Personal branding is more than “personal”. This is what your company can take from big brands.
It’s impossible to think about Tesla without also thinking of Elon Musk. Apple is the tech giant that Steve Jobs co-founded. Microsoft is Bill Gates. Amazon is Jeff Bezos. These people have been synonymous with their companies through thick and thin. They are attached to their brands like magnets on the fridge.
This article will discuss personal branding. We’ll also deconstruct the concept of a “big brand” and then examine five ways personal branding can be used to align our businesses with each other.
Branding is a way to tell a story. It is the company’s identity, its differentiation from other companies, and the value it provides to customers. Similar concepts are used in personal branding. Who are you? What makes you different? What is your unique value? These are the basics. Now tell your story
It is all about being holistic when creating a brand. You need to brand your business and you should also brand yourself. Then, hopefully, the two will merge into a harmonious state. Your company should reflect your values and ambitions.
Companies in which the leader is totally aligned to the brand. They do not have to brand differently. They just do well. They have used personal branding to a degree that is beyond what the textbook definitions of branding and how it differs between individuals and corporate entities. There are many gray areas and this is a good thing.
These marks are consistent in tone, voice, and point of view. It is the result of the company’s values and objectives. They are not a book that has many chapters but a story with multiple chapters.
You must consider branding as a single force to make your brand synonymous with your company/brand. Your mission is a coherent and unified branding
Five ways to improve your personal brand
Let’s take a look at five elements of personal branding that can help unify both the individual and the company.
Your personal brand and your company’s branding doesn’t have to be based on a famous movie star or eccentric personality. A strong personal story is the cornerstone of any business that succeeds. You want to be a leader and imprint your identity on your company. Your company should consider you a vital organ. In most cases, your story and that of your company will intersect. Inspiration. Sharing experience.
This is important. Your company and you will be marked. Your company’s history is useless, and your current company version is not the same.
Seth Godin said it well, “Authenticity” is not being who you are, but doing what you say. It is important to live up to your promises, as you and your company will be remembered for it.
Be authentic, no matter what you do. Be genuine. Because authenticity is a powerful tool, be authentic.
No one wants to get to know anyone who is superficial or bloated when it comes to their brand. Our Gen Z generation – a wonderful group of young people who are often criticized more than they receive praise – is a true detective of lies and can spot inauthenticity miles away.
These are important consumers to know.
There’s no doubt about Elon Musk’s authenticity, for good or for ill. Elon Musk says exactly what he claims, every time. Be true to yourself and don’t be afraid to voice your opinions. This approach will not work for every business leader. Musk’s openness on social media is shocking to many.
Keep in mind, Musk uses Twitter frequently and has hundreds of thousands of comments and “likes”. It is the most important aspect of Tesla’s business model. It is not. No. Musk’s personal, down-to-earth social presence has made him synonymous with Tesla.
He’s certainly the CEO, but his list goes far beyond that title. Musk is Tesla and has used his Twitter account to create a strong audience of customers and fans. Musk / Tesla is a extreme example, but it shows a strategy that can be used to some degree for everyone. Your audience should be relevant to you and your goals.
Reputation is everything. It is the foundation of telling your story, being authentic and building your audience. It is important to decide how you want your image to be seen and work towards it. Reputation and following through are the keys to a legacy. You can build a reputation and a following. Then, focus on positive actions.
Reject the impossible. It’s possible. It doesn’t matter if your business is just starting out or if you have an idea. Accepting what is “possible”, will not help. This is a well-known story: Make it happen no matter what. Your brand should be inspirational so it can be inspiring. Your mindset is key. Believe you can do anything you put your mind to. Accept the impossible, accept the failures and then learn from them. You will grow as a person and your business will grow.
This is how personal branding can be taken to the next level, and its apparent microstrategy combines with the macrostrategy for company identity. Your personal brand is important. The rest will follow.
