What is a Personal Brand?

You’ve seen them, right?

A lot of people are talking about it. And more people than ever are doing it.

And I actually believe it’s something that most of us—or at least, most of us who are creating things must create for ourselves. Eventually.

You know what I’m talking about…

It’s a Personal Brand.

YASSS.

Okay, so maybe the phrase is already overused, but let’s break it down…

This is not a new concept.

Fine artists & musicians have been branding themselves forever.

As more people start realizing, nurturing, and exploring their innate creative impulses, more people will start creating things.

And eventually more people will want to share or offer their ideas & things for sale. Because they will have VALUE.

Thanks to global access to technology and tools, it’s a hyper-creative age. And it’s easier than ever to create something new.

It’s definitely exciting to see more humans claiming the label of artist and creator.

Although, I KNOW, it can be hard to put yourself out into the world and literally sign your name to your work.

It’s especially hard to own your ideas and all the things you’re making and contributing to the world.

Making things & sharing new ideas is a challenging creative process.

Even when we name our offer or services something else—like, say Bent Barn Studio. 😉

Or ABC Things.

1-2-3, LLC.

Sweet Artworx.

Or whatever.com.

Using anything else to name or brand our ideas (that isn’t OUR ACTUAL NAME or personal identity), can help make the creative process easier. At least, at first.

When we’re first dipping our toe into the creative pool of possibilities, sometimes it’s just easier to label the thing or the idea rather than owning it ourselves.

I did it that way, and I’m still DOING it.

And I’m also slowly learning to own my ideas. To use my name and sign my work.

I also learning that who I am as a person is a real and valid reason that people want to work with me.

In fact, it might matter MORE than what I do, the services I provide, or the unique expertise and experience I can offer.

Maybe it’s the designer and artist part of me—but I believe in a portfolio or holistic “body of work” model. And that project-based resumes are the future of branding and packaging our individual perspectives, experiences, talents, and gifts.