Written by Daisie Team

Published on 18 July 2023 6 min read

Defining your unique personal brand is a journey, a process of self-discovery that unveils what makes you distinctive and memorable. It's about crafting a professional identity that communicates your values, skills, and passions. Here, we'll walk you through five practical steps to help you define your unique personal brand, starting with identifying your personal values.

1. Identify Personal Values

To define your unique personal brand, you first need to introspect and identify your personal values. These are the deep-seated beliefs that guide your decisions, influence your behavior, and shape your perception of the world. Let's elaborate on this step.

List Core Beliefs

Start by jotting down your core beliefs; the principles that are non-negotiable for you. It could be honesty, empathy, courage, or creativity—whatever resonates with your true self. Reflecting on these beliefs will offer a clear picture of your moral compass and help you define your unique personal brand.

Align Values with Career

Next, consider how your values align with your career. For instance, if you value innovation, roles that allow you to think out of the box and create novel solutions would be a good fit. Remember, a career aligned with your values contributes to job satisfaction and professional growth, adding authenticity to your personal brand.

Identify Motivations

Finally, identify what motivates you. Is it the desire to help others, solve complex problems, or the thrill of achieving challenging goals? Understanding your motivations provides a sense of purpose to your work and forms an integral part of your unique personal brand.

By identifying your personal values, you take the first significant step to define your unique personal brand. It sets a foundation for the rest of the steps, ensuring your personal brand truly reflects your individuality. Up next, we'll analyze your strengths and weaknesses.

2. Analyze Strengths and Weaknesses

After identifying your values, the next step in defining your unique personal brand involves a candid evaluation of your strengths and weaknesses. This step isn't just about boasting your skills or judging your shortcomings, but about gaining a balanced understanding of your professional self.

List Professional Skills

Start by making a list of your professional skills. These could be technical skills like project management, coding, or digital marketing, or soft skills like communication, leadership, or problem-solving. Remember, these skills showcase your capabilities and contribute to your unique personal brand, so don't overlook any skill, no matter how trivial it may appear.

Evaluate Areas for Improvement

Next, take a moment to evaluate your areas for improvement. Maybe you tend to procrastinate on tasks, or perhaps public speaking makes you nervous. Don't be too hard on yourself; remember, recognizing your weaknesses is not a sign of failure but an opportunity for growth. It demonstrates your willingness to learn and improve, which is a valuable trait in any professional.

Plan Personal Development

Lastly, based on your strengths and areas for improvement, devise a plan for personal development. This could involve taking up new courses, attending workshops, or even reading up on relevant subjects. By continually striving to better yourself, you not only enhance your skills but also add depth to your personal brand.

As you analyze your strengths and weaknesses, you're not just creating an inventory of your professional skills. You're beginning to shape the narrative of your unique personal brand—one that's rooted in authenticity and continuous growth. Now, let's move on to the next step: creating your vision and mission.

3. Create Vision and Mission

Now that you have a clear understanding of your values, strengths, and areas for improvement, it's time to dream big. Creating a vision and mission for your personal brand can provide direction and inspire action, propelling your career forward. Let's dive in.

Define Career Goals

Start by defining your career goals. What do you want to achieve professionally? Maybe you're aiming to become a marketing director, launch your own start-up, or write a best-selling book. Whatever it is, your goals should reflect your values and utilize your strengths, making them integral pieces in defining your unique personal brand.

Write Mission Statement

Next up—write a mission statement. This is a clear, concise declaration of your purpose and the value you bring. Think of it as an elevator pitch for your personal brand. For instance, a freelance graphic designer's mission statement could be: "To create visually stunning designs that help businesses communicate their message effectively."

Envision Future

Lastly, envision your future. Picture where you want to be in five, ten, or even twenty years. This exercise can help you keep your eyes on the prize, motivating you to take the necessary steps to get there. Remember, your vision is a reflection of your aspirations—it's the big picture that your unique personal brand is striving towards.

By creating your vision and mission, you're not only setting the course for your career journey but also defining the core of your personal brand. With your goals, mission, and vision in hand, you're ready to move on to the next step—building a strong online presence.

4. Build Online Presence

Building a strong online presence is a critical step in defining your unique personal brand. It's your digital handshake and often the first impression people will have of you. So, let's get it right.

Optimize LinkedIn Profile

First, let's tackle LinkedIn. Your LinkedIn profile is a digital resume that showcases your skills, accomplishments, and work history. An optimized profile can attract career opportunities and expand your network. Here's how to make the most of it:

Use a professional photo – A picture is worth a thousand words, so choose one that communicates professionalism and approachability.
Write a catchy headline – This is often the first thing people read. Make it clear, compelling, and aligned with your personal brand.
Fill out the entire profile – Don't leave any section blank. Include your education, experiences, skills, and endorsements. This shows credibility and thoroughness.

Engage in Online Networks

Next, engage in online networks. Join relevant groups on LinkedIn, participate in Twitter chats, or comment on industry blogs. This can help you establish your authority and make valuable connections. Remember, how you interact online is a reflection of your personal brand—be respectful, helpful, and genuine.

Showcase Work Through a Portfolio

Lastly, showcase your work through a portfolio. This could be a personal website or a platform like Behance for creatives or GitHub for programmers. A well-curated portfolio can demonstrate your skills and achievements, making a powerful statement about your unique personal brand.

Building a strong online presence can help you define and communicate your personal brand to a wider audience. But remember, consistency is key—ensure the image you portray online aligns with your values, mission, and vision. Ready for the final step? Let's forge some meaningful network relationships.

5. Establish Network Relationships

The final step to define your unique personal brand involves building a strong network of relationships. These relationships, both personal and professional, can provide support, inspiration, opportunities, and feedback to help shape your personal brand. So, how do you start building these relationships?

Find Mentors

Firstly, seek out mentors. A mentor could be a successful individual in your field, a senior colleague, or even a peer who has skills you admire. Here are some steps you can take:

Identify potential mentors—people who inspire you and align with your values.
Reach out to them—be clear about why you're reaching out and what you hope to learn from them.
Establish a regular check-in schedule—regular conversations will help foster the relationship.

Connect with Industry Peers

Next, connect with peers in your industry. Attending industry events, participating in online forums, or joining professional organizations are all great ways to meet like-minded individuals. Remember, every connection is an opportunity to learn, grow, and further define your unique personal brand.

Join Professional Groups

Lastly, join professional groups. Whether it's on LinkedIn, Facebook, or an industry-specific platform, these groups can be treasure troves of resources, ideas, and opportunities. Participate actively—share your insights, ask questions, and offer help. This active involvement will not only benefit your own personal brand but can also add value to the community.

Establishing network relationships is a powerful way to define your unique personal brand. As you connect with others, stay genuine to your values and goals. And remember, networking is a two-way street—be ready to offer support and value in return. So, are you ready to define your unique personal brand and make your mark on the world?

If you're inspired to define your unique personal brand and want to dive deeper into the process, we highly recommend checking out the workshop 'Time to Create your Personal Brand' by Karen Oldhoven. This workshop will guide you through practical exercises and tips to help you create a personal brand that truly reflects your values and passions.