Personal Branding – Beginners Checklist

“If you don’t give the market the story to talk about,

they’ll define your brand’s story for you.” – David Brier

Nowadays, it’s more important than ever to own who you are. In a world that’s increasingly digital, your personal brand is what tells people who you are, what you do, and what makes you worth caring about.

If you are new to personal branding, here’s a step-by-step checklist to create your personal brand and help people discover the real you.

1. Choose Your Name
As you’re building your personal brand from the ground up, decide how you’d like to be known. Will you go by your first name? Your full name, maybe your childhood nickname? Will your brand be more descriptive, like ‘Coaching with Samantha’? These are great places to start. Next, make sure your social media platforms and website domains are all the same name.

2. Think of Your Values
What’s most important to you? What beliefs or characteristics make up who you are? Are you family-oriented, independent, quirky, sharp, trustworthy, or a mix of these? Think about what you stand for and write it down.

3. Establish Your Skills and Passions
What do you have to offer? What excites you the most? What sort of expertise or experience do you have to rise above the rest? What do you love about helping people? Consider the professional value you offer to potential clients.

4. Dream Up Your Vision
Think BIG! What do you want to accomplish through your business and personal brand? What does success look like to you? What are your main goals? Knowing where you’re going is super important in order to know what steps to take.

5. Know Your Audience
Who is your ideal client? What sort of content do they want to see? What are they lacking in their lives? Get to know your target audience, speak to their desires, and give them the things they’re looking for. Always provide value in the content you share instead of focusing on the sale.

6. Craft Your Logo and Your Brand Colors
Get an expert to help you craft a simple yet recognizable logo that captures who you are and what you do through design. Defining your brand colors, voice, feel, etc. will help you stay true to your values as you build your personal brand.

7. Create Your Website
Through color, design, and great storytelling, create a website that helps your ideal clients get to know you both personally and professionally. If you are just starting out, designing your own website or using a template may be your only option. As you grow, it is highly recommended to work with a website designer. They can design a website to fit your brand and your personality for attracting your ideal clients.

8. Get Professional Photos Taken
Professional photos of you can add a personal touch to your brand. Hire a personal branding photographer to help visually tell your story to better connect with your audience.

Building a great personal brand takes time, effort, and a lot of thought. As you follow these steps, you’ll be able to build a lasting and memorable personal brand to make you proud.

Interested in a branding photoshoot around Northern New Jersey or New York (Rockland County, and Westchester County)? Contact me and schedule your complimentary consultation.