The marketing world has caught on to the importance of
branding. Branding has become such an integral part of a company’s marketing
strategy. This method’s value has increased to the point that branding is no
longer just a corporate policy. Small businesses, speakers, authors, job
seekers and entrepreneurs are now encouraged to integrate branding into their
marketing as well. However, this type of branding looks a bit different than
the traditional style.
Personal Branding
Personal branding is the online persona or image that an
individual projects. This includes all the digital touchpoints from the website
to the blog to all the social media platforms. It includes online
collaborations, live streaming, videos, or any other content created and
distributed. A personal brand is a real thing and exists, regardless of the
person’s acknowledgement or knowledge.
YOU as the Face of
Your Brand
Perhaps you already have a business entity and brand. Maybe
you’ve even invested in a quality logo, brand colors and online touchpoints. However,
as you interact with people online or network with people in person – it is
YOUR face that people associate with what you do. It’s your voice and your
mannerisms and the energy you bring to the conversation. As content gears more
towards visual – including live streaming and videos – it will be you that the
audience gets to know and trust. With so much noise competing for the same
small places, a genuine, authentic connection with your audience is essential. Some
of the top personal brands online naturally evolve into influencers and
generate the type of viral attention that most companies strive for.
Touchpoints
As you transition to a more personal brand, it will be time
to take an audit of all your online assets and tune them into the image you want
to portray. This means spending some time with your good friend, Google, to
make sure that your name online is directly associated and connected to your
personal branding.
It will also mean investing in some decent professional
headshots. Team up with an experienced photographer so that they understand
your brand image when taking photographs. These brand photos are an integral part
of all your online touchpoints and should weave together in a method that is
consistent and on brand.
Personal Brand
Enhancements
Once you have the foundation for your personal brand, look
into ways to enhance what you have already created. This could be association
or collaborations with other strong personal brands that make sense for your
work. It could also mean developing a strong backstory or narrative and weaving
it into the touchpoints. When producing any type of content, be certain to have
the branding in mind during development so that whatever is created remains
true to what you have built.
Developing a personal brand is also a great opportunity to
reinvent you, your company or your branding strategy. Be cautious. A personal
brand is not a mask or a fake persona. Your target audience will see right
thought anything insincere. Be your authentic self and the right followers will
automatically be drawn to you.
Understand the value of personal branding but not sure how
to begin? Give us a call and we can help you brainstorm and build those
touchpoints. The more you #LoveYourBrand, the more you can #BeAwesome while pursuing
your purpose.
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Hollie Clere, of The Social Media Advisor is a "#BeAwesome" Developer, Social Media Brand Builder, Content Manager, Trainer and Author in LinkedIn,Facebook, Twitter, Blog, Google+ , YouTube,Pinterest, Instagram and the tools to manage them.
Click here for her Social Media Workshops, Classes and Seminars.
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