When was the last time you were drawn into the posts of a new account on social media? What caught your attention? Was it how they expressed themselves, how they dressed, or the style and colour of their images? Perhaps it was their personality or their authentic smiles. Each of these elements is an essential part of a personal brand, and when they’re carefully selected, they become powerful tools.

Business branding is a familiar concept to entrepreneurs or anyone in the business world, but individuals can also create personal brands. This type of branding is especially effective for entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and influencers who want to stand out. It also helps you create a deeper connection and trust with your audience.

The differences between a mediocre personal brand and one that supports everything you do can be difficult to put your finger on. Clients sometimes come to me and ask, “Why is this person’s brand working for them while I’m still trying different things to build mine?” Today, I’ll answer this for you and give you some simple tips to help you get started right away!

What Is a Personal Brand?

A personal brand showcases who you are, what you do, and how you do it differently. It’s the intentional way you present yourself to the world. Creating a personal brand that excites you and attracts your dream clients is your way of taking control of your story and your reputation.

Why Do I Need a Personal Brand?

It’s important to note that choosing not to create a personal brand doesn’t mean you can avoid it altogether. It often means your audience will decide for you. They’ll form their own conclusions about what you stand for and what perception they should have of you, even if it doesn’t align with who you really are. That’s why it’s always best to be proactive in building your brand.

Often, we’re drawn to the experts who have something in common with us, such as their hobbies, favourite foods, and lifestyles. For example, if you love gardening, you can incorporate that into your branding by sharing photos of your garden, yourself in your gardening clothes, and pieces of knowledge you’ve picked up along the way. It’s easier to attract the right audience when you showcase your passions alongside your regular content.

Personal brand images are also perfect for creating engagement on social media! With the gardening example, you could post a photo of you gardening and ask your audience if they love gardening too, what their favourite flower is, or what other types of summer activities they love.

How Do I Create a Personal Brand?

Creating a personal brand is easier than you think. Whether you’re starting from scratch or ready to update your brand, here are the basic steps to help you get started.

Step One: Define Your Personal Brand

Creating and defining the elements of your personal brand can be the most challenging part, especially if you’re an indecisive person. In my blog post, 5 Essential Things to Know About Your Brand Before Scheduling a Brand Photography Session, I walk you through five essential elements every brand needs, along with tips on how to find your answers.

Essentially, every brand has the following pieces:

• A specific colour palette
• Brand words that define who you are
• A certain photo aesthetic
• Your brand story
• Your unique factor

You can work through this process to create your brand or hire a professional branding expert to help. 

Once you’ve decided on the above five branding elements, you’re ready to book a branding photography session.

Step Two: Book a Brand Photoshoot

A brand photoshoot helps you create a strong brand identity with photos tailored to you. When we see the face behind a brand, we immediately develop more trust for that company because we can see and recognize a real human, and that helps us feel like we know the person.

The rest of your content, including the quality of what you produce and the words you write, also increases trust with your audience. Increased trust makes your ideal audience like you and more willing to buy from you.

Step Three: Start Using Your Brand Elements and Branded Photos in Your Marketing

Once you know your brand’s key elements and have impactful on-brand images, you can use them in your marketing.

Brand guidelines make choosing stock photos, fonts, and colours easy. Plus, you can add these brand elements to graphic design programs like Canva, so they’re quick and easy to find when you’re designing your marketing graphics, ads, freebies and other resources.

Following your brand guidelines and having images in the same visual style helps you create a cohesive look on your website and social media. Plus, having images of you on your website, landing pages, and social media helps establish the know-like-trust factor with your ideal customers.

While stock imagery, AI, and Canva can help you create branded content, the best way to showcase your brand and build trust with your audience is to use branded photos of yourself.

How to Make Your Brand More Magnetic

 A magnetic brand makes it easy to attract potential customers from your dream audience. The key is to create your brand guidelines and use them. Once you consistently put them into action, it becomes easier to build connections.

Small Business Brand Photography in Calgary

Ready to get photos that match your personal brand? Book your next brand photography session with me, and I’ll help you capture the images you need for your marketing.