You have a personal brand whether you’re aware of it or not. My personal brand, according to my husband, involves the words caring, loyal, and nurturing. That’s what defines me and drives my values and feeds my personality. Speaking of personality, that’s part of your personal brand as well. As a solopreneur, mompreneur, entrepreneur, whatever you identify as your personal and business brand are typically tightly woven together.

Personal Brand vs. Business Brand

How should my personal and business brand be different?

draw a line between your personal life and business.

If your husband isn’t as supportive as you would like him to be or your sister really lets you down over the weekend when she canceled your coffee date don’t post that to social media. There is a thin line between appearing transparent and appearing unprofessional. You need to process a situation before you make a post about it. However, your readers or clients want to connect with you. Someone who appears perfect all the time is booorr-ing. Post that picture of your hair looking a mess, tweet about burning dinner, but keep in mind what your ideal client will connect with. A characteristic of my ideal client is a busy, hardworking women that have a family and kids she is providing for, so I knew my ideal client would appreciate this picture on Instagram. It’s me showing I’m not perfect. My ideal client can totally relate.

bad habits and poor personality traits

I am not always on time in my personal life. If I’m going to a friends baby shower or attending a family function, I may arrive ten minutes late. However, if it’s business related like going to a client consultation or meeting with a potential company, I may be collaborating with then I am always, always on time. I will leave thirty minutes earlier than needed and sit in my car and wait if need be. Being late to work functions is a direct reflection of how I operate my business.

How should my personal branding and business branding be the same?

tone and personality

To seem authentic, you need to be authentic (and you thought it was going to be rocket science). If you’re energetic and bubbly to your friends and family, then you need to be that way with your potential customers or clients. You will attract your ideal client when you act like yourself. Your personal brand and business brand should naturally overlap if you are true to your fundamental values.

[Tweet “To seem authentic, you need to be authentic.” – @carrylovedesign”]

highlight your personal strengths in your business brand

Allow me to brag on myself for one moment as an example-I know I am phenomenal at connecting with people and making sure they feel cared for. I poured that trait into my business and made it one of my core values my business operates on and what sets it apart from others. I create and build strong brands with love and care. I care for my business, my clients, and my client’s businesses. I love helping people, I love storytelling through branding, and I love meeting and getting to know new clients. I took my personal strength and made it my business strength. Take whatever personal strength you have and capitalize on that trait in your business.

Should I use brand my personal name or create a company name?

There are pros and cons to each route. You have to take into account a lot of different factors such as what you are pursuing. If you plan on speaking publicly or becoming an author, then you should go the route of branding your personal name, so people recognize your name in event programs or book covers. If you plan on growing your business to become a corporation and eventually will be hiring a flight of people, then a company name will be more suitable because it could get confusing down the road.

Need more help figuring out which is best for you and your business? Take the quiz to see if you should use your personal name or create a business name.