How to build a personal brand in 2024
& why it matters
3 min read
You‘re probably hearing about personal brands now more than ever.
Especially if you’re a creative entrepreneur or small business owner.
Subcultures & niche groups are almost trendy, but they’re here to stay.
How does this relate to personal brands?
Personal brands revolve around what makes you unique.
You create the environment & you influence the audience.
It’s more than your online reputation- it’s an authentic perception of you.
The rise of ‘niche culture’ is reflective of a shift from demographics to psychographics, whereby groups of people no longer identify by their age or gender but rather their shared values and interests. — Yusuf Ntahilaja, Decode
Because of this, these brands carry a certain energy; they draw the right people in & keep them there.
Think of any influencer, artist or author- they each maintain a certain persona. They each attract a certain group of loyal fans.
They’re all personal brands.
Creating a personal brand in this world of social media is something to consider if you want to grow your small business in 2024.
So let’s start with some basics.
1. Figure out your values.
What hills are you willing to die on? What code of ethics do you want to run the personal brand on? What are the bigger issues you stand for?
As a personal brand, you’re making all the decisions yourself. You’re creating everything.
Having a code of ethics, or values to live by will help authentically guide the brand when unsure of the next steps.
Having a strong set of values also helps keep you honest & authentic.
With influence comes responsibility, so remember to be mindful of the information you’re taking in & putting out.
2. Figure out what value you bring.
What is your purpose for creating a personal brand? What are your unique attributes that provide value? Who is the person behind the brand?
Everyone has a blend of skills, talents, interests, stories & perspectives- something deeper than your chosen profession- that benefits others.
Learn about what that unique combination is & share it.
Find the connections & meaning between each element so it can all operate as one, cohesive personal brand.
This is what makes them so effective.
3. Find your community
A personal brand (really any brand), is nothing without its community.
A group of die-hard fans that are there for every drop, every launch- because they relate to your goals, values & personality.
What do they value? What issues do they agree or disagree with? How can we get them involved in our story?
Consider your network as well & who you do business with.
Do they hold the same values? Your audience will be able to tell.
4. Tell your story over & over.
With any business, consistency is key.
Based on your goals, values & audience, you can figure out your messaging style, tone of voice & social channels.
This is what you want to infuse into every piece of content you put out.
It takes some practice but you’ll learn what works along the way.
It’s important to tell your story through content, your visual identity; even through what you wear & how you present yourself online & in person.
This helps people get to know, like & vouch for you.
It creates that authentic perception of you.
If you can create content that engages the right people, you can create that community of die-hard fans.
So why does it matter? What are the benefits of creating a personal brand?
creating your own niche related to your many passions
fostering genuine connections with people interested in your opinions
even the opportunity to scale your business with opportunities
But most of all, utilizing your own potential.
You become a more balanced person. Maybe the process helps you find clarity in life and in business.
Creating a personal brand requires a lot of soul-searching. You must know yourself & be willing to learn more.
Be willing to develop new skills & try new things that further set you apart & create an even stronger brand.
Like the people behind them, personal brands are ever-evolving. Learn to pivot, learn how to make mistakes.
It’s a journey, not a destination. Enjoy it!
Thanks for reading!
If you’re ready to invest in branding to go with your personal brand- get in touch!
