Be authentic, sincere, and do not betray your values

Introduce yourself in a few words..

I am Borislava, I am 30 years old and I am a graphic designer and visual artist. I spent my 20s in England, where I studied and then worked, and now I am active in the advertising industry in Bulgaria, where one can find me creating for some well-known names in the market.

How would you define personal branding and why is it so important today?

Personal branding is our business card and the soul of our professional (and not only) self. By defining our personal brand, we take the first step towards presenting ourselves to the world and taking responsibility to defend our values.

How did you start to build your personal brand? What motivates you?

I started back in 2020, when I first thought “What do I want to be when I grow up?”. That’s when I began my journey of building a personal brand by launching my Instagram page for graphic design.

What are the most important elements of a successful personal brand?

The secret to successful personal branding lies in not betraying our values. To strive every day to get closer to our most authentic self and to nurture its growth. To be sincere with ourselves and our audience.

How to find your niche and unique value?

Finding a niche is a challenge that every professional has faced, as we are all complex and multi-layered beings and our interests do not boil down to one single topic. A successful formula is not to be afraid to try different areas that interest us and resonate with us. By planting the seed of our interests in various soils, the topic that is most inherent to us will sprout and we will be able to continue our journey as creators, giving back to society.

Should the personal brand be built around personality or expertise?

It definitely should form some symbiosis of both. I don’t think one should exclude the other, especially in fields that are based on art and creativity. This is where my other thesis about artificial intelligence comes in and how it will never be able to replace human creation, precisely for this reason.

What first steps would you recommend to someone who is just starting?

I would advise every person who is just starting to take a blank sheet of paper and verbalize all their boldest dreams, without focusing on how and in what way they will come true, but rather what they are. After that, when this is in place, I would advise breaking this dream/goal down into small steps to the smallest detail and then getting to work on them.

What platforms are most suitable for developing a personal brand today?

We live in a digital era, so without a digital presence, it’s not possible. Mandatory on the list are Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, YouTube, and it’s important to create content that fits within the parameters of the respective platform.

What role does authenticity play in personal branding and how to maintain it?

Without authenticity, it’s not possible; our audience and community are extremely sensitive and any attempt to pretend would immediately be revealed. Therefore, for me, authenticity is non-negotiable.

How to create content that engages and builds trust?

Everything depends on the specifics of the respective content. I would say that we are currently witnessing the economy of authenticity, which is why platforms like TikTok see their success in integrating into our daily lives. Therefore, more details, more information, more lifting of the curtains.

What are the most common mistakes people make when building a personal brand?

I wouldn’t define anything as a mistake because every attempt teaches us something and helps us get closer to our desired result, but perhaps neglecting the specifics of a given platform, the goal of the content, as well as not having a clear target audience could slow us down when it comes to gaining popularity and creating a presence.

How to deal with negative comments and criticism?

There are difficult moments in every endeavor, but it’s important to never forget why we started something and what our higher purpose is. It’s important to have an idea of where we want to get to and not to let the stumbling blocks along the way stop us.

How to avoid burnout (burnout), when we invest a lot of effort in our personal brand?

Here, rest is very important. We should not underestimate hard work and effort, but it’s important to allow ourselves to rest and step back from our tasks from time to time, so we can recharge with new energy. It’s important to strive to know ourselves, our needs, so we are aware of when it’s time to take a break.

How a strong personal brand can lead to more opportunities (jobs, partnerships, clients)?

The truth is that people want to connect with people. The best partnerships happen through word of mouth and acquaintances. Therefore, just as it is important to have a complete and polished presentation, it is also important to work on our soft skills for communicating with people.

What are the best ways to monetize a personal brand?

Nowadays, opportunities are hidden everywhere and one can easily find ways to monetize from their activities. One such channel is by offering their services on digital platforms for creators. This way we can connect with people from all over the world and are not limited only to our local market.

When is the right time to start offering paid services or products?

Any such opportunity, as soon as it presents itself or we create it.

How to maintain sustainability and long-term growth of a personal brand?

With consistency and constant learning. It should never stop.

What habits and discipline are needed to build authority?

First and foremost - self-respect. Respect for our time, resources, and skills. Everything else is derivative of that.

Which personalities with a successful personal brand inspire you and why?

I am a huge fan of Esther Perel, precisely for the reasons mentioned above. She is authentic, direct, calm, but also with the right dose of passion for her subject, enough to awaken the interest of her audience.

What three specific things can people do today to improve their personal brand?

At first glance - the appearance is extremely important. It is our business card. A welcoming appearance, good posture, and stance are at the essence of every successful personal brand. After that - manners and etiquette. Being kind and friendly costs us nothing, but on the contrary - it enriches every situation we find ourselves in. And last but not least - our digital presence should be curated and tailored to our profile and niche. We should strive for it to have a polished look down to the last detail, in accordance with our essence.