Knowing your own brand
(The Color Factory Chicago, Illinois taken by Bailey Myers)
Growing up I always used to wonder "How am I gonna act when I get older?" Well, younger me - it's all how you portray yourself, and build your personal brand. Your personal brand is something that should be handled with care because, after all, it is what people think about you. Your personal brand is how you promote yourself. It is the skills, experience, and personality that you want the world to see of you. It is the telling of your story and the first impression you give to people. Think about some of the biggest brands' public images. Nike, for instance, has built a brand around celebrating athletes, creating high-performance products, and supporting consumers who want to live active lifestyles. You'll see examples of those branding factors and everything that Nike does, from ads in magazines and on television to its social media profiles. That's exactly the approach you need to take when creating a personal brand. You might not publish ads in magazines or create television commercials, but you have to think about how your personal brand is represented when you communicate with your audience online. One of the first things I do when I am searching for someone on social media is notice how they are online. I want to know their personal brand so I know how to communicate with them.
For this blog, I chose to add this picture from The Color Factory that I took in Chicago. I know this is so cliche, having one ball colored pink and the rest yellow and then I tell you "Oh I'm the pink ball and everyone around me is the yellow one" Yes, that is exactly what I'm going to tell you, but in a cooler way. While being the pink ball you can stand out from others and control your personal brand. Standing out makes someone look in your direction or hire you rather than the other person going for the job. It's also important to be self-aware too. Being self-aware will help your personal brand be true and show your true self to others.
How do you create your personal brand? Figure out who you are, learn what you’re good at, and what makes you unique. It is up to you to determine what you want to be known for. Be genuine and authentic while growing your personal brand. When creating your personal brand, don’t sell yourself short, you know how great you are, so include it! Make a list of all the personality traits that people you love have commented on in the past. What sticks out to you the most? And how can you amplify that character trait to make your personal brand stronger? When creating your personal brand don't forget that this is how people are going to view you. Future employers, acquaintances on social media, and people getting to know you. Someone who I believe is a great example of creating their own brand and living it every day is Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift is an inspiration to many people for how she upholds herself and her lifestyle. When I think of Taylor Swift I think of musical talent, personal experiences, strategic marketing, and genuine fan engagement. Throughout her career, Taylor has successfully navigated multiple genre transitions, from country to pop to indie/folk. This versatility demonstrates her willingness to evolve as an artist, keeping her brand dynamic and relevant. Each of Taylor Swift's album eras comes with a distinct visual aesthetic and theme, creating a cohesive branding strategy that extends to her merchandise, social media, and performances. This careful attention to visual branding helps make each album release an event in itself. Her brand is also defined by her philanthropy and activism. She has been involved in various charitable causes and has spoken out on numerous social and political issues, from LGBTQ+ rights to encouraging voter registration. This aspect of her brand underscores her commitment to using her platform for positive change. Her ability to continually reinvent herself while staying true to her core values offers a blueprint for personal and professional growth. Her journey encourages individuals to pursue their passions, stand up for what they believe in, and make a difference in the world, all while navigating the complexities of modern life and industry.
Effective personal branding will differentiate you from the competition and allow you to build trust with other people. Having a personal brand helps you stand out from the crowd. Building your brand is a chance to show your audience what you know, and why you know it. It also leads to opportunities. A strong personal brand can help grow your career and connections. Studies show also that the job market is going to get more competitive, so job seekers with a personal brand are more likely to stand out. People trust people, they are looking for someone they can proudly recommend and advocate for. Social media is also evolving daily, new trends pop up each and every day. In today’s digital world, your online presence can be a powerful component of your personal brand. It can allow you to reach a wider audience, share your knowledge, and interact with influencers and leaders in your field. This visibility can lead to growth and opportunities.
How do you create your personal brand? Figure out who you are, learn what you’re good at, and what makes you unique. It is up to you to determine what you want to be known for. Be genuine and authentic while growing your personal brand. When creating your personal brand, don’t sell yourself short, you know how great you are, so include it! Make a list of all the personality traits that people you love have commented on in the past. What sticks out to you the most? And how can you amplify that character trait to make your personal brand stronger? When creating your personal brand don't forget that this is how people are going to view you. Future employers, acquaintances on social media, and people getting to know you. Someone who I believe is a great example of creating their own brand and living it every day is Taylor Swift. Taylor Swift is an inspiration to many people for how she upholds herself and her lifestyle. When I think of Taylor Swift I think of musical talent, personal experiences, strategic marketing, and genuine fan engagement. Throughout her career, Taylor has successfully navigated multiple genre transitions, from country to pop to indie/folk. This versatility demonstrates her willingness to evolve as an artist, keeping her brand dynamic and relevant. Each of Taylor Swift's album eras comes with a distinct visual aesthetic and theme, creating a cohesive branding strategy that extends to her merchandise, social media, and performances. This careful attention to visual branding helps make each album release an event in itself. Her brand is also defined by her philanthropy and activism. She has been involved in various charitable causes and has spoken out on numerous social and political issues, from LGBTQ+ rights to encouraging voter registration. This aspect of her brand underscores her commitment to using her platform for positive change. Her ability to continually reinvent herself while staying true to her core values offers a blueprint for personal and professional growth. Her journey encourages individuals to pursue their passions, stand up for what they believe in, and make a difference in the world, all while navigating the complexities of modern life and industry.
Effective personal branding will differentiate you from the competition and allow you to build trust with other people. Having a personal brand helps you stand out from the crowd. Building your brand is a chance to show your audience what you know, and why you know it. It also leads to opportunities. A strong personal brand can help grow your career and connections. Studies show also that the job market is going to get more competitive, so job seekers with a personal brand are more likely to stand out. People trust people, they are looking for someone they can proudly recommend and advocate for. Social media is also evolving daily, new trends pop up each and every day. In today’s digital world, your online presence can be a powerful component of your personal brand. It can allow you to reach a wider audience, share your knowledge, and interact with influencers and leaders in your field. This visibility can lead to growth and opportunities.
Having a personal brand can hold so much value. It can be difficult to build your own brand, but it is so worth it. Once you have built your brand, the main thing now is to live your brand. Your personal brand should follow you everywhere you go. It should be an authentic manifestation of who you are and amplify what you believe. With all of that in mind, your personal brand is not only a reflection of all of the jobs that you have had, but also ideals like giving back, thoughtful leadership, and most importantly your values. The main thing to remember once you have your personal brand is to remember why you built it and to not mess it up.
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