How to Build your Personal Brand as an Athlete and Why it's Important: The Complete Guide

Whether you have been intentionally creating it or not, you already have a personal brand - and the concept of a personal brand is much broader than you may have been taught in your high school marketing class. This blog will cover all things personal branding as an athlete:

• What is a Personal Brand?
• Reasons You Might Not Want to Grow your Personal Brand
• Tips on building your personal brand as an athlete
• How To Decide What Platforms to Grow Your Personal Brand On
• Should You Hire a Branding Agency to Help You?
• How your personal brand can help with brand partnerships and sponsorship deals as an Athlete
• Where To Start If You’re New to Building a Personal Brand
• Conclusion

What is a Personal Brand?

Your personal brand is more than just your online presence or how you appear on your social media channels. Although it can be heavily influenced by your online presence, it's crucial to remember how you interact with people in your day-to-day life is all a part of building your brand as well. Whether it be meeting friends' parents, co-workers, or your boss's husband at dinner, you never know who you may work with in the future.

It can be helpful to think of your personal brand as how people will perceive you based on what people can see from your online presence before they've met you, how people describe you that do know you, but it is also how will they remember you once they have met you.

For example, think about when you are introducing a teammate to a potential sponsor, how do you describe them? What values come to mind when their name comes up? These are all encompassed in building a personal brand.

Reasons You Might Not Want to Grow your Personal Brand

The first and most important question to ask that might surprise you is - do you actually want to build a personal brand? Like everything, there are pros and cons to how we chose to live our lives and this is true when discussing building a personal brand. This blog will help you decide if investing in your personal brand is something you want to do, and help you understand the ins and outs of building a personal brand as an athlete, that be something you want to do.

Although these words get thrown around often, especially toward athletes due to the increased branding and sponsorship opportunities, it is not something you have to do. The reason it is a popular conversation, however, is because you often already have a great starting platform to build off, if you choose to.

It is also important to note that there is no “one size fits all” approach when building a personal brand. You don't have to start a podcast or become a YouTuber. You should do it in your own, authentic way that feels natural to you.

Important Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start Growing Your Personal Brand as an Athlete

What are some things you fear of when building your personal brand? Speaking on your stories, being a thought leader in your industry, speaking out on controversial topics, putting time into planning content, having responsibilities to fulfil if you have sponsorship deals, putting yourself out there, and fearing judgement. These are all things you need to work through to help you decide if you want to build a brand.

- Would having a strong online brand get me closer to achieving my goals?

- Would having a strong personal brand get me more opportunities that I am looking for?

- Now that you know you want to build your personal brand, here are some tips.

- What is your goal?

- What are your values?

- Who is your target audience?

- How can you reach your audience?

- What do you have to offer?

- What content do you genuinely enjoy sharing and talking about? This could be from global politics to ceramic pottery, whatever floats your boat! Nothing is off limits.

Tips on building your personal brand as an athlete:

1. Being authentic should be your number one priority
2. Be confident in who you are and what your goals are.
3. Think about the message you want to send out, what do you want people to know about you?
4. Be consistent in your actions, words and visuals across all media channels (social media, website, email signature).
5. Develop a strong online presence by posting regularly on social media and sharing content that is relevant to your audience
6. Focus on adding value to those who already follow you, not by focusing on trying to get new followers.

How To Decide What Platforms to Grow Your Personal Brand On

Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, Podcast, Blogging… It's a lot, that's why we're here to help.

The good part, you get to choose what platforms you want to target based on what appeals to you. Here are some things to think about when looking at each different type of platform.

Building a personal brand on Instagram

Pros:

• Arguably the most commonly used app and likely possible you already have a following on there.
• It is easy to find other accounts and communities through Instagram, a variety of formats including photos, videos, reels, stories, and highlight reels to get your content out.
• There are highly valued accounts for many brands that market via Instagram, you can sell through Instagram, it is easy to post and not time-consuming

Cons:

• It's difficult to get organic reach as the only people that see your content are those who already follow you.
• They are shifting towards a video platform so static images aren't getting as much traction.
• Heavily saturated so it is becoming more difficult to gain followers quickly.
• There isn't a platform for long-form content like blogs or podcasts.

