While standing out in a crowd is rather difficult, personal branding is the secret to making a memorable impression and it involves more than just a logo or a catchy tagline—although those are also important. Instead, you have to know about those subtle tricks to get ahead. Let’s look at thirteen personal branding secrets that could help you shine and get the attention you deserve, no matter what you’re looking for. If you’re ready to elevate your personal brand, read on to find out about these insider secrets.
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Own a Unique Signature Accessory
Having a distinctive accessory could make you instantly recognizable, whether that’s a quirky hat or a daring piece of jewelry—even a unique pair of glasses may do. Choose something that symbolizes your personality and wear it consistently so that, over time, people associate that item with you. This will reinforce your personal brand every time they see it, allowing for a simple yet effective way to stand out without saying a word.
Use Micro-Niching
Rather than trying to appeal to everyone, focus on a very specific niche because doing so will reduce your competition, although it may seem limiting at first. You’ll become the expert for that topic and being highly specialized could significantly improve your visibility. It could lead to people seeking you out because they know you have a lot of knowledge in that specific area.
Go for One-on-One Connections
Similarly, try to focus on building relationships one person at a time by sending personalized messages to show them that you really get them. Such an approach leaves a big impression on people and sets you apart from the rest of the crowd, who are likely relying on generic outreach. People love that personal touch & they’ll be far more likely to remember you—and support you.
Use Unconventional Platforms
You shouldn’t limit yourself to mainstream social media, but rather, try exploring lesser-known platforms where your audience could be hanging out. This may involve visiting niche forums or using specialized apps, then being active in these spaces. Doing so sets you apart from others who overlook them and allows you to reach people in new ways—you’ll also expand your influence beyond the usual channels.
Collaborate with Non-Industry Influencers
Likewise, you might want to partner with influencers outside your usual circle, as this form of cross-pollination will introduce you to new audiences. It’ll also give you a fresh perspective on your brand that could significantly broaden your reach. But that’s not all, because exploring beyond your industry shows that you’re innovative and willing to think outside the box—that’s exactly what people want to see.
Offer Unexpected Value
Try surprising your audience by giving them a sense of value they didn’t anticipate, such as a free resource or an unadvertised bonus—maybe even a personal thank-you note. These unexpected gestures are sure to make people happy, which, in turn, creates a sense of loyalty to your product. They make your audience more likely to remember & recommend you to others and that could expand your audience even further.
Use Secret Call-to-Actions
Most personal brand gurus will tell you about the importance of having a clear call-to-action (CTA) but they usually ignore the subtle ones. Include some secret CTAs within your content that only attentive followers will notice, almost like an Easter egg, because it encourages engagement from your most dedicated audience members. It’ll give them a sense of exclusivity and reward those who are truly paying attention—they’ll keep coming back for more.
Engage in Reverse Mentoring
Reverse mentoring involves offering to learn from someone less experienced but with new perspectives, like younger professionals or newcomers to the industry. Doing this will help with your own understanding while also showing other people that you’re open-minded & forward-thinking. This could improve your personal brand by demonstrating that you’re humble, with a willingness to grow.
Create Your Own Secret Symbol
You may want to try creating a mysterious symbol or code that’s uniquely yours, then sneaking it into your branding—maybe on your website or in your social media posts. Include an odd symbol to make people curious so that they’ll want to learn more about your brand to try & decode it. It makes for a rather creative way to make your brand more intriguing and memorable.
Have a Signature Sound
Have you ever thought of having a unique sound or catchphrase? It could be an odd way that you say hello or a fun jingle in your videos that people instantly link to you, which would be useful because sounds stick in people’s minds. Having your own audio signature helps them remember you whenever they hear it.
Pick a Unique Scent for Yourself
Similarly, our sense of smell is a powerful memory trigger and choosing a distinctive fragrance to wear at meetings could make you stand out. When people catch that scent again, they’ll immediately think of you—just make sure it’s something you love. It should also be something that fits your personal style and is not too common, since you want it to be uniquely you.
Turn Your Handwriting into a Font
Try giving your messages a personal touch by turning your handwriting into a custom digital font that you use in your emails & on your website. You could also use it on your social media graphics as a way of sending a handwritten note to your audience. This will make your content feel more authentic and you’ll stand out from the crowd far more easily.
Set Up a Geocaching Adventure
If you want to do something really different, you could try organizing a geocaching hunt where you hide little treasures or messages for your followers to find. This will get people out and about, interacting with your brand in the real world, which is something they’re guaranteed to remember. They’ll associate the fun experience with you.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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