Renown Personal Brand Photographer Sadia Barlow explains how to elevate our online presence - even during lockdown!
Personal Branding has been around for a long time, but now that we are largely an online audience, Personal Branding can make a huge impact on your business and online presence.
First of all, let me explain, Personal Branding can be described as your reputation, built around your business but centred on you as a person. Your Personal Branding can help you build trust and likeability with your audience and get them to think of YOU when the need arises for whatever service or product you sell.
One way that people successfully use their Personal Branding is on social media. They do it by not only posting about their business but also about what they like, what they did at the weekend and about their interests. Photos, videos, written content, can all help build your Personal Branding.
For creatives, such as crafters, there has never been a better time to not only show off your beautiful creations on the various social media platforms, but also to get people to see who you are, what your values are and why you do what you do. If people like what they see, they will start to build loyalty and become a part of your tribe, telling others about you and your business and ultimately, buying from you.
As a photographer who works with small business owners on their Personal Branding imagery, I can assure you that even in lockdown, you can do a lot to help elevate your online presence.
Here are 3 important points to get you started:
1. The most important aspect of Personal Branding is to be authentic; be yourself, don’t copy anyone else (never works!) and be 100% true to who you are.
2. Think of the values you would like to be associated with – values that you already hold close to your heart. Your Personal Branding should be a true reflection of your skills, values, passions, and beliefs.
3. Even in lockdown if you can take and post photos or videos on social media using your smart phone to show parts of your day/life/personality. Are you a foodie? A dog lover? Do you have a hobby, or interest other than your business? If so, post about these areas of your life. Build a multi-dimensional profile. I regularly post ‘stories’ on my Instagram photography page, and without fail I post music with my story – usually whatever I happen to be listening to at the time. People who follow me on social media, know my love for music, even if they have not met me. That is Personal Branding.
Sadia Barlow is a Personal Branding photographer, who works in Richmond and surrounding areas.