What is Personal Branding?

Published by Ryan O'Keeffe

Most people know that a brand is more than just a logo.
It’s a set of behaviours, values, and a mission all wrapped within a specific design system. 

When enough people have the same positive gut feeling about an organisation, you know that that brand is living and breathing its essence. It becomes its identity.

So, how does this correlate to our own personal brands? 

Well, just as brands are more than their name and logo, human beings are much more than just their name and what they look like. 

You can be remembered for an unusual name or a standout fashion sense. But like a brand, people get to know you better through behaviours and remember how you made them feel. Fashion might make you stick in their heads a little more, just like good design does for brands, but it isn’t the be all and end all. 

Why use personal branding?

Personal branding is for everyone.

Because we all make people feel one way or another through our actions and attitudes, we all inherently have personal brands. But we aren’t all in control of them.

Something stuck with me from my dad’s wedding speech – he was talking about personal branding without even realising it. He said this, “Your youthful looks will fade but your characters will stand the test of time.”

That’s personal branding. It’s an understanding of our values and purpose. To what extent have you thought about your own identity and purpose? What would it take for you to arrive at this place?

Building Your Personal Brand

For many leaders dealing with the gritty reality of life, personal branding can be overlooked. But today, people want to do business with individuals they trust. So taking the time to truly understand your whole self and present it effectively is now more important than ever.

At Jago, we are lucky to work with an array of business owners, entrepreneurs and leaders who all have their own unique purpose and values. It is our privilege to help them gain clarity and confidence to hone what makes them special and harness these superpowers to achieve their personal and business goals.

If you haven’t already, take our personal brand health check to see where and how to begin your personal brand journey.