Have you ever thought about what makes you stand out in your industry? That special thing that makes people choose YOU over someone else?
This is exactly what I explored in my first-ever personal branding workshop—and let me tell you, it was incredible!
Without giving too much away, and saving some curiosity so you might consider coming along to a future workshop (wink-wink; nudge-nudge), I'd love to share with you some of my biggest takeaways from the workshop.
When I was writing up my presentation, it really challenged me to think about what it means to have a personal brand, and actually understand it in a way that I can easily explain it to others so that it makes sense!
I reflected on my own personal brand, and how I'd describe it and distinguish it from my business. Here's what I narrowed down:
A personal brand is what adds the "human" to the business.
It's the thing that helps you connect with your audience; it's the walking, talking, living representation of your business. Which, if you're a solo business owner, your personal brand is likely a reflection of who you are, making it naturally intertwined with your business.
Distinguishing a personal brand from a business brand.
How do you distinguish the two? I like to think about it like this; you've got two Instagram accounts, one for the business, one for your personal brand. Your business account represents the company, product or service. It reflects the brand mission and usually sticks to a consistent vibe with a target audience in mind; it's probably mostly "professional". Your personal brand account represents the individual behind the business. It's a platform where you can share more about who you are as a person, so that those who are interested in your business can feel connected to a real person. Your content can be more raw and authentic.
The content you share and the way you connect with your audience on both would differ too. For example, your business account might post polished client testimonials and portfolio work, while your personal brand account might show behind-the-scenes, your thoughts on running a business, and even personal wins or challenges.
The "Shan" in She by Shan is my personal brand.
"Shan" is what I would call my personal brand; my "alter-ego". She's the fun, confident and energetic gal, an exaggeration of all of the "best" parts of me that help me attract my dream clients. Because I know my target audience, and who I love to create with the most, "Shan" is how I can connect with other like-minded women in business who are on the same journey as me.
Sound confusing? Don't worry, there's no strict rules!
Your personal brand can be whatever you want it to be; but I personally think that being yourself is easiest. You can still pick and choose to highlight your strengths, just don't be afraid to be imperfect too - because that's the thing that makes you human.
There's also absolutely no reason why you can't share more of your personal brand on your business page, in fact, that's exactly what I do. I've decided to keep mine close together, because I know that when I'm speaking to my audience, I'm speaking to fellow women in business who are likely experiencing the same challenges as me. There's a lot of value in me sharing more personal content, because it helps my audience relate to me. I want to help others feel comfortable to be authentic with their own audiences.
Why do I even need a personal brand?
A clearly defined personal brand will help you stay consistent in the way you portray yourself to your audience, and keep you attracting those dream clients. A personal brand builds recognition and relatability, connecting your audience with a real life human being behind the business; which makes the purchasing of products or services feel more desirable.
Have you noticed you feel more likely to engage with a service or buy a product if you can see a real person running the business? It makes them feel worthy of your money, and you want to support them because you know it will positively impact an individual.
How can imagery show people what my brand is all about?
Visual content is a great way to capture attention, and there's many ways that you can portray your particular brand values and vibe through your imagery. Visuals can inflict emotions in people, and the same can be done with images of yourself and your brand. When I create imagery for a brand, I focus on the existing brand identity and how the values within the brand can be showcased visually. To narrow this down, I ask my clients questions like (and you can ask yourself these too):
- How would you describe your brand vibe and aesthetic?
- Who is your target audience?
- What impressions do you want to give your audience when they see your images?
- What is your brand mission and/or purpose?
To wrap things up...
Personal branding is all about showing up as YOU—because that’s what sets you apart in your industry. It’s the human touch that makes your business more relatable, memorable, and ultimately, more successful. Whether you keep your personal brand separate from your business or blend the two, the key is to be intentional and authentic.
And of course, visuals play a huge role in this! The right imagery can tell your brand story in an instant, helping you attract the people who truly connect with you. If you’re ready to refine your personal brand and showcase it with confidence, I’d love to help bring your vision to life.
Do you need help in telling your brand's story? Let's chat! I'd love to learn more about you and your business!
