Developing a strong personal brand

Personal branding is important for business and as a solo business owner to a large extent, you are the brand! Here's some tips on how to brand you ... to stand out and shine.

Do a personal audit to determine your values and vision, your future goals and strengths for you and your business. Defining who you are aligns with your deepest passions. A clue to discovering the feeling or emotion of who you are is to identify where you are and what you are doing that makes you truly happy.
What do people say about you, how do they perceive you? Pay attention to how others describe you when they introduce you and how they treat you. Are you described as fun-loving, compassionate, professional or creative? Do these descriptions align with your values and what you stand for?
What sets you apart from the crowd, what is your unique "shining" point? What achievements and accomplishments, dreams or desires reveal the emotional, inner side of you and how do you promote that side of you? Customers and clients want to feel they know and trust you enough to do business with you.
Take a look at some of the outside factors that represent your personal brand, such as the businesses you work with and the company you keep. Who are your friends, alliances and partners? What networking groups do you belong to?
Find one look or message that describes your business and stick with it. Use the same colour scheme, fonts and design throughout your marketing materials, business cards, letterhead and website. Pay attention to your email messages and voice mail messages.
Your dress and appearance plays an important part in how others see you. Develop a picture file of looks you like that reflects your emotional side and uniqueness. Start to build a wardrobe showing your style but also appropriate for the work you do and image you'd like to project.
Little things like quality accessories also play a part in your personal packaging. Note quality leather shoes, bags, watch, jewellery and pen. Take care of personal appearance including grooming and appropriate hairstyle.
Personal manner also plays a part in how others perceive you. Be aware of plus and minus personality traits such as self-confidence level, your way of talking, manners and social skills.
Your surroundings and environment project who you are also. You want your business to leave the right impression on your clients. Does your desk, signage and place of business reflect an image of efficiency, quality, professionalism and hospitality?

Does Brand You say your business is the best?

Sue Currie is a business educator and speaker on personal branding through image and media. Sue’s strategies help boost your public profile and increase profits by enhancing your professional image and building brand visibility.

3 comments | Add your own

I couldn't agree more. (Especially with so much advertising blaring at everyone all the time). One of the things people use to determine whether they want to work with you is definately appearance & values, We all know not to judge a book by it's cover, however in this day & age where time is in short supply, we don't have the luxury to find out what's behind the initial impression.
We are actually doing our clients a service to make is as easy as possible to work us out by our personal branding! Janene from Tamworth, Australia
AGREED... appearances differentiate you from the pack. One look, one image, one lipstick = One Brand; and thats YOU.
Catherine White from Manly
As a designer of childrens toys books and games, I can get away with the "designer style" Which for me is great, I can look arty and creative, but I run with a high level of professionalism and attention to detail which is a great surprise to my clients. They love working with someone who is "relaxed and a bit edgey" but still know I'll get the job done on time and on budget!! Louise Nade - Cupcake Creations Design Studio from Sydney

3 comments | Add your own

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