'What comes to mind when you hear the word branding?' I personally tend to think of products that I personally use or prefer and that I have become brand loyal too. Their logo, the look and how the product makes me feel, their slogan as well as the value that the product offers me.
'What is your main focus when creating a personal brand?' We all offer different products and services but have one goal in common and that is for our brand to succeed, gain respect, be easily recognised and to be remembered, setting a trend and influencing the market.
Here are 11 simple steps to follow when personalising your branding;
Establish the type of client that you would like to attract or approach
Familiarise yourself with your clients likes, dislikes, preferences, needs, wants and difficulties that they are facing. The simplest way of obtaining this valuable information is by conducting surveys. By asking a few simple and specific questions, you will be able to determine your client base’s demographic as well as physiographic information. This information will allow you to create a persona for each client as well as establish a target market.
Be clear on your brands value proposition
What does your product offer your clients? What will they gain from using your product opposed to similar items on the market? What makes you different from the rest? Your value proposition needs be clear and truthful.
Create a powerful brand slogan
Where to start? Incorporate your value proposition into your slogan.
A few examples:
MasterCard: "There are some things money can't buy. For everything else, there's MasterCard."
Apple: "Think Different."
California Milk Processor Board: "Got Milk?"
And lastly I could not resist… Nike: "Just Do It."
Put yourself out there to be seen
Clients tend to connect not only with the brand but the person behind it. Make yourself known, put your face out there, and use a photo of yourself. This will also benefit you once making use of social media, seeing you will gain trust and create credibility. Make sure your photo captures and represent “you” seeing this will be the impression you create and capture that will be portraying your brand. Consistency is key, thus make sure you use the same photo across all marketing platforms. 65% of people have said that they have formed an emotional connection with a brand, why?? Because these brands understand their customers’ and their unique needs.
Create your look
As previously mentioned, consistency is of utmost importance. Clients associate your product with the colours, logo, slogan and look that you have created. And again, be consistent on all means of communication and advertising.
Ensure that you are true to your brand and that it is uniquely you, do not try and recreate other brands…be true to you.
Let your brand become vocal
All the steps that I have mentioned above will assist you in creating a voice for your brand. Ensure that you are true to your brand and that it is uniquely you, do not try and recreate other brands…be true to you.
Compile a list of email addresses
I am pretty certain you know by now that I am a bit fan and big believer in Email marketing. IT IS NOT DEAD, again, IT IS NOT DEAD! Here are some easy ways to build your email list: Free worksheets, cheatsheets, infographics, basically any free downloadable that will provide value. This way you can build your list and ensure the people that are added are interested in what you provide.
Initiate methods communication
The majority of clients enjoy some sort of interaction seeing this allows them to feel that human touch and partly allows them to socialise. Interaction can be created by means of a Facebook pages and Facebook groups, where likeminded clients can communicate with one another as well as with you. Other means of interaction are blog posts, surveys, polls and client reviews to name a few. 77% of marketing companies have stated that branding is critical for the future growth of your business. This number just makes it even more clear of how important branding is.
Attract influencers
People tend to listen and react when a popular or famous person uses or comments on a brand or is used in their marketing campaign. You can include influencers by asking them to do a small write up or to review your product, leave a comment and to follow or like your brand on social media. This will also allow influencers to gain more exposure and you, to build a brand reputation.
Establish a relevant write up of your brand
The content that you use to promote your personal brand needs to include what your product has to offer, such as its benefits and value that it offers your clients. Your write up should be used when promoting your product on all social media platforms, creating consistency. It is important to be true to what your brand promises to deliver and what you stand for or believe.
Once you have connected with your client base, ensure that you stay connected
It takes time and hard work to build a personal brand and alongside a client base. Make sure that you fully utilise your client base. (source).
Here are few examples of personal branding masters
Oprah Winfrey, she can be crowned the queen of personal branding. With a net worth of $2.5 billion. She has been an inspiration to all, encouraging them to become the best possible version of themselves.
Richard Branson, his sense of adventure and not being scared to take risks has allowed him to create one of the most powerful brands known. What most will consider as a 'no no' has made him successful and well-known to all.
Marie Forleo, is known as an inspirational writer, teacher, female entrepreneur and humanitarian. By means of her humorous way of engaging with the public, she has been able to grab the attention of her audience, challenging them to change their way of living and in doing so changing the world (Source).
In conclusion, your personal branding is what differentiates you from the rest of your competitors in the market. It also allows you to create a personal bond with current and prospective clients. (Source)
Do you have any questions relating to branding? Let me know I would love to hear from you.
If you ready to take your business to the next level contact me, I can help you!