When you are thinking of a ‘brand,’ what comes to mind? Is it the branding of a product or company that you love? Is it the new logo design that we just created for you? Is it the new packaging that just came out in order to revamp a company’s image? Is it a tagline or slogan that stands out to you? If you said yes to any of these questions, you are in the majority! Most people when asked about branding understand that all of the above points are very important. However, most people forget about an important branding opportunity; the personal brand. 

Marketing 101 teaches you on the first day of class that everything and anything can be marketed. Your leggings have a brand identity, your sneakers have a brand identity, your business has a brand identity, and you yourself have a brand identity. Let’s take a look at one of the world’s most infamous families: The Kardashian’s. Love them or hate them, you know them. Why? Because they know what it means to create a brand based on who they are as people, hence why they, as well as many other celebrities, are referred to as “TV personalities.” They make millions of dollars from their multiple companies not because of their talent, but because of their brand. Cultivating and creating a personal brand can be extremely important in order to gain a loyal customer base. 

One of the things social media has taught us is that you don’t have to be a celebrity to have a strong personal brand. In fact you’re probably doing it right now.  Do you have that one friend that is just so uptight? Or another friend who’s always wearing designer fashion? Do you know a guy who’s always at the gym? Your personality traits come together and create a memorable impression to your customers, clients and coworkers. This, whether you are intentional about it or not, is your personal brand. 

 Most people in the corporate world try to use their own personal brand as a way to market themselves and their skillsets which brings in more customers which brings in more profit. This can come in all shapes and sizes, but in 2021, there is no better way to promote who you want the world to perceive you as than social media. For example, Dr. Austin Chiang, a professor and gastrointestinal doctor, has found and created his own little world on Tik Tok. You might be thinking, how does a GI doctor and professor find his way to Tik Tok? We aren’t sure, but we also aren’t complaining! With over fourteen million likes and over 416 thousand followers, Dr. Austin educates his audience on medical myths. Not only is it educational, but he also shows off who he is as a person by dancing and poking fun at the society that we live in. If it were not for Tik Tok, I would have never known who he was. He is not my doctor, and he is not from the area. This shows the power of a personal brand and how it helps him in his career. First and foremost, it gives him more press. This increased level of publicity encourages people to reach out to him for their own health needs. Second, it brings in more opportunities for him to make money through other avenues instead of just teaching and being a doctor. Now, because of his social media following, he is qualified enough to advertise products that he believes in on his channel. Companies can pay him to promote their brands. These partnerships not only bring in more money for Dr. Chiang, but they also add more meaning to his personal brand because he can tell people all of the products that can help them with their health issues. Cultivating a personal brand online can increase people’s level of awareness about who you are, what you stand for, and what you sell.  

If you want to grow your career, expand your network, create new opportunities, and make it easier for people to send clients your way, exploring your own personal brand is the way to go. Simply exist as who you are, and your brand is set! Now just take it to Tik Tok if you want your brand to be liked, commented on, and messaged!