30 Personal Branding Tips From 37 Experts [Infographic]

Having a strong personal brand is a tremendous asset to every entrepreneur. While brands and businesses might be built around ideas, like it or not, they're still ultimately represented by people. Are you doing your brand justice?

To help you, here are 30 tips we've aggregated from a wonderful blogpost by Navid Moazzez, featuring 37 experts. We hope you find them useful!

30 Tips To Build Your Personal Brand From 37 Experts

Identify, define and craft your identity

1. NO SUGAR COATING

I’ve interviewed 100+ of Ramit Sethi’s students. A big reason why they buy his courses is they see Ramit as a guy that tells it like it is. And Ramit has told me himself this isn’t some sort of show he puts on. That’s what I try to do. I try to talk like myself and be myself.

Michael Alexis, Lawyer & Writer

2. BEING YOURSELF ALLOWS YOUR AUDIENCE TO CONNECT

If you try to be someone other than your true self online, it won’t last, and it will eventually ruin your brand altogether.

John Lee Dumas & Kate Erickson, Founder & Content creator, Entrepreneuronfire

Be yourself. As simply complicated as that!

Paul Jarvis, Author, The Good Creative

3. TO WIN SOME, YOU HAVE TO LOSE OTHERS

Don’t be afraid to talk about things other people won’t say. It might make you polarizing, but it will also make you powerful. There are people who won’t like you or your brand no matter what - embrace it.

Marlee Ward, Founder, Radical, Entrepreneur

The minute I opened up and was unapologetically myself, in all I did and said, that’s when my brand was really formed and made unique, and that’s when my tribe started gathering around me. No use trying to hide behind something you’re not, and definitely no value in trying to please everyone.

Natalie Sisson, Founder & Author, The Suitcase Entrepreneur

4. WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT, BETTER? LEVERAGE THAT.

Find your unique selling proposition (USP) and get clear over your message and brand. It will really help you and set yourself apart from the competition.

Navid Moazzez, Founder, Navidmoazzez.com

Be unique. Don’t create a brand that’s just like everyone else’s.

Jeet Banerjee, Co – Founder, Statfuse.com

Figure out what you are uniquely good at and showcase your talents in ways that will attract others. This will position you for success.

Jim Joseph, Author, The Experience Effect Series Professor, NY University

5. USE VISUALS / DIFFERENT MEDIA TO STAND OUT

In your competitors pictures themselves in dark suits, put on a red. If you have a passion for quirky glasses, highlight them in your profile pic. Transform your webpage into something bold and bright that reflects the essence of you.

Anna Rydne, Writer, Steamfeed.com

If you have the personality for it, try a YouTube channel that positions you as an expert in your topic.

Jun Loayza, Creator, Drop Ship Domination System

6. PEOPLE KNOW WHEN YOU’RE FAKING IT

In ‘’To Sell is Human’’ Daniel Pink writes about information asymmetry … the old ‘’buyer beware’’ world where the salesman knew more than the buyer. But today we are much closer to ‘’seller beware’’ which he calls information parity. The old ‘’secret’’ information is now there for the world to see, and because of technology it’s getting easier to spot the fakes a mile away. But this is good for you and your audience, because honesty prevails in the end.

Craig McBreen, Founder, McBreen Design

Being honest helps build trust and credibility with your audience, which will lead to a loyal following who knows, likes and trust you.

John Lee Dumas & Kate Erickson, Founder & Content Creator, Entrepreneuronfire

7. BLEED A LITTLE: SHARE YOUR STRENGTHS AND PAST FAILURES

Why not your past experiences to craft great copy? Tell the world about your big mistakes and the lessons you’ve learned. There is nothing wrong with showing the world your private parts.

Craig McBreen, Founder, McBreen Design

Always be truthful and share your strengths as well as your weaknesses. Share content that will benefit people and teach them something. Make them feel like they want to keep coming back for more.

Adrienne Smith, Founder, Adriennestith.net

Show up with your whole imperfect self. Imperfection is friendly and memorable. Like that story of the Norwegian singer Samsaya who has a 3mm gap between her front teeth. When the major record labels told her to get it fixed, she refused and went on to create her own record label and called it 3MM Records. You aren’t going to forget that one, are you?

