What’s the association people have to your name? Have you ever entered your name in “Google”? What does it bring up and what does it say about you? Whether you realise it or not, you already have a personal brand, but does it portray what you want it to portray?

Building your personal brand brings a good deal of soul searching. You need to dig deep to clearly define who you are and develop an understanding of your true self. Only then can you determine whether you are happy with your brand and focus on building your ideal self.  Reaching this step can help you with your career, relationships and daily life in general.

So, how do you define your already existing personal brand and then build on it to a point you are exactly who you want to be? Assessing your current reputation and understanding how you are currently perceived and the impression you make on family, friends, work colleagues and the general public is the first step you need to take to build your ultimate personal brand.

So how do you start? We have devised a series of questions below to help you define your personal brand and guide you to become the best version of you.

Personality

Think about which defining characteristics make you who you are. The key here is to think about which unique traits make others attracted to you as a brand and then build on those traits.

• What words would people use to describe you? How do you make people feel?
• How do you communicate and express yourself? What is your voice?
• Why do people want to spend time with you?

Mannerisms, Habits and Body Language

Your mannerisms and body language often give away more about who you are than anything else. Being aware of personal mannerisms, habits and body language and how people may interpret them, is a critical step in building your personal brand.

• Do you maintain strong eye contact when talking to people face to face or do you shy away?
• Do you take your surroundings into consideration when using foul language?
• Do you show emotion through facial expressions?
• Do you sit up straight or slouch?
• Do you bite your nails?
• Do you chew gum?
• Do you cross your arms?
• Do you have mannerisms you don’t like and if so, are you open to changing them?

CORE VALUES

Clarity on your values helps you grow and develop and make decisions, both personally and professionally and identifying these values makes your brand stronger in representing yourself as an authentic brand. 

• What are your values?
• What do you believe in?
• What is your moral stance?
• Are people aware of your values?
• How do you share your values with people?

Passions, interests and hobbies

Being passionate gives you energy and motivation, which shines through your personality and makes you attractive to others. Sharing your passions, interests and hobbies shows others who you are and helps cement your personal brand.

• What are your passions, interests and hobbies?
• Do you actively pursue these?
• Are people aware of these?
• How do you share these with others?

Passions, interests and hobbies

How you look and your personal style reflects who you are and makes you unique. Keeping your look and style true to yourself builds you as an individual brand. Whatever your style is, make sure you keep true to yourself and are comfortable with it. Develop your identity so it aligns with how you want to be perceived as your individual brand.

• Does your look and style reflect your personality?
• How would people describe your look and style?
• Are you happy with your current look and personal style? If not, are you open to changing it?

Career

Identifying your best qualities and strengths at work and portraying them to others in your work place, helps you build your ultimate personal brand, differentiate yourself from your competitors and achieve your career goals.

• What are your strengths at work?
• What are your best qualities at work?
• Do you seek out opportunities to demonstrate you qualities and strengths to your colleagues and manager?
• How do you colleagues and manager perceive you?
• Do you need to work on any of your weaknesses and turn them into strengths?

You’re now ready to put pen to paper.

1. Download the worksheet (editable on PC or printable) and work through the questions provided above.
2. Once you have answered the questions with an understanding of who you are, you’re ready to move onto the stage of taking action and building your personal brand.
3. Download and save our 8 tips for building and growing your personal brand.

Remember: above all, stay true to yourself and focus on becoming the best version of you!