How to build a personal brand as a creative professional

“Personal branding” might sound like a buzzword you hear at networking events, especially if you are a creative professional. It might be the last thing on your mind when you think of your career advancement, but it’s far more critical than you think. 

It’s the image people have in their mind’s eye when they hear your name, and it should showcase your unique qualities and skills.

According to the Brand Builders group, people are 74% more likely to trust someone with an established personal brand.

So, why not just emphasize what makes you… well, YOU? People deserve to know your incredible qualities and skills, and today, it’s super easy to communicate with them. 

And a way to do that? Create a strong personal brand to become a top choice when someone searches for someone with your skills. So, let’s dive in and find out how to do it. 

Define your creative voice (aka your personal brand’s DNA)

OK, the first thing that pops into your mind when you hear “personal branding” is probably its visual aspect. Logos, websites, Instagram aesthetics, you get the picture. But, before you even start thinking about all that, ask yourself one question: What do I want people to remember about me? 

It all starts with deeply knowing yourself and your core values that you want to communicate through your brand. 

One Japanese concept refers to something that gives a person a sense of purpose and brings fulfillment. It’s called ikigai, and a way to find it is to make four lists: what you love, what the world needs, what you can be paid for, and what you’re good at. 

Then, you make a venn diagram by drawing four overlapping circles, where each circle represents a set. One circle represents what you love, the other is what the world needs, the third is what you can be paid for, and the fourth is what you are good at. In the parts where circles overlap, you write the characteristics common to all sets. What you find in the middle is your “life purpose.” 

You can use a similar process to find your creative voice. Ask questions like: what differentiates me from other people in my field? How do I want people to feel when they interact with my work or stumble on my website? Or, how do other people describe me or my work? Narrowing down your answers to a few key qualities and emotions will help you establish the core DNA of your personal brand.  

The study from World Metrics revealed that 91% of consumers worldwide are likely to reward brands for their authenticity and share the brand with others. So, find your creative voice and build your creative identity. 

The power of a good domain name for your personal brand

Your personality should be front and center on your portfolio website.

Think about it: what’s the first thing you do when you need to find somebody who offers a service that fixes your problem? You search for them online. It’s the same with your potential employers and clients. 

A great way to make your portfolio even more personalized is to have a catchy, memorable domain name. 

Your domain name is like your digital ID. It’s the first impression people have of your brand, and it can boost your credibility.

So, if you want to personalize your brand, there is an excellent domain option that you could explore: .ME domain. Just look at its potential for wordplay. Combining .ME with an English verb creates a memorable and marketable phrase, such as improve.me, find.me, talk-to.me, etc. It’s basically calling you to use it. 

A carefully chosen domain name can be a great asset in building a recognizable personal brand, so don’t overlook it. But also, remember to nurture your brand, aka your reputation, in the real world.

Show off your personality (online and offline)

The more people feel connected to you, the more they’ll remember you. When presented with authentic content, consumers feel closer to a brand, so don’t be afraid to let your quirks and personality shine. 

Start by choosing your personal brand’s signature look. When people see your work, they should immediately think, “Ah, that’s totally your style!“ Developing a visual signature is key to establishing a strong personal brand. 

Creating an identifiable brand means choosing colors, fonts, and visuals that feel like “you,” and being consistent across all platforms. This doesn’t mean you can’t evolve, but the key is keeping your look cohesive, from your website to social media posts. 

Social media is a great place to let people in on your creative process, thoughts, and even daily musings. 

Also, avoid trends that don’t align with your personal brand. Just because everyone is jumping on a specific style or platform doesn’t mean you have to. Stay true to yourself, and people will take notice.

Pro tip: Keep your social media bios consistent. Your bio is like your brand’s elevator pitch. Include a bit of humor or a fun fact that reflects your unique personality.

Network like a pro (and do it with style)

Networking begins online, so optimize your online profiles. 

Check your profile is complete, including your profile picture and bio. Post regularly, connect with people in your niche, and engage with their content. 

A great way to optimize your bio is to add a link to your website or personal portfolio. That way, you have a perfect online business card (and a .ME domain could help you make it even more personalized and memorable). 

While the online world is a great way to reach a wider audience, you should never neglect the power of face-to-face conversation. 

Networking is about building genuine relationships with people. When you’re at events, workshops, or even hanging out in online creative forums, think about how you can naturally showcase your personal brand. 

Have an interesting story ready that highlights your work. It could be about the time you worked on a tight deadline or how an unusual project pushed you creatively. People love a good story, and it’s a great way to leave a lasting impression.

And speaking of stories…

Share your journey (because personal branding is all about good storytelling)

We are people; we are obsessed with making everything a story. Stories make life more enjoyable. Even the most mundane and ordinary object becomes great when it comes along with a story: ‘’It’s the backpack I bought for my first day of high school that I ended up traveling the world with.’’ According to Jennifer Aaker of Stanford University, stories are 22 times more likely to be remembered than facts alone, so use that power.

At the heart of it all, personal branding is storytelling. And people love stories. They give us context and a better understanding. Similarly, people care more about your brand when they know what you had to overcome to get there. Sharing your journey, from initial ideas to the final product, will make you more approachable and relatable. And we always trust the person more when we can relate to them and feel like we know them. 

People love to see the behind-the-scenes of creative work. Whether you post time-lapse videos of your projects, write blog posts about your creative challenges, or share your thoughts on the industry, it’s all part of showing the real you.

Start documenting your creative process. Post progress updates on social media, or write a blog about your experience working on a new project. It’s not just about selling a final product – it’s about selling the experience of working with you.

Remember, sharing struggles is just as important as sharing wins. It makes you more human, which is what a personal brand is about.

Stay true to yourself

The best personal brands aren’t built overnight, and they certainly aren’t built by copying others. Authenticity is an ace up your sleeve. 

In a world where so many creatives are vying for attention, being true to yourself is the most effective way to stand out.

So, take these tips to heart. Put them into practice, and soon enough, you’ll have a personal brand that reflects your creative genius, one that that people remember long after seeing your work.