Anais Bock, Bullshit Elimination, Meetanais.com

8. CONSISTENTLY DELIVER ON YOUR COMMINTMENT

Your brand isn’t about your logo, it’s about the total experience you provide to your people. It’s the promise on which you build your business. If you’re flaky, why should they invest their time in you? They have a lot of other choices. Show up. Show up BIG. Show up without fail.

Marlee Ward, Founder, Radical Entrepreneur

Be yourself instead of a clone of someone else. Deliver on the commitment you’ve made. It’s the best way to brand.

Chris Brogan, Founder, Chrisbrogan.com

9. APPLY YOURSELF CONSISTENTLY

That way, people will know what to expect from you and will appreciate what you have to offer. Over and over again.

Jim Joseph, Author, The Experience Effect Series Professor, NY University

If you are deviating from the look and feel of your brand – even slightly – it’s confusing. And it’s because you’re married to your brand that you have to make sure it really reflects you and your personality. Always be yourself – when you are, your brand remains consistent and strong.

Jessica Kupferman, Founder & Host, Lady Business Radio

10. SHOW SNIPPETS OF YOURSELF IN WHAT YOU DO

Be You – This sounds obvious but so many people don’t do this. Being transparent, giving your audience the ‘’real’’ you is important. For example, I love hip hop music, so I add snippets of my favorite songs to my podcast episodes and my intros.

Greg Hickman, Host, Mobile Mixed Podcast, Author

11. BUILD A CAREER NARRATIVE

Every great personal brand has a great story. Oprah. Martha Stewart. Steve Jobs. Your story will help people feel like they know you and want to hire you.

Jessica Kupferman, Founder & Host, Lady Business Radio

You need to tell real life stories: the most successful personal branders are real people that we feel a deep connection to.

Kris Jones, Founder, KBJ Capital

Start by identifying your key theme, your meta – narrative that ties all the piece of your career together. Ask yourself. ‘’What is the overall theme or story?’’ Make sure that the story leads to where you want to take your brand next.

Catherine Kaputa, Founder, Selfbrand.com

You need to do your homework

12. KNOW YOUR AUDIENCE, POSITION YOURSELF ACCORDINGLY

The more specific you can position yourself, the clearer your message will be and the more likely you are to attract your ideal client. Many entrepreneurs think that if they go broad they’ll reach a wider audience, but that actually doesn’t work.

Andreea Ayers, Founder, Launch Grow Joy

13. KNOW YOUR COMPETITIORS

Who are they? What do they do? How do they look? I gotta be the opposite.

Anna Rydne, Writer, Steamfeed.com

14. KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO

How would I feel if this post made the front page of tomorrow’s newspaper?

Would I be embarrassed if my professional network read this?

Sam Richter, Founder, Social Selling Institute

15. IDENTIFY WHAT LIGHTS YOU UP

Care. Give a damn about something. If you care about something I can feel it. When I care about that same thing, it’s magic. Conversely, if you don’t care, I can tell, and you’re bland to me; you’re not worth subscribing.

Chase Reeves, Co – Founder, Fizzle.co

You want to stand for something that potential customers can identify with – your ideal customers. If you get that right, you’re going to enjoy most people you work with.

Mars Dorian, Founder & Illustrator, Marsdorian.com

I love the quote by Simon Sinek that ‘’people don’t buy what you do, they buy WHY you do it.’’ If you are passionate and truly get your ‘’why’’, this will be so much easier to translate to your brand, your message and the image that you project.

Kim Garst, CEO & Co – Founder, Boom! Social

Know Your Value – Don’t just talk to talk. Understand the value you bring to the table and why people are/and should be following you. Make sure you’re always serving your audience.

Greg Hickman, Host, Mobile Podcast Author

16. ARTICULATE YOUR BRAND CLEARLY

Define and design your brand. Get a great logo done that’s representative of your focus (doesn’t have to be expensive, but does have to look sharp).

