If you’ve ever opened Canva, stared at a blank square, and thought: ‘If I just find the right colour palette, everything will click’, this one’s for you.
The truth is, most people start their personal branding journey in the wrong place. They start by picking colours, fonts, or templates. When what they actually need to start with… is themselves.
Your brand isn’t the aesthetic, it’s the essence
Building a personal brand isn’t about creating a polished version of you. It’s about creating a true version of you that’s easy for others to recognise. It’s the energy behind your words, the emotion your visuals evoke, the feeling people get when they come across your content online.
If your personal brand feels flat or forgettable, it’s not because your logo isn’t good enough. It’s because you’ve skipped the emotional groundwork, the part that defines who you are, what you stand for, and why you do what you do.
When you start from aesthetics instead of essence, everything that follows will feel a bit off. Like wearing someone else’s shoes: they might look great, but they don’t quite fit.
Why copying trends backfires
Minimal beige. Moody neutrals. A wall of cursive quotes.
If you’ve ever looked at someone else’s feed and thought, ‘Maybe I should look more like that’, you’re not alone. It’s human. But the problem is: when you borrow someone else’s aesthetic, you also borrow their story, and it’s never going to sit right on you.
Your audience can feel when something isn’t genuine. The algorithm might not be able to tell, but humans absolutely can.
Trendy branding might get you a few likes or even a viral post. But aligned branding, the kind that’s rooted in who you are, builds loyalty, trust, and a long-term connection. Because viral posts are of no use if the people seeing your stuff are not connecting with who you are or what you offer.
Start with who you are, then make it visual
The most magnetic brands don’t start with visuals. They start with understanding their vibe.
Once you know your emotional core, the energy you bring into a room and the feeling you want people to walk away with, then you can translate that into visuals. That’s where the colours, props, and tone come in.
For example, if your brand energy is warm, playful, and human, your imagery might use tactile props, handwritten notes, and pops of colour that make people feel at home. If your energy is bold, luxurious, and confident, your brand story might come alive through glossy textures, symmetry, and contrast.
But it all starts with you.
So, what’s the fix?
Stop trying to look the part. Start defining your world.
Start with the VIBE STARTER KIT. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s the first step toward a brand that’s unmistakably yours.
Because once you’ve done that? You’ll never again wonder if your brand ‘looks right’. You’ll know.
Marianne
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