Building a personal brand on TikTok

Pros:

• Huge organic reach due to a new platform and the way their algorithm works, you can find your niche easily on TikTok and grow your following.
• Prioritizes organic content and storytelling that shouldn't take as long to capture and curate.
• A fun platform that is probably the most casual out of them all, suits people who like talking to the camera but you can also utilize voiceovers or text-over videos.

Cons:

• It can be intimidating for people who don't like video content, although there are ways around that - you don't have to speak on your stories to have a TikTok.
• The initial rush of TikTok is dying down, so although it's the easiest platform for quick, organic growth, it is becoming more saturated.
• There can be a lot of internet trolls if you end up on the wrong side of TikTok and the negative comments can be enough to put anyone off.

Building a personal brand on LinkedIn

Pros: If you're looking to go the more professional route, LinkedIn is where you want to be. The aim would be to make your own content, writing blogs or articles, as well as share others thought provoking content that resonates with you.

However, if you’re not there yet it is still a great idea to have an updated LinkedIn and to interact with other people’s content that talks about what you’re interested in. Employers will often look you up on LinkedIn to get a look into your background too. LinkedIn is a great place to find job opportunities and connect with like-minded people, with a lot of organic reach on a well-established platform. Not to mention the other services it offers like job searching and educational courses.

Cons: Your content or target audience may not be as present on LinkedIn. It's still a good idea to have a profile but maybe you would prefer to target your efforts elsewhere if you're not wanting to appeal to the “professional business” market. However, you can always make any platform you own, and I guarantee there will still be people on LinkedIn who will also have an interest in your niche.

Building a personal brand on YouTube

Pros:

• Great for building a deeper connection with your audience, especially if you are in your videos and creating lifestyle content which is great for athletes.
• You can be creative and make your channel whatever you want it to be, and it can be a fun new space to explore.
• You also have the opportunity of generating revenue through ads if you grow your following enough.

Cons:

• YouTube is one of the most time-consuming platforms because of the nature of the content. Filming, editing, sharing, and even just planning your content is a lot of effort if your heart isn't in it.

Building a personal brand on Twitter

Pros:

• There are a lot of people on Twitter and plenty of threads you can start or be a part of. It also allows for a much more informal approach and is a great place for witty/funny comments or thoughts and opinions on current topics.
• You are limited in the word count which can be a bonus as you won't have to spend as much time crafting content.
• It's also a great place to follow thought leaders in the sports or industries you are interested in and engage with their content.

Cons:

• The limited word count can make it difficult to go into depth on any topic, however you can create threads with a lot of smaller comments.
• The interactions aren't as personal and it's difficult to connect on a deeper level through this platform.

Building a personal brand on a Podcast

Pros:

• Podcast are very cheap (and can be made free). You can start them with minimal resources and cost and really build a genuine following.
• It's great for people that like to talk about any topic or share their thoughts and the wide range of podcasts means there is nothing off-limits.
• You also can't comment on podcasts so you don't have the fear of people sending negative/hate comments which can ease your mind when you release content.
• There is also a great opportunity to get paid through sponsorships on your podcast and turn it into a side hustle while you compete!
• It's also a great way to expand your network by interviewing guests and getting them to feature.

Cons:

• The organic reach can be difficult, so it helps to already have an established following.
• If you don't like speaking, it's probably not the best platform for you.
• It can also be difficult to keep coming up with new ideas for content, so it helps to plan a couple of months of ideas before you start!

Building a personal brand on a Blog

Pros:

• Blogs are great if you want to become a thought leader in your sport or industry if you like writing as a creative outlet, or if you want to grow a copywriting portfolio for future freelancing opportunities. Organic growth is difficult unless you have a strong SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) strategy.

Cons:

• It's more personal than a social media post as blogs are generally more in-depth, but not as much as YouTube or Podcasts, as they aren't getting the voice or face to face interaction.
• You would also need some level of ability to create and run a website, which is very easy to do with platforms like Squarespace and Wix.

Building a personal brand on Facebook

Pros:

• Almost every human on the planet has a Facebook account so you know your content can reach the right people.
• You can post a wide array of content including videos and even links to shops.
• Facebook is a great place if you want to build a community and create an event or group to connect people in one place. It's also still a good place to run paid ad campaigns if you are selling products.

