How To Reap The Benefits Of A Well Developed Personal Brand
Before we can explore the benefits of personal branding, let’s first answer the question, “What is Personal Branding?”
Personal branding is the conscious and intentional effort to create and influence public perception of an individual by positioning them as an authority in their industry, elevating their credibility, and differentiating themselves from the competition, to ultimately advance their career, increase their circle of influence, and have a larger impact.
Wikipedia | “Personal branding”
Wikipedia is correct but I’d like to add one more goal to that list. When you develop your Personal Brand, it’s completely acceptable to say the words, “I’d like to make more money.” If you’re working with a professional brand strategist (shameless plug here – that’s my job title!) you won’t have to bring this up – we’ll do it for you.
Your brand strategist can help you come up with some realistic monetary goals for your business that will illustrate the value of your brand over time. Whether you’re scaling your business or finally charging what you’re worth – there should absolutely be a return on investment when working on your brand.
So let’s recap.
What are the benefits of developing your personal brand?
1.) position you as an authority in your industry
2.) increases your credibility
3.) differentiates you from your competition
4.) increases your circle of influence
5.) opens the door for you to have a larger impact
6.) helps you make more money (Does that sound crass? It’s not. You need to earn a living and no one is holding that against you.)
These benefits sound intense. But how do you get your hands on them?
Here are FIVE things you can do to Reap the benefits of a well developed Personal Brand:
1.) Choose a professional to help you.
A branding/marketing professional that is. When you choose an individual to help you develop your brand, that person needs to know a whole lot more than how to take a pretty picture. Because, you NEED a whole lot more than just a pretty picture.
For instance, I have a degree in Professional Communications, have worked at a variety of marketing and public relations jobs, and walk my clients through a brand development workbook written by….me! I’m a trained and educated professional in this field so I can do that!
Can your brand strategist say the same or are they shooting weddings on the weekend?
I can’t stress this point enough. If you want professional results, you must invest in a professional. See what I did there?
2.) Make a SOLID plan.
Generally my clients will reap 3-6 months of content from a single brand photoshoot. That’s not an accident – that’s the result of a solid plan!
I use the word solid here because a skinny, malnourished plan will never get you over the finish line.
When planning a brand shoot you need to consider:
-the pain points your ideal client will encounter over the next few months
-what solutions you offer for their pain points
-how the location and vibe of your shoot will appeal to your ideal clients
-what props you can use to connect to your audience (we can talk all day about props!)
-what your clothing choices communicate about you
-several more things which I cover in my Brand Workbook as we prep for your shoot!
You didn’t think I would give away all of my trade secrets today, did you?
3.) Make the most of your shoot.
You get your gallery back from your brand photographer and you cringe. The setting, the props, the clothes, the vibe – they’re all on point! Perfectly crafted images to up level your brand and help you stand out in the marketplace.
But all you can see is how tired you look and dang it if your hair would only cooperate for one single day you’d credit God with a miracle on behalf of women.
I’m begging you, please don’t do this to yourself.
Do not invest in a professional brand strategy, put in the work to develop your brand, plan the perfect brand photoshoot, and then show up in your weekday makeup and “the best you could do” with your hair.
You develop confidence as you develop your personal brand. That confidence comes from looking at your strengths and knowing that you have many positive qualities to share. When you know that you have something of value to offer, your self-esteem soars. Your personal brand done well highlights your strengths and gives you a direction in which to use them.
Dummies.com | “Ten Key Benefits of Personal Branding”
Listen to me carefully. You are not a fraud for wanting to present the very best version of yourself as the face of your business. In fact, that makes you wise! So go all in and hire out anything you aren’t particularly talented at so you can reap the benefits of personal branding in a big way!
A few things you may want to treat yourself to:
-new outfit
-new shoes
-a few bold accessories
-manicure
-pedicure
-professional hair
-professional makeup
-a massage the day before your shoot (not kidding! I 100% recommend this one.)
I have stellar recommendations in the middle Georgia area for all of these luxuries and you know what?
You work hard and you’re WORTH IT.
Show up like you know it’s true and I swear that confidence will make the difference between “meh” and “holy smokes I look incredible!”
4.) Use your asset library – everywhere!
Seriously folks, we have to cover this one.
(Your “asset library” is the gallery of images and videos you receive after a successful brand shoot. After their initial Baseline Branding Package is complete, my clients will add to their asset library every 3 to 6 months with Brand Boosts. These are shorter sessions with targeted goals to add variety and updates to their content.)
Mustering up the courage to come out of hiding and USE YOUR BRAND IMAGES is hard. You’ll face very real mental blocks like imposter syndrome and self doubt. But the more you flex your brand muscles and step into your own authority as an expert in your field, the sooner you’ll reap the benefits of personal branding that you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
But am I really an expert?
Let’s pause on that word “expert” for a moment. Did you flinch when you read it? Did you think, “I WISH I was an expert.” That’s fair. You may not be in the top 1% of your industry! But ask yourself these questions:
-Do you have something to offer people who are OUTSIDE of your industry?
-Are you selling something of true quality that they cannot make for themselves?
-Are you educating your audience in an area they want to know more about?
-Do you offer a valuable service they need?
Well then, you are indeed an “expert” in the eyes of your ideal clients.
Consider this quote from Forbes about the benefits of personal branding:
Personal branding is all about uncovering your unique, genuine brand and living it proudly. It’s about authenticity and being yourself—your Best Self. When you’re willing to be yourself and live your brand fully, you avoid feeling like you are faking it, and you find true satisfaction in delivering your best work.
Forbes.com | “9 Amazing Benefits Of Personal Branding” Updated May 21 2021
Personal branding is not about pretending to be better than you are – it’s about owning the skills and talents you do have that make you the perfect fit for a certain group of people.
Consistently utilizing your asset library while talking directly to the needs, fears, and desires of your ideal clients is the best way to find and do business with that group.
Look for a future blog post all about WHERE to use your assets. I bet I can throw some ideas out that you haven’t thought of yet!
5.) Live on brand.
Finally, I want you to find ways to connect with other likeminded individuals and businesses to expand your circle of influence and have that “larger impact” we talked about at the beginning.
Having a larger impact while living on brand can look like:
-giving back to your community
-sponsoring events
-participating in collaborations with other entrepreneurs
Your personal brand is so much more than your product or service. It’s what you have to offer your clients, your community, and your industry that are uniquely you and incredibly valuable.
Don’t waste it!
If you’re ready to talk to a professional about developing your own strong personal brand, use this link to find out more about what it takes to get started!
SOURCES:
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_branding)
