Personal Brand that Stands Out – How to Build it Skillfully?

The secret of creating your unique standing in your career lies in personal branding – the art of showcasing your unique strengths and talents to set yourself apart from the rut.

In today’s job market, where the competition is fierce and opportunities are scarce. Employers are looking for versatile employees who bring multiple dimensions with varied skill sets to the work.

This is why personal branding has never been more crucial. In fact, when you want a career change or career transition this will become even more important! It builds many transferable skills that you can later identify for your important career move.

In this article, we’ll explore the fundamentals of personal branding. You will get practical advice on how you can create a personal brand that truly represents your unique positioning.

7 Steps to Your Unique Personal Brand That Gets Noticed

Step 1 – Understand Yourself

One of the most critical steps in creating a personal brand is understanding yourself. Without a solid grasp of your unique strengths, values, and personality traits, it’s challenging to craft a brand that accurately represents who you are and what you have to offer.

Self-awareness is especially crucial in today’s job market, where recruiters and hiring managers are looking for candidates who are not only highly skilled but also self-aware and emotionally intelligent. Studies have shown that individuals who have a high degree of self-awareness are more likely to succeed in their careers and experience greater job satisfaction than those who lack self-awareness.

How do you identify your unique strengths and values?

Here are a few exercises and questions to consider:

1. Take a personality assessment:

Personality assessments, such as the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator or the Big Five personality traits, can provide valuable insights into your personality, strengths, and communication style.

2. Reflect on your experiences:

Think back on your life experiences and identify moments when you felt most energized, engaged, and fulfilled. What were you doing during those moments, and what strengths did you use to achieve them?

3. Ask for feedback:

Ask colleagues, friends, and family members for feedback on your strengths and areas for improvement. You may be surprised to learn about strengths that you didn’t realize you had.

We have covered in detail how you can find out your biggest strengths here!

4. Define your values:

Think about the values that are most important to you, such as integrity, creativity, or teamwork. These values will help guide your personal brand and ensure that it aligns with your core beliefs.

Look carefully at those whom you appreciate. See what is common in their behavior. Observe their approach. Understand how they deal with different situations. All of this will help you understand your own values.

By taking the time to understand yourself and your unique strengths and values, you’ll be better equipped to create a personal brand that accurately represents who you are and what you have to offer. And, in doing so, you’ll be more likely to attract the right opportunities and succeed in your career.

Step 2 – Define Your Target Audience

When it comes to creating a personal brand, understanding your target audience is crucial. Your personal brand should be designed to appeal to the people who matter most to you, whether that’s potential employers, clients, or collaborators.

Here are a few reasons why understanding your target audience is so important:

1. Differentiation:

When you understand your target audience, you can differentiate yourself from others in your field by offering something unique that your audience values.

2. Relevance:

By creating a personal brand that resonates with your target audience, you increase your relevance and appeal to them.

3. Connection:

When you speak directly to the needs and wants of your target audience, you can establish a deeper connection and build trust with them.

To identify your target audience and their needs, here are a few tips:

1. Identify your niche:

Start by identifying the specific area in which you want to build your personal brand. For example, if you’re a freelance graphic designer, you might target small business owners who need design services.

2. Research your audience:

Conduct market research to learn more about your target audience’s needs, wants, and pain points. This can include online research, surveys, and focus groups.

3. Create buyer personas:

Once you’ve identified your target audience, create buyer personas that represent the different types of people you’re targeting. These personas should include details such as age, gender, job title, and interests.

4. Develop a value proposition:

Based on your research, develop a clear value proposition that speaks directly to your target audience’s needs and wants. This should be a concise statement that summarizes what you offer and why it’s valuable.

5. Tailor your messaging:

Use the information you’ve gathered to tailor your messaging to your target audience. This might include customizing your website, social media profiles, and other marketing materials to speak directly to their needs and interests.

By taking the time to understand your target audience and their needs, you can create a personal brand that truly resonates with them and sets you apart from the competition. And, in doing so, you’ll be more likely to attract the right opportunities and achieve your career goals.

Step 3 – Develop Your Brand Identity

Once you’ve defined your target audience and understood your own strengths, the next step is to develop your brand identity. Your brand identity is the combination of visual and verbal elements that represent who you are and what you stand for.

Here are the key elements of a personal brand:

1. Visual Identity:

This includes your logo, color palette, typography, and other visual elements that make up your brand’s visual identity. These elements should be consistent across all your online and offline presence to ensure your brand is recognizable.

Tip: Choose colors that represent your personality and style. For example, if you’re a creative, bold colors such as red or purple might be more appropriate. If you’re in a more professional field, neutral colors such as black or gray might be more suitable.

Example: Take a look at the branding of popular social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter. Each platform has a unique color scheme and typography that reflects its brand identity.

