Crafting Your Personal Brand: The Inspiring Chris Do Story

Unlock Your Business's True Potential by Becoming a KeyPerson of Influence

In today's competitive business landscape, a powerful personal brand is not just a luxury—it's the difference between thriving and merely surviving. A staggering 92% of consumers trust individuals over brands, highlighting the importance of cultivating a strong personal brand.

As a member of The Futur Pro Group and someone who has worked with Chris Do, I can attest to the transformative power of a well-crafted personal brand. For the past year, Chris, an Emmy award-winning designer, educator, and founder of The Futur, has been my mentor and a guiding light in my journey to build a personal brand that resonates with my audience.I will share my experience and insights from Chris Do's mentorship and explore the fundamental principles from Daniel Priestley's book "Key Person ofInfluence." By following these principles, you, too, can become a key person of influence in your industry and unlock your business's true potential.

Discover Your Niche

As Priestley's book highlights, the first step in building your personal brand is identifying your niche. Chris Do's niche is design and education. His deep knowledge and passion for both fields allowed him to createThe Futur, an online education platform that teaches creatives how to grow their businesses.

"Find a niche where you can be the best... Your niche should be narrow enough that you can excel, yet broad enough that you can make a meaningful impact." - Marty Neumeier, branding expert and author of "The Brand Gap."

Reflect on your passions, skills, and the problems you want to solve to identify your unique niche. This will help you craft a distinctive brand that sets you apart from the competition.

Define Your Brand's Unique Value Proposition (UVP)

Once you've found your niche, it's time to define your brand's UVP. Your UVP communicates the unique benefit you bring to your target audience. Priestley emphasizes the importance of having a strong UVP as part of his five-step method for becoming a key person of influence.

‍Ask yourself: What makes me different from others in my field?

Chris's UVP lies in his ability to combine design and business expertise. He teaches creatives how to improve their design skills and grow their businesses, which sets him apart from other design educators.

Tell a Compelling Story

Your personal brand should tell a story that connects with your target audience on an emotional level. Chris Do's story is one of resilience and determination. As an immigrant, he faced numerous challenges but overcame them through hard work and dedication, ultimately achieving success. 

"Great personal brands are built on great stories. Your story should be authentic and inspire people to believe in your brand." - Donald Miller, author of "Building a StoryBrand."

Consider your personal journey, the challenges you've overcome, and the lessons you've learned. Sharing your story creates an emotional bond with your audience, making them more likely to trust and invest in your brand.

Be Consistent Across Platforms

Consistency is crucial in building a strong personal brand.Your visual identity, messaging, and tone should be cohesive across all platforms, from your website to social media profiles.

Consistency in branding helps build trust and credibility with your audience. Maintaining consistency across all touchpoints is essential to ensure your audience understands who you are and what you stand for.

Chris Do's personal brand is a prime example of consistency.His visual identity, messaging, and tone remain cohesive across his website, YouTube channel, and social media profiles, reinforcing his brand's UVP and story. You can definitely see his love of Helvetica :)

Engage with Your Audience

To create a strong connection with your audience, it's essential to engage with them regularly. Respond to comments, ask for feedback, and share valuable content that addresses their needs and interests. By engaging with your audience, you show them that you genuinely care about their needs and are committed to helping them succeed.

Chris Do actively engages with his audience through hisYouTube channel, social media profiles, and The Futur platform. He regularly shares valuable content and insights, responds to comments, and hosts liveQ&A sessions to address his audience's concerns.

Productize Your Knowledge

A fundamental principle from Daniel Priestley's book is the concept of productizing your knowledge. Creating products such as online courses, books, or workshops allows you to share your expertise and further strengthen your personal brand.

Chris Do has successfully productized his knowledge through The Futur, offering online courses, workshops, and resources that cater to the needs of his target audience. By doing so, he has solidified his position as an expert in the design and business fields and created multiple revenue streams for his brand.

Raise Your Profile

In addition to platform consistency and audience engagement, there are several other ways to raise your profile and become a key person of influence in your industry. Consider attending industry events, guest blogging, or participating in interviews and podcasts to expand your reach and build credibility.

Chris Do has raised his profile through collaborations with numerous industry leaders, from design experts to marketing gurus. These collaborations have allowed him to expand his audience, grow his brand, and create valuable content for his followers.

Continuously Learn and Evolve

Your personal brand is a reflection of your expertise and knowledge. Staying up-to-date with industry trends and continuously developing your skills is essential to maintain and grow your brand. 

"Your brand is never static; it's always evolving. As you learn and grow, so should your personal brand." - Seth Godin, marketing expert and author of This Is Marketing.

Chris Do is a lifelong learner, constantly improving his design and business skills. He ensures his brand remains relevant and valuable to his audience by staying ahead of the curve.

In conclusion, building a personal brand as an entrepreneur or business owner can be a game-changer for your business. By following Chris Do's example and implementing the tips and strategies we've outlined, including principles from Daniel Priestley's "Key Person of Influence," you'll be well on your way to creating a personal brand that resonates with your target audience and propels your business to new heights.

Remember, a strong personal brand is built on a unique niche, a compelling UVP, an authentic story, platform consistency, audience engagement, productizing your knowledge, raising your profile, and continuous learning. As you embark on your branding journey, remember these principles, and watch your brand soar to success.