People will tell you that a personal brand statement helps you leave a good first impression and set yourself ahead of the competition. Not everyone will show you how to create a personal brand statement that doesn’t feel ingenuine, though. Even fewer people will help you tie between the declaration and other work-related scripts.
Today’s article will walk you through the writing process, the best ways to use the statement, and how to use it while crafting your pitches and presentations.
Creating a personal brand statement like the pros
The perfect personal statement brand should be concise, memorable, and authentic.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you write one that checks all the right boxes:
1. Reflect on your value proposition
When someone reads your personal brand statement, they should quickly get an idea about your identity and purpose.
We know these concepts can be elusive, so we like to use questions to break them down.
Ask yourself:
- What is it that I offer? Consider the stuff you’re good at and the skills/traits that people mention when they’re praising you.
- What am I passionate about? This will take a bit of reflection. It usually helps to look back on your highlights or think about what you’d do if money wasn’t an issue.
- In what ways are these skills and passions relevant to what I do/want to do?
Jot the answers down, leave the notes for a while, and come back with fresh eyes for the next step.

Portrait of attractive confident experienced smart indian bearded office manager recording video vlog for internet audience in evening office holding in hands papers with reports of ended work.
2. Tell a short story
It’s time to actually write the statement. Take all the answers and link them up to tell a story (1–3 sentences long) about what value you provide and how you do it better than others.
There are a few “formats” to follow here. Showing confidence often helps leaders, and one way to do that is to start with your name and write the statement as if you’re introducing yourself to someone. Here’s an example:
“I’m [name]. As a [profession] and [incorporate the passion], I strive to [add value].”
Others ditch the fillers and opt for a slogan-like format, starting with something like “Let’s…” or “I help…”. Something like “Expert in…” cuts right to the chase, too. It’s also possible to list phrases or keywords about yourself without linking them at all. You know, just like how some people write their Twitter/X bios.
But a word of advice: Don’t copy formats blindly. The “personal” in “personal brand statement” is there for a reason! So, make sure to tweak the format to let your best traits shine. Not too much, though. It still needs to be semi-professional. You can always tone down the professionalism when you’re repurposing the statement for use on social platforms.
3. Revisit and refine
Creating a personal brand statement isn’t a one-and-done deal—you have to revisit it over and over again. Why? Well, people change. Industries do, too. You’ll want to update as you go to make sure the statement reflects your skills, achievements, and goals. Even if nothing major changes, the first draft often needs touch-ups.
Read it again and look for flaws. Does it sound ingenuine? Maybe you need to start with what you’re doing rather than what you want to do. Toning down exaggerated abilities can help, too.
Putting your personal brand statement to good use
Okay, so you have a statement ready to go. Now what? How is it supposed to open up doors for you?
Here’s how:
- Put the brand statement high up on your resume and portfolio.
- Incorporate a shortened version of the statement into your email signature and on your business card.
- Adjust the statement length and tone, then use it as a bio on social media accounts and your website (if available) to maintain a consistent brand image across platforms.
- Use the brand statement as a foundation for your elevator speech.
Elevator speeches and personal brand statements
Some people use the terms “personal brand statement” and “elevator speech” interchangeably. We don’t. You see, the statement is about the person as a whole and feels like a summary or a bio.
An elevator speech, however, is persuasive and focuses on how a person can fill a particular void. It’s often tailored to cater to the audience’s needs. Think of potential clients or an employer. It’s a way to sell yourself in a few sentences, which explains why it’s also called an elevator pitch. But the most obvious difference here is that elevator speeches are typically delivered in person, like in an interview or a job fair.
Full-fledged speeches and personal brand statements
Brand statements and elevator pitches might look like short speeches, but they can’t replace the real deal. Odds are, you’ll still need to write full-fledged speeches at some point, especially if you’re in a leadership position. Forbes called public speaking a “cornerstone of strong leadership,” and we couldn’t agree more.
After all, it’s a vital tool for persuasion and motivation. Plus, it can make all the difference in career advancement. One survey even reveals that engaging in a public speaking activity helps inspire confidence in one’s leadership abilities and communication skills.
As it happens, public speaking is also a brand-building tool. But you still want your speeches to be consistent with the brand statements you’re blasting everywhere. So, is it possible to borrow from the statement to write a strong script that reflects your brand? Maybe.
Ideally, you’ll balance between the overarching goal of the speech and the goals that inspired your statement. Then, you can tailor the core messages to cater to the audience, adding relevant data and insights where needed. For the storytelling aspect, you can resort to your reflection notes (the ones you wrote for the statement).
Final thoughts on personal brand statements
A final word of advice? Create the sort of personal brand statement that you won’t mind showing to anyone. Odds are, your employers, clients, and friends will stumble across the declaration or (tweaked versions of it on your socials). So, make it authentic, positive, and consistent!