Have you ever wondered why certain designers gain widespread recognition in the design world while receiving more projects than you, even though you share similar skills? The secret behind this could lie in building a strong personal brand.
Personal branding has become a defining factor for designers, helping them stand out in a highly competitive field. There might be many designers who aren’t necessarily better than you in terms of technical skills or artistic abilities, but what sets them apart is their robust personal branding that makes them the top choice in the minds of potential clients.
You are building your personal brand every day through your words and actions. Learn how to build this brand the right way, and you will see a significant difference in your career.
Ask yourself the following questions, which will greatly assist you in building a personal brand that highlights your professional identity:
- Who are you? (This is the toughest question)
- What motivates you?
- What aspect of design do you enjoy the most?
- In which areas do you excel?
- What unique advantage do you offer that sets you apart?
- What types of projects immerse you and make you forget the world around you?
- What types of projects make you regret being a designer?
- What are your values and goals?
These questions will help you form an idea of what you want and don’t want in order to write your professional story, which is the foundation of your personal brand.
Who is your audience?
By identifying your audience, you also determine how you will address them.
- Define the interests of those you want to reach: Employers, fellow designers, competitors, followers.
- Research your specific audience: What are their distinct characteristics? What do they like and dislike? What topics interest them? How do they spend their leisure time?
- Create an imaginary persona representing your audience. Imagine how an average person representing your audience would look, act, speak, and, most importantly, receive your message.
You can certainly target more than one audience segment; just ensure that it aligns with your professional identity and serves your goals.
What are your goals?
- What do you want to achieve?
- Are you seeking new clients?
- Are you looking to sell products?
- Do you want to offer courses?
- Are you interested in providing consulting services?
