Starting your personal brand sounds simple on paper—just put yourself out there, right? But let’s be real, it’s a whole different story once you actually get into it.

Most people think it’s all about designing a slick logo and setting up a website. While those things matter, they aren’t what make your brand.

Your personal brand isn’t a logo—it’s you. It's your voice, your values, and the experience you create for people.

So, what does it actually take to build a personal brand that resonates? Let’s break it down.

1. Self-Awareness (and a lot of it)

First things first, you need to know who the hell you are. This sounds obvious, but here’s the tricky part: most people skip this step.

They rush into trying to become someone else’s brand, forgetting that authenticity is what actually makes a brand stand out.

Ask yourself:

• What are my values?

• What do I stand for?

• What’s my story?

People connect with people, not faceless businesses. And the only way to make that connection is to dig deep into what you genuinely care about, and why you’re doing this in the first place.

2. Consistency Is Key

Here’s where most brands fall off. It’s easy to be consistent for a few weeks, but building a personal brand is a long game.

You’re going to need to show up all the time—on social media, through your email list, in your client work.

Whether you’re speaking to 10 people or 10,000, consistency builds trust. It shows you’re reliable, and that’s a huge part of personal branding.

And no, this doesn’t mean you have to be a content machine pumping out 5 posts a day, but people should know what to expect from you.

A scattered, "sometimes I’m here, sometimes I’m not" approach isn’t going to cut it.

3. Positioning Yourself as an Authority (Without Feeling Like a Fraud)

Imposter syndrome? Yeah, welcome to the club. The key to overcoming it is realising that no one knows everything, and they don’t expect you to either.

But they do expect you to know your space, so focus on becoming a trusted voice in your niche.

You don’t need to be the expert, but you do need to be a voice that people can trust to point them in the right direction.

Here’s a tip: Don’t just talk about what you know—talk about what you’ve learned.

Share your experiences, the failures, and the lessons that have shaped your expertise. It humanizes you and makes you more relatable.

4. Being Relatable and Approachable

Forget the perfect persona. People can smell bullshit a mile away.

You’re not trying to appeal to everyone—just your people. So, stop worrying about being the most polished person in the room.

Be real. The best personal brands have one thing in common: relatability.

Whether it’s through your writing, your videos, or just how you interact with others, people need to feel like they’re talking to a human, not a corporate robot.

A little vulnerability goes a long way too. When you share what didn’t go right, or how you struggled, people see themselves in you.

And that’s what gets them to trust you.

5. Delivering Value Without Always Asking for Something in Return

Here’s a harsh truth: If you’re only in it for the money, your audience will know.

Personal branding is about building relationships, not just transactions.

This means giving away value—sometimes without expecting anything in return.

Offer insights, advice, or resources that actually help people, even if they’re not paying you yet. In the long run, that goodwill pays off.

Think of it as building up trust equity. People remember when you’ve helped them, and they’ll come back when they’re ready to buy or invest in your services.

6. Being in It for the Long Haul

A personal brand isn't built overnight.

Sure, you will have a few wins right away, but real brand building takes time.

Patience is key here. You’re playing the long game, so don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results in the first month—or even the first year.

It’s about showing up, providing value, and being consistent.

If you can do all this, you’ll have a brand that not only resonates but one that stands the test of time.

• Chris