Personal Branding Tips for Seasoned Entrepreneurs

You have built a thriving business – a testament to your hard work, vision, and entrepreneurial chops. But in today's competitive landscape, leaders are expected to have strong personal brands. This expectation is shared by prospective hires, current employees, our marketing teams and simply everyone who Googles us before deciding to engage. Interested in a Board seat? Decision makers Google their prospects. Looking for a prospective partner? They, too, will Google you. Expanding your leadership team? Yes, they will likely be searching you up as well. 

Why Personal Branding Matters?

Let’s face it, the days of relying solely on traditional marketing are fading. Today's consumers are actively researching potential partners, collaborators, and service providers online. Creating a personal brand ensures you are the one they discover, not your competitor anywhere else in the world.

Imagine this: a potential client searching for a leading company in your field. They are likely looking for a thought leader. And it’s your well-crafted personal brand as the leader of the organization that supports your business as a thought leader in the field. 

The next question is: What are some ways you can improve your personal brand? Where do you even begin? This comprehensive guide offers personal branding tips and expert branding advice, to equip you with the tools and strategies to elevate your brand to most effectively serve your business.

Define Your Personal Brand Identity

Building a powerful personal brand starts with introspection. Ask yourself:

• What are my core values? What principles guide my business decisions and interactions with clients?
• What makes me unique? What are some of the themes and patterns that keep re-emerging throughout my life journey? What are the three to five adjectives I want people to associate with me consistently?
• What impact do I want to make? How do I want my brand to contribute to the industry and the world?

When creating your personal brand, you should be sure to define your brand identity clearly. By taking the time to do this, you will gain clarity on the message you want to convey and the audience you want to resonate deeply with. This forms the foundation of a compelling narrative that will attract the right kind of attention to your business.

Craft Your Story

People connect with stories, making personal brand-building essential. Weave together your entrepreneurial journey, highlighting the challenges overcome, the lessons learned, and the successes achieved. This humanizes your brand, fostering trust and connection with your target audience.

We understand that you might be hesitant about showcasing your personality. And yet, it’s essential that you infuse your story with your unique voice and perspective. After all, people do business with people they connect with on a human level. Have the audacity of showing people who you really are.

Own Your Digital Footprint

What comes up when someone Googles your name? Regardless of the volume of returned search results, you want to make sure that you are on page 1 of search (hopefully in the first spot), that all results are consistently uniform, and that you are represented in the way you would want to be represented. Here are some personal branding tips for crafting a compelling digital footprint:

• Personal Website: Although not a “must,” a personal brand is helpful for 2 things: ranking higher in searching, and being a one-stop-place for all of the different goals you are looking to achieve. It’s great if you are looking to be on more Boards. It’s useful if you are preparing to release a book. And it’s fantastic if you like to blog and want to be sharing your insights on a consistent basis on a platform of your own. 
• Strategic Social Media Presence: Choose the social media platforms where your target audience spends their time. Curate engaging content that showcases your experience, fosters interaction, and positions you as a thought leader. These personal brand ideas will enhance your visibility. Feel free to choose one platform only but be consistent on it. LinkedIn is a no brainer for business owners and CEOs and you can be top of feed for your network with 2-3 short form posts consistently shared on a weekly basis.
• Content is King: Consistently publish content that educates, inspires, and solves your audience's problems. This could be blog posts, articles, videos, books or podcasts. The easiest strategy is to guest on other people’s podcasts and then repurpose all of that content into short form written posts, long form blog posts, and video snippets. 

Build Strong Connections

Building personal brand extends beyond the digital realm. After all, the strength of the online engagement we get is typically directly proportionate to the strength of our offline networks. And even online - don’t just post and forget. Reply to comment and actively engage with people who interact with you. 

Continuous Growth 

The business world is a dynamic landscape. Just like your company, the marketing strategy for your  personal brand needs to evolve and adapt. Stay up-to-date on industry trends, continuously learn and refine your skillset, and don't be afraid to experiment with new content formats and online platforms. Does the prospect of doing all of this feel daunting? Enlist help! Although you cannot completely offload personal brand building to a 3rd party, you can get help with most of the execution and the legwork. 

By following these tips on branding, you will be well on your way to building your own brand and achieving lasting success in your entrepreneurial journey.

Ready to Sharpen Your Personal Branding Arsenal?

Building a powerful personal brand takes time, dedication, and a strategic approach. If you are wondering how to create a personal brand or embark on personal brand development, consider finding a partner who will help you along the way and will become your biggest fan.

At Brand of a Leader, we are passionate about empowering Gen X entrepreneurs like you. We offer a comprehensive suite of services, including:

• Personal Branding Consulting: Our personal brand expert collaborates with you to define your brand vision, identify your unique brand essence, and develop a personalized marketing strategy to achieve your goals.
• Personal Brand Management Services: Take the backseat and let our team of personal brand experts handle the reins! We will manage your online presence, curate captivating content, and craft a compelling narrative that resonates with your target audience. We leverage our expertise in personal branding to develop a customized strategy that reflects your unique voice and goals.

Schedule a call today! Let's discuss your unique goals and develop a personalized roadmap to help you build a personal brand that shines as brightly as your entrepreneurial spirit.

By integrating these personal brand tips and personal branding advice into your strategy, you will be well on your way to developing a personal brand that stands out. Remember, building personal brand equity is not just about making a good impression; it is about building a personal brand that fosters lasting relationships and establishes your presence as a thought leader in your industry. Whether you are seeking an expert with tips on how to develop a personal brand or looking to understand what are some ways you can improve your personal brand, the journey begins with a single step. Let's take it together at Brand of a Leader.