By Suyash Sinha, Cofounder, EXLY
Emerging as a groundbreaking solution, Business platforms are redefining the very essence of online entrepreneurship, offering a gateway for individuals to transform their passions into prosperous ventures. Tailored to suit the unique needs of diverse professionals—be it independent artists, coaches, instructors, or influencers—these platforms serve as a catalyst for personal and professional growth. From fitness enthusiasts to studio owners, they provide the necessary tools and guidance to cultivate a robust online presence and unlock untapped potentials.
Fortunately, just as platforms like Shopify revolutionised e-commerce, there is now a wave of such platforms empowering individuals to build their brands effectively.
1. Community building and engagement
Building a robust community around one’s personal brand is imperative for long-term success. Business platforms offer invaluable tools for fostering this community, from forums to discussion boards and membership features.
Through these community-building tools, knowledge experts engage with their audience, answering questions, sharing insights, and cultivating relationships beyond transactions.
This sense of belonging enhances brand loyalty and serves as a valuable source of feedback and inspiration for future content creation.
Moreover, embracing authenticity and taking control of the audience’s attention away from social media algorithms is crucial. By steering clear of reliance on notifications that vanish into the digital ether, creators empower themselves to establish direct, meaningful connections. Personalized notifications ensure every member of the community feels valued and heard, fostering deeper engagement and loyalty. Let them lead the charge towards a future where creators dictate their destiny, where every interaction is purposeful, and every story profoundly resonates.
2. Monetisation opportunities
While building a personal brand is often driven by passion and expertise, monetization is undoubtedly a key consideration for many knowledge experts. Business-tool platforms understand this need and offer various monetization opportunities to help individuals turn their expertise into revenue streams.
These platforms may integrate e-commerce functionalities, allowing knowledge experts to sell digital products, courses, or merchandise directly to their audience. Additionally, they may facilitate partnerships and sponsorships with relevant brands, enabling individuals to monetize their influence and expertise. For example, if you’re a knowledge expert on Exly, you can sell your courses by creating a paid community. For people who want to take up the course, all they need to do is pay through the platform which will direct the payment to the vendor’s account without the need for any other third party payment medium.
3. Leveraging marketing automation
Marketing is essential for brand visibility and growth, but it can be time-consuming and overwhelming for individuals managing their brands. Recognizing this challenge, platforms integrate marketing automation tools that streamline promotional efforts.
From email marketing to social media scheduling, these business platforms automate repetitive tasks, freeing up time for knowledge experts to focus on creating valuable content and engaging with their audience. Moreover, this helps personalise a customer’s journe by providing timely notifications to limited offers, creating urgency and ensuring that all customers get relevant updates as and when they come.
Those who have adopted sales automation early on consistently report sales uplift potential of up to 10 percent.The inclusion of market automation can help create loyalty from customers while leveraging data from such tools can help brands understand their customers’ needs better.
4. Democratising content creation
One of the fundamental aspects of building a personal brand is creating valuable content that resonates with your target audience. However, content creation can be daunting, especially for individuals who are not well-versed in marketing techniques. That’s where platforms come into play, offering user-friendly tools and templates for content creation.
According to ICSE’s report in 2023, 85% of Gen Z consumers said that social media impacts their purchasing decisions, leading to creators wanting to build credible brands for their audiences. These business-tool platforms often provide intuitive website builders, allowing individuals to create professional-looking websites without any coding knowledge. Additionally, they offer features for blog posts, videos, podcasts, and social media content, enabling knowledge experts to showcase their expertise in various formats.
5. Empowering personal growth
Beyond the tangible benefits of building a personal brand, these business platforms support individuals on a deeper level by promoting personal growth and development. Through the process of creating content, engaging with their audience, and navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship, knowledge experts gain valuable skills and insights that transcend their professional endeavors.
Moreover, the sense of autonomy and ownership that comes with building a personal brand can significantly boost confidence and self-esteem. As individuals see their efforts translate into tangible results, they are motivated to continue pushing boundaries and striving for excellence in their respective fields.
From Platforms to Personal Branding
In essence, business-tool platforms tailored for personal branding are democratizing the process of brand building, empowering knowledge experts to share their expertise, connect with their audience, and monetize their passion. Much like Wix revolutionized e-commerce by providing a platform for selling products, these business platforms are reshaping the landscape of personal branding by providing the tools and resources necessary for success.
As more individuals recognise the importance of establishing a strong personal brand in today’s digital age, the demand for these platforms will continue to grow. By leveraging the power of technology and community, knowledge experts can elevate their personal brands and make a meaningful impact in their respective industries.
