How to Step Into Your Personal Brand

Whether you’re an entrepreneur or part of a larger team, a powerful and well-designed personal brand is critical. When curated correctly, your personal brand will open doors and present new opportunities.

More than a simple tagline or a colorful logo, your personal brand represents everything you are, how you work, and what you stand for. Here are some tips on how to step into your personal brand and start to show the world who you really are.

What is Your Personal Brand?

The first step to establishing your personal brand is to truly understand yourself. Without knowing your personal values, what you stand for, and what really matters to you, it will be hard to come across authentically in your marketing efforts. And coming across authentically is a big part of building trust with your clients, colleagues, and peers.

How to Showcase Your Personal Brand Online

Building a personal brand probably sounds like a really overwhelming task, so instead of looking at the overall picture, take baby steps to building your brand and showing your authentic self online.

Not sure what to post on social media? It’s okay! Most people aren’t, at first. My suggestion is to start with great photos that show who you are, what you do, and what means the most to you. Snapshots of your everyday life are a great way to give people a window into your day. Think of things like your favorite coffee shop, your puppy, a favorite hobby, or anything else that really brings you joy.

Remembering who you are in everyday life is a key point to bring into any photoshoots or headshots you get taken. For example, if you always wear jeans and a button up as you go about your daily business, don’t wear a business suit in your photos. A business suit isn’t true to your personality - and chances are, if someone runs into you offline, they will be more likely to find you in jeans than a suit.

For me, I like to dress comfortably, yet professionally (I’m not wearing yoga pants to a photo session). I may wear a hat to a photo shoot outdoors. So if you see a photo of me in a hat, you know that’s authentic. The comfortable look has become part of my personality and my brand. I want people to feel comfortable for their photo sessions. My clients know to expect me to show up as my authentic self.

Just as you should insert a bit of your personality into your photos, you should do the same in your personal bio. If you’re a carefree, easy-going person, it won’t do you any good to build a brand around a bio that reads as though you’re regimented and strict. Don’t overthink your bio! Just be truthful and let your personality shine through.

What Happens When You Step Into Your Personal Brand?

Stepping into your personal brand is where the magic happens. This is where the growth comes from. People will build relationships – both personal and professional – with people they trust. The best way to build this trust is to be the same person online as you are in real life.

When my clients meet me in person, I want them to feel like the same person they’ve come to know through my personal brand. It’s important to me that they know my social media posts and online presence isn’t just used to drive likes and comments but to truly create a community and connection with all who get to know me.

Stepping Into Your Personal Brand is Powerful

Once you shed your preconceived notions of what your personal brand should be and understand that it’s really okay to let your personality shine through, you’ll be happier and the people around you will start to connect with the honest, authentic version of you.

Need some help from a visual standpoint? I can help! I am a lifestyle photographer, who captures personal brands, family photography, micro-weddings, high school seniors and real estate photography. Everyone has a personal brand. Let me help you bring yours to life!

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