your brand visibility.

Additionally, collaborating with other professionals can provide new perspectives and ideas for your own brand.

Step 7: Consistently Evaluate and Evolve

Building a personal brand is an ongoing process... because let's be real, we humans grow and evolve constantly.

It's important to consistently evaluate your brand and make necessary changes as you grow and your goals evolve.

This could mean updating your branding, shifting your messaging, or even pivoting to a different niche.

Remember, the key is to stay authentic and true to yourself while adapting to the changing landscape of your industry.

However, be mindful of switching it up too much in the beginning. This can come across as inauthentic and confusing to your audience.

Finding the balance between consistency and authenticity is key - don't let self-doubt run the show and make you quit before you've had time to see the results.

To wrap it up...

Remember, building a personal brand is not about creating a facade or trying to please everyone. It's about showcasing your unique strengths and values, building genuine connections with your audience, and consistently evolving as you grow.

Don't be afraid to take risks, make mistakes, and learn from them. As long as you stay true to yourself and your brand message, you will attract the right audience and opportunities that align with your goals.

Building a personal brand is an ongoing process, but as long as you remain authentic and dedicated, it can lead to great success both personally and professionally. So go out there, continue building your brand, and watch yourself thrive!