Everyone has a brand! The impressions, we leave behind, are combinations of how we have reflected our traits and presented ourselves. Done properly, it serves as a compass for personal development, establishes credibility and is instrumental to our success. Personal branding starts with the ability to outline your skills, intellect, strengths and style. It gives you a clear focus using your best elements and what sets you apart. Once defined, you will be able to shape your brand voice.

The very first step is to pen down:

• Who you are! You can use simple terms to define your attributes, such as:
  

  cheerful, confident, culturally curious, witty,….  

• What is your mission another word your brand promise? An example would be:
  

  “I have a positive outlook, I bring passion and creativity to my work and I am in my element when I help others,…

• Define guidelines by thinking of what is your brand and what is not:
  

  Bohemian not conventional; lighthearted not poker-faced; compassionate not indifferent,..

• Write 5 words that best describes your core values & guiding principles. The important qualities that you live by and they create value and connection. Such as:
  

  Aspirational, spirited, caring, loyal, honest,…

The exercise gives you a solid foundation to create a coherent brand voice that holds together all your efforts and communication through any medium, to establish your brand.

Now, bringing the brand voice to life has a clear path. Your social media engagements, your style, your interactions are all guided by a set of references that articulates your personality.

Featured image: artwork by Metis Atash – Crystal Buddas Sculptures