12 Personal Brand Archetypes to Unleash a Strong, Impressive, and Impactful Identity
Nowadays, more and more experts are becoming their own personal brands. Crafting a powerful and persuasive personal brand is essential for those looking to succeed professionally or commercially. But, what does that really mean? What are the key elements of a successful personal brand? The answer stems from understanding that people buy from people. The perfect example of aligning authenticity with corporate branding concepts is a brand archetype.
Archetypes are the elemental building blocks of the psyche and form the foundation of our beliefs, values, and aspirations.
Overview
With 12 distinct types to choose from – ranging from The Creator to The Caregiver – there’s sure to be one (or more) that reflects you. By leveraging the fundamental understanding of your personal brand archetype, you can create an impressive identity and establish yourself as a powerful presence in your chosen industry or social group!
The Origins of Archetypes
The concept of archetypes has existed since ancient times. Philosophers, scholars, and religious figures have used the term to describe fundamental patterns of thought and behavior. The modern use of archetypes was popularized in the early 20th century by psychologist Carl Jung, who postulated that these universal images served as a collective unconscious shared across all cultures.
Understanding the Essence of Personal Branding to Individuals and Businesses
When people describe personal brands, they usually churn out color schemes and fonts. Only a few understand that they are only a fraction of the entire spectrum. The truth is, in building your own personal brand, you must incorporate your personality traits, values, and even your beliefs. Let alone, consider the type of environment, association, experiences, or movements you’d like to build for yourself.
Branding can be much more especially personal branding which grew with the emergence of influencers or solopreneurs today. According to Wikipedia, “Personal branding is the conscious and intentional effort to create and influence public perception of an individual by positioning them as an authority in their industry, elevating their credibility, and differentiating themselves from the competition, to ultimately advance their career, widen their circle of influence, and have a larger impact.”
What is an Archetype?
An archetype is a timeless pattern of behaviors, symbols, or character traits that are shared among cultures and civilizations in everyday life. Personality traits are the main factor that determines an archetype, as they tend to remain consistent throughout a variety of different cultures and contexts. Brand archetypes are also formed by aligning brands to common personality traits – such as confidence, trustworