Deciding what someone should focus on with their personal brand and whether or not they should have a narrow focus or discuss multiple areas of expertise is a discussion I love thinking about.

It's fascinating to compare personal brands who have started out with a narrow focus and building a reputation on one topic and then expanding later to new topics. In this article, I'm going to answer the question: "can you have a personal brand on multiple areas?"

The Power of a Singular Personal Brand Focus Area

When it comes to personal branding, the adage "less is more" often holds true.

A common personal branding mistake is trying to conquer too many topic areas and platforms at once. It's a tempting route, aiming to establish a presence everywhere and to resonate with a large audience, but this can lead to diluted efforts and slower growth.

The marketing principle of initially focusing on a single audience and limited number of channels applies equally to personal and business brands.

By dedicating your energy to one platform where your target audience is most active, you achieve deeper engagement and faster growth. This approach allows for a stronger connection with your audience, establishing a solid foundation that you can build on.

Consider the journey of entrepreneur Dulma. She successfully grew her personal brand by initially focusing solely on TikTok, accumulating over 100K followers. This dedicated following then became the springboard for her expansion onto other platforms.

The strategy is clear: Start with one channel. Nurture your audience there. Then, branching out becomes easier as you can leverage your existing followers to establish your presence on new platforms.

Understanding Your Target Audience

Another critical aspect of personal branding is knowing your audience. The mistake of not having a clear target audience leads to generic content that fails to resonate.

Growth in personal branding is not just about content creation; it's about creating the right content for the right audience.

You can certainly cater to multiple audience segments or discuss various topics once your brand is big, but it's imperative to have a primary focus in the beginning. This specificity helps in fostering strong engagement and rapid audience growth.

Take Easlo, for example. His personal brand clearly targets fellow creators and business professionals, offering them actionable advice and services.

Similarly, Gary Vaynerchuk began with a focus on marketing and business advice and gradually broadened his personal brand areas to include personal development and hobbies.

Dulma’s journey is also a good reference. She initially carved a niche in direct-to-consumer (DTC) and e-commerce brand analysis, resonating with professionals in that field. Later on once her following was significant, she expanded her content to include personal brand development and social media growth, appealing to a broader range of creators and professionals.

To avoid the pitfall of audience misalignment, define your target audience and primary topic from the onset. Focus your initial efforts on this core group. As your brand grows and evolves, you can then explore expanding your reach.

Final Thoughts on the Question: Can You Have a Personal Brand on Multiple Areas?

While it's tempting to diversify your personal brand across multiple areas from the start, the most effective strategy is often to begin with a focused approach. This means choosing one clearly defined target audience, topic area, and marketing channel.

By establishing a strong presence in one area, you create a solid foundation upon which to build and expand. As your personal brand grows, you can then explore additional areas, using your established reputation and following as a springboard for new endeavors.