By Anita Moorthy, CMO Hive Founders
The power of having a personal brand
I was first introduced to the power of personal brand by someone I follow in my professional domain on Linkedin, Dave Gerhardt. On his 33rd birthday he launched a book for £33 dollars and it sold 3,000 copies in a span of a few days. Most people struggle to sell books but Dave hit his goal in a few days and continues to sell his book after raising the price of the book to $100!
Ok, great you may think, but why do I need to do this when I have a million other things to do? In the early stages of your business, your brand is your company’s big differentiator and that gives your marketing and sales team the ability to charge a premium. It can also help you attract funding at better terms as investors will value your personal brand and your ability to attract funding.
So, how do you go about building your brand?
Your personal brand is more than just a logo or a catchy tagline—it's about authentically showcasing your unique value, expertise, and story. And doing that consistently. In this blog post, I will share five key strategies to help you build a powerful personal brand.
Define Your Brand Identity: Start by clarifying your brand identity. Ask yourself: What do I want to be known for? What are my values, passions, and areas of expertise? Craft a clear and concise personal brand statement that captures the essence of who you are and what you offer. This statement will serve as a guiding light throughout your branding journey.
Showcase Your Expertise: Position yourself as an expert in your field by consistently sharing valuable content. This is what Dave did brilliantly. He shared ideas, templates and advice freely based on his experience and his experience talking to experts in the field. He ran podcasts, hosted webinars and wrote engaging blog posts and social posts everyday.
Embrace Authenticity: Many people worry that they are not good at writing or writing on social media. They worry about how they sound and how they will be seen. But the whole premise of social media is authenticity. Be genuine and true to yourself, and people resonate with that authenticity even if you don’t write like Shakespeare. Share your unique story, experiences, and challenges along your entrepreneurial journey. Use your voice to express your opinions, values, and perspectives. People care more about the content than the style of social media. Building a personal brand is all about connecting with your audience on a deeper level and building trust.
Network and Collaborate with other Influencers in your Space: In the beginning when no one knows you, it is important that you seek out opportunities for collaboration and partnerships that align with your brand values and amplify your reach. Build a strong network of like-minded professionals, mentors, and influencers in your industry. Attend conferences, industry events, and networking sessions to connect with peers and potential collaborators. Collaborating on podcasts with them, writing content with them can be powerful in propelling your brand quickly based on your association with others who are well known in this space.
Engage and Leverage Testimonials: Satisfied clients and customers are powerful advocates for your personal brand. Request testimonials or reviews from clients who have had a positive experience working with you. Share these testimonials on your website, social media platforms, or in your marketing materials. Word-of-mouth recommendations and positive feedback help establish credibility and trust in your brand.
As a female founder or woman entrepreneur, building a personal brand is a strategic investment in your professional growth and success. Unless you have a following, you can’t convince people of your point of view and the reason for your business. Building a personal brand is a journey and takes time —be patient, consistent, and true to yourself as you shape and refine your brand over time. But if you do this right, it will greatly reduce your cost of customer acquisition in the long run.
Plus, building a personal brand, and therefore relationships, is vital to the investment process. Are you starting out on your investment journey or struggling to secure investment? Our Summer Investment Readiness Accelerator is here to kick-start your journey - We're here to support you all the way.
Deadline: July 14th