“Personal Branding” is certainly the BUZZ phrase lately. A personal brand is a set of talents, experience and personality and how you present them across multiple platforms is important. For business owners, a personal brand is key, so take a look at how to focus on yours!
Here are a few ways that you can boost your personal brand and get recognized.
Be Specific when considering WHO you want to work with
When I first started my photography business, I photographed anyone and everyone. But, over time I realized I didn’t enjoy working with EVERYONE. I found that I had to get SMALLER to get bigger, and how important it is to target the RIGHT audience for me. As time went on that I am an introvert. Every year I get older, that introvert personality becomes more and more clear to me. So, I decided to photograph ONE person at a time. My clients have changed from large groups (i.e. weddings, events and families) to INDIVIDUALS like a high school senior, dater or business person. I also figured out the people that “buy ME” are often those whom I am most like. Those in my demographic and age group. So I focus primarily on photographing women over 50.
To really make your personal brand get noticed, you need to journal about what you love, how people know you and your talents. Just like your English teacher told, you BE SPECIFIC including how you FEEL. Having a niche focus will ensure that your prospective clients will trust you.
Noticing how you feel will help you better define WHO you want to work with. Over time, I got clear on how I FELT both before, during and after I photographed a client. Prior to the initial consultation, I noticed when I felt excited and hopeful vs. when I just dreaded it. During the time I spent photographing a client, I noticed when I was “in flow” or “all thumbs” and awkward. Finally, after the photography session, I noticed if my tank was filled up or drained.
Below is an image of a personal branding client named Josh. This image of Josh REALLY shows who he is and who he’s targeting. He is a personal branding and marketing coach with a casual, engaging approach. He is targeting the “out of the box” thinkers who LOVE marketing, are 30-40 years old are work in the lending and real estate fields. Because he specializes in lenders and realtors, a HOMEY background makes so much sense!
Personal branding coach showing his casual style in a HOMEY setting.
Be consistent in how you show yourself
There are a million ways you can show yourself online. Social media is only ONE of those ways. Other areas you may show up are BLOG posts, email signatures, and on your website. If you are present on several different online platforms, it’s important to make sure that you show up the same way. You don’t have to share the SAME pictures on all platforms, but they should be easily recognizable as “you”. and your style. Change out your images frequently. We recommend every 3-6 months and be consistent in your timing. If you blog, do it regularly on a schedule and create images that go with the THEME of your blog.
Note this second image of Josh below and notice the consistency in the style, and overall casual feeling you get when you see these images. Josh has a very casual, engaging and approachable way of working with his clients. So, he needs to show MANY different variations of images like these.
Another casual shot of Josh, consistent with the one above. Both show his casual style and approach.
Meet Teri, she owns a Home Staging business. She is fun, direct, highly talented and has an amazing fashion style. Notice the consistency in her images.
Share Your Opinions
I just finished a blogging class and it gave me “permission” to actually share my voice and my opinions. Gone are the days of the “people pleasing” blogs. Get ready for blogs that EDUCATE my clients and allow me to speak with a unique perspective. Your clients will admire you more and the RIGHT ones will be attracted to you if you share how you truly feel. Seek out opportunities to write about your opinions and share what you know how to do. Find ways to TEACH others what you know and consider teaching avenues as a way to share your expertise.
Below is an image of Linda. Linda shares her opinions and personality in her blogs. This image is the perfect way to convey that Linda HAS opinions and doesn’t go along with the crowd. The images we create together need to convey that you HAVE opinions and a personal message to share.
Speak directly to your audience
Here is the part where you may expect to hear, “join a networking group”. But, if you are like me, a networking group just doesn’t fit my personality. I’d rather spend my time communicating 1-1 with my clients, blogging or speaking directly to my audience via VIDEOS.
If you haven’t heard about the video app ‘bomb bomb‘, check ’em out. The application allows you to do video snippets sent via email or text. I find the videos are a much more PERSONAL way to communicate. I do general videos for things I say often (like how to get to our studio) and more PERSONAL ones when I just want to THANK my client directly. And there’s nothing more special than doing a direct message to your client. Check out this video where I talk about how to get to our studio.
Speak at Events
With my more introverted personality, I find that I can more easily speak in front of large groups via Zoom. Heck I even RECORD myself first sometimes and just share the recording. But, If you feel comfortable enough to speak in front of a live audience, keep an eye out for speaking engagements in your area. Speaking at events will help you build rapport with your audience and give you the opportunity to network afterward too. Just be sure that you have a professional headshot and branded photos to send with your bio and that your website is looking good before you start sending traffic there.
For personal branding images in Denver that help attract the RIGHT client and how YOUR personality, contact us at 720-201-0402. or GET STARTED here.
