By India Dowley
As a business founder, your personal brand is a powerful tool that can significantly impact the success and growth of your venture. Your brand encompasses your reputation, values, expertise and the way you present yourself to the world. It goes beyond your business and extends to the values you embody, the stories you tell and the connections you make. A strong identity can attract potential clients, investors and partners, and establish you as a thought leader and influencer in your industry.
Creating a successful personal brand requires a thoughtful and consistent approach both online and offline. In the fast-paced and dynamic lifestyle sector, standing out from the crowd is essential for business owners. Your profile can serve as a powerful tool to connect with your audience, build trust and elevate your venture to new heights.
Read on for our list of tips and tricks for raising your personal profile and getting noticed today.
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The power of personal branding
In the lifestyle sector, where emotions and experiences reign supreme, your personal profile becomes a potent storytelling tool. By crafting a compelling narrative around your journey, values and expertise, you forge deeper connections with your target audience. A well-defined personal brand humanises your business, instils trust and sets you apart from the competition.
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Embrace authenticity
Authenticity is the foundation of a strong personal brand. Be genuine and transparent about your vision, passions and values. Grace Beverley, the founder of TALA, successfully built her brand by staying true to her commitment to sustainable lifestyle values. Her authentic storytelling on Instagram, in which she often shares humorous moments in her day-to-day life, makes her more relatable, helping to build trust and emotional connections with her followers.
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Leverage social media
We all know that social media wields immense influence. Use platforms like Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn and TikTok to engage with your audience and showcase your expertise. Whitney Wolfe Herd, founder of Bumble, harnessed social media to share her vision of empowering women in the dating world, strengthening her personal brand as a champion for women's rights. Similarly, Jen Rubio, the co-founder of Away, has successfully built her profile as a travel influencer, sharing her passion for escapism and stylish travel essentials. Be sure to embrace new technologies and platforms to reach a wider audience and experiment with emerging social media channels and innovative content formats.
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Craft engaging content
Content creation is the backbone of personal branding. Share valuable insights, behind-the-scenes glimpses and industry expertise through blogs, videos and podcasts. Anine Bing, the founder of her eponymous fashion brand, creates compelling content, showcasing her fashion expertise and style to garner a dedicated following. Beyond Instagram, position yourself as a thought leader in your industry by creating valuable and insightful content. Write articles and publish research to establish yourself as an authority, in turn attracting a larger audience and increasing your brand's credibility.
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Collaborate and network
Forge partnerships with influencers, experts and like-minded individuals to expand your reach and enhance credibility. Networking events, conferences and industry forums offer ideal opportunities to form meaningful connections and establish yourself as a thought leader. Marie-Louise Scio, the visionary founder of Pellicano Hotels, built her brand by collaborating with various fashion leaders including Birkenstock, Aquazzura and Matchesfashion. Successful partnerships can expose your brand to new audiences and build credibility through association.
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Speak at events and webinars
Public speaking positions you as an authority in your field. Attend and sign up to speak at industry conferences and webinars. Grace Beverley regularly speaks at sustainable fashion events, reinforcing her position as an advocate for eco-conscious lifestyle choices. Additionally, Melissa Hemsley, the renowned food writer and chef, empowers audiences at wellness seminars, enhancing her brand as a promoter of wholesome living.
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Give back to the community
Engaging in philanthropic endeavours elevates your personal brand's impact. Support charitable causes aligned with your values and purpose. Whitney Wolfe Herd's philanthropic efforts through the Bumble Fund reflect her commitment to empowering women in entrepreneurship, amplifying her image as a force for positive change.
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Emphasise visual branding
Create a strong visual identity that reflects you. Use professional photography, consistent colour palettes and logo design across all platforms. Anine Bing's distinct visual branding captures the essence of her fashion brand, showcasing her unique style and resonating with her audience. A cohesive and polished visual identity strengthens your image.
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Stay resilient and adaptable
Building a personal brand is a journey that requires resilience and adaptability. The landscape of the lifestyle industry is constantly changing, so be sure to stay informed about industry trends, innovations and consumer preferences. Be adaptable and evolve accordingly.
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Be active on LinkedIn
Leveraging LinkedIn is something that many people miss out on because it’s not as visual as other platforms, but it’s a hugely powerful business tool. This professional platform allows you to showcase your expertise, share valuable content and connect with industry leaders, potential partners and clients.
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Monitor and analyse
Track your efforts by undergoing a periodical audit to assess your performance and impact. Use analytics such as engagement, feedback and social media metrics to understand what resonates with your audience and refine your strategy accordingly.
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Engage with your community
Interact with your audience on social media and respond to any comments, messages, and inquiries. Engaging with your community humanises your brand and fosters loyalty among your followers.
Need help elevating your personal profile or business? Get in touch with us today.