In creating your personal brand, it’s important that you have a story. People want to know the person behind the professional, and this is what interests them and makes you different from all the other people out there.
The hardest part of crafting your personal brand story is actually getting started and just “doing it”. Here are a couple of tips to help you create yours.
Be real and authentic
Though you may be tempted to create a story out of thin air, this is not the way to go about creating your brand story. It’s important that the story is true, that it is based on your real life story. If you try to invent a story, you’re only inviting problems later on.
Of course, being real and authentic doesn’t mean being boring. The key here is presenting your true story in the most interesting way possible. Here are some questions to help you keep this in mind.
- Is this really my story?
- Is it based on reality?
- Is my private and public persona in sync?
Show your purpose and passion
As you craft your story, it’s important that you highlight both your purpose and passion. You need to define what you do well, and show how you differ from all the other professionals who do the same thing. Your purpose should be evident in your story, and your passion should shine through in your words.
Here are some questions for you.
- What drives you?
- Why do you do what you do?
- What is your ultimate purpose?
Engage with your audience in an emotional level
Stories that touch, that make other feel something, that connect with people in an emotional level…this is what your audience wants. This is the way to make yourself stand out among your competition.
What you can do is think about your past experiences and think of a significant event that you can share with your audience to help them connect with you. It’s important that you really show off your personality so that people can relate to you, and see you as someone real.
Try to answer these questions.
- What significant event defined your career?
- How do I want to be remembered?
Be consistent
As you share your personal brand story in different sites and platforms, it’s essential that you make sure you remain consistent and true to your story. This ensures that your message is delivered across the different channels well and that it sticks in your audience’s mind.
Some questions to answer…
- Have you remained true to your story?
- Does your story remain the same across the different channels you use?
Make sure your story is clear
In addition to all the other elements, you need to ensure that your story is clear to your audience. You don’t want to end up confusing them. Nake sure that you define your niche and expertise completely, so it leaves no room for question or people wondering what exactly you’re about.
Ask yourself…
- Have you defined yourself well?
- Is your message clear to others?
- Does your story leave no confusion?
Remember these useful tips when crafting your personal brand story, and you’re sure to create one that shows the real you, and what you stand for, to your audience.
Author:
Maria Elena Duron, is managing editor of the Personal Branding Blog and is also the CEO (chief engagement officer) of buzz2bucks.com – a word of mouth marketing firm. She helps create connection, credibility, community and cha-ching through mobile marketing and social commerce around your brand. She is co-founder of #brandchat - a weekly twitter chat focused on every aspect of branding.
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Great article, I think it can really help me out with the direction of my own personal brand
I liked this article because it was full of plausible and realistic points.
Everyone likes a story, and the reason we tell them is to entertain and inform. If it is not consistent, then it really cannot be defined as a brand. I enjoy this blog, and regularly read the articles an then use the information. An idea has no power until it is actually used, of course.
Hey, Zach! Thanks for stopping in and reading. I’m grateful to you for letting me know that it was helpful. What will you take action on first?
Thanks, Chris! You are so right and well said. Knowledge is not power – applied knowledge is. I look forward to hearing your stories of how you applied some or all of the points I shared.
What a fresh take on personal branding! This article is a great reminder that a personal brand should represent the entire person behind it. Having a solid, true story provides depth to one’s personal brand that can’t be found elsewhere.
Anthony – thank you! You are correct. The story must be true and it must be yours. Trying to take someone else story to make it yours doesn’t work and the lack of authenticity comes through. And, again, I agree with you. It must represent the whole person. We are not just who we are at work. Thanks for your comments and for taking the time to read and provide feedback!
With good story and no emotional connection, there will be no brand impact. How and what are the best recipes you will recommend of real emotional connection routes to follow Maria?
It’s a great post Maria! I actually think that telling a coherent story is not only important for personal branding but also for any aspects in our lives. Want to close a sale, make friends or convince your kids to go to bed? Tell a story! As correctly stated by many authors, human beings are wired to tell and listen to stories. This is how we learn and how we remember. So yes, we should all practice our story telling!