2. Tone of Voice:

Your tone of voice is how you communicate your brand’s personality and values through language. This includes the words you use, the style of writing, and the overall tone of your messaging.

Tip: Consider your target audience when developing your tone of voice. If you’re targeting a younger demographic, you might use a more casual tone, whereas a more professional audience might require a more formal tone.

Example: Check out the tone of voice used by companies such as Nike or Apple. Both companies use a bold and confident tone that reflects their brand values.

3. Messaging:

Your messaging is the content you share with your audience, including your website copy, social media posts, and other marketing materials. Your messaging should be consistent and aligned with your brand values.

Tip: Use storytelling to communicate your brand’s message. People remember stories better than facts and figures, so crafting a compelling story can help you stand out in a crowded market.

Example: Take a look at the messaging used by individuals who have successfully built their personal brands, such as Gary Vaynerchuk or Marie Forleo. Both individuals use storytelling to connect with their audiences and communicate their values.

By developing a strong brand identity that includes a consistent visual identity, tone of voice, and messaging, you can create a personal brand that truly reflects who you are and what you stand for. And, in doing so, you’ll be more likely to attract the right opportunities and build a successful career.

Step 4 – Build Your Online Presence

In today’s job market, a strong online presence is essential for building your personal brand and standing out from the competition. With so many employers and clients using online platforms to find and research potential candidates or business partners, it’s important to have a professional website and social media profiles that showcase your unique strengths and align with your brand identity.

How to build a strong online presence?

1. Create a Professional Website:

Your website is the foundation of your online presence. It’s where you can showcase your work, share your story, and provide contact information for potential clients or employers. Your website should align with your brand identity and be easy to navigate.

Tip: Use a website builder such as Squarespace or Wix to create a professional-looking website quickly and easily. Choose a template that matches your brand’s visual identity and customize it to fit your needs.

Example: Take a look at the website of designer and entrepreneur, Jenna Kutcher. Her website is visually appealing, easy to navigate, and showcases her work and story.

2. Optimize Your Social Media Profiles:

Social media is a powerful tool for building your personal brand and connecting with your audience. Your social media profiles should be consistent with your brand’s visual identity and tone of voice.

Tip: Use the same profile picture and bio across all your social media platforms to ensure consistency. Share content that aligns with your brand values and engages your audience.

Example: Look at the social media profiles of thought leaders such as Simon Sinek or Brené Brown. Both individuals use their social media profiles to share content that aligns with their brand values and engages their audience.

3. Engage with Your Audience:

Building an online presence is not just about creating a website or social media profiles. It’s about engaging with your audience and building relationships with potential clients or employers.

Tip: Respond to comments and messages on your social media profiles. Share your knowledge and expertise by answering questions or creating content that provides value to your audience.

Example: Take a look at the engagement strategies used by influencers such as Casey Neistat or Huda Kattan. Both individuals engage with their audience regularly and create content that resonates with their followers.

By building a strong online presence, you can increase your visibility, attract more opportunities, and build a successful career. Just remember to align your online presence with your brand identity and engage with your audience consistently.

Step 5 – Network and Collaborate

Networking and collaborating with others in your field is a powerful way to build your personal brand, expand your professional network, and gain new opportunities. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, freelancer, or job seeker, building and maintaining professional relationships is essential for success.

How to network and collaborate smartly?

1. Attend Industry Events:

Industry events are a great way to meet new people, learn about new trends and technologies, and showcase your skills and expertise. Attend conferences, seminars, and workshops in your field, and don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to others.

Tip: Research the event beforehand and prepare a short elevator pitch that highlights your unique strengths and interests.

Example: Look at the events organized by industry associations such as the American Marketing Association or the National Association of Women Business Owners. These events bring together professionals in specific industries and provide opportunities for networking and collaboration.

2. Join Professional Groups:

Professional groups and organizations are a great way to connect with others in your field and build lasting relationships. Join online groups such as LinkedIn groups, Facebook groups, or Slack channels, and participate in discussions and networking events.

Tip: Be an active member of the group by sharing your knowledge and expertise, and engaging with others.

Example: Look at online groups such as the Freelancers Union or the National Society of Black Engineers. These groups provide resources and support for professionals in specific industries and provide opportunities for networking and collaboration.

3. Collaborate with Others:

Collaborating with others in your field can help you gain new insights, learn new skills, and create new opportunities. Look for opportunities to collaborate on projects or events with others in your industry.

Tip: Choose collaborators whose skills and expertise complement yours, and whose values align with your brand.

Example: Look at the collaborations between brands such as Nike and Apple or H&M and Balmain. These collaborations bring together brands with complementary strengths and create new opportunities for both.

By networking and collaborating with others in your field, you can build lasting relationships, gain new opportunities, and create a successful career. Just remember to be proactive, genuine, and respectful in your interactions, and to align your collaborations with your brand identity and values.

