Using Content Marketing to Build Your Personal Brand

Listen up, personal branding enthusiasts! We’re going to dive into the depths of content marketing and explore some slightly more unconventional tactics to help you build a brand that shines.

The world of personal branding can be a maze, with so-called experts spouting the same tired advice at every turn (“Just post everything! Keep the content coming!”)

That’s not what I’m about.

So, without further ado, let’s dive into some off-the-wall strategies for building a personal brand through content marketing:

Get Intimate: Show the World the Real You

Right up-front, it’s crucial to let your personality shine through. People on websites and social media love knowing the person that’s behind the brand, so why not give them a peek into your life and what makes you, you?

You can think about ways of sharing your story, your passions, your struggles, and what sets you apart from the everybody else that does what you do. This could be through a Tumblr blog, a vlogon YouTube, some TikToks and Reels, or even just through garden-variety social media posts.

Give your audience a peek behind the curtain of what makes you tick and the things that drive you. And don’t be afraid to get a little vulnerable. Authenticity is something that can’t be manufactured by an AI or when it comes to building a personal brand. If you’re not real, it’ll be obvious to those who follow your closely.

Let’s say you’re an artisan baker and you want to build a personal brand around your baking skills. You could start a personal blog where you share your baking journey, the baking blunders you’ve had along the way, and the recipes that have become your signature dishes.

You could also create a vlog series where you invite your audience into your kitchen for a virtual baking lesson, complete with plenty of humour and sass.

By showing your personality and sharing your baking story, you’re allowing your audience to get to know the real you and what sets you apart from other bakers.

So go ahead and let that personality rise to the occasion, just like your perfectly baked cakes!

Partner Up: Join Forces and Skyrocket Together

Collaboration is something that is not all that common when it comes to building a personal brand these days. Partnering up with other creatives, influencers, and experts in the same world you move in can help you reach new eyes, gain exposure, and make some fun new connections along the way!

Co-create content, participate in interviews, host a podcast or webinar — the possibilities are endless! Collaborating will not only help you network and gain new followers, but it’ll also help you establish yourself as a thought leader in your industry. So, don’t be afraid to reach out to others in your field and see if they’d be interested in working together. The sky’s the limit!

Let’s say you’re a graphic designer trying to carve out a slice of the local market for what you do. How do you stand out from the crowd? One idea would be to collab with other local ceratives.

You could join forces with a witty writer who knows all about branding and marketing, and together you could create some killer blog posts. Show off your design skills and drop some knowledge bombs on the world. And boom! Now you’re a thought leader in the design world and reaching a wider audience.

And why stop there? Reach out to some influencers and offer to spice up their socials with some of yourstuff. Not only will you be helping out a person with influence, but you’ll also be associating your name with their fame.

So, don’t be afraid to collaborate with others in your sphere of influence. The possibilities are endless, and who knows what amazing things you’ll create together!

Embrace Your Uniqueness: Be Different, Be You

In a world where everyone is trying to blend in like a plain vanilla latte, being a quirky, bold espresso is a breath of fresh air.

Embrace your individuality, let your personality overflow like a spilled coffee cup, and make a lasting impression on the world. Whether you add a dash of humor, a pinch of sass, or a sprinkle of weirdness, let your unique flavour shine through in everything you do.

Because let’s face it, no one wants a boring latte when they can have a deliciously distinct espresso.

So go ahead, be bold, be different, and let your individuality perk up your audience.

Let’s say you’re selling eco-friendly products. I mean, seriously, who wants to read another boring article about eco-friendly products? We want to buy them and use them — not read about them.

Make sustainability fun and relatable with humour. Get playful with your writing style. Show your audience the human side of your brand by sharing your own journey and featuring your quirky friends who share your sustainability values.

Get Visual: A Picture Tells a Thousand Stories

Visual content is king when it comes to engagement and memorability. So, why not add a little visual flair to your content marketing strategy? Infographics, videos, eye-catching graphics — the sky’s the limit when it comes to incorporating visual elements into your content.

Get creative with your visuals and experiment with different styles and formats to see what resonates with your audience. Remember, a picture tells a thousand stories, so make sure your visuals tell the story you want to tell.

Let’s say you are a barista — not a McDonald’s barista, but a real, live barista who people come to because of the “you factor.” In the world of coffee, visual content is key to capturing the attention of your customers and keeping them coming back for more.

Get creative with your menu boards, showcase your drinks in eye-catching graphics, and create mouth-watering videos. Infuse your your personality into every visual element and make sure your followers know exactly what sets your cafe apart from the rest.

So, go ahead and put a little extra flair into your content marketing strategy. A picture truly is worth a thousand words, and those words should be all about your amazing coffee and unique atmosphere.

Surrounding Yourself with Like-Minded People

Building a community around your personal brand is a fantastic way to engage with your followers and create a loyal following. Create a private Facebook group, host regular webinars, or even start a newsletter — the possibilities are endless!

Having a strong community not only helps you connect with your audience but it also provides you with a sounding board for ideas and feedback. It’s a great way to grow your personal brand and create a supportive network of like-minded individuals who will help you soar to new heights.

Authors are a great example how this can work.

With so many options for buying books online, it’s important to differentiate yourself and build a community of book lovers around your book.

One way to do this is by embracing an unconventional approach to content marketing, focused on community building. Host readings online and offline, author signings, and other in-store events to bring book lovers together. Share your passion for books and reading on social media and encourage your readers to do the same.

Another way to build community is by creating unique and interactive content that showcases your particular personality. For example, you could create a YouTube channel where you share stories from the writing of the book — or where you got your inspiration. You can give behind-the-scenes tours of your studio, or interviews with other local authors.

So, feel free to create a community around your personal brand. Surround yourself with people who support and encourage you, and watch your personal brand skyrocket!

The Bottom Line

And there you have it, folks! Some truly unconventional and off-the-wall strategies for building a personal brand through content marketing. From getting intimate to partnering up, embracing your uniqueness, getting visual, and building a tribe, these tips are sure to help you stand out and make a lasting impression on your audience.

Building a personal brand doesn’t have to be boring or conventional. By being yourself, getting creative, and having a little fun, you can create a brand that truly reflects who you are and what you’re passionate about. So, go out there and make your mark on the world!

Remember, the most important thing is to be authentic and true to yourself. If you do that, the rest will fall into place.

So, let’s get started and build a personal brand that’s uniquely you! The world is waiting, are you ready to take on the challenge?”