Ever tried to fit a square peg into a round hole? It’s a bit like squeezing into your skinny jeans after a holiday binge. Sure, they might button up, but you’ll be hobbling around like a penguin—and that’s not a good look.
But that’s exactly what it feels like when you try to fit your personal brand into the corporate mold.
Here’s the deal: your personal brand is not a corporation. I repeat, not a corporation. Trying to box yourself into a corporate brand is like serving gourmet food on paper plates. It just doesn’t feel right. Why? Because personal brands thrive on authenticity, individuality, and a dash of human quirkiness—things that are often polished out of corporate branding.
Personal Branding vs. Corporate Branding: Why You Shouldn’t Treat Your Personal Brand as a Corporation
The Tale of the Corporate Clone
A few years ago I was working with a brilliant life coach named Sarah. She was dynamite. Her clients loved her. But her brand? It was the corporate equivalent of a beige wall. Sarah thought she had to sound like a Fortune 500 company to be taken seriously. Her website? Sterile. Her social media? All jargon, no jazz.
One day during our session, I asked, “Sarah, what makes you different?” She hesitated, then started talking about her obsession with improv comedy and how she used humor to help clients break through their mental blocks.
💡A light bulb moment: that was her UNIQUENESS.
We rebranded Sarah with her secret sauce. Her new tagline? “Serious Results, Served with a Side of Laughter.” Suddenly her brand wasn’t a faceless corporation. It was Sarah, in all her hilarious, quirky glory. And guess what? Her client roster exploded.
The Corporate Trap
Here’s where most people trip up. They see these mega-brands with their slick campaigns and think, “I need to be just like that to be taken seriously.” But corporations have teams of marketers, designers, and enough budget to buy a small island. You? You have you. And that’s your superpower.
A corporate brand is built on consistency and collective identity. It’s the same message, the same look, everywhere. Personal brands, on the other hand, are all about the person behind the brand—your voice, your story, your unique vibe. It’s about connection, not perfection.
The Perks of Being Personal
👉 Authenticity Sells
People can smell fake from a mile away. They want to know the real you, flaws and all. Being authentic builds trust and loyalty.
👉 Flexibility Is Your Friend
Corporate brands move like glaciers. You, as a personal brand, can pivot, adapt, and respond to your audience in real-time. Embrace it.
👉 Human Connection
Corporate brands aim for mass appeal. Personal brands? They thrive on deep, meaningful connections. It’s not about reaching everyone, it’s about reaching the right ones.
How to Keep It Personal
✅ Tell Your Story: Share your ups and downs, talk about what makes you tick.
✅ Use Your Voice: Don’t sanitize your language. If you’re sassy, be sassy. If you’re a bit of a nerd, let your geek flag fly. Your voice is your brand’s fingerprint.
✅ Engage: Interact with your audience like you would with friends. Be real, be approachable, be you.
Your personal brand is your chance to show the world who you are, not just what you do. It’s a reflection of your personality, your passions, and your values. So show ‘em your quirks, your stories, and your unique voice. Trust me, the right people will love you for it.
(In case you’re wondering, Sarah is booked solid with clients and laughing her way to the bank.)
P.S. Want to make sure you don’t look like another corporate clone? Need help packaging that colorful personality of yours into an authentic and original visual identity? You’re in luck: it’s what we do! You can choose from our 12 signature collections here or book a Color Consultation with me here so we can curate a color palette that perfectly captures your unique brand of awesome.