Step 6 – Showcase Your Expertise

Demonstrating your expertise in your field is crucial to building a personal brand that stands out from the competition. By showcasing your knowledge and skills, you can establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry, gain credibility and authority, and attract new opportunities.

How to showcase your expertise effectively?

1. Create Content:

Creating content is a powerful way to demonstrate your expertise and provide value to your audience. Start a blog, write articles for industry publications, or create videos or podcasts that showcase your knowledge and skills.

Tip: Focus on topics that align with your brand identity and are relevant to your target audience.

Example: Look at the content created by Neil Patel, a digital marketing expert, who provides valuable tips and insights on his blog, podcast, and YouTube channel.

Your hobbies and your areas of interests help you create some of the best content that you will deliver!

2. Speak at Industry Events:

Speaking at industry events is a great way to share your knowledge and expertise with a wider audience. Look for opportunities to speak at conferences, seminars, and webinars in your field.

Tip: Choose topics that are relevant to your audience, and prepare your presentation well in advance.

Example: Look at the speaking engagements of Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, who often speaks at industry events about leadership and women in the workplace.

It will be important that you understand how to express yourself clearly and impressively. And on a side note, this will also help you explore any industry more thoroughly!

3. Participate in Online Communities:

Participating in online communities such as forums, social media groups, and Q&A sites is a great way to demonstrate your expertise and provide value to others. Answer questions, provide insights, and engage in discussions to establish yourself as a knowledgeable and helpful resource.

Tip: Be consistent in your participation and provide thoughtful and insightful responses.

Example: Look at the participation of Rand Fishkin, founder of Moz, in online communities such as Reddit and Quora, where he provides valuable insights and advice on digital marketing and entrepreneurship.

By showcasing your expertise through content creation, speaking engagements, and online participation, you can establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. It will hone a few important skills for you.

And most importantly it will build a personal brand that stands out from the competition. Just remember to stay true to your brand identity and values, and to provide value to your audience in every interaction.

Step 7 – Maintain Your Brand

Maintaining your personal brand is just as important as building it in the first place. It’s crucial to consistently monitor and refine your brand identity to ensure that it remains relevant and aligned with your goals and values.

How to maintain your brand effectively?

1. Monitor Your Online Presence:

Regularly monitor your online presence to ensure that it aligns with your brand identity and values. Review your social media profiles, website, and other online content to ensure that they accurately reflect your expertise and personality.

Tip: Use tools like Google Alerts and social media monitoring tools to keep track of what’s being said about you online.

Example: Look at the social media profiles of Gary Vaynerchuk, a marketing expert, who consistently updates his profiles to reflect his current projects and areas of expertise.

2. Seek Feedback:

Ask for feedback from trusted colleagues, mentors, and peers in your industry. Their insights can help you identify areas where you can improve your personal brand and stay relevant in your field.

Tip: Be open to constructive criticism and use it as an opportunity to learn and grow.

Example: Look at how Oprah Winfrey, a media personality and entrepreneur, seeks feedback from her team and uses it to improve her brand.

Remember, there is a reason why employers frequently ask how you handle feedback and criticism!

3. Refine Your Brand Identity:

Regularly refine your brand identity to ensure that it remains relevant and aligned with your goals and values. Adjust your messaging, visual identity, and tone of voice as needed to stay up-to-date with industry trends and changes.

Tip: Keep your target audience in mind when refining your brand identity, and make sure that it resonates with them.

Example: Look at how Apple consistently refines its brand identity to stay relevant and maintain its position as a leader in the tech industry.

By monitoring your online presence, seeking feedback, and refining your brand identity, you can maintain a strong personal brand that stands out in your field and attracts new opportunities. Remember to stay true to your values and goals, and to consistently provide value to your audience.

So, there you have it! Building a personal brand takes time and effort, but the benefits are well worth it. By following the steps outlined in this article, you can create a brand that showcases your unique strengths and sets you apart from others in your field.

To recap, the key takeaways from this article include:

• Understanding yourself and identifying your unique strengths and values
• Defining your target audience and understanding their needs
• Developing a strong brand identity that includes visual elements, tone of voice, and messaging
• Building a strong online presence that aligns with your brand identity
• Networking and collaborating with others in your field
• Showcasing your expertise through content creation, speaking engagements, and other opportunities
• Consistently monitoring and refining your brand identity to stay relevant and aligned with your goals and values

Remember, building a personal brand is not a one-time effort. It requires ongoing effort and dedication to maintain and evolve over time.

But with persistence and a clear understanding of your brand identity, you can create a brand that sets you apart in your field and helps you achieve your personal and professional goals.

So, what are you waiting for? Start building your personal brand today and see the benefits for yourself! Good luck!