In today’s fast-paced world, personal branding is your ticket to standing out.

A strong personal brand helps you create a memorable impression, but it’s not just about showcasing your skills.

Video content, live streams, and interactive engagement are key tools for amplifying your brand, keeping your audience engaged in real-time.”

Create a Visual Identity:

One of the foundations of personal branding is visual identity. Your logo, color scheme, and professional photos all work together to communicate your brand’s essence to your audience.

• Logo and Colors: Think of Apple’s sleek, minimalistic logo. It instantly conveys simplicity and innovation. Similarly, choose a logo and colors that reflect your personal vibe. For example, if you’re in wellness, soft greens and calming blues might be your go-to.

• Professional Photos: Professional branding photos stand out. Imagine the difference between a blurry photo and a clear, confident headshot—it tells people you’re serious about your brand. Pick a photographer with the style you like to showcase your best self.

Build Your Foundation:

Once your visual identity is in place, it’s time to build the foundation of your personal brand. A well-rounded foundation includes a strong digital presence across platforms:

• Personal Website: A personal website is the digital home for your brand. Take Marie Forleo’s site as an example—a hub where people can explore her courses, learn about her, and contact her directly.

• Social Media: Like Gary Vaynerchuk, who posts valuable insights and videos consistently, show up on the platforms that resonate with your audience. Stay relevant by creating and sharing content that aligns with your brand values.

• Video, Live Streams, and Interactive Engagement: Video is trending for personal branding because it lets you showcase your personality in an authentic, relatable way. It helps build trust quickly by allowing real-time interaction with your audience through live streams and Q&A sessions. People are more likely to connect with you when they see and hear you, making video a powerful tool for storytelling, tutorials, or behind-the-scenes content. It’s dynamic, engaging, and keeps your audience coming back for more.

Content Formula: Balancing Value, Entertainment, Information, and Promotion

To create a personal brand that resonates, you need a strategic approach to content creation.

Here’s a formula that balances value, engagement, information, and promotion for maximum impact:

50% Value Content

The foundation of any successful personal brand hinges on delivering substantial value to your audience.

This could come in various forms, such as blog posts, educational videos, or actionable tips and advice that directly address your audience’s pain points and challenges.

20% Entertainment

Engagement is key in the realm of personal branding. Incorporating entertaining content – be it something super relatable and funny, engaging visuals, or interactive elements – helps capture and maintain your audience’s attention amidst the digital noise.

20% Informative

Sharing relevant industry news, trends, and informative content showcases your expertise and keeps your audience informed. It positions you as a reliable source of information and insight within your niche.

10% Promotional – Call to Action

While promotional content should be a smaller percentage, it’s crucial for driving conversions. Include clear and compelling calls to action (CTAs) in your content, guiding your audience toward the desired action, whether it’s subscribing to a newsletter, signing up for a service, or making a purchase.

3 Content Pillars for a Strong Personal Brand

While understanding the content mix is crucial, it’s equally important to define what types of content resonate with your audience. Here are three key pillars for building a strong personal brand:

Inspirational

Share your journey, experiences, and lessons learned. Inspire your audience by showcasing your growth, resilience, and success stories. Let your audience see the HUMAN side of your journey, motivating them to pursue their aspirations.

Stories/Fun Facts About Yourself

Personal anecdotes and fun facts about yourself humanize your brand. They create a personal connection with your audience, making you relatable and fostering a sense of intimacy.

Shifting Audience Beliefs

Challenge conventional beliefs or offer alternative perspectives that align with your brand values.

These pillars create an emotional connection with your audience and allow them to see the human side of your brand.

Crafting Effective Marketing Copy

A key element of personal branding is crafting effective marketing copy. Your copy should connect with your audience by addressing their needs and offering solutions. Here’s how to craft compelling narratives:

Bad Marketing Copy:

Avoid generic, self-focused content that fails to resonate with your audience.

Here are some examples of what NOT to do 🙅🏻‍♀️

• This is what I do
• This is what it does
• This is why it’s cool

Good Marketing Copy:

Craft compelling narratives that address your audience’s needs:

Here are some examples of what you should do ✅

• Identifying their pain points
• Offering solutions and how you can help
• Highlighting what sets you apart
• Demonstrating why your product/service is the right fit
• Making a promise and delivering on it consistently

If you’re starting a business, freelancing, or working in any job, building a strong personal brand is like mixing helpful content, fun stuff, sharing information, and a bit of promotion. That’s the winning recipe!