Cons:

• Facebook had its time but the likes of Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have been dominating in recent years. It's just not the same as it used to be.

Should You Hire a Branding Agency to Help You?

No one expects you to be a branding expert, that's why marketing agencies for athletes exist. Branding agencies can be a great help if you have no idea where to start and you want someone to help flush out a strategy for you. It's also beneficial if you have a plan but not a lot of education around marketing or how to execute the ideas in your head. However, you certainly don't need a branding agency and it can be a good idea to do a bit of trial and error on your own before you invest money into something like a branding agency.

What should you look for in an agency?

Always look for credibility - look on their website at any testimonials, and reach out to other people they have worked with if you can. Do they have proven success? And do they have clients that are doing a similar thing that you want to do? For example, some agencies might focus on certain platforms or niches, so make sure they align with your values and goals!

A good marketing agency can help you develop a powerful and memorable personal brand that is recognisable to your target audience.

How Your Personal Brand Can Help with Brand Partnerships and Sponsorship Deals as an Athlete

The difference between brand partnerships and sponsorship deals is quite simple - sponsorships are often long-term deals working with a brand or partner over a long period of time, and brand partnerships are much shorter and could entail one post on Instagram or a one-month contract sharing their product.

You may be thinking, I don't have 100k + followers, how am I supposed to get brand deals? You don't need a massive following to get any sponsorships or brand deals, if you have a loyal and engaging following, that's the important part. And if you have a niche, it can make it a lot easier to get deals because the brand will nowknow that everyone who follows you is also aligned with the product they are wanting to promote. Someone who alwaysoften talks about mental health can partner with brands that have products that promote wellbeing, someone who talks about body image can partner with someone who has an inclusive activewear company, and someone who is passionate about fashion can partner with a jewelry line… you get the point.

The main thing is what you are "promoting" through your personal brand genuinely aligns with what you believe in. The general rule of thumb is if you wouldn't use it, wear it, or buy it - don't promote it. Your followers will be able to see through the inauthentic deals that are only for money

Don't forget, it doesn't just have to be a product. You could partner as an ambassador or do speaking events, or even collaborate and create your own line with the company- the options are endless!

How Your Personal Brand Can Impact Your Public Image

Athletes have always been seen as “role models” for the general public. The public expects them to be physically fit, successful and well-behaved. However, in recent years, athletes have been under scrutiny for their behaviour both on and off the field. Nowadays, it is very important for athletes to be aware of their image to maintain a positive reputation. With the rise of social media, the audience has become more demanding and is eager to see what goes on behind the scenes of a celebrity's life. As such, it is crucial that they build their personal brands by interacting with fans through social media platforms like Twitter or Instagram. This way they can control the content that is being shared.

It can be a dangerous game being public on social media, but as with everything it has its pros and cons. If you use it wisely and consciously, you should avoid running into major trouble. And if you do, admit your faults, a public apology and taking accountability never hurts.

What's the Best Way to Connect With An Audience On Social Media?

Social media is a powerful tool for connecting with an audience, but it can be difficult to know how to use it effectively.

There are many ways to connect with an audience on social media, but we need to be authentic and genuine for your messages to resonate with them. When we do this, we can build trust and establish relationships that will last.

Follow accounts in the industry you are looking at, e.g., mental health, sports psychology, rehab, digital marketing, and personal development. Comment and interact with them. Make it clear in your bio who you are and what you speak about and use hashtags in your bio and on your post so people can find them easier. And finally - create, create, create. You must be putting things into the world if you want someone to find you!

Conclusion and How-to Steps on Creating a Strong Personal Brand for Yourself as an Athlete

A personal brand is not just a way to market yourself. It is a way to live your life and create an identity for yourself. In today's world, it is important to build your personal brand because people are more likely to trust you. To build your personal brand, you need to think of yourself as a product. A product can only be sold to a consumer if it is packaged in a way that appeals to them. If you make sure your content is easily digestible and engaging, people will want to buy what you have to offer.

It is important for people to understand the value you bring them and what makes you different from others. Building a strong personal brand can lead to success in many aspects of life, including professional opportunities and career growth.

As an athlete, you have a platform, you already have people who are interested in what you're doing - use it. You never know what might come from investing in your personal brand.