As a professional athlete, you’ve worked hard to get to where you are. Countless hours on and off the field, practicing and giving your all to be the best. When you reach the professional level, your life is all about the sport and how you can get better at it. 

However, while your time in the game and practice is crucial, your personal brand is just as important. When you reach a certain status, your influence and impact become much higher, which means that you have to start paying closer attention to it. 

So, with that in mind, we want to highlight the value of creating a brand for yourself. If you haven’t thought about it before, now is the perfect time. 

What is Personal Branding?

When most people talk about brands, they are referring to businesses or specific products. As a person, you may think that branding seems a bit odd. However, when you break down how companies develop a brand, it’s easier to understand why you should apply the same methods. 

Overall, creating a brand is all about building a unique identity. This identity is tied to specific values and motivations. For example, what comes to mind when you think of Nike? The company’s brand is centered on athletics and exceptionalism. Buying Nike products means that you are committed to an active lifestyle. 

When it comes to personal branding, you’re refining your personality into a unique persona. Think about the things that define you as a person, as well as what drives you to succeed. These are all elements to include in your brand. 

Why is Personal Branding Valuable?

As a professional athlete, you should already know that you’ll make the most money from endorsement deals and partnerships. While your game contract can put food on the table, promotions are going to elevate your lifestyle. 

When you take the time to develop a personal brand, it’s much easier for businesses to align themselves with you. For example, if you exemplify the same values as Nike, they are much more likely to use you as an endorsement platform. 

Although money can be the primary motivation, another reason to cultivate a strong personal brand is because of your influence on others. Whether you’re trying to be or not, you are a role model for kids and other athletes. If you don’t broadcast a strong and reputable brand, that influence can be tainted. Not only that, but if you’re not the one in control of the message, others will be. Make sure that you’re in charge of how others see you – don’t let anyone else decide for you. 

Finally, having a resilient personal brand can help you succeed well into retirement. Former athletes like Michael Jordan and Charles Barkley have been able to parlay their brands into continued endorsements, long after they came off the court. If you want to stay relevant (and wealthy) as you get older, a personal brand is a must. 

How to Create a Personal Brand

Regardless of where you’re at in your career, it’s never too early to begin building a brand. Here are some tips to help you get started. 

• Write Down Your Values – come up with a few values and principles that are important to you. Make sure that you exemplify them regularly. 
• Pay Attention to Your Digital Self – social media can make or break your career. Make sure that your social accounts align with your personal brand. 
• Let Us Help – we specialize in branding for professional athletes. Talk to us today to find out how we can create a brand that will last for years to come. 

Personal branding doesn’t have to be complicated. Let us make it easy for you.