Personal Branding: What It Is, How to Find Yours, and Why It Matters
Personal branding is critical to your business foundation, sets the tone for first impressions, and describes who you are and what you do–especially if you’re a service provider. Your personal brand is the culmination of images, copy, design, and other elements that send subtle cues as to what you’re about.
Yet, knowing where to start can feel like an internal battle and halt the process before it has begun. I guide clients like you through a discovery and consultative process to help you articulate your mission and unique qualities and clearly explain the value of your offerings--ultimately activating it with personal brand photography and copywriting. First impressions are everything, after all!
Pinpoint what sets you apart from your competition.
The first step in personal branding is to figure out who you are and what you want from your purpose. Maybe you're a real estate agent with vast historical architecture knowledge. Or you're a health and wellness coach with a holistic yet vibrant approach.
Knowing your niche helps set you apart from the competition.
Still not sure? Ask those who know your work what they feel sets you apart/why they book your services. Having a narrow focus allows you to build a consistent brand.
Your brand helps you rank on search engines.
Google your name and see what pops up. If you struggle to find yourself, imagine how hard it will be for your clients to find you. The average user won't go past the first five searches, so it is imperative to choose keywords to increase your chances of being seen.
Use your brand name/keywords to help optimize searches. For example, “headshot photographer” refined to “real estate agent photographer” can result in better inbound client leads.
Be sure you are optimizing your websites for mobile as well as desktop. The user might move on if an image takes too long to load.
Create relevant, high-quality content that is easily shareable across multiple platforms; this helps you remain relevant while bolstering your chances of appearing higher in search results.
Personal branding helps you control the narrative about yourself.
Choose your content purposefully and use only high-quality work that displays your brand in the best light.
Share current articles from yourself or other professionals that align with your services.
Create thoughtful posts that add to the conversation to help highlight your expertise while keeping you engaged with your audience.
The more you learn about your audience, the better you can target your brand to them. Tell a story with your work. You don't have to be a poet to engage your consumer base, but your content should feel authentic to your brand while captivating the attention of your target audience.
Don’t fake it.
Your personal brand must stay cohesive online and offline. Consistency is vital for clients to build your know, like, and trust factor. Be your genuine self on- and offline.
Are you looking to further your personal branding’s success? Contact me to book your personal branding session.