What is branding strategy & how to develop your own

Let’s face it. The online world is crowded.

Every day, thousands of new creators jump into the space hoping to build a business. Most of them will fail.

Why? Because they don’t have a clear branding strategy.

I know because I’ve been there. When I first started my online journey back in 2013, I had no clue what I was doing. I was just another guy with a WordPress blog trying to figure things out.

But then I discovered the power of strategic branding. It completely transformed my online business.

Today, I want to share what I’ve learned so you can avoid my mistakes and build a brand that stands out from day one.

What is branding strategy?

A branding strategy is your deliberate, long-term plan to shape how people perceive your business and build a unique identity that connects with your ideal audience.

Simple definition: A roadmap that defines how you’ll develop, communicate, and maintain your brand to achieve specific business goals.

It’s NOT:

• Just a pretty logo
• Random social media posts
• Copying what others are doing

It IS:

• A clear roadmap for how you’ll present yourself
• The foundation of all your marketing
• What makes you instantly recognizable
• The total experience customers have with your business

Think of it as your business DNA. It defines everything you do and helps you make consistent decisions.

When I launched my first virtual summit in 2014, my branding was crystal clear. People knew exactly what I stood for. That clarity helped me generate $20,000 in profit from that first summit – and I quit my bank job that same month.

Why having a branding strategy is non-negotiable

Most creators skip this step. Big mistake.

Here’s why you absolutely need a branding strategy:

Stand out in a crowded market

There are over 50 million content creators today. Without a strong brand, you’re just white noise.

I’ve traveled to over 50 countries and built my business from places like Bali, Dubai, and Colombia. But location doesn’t matter if your brand message is weak.

Build trust faster

People buy from brands they trust. A clear brand builds that trust quickly.

When I launched my AI for Creators summit, I had zero authority in AI. But my branding was so clear that we went from zero to six figures incredibly fast.

Command premium prices

Generic creators get paid generic rates. Branded creators set their own price.

My students and clients who have the strongest brands consistently charge 2-3x more than their competition.

Create a business that feels authentic

The best part? When your brand reflects the real you, business feels energizing instead of draining.

I talk a lot about online business, self-improvement, and living a healthy lifestyle. These aren’t just topics – they’re part of my personal brand because they’re genuinely what I care about.

Attract your ideal audience automatically

A strong brand works like a magnet for the right people – and repels those who aren’t a good fit.

This means less time convincing people to work with you and more time serving those who already value what you offer.

Key components of a successful branding strategy

Let’s break down the essential elements of a powerful brand:

1. Brand purpose

This is your “why” – the reason you exist beyond making money.

My purpose has always been to help creators build sustainable businesses that give them freedom. This drives everything I do.

Exercise: Write down why you started your business in one sentence. Be honest – this isn’t marketing copy.

2. Target audience

You can’t be for everyone. The clearer you are about who you serve, the stronger your brand will be.

I focus specifically on creators, solopreneurs, and entrepreneurs who want to build authentic online businesses.

Exercise: Describe your ideal customer in detail. What are they struggling with? What do they dream about?

3. Brand positioning

This is how you differentiate yourself from competitors.

When I built Virtual Summit Mastery, I positioned myself as the world’s leading virtual summit expert. This clear positioning helped me stand out in a crowded market.

Exercise: Complete this sentence: “Unlike other [type of businesses], I [unique approach or value].”

4. Visual identity

These are the visual elements that make your brand recognizable:

• Logo
• Colors
• Typography
• Image style

Keep it simple, consistent, and memorable.

Exercise: Create a mood board with colors, fonts, and images that represent your brand personality.

5. Brand voice

How you communicate matters as much as what you say.

My brand voice is straightforward and no-nonsense. I keep sentences short. I use simple words. I write like I talk. This has become my signature style.

Exercise: List 3-5 words that describe how you want to sound in all your content.

6. Brand story

This is the narrative that connects with your audience on an emotional level.

My personal story includes dropping out of law school after my brother passed away in 2013, launching my blog, and building a million-dollar business while traveling the world.

Your story might be completely different – but it needs to be authentic.

Exercise: What pivotal moments in your journey shaped who you are today?

7. Brand experience

How people feel when they interact with you at every touchpoint.

This includes everything from your website and social media to how you respond to emails and deliver your products or services. Consistency is key.

Exercise: List all the ways people interact with your brand and how you want them to feel during each interaction.

3 Powerful Branding Approaches for Creators

3 powerful branding approaches for creators

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach to branding. Here are some effective strategies for creators:

After working with thousands of creators and building my own brand, I’ve identified three main approaches that work best for solopreneurs and creators:

1. Personal branding

This is when YOU are the brand. Your personality, expertise, and story take center stage.

This is my approach. Everything I create is tied to my name and face. When I dropped out of law school in 2013 to build my online business, I made myself the face of my brand.

The benefit? Complete flexibility to evolve your business over time. As your interests change, your brand can change with you.

Best for: Coaches, consultants, thought leaders, and creators who want flexibility to pivot.

2. Niche authority branding

Position yourself as the go-to expert in a specific niche.

I did this with virtual summits. By focusing intensely on one area, I became known as the world’s leading virtual summit expert. This clear positioning helped me build a multiple six-figure business.

The benefit? Faster recognition and easier marketing because people immediately understand what you offer.

Best for: Specialists who want to own a specific category or solve a particular problem.

3. Values-based branding

Build a brand around core values and beliefs that attract like-minded people.