Jesse Krieger, Author, Lifestyle Entrepreneur

You’ve got to know what you stand for and be able to articulate your value – the benefit that you bring to a professional situation – in a clear, crisp, compelling sentence. After all, if you can’t define what’s special about yourself, how can you expect others to figure it out?

Catherine Kaputa, Founder, Selfbrand.com

Brands that resonate with us do so because they are able to communicate their brand effectively. Man businesses have very good products of services yet don’t experience the type of success they are trying to achieve because they do not know how to effectively communicate their brand message to people. It doesn’t matter how much value you offer, how innovative your product is or how amazing you are at what you do, if you cannot communicate it to your audience.

Omar Zenhom, Founder, Business Republic

17. PICK ONE THING AND FOCUS ON IT

Don’t do 7 different things. Figure out what your differential is in the market and play up that.

Jaime Tardy, Founder & Host, The Eventual Millionare

Commit to a Goal. Determine what you want out of life and map a course to go after it. Run your life, don’t let your life run you.

Jim Joseph, Author, The Experience Effect Series Professor, NY University

Nowadays it’s very common to see very ‘’floaty’’ specialties people are branding themselves with. These aren’t going to get you many paying clients. You need to weave your story into a very specific call to action that solves a very specific pain. Start with the pain you’re going to cure, then craft your brand around that in the most artistic way you know how.

Nate Bunger, Founder, Dream Life Academy

Grow your brand, establish public-facing elements

18. CREATE HELPFUL CONTENT TO SHAPE OTHER’S OPINIONS OF YOU

Start a blog. Sharing your opinions, knowledge and perspective through a blog is the easiest way to show people who you really are.

Jeet Banerjee, Co – Founder, Statfuse.com

By producing high – quality content that your target audience finds valuable, you will attract prospects to you versus trying to track them down and sell to them the old – fashioned way by bombarding them with ad after ad beginning them to buy.

Omar Zenhom, Founder, Business Republic

Create and publish the best contagious content you can in a variety of media including text, video and images. Build online credibility by publishing a book. You can now self publish on Amazon, Apple and on your own blog and get paid for it!

Jeff Bullas, Founder, Jeffbullas.com

Always try to exceed expectations, and give audiences this ‘’WOW’’ experience. That will help you get noticed and build your tribe (Email list!) in a very honest and authentic way around your vision.

Navid Moazzez, Founder, Navidmoazzez.com

19. CREATE A STRONG ONLINE IDENTITY

A weak online identity is like a weak reputation. The place to begin is Linkedin, the number one career site. Take the time to write a compelling headline sentience and career summary, both of which appear ‘’above the fold’’ when people look you up on Linkedin. It’s important to have a flattering photo that is appropriate for your career arena.

Catherine Kaputa, Founder, Selfbrand.com

Even if you don’t use YourName.com to host your blog or main website, make sure you use it as a ‘’home base’’ for everything that you do. Think about everything you’d want someone to know about you within the first five minutes of Googling you and put that on YourName.com

Caleb Wojcik, Co – Founder, Fizzle.co

Open for business: Connect with customers & stakeholders

20. BE HUMAN, BUILD STRONG RELATIONSHIPS

Stop trying to do social media and just be social. Treat social media platforms and new connections just as you would in real life.

Jeet Banerjee, Co – Founder, Statfuse.com

Pay special attention to building a strong strategic network of mentors and sponsors, senior people who advise and advocate for you. An important component of your strategic network are people who are at your level (more or less) who mutually support each other, share tips, contacts and support.

Catherine Kaputa, Founder, Selfbrand.com

Be in good company – nobody ever gets anywhere alone. Aligning yourself with other individuals that stand for things you believe in and that share similar beliefs will amplify your exposure and elevate your personal brand.

Greg Hickman, Host, Mobile Mixed Podcast

You should work to integrate your personality into your expression of who you are online so that people get a feeling for what you would be like in ‘’real life’’. They will be more drawn and connected to you if you are more human.

John Corcoran, Founder, Smart Business Revolution

21. GIVE AUDIENCES A REASON TI STICK AROUND

Being present is so important because if you’re not engaging with your audience, they’ll have no reason to stick around. Continue building upon those relationships and you’ll find that your loyal followers will soon become your raving fans.

