How to create a personal brand that's authentic to you

Of all the reality stars that walk this earth, few are more iconic than Kris Jenner.

The matriarch of the Kardashian Jenner Clan built an empire out of scandals and sex tapes.

And whether you like her or not, Kris Jenner knows how to turn a personal brand into a money-making machine.

Where most would have crumbled, Kris thrived, making her into the most powerful ‘momager’ the world has ever seen. She’s the face of clothing lines, a billion-dollar makeup company, and 14 successful shows.

She literally wrote a MasterClass course called 'The Power of Personal Branding.' Broken into 12 video lessons, the course reveals the insights Kim has gained from her various successful 'branding ventures' – namely, Skims, Kylie Cosmetics, and Safely.

The course promises Kris’ advice on how to shape an 'authentic personal brand,' amplify that brand with social media, and forge a unique brand identity.

And, because I don’t believe in girl bosses gatekeeping, I’ve broken her tips down for you...

1. Consider the look. 

Your brand’s aesthetic is responsible for how people receive you. It dictates their first impression. That’s why Kris recommends considering your aesthetics sooner rather than later.

'When you start developing your brand, one of the first things you think about is your logo,' says Kris. 'The colours you’re going to use, and what it’s going to feel like, and what is gonna be your palette.'

Your goal is to start communicating with people before you’ve even said a word. So make a list of your favourite colours or visual artists you love. Better yet, create a vision board or mood board that can serve as a visual repository of your ideas.

2. Develop your voice.

When developing a consistent brand, it’s not just about what you say. It's about how you say it. And both are equally important. Think about how you naturally communicate.

What's your innate style? Are you an absolutely hilarious firecracker? Or a little shy and modest?

If you’re unsure of your communication style, think about public speakers or podcast hosts you admire. Try to emulate the qualities you like in them until you hone your own unique style.

'It’s all about communication,' Kris says. 'You have something that you want to share, and you want to be able to communicate that to other people, so they become interested in it.'

3. Envision your community.

If your personal brand resonates with people, it will foster a collective of like-minded individuals – a community. This is crucial to your brand's success.

Think about what influencers, media outlets, or brands you want to associate with or work alongside and how they align with your brand.

'It’s all about your character and the way that you interact with people, and creating your own community,' Kris explains. 'That’s kind of the mission statement.'

4. Establish your core values.

Your personal brand should be an extension of who you are, and what you prioritise in your life. 'The core values that you learned along the way when you were growing up are what really matter,' Kris says. 'What's the legacy you want to leave behind?'

When trying to pin down your values, think about your personal experience, passions, the contributions you want to make to the world, and the areas in which you are especially knowledgeable.

5. Find the white space.

WTF is white space?? It’s a gap in the market.

So look for an area within your industry in which the competition is relatively light. This could also be an opportunity to create a new market altogether. This is your white space. 

Finding that gap is usually one of the most difficult steps in the personal brand journey, but it’s also one of the most rewarding.

Kris puts it this way: 'It's really exciting and supportive to be attracted to someone who’s already doing [something], but it's even more exciting to be able to discover something that hasn't been done yet.'

6. Tell your story. 

Kris urges those of us looking to build a successful personal brand to first dedicate time to self-discovery. 'If you want to create a brand,' she says. 'You have to look inside yourself and spend some time thinking about what really makes you happy.

The first step is to figure out who you are, what your story is, and what you want to be known for. How do you want the world to see you?' Very profound Kris.

In all honesty, personal branding is not a new concept, and it certainly wasn’t conjured up by Kris.

The one thing she seems to gloss over is the fact that consistency and authenticity are everything.

She also glosses over the fact that it’s relatively easier to grow your brand with a great deal of access to capital and pre-existing social clout, but we won’t go there.

While her tips are helpful, I found there is still a huge gap between me, my brand, and the kind of money-making influence Kris is talking about in her classes.

However, implementing these tips as you build your personal brand can only strengthen its growth.

-Sophie, Writer