If you’re finding it hard to differentiate yourself, it may be time to focus on personal branding as a creative and design professional.
Creative professionals in the Philippines play a significant role in the economy, contributing 1.72 trillion pesos in 2023, with 7.3 million people employed in the sector. However, with millions excelling in content creation, graphic design and visual content, and other creative skills, it’s increasingly difficult to stand out in a crowded market. If you’re finding it hard to differentiate yourself, it may be time to focus on personal branding as a creative and design professional.
It’s about showcasing your individuality and positioning yourself as an expert. This way, you can build more personal connections with clients and collaborators.
Importance of Personal Branding for Creatives
A great example of personal solid branding is Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) account, which has over 200 million followers. Despite the crowded tech industry, Musk stands out with his humor and bold opinions on politics and global issues—so much so that his tweets can even impact cryptocurrency markets. In contrast, Tesla, one of his companies, has only 22.6 million followers. The takeaway? People are more interested in following individuals than businesses. So, if you want to stand out, it’s time to develop your branding as a creative and design professional. Here’s why personal branding matters:
Keeps You Top Of Mind
Consistently showing up as yourself helps you stay top of mind. When you build your brand around your true self, it makes it easier for people to connect with you because they know they’re engaging with a real person, not just a faceless employee behind a traditional brand. Personal branding helps you create better, lasting impressions, allowing people to remember you when they think of the creative field.
Builds More Trust And Credibility
Developing a personal brand often involves content creation that illustrates your experiences. When people learn about your struggles and successes, they can resonate with your personal stories. This connection builds trust and credibility; they see you as a genuine individual rather than just a faceless brand.
It Makes You Look More Authentic
Branding as a creative and design professional allows you to express your authentic self. You can communicate as you, rather than adopting a formal, business-like tone typical of traditional brands. This approach creates a stronger emotional connection with your target audience, making your interactions more relatable.
Advances Your Career
Building a personal brand is a powerful tool for career advancement and lead generation. A strong personal brand can lead to new opportunities like freelance projects, speaking engagements, or job offers.
How to Develop a Personal Brand
Developing a personal brand doesn’t have to be complicated. You can simplify the process by following these key steps:
Decide What You Want To Be Famous For
You need to define your niche. If you’re into graphic design and visual content, think about what specific style you want to be recognized for. Do you want to be known for vintage-inspired artwork or as a minimalist designer? By determining what you want to be famous for, you can shape your work and marketing to highlight your unique style and attract the right clients.
Define Your Target Audience
Now that you’ve chosen your niche, the next step is to define your target audience. This is crucial because it helps you determine which social media platforms and digital channels you should focus on to build your online presence. Understanding your target audience also allows you to tailor your content and lead-generation strategies effectively.
Pick Your Key Platforms
You don’t need to be active on every platform to build your brand. Instead, focus on 2-3 platforms that align with your target audience. If you want to connect with an older and mixed demographic, Facebook is a great option. For a younger audience, TikTok is where it’s at. And if your target audience loves using Google, set up and optimize a website to boost your online presence.
List The Main Topics You Want To Talk About
Although personal branding as a creative and design professional allows you the freedom to express yourself, it’s more effective to concentrate on 2-3 main topics in your content creation. For example, if you’re a graphic designer, focus on these 3 content pillars: (1) showcasing your work, (2) sharing design tips, and (3) discussing your journey in graphic design.
Create Content Consistently
With millions of competitors out there, you must put in the effort and consistently create content for your personal brand. Your posts may not gain traction immediately but don’t get discouraged. By regularly creating content, online platforms reward your efforts by showing your posts to a larger audience. Remember, platforms prefer users who actively engage and post regularly rather than those who remain silent. So keep showing up, and you’ll increase your visibility over time.
Infuse Storytelling And Visuals
Business brands often need a personal touch because they rely on employees who may need to fully understand the brand’s actual definition of what is the creative and design process and expertise. This often results in writing from a third-person perspective and using stock photos. In contrast, personal brands are usually managed by their owners, who have the opportunity to share their own stories and visuals. To make your brand stand out, infuse it with your authentic experiences and original visuals. Powerful visuals can enhance your message and create a genuine connection with your audience.
Engage Authentically
A personal brand wouldn’t be personal at all without genuine engagement. Unlike businesses that rely on robotic scripts and automated responses, your interactions should reflect your identity. Take the time to respond to comments, answer questions, and connect with your audience on a human level.
Strategies for Maintaining a Personal Brand Over Time
Maintaining a personal brand can be tough as it requires time, effort, and creativity. But to help you effectively manage your brand, here are some strategies to consider:
Keep Researching
Building a personal brand can feel exhausting, especially when you need help with your next steps. However, continuous research can help reignite your creative spark. Analyze your competitors, attend webinars, and follow creative blogs for fresh ideas.
Build a Posting Habit
Many professionals, including creatives, often need help maintaining their brand and may give up entirely because they lack a consistent posting habit. To develop this habit, set a realistic posting schedule that works for you, whether daily, weekly, or bi-weekly.
Don’t Overthink
Personal branding as a creative and design professional can feel overwhelming. But try not to overthink it. You don’t need to be an expert right away. Most people won’t scrutinize your posts, even if your content isn’t groundbreaking or you stumble upon your words. The key is consistency. Focus on sharing your journey and insights; you’ll improve over time.
Treat Your Platforms As Your Client
Many businesses and professionals neglect social media and websites because they’re too busy with client work, resulting in empty and inactive profiles. However, treating your brand like a client will make you more likely to post consistently and maintain your online presence.
Hire Creative and Digital Marketing Help
The owner best manages personal branding as a creative and design professional to share stories authentically. But seeking help from creative and digital marketing agencies is perfectly fine. You can delegate tasks like photo and video editing or creating storyboards if they feel time-consuming.
You can also consider hiring a social media assistant to schedule posts, an SEO specialist to enhance your website’s visibility, or a public relations expert for outreach and lead generation. By outsourcing these tasks, you can focus on sharing your unique perspective and connecting with your audience while keeping your brand polished.
If you’re searching for a trusted and reliable digital marketing agency in the Philippines, choose Eight Media. We offer various digital marketing services, including content marketing, digital ad management, content creation, social media management, and web development. Contact us for a free consultation!
