Do you ever feel like you’re simply another nameless person in a sea of professionals? Marissa was my client last year. She had talent, ideas, and a crazy amount of drive, but her internet presence was quite generic. We wanted to change that. Now, she’s in trade magazines, getting her dream customers, and her coworkers continually asking her about her “secret.” The big news? Branding disposable coffee cups with logo that is unique to you—done differently.
Most individuals fail here because they clone templates, use the same boring taglines again and over, and add stock headshots. This formula? Instead, we find out what makes you tick and why people should listen. Not only your “professional passions,” but also your weird habits, mistakes, and pop culture obsessions. What makes you unique? That’s the secret sauce that no one else uses.
You want people to be amazed when they see your profile. Not because they’re shocked, but because something in your narrative is like their own. Do you remember the “Choose Your Own Adventure” books? The same goes for great branding. People should want to look around the next corner after reading each post or bio.
The people who really change things don’t yell, “Look at me!” They’re making a web. Sarah, who owns a vegan donut store, started making Reels about her kitchen disasters. In the end, she won over the meat-eaters in the area. Her fans like the mistakes as much as the lovely pictures. Realness sells out shelves.
You don’t need a lot of money or a designer on call. You need to be consistent, clear, and willing to make fun of oneself. You don’t have to tell everything, but include certain instances that stuck with you. The time you messed up an interview. That strange hobby you started doing during the lockdown. They turn into small hooks that grab people’s attention.
Algorithms love change, like changes in engagement, a burst of laughter, or an unexpected turn in the plot. Try a Q&A one week. Next, tell the truth about a prominent myth in your field. Put up a picture of yourself before and after, like a professional headshot next to a picture of you in your Zoom sweatpants. You want people to find your material by chance and then stick around for the ride.
Branding isn’t something you put on a shelf. It’s a living organism that needs care and attention all the time. That signature in the email? That’s a funny quote. Link to bio? Change it every month. Your audience is also bored with your brand if you are. Watch how stand-up comedians change their sets. They read the room, change the punchline, and keep the energy high.
Daring professionals who have left the cookie-cutter road keep sending in success stories. One consultant even got a job as CEO after telling the story of her worst client horror story. She talked about what went wrong and how she got back on her feet. People saw how weak she was.
People don’t pay attention to “personalized branding” since it sounds fancy. Don’t merely shine. Play about, try things out, and shine a flashlight on the dirty spots. That’s where trust is established and where businesses that stand out and make a difference are born.