WHY PERSONAL BRANDING IS YOUR SECRET WEAPON
“Your brand is a promise to your customer. It’s the experience they can expect from you.”
– Maya Angelou
Easter is just around the corner and already it feels like the year is flying by! As we step into the season of growth and new beginnings, now is the perfect moment to focus on a critical element of your business success – Your personal brand.
This month, we are diving into how personal branding can give you the edge over your competition and help you shine brighter than ever before! previously, we’ve explored the importance of building an authentic brand that reflects your values and your business’s purpose, beyond just making a profit. At the core of this is aligning your business brand with your personal brand — because when they work together, magic happens. So, let’s take a deeper dive into the world of personal branding and how it can elevate both you and your business to the next level!
Warmly, Alysha
Owner, Wow Studios
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Exciting News – New look website!
Let’s Talk Branding – Your Brand, Your Empire: Why Every Entrepreneur Needs a Personal Brand.
Brand Education – How to take control of your personal brand.
Past Stories – More blogs about branding.
Feel Inspired – 17 Incredible Personal Branding Examples for 2024.
EXCITING NEWS
NEW LOOK WEBSITE!!
We are excited to announce that our website has had a refresh! With bolder colours, a fresh design and a streamlined layout, we’ve created an experience that better reflects the energy and passion behind our brand. Whether you’re exploring our services or just browsing, we hope you enjoy the updated look and feel.
Take a tour and let us know what you think!
LET’S TALK BRANDING
Your Brand, Your Empire:
Why Every Entrepreneur Needs a Personal Brand
I’ve mentioned many times before that great branding is the key to standing out in a crowded marketplace and as entrepreneurs and small business owners our personal brand is generally the first impression potential customers have with our businesses, so we need to make sure we are creating a powerful first impression.
People connect with people, not just faceless brands and it’s that personal connection that builds trust, creates a bond and makes people want to engage your services and buy your products.
Just as your business brand should be a reflection of the values and purpose that drives your business forward, your personal brand should also be aligned. When both are in sync, they tell an authentic story that resonates with your audience and builds trust and adds further credibility to your messaging.
So, what is a personal brand?
Your personal brand is what people think about you, its intangible and made up of elements such as the first impression you make when they meet you, how you make them feel and what they remember about you after you leave.
We all have a personal brand, however for many of us it’s an unconscious brand. As an entrepreneur and business owner, its vital that we understand how our personal brand is being received by the world and ensure the result is both positive and effective.
Why does your personal brand matter in business?
Your personal brand is powerful tool you can use to help you build trust and create meaningful connections. principles?
People Buy from People
Now more than ever, we are all seeking genuine and real connections and this desire is often transferred into our buying decisions. Your personal brand will attract your tribe.
Increases Credibility & Authority
When your personal brand and business brand are aligned you cement the message that you are genuine and authentic and really care about the values you identify with.
Differentiates You From Competitors
A unique personal brand makes you stand out in a crowded market. People who align with your values will choose you over someone they don’t align with often without any conscious thought.
Builds Trust & Loyalty
Customers who feel a connection to you are more likely to become long-term clients and also your brand advocates.
BRAND EDUCATION
HOW TO TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR PERSONAL BRAND
So, how do we take control of our personal brand?
You need to define who you are, what you stand for and how you want to be perceived. When you consciously craft your personal brand, you give yourself the opportunity to showcase your unique value, personality and style to the world in a way that is polished yet authentic.
Identify your values
Hopefully, in the process of creating your business brand you have already done some work on understanding your values and what matters to you. Your business brand should be a reflection of these personal values with a business first approach. Your personal brand values can be a bit more personal and require you to do a bit of self-reflection.
This list of personal brand attributes should help you define what matters most to you. The Ultimate List of Personal Brand Attributes and Core Values
Determine what makes you special
Just as you spent time working out what was unique and special about your business services and products, you also need to reflect on what makes you special to define your personal brand. Focus on your professional path, what has led you to become the business owner you are today and what makes you different from others in your profession or industry?
Understand your strengths and weaknesses
Creating a strong personal brand that puts your best foot forward means learning how to use your strengths to add value in your interactions with others. How can you genuinely enhance their experience and first impression when they meet you.
Be authentic and true to yourself
Understanding your personality and what drives you is the key to developing a strong personal brand and true happiness. This personality test will give you some great insights. It only takes a few minutes to do and is well worth the effort. Free Personality Test | 16Personalities
Ask others what they think of you
Personal introspection is a valuable tool, however sometimes we may have a misalignment with how we believe we are perceived vs how we are actually perceived. By asking those around you, you can gain a clearer understanding of your existing personal brand.
How to use your Personal Brand in business
Tell Your Story
Share your journey, challenges, and wins to create a connection with your audience.
Show Up Consistently
Be active on social media, write articles, or create videos to establish yourself as an authority.
Engage & Provide Value
Offer insights, tips, and advice relevant to your audience. Build relationships by interacting with your community.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t be generic
Stand out by leaning into your unique strengths and personality. Be authentically you and don’t be afraid to show your true self to the world.
Inconsistency
Once you have established who you are and your personal brand, be consistent. Use the same language, present yourself in the same way and stay true to your values despite external influences.
Selling Too Much
– Focus on adding value rather than constantly promoting products or services.
Ignoring Your Reputation
Make sure you check in regularly to see how your personal brand is being perceived. Feedback is the key to continuous improvement!
In the end your personal brand is one of your greatest assets! Its not just about how you present yourself, but about building genuine, long-lasting connections, living by your values and creating a personality that is truly you and resonates with others. By taking the time to define your personal brand you set yourself up to build deeper business and personal relationships. Remember your brand is a reflection of you and when its authentic, its powerful!
BONUS READING
How to overcome the fear and embrace the journey.
Putting your true and authentic self out to the world can be a scary proposition but trust me its well worth making yourself vulnerable and taking the plunge. Not only will you gain deeper and more meaningful connections and relationships, being authentic and letting go of facades gives you a sense of freedom and contentment.
This is especially true in business as Bonnie Habyan explains in this great article.
Personal branding: how to overcome the fear and embrace the journey
WANT TO LEARN MORE, CHECK OUT SOME OF OUR PAST STORIES
As a small business it can be hard to work out what makes your business different from the competition. To stand out from the crowd you need to have a point of difference, a reason for your customers to choose you. That x-factor is called a Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and today we are going to look at some of the ways you can step out from the shadows and move to the top of the pack using authentic branding.
I have shown you how to create a target audience and build your reputation, now its time to get to the heart of what drives success, especially in the small business world. Purpose-driven brands do more than just make money, they seek to better the world and their customers by making a positive difference and putting action behind their brand mission and purpose!
To stand out from the crowd you need to have a point of difference, a reason for your customers to choose you. That x-factor is called a Unique Selling Proposition (USP). It doesn’t have to be earth-shattering. Ask these questions about your products and services and also of your competitors to help you determine how you can make your product stand out.
FEEL INSPIRED
This article by Nadica Naceva highlights 17 exceptional personal branding examples that exemplify the power of a well-crafted personal identity. By exploring these standout cases, you’ll gain valuable insights into the strategies and nuances that make a personal brand resonate. From innovative content creation to authentic engagement, these examples will inspire you to enhance your personal brand and achieve your professional aspirations.
CREATE THE UNEXPECTED, DELIVER HAPPINESS!
DISCOVER YOUR PERSONAL BRAND PERSONALITY
Understanding your personal brand personality can help you connect more authentically with your audience and build a brand that truly reflects You!
This questionnaire will help you reflect on your own style and approach to business and help guide you in discovering which one resonates with you the most.
WOW STUDIOS – WE BRING YOUR CREATIVE IDEAS TO LIFE
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About the Author
Alysha is a seasoned graphic designer and brand educator with over a decade of experience in marketing and design. She specializes in crafting bold, unique brand identities, and marketing collateral that gets noticed. Working primarily with small and medium-sized businesses, she partners with entrepreneurs who seek a long-term design collaborator who truly understands their brand, audience, and business goals. While she serves a wide range of industries, she has a particularly strong presence in financial services, investor relations, and the creative entrepreneurial space.
Beyond design, Alysha is passionate about educating small business owners on the power of branding. Through her blog, she shares expert insights on design, brand strategy, and proactive marketing—helping business owners stand out, build credibility, and attract their ideal customers. Her brand education work focuses primarily on guiding women entrepreneurs over 40 in understanding their competitors, defining their audience, clarifying their brand’s deeper purpose, and developing a compelling brand personality and messaging.
With a friendly, efficient, and results-driven approach, Alysha ensures her designs and branding strategies are not only visually compelling but also strategically aligned to help businesses thrive.