Your brand is what someone thinks of, when they think of you. It’s factual, and it’s emotional. We curate images of ourselves online, but our brand extends to our life offline as well. While I don’t believe that you’re missing out without a powerful and visible personal brand, you could be putting yourself at a disadvantage without one. Here are five tips (plus a bonus, to boot) to help you figure it out! —Natasha Lakos
branding tip 1. Get to know yourself, really. True individual style is the byproduct of self awareness. What do you stand for? What roles do you play? What’s your story and where are you headed? In the words of Toni Collette: “The better your know yourself, the better your relationship with the rest of the world.”
branding tip 2. Accept who you are, and revel in it. Are you stuck in an old image of yourself? What you’re already known for? Are you borrowing from someone else’s style, or the status quo? According to Carl Jung, “Your vision will become clear only when you can look into your own heart. Who looks outside, dreams; who looks inside, awakens.”
branding tip 3. Pay attention. Look at everything. Notice what you love. Look outside your sphere of influence—your family, your friends, your industry. Take note! Create a Pinterest board, a note in your phone, a file of magazine clippings. You’ll begin to notice what you’re drawn to and see your own vision take shape.
branding tip 4. Edit. If you could use only three adjectives to describe YOU, what would they be? What are three things you love, that you want your brand to reflect? Clarity and curation make for a powerful message.
branding tip 5. Fast forward. Consider where you want to be. Taking action from this place is very powerful. Something amazing happens when we step into a new role. Not only do others see us in a different light, we see ourselves in a new light. And we rise to the occasion.
bonus branding tool. Try on these questions: What would your company car be? Who would be your celebrity spokesperson? What’s the tone of your writing like? If you were a city, where would you be? If your brand got dressed in the morning, what would it put on? And the most important question—why? Answer that and you’ve got some real insight into what sets you apart.
As Joseph Campbell said, “The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” Personal branding should be fun. In an age with so much saturation, the only thing that cuts through the noise is the truth. Your truth is the key to your personal brand.
Natasha Lakos has been called "the go-to creative" for the next generation of thought leaders. She’s worked with a handful of Oprah’s SuperSoul 100s and a long list of big-hearted entrepreneurs. Natasha’s work draws from her experience in visual communications, decor, publishing and online marketing. Her work is inspired by the intersection of art, fashion, health, and personal transformation. Through her practice as a creative director, she’s learned that when your personal brand reflects your true identity, the world re-arranges itself to gather at your feet. Learn more at natashalakos.com.
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