Do you know the difference between a personal brand and a business brand?

It’s fair to say that the term ‘branding’ is one of the most popular in the Business world right now, and for good reason. In recent years, brand has become much more than it was. As more of us increase our spending online and engage with digital content, Branding has been the difference between popularity and being forgotten.

In this blog, are making sure you understand the essential differences between personal branding and business branding. By shedding some light on both and, of course, sharing some of our expertise, we hope that we can make the next branding conversation you have a positive and insightful one.

If you’ve come into this blog not really understanding the whole brand obsession, you certainly aren’t alone. We still regularly meet people involved in business who don’t fully grasp the lingo, so honestly, don’t worry, we got you!

In this blog, we wanted to go about things a little differently. We will provide some short and snappy answers for those looking to freshen up their knowledge. And, of course, some much more in-depth ones for those looking to really master the ‘brand’ art form.

The simple answers

So you’re probably thinking, what’s the difference between a personal branding and a business brand? Which should I focus on first, and what value does each bring to me?

OK, if you’re here for a quick fix, we can present you with some logical and slightly less technical answers.

Personal branding is based on or focuses on an individual, what they like, what they do etc. In contrast, business branding is all of your business’s touchpoints with its customers and the personality it portrays in those moments.

When it comes to what you should focus on, this largely depends on what type of sector you operate in and what you need for that venture. For example, if you’re an online product looking to revolutionise the market, people won’t generally need to know who you are if your product walks the walk. However, if you’re in an incredibly congested sector and have a strong personal brand, you are far more likely to drive sales over your competitors.

The way you brand yourself will also help you sell any subsidiary products you choose to promote. A personal brand has longevity but must be nurtured and cared for to remain relevant.

Anyway, here are your quick answers. Read on for the more valuable information that will drive your knowledge and business forward.

Create8 and branding

If you are looking to build a brand, you are going to need an agency that knows how to negotiate the tricky branding process. Luckily, you’re talking to one! Having helped build lots of memorable and eye-catching brands in the past few years, you’re in safe hands when you choose Create8.

Branding is more than a workload to us; it’s a passion, and that’s why we understand how to make your brand resonate with your target audience. You don’t have to just take our word for it; simply follow the link below and check out some of our most recent projects. Let us know what you think, and reach out to us with any questions you may have regarding the branding process.

What’s the difference between Personal Brand and Business Brand?

So now we’ve lost those who don’t have the commitment for a quick read; we will offer those who are still around the real golden info. OK, so whilst it’s true that both types of brands can help you to create something memorable, the real power of branding is building meaningful relationships with others.

Business (corporate) branding

When it comes to branding a business, you could be forgiven for thinking that the whole process is all about a flashy logo. If you’ve watched The Apprentice, the contestants regularly refer to logo design as ‘Branding’ and each time; we have a communal sigh in the office.

Yes, a logo is part of the process, but your business branding is much, much more. In fact, it goes as far as the way you speak to people on social media and the way your packaging looks and everything in-between.

Personal branding

People buy from people – we don’t want to spend our money with faceless robots. Investing in your personal brand could be the best move you ever make. In fact, a recent study found that over 90% of us trust recommendations from a person over a brand, even if we don’t know that person.

Giving your customers a face behind the business can be extremely beneficial to your overall profitability. People believe in what a reputable person does and says and therefore have more buy-in on any suggestions they make. One of the kings of personal branding is Steven Bartlett.

The serial entrepreneur and recently acquired new face on the panel of Dragons in dragon’s den has long been recognisable on social media and for all the right reasons. Steven shares not only business advice but also self-help and positivity across his personal feeds, and if you haven’t seen one of his posts shared, you’ve probably been living under a rock. The thing is, people don’t get tired of what he shares because it’s insightful and beneficial to the masses. It’s away from the glamourous millionaire lifestyle, and it’s inherently genuine. People trust his personal brand and are willing to back his business suggestions.

Where to start and why?!

OK, the thing to remember with a personal branding project – you are working on positioning yourself as an expert in your chosen field. It’s true, however, that this isn’t for everyone. If you don’t wish to be seen as a leader, jump ahead and build your business brand, or you could build both at the same time.

Take into account that your business is a huge slice of you after all. It’s going to be your spirit, character and desire that drive the business forward and all of those sleepless nights that make it a huge success. With that being said, it’s easy to see where and how the two forms of branding overlap. This overlap is the reason we suggest understanding what it is that you want to achieve in your chosen business and how you are going to reach those goals.

The understanding you gain will be the fuel for deciding where to start on your branding journey and will also provide some logical thinking when it comes to building your brand guidelines document.

What steps should you take?

You need to understand what type of business you are looking to build and how you want to build it. At Create8, we specialise in all kinds of branding projects – having a reputable branding agency by your side will significantly bolster your chances of success.

Look at your competitors within your chosen sector and find out if their owners and thought leaders have a personal brand. This will help you gauge the value of developing your own within your industry.

The other main thing we would stress is to enjoy your branding and make sure it’s authentic to you. There’s nothing more short-sighted than building a brand that doesn’t represent what you stand for. ‘Why?’ We hear you ask! Well, because it will quickly start to unravel, one wrong comment or post and all of that work can go down the drain quicker than itsy-bitsy himself, so tread carefully.

People pleasers can become people annoyers very quickly.

As you’ve probably noticed from our not so subtle hints, branding is something we take very seriously and, of course, something we are ready to help you with! At Create8, we can walk alongside you and your business from those very first baby steps.

We help clients develop their brand packages so that they fully understand how long term growth will affect their brand. We also help plan and develop a tone of voice so that your business or personal brand can resonate with the people it’s trying to entice and create relationships with your potential clients.

Building brilliant brands is what we do, as too is alliteration, it seems! If you would like to learn more about Create8 and how we can help you evolve from a Charmander to a Charizard, simply follow the link below, visit our site and arrange a chat with us today. We can’t wait to hear from you.

Take a look at some more of our blogs for helpful tips, tricks and advice:

• Branding Tips for a Family Business
• Brand Touchpoints
• What Are Brand Values?

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