Many successful creators focus less on themselves or a specific niche and more on uniting people around shared values and principles.

The benefit? You create a movement bigger than yourself or any specific product, building a loyal community that sticks with you.

Best for: Creators who want to build platforms, communities, or movements around shared interests and beliefs.

Remember: You don’t have to pick just one approach. My brand combines elements of all three – I’m the face of my brand (personal), known for specific expertise (authority), and I stand for certain values that attract my ideal audience.

How to create an effective branding strategy

Let’s get practical. Here’s exactly how to develop your branding strategy:

1. Self-discovery

You need to understand yourself before you can build a brand.

Action steps:

• List your top 3 personal values
• Identify what makes you unique
• Define what success means to YOU

When I started, I realized I valued freedom, impact, and authenticity above all else. This shaped every business decision.

2. Audience clarity

Get crystal clear on who you’re helping.

Action steps:

• Create a detailed ideal customer profile
• Join communities where your ideal customers hang out
• Talk to at least 5 potential customers

One of my biggest early mistakes was not having a clear direction. I experimented with different things, but I didn’t have a solid long-term strategy.

3. Competitor analysis

Study the landscape to find your unique angle.

Action steps:

• Identify your top 3 competitors
• List what they do well and what they miss
• Find the gap that only you can fill

When I launched my AI for Creators summit, I noticed a gap in the market. Everyone was talking about AI, but few were helping creators implement it practically.

4. Visual identity development

Create a visual system that represents your brand.

Action steps:

• Choose 2-3 primary brand colors
• Select no more than 2 fonts
• Create or commission a simple logo
• Define your image style

Keep it simple and consistent across all platforms.

5. Finding your brand Voice

Develop a consistent way of communicating.

Action steps:

• Write down 5-7 words that describe your communication style
• Create content guidelines (words to use/avoid)
• Practice writing in your voice daily

My brand voice is straightforward, conversational, and actionable. I avoid jargon and write like I’m talking to a friend.

6. Crafting your brand story

Develop a narrative that connects emotionally with your audience.

Action steps:

• Identify the pivotal moments in your journey
• Structure them into a beginning, middle, and transformation
• Focus on lessons learned and how they benefit your audience

Your story doesn’t need to be dramatic – it just needs to be authentic and relatable.

7. Creating your brand strategy Document

Bring everything together into one central place.

Action steps:

• Summarize your purpose, audience, positioning, visual identity, and voice
• Create a simple brand guidelines document
• Share it with trusted friends for feedback
• Use it as a filter for all business decisions

Here’s what to include in your brand strategy document:

1. Brand purpose (Why your business exists)
2. Target audience description (Who you serve)
3. Brand positioning statement (How you’re different)
4. Brand personality traits (3-5 adjectives)
5. Visual identity basics (colors, fonts, logo usage)
6. Voice and tone guidelines (How you communicate)
7. Core brand story elements

I review my branding strategy at least once a year to make sure it still aligns with my goals.

Your 7-week branding strategy action Plan

Knowledge without action is useless. Here’s how to implement your branding strategy:

Week 1: Core foundation

• Day 1-3: Complete the self-discovery exercises
• Day 4-7: Define your ideal customer avatar with extreme detail

Week 2: Market research

• Research 3-5 competitors to identify gaps
• Talk to at least 3 ideal customers to understand their needs
• Draft your unique positioning statement

Week 3: Brand story development

• Outline your personal journey and key transformations
• Identify the most relevant parts for your audience
• Create your core brand narrative

Week 4: Visual identity

• Create your color palette and typography system
• Design or commission your logo
• Develop basic brand templates for social media

Week 5: Brand voice & content

• Define your communication style and tone
• Create content guidelines
• Practice writing in your brand voice

Week 6: Brand experience design

• Map out all customer touchpoints
• Create standards for customer interactions
• Design your core brand experience

Week 7: Implementation & testing

• Apply branding across all platforms
• Get feedback from trusted friends and colleagues
• Make refinements based on feedback

This timeline is flexible. The important part is taking consistent action. Even implementing just 20% of this plan will put you ahead of 80% of creators.

Case Study: My brand strategy evolution

Let me share how my branding strategy and personal brand evolved over the years:

The early days (2013-2014)

I started with a simple WordPress blog focusing on personal development and interviews. My branding was inconsistent and unclear.

The summit expert (2014-2022)

After my first successful virtual summit, I positioned myself as the virtual summit expert. This clear positioning helped me build a multi-million dollar business.

The creator evolution (2022-present)

As my interests expanded, I evolved my brand to focus more broadly on helping creators build authentic businesses. The foundation remained the same, but the focus broadened.

The lesson? Your brand can evolve as you grow. What matters is staying true to your core values.

FAQs about branding strategy

Here are some common questions and answers about what branding strategy and how you can create your own.

Get started developing your branding strategy today

Your brand is your most valuable business asset.

It’s not just about looking good. It’s about creating a clear, consistent experience that attracts the right people and turns them into loyal fans.

I’ve built my entire business on the foundation of strong branding. It’s allowed me to travel the world, work with amazing clients, and create products that truly impact people’s lives.

Now it’s your turn.

Take the first step today by defining your brand purpose and ideal audience. Everything else will flow from there.

Remember: We overestimate what we can do in one year but underestimate what we can achieve in five years. Your brand is a long-term asset. Build it with intention.

Ready to take action on creating your branding strategy?

Leave a comment below with your biggest branding question, and I’ll personally respond.