With the majority of today’s businesses and professionals requiring a strong personal brand, developing an effective digital presence is integral to a personal brand statement – it involves a number of core elements ranging from well-crafted social media posts to developing a distinctive brand voice.
A personal branding skillset can therefore be invaluable for content creators aiming to find their target market and new sources of income, including potential brand partners and brand deals. By focusing on what you can offer new audiences, clients or potential employers, many creators can enhance their chances of cutting through what has become a saturated market place.
Whether you want to work as a social media influencer or take on a content creator role for a business or solution, SAE’s Content Creation and Online Marketing course can equip you with the skill set to make the most of any online opportunities. A clear understanding of social platforms are key to demonstrating core values, finding a specific audience and achieving success. Read our step by step guide for more and contact our team to discover all you need to know about our courses.
What is a personal brand?
“Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room”, Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon has famously said. In this case, building your personal brand should not be about what you do – but how you and your personal values are perceived.
A personal brand as a content creator acts as your shopfront, a digital presence that provides a consistent perception of yourself, skills and services – this should add up to become a recognisable brand.
To build credibility, this is developed via your online and offline behaviours and unique skills – so social media shares via a social media platform, event attendance, blog writing, thought leadership posts and communicating your unique selling proposition.
Many content creators develop a strategy around their brand to help consistently define what they do, enhance their presence and boost audience engagement.
Why building a personal brand is important
As a content creator, it’s crucial for an audience to know what you are all about and why they should engage with you and your content.
The importance of developing a personal brand often depends on your ambitions – are you looking to secure paid professional opportunities or establish yourself as an expert in your field? The greater your online audience, the greater the opportunities for content creators through sponsorship, marketing, brand affiliations and much more.
For example, Hugo Fry is a runner who not only finishes marathons in incredible times but uses content to build online communities around his running journey. His content depicts the highs and lows of running, all with his trademark sense of humour. He’s one of the fastest runners to complete a full marathon dressed as Santa Claus and Super Mario.
Muddle through Mummy is an online influencer and content creator who specialises in content aimed at families and parents. Her Instagram and TikTok channels feature a mixture of hacks, tips, guides alongside sponsored content too.
How to build your brand
There are certain specific key elements content creators can use to inform and enhance their personal brand. From professional images to embracing multiple editing styles, there are different ways to discover your voice, stay on top of the latest trends and tools to identify your target audience.
Define your brand
Before embarking on developing a digital personal brand, any aims and ambitions need to be reviewed and strategised.
What are you looking to achieve from building your brand? Are you looking to sell a product or service? Perhaps tell a unique story or establish yourself as a thought leader within a particular sector or topic? What core skills, unique characteristics and services can you offer?
From the beginning, these are the questions to ask and you can evolve your approach to your personal brand from here.
Understand your audience
Where does the audience you want to connect with live online? Once you have defined your service, then you need to work out who are you are trying to target and the best channels to utilise to engage with them.
For example, TikTok’s short-form content is usually associated with younger online users while platforms like Facebook are thought to be for older social media users. On TikTok, the majority of creators are aged 18 to 24 while more than half are female.
Influencer Marketing
Influencer marketing involves businesses partnering with individuals (influencers) who have a dedicated and engaged social media following to promote their products or services.
These influencers leverage their credibility and influence to reach a larger audience, building trust and driving sales. As a content creator looking to take advantage, it’s important to try and remain authentic to your personal brand values – failing to do so could have a damaging impact on your authenticity and audience.
Content Strategy
As with defining your brand, it can also help to invest time and energy into working out a content strategy. Audiences will often be more engaged by a brand or professional that offers consistency – so a regular newsletter or social media post will be rewarded by subscribers and an engaged audience. Using a content management system and social media schedule platform can ensure you never miss an opportunity to share content that is both timely and relevant.
Social Media
Cultivating a positive public persona is not a new concept. However, social media and the immediate access to people/professionals/brands these platforms creates is always evolving. Online search and social media have greatly expanded the potential audience for – and risks and rewards associated with – these efforts.
Content Creation
Develop engaging content, such as blog posts, videos, and social media updates, to share your insights and expertise is an integral part of a content creator’s brand. Some tips include stay consistent so you can maintain a connected message and visual identity. Creators should also aim to share their true personality and values as part of their personal brand.
It’s also important to remember to engage with your audience in a meaningful way. By providing valuable content, advice and tips, you can strengthen your bond with an audience. If something feels authentic, then the greater the chances of connecting.
Market Research
Are you feeling stuck with what to post or share online? Then always looks at other content creators across the digital ecosystem to see how they stand out. You should do some research into the best ways to both find, then establish your voice.
Engagement
Online engagement can come in different ways. Many start newsletters to have a direct relationship with their audience via their inboxes. Once you build up a strong newsletter list, you can secure sponsors for the newsletters, include affiliate links and consider offering premium paid for content.
Plenty of content creators are making a living through sponsored content partnerships. You might find it helpful to create a media kit for these opportunities: a one-sheet that shows key elements of your brand, social handles, audience data, images, where you’ve been featured in media, and other achievements.
Study Content Creation and Online Marketing at SAE
Developing content that connects with audiences can be essential in today’s digital age for businesses and leading professionals.
With our expert team, leading facilities and creative community, studying our course in content creation and digital marketing can offer you a fantastic opportunity to take your career in digital marketing to the next level.
