As an entrepreneur, producer, CEO and co-founder, I’ve worn a few hats in my day. But the title of “entrepreneur” is one that should honestly go before each and every one of them, because ultimately, none of those other titles would exist without it..
I’ve created several thriving companies based on my own personal brand, from fitness brand Upliffs and marketing agency Monarchy, to film production company Serendipity, and art foundation Uplift Art. And while those companies are amazing and deserve to stand on their own – and they do – I think people tend to underestimate the importance of personal branding, as this has helped greatly in scaling my companies. A big part of my growth came from my own personal brand.
While your business is about your product or service, your brand is how you present yourself to the public. Whether that’s your Instagram or LinkedIn accounts, speaking engagements or public persona, everyone has a personal brand. It’s just a matter of whether it’s cultivated and curated enough to be scalable into a business.
Think about your favorite influencers or blogs. Chances are most of those people are able to monetize their own personal brand; people love and trust their products, services, or recommendations because of the social trust and traction they’ve gained through their personal brand. Self-branding can help increase your reputation as a leader, and your personal brand has the power to build something that resonates with people all over the world.
If you are unsure how to harness the art of branding and make it into a formidable superpower, don’t worry. I’ve put together my list of expert tips to take your brand and turn it into an amazing business.
Table of Contents
Examine Your Audience
Think about your following. Who do you interact with on social media? Who interacts with you? What are their core needs, and how can you fill them?
The great thing about using your personal brand to develop an audience and business is that, if you do it right, you’ll have a built-in consumer base for your offerings. When I founded Monarchy, I knew that my career as an influencer lent itself to attracting and retaining clients. They could easily see that I practice what I preach and was able to build my own success – so why wouldn’t I be able to do it for them?
Leveraging what you have going for you and speaking to an audience that stands to benefit is one of the best ways to build a sustainable business just by being yourself.
Build With Intention
Only half of small businesses survive past the five-year mark. It’s no surprise that the most profitable companies in the world like Google and Apple have the most recognizable brands. Building something that reflects your values, motivates you to get out of bed in the morning, and brings in customers, you need a brand that will sustain itself far longer than a business ever will.
Building your brand with deliberate messaging ensures that you can make changes to your business and clients will follow you because you’re you. Your industry will recognize your authority and the right people and opportunities will find you, simply because you put in the intentional effort into building something meaningful.
I founded each and every one of my companies because I believe in what they stand for. I’m passionate about health and fitness; marketing and sales; and art and the stories it tells. Without that passion, those brands would be dull and lifeless. I know this, and I allow that passion to push everything I do forward.
Go Beyond the Bottom Line
Consumers are more likely to engage with a brand when they feel they have been emotionally engaged with its content and offerings.
Keeping a professional and polished look is important, but consumers also value consistency and transparency, and they’re willing to pay more for the experience of knowing the face, name, and passion behind the brand. If you view the social media accounts of any one of my brands, you’ll see my face with excitement all over it. That’s precisely why I do it!
Building a strong brand and using that to foster and grow your business will ensure you are building a legacy that you’ll be benefiting from for years to come. In the end, it’s the connection and impact you create that will feed your soul, business and bank account. That makes all of the investments worthwhile.
About Nicole Tabs
Nicole Tabs is a serial entrepreneur and humanitarian who is the CEO and co-founder of Monarchy, a highly successful business development agency. She is also the co-founder of Serendipity Group, launching their new TV series on ABC as announced on Deadline. To view Monarchy’s services, click here.