John Lee Dumas & Kate Erickson, Founder & Content Creator, Entrepreneuronfire

Look for opportunities to make people feel that you care and that you are approachable and available to connect. Thank your most loyal followers as often as possible publicly and privately. Look for opportunities to be unscripted and authentic.

Kris Jones, Founder, KBJ Capital

Make helping and collaborating with others part of your personal brand. You don’t want to be known as the person who asks for favors, but then takes a month to respond to any requests for help that they receive.

Odalis Salazar Mullins, Founder & CEO, Promethean Brand

22. GO EVERYWHERE, RESPOND TO EVERYONE

I’ve always made sure that I respond to all of my personal emails and always get back to all interview requests. Anyone that takes the time to get in touch with me deserves my attention, and that’s why my brand has become what it is today.

Zac Johnson, Founder, Zacjohnson.com

23. HELP PROMINENT PEOPLE, GET THEIR ENDORSEMENTS

How do you get testimonials from influencers? The secret comes down to consistently adding value to those you respect and admire. When you find great ways to make a busy, influential person’s life easier, they’ll naturally thank you. With their permission, that ‘’thank you’’ can become a testimonial on your website.

Selena Soo, Founder, S2 Groupe

24. ADD VALUE, BUT DON’T EXPECT IMMEDIATE RETURNS

Find the convergence point where your passion and your customer’s needs overlap.

Mars Dorian, Founder & Illustrator, Marsdorian.com

25. SHOW GRATITUDE

You can’t imagine the wonders that a small gift like a $5 Starbucks gift card can do for you and your brand.

Marlee Ward, Founder, Radical Entrepreneur

At the end of the day: Reflect, regroup and plan for the future

26. OVER – DELIVER. EXCEED EXPECTATIONS

Plan on being at the top. What would a top 10 do? Think as if you are already a massive brand.

Jaime Tardy, Founder & Hos, Eventual Millionaire

Imagine the guy at the top of your niche visited your blog. What would you change to keep that person reading your content? This will help elevate your game.

Mike Kim, CMO, Mek Review

I love to quote Steve Martin: ‘’Be so good they can’t ignore you’’. That’s my number one rule for success.

Anna Rydne, Writer, Steamfeed.com

Exceed expectations. When you do this you stand out from the crowd and push through mediocrity.

Adam Smith, Founder & Writer, Ashithblog.com

27. GET ADVICE FROM PEOPLE

Invest on advice. It’s hard to out of your own box. Ask people that have done it before what you should do.

Jaime Tardy, Founder & Hos, Eventual Millionaire

28. DARE TO FAIL, LEARN & MOVE ON

My motto: The road to success is trying. It means that you should dare to fail and keep an agile mindset along the way.

Anna Rydne, Writer, Steamfeed.com

Never stop learning. Before you can pour into others, you have to fill yourself up. To give back, you need to have something to give. Consume more information and give back more.

Adam Smith, Founder & Writer, Ashithblog.com

29. DONE IS BETTER THAN PERFECT

Become Aware of Your Perfection Mindfuck. Everyone has it. Becoming aware of it is the first step to getting over it.

Anais Bock, Bullshit Elimination, Meetanais.com

Don’t aim for perfection when it comes to website design and let the branding evolve over time (it took some time for me!)

Navid Moazzez, Founder, Navidmoazzez.com

Allow your brand to evolve naturally over time. Focus on providing value to your audience and getting more clear of your message and brand, and from there you’ll know what you need to include or remove from your site.

Nathalie Lussier, Digital Strategist & Host, Off The Charts Show

30. ASK YOURSELF AGAIN: WHY?

If you have embarked on the entrepreneurial journey it means you have put in a bunch of work to figure out what defines you, who you really want to work with, what your true voice sounds like. You’ve created, texted and talked. You probably have an entire Evernote database and 7 notebooks full of useful text snippets and stories. From time to time it is good to just take a blank piece of paper and ask yourself the big questions again.

Anais Bock, Bullshit Elimination, Meetanais.com

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