5 WAYS TO IMPROVE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND

Hello there! I hope you’re having a strong end to 2018, and getting your plans and strategies in place to smash even more, even bigger goals next year. This is the perfect time to get ahead. Why? Because as everyone else takes their foot off the pedal, looks back at the year they’ve ahead or prepares for a break over Christmas, you can ensure you’re ready to kick off the New Year with a bang. So how can you do that? Well, that’s where this blog, 5 ways to improve your personal branding, will hopefully help.

Why will personal branding help you smash your goals I hear you ask? Well, because at the end of the day, YOU are your brand. You live it every day, and you make it happen. So with all that energy and hard work, you can’t be trying to be something you’re not. It just won’t work. Always remember that you are the one element that no other business has. The X factor. The secret ingredient. And that is what can set you apart from other people in your field. But how can you make that personal brand, and in turn your business even stronger? Well, let me try and help.

TIP #1 – BE YOU

My intro leads me perfectly into this point and it’s one of my big, defining principles here at Branding by Nicki (to the point that I now have it tattooed on my forearm). And ever since I had it done, I’ve had a lot of people ask me what it means. I mean it’s obvious right? It means be you.

I’m joking, because just like another big industry buzzword, authenticity, it can mean a lot of things to a lot of people. But I’ll tell you what it means to me and how it shapes my brand and my business on a daily basis. So, I always believe that you should be honest and real with everything that you do. Whether it’s your logo, your website, a Facebook Live or a face-to-face chat you have to just do you.

Why? Because for me, my ideal clients really resonate with that and it’s one of the big reasons why many of them know, like and trust me. For the people who it doesn’t resonate with, they probably aren’t my ideal client, and that’s fine, because you simply can’t please everyone. That’s something I tried to do when I first started, but I quickly learned the importance of finding my niche, and growing that really engaged audience.

The other thing to remember is that you got yourself into this position. You did it. No one else. You. You had the idea. You put the hours in and you are making it happen on a daily basis. So you must be doing something right, right? So trust your instinct and have confidence in your ability. You’ve got this.

TIP #2 – WHAT ARE YOUR VALUES?

This is a big one, and it will help shape a lot of what you do when it comes to your personal brand. The thing you have to decide is what do you want to stand for? What do you want your ideal client to think about you when they hear your brand name, or say about you when you’re not in the room?

Once you have answers to these questions you’ll have a really clear idea of what topics to cover or how to respond to certain situations that come up. To give you a few examples, one of your values could be honesty, just like we talked about above. You can be bold, real and tell it like it is. Another value could be positivity, which is another sure-fire way to build the know, like, trust factor with your perfect client. This would also give you a super-clear idea of how you should deliver your brand messaging. Positive, upbeat and energetic delivery will get everyone listening inspired and motivated.

One final thing, which I think is key and something I always aim to be known for is always adding value. Why? Because if you’re known for that your audience will always think of you as a super-helpful, vital part of their business. You’ll be solving their pain points and helping them accelerate their business, which is what we all want at the end of the day.

So the question is, what do you want to be known for? And what do you not want to be known for? Then apply those values to everything you do and everything you put out there.

TIP #3 – TALK THE TALK, WALK THE WALK,

Alongside the visual elements of your brand, like your logo and your website, your personal brand also needs to look and sound on point. And not just cool for you, but it has to appeal to your perfect client too and make them want to work with you.

Now, as video becomes an increasingly powerful touchpoint for brands, and you need to showcase your personality all the time, your tone of voice, and personal style play a key role in grabbing your ideal client’s attention. And you can make them both really work for you to be remembered.

So let’s start with tone of voice. And to be honest, your tone of voice for your personal brand, should be very similar, if not the same as your brand itself. Why? Because as we chatted about earlier, you are your brand. And when you’re on the phone, writing emails, or face-to-face you want to always be authentic and be you. So you don’t have time to craft those messages and really think about every single word. It has to be natural, personal and you have to think about what will engage your ideal client.

When it comes to personal style this plays a massive role in your own brand, and that of your business. Think about when you meet a client for the first time. You want to make a good impression, right? And you’re there to represent your brand. So you need to look the part as well as sound the part. But as I mentioned above, now, you have to consider video too. You don’t want to go live to all of your potential clients in a pair of PJs, right? After all, that could be the first time a future client sees you. Also, if it’s right for your brand, what statement accessory do you always wear, or could you always wear? That signature item can become something fun, and interesting which your audience will remember you for. But always think about what styles, patterns and colours suit both you, and your brand.

TIP #4 – PERFECTION ISN’T EVERYTHING

This one is something that I really believe is key, and it feeds into my first tip in a way too. Now, in my opinion, when you’re putting stuff out there on a daily basis, especially doing lives you simply can make everything perfect all the time. You just can’t do it. And you know what, I think your audience (I’m almost certain mine do) will appreciate that and relate to it.

So if you stumble over a word on a live, don’t stress about it and let it throw you off track. Embrace it. Smile at yourself. Turn it into a positive that the people watching can relate to. Everyone’s been there and that ability to be authentic, and embrace your flaws is a really good way to build a strong emotional connection with your audience.

It shows that you’re human, and it makes you super-relatable. However, what I would say, and I will come onto it in more detail in tip #5 is that you always have to be on brand. Use your brand and your values as a filter for everything and if you do make a small mistake it will not be the end of the world. Trust me.

The most important thing is to not be someone or something you’re not. You need to find your niche, and your voice and be you. Be unapologetically you. And the people who love you will find the imperfections even more engaging.

TIP #5 – WHATEVER YOU DO, DO IT OFTEN

So my final point wraps up EVERYTHING else we’ve talked about and is at the heart of building that know, like, trust factor with your audience. Firstly with you, and in turn, with your brand. Why? I’m going to keep saying it, because you are your brand.

The thing I’m talking about? Yep, you guessed it, consistency. Consistent brand + consistent message equals = business success. And fast too.

The more consistent you are across all 21 touchpoints, the faster your perfect clients will fall in love with you. As that happens, they will tell their like-minded friends about you so more people will get to know you and what you do. And if you live up to their expectations, by delivering your consistent message they’ll soon start to like you, trust you and book with you too. It will become a snowball effect of orders and you’ll accelerate your business at a rapid pace.

However, that can all fall apart if you go off message. If you start talking about different values, or stop being the honest, authentic person people identify you as, your audience will soon pick up on it. Guaranteed. So you have to put everything through your filters. And if it doesn’t feel right, don’t do it. Trust your gut and rethink it, or rework it until you know it is right.

So there we go. My 5 ways to improve your personal brand, and in turn your business. I’ve talked about a lot of elements in this post, and while I think they’re all super-important in their own way, one stands out above the rest. Why? Because I truly believe that if you do it, not only will your business have a unique feel, you’ll also take care of a lot of the rest without having to try too hard. The one I’m talking about? Being you. You’ve got this, and only you can make it happen. So what are you waiting for?

Nicki x

P.S. If you would like to join a free Facebook community packed with authentic, honest female entrepreneurs just like you, head over to my group The B Studio now. See you there… https://www.facebook.com/groups/2202999876394402/