Market research indicates that customers need anywhere from 7-25 contacts with a brand before they feel comfortable purchasing, and that 3/4 of Americans are more likely to trust, buy, and recommend a company whose founder has an established personal brand.

So what does this mean if you have a small business or are self-employed, like a creative professional, entrepreneur, real estate agent, doctor, coach, etc.? Does this mean we pour more and more into social media hoping that our audience stays engaged enough to connect?

By identifying the places where our audience makes contact with us and making a few tweaks to make those touchpoints more personal, we can encourage a deeper relationship with our audience and more quickly establish the trust needed to turn website visits into paying clients.

In this blog post, we’ll explore five ways you can uplevel your personal brand today.

Your Personal Brand: the Most Valuable Asset

Let’s be honest: online marketing can often feel totally unrewarding. You post and post for little reward and would rather spend your time doing something else.

As a small-business owner who has been in this game since Craiglist was one of the bigger online marketing platforms, I think savvy marketers can strike a balance between building deeper relationships with their customers without posting on social media 17 times a day. 

The key is to pay attention to all of the places where you connect with your clients and make those touchpoints a little more meaningful. Most of us don’t even know what we are neglecting until business slows down and we realize that we haven’t updated our social profiles in 10 years (guilty!) or built any kind of lead response system.

Here are 5 ways you can utilize your personal brand today to attract, convert, and build relationships with your dream clients without spending all of your time on social media.

1. Refresh Your Social Media Profile Pictures

The Importance of a First Impression

Your profile picture is often the first thing someone notices about your social media presence. A strong profile photo makes you stand out, helps people remember you, and makes it more likely people will click on your content. (Every day, I find myself clicking on the IG Stories that have a strong profile image!) A fresh, professional profile picture can communicate expertise, approachability, and professionalism.

Action Steps

• Hire a professional photographer (you knew I was going to say that!): A skilled photographer can capture your personality and professional essence in a way that far surpasses any selfie. Consider it an investment in your personal brand.
• Download our Guide to Personal Branding to help you develop your brand, choose your colors, and decide what online platforms to focus on.
• Update regularly: Keep your image fresh every year or two, or whenever your appearance changes significantly, or you have a new product or service to promote.

2. Create a Dynamic “Thank You” Page for Your Website

Beyond the Basic Thank You

After a visitor subscribes to your newsletter, downloads a resource from your site, or fills out a contact form, they typically see a “thank you” page. This page offers a prime opportunity to deepen engagement instead of ending the interaction.

Action Steps

• Add a personal touch: Include a short, friendly video thanking them for their interest. It makes the interaction more personal and memorable.
• Provide additional value: Link to some of your best blog posts, invite them to a relevant webinar or offer a discount on your services.
• Encourage social sharing: Include social share buttons that suggest the visitor share your content or their action (like signing up) on social media.

3. Update Your Website and Online Business Listings 

Making a Cohesive Online Presence

Your website and online business listings are crucial elements of your personal brand. Ensuring that these resources are current and cohesive can significantly improve how your brand is perceived online. It can also enhance your SEO, helping you rank higher in search results and reach a broader audience.

Action Steps

• Audit your website: Regularly review your website to ensure that all content is up-to-date and reflects your current professional status and achievements. Check for broken links and outdated information, and ensure that the design still meets current web standards.
• Refresh the design: If your website looks outdated, consider a redesign. A clean, modern look can do wonders for first impressions. Ensure your website is mobile-friendly, as a significant amount of web traffic now comes from mobile devices.
• Update your Images: Establish a deeper connection with your audience by including your professional images throughout your site. This includes, at minimum, your About Me page and the Contact Me page. The more you show up, the more opportunities your audience has to remember your face.
• Update business listings: Make sure your business listings (like Google My Business, LinkedIn, or industry-specific directories) are uniform and contain the same information as your website. This includes your business name, address, phone number, and any other relevant contact information or services.

4. Tailor Your Email Signatures

A Small Detail with Big Impact

Your email signature is an often-overlooked tool that can help reinforce your brand and make every email a chance to connect with recipients. Remember, we want your audience to remember who you are, so the more times they can see your face, the deeper their connection will be.

Action Steps

• Include essential information: Your name, position, and company, along with contact information.
• Add a personal photo: A small, professional image of yourself can make emails feel more personal.
• Link to your content: Add links to your social media profiles, your latest blog post, or an upcoming event.

5. Offer Value Through Regular Newsletters

The Power of Consistent Communication

A newsletter is a fantastic way to keep your audience engaged and reinforce your personal brand. By consistently providing value, you remind your subscribers why they followed you in the first place.

Action Steps

• Provide exclusive content: Offer newsletter-only content your subscribers can’t get anywhere else. This could be insights, tips, or early access to your services.
• Keep a consistent schedule: Whether weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly, consistency builds anticipation and trust.
• Segment your audience: Tailor your content to different segments of your audience to increase relevance and engagement.

Upleveling your personal brand doesn’t require grand gestures. Often, it’s the small details that make the biggest difference. By updating your social media images, enhancing your website’s thank you page, engaging authentically on social platforms, optimizing your email signature, and maintaining a valuable newsletter, you can strengthen your connections and make your personal brand not just seen but felt. Start implementing these actions today, and watch your personal brand flourish in ways that truly resonate with your audience.

Pin this article here for inspiration and share it with your friends and family. If you’re ready to transform your business, book a call with us here to get started today.