How to Create a Contemporary Personal Brand

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by Jacob Solomon May 29, 2023 News
How to Create a Contemporary Personal Brand
Emma Cortes Ellendt

I wanted to talk to women of color and show them how they can share their fashion with the rest of the world. "As a Filipino American, I knew I could be the representation I wanted to see when I grew up."

All Ellendt photos by Holly Phan Photography

Personal branding uses a story to shape the impression that a person or business gives to the world. The river of information runs through communication channels and results in how a brand makes others feel.

A brand can be built with consistency and intent. It can deepen connections with clients and customers. The process is more about telling a story than looking at something. We spoke with people about how to start.

This is the first thing. Determine who you want to reach.

It is normal to think about what you want to be known for, but successful personal brands focus more on their ideal customers than themselves.

Emma Cortes Ellendt is the best at this. She applies her business education to her brand.

I wanted to talk to women of color and show them how they can share their fashion with the rest of the world. Ellendt said she knew she could be the representation she wanted to see as a child.

Factors such as location, age, interests, and pain points are considered by Ellendt. Do you have a good idea of who you are? You have a compass for branding.

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There are two Clarifying your values is important.

The group of values you embody help establish credibility, set you apart, and give your brand purpose.

There is a background in apparel design and fashion merchandising that can be seen in the background of the post.

The core of Foucht's brand is community. She looked at the experience she had with other brands to define these values.

She said that if she reached out to ask a question she was met with silence or no responses. I wanted to be what I saw.

She paved a way for dialogue and offline relationships. She has traveled to New York City and met her wedding planners in the virtual space. She has over 60,000 followers on her social media accounts.

There are three. A mission statement can be created.

You can create a guiding vision for your brand by knowing your audience and values.

When it gets hard, you can identify the purpose for why you are doing it. Ellendt said that if he got to help one person, he would know he was on the right path.

Your mission needs to be clear and concise. Don't forget to repeat it on your websites and social media accounts.

Ellendt's mission is "to inspire others to create their own experiences in style, one adventure at a time."

McKenna Foucht

It felt ungenuine to me if I reached out to ask a question and was met with silence or no response. "I wanted to be what I wanted to see, so I tried to be what I wanted to look like."

All Foucht photography by Gabrielle Ann Photography

There are four. Don't ignore the part of social media that's social.

It's the perfect place to promote your brand since the sky's the limit on social media. It is a mistake to think that platforms such as Facebook and TikTok are two-way streets.

Ellendt said that what you really want is community. There wouldn't be an Emma's Edition with no community. Ellendt said the first thing to do is reach out to other business owners.

She learned about podcasts as a way to build community. The Creative Edition Podcast has been around for three years.

Some social media practices are easy to understand.

A lot of people who post and get comments never reply. I don't think I can expect people to engage with me if I'm not giving them the same back and forth.

There are five. Befriending is vulnerable.

Some people don't like the idea of talking on camera or listening to their own voice. This is where the opportunities are. A new leaf is turned by vulnerability.

People need to be vulnerable and honest in their content. I try to be the same person as people can relate to.

Ellendt says to show up once a week if you're struggling to speak on social media. Increase it to three times once you have done that. It is similar to building any other habit.

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There are six. Aim to provide value with post.

What are you saving or sharing with other people? They're likely to teach, inspire, or entertain.

She wants to inspire as a 5-foot tall fashion icon. She shows how to style clothing for Petite women in a world where most clothing is made for tall people.

I have never followed the rule of 'This style doesn't look good on your body type' or 'These colors don't go together'. I had a vision of, "If it makes you feel good, wear it"

Before you hit the share button, make sure your posts serve your audience.

Emotions can be used to filter content ideas. Ellendt wants others to feel excited after scrolling her feed.

She could wear bright, bold-colored outfits, share a beautiful photo spot in the city, or find new ways to lean into her mission statement.

There are seven. Don't be afraid to be authentic.

What makes you unique is what makes you unforgettable. If you try to blend in too much on social media, you will fail.

Natural light over filters, keeping an honest and fun tone, and not being overlycurated are some of the things that Foucht has in mind. The organic feel of her content has been noticed by brands.

She said she wasn't putting forward an image that wasn't consistent with who she was outside of social media. I'm not afraid to turn down partnerships that don't serve my brand.

Being aware of and intentional towards your personal brand can help you shape how the world sees you, and it could open a world of opportunity.

No step is more important than beginning. It is not necessary for you to have a big plan in order to begin. Start it and see what happens.