Your Personal Brand: How the Outside World Perceives You

In the article “Your Personal Brand: How the Outside World Perceives You,” the author discusses the importance of personal branding as a creator. They emphasize that your personal brand goes beyond colors and fonts, but also includes your interests and personality traits. Examples from successful creators, such as Jessica Stansberry and Sean Cannell, are provided to illustrate how sharing personal elements can help create connections with the audience. The author also highlights the significance of being authentic and true to oneself in building a personal brand. They recommend the book “Primal Branding” as a resource for understanding the different aspects of personal branding. This article aims to guide creators in effectively branding themselves and using their personal brand to make money and diversify their income.

As a creator, you are the brand, as emphasized in Jessica Stansberry’s video on branding yourself. It’s not just about the colors and fonts you use, but also about the way people perceive you. Sharing personal likes and dislikes helps create connections with your audience, just like how Jessica’s love for bubbly water and Gilmore Girls contributes to her personal brand. Your personal brand matters more than your logo or website. While having a logo is important, being the face of your brand is what truly makes a difference. Building a personal brand allows you to create a strong bond with your audience, make money, and diversify your income.

What is Personal Branding?

Defining personal branding

Personal branding is the process of intentionally crafting a unique identity and image for oneself. It involves strategically showcasing one’s skills, values, and personality traits to create a strong reputation and establish a lasting impression. Your personal brand encompasses how the outside world perceives you and is not solely reliant on superficial elements such as colors and fonts, but also on your interests and individuality.

Importance of personal branding

Personal branding is crucial for creators and individuals in today’s digital age. Your personal brand serves as a powerful tool for self-promotion, enabling you to stand out from the crowd, attract opportunities, and build a loyal community of followers. It allows you to showcase your expertise, build trust and credibility, and establish yourself as a thought leader in your field. A strong personal brand can unlock countless opportunities for career advancement, collaborations, and financial success.

Components of personal branding

Personal branding encompasses various components that collectively shape your brand image. These components include your interests, personality traits, values, skills, and experiences. It’s essential to identify your unique strengths and attributes and find ways to incorporate them into your personal brand. Additionally, visual elements such as colors, fonts, and visuals play a vital role in enhancing your brand identity and creating a cohesive and memorable brand experience for your audience.

Understanding Personal Brand Perception

The role of the outside world

Personal brand perception is heavily influenced by how the outside world perceives you. People form opinions about you based on their interactions with you, your content, and your online presence. It’s important to understand that your personal brand is not solely based on your own perception of yourself but also on how others perceive you. To build an authentic and compelling personal brand, it’s crucial to consider how your actions and communication are being perceived by your audience.

How perceptions are formed

Perceptions are formed through various interactions and experiences with your personal brand. This can include interactions on social media, reading your content or watching your videos, and even observing your behavior in real life. Every touchpoint with your personal brand contributes to shaping the perceptions others have of you. It’s important to consistently live your brand values and deliver on the promises you make to your audience to ensure positive perceptions and build trust.

Examples of personal branding perceptions

Personal branding perceptions can vary widely depending on the creator and their unique characteristics. For instance, Jessica Stansberry’s personal brand includes elements such as her love for bubbly water, her affinity for Gilmore Girls, and her dislike of coffee. These seemingly unrelated interests and dislikes contribute to shaping her brand and enable her audience to connect with her on a personal level. Similarly, Sean Cannell has successfully expanded his personal brand by incorporating other people into his content and creating a sense of community within his audience.

Building Your Personal Brand

Identifying your interests and personality traits

To build an authentic personal brand, it’s essential to identify your interests and personality traits that set you apart from others. Reflect on your passions, hobbies, and values and consider how they align with your desired brand image. Incorporating these personal elements into your brand allows you to showcase your individuality and connect with your audience on a deeper level.

Incorporating personal elements into your brand

Once you have identified your interests and personality traits, it’s important to find ways to incorporate them into your personal brand. Whether it’s through sharing personal stories, discussing your favorite books or movies, or showcasing your unique perspective on various topics, integrating personal elements into your content humanizes your brand and helps forge a genuine connection with your audience.

Using colors, fonts, and visuals to enhance your brand

While personal branding goes beyond superficial elements, visual elements such as colors, fonts, and visuals play a significant role in enhancing your brand identity. Consistently utilizing a specific color palette and font selection across your online presence helps create a cohesive brand experience for your audience. Additionally, incorporating visuals that align with your brand values and personality further strengthens your brand’s visual identity.

The Power of Connection in Personal Branding

Creating personal connections through sharing likes and dislikes

One of the most potent ways to create connections with your audience is by openly sharing your likes and dislikes. By sharing your personal preferences, you create opportunities for your audience to bond with you over shared interests or engage in friendly discussions about differing opinions. These connections help foster a sense of community and loyalty among your audience, ultimately strengthening your personal brand.

The role of personal stories in building connections

Personal stories are a powerful tool in building connections and establishing emotional bonds with your audience. Sharing your own experiences, triumphs, and struggles creates relatability and allows your audience to see you as a real person rather than just a content creator. Personal stories have the ability to evoke emotions, drive engagement, and build a genuine connection between you and your audience.

Case study: Jessica Stansberry’s successful email

A prime example of the power of personal connections in personal branding is Jessica Stansberry’s email about quitting Lacroix. Despite having no direct business-related content, the email became her most opened and read email to date. By sharing her personal decision and experiences with Lacroix, Jessica demonstrated her authenticity and vulnerability, leading to a strong emotional connection with her audience. This case study highlights how personal connections can have a significant impact on personal branding and audience engagement.

Expanding Your Personal Brand

Incorporating other people into your brand

As your personal brand grows, it becomes essential to incorporate other people into your content and brand. Collaborating with others, featuring guest contributors, or even showcasing your community can help diversify your content and provide fresh perspectives for your audience. By expanding beyond just yourself, you can build a more robust and dynamic personal brand.

Collaborations and partnerships

Collaborations and partnerships are valuable opportunities to strengthen your personal brand and expand your reach. Working with like-minded creators, brands, or industry experts allows you to tap into their audience, gain credibility, and provide additional value to your own audience. By strategically selecting collaborations that align with your brand values and target audience, you can enhance your personal brand and unlock new opportunities.

Diversifying your income through your personal brand

Building a personal brand not only allows you to connect with your audience but also opens avenues for monetization and income diversification. Through strategic partnerships, sponsored content, digital products, or even consulting services, your personal brand can become a source of income generation. By leveraging your expertise, credibility, and audience trust, you can create multiple revenue streams and achieve financial success.

Understanding the Different Aspects of Personal Branding

Primal Branding: A recommended book

A recommended resource for understanding the different aspects of personal branding is the book “Primal Branding.” This book delves into the fundamental principles of branding and explores the various components necessary for successful brand building. By reading “Primal Branding,” creators can gain valuable insights into creating a compelling personal brand that resonates with their target audience and leaves a lasting impact.

Exploring the key aspects of personal branding

Personal branding encompasses various key aspects that need to be considered to create an impactful and authentic brand. These aspects include identifying your unique value proposition, understanding your target audience, crafting your brand story, and consistently delivering value through your content. By exploring and understanding each of these aspects, creators can build a strong foundation for their personal brand and effectively engage with their audience.

Implementing the principles of Primal Branding

Primal Branding outlines several critical principles that can be implemented in personal branding. These principles include creating a creation story, identifying and utilizing brand icons, defining your rituals and sacred words, and effectively using storytelling to capture your audience’s attention. By incorporating these principles into your personal branding strategy, you can create a compelling and memorable brand that stands out in a crowded digital landscape.

Embracing Authenticity and Individuality

The importance of being true to oneself

Authenticity is a cornerstone of personal branding. Being true to oneself means embracing and showcasing your unique personality, values, and beliefs consistently. By staying true to who you are, you can build trust and credibility with your audience, foster genuine connections, and differentiate yourself from others in your niche. Authenticity forms the foundation of a strong and sustainable personal brand.

Building trust and credibility through authenticity

Authenticity is essential for building trust and credibility with your audience. When you are authentic, open, and transparent, your audience can relate to you on a deeper level and perceive you as genuine. Trust and credibility are crucial for attracting and retaining a loyal following. By consistently delivering on your promises, providing value, and staying true to your brand values, you can build a strong foundation of trust and credibility.

Case study: Sean Cannell’s authentic brand

Sean Cannell is an example of a creator who has successfully built an authentic brand. His openness, vulnerability, and genuine desire to help others have contributed to his credibility and popularity. By staying true to his values and consistently delivering valuable content, Sean has cultivated a loyal community that trusts his expertise and recommendations. His authentic brand has become a driving force behind his success as a creator.

Finding Your Style and Voice

Establishing your digital style and presence

Establishing a distinct digital style and presence is crucial for personal branding. Your digital style encompasses elements such as your website design, social media aesthetics, and visual branding. Consistency in your digital style helps in creating a recognizable and memorable brand identity. By aligning your visual elements with your brand values and target audience, you can create a cohesive and visually appealing personal brand.

Developing a consistent voice across platforms

Your voice is an essential aspect of your personal brand. It encompasses how you communicate and express yourself both in written and verbal form. Developing a consistent voice across platforms helps create a cohesive brand experience for your audience. Whether it’s through your blog, social media captions, or YouTube videos, maintain a consistent tone and style that reflects your brand values and resonates with your target audience.

The impact of visual and verbal branding

Visual and verbal branding has a significant impact on personal branding. Visual branding elements such as logos, color palettes, and imagery contribute to creating a unique and recognizable brand identity. Verbal branding, on the other hand, encompasses the language, tone, and messaging used in your communication. By ensuring consistency in your visual and verbal branding, you can evoke familiarity, build brand recognition, and create a strong brand presence.

Creating Connections Through Shared Values

Using personal values to connect with your audience

Personal values are powerful tools for connecting with your audience on a deeper level. By openly sharing your values and aligning them with your content, you can attract like-minded individuals who resonate with your brand’s mission and beliefs. When your audience feels a connection to your values, it creates a sense of community and loyalty, fostering long-lasting relationships with your brand.

Building a community around shared beliefs

Shared beliefs and values can help build a community around your personal brand. By nurturing conversations, encouraging dialogue, and actively engaging with your audience, you create an inclusive and supportive environment. This sense of community allows your audience to feel connected, understood, and valued, strengthening their loyalty to your brand and fostering a sense of belonging.

Repelling vs attracting: The benefits of authenticity

Being authentic and true to yourself will inevitably repel some individuals, and that’s okay. Authenticity helps you attract the right audience and repel those who do not align with your values, beliefs, and interests. This curation of your audience ensures that you attract individuals who genuinely resonate with your brand and are more likely to become long-term supporters and advocates.

Conclusion

Personal branding is a powerful tool for creators to establish their unique identity, attract opportunities, and build a loyal community. By understanding the various components of personal branding, such as personal connections, expanding your brand, and embracing authenticity, creators can cultivate a compelling and impactful personal brand. Continuously evolving and growing your brand is essential in a rapidly changing digital landscape. Embrace your individuality, stay true to yourself, and create meaningful connections with your audience through your personal brand.