Creating a personal brand often goes hand-in-hand with entrepreneurship. No longer are you in the background, a part of the well-oiled machine of corporate life, but rather you are at the forefront and spotlight as you drive your business forward. Intentionally or not, you are the voice and face of your brand for investors, customers, and for your employees.
So acknowledging this new role and playing upon it can only have a positive impact. Your personal brand can help you establish authority, credibility, and help to form meaningful connections, as well as enhancing the visibility of your brand.
Creating a narrative that captures who you are and what you stand for has other benefits when it comes to building your business. It can help you stand out from competitors, and help to build trust and credibility, as well as customer loyalty. People are understandably interested in your background, your story, and who you are as a person. Being invested in you will help them feel invested in your brand.
In this article, I’ll delve into easy starting steps to build your personal brand. A significant aspect of having a strong personal brand is being able to confidently be yourself, but as you step out into the world of entrepreneurship, it is always wise to self-reflect and set yourself the right foundations for growth. Read through the article and make sure to keep a notebook and pen by your side to jot thoughts as you go.
Define Your Core Values
A personal brand is deeply rooted in core values. These values are the guiding principles that dictate your behaviour and actions. They are the essence of your identity.
Reflect on what matters most to you. Is it integrity, innovation, compassion, or resilience? Identifying your core values is the first step in building a personal brand that truly represents who you are. I would recommend selecting 3-4 values that you strongly believe in. Write them down along with 1 sentence on why this is important to you.
Your core values will be excellent building blocks for your personal brand, and useful to look back on when making decisions in the future. Some difficult situations where you’re not sure of the correct course of action will become immediately clearer when you consult your brand values – is this in line with my brand values? Yes or no.
Craft Your Mission Statement
A mission statement is a clear and concise declaration of your goals and the values that drive you. It articulates the purpose behind your actions and what you aim to achieve. For a woman in leadership, this might involve empowering others, driving change, or creating an inclusive culture.
Your mission statement should be 1-2 sentences maximum and look at the bigger picture of what you want to achieve in the future. It’s fine to be ambitious here. It’s about your overall vision for yourself.
Your mission statement will serve as a guiding light, keeping you aligned with your personal brand as your business evolves and grows.
Envision Your Future Self
What is your vision for yourself? Where do you see yourself in the future? Envisioning your future self involves setting long-term goals and imagining the impact you wish to have. It’s about looking beyond the immediate and striving for growth, both personally and professionally.
Define Your Positioning
Positioning is about carving out a unique space for yourself in the minds of others. It’s how you differentiate yourself from the crowd. Consider what you want others to think of you when they see you or hear your name. For instance, you might want to be seen as an innovative leader, a strategic thinker, or a compassionate mentor. Pick 3 attributes you wish to be known for and focus on reinforcing these aspects of your brand.
Brand Attributes and Actions
After defining your positioning, it’s crucial to identify the attributes of your brand. These are the qualities or characteristics that you want to be associated with. For a woman in leadership, these might include being visionary, approachable, and resilient.
Once you have your attributes, think about the kinds of actions that will help you achieve them. Build a list of small daily, weekly, and monthly actions for each attribute to ensure you embody it successfully. For example, if you wish to be seen as approachable, you could make it a point to be more accessible to your team, actively listen to their ideas, and provide constructive feedback.
Align Your Appearance
Your appearance is a significant aspect of your personal brand identity. It’s not just about dressing for success; it’s about aligning your appearance with your brand values and the message you want to convey.
Do you want to make a professional first impression, or do you want to be associated with creativity and colour? There are many different ways to ensure your appearance aligns with your brand so that you stand out from the crowd.
You don’t need to spend hundreds on a new wardrobe, and blowdries, it’s more about remembering that you are your brand – make sure to do it justice.
Staying authentic
Remember this is not about changing yourself or pretending to be someone you’re not. Establishing your personal brand is all about taking who you already are and defining some helpful rules and goals around how you want to represent yourself.
It’s very easy to lose sense of who you are and what matters when on an entrepreneurial journey where you’re faced with tough decisions daily. By dedicating time to your personal brand, and recognising the importance of staying true to your authentic self your pathway to success will become easier.
By ensuring that all your actions, behaviors, and overall performance are in harmony with your personal brand, you’re showcasing who you are and who you wish to become.
Your True Strength
A strong personal brand is a powerful tool. It can help you attract investors, advance your career, and engage more effectively with those around you.
Building a personal brand, especially for women in leadership, is a strategic endeavor that requires introspection, consistency, and authenticity. It’s about knowing who you are, who you want to be, and how you want to be perceived. By defining your values, mission, vision, positioning, and brand attributes, and aligning your appearance accordingly, you can create a personal brand that not only represents your true self but also propels you towards your goals.
Your personal brand is your promise to the world about the value you bring and the difference you aim to make. Your personal brand is unique to you, and that’s its greatest power.
