The world today is moving rapidly towards digitalisation but with this shift also comes a certain trust deficit. People are no longer comfortable with just purchasing products and services- they want to know exactly whom they are buying from. This is where personal branding comes in, especially for young entrepreneurs. In simple terms, a personal brand is how a business is viewed by people. This branding becomes a reflection of your values, your ethics and your personality and it plays a vital role in whether the customer wishes to purchase from you or not.
Think of it as an identity card of your business enterprise. Just as your personal id discloses important details about you, so does the personal brand of your business. Organisations and big companies have logos, for entrepreneurs a strong and solid personal brand is the best way to stand out. While online resources have made it easy to market your business, many people are wary of whether what they see is what they will get. Creating a strong personal brand with patience and consistency shall enable you to build a business which is trusted by customers.
Benefits of Personal Branding
- Trust Building: When potential customers know who you are and what your business ethos is, they are more likely to trust you. Gaining the customers’ trust is the first step towards a long-term business association.
- Sets You Apart: These days every kind of product or service has a myriad of players in the market. Sometimes two brands can seem very similar in what they offer. A strong personal branding which stays with the customer is the best way to stand out.
- New Opportunities: Entrepreneurial ventures are no longer just about selling a product or service. It also means talking about the venture in interviews, reels and exploring opportunities for partnerships. All of this is possible if there is a recognisable personal brand that people identify with and endorse.
Ways to Build a Personal Brand
- Know Yourself: Your story is what makes your brand personal. What is important to you? What are your strengths? What sets you apart from others? Your personal experiences will speak to your customers.
- Be Choosy: Irrespective of how tempting it might be, avoid being everywhere. Research and choose platforms which highlight the strengths of your brand and which consist of your target audience.
- Consistency is Key: Choose the colours and patterns which work best for your brand and stick to those. This makes your brand identity stronger and stays in people’s memories. For instance, if you have a fun profile on Instagram, don’t have a serious one on another social media platform.
- Audience Engagement: Have polls, encourage your audience to ask questions and join conversations. Interaction with customers is a key feature of personal brand building.
- Be There: Post videos or photos of yourself. Your audience should be able to put a face to your name, which in turn makes it easier for them to identify with your brand. Remember, faces are easier to connect with than logos.
Personal branding doesn’t need perfection, it needs reality and connection. When people learn of your story, strengths and weaknesses they view you as a real person and are more likely to trust you.
