There is no way to sugarcoat the reality of existing in the online world. You are going to have to deal with extreme competition. Unless you are one of those magical unicorn ecommerce brands, you will have to learn how to differentiate your company from the rest.
A great way to do this is by crafting a unique personal brand that gives you a great extra edge. You can quickly skyrocket your dropshipping business, ecommerce website, or even enterprise the online arm of your business to new heights by crafting a strategic personal brand offering the heart, soul, and face behind your organization.
What is a Personal Brand?
Your goal is to separate your brand from the rest of the fish in the sea. You do this by offering an emotional connection through a personal brand that is both tangible and intangible (yes, that is correct).
A personal brand delivers your company’s value proposition, but behind a single person. This is the face of your business. It is how you deliver your story, values, and mission by focusing on the emotional touchpoints your figurehead offers through relatable content.
It is how you want people to see you. You are building a reputation based on a “character” you create.
Best Tips to Get Started
Venturing into personal branding might seem daunting, but these simple steps will help you navigate the process smoothly.
1 – Understand Your Goals
Why create a personal brand? For some, it’s about making a mark in their industry as new entrants. For most other companies, it is about driving future sales by fostering a robust community around a single brand image.
Either way, you want clear goals about how this brand will change the voice and public perception of your business. You need to figure out what your brand is, what you are not, and the type of impact you want to make while still achieving business success.
2 – Define the Audience You Want to Target
Your personal brand, at its core, is a beacon for your target audience. You need to use social media and data-driven insights through AI or analytics to better understand whom you want to target.
Take a close look at your target audience’s habits, desires, pain points, and aspirations. Only by truly knowing your audience can you craft a brand narrative that resonates deeply with them.
3 – Create the Elevator Pitch
An elevator pitch is the essence of your personal brand in a nutshell. If you met a potential customer or investor in an elevator, how would you define your brand before they reached their floor? This pitch shouldn’t just convey what you do but should highlight why you matter compared to any other competition in your online business niche market.
4 – Don’t Forget to Tell a Story
Humans are storytellers. From ancient campfires to modern marketing campaigns, stories are our currency of emotional connection. When crafting a personal brand for your target audience, be sure to include a compelling narrative around your journey, challenges, triumphs, and aspirations. A brand that tells a story isn’t just seen – it’s remembered.
A great example is eco-friendly marketing. A story that talks about how you are helping others overcome clean drinking water goes a long way for your filtration business.
5 – Find Your Niche
Your niche is your advantage. You are trying to connect with people on a personal level by adding a face to your business. If that face doesn’t make sense for the niche market, it won’t work. There are some stereotypes you need to have.
A great example is Black Rifle Coffee Company. This is not for everyone. However, they target far-right conservatives and people who celebrate gun rights with a coffee brand image aligned with their core values. It may be controversial, but the underlying idea is the same.
6 – Grow Your Online Community
Building a community is not about just increasing followers on your social media profiles. It’s about engagement and establishing a two-way dialogue. Listen to feedback, appreciate comments, and, most importantly, stay genuine. A loyal community translates into a loyal customer base.
You need to let people get to know you. Authenticity has a lot to do with personal branding, and your audience will see the difference!
7 – Time for Social Media
Leveraging social media is essential, but doing so with consistency is the real key. A consistent voice, aesthetic, and posting schedule reinforce brand recall. And remember, it takes five to seven impressions for a brand to truly stick. You want to engage them with content that matters to their values while reinforcing your online business’s mission and goals.
8 – Create Content
From blogs on your personal website to insightful posts, content is the lifeblood of personal branding. Offer value, be it through expert insights, how-to guides, or personal experiences. Content is your platform to showcase your expertise and establish authority. You don’t have to let them see you.
However, you want to convey emotions in your content that resonate with their needs and pain points.
9 – Rinse and Repeat
The world of personal branding isn’t static. It demands constant evolution. Reflect on what’s working, understand where you can improve, and continually refine your brand strategy. A personal brand is a journey, not a destination.
Need More Help?
In a world so digitally connected, security is paramount. As you build your personal brand’s visibility, you will see a spike in orders. That can lead to rough patches of security issues easily handled by installing our Security for WooCommerce plugin. You don’t want to get inundated by chargebacks and online fraud while trying to create an emotional connection with your audience. Be proactive and utilise our plugin today!
Conclusion
The intersection of passion, purpose, and professionalism is where a powerful personal brand lies. Shoppers are not dumb. They want to connect with you.
Where 60% of consumers are more likely to communicate with such brands, understanding and leveraging personal branding can be your game-changer. Take the time now and watch as your online business soars from some fantastic personal branding.
FAQs
What are the A’s of personal branding?
Authenticity, Action, Adaptation, and Accountability form the core pillars. Embracing these A’s ensures your brand is genuine, proactive, adaptable, and responsible in its interactions and strategies.
What are the C’s of personal branding?
Clarity, Consistency, and Constancy. These cornerstones emphasise a clear message, uniformity in communication, and continuous presence in the market, respectively.
What is a personal brand example?
Think Dolly Parton, Lady Gaga, or Tony Hawk. These luminaries have seamlessly woven their unique identities into their professional brands, creating an inseparable, unforgettable blend. You know what they stand for just by saying their names.
Why is personal brand important?
A personal brand adds a human touch, making businesses more relatable. It’s not just about products; it’s about personalities. Remember, 57% of consumers claim they’re willing to pay more for a product or service from a strong personal brand.
Visit our store today!
Get a powerful boost to your security, customer support, inventory management, and more…
