CREATING A PERSONAL BRAND THAT BOOSTS YOUR BUSINESS CREDIBILITY
Dorcas, a marketing director, left her job to build her agency. She had the skills and an impressive portfolio; however, leads were slow, she wasn’t getting clients, and there was one thing she didn’t have: trust. Despite her portfolio, people didn’t know who she was outside of her marketing job. She had the experience, but it wasn’t enough. At first, Dorcas focused entirely on her company’s brand: a clean website, logo, and service page, but she remained behind the curtain. She met a former colleague who told her, “Dorcas, people don’t hire logos; they hire those they trust. Why not show others why they should trust you, too?” And that changed things for her.
In today’s global economy, having a personal brand is no longer optional; it’s essential. Whether you’re a business owner, 9-to-5er, consultant, leader, or model, people do business with only those they trust. And trust starts with credibility. Think of the influential individuals and entrepreneurs you admire; their personal journeys and values play a significant role in the credibility and success of their businesses.
Having a strong personal brand isn’t just about self-promotion or crafting the perfect image; it is aligning your values, story, and expertise with your business in a way that communicates who you are.
Why Personal Brand Matters
It is the perception others have of you based on your actions, values, communication, digital footprint, etc. If your business tells people what you do, personal branding says why you’re credible. The question now is: what are you known for outside of your business (service/product)? What do you stand for?
Creating a Credible Personal Brand
Step 1: Define what you stand for.
What are you passionate about? What are your core values? What kind of impact do you want to make? What do people say about you when you’re not there? What makes you tick? What are you not willing to compromise on in life and business?
Once you clearly understand your core values, you can build around them.
Step 2: Create a digital footprint.
Your digital footprint is often the first impression people get of you. Check your online profiles, e.g., LinkedIn, X, Instagram, Medium, or your website, and make sure they all align.
* Ensure your bio tells a story, not just a list of job titles, especially on LinkedIn.
* Ensure your posts and comments reflect the values you want to be known for.
Step 3: Create credible content
Content is where and how you meet your audience. Understand the target audience you are trying to reach and regularly share valuable insights.
* Choose one or two online platforms where your target audience is well represented and start there.
* Write insightful thought pieces, share video tips, or start a blog or newsletter.
* Be consistent and create valuable content.
Step 4: Leverage social proof
Credibility isn’t just what is said about you or your business but what others say, too.
* Share client testimonials or reviews.
* Share the behind-the-scenes process.
* Share case studies and media mentions.
* Showcase speaking engagements, recommendations, etc.
Step 5: Be authentic
When people feel a connection with you, they are more likely to engage and do business with you. Show up as yourself, and share your wins, losses and lessons. Use your actual voice. Don’t hide those little quirks or stifle your personality. This builds an emotional connection, which leads to trust in the long run. Don’t lose yourself in the process of looking for visibility with high traction.
People are keen to do business with someone they feel they know and trust. That someone can be YOU.
