Personal Branding: The Art of Revealing Your Value
- Maud Vanhoutte
- Mar 8, 2019
- 5 min read
Updated: Apr 2
Last edit March 2025
Stand out, build credibility, and showcase your unique value with a strong personal brand that sets you apart in your industry.
Do people truly understand the value you bring? In today’s competitive world, having the right skills isn’t enough—you need to position yourself effectively. Whether you are a professional, entrepreneur, or leader, your personal brand is what shapes how others perceive you. It is not just about visibility; it is about clarity, credibility, and influence. When done right, personal branding helps you attract opportunities, build trust, and establish yourself as the go-to expert in your field. If you never paid attention to these matters, today might be the day. In this article, we will explore how to craft a powerful personal brand that builds credibility, opens doors, and sets you apart.
The Personal Branding Manual: No Magic Recipe. It is not about quick fixes or gimmicks—it is about what you do, represent, and consistently demonstrate over time. Your personal brand is built through your actions, values, and the way you show up every day, shaping how others perceive you.
How to Define Personal Branding?
Personal branding is the process of applying and adapting to a person the professional methods and techniques usually dedicated to promoting a company’s brand. It is about shaping your professional identity and actively managing how others perceive you.
At its core, personal branding is your reputation. Whether you like it or not, cultivate it or not, you already have a reputation. The key is to take control and define what you want people to see, know, and remember about you.
Take Donald Trump, for example—whether you like him or not, his brand has always been clear. Long before he became president of the United States, he was known for his wealth, business, and media presence. This demonstrates the power of a strong, recognisable personal brand.
Your personal brand should tell your unique story. Ask yourself:
What are you passionate about?
What strengths and skills make you stand out?
What do you bring to a team that others don’t?
A well-defined personal brand helps you inspire trust, stand out from the competition, and open doors to new opportunities. It is more than just a list of skills—it reflects your values, making it easier to align with the right career path and life choices.
“Don’t Judge a Book by Its Cover”
We often hear the saying “don’t judge a book by its cover,” and it would be great if we could live by that. However, when it comes to professional appearance and credibility, the reality is that people are often judged by their personal presentation. We have certain expectations about how professionals should look based on their roles. For example, if your contractor showed up in a suit to do repairs, you might question their ability to get the job done. Similarly, it would be quite surprising to see your banker in shorts and flip-flops behind their desk.
Now, consider the photos below:
Do you think the woman on the left could be pictured working as an attorney, an HR executive, or a banker? What about the woman on the right—could you see her dressed like that, taking care of kids in childcare, teaching yoga, or working in an organic shop?
These examples show how much our appearance influences the way we are perceived in the professional world. Your personal brand is not just about what you do but also how you present yourself to others.
Your Personal Presentation Plays a Key Role
in Shaping Your Personal Brand
How to Build a Strong Personal Brand in 3 Easy Steps?
How can you make a good first impression or improve how others perceive you? The answer is simple: follow our process to understand who you are and how to communicate it effectively through your personal brand.
1. The First Step: Conduct a Personal Audit
Start by asking yourself key questions to build a solid foundation for your personal brand:
What am I passionate about?
Who am I, and what are my core values?
What do I want to be known for?
What are my career goals?
What sets me apart from others?
2. The Second Step: Develop Your Storytelling Skills
Identify 3 to 4 of your strongest skills and recall past situations where you demonstrated these abilities. This step helps you shape your personal narrative, enabling you to share powerful success stories that highlight your expertise.
3. The Third Step: Embody Your Brand
Your personal brand should be reflected in your actions and behaviour. Ensure consistency across all areas that represent you:
Resume and cover letter
Online presence (social media, websites, blogs)
Personal presentation & grooming
Career and personal hobbies
Once you complete these 3 easy steps, use our checklist below to ensure you have covered all aspects of your personal brand and are ready to present the best version of yourself to the world.
Personal Branding Checklist for a Strong Reputation
Use this checklist to ensure your personal brand is aligned, consistent, and powerful:
1. Self-Reflection
Have you identified your core values?
Are you clear on your passions and what you want to be known for?
Have you defined your career goals?
What makes you unique?
2. Storytelling and Communication
Do you have a clear, concise story that highlights your best skills and experiences?
Are you able to share impactful success stories that demonstrate your expertise?
Can you communicate your value in a way that resonates with others?
3. Online Presence
Is your LinkedIn profile up to date and professional?
Do your social media profiles reflect your personal brand and align with your values?
Do you have an online portfolio, website, or blog showcasing your work and accomplishments?
4. Personal Presentation
Is your personal appearance and grooming aligned with the professional image you want to project?
Are your resume and cover letter consistently reflecting your personal brand and goals?
5. Networking and Relationships
Are you building and maintaining valuable relationships that align with your professional aspirations?
Do you engage in networking opportunities that support your personal brand?
6. Consistency and Integrity
Do your actions consistently reflect your personal brand in both your professional and personal life?
Are you upholding integrity in all your interactions?
Do you consistently demonstrate the qualities that make you unique and valuable?
The Essentials to Remember to Create a Strong Personal Brand
Building a strong reputation is an ongoing process that requires consistent, day-to-day effort. To create and manage your personal brand, it is crucial to deeply understand yourself—your strengths, values, and aspirations.
In today’s digital age, personal exposure is higher than ever, and information is more accessible. It is essential to take control of the messages you share and the information that defines you. Every detail you share online, in person, or through your work contributes to how others perceive you. Your reputation is your personal brand. It is the story others tell about you, and it is shaped by what you consistently represent.
Do you want to reinforce your personal brand? Are you looking to help your team members strengthen theirs? Contact us to arrange a personal branding coaching session or workshop tailored to your needs.
Maud Vanhoutte
Communication & Personal Branding Expert
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