You already have a brand—you just might not see it yet.
The way you show up speaks louder than you think.
Yesterday, I asked a question:
What do you really want to be known for?
And if you’ve been sitting with that…
Maybe another question has come up:
What does that even mean—to be known for something?
Let’s clear something up first...
I’m not talking about fame.
I’m not talking about going viral.
And I’m definitely not talking about reinventing yourself to fit someone else’s algorithm.
I’m talking about recognition.
That feeling when someone gets you—
because how you show up actually reflects who you are.
That’s what we all want, in some way.
To be known. To be remembered.
For something that matters.
Whether you realize it or not, people already see you a certain way—even if you’ve never consciously shaped that perception.
You may not know it.
You may not have shaped it.
But how people talk about you, refer you, or remember you—that’s how you’re showing up.
And whether you’ve meant to or not… that’s your ‘brand.’
Most people don’t think of themselves as a ‘brand’—and that’s okay. But whether you like the word or not, how others experience you—that’s what we’re talking about here.
So let’s talk about that…
What is a brand, really?
And why does the word feel so uncomfortable for so many people—especially creatives?
Let me start by saying this:
I run a design and marketing agency. I’ve spent years helping businesses define their messaging, visuals, and voice.
So yes—when we’re talking about branding in the business world, we are talking about things like colors, fonts, taglines, copy, and design.
But that’s not what I’m talking about here.
Because when it comes to you—as a person, as a creative, as someone stepping into a new chapter—“branding” takes on a different meaning.
It’s not about surface.
It’s about substance.
It’s about shaping how people experience you, in a way that’s aligned with who you are, and who you’re becoming.
Not a logo.
Not a tagline.
Not a perfectly curated Instagram grid.
But a reputation.
A presence.
A certain energy you carry into the room—both online and off.
Your brand is how people feel you.
The story they tell about you when you’re not in the room.
The only question is:
Is it intentional?
Most people never get to that part.
They’ve done the work. They’ve lived the story.
But they haven’t taken time to shape it—so it’s scattered, unclear, or invisible altogether.
Not because they don’t have something to say.
But because they don’t know how to say it all in one place.
And I get it.
I’ve worn those hats. I’ve shifted identities. I know how disorienting it can feel.
This kind of clarity can feel slippery—especially when you’ve played many roles, held different titles, or simply evolved over time.
But here’s what I’ve found:
The clearest, most magnetic brands don’t come from clever positioning.
They come from people who’ve taken the time to align their voice, their values, and their presence.
They’ve made it easier for others to find them, understand them, and trust them.
And in a world that’s louder and more crowded than ever—that kind of clarity is power.
Tomorrow, I’ll show you what this can look like—without needing to reinvent yourself or pretend to be someone you’re not.
Because the truth is, you don’t need to become someone new.
You just need to bring more of you into the light.
See you then,
Chris
If any of this resonated, I’d love to hear from you.
Just hit reply or comment below and let me know.
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This was a lovely and inspiring way to view the idea of branding. Growing up in a world of capitalism and commerce, as an artist that word made me shudder. But you are right. We all have a presence, a reputation, the way we are perceived in our expanding circles of community. And things that we want our work to communicate.