Personal branding
Your uniqueness as a brand
In today's digital era, where personal and professional identity are closely intertwined, the concept of personal branding is becoming increasingly important. We show you why this is the case and how you can create your own strong personal brand.
What exactly is a brand?
Before we turn to personal branding, it is important to understand what a brand actually is. A brand is more than just a logo, a product or a company.
A brand is the promise it makes to its customers.
It is the way in which customers perceive a product, a service or a company. A brand consists of the values, culture, mission and personality that it represents. Brands create trust and identification with their target groups. But above all, brands only exist through personal relationships with their customers.
If a brand has no customers, it does not exist.
Apple is an outstanding example of a successful retail brand. The Apple brand stands for innovation, design and user-friendliness. Apple's products, such as the iPhone, iPad and Macbook, have revolutionised the way we communicate and work. The personal brand of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was closely linked to the brand. His vision and demand for perfection have helped to elevate the Apple brand to the cult status it enjoys today.
What is personal branding?
Personal branding is basically the application of this concept to yourself. It is the process by which you build and maintain your own brand as an individual. Similar to a retail or corporate brand, personal branding is about how others perceive you and the promises you make about your skills, values and personality.
Effective personal branding can impact various aspects of your life, be it in your professional environment, on social media or in your personal life.
It allows you to stand out from others.
Authentic personal branding emphasises your strengths and skills and allows you to take control of your own presentation.
6 steps to your personal brand:
- Who am I? The first step in developing your personal brand is an honest self-analysis. You should think about who you are, what makes you unique and what your values and beliefs are. Ask yourself what you want to achieve in the world and what goals you are pursuing.
- Who wants me? To create your personal brand effectively, you need to understand who your target audience is. Which people do you want to reach? What are their needs and expectations? By answering these questions, you can tailor your message and your presence to your target group.
- What makes me unique? Think about how you can set yourself apart from others. Emphasise your unique qualities, skills and experience. Your positioning should be authentic and reflect your true personality.
- Where will people see me? In today's digital world, a strong online presence is crucial. Design your social media profiles and website to support your personal brand. Regularly publish relevant content that emphasises your expertise.
- How do I speak? Your communication should be consistent. Use coherent language and visual elements to reinforce your message. Be active in networks where your target audience is active and build relationships.
- What do people say about me? Be open to feedback from others. Use the feedback to continuously improve and adapt your personal brand.
Personal branding is not a one-off process, but a continuous development. Your personal brand can change over time as you gain new experiences and evolve. It's about being authentic, celebrating your uniqueness and making a positive impression on others. If you develop your personal brand effectively, you can succeed in today's competitive world and achieve your goals.
Here are some examples that illustrate the concepts in the previous points:
Photo: Kushal Das | Wikimedia Commons
Greta Thunberg
Greta Thunberg has created a globally recognised personal brand through her direct, clear communication and uncompromising stance on the climate crisis.
Strategies and core aspects of her branding:
- Authenticity: Greta consistently presents herself as a private person, without a PR façade. Her emotional speeches, such as "How dare you?" at the UN Climate Summit, have generated a strong response.
- Symbolic power: Her appearance - often with braided pigtails and in simple clothing - emphasises her message: focus on the essentials and avoid superficiality.
- Active presence on social media: Her tweets, often concise and direct, mobilise millions of people and make Greta the voice of a generation.
- Clear values: She emphasises topics such as climate justice, responsibility and honesty. She avoids compromises and remains true to her mission.
- Global movements: Greta has inspired an international protest movement through her "Fridays for Future" school strike. This is inextricably linked to her name and her brand.
Success: Thunberg has been named one of the most influential personalities in the world and has shown how a consistent, values-driven brand can also be decisive in politics and activism.
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger has developed an impressive personal branding over several phases of his career that reflects his versatility and drive.
Strategies and key aspects of his branding:
- From bodybuilding icon to legend: Arnold positioned himself early on as an ambitious competitor. He won the title of "Mr Olympia" several times and became a symbol of discipline and success. His book The Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding strengthened his image as an expert.
- Hollywood star: Arnold built his reputation in Hollywood as an action hero with iconic films such as Terminator and Predator. His trademark became his unmistakable accent and quotes such as "I'll be back". These catchphrases made him a global cult figure.
- Political career: As Governor of California (2003-2011), Schwarzenegger used his popularity to bring about political change. His branding as "Governator" combined Hollywood glamour with political commitment.
- Commitment as an environmental activist: After his political career, Arnold shifted his focus to climate protection. He used his platform to promote the switch to renewable energies and launched initiatives such as the R20 climate protection organisation.
- Motivator and entrepreneur: Arnold is still a sought-after speaker today, addressing topics such as success, discipline and change. He uses social media to share fitness tips, inspirational messages and insights into his life.
Schwarzenegger remains a prime example of how a brand can be continuously developed without losing its core values of discipline, courage and commitment. His versatility has made him a global icon.
Photo: Gage Skidmore | Wikimedia Commons
Our expertise for your successful personal brand
If you dream of building your own personal brand and positioning yourself in the digital world, we offer a customised service that covers all aspects of branding. Our holistic approach will help you develop a memorable and authentic personal brand.
Brand Identity
Your unique message
We start with an in-depth consultation to understand your goals, values and vision. Based on this, we develop your brand identity, which is the centrepiece of your personal brand. Together we develop a clear message and a strategy to emphasise your uniqueness.
Brand Design
Visual appeal
Our experienced graphic designers will create a visual identity for your personal brand. This includes creating a custom logo, colour scheme and visual elements that reflect your personality and message. Your brand identity will be anchored not only in words, but also in appealing design.
Creatives
Your appearance in words and images
We produce high-quality marketing material that brings your personal brand to life. From professional photo shoots to engaging videos that tell your story, we'll make sure your presence in the digital world impresses. This visual material will be targeted to your audience and shared across various platforms.
Online presence
Your digital business card
A strong online presence is essential. We support you in optimising your social media profiles, creating an appealing website and regularly publishing relevant content. Through targeted online marketing, we ensure that your personal brand achieves the desired reach.
Support
Maintaining your personal brand
Your personal brand is not a one-off, but an ongoing process. We offer you ongoing advice and support to ensure that your brand identity stays current and evolves with you. We also help you respond to feedback and react to changes in your life.
About us
We make your great ideas and passionate visions visible, tangible, and accessible.
frameless Media is a design agency for brand experiences based in Vienna. The company was founded in 2007 with the aim of helping companies and brands build strong, authentic connections with their customers. We create external appearances and create visibility that make companies, products and brands more relevant, credible and exciting.
We support our clients in their external presence with creativity and expertise on today's most important channels and technology platforms. We help brands succeed in a digital world. Our strategic approach draws on over 20 years of experience in graphic design, film, photography and interactive design. We combine proven communication methods with a mastery of modern digital product development.
For almost two decades, we have built a solid reputation by helping large and small brands and companies such as Bankenverband, Donor Holding, Einlagensicherung Austria, Eralytics, Honeywell, Ingram Micro, Medihemp, Siemens, Trench Austria, Umweltbundesamt, ZF Trading to develop their products and brands.
Our passion is to create lasting experiences.
Celebrate your uniqueness!
With our comprehensive offer to develop your personal brand, you not only get a professional team at your side, but also the certainty that your brand will hold its own in the digital world.
Let's take your personal brand to the next level together. Contact us today to find out more about our services and take the first step towards a successful personal brand.