Personal Branding is a process that requires deep introspection. It also involves seeking feedback from peers, mentors and even your audience.
For example, Marie Forleo is a life coach who promotes her expertise through podcasts and courses. Her branding is authentic and reflects her values, interests, and personality. This helps build trust and a loyal following.
Know Your USP
It’s hard to stand out in a crowded market if you don’t have something distinctly unique to offer. That’s why having a strong USP, or Unique Selling Proposition, is key to your brand identity. Your USP tells customers what you are good at and why they should choose your business over the rest. Choosing the right one can help you make a huge difference in your marketing efforts, but knowing how to find it is not always easy.
One of the best ways to define your USP is to ask your current customers what they think. You can also do research on your competitors to see how they are differentiating themselves in the marketplace. For example, if you find that your competitors are focusing on quality customer service, but they are falling short in some areas, then you can focus on those gaps and build on them to create your own USP.
Once you have a clear idea of what sets your business apart, test it with your target audience and compare it to your competitors. It’s also important to note that your USP should be backed up by the values of your company. For example, if you are positioning yourself as an environmentally friendly company, but you partner with companies that use child labour, then your customers will likely lose trust in your claims.
Once you have a solid USP in place, be sure to include it on your website and in all of your marketing materials. It’s also a good idea to revisit your USP every so often and look for new trends in your market, as well as the needs of your customers. For instance, free shipping may have been a great USP when it first came out, but now that everyone is offering it, it might not be as effective.
Be Consistent
When you’re building a personal brand, consistency is key. You want to be able to give people an idea of what you are all about, and that starts with your content and how often you post. If you’re a model, this means posting showcasing your modeling work on all your social media platforms. It’s important that all your content has a consistent message, as if potential clients see that your Instagram is full of yoga tips and pictures of your dog while your Facebook is filled with rants about politics and local news, they may get the wrong impression.
Being consistent is also a great way to build trust with your audience. If you regularly share valuable content and are a source of knowledge, it will make your followers more likely to continue following your updates. You should also be consistent in your posting schedule – if you post three times a week for a month and then stop for two months, it will hurt your growth and credibility. Instead, try to find a balance that works for you and stick with it.
Be Authentic
Authenticity is one of the key aspects of building a successful personal brand. According to Mike Kim, a personal branding and marketing expert, individuals should be unapologetic and authentic in their branding efforts. This includes sharing their personal stories and experiences, as well as showcasing their values and beliefs. Kim explains that this authenticity creates a sense of trust and relatability with the audience, which is important for brand growth.
Being authentic also allows individuals to stand out from their competitors. By showcasing their unique skills, abilities, and values, individuals can differentiate themselves from the competition and attract a loyal following. This can lead to valuable networking opportunities and potential career advancements.
In addition to being genuine, it’s important for individuals to be themselves in all situations. This means being true to their personality, values, and interests, even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. For example, if an individual is a big foodie and loves to try new restaurants, they should share this on their social media accounts. This will help them build a loyal following and gain traction in the industry.
Finally, being authentic can also help individuals develop a strong and memorable personal brand. According to millennial influencer Monica Lin, people are drawn to brands that are honest and genuine. She explains that the more a brand tries to be something it’s not, the more their audience will call them out on it. This will make the brand look phony and can damage their credibility.
Being genuine in the modeling industry is essential for models. This means avoiding fake or overly staged photos, being transparent about their past work and education, and being honest about the types of jobs they are looking for. In addition, models should be aware of the different types of jobs available in their local area and how to best position themselves for them. By doing so, models can avoid being overwhelmed by the number of job applications they receive and increase their chances of landing a role that is right for them.
Know Your Local Industry
As a model, it’s essential to know your local industry so you can build a successful personal brand. This includes researching the agencies in your area, reading reviews on message boards, and networking with other models in your city. By doing this, you can build strong connections within the industry and find opportunities that would otherwise be difficult to uncover.
Another aspect of knowing your local industry is understanding the client base. This can help you tailor your personal branding efforts to attract clients who are the right fit for you. One way to do this is by sharing your story. This could be in the form of a blog post, video, or pinned tweet thread. For example, Noah Kagan shares his story on his AppSumo website to demonstrate his expertise and credibility in the software industry.
Show Your Personality
Showing your personality is a big part of personal branding. You can do this in many ways, including sharing content about your interests and passions, posting photos of your work, or even creating a TikTok account that showcases your personality and style. You can also share details about yourself and your life that will help people connect with you on a more personal level, such as your favorite foods, hobbies, or pets.
It can be difficult to describe your personality in a way that others will understand, but it’s important to try. This will allow you to communicate with your audience in a way that is both genuine and effective. To get a better idea of what your personality is, look at lists of personality traits online and see which ones apply to you. You can also ask your family and friends to give you descriptive words that they use to describe you.
In order to build a successful personal brand, you need to be authentic and true to yourself. If you try to be someone you’re not, it will come across as inauthentic and will not resonate with your audience. By staying true to yourself, you can create a personal brand that will attract clients and grow your career.
As a model, it’s important to take the time to build a strong personal brand that will set you apart from your competition. By implementing the tips above, you can create a personal brand that is both authentic and unique, and will help you build a successful modeling career. So, what are you waiting for? Start building your personal brand today! You won’t regret it.