Shaping Your Brand Identity

In a world that is becoming increasingly digital, CEOs recognize the importance of cultivating a trusted online presence. Consumers are searching for enterprises they can relate to and understand – and one of the main ways they vet companies is through their leadership profiles. Having a solidified brand identity not only gives the public insight into your interests and sets you apart from competitors, but also shows that you can be a credible and valuable source of information. 

Providing commentary on the different aspects of your life and business with an aligned tone and proper language helps establish your brand. A Personal Brand Identity (PBID) is necessary to reflect the pillars you want to promote through effective and insightful thought leadership. 

Curating a PBID will leave a lasting impression on audiences and boost your image to new heights. As Jeff Bezos said, “Your brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.” Thought leadership is not only a fundamental asset for exposure, but it also carefully tells the world who you are.

1 – Pick the perfect color palette that aligns with your goals. One of the simplest and most eye-catching ways to portray your values, passions, and voice is through color. Different colors evoke varying senses of emotion and meaning, such as red representing strength, potency, desire, love, or energy, and blue symbolizing integrity, reliability, trust, and wisdom. Take charge of the direction you want your brand to go by using attractive and powerful colors and imagery that reflect your essence and create a memorable identity.

 2 – Focus on key topics – both corporate and personal. To build a signature brand, you must create signature content. Audiences want to connect with you through your personal hobbies and professional endeavors, whether it be what brings you joy, commentary on current trends and news, or what corporate social responsibility initiatives your business is implementing. Catering your content to your niche will reinforce your PBID and help individuals recognize your thought leadership pieces, leading to increased influence and understanding.

3 – Decide on consistent timing and tone. Articulating your message with an authentic and uniform tone is a great way to build rapport with your readers. You have to determine whether your style is casual or formal, friendly or professional, what best emulates your personality, and how you want to communicate with your audience. Deciding on the language and voice, along with what publishing frequency best suits your qualities and goals, will help you create recognizable content that reinforces your PBID.

CEOs and thought leaders across industries can use these tips and assets to establish an authentic personal brand identity that masterfully expresses their message to audiences in their distinct writing styles and imagery.