Most people are unable to figure out the core differences between a personal brand vs. business brand. Yes, your personal brand and business brand might carry a lot of similarities, but they have to be approached differently. Remember, when you engage with the public, your brand can be a valuable tool to get your point across. But you have to treat your personal and business brands as different identities.
Once you understand how the two differ, you will be able to ensure that your public identity is in line with your career goals.
Personal Brand Vs. Business Brand: Introduction, Differences, And More
Before we talk about the differences between personal brand and business brand, it’s vital to establish what exactly the two terms entail.
To put it in simple words, a personal brand is a reflection of you as a person. It comes in handy if you want to establish yourself as an authority figure in your particular niche. It’s your personal branding that enables your audience to connect to you. You can use your personal brand to build an emotional connection with potential customers.
Usually, a personal brand comprises the name of the person along with their skills, passions, and values. With your personal brand, you can tell your potential customers clearly what you have to offer and reach out to them on a deeper and emotional level.
So what’s a business brand, and how is it different? Basically, the business brand is a representation of a company or organization. It’s not about the people who found it or the ones who work there but about the business itself.
The business brand tells consumers what the organization has to offer. For instance, if there’s a company that sells quality bags, its business brand will emphasize its exclusivity, customer service, quality, and more. The purpose of the business brand is to create a positive image of the organization so that the consumers would want to support it.
So now you must be clear about how the two terms define. But the question remains. How to determine the main differences between personal brand vs. business brand? Let’s shed some light on this.
Personality
The first thing to consider when contrasting personal brand vs business brand is that your personal brand is a reflection of your personality. It’s based on you as a person showcasing your values and passions. People can relate to your personal brand because they identify with you as a human being.
But a business brand is different. It’s a representation of an organization. So you will have a hard time conveying its personality. You will, of course, want to evoke emotions in the audience via your business brand, but it’s not going to be easy because the brand itself does not have any emotions or personality. So people cannot relate to it on a deeper level.
Flexibility
One of the most significant differences between the two terms lies in flexibility. As you evolve as a person, it’s easier to change your personal brand. But you don’t really get the same freedom with a business brand as easily.
With time, your interest and priorities can change, and you might make a shift in your career too. And this will reflect in your personal brand. And people who deal with you won’t mind this change because everyone knows that no one really remains the same forever.
But when it comes to changing business brands, consumers might not be as understanding. Customers look for consistency when it comes to businesses. So when you modify your business brand, there’s a high chance that your brand recognition will be affected. Consumers will have a hard time relating to your brand now as they won’t feel that emotional connection. You might have to start from scratch!
Personal Brand vs Business Brand Development
When you are representing yourself on a public platform, you can use your personal brand easily. This is because you will not have any confusion about the personality and values you stand for. You know exactly the kind of person you are and how you want to be viewed by people. This clarity will make it easier for you to strengthen your personal brand.
However, if you want to solidify your business brand, you need to look at it from your customer’s perspective. It’s not only about what your business offers but also has to focus on what your target market is looking for. You need to ensure that your message is accepted by your target audience, so you will have to speak in a manner that they find relatable. For this, you must conduct detailed research on your industry, its market, and your competitors too.
The Changing Of Hands
Your business brand does not really have to be affected if you decide to sell your company. Because the brand was about the organization and not about the owners. So even if you sell your business, the new owner wouldn’t have a hard time taking control and pushing the brand in the right direction.
But this is not an option when it comes to your personal brand. Keep in mind that your personal brand is a representation of you, so you cannot sell it. Hence, you cannot have someone else take charge of your personal branding.
Personal Brand Vs. Business Brand: What Should Be Your Focus?
This is something you have to decide. What should you be focusing on at the start of your career? Should you build your personal brand, or is it your business branding that should be your priority?
Typically, it’s advisable to focus on your personal brand initially. Because this will help you define who you are as a person and your purpose in life. You will be clear about your mission, values, and vision. And you can use it to further your business too.
Remember, your business has no personality. It’s up to you to decide how you want to present it. So your personal brand will give you something to work on. But keep in mind that a lot of courage and persistence goes into building a personal brand. You will need to go all out. So make sure that you know exactly what you are signing up for.
If you aren’t comfortable with the idea of putting your personality at the forefront, it’s better to build your business brand.
