How to Grow Your Personal Brand on Social Media
The idea of creating a personal brand might sound funny, but the truth is that we all have one. Personal branding is how we express ourselves to the world and curate the way we are perceived by others. This becomes particularly significant when it comes to the world of business.
Here at Social Canvas, many of our clients have personal brands outside of their formal business. They use their personal brand for public speaking, selling their books, coaching sessions, or building their network.This is hugely important because, as we all know, people are driven by personal connection! They are much more likely to form a connection with the person than the brand.
Having a strong personal brand can be vital to your professional life. Think of it like having a modern, in-depth business card - without it, people won’t know who you are, what you do, or how it’s relevant to them. Curating your brand gives you the opportunity to establish your professional value in an authentic and appealing way. Of course, this all comes down to your digital presence.
Growing your personal brand is different from simply being the face of your brand in that you are the actual brand, not just the face of a brand that serves a separate product/service. These concepts are united by the fact that, no matter how nice your graphics are, people connect more with people. It’s no wonder why influencer marketing has dominated the scene.
If you’re still confused about what a personal brand is, consider some high-profile examples like Steve Jobs, Elon Musk, or Oprah Winfrey. These three individuals have stand-alone brands which of course go hand-in-hand with their products/services, but also serve as a separate and more versatile brand. With such strong personal branding, these figures are able to capitalize on their name to provide expertise far beyond their entrepreneurial endeavors and reap sizable profits. Personal branding unlocks the doors to multiple streams of revenue which typically stem from thought leadership.
In order to grow a personal brand, there are a few key elements that you should rely on.
1.Consistency
You’ve surely heard it before, but we’ll say it again: consistency is key when it comes to building a brand and an online presence. The term ‘consistency’ here has two meanings. First and foremost, your brand should have a cohesive aesthetic, including but not limited to color palette, graphic elements, font types, tone of voice, values, and anything else that acts as an extension of the image you want to portray.
2.Video Content
In case you haven’t noticed, video content is trending. Beyond staying in tune with trends, though, video content is a highly captivating way to connect more deeply with your audience. Video content allows you to present yourself and your expertise to your followers in a way that is more personal, and therefore easier to connect with.
3.Media Features
Building a personal brand is greatly bolstered by media features. Doing outreach to get featured on podcasts, publications, speaking engagements, interviews, etc. will go a long way towards building your brand. Content like this not only demonstrates your expertise, it also helps you reach a much wider audience. Even just one media feature could essentially double or triple your audience and boost your brand awareness. Just make sure the features are posted on their socials as well was your own!
4.Story Telling
Stories appeal to our emotions, and our emotions dictate much of our daily decisions. By appealing to pathos, your personal brand will be much more persuasive. Don’t just tell people what you do, show them who you are and how you came to be. Depict the story of your brand and convince people why it matters to them and to the world.
5.Community building
Community building is another term that is multi-functional. First, nurture an engaged audience online by replying to comments, helping others, and engaging with similar content. You can utilize polls and ask for feedback, because people are much more invested in a person/brand when there is opportunity for a two way dialogue. Second, participate in supportive communities. Consider joining a fellow entrepreneur group, attending networking events (virtual or IRL), or inviting individuals for one-on-one coffee chats. Keep in mind that, in life, you can only get so far without others.
Personal branding may sound intimidating, but the truth is that you’ve been creating your personal brand since you were just a kid. The only difference now is that you’re utilizing it in a professional manner. Personal branding is part of a strong business strategy. If you want some support in developing a relevant and trustworthy brand, Social Canvas is here to help.
