Branding You – is it a good idea?
Branding you has become more important than ever in an over-crowded online arena if you are to stand out. Text messages, social media updates, ads and news updates bombard us all day. Branding you not only personalises your brand but helps your business to be remembered amongst the onslaught, especially if you are in a highly competitive industry. Your brand is who you are and what you stand for – it’s your voice to the world. It’s the reason your customers or clients will choose you over other similar businesses.
Branding you means communicating your authentic message with consistency and passion – it’s your reputation.
1. You are Unique
You are unique – your look, your voice, your personality, your experience and your expertise. No one else is quite the same and you should make the most of it. Whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee representing your company, branding you builds trust to your customers and clients.
It isn’t about being perfect. It’s not about being beautiful or handsome and it’s not about being a certain age. Authenticity reigns supreme today.
Be You – everyone else is taken.
2. Our Economy is Changing
It’s so important to build your own personal brand whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee. The job market is uncertain and today companies and even whole industries are changing and some disappearing totally. Banks and large corporations are constantly coming under scrutiny for fraud and lack of integrity and the gig economy is on the rise. Now more than ever it is imperative that you shape your own digital brand so that you have a digital footprint and keep your integrity intact.
3. People are Attracted to People
We all want to see who we’re going to be doing business with and having a logo just won’t have the same effect your face will. You can still have a logo even when you are the face of your brand. People are attracted to people and to their stories, their ability to connect and to the magic they promise. One of the best examples of this is Sir Richard Branson and Virgin. It’s a professional brand and company with Sir Richard as it’s face. And don’t we all love him, flaws and imperfections included? It makes him more real, more likeable and easier for us to relate to him.
4. Consistency and Creativity
Google your name and see what comes up. Make sure you’re consistent across your social media platforms (and no posts you need to be ashamed of!) and make sure you have a presence on LinkedIn, a social media site for professionals. If you check out your competitors, most will all seem boringly the same. Let your personality shine and get creative.
5. Branding You – step out from behind your logo
It can be scary. We all have fears for showing our vulnerability to the world. Video is an important part of branding you and I know many of us just don’t want to do it. We don’t like our voices, or our faces or anything else! Eeeeek! But do you know what? Just start, get going. Feel the fear and do it anyway. If you want to be successful you have to step out from behind your logo.
Be the ONLY solution to your audience’s problem.’
If you need more information on getting your brand started especially if you are a beginner, then read my article on HotsWots Digital.
Or if you want to learn more about marketing an online business, click here.
