What's your tagline??
Finding Your Personal Tagline: The Art of Authentic Self-Expression
When Brené Brown stepped onto the TEDx Houston stage in 2010, she didn't know her talk about vulnerability would reach millions. Her message ‘The Power of Vulnerability’ became more than a talk—it became her brand statement and a powerful global missive. Today, she's known worldwide as the researcher who taught us that "vulnerability is not weakness" and that we should "dare greatly."
Personal Brand Statements/ Taglines That Changed the Game:
Impactful personal brand statements capture not just what you do, but how you uniquely change the world:
- Brené Brown: "The Courage to Be Vulnerable" - She changed our perspective with the word ‘vulnerable’ being perceived as our strength, as opposed to its traditional association with weakness and need for protection.
- Simon Sinek: "Start With Why" - He made us rethink our core value systems with the word ‘why’ and made us understand how humans connect more with passionate storytelling and purpose.
- Mark Manson: "The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck" - Before this book, the four-letter word was just another bad word but he turned it on its head as a word that defined our power in reacting/ not reacting to every emotion and issue.
- Malala Yousafzai: “One book, one pen, one child, and one teacher can change the world.” - It is a very simple quote and yet the idea that just ‘one’ has the nonviolent impact of uplifting generations of girls, is what makes this stick.
- Gary Vaynerchuk: “Macro Patience > Micro Speed” - He is known for the hustle culture, of working 14-16 hours daily but the idea of macro patience - doing it all for long-term ‘legacy’, instead of short-term ‘windfalls’, is what makes him an icon.
Why Your Brand Statement/ Tagline Matters:
Your personal brand statement isn't just a tagline - it's a reflection of what you value, what you live by, and how you can help transform something for the better.
How To Find Your Unique Voice/ Statement/ Tagline?
Your brand statement emerges from the intersection of:
1. Your Story:
What experiences shaped you? What challenges and adversities did you face? Who were some mentors or role models who shaped your thoughts and values? Did you read any life-transforming book/ watch any movie that impacted you deeply?
2. Your Mission:
What change do you want to create? Why does it matter to you? Are you keen on doing this even if you don’t make any income from it? Who do you want to help? What do you want to solve?
3. Your Style:
How do you uniquely deliver your message? Do you make a unique statement with the way you present yourself in public/ on social media? Are you someone who prefers to educate/ entertain/shock/philosophize?
Let’s take an example and decode:
The USP of Rishab Rikhiram Sharma - the 26-year-old sitar maestro who has gone viral on Instagram with the clips from his latest concert - ‘Sitar for Mental Health’.
What’s His Story?
Rishab comes from the illustrious RikhiRam family of luthiers (musical instrument makers). He started playing sitar at the age of 10 and was discovered in a talent contest by none other than Pandit Ravi Shankar who took him on as his youngest disciple. He has since become the first and only solo Indian classical musician who has performed at the White House.
What’s His Mission?
Rishab shares how he struggled with mental health issues during COVID-19 and sought therapy. Once he started composing and playing short pieces on his sitar, he found himself healing and started sharing it with a small community on the Clubhouse app. It grew from there and blew up as an Instagram community.
That is when Rishab realized the power of sitar and classical music as a healing element for people struggling with mental health issues. He has since toured the world with his show - ‘Sitar for Mental Health’.
What Is His Style Like?
He has attracted popularity with his mix of traditional and modern compositions, i.e., playing the Game of Thrones soundtrack/ a Harry Potter theme on the sitar ( an instrument deeply rooted in Indian classical music ).
He cuts a striking figure in his videos with his custom-made kurtas, the mehendi (henna) patterns on his hands ( he shares how he does this before any major show as a mark of joy and celebration), and his Cartier diamond studs ( a brand partnership ).
Let’s get to ‘Crafting Your USP’. Your tagline/ brand statement.
1. Start with Your Truth
- What makes you angry/ unsettled about your industry?
- What problem did you overcome that others struggle with?
- What unconventional beliefs/ values do you hold strongly?
2. Find Your Pattern
- What stories do you tell repeatedly?
- What advice do people always seek from you?
- What compliments keep coming back?
3. How Can You Help?
- Instead of "I help X do Y"
- Try "I believe [unconventional truth] about [your field]"
- Or "I'm changing [industry] by [your unique approach]"
Here are some examples to get you started in crafting your tagline:
A Career Coach: "You're not lost, you're exploring" - Reframes career uncertainty
A Fitness Trainer: "Strong mind, strong body, zero excuses" - Emphasizes mental toughness
A Financial Advisor: "Building wealth shouldn't keep you up at night" - Addresses the emotional side of money
A Leadership Consultant: "Leaders are readers who become feeders" - Emphasizes knowledge sharing
Do A ‘Moment of Truth’:
Share your personal story and tagline with 5 peers and 5 friends. Ask them the following:
- Does it sound like something only you would say?
- Would they quote you on it?
- Could it spark a discussion/ inspire someone?
Remember: The best personal brand statements aren't crafted—they're chiseled out from the marble. They're already in your work, your passion, and your impact.
Your job is to find the words that capture what's already true. Wishing you luck!
Shoutout! ❤️❤️
To
She is an incredible marketer, teacher, and writer, who wrote a brilliant piece on Rishab Rikhiram Sharma’s brand evolution in her newsletter and inspired me.
Please read it here on
- The anatomy of a personal brand.Thank you for reading! 🤓
If you enjoyed this newsletter, here’s how you can support me:
Like and leave a comment on this post on Substack. Write to me with suggestions and questions for future editions - would love to hear from you! :)
Connect for a 1:1 mentoring/consultation session on creating your authentic personal brand. Pay what you want!
I’m curious to know what your tagline is, Annesha!
Thanks for the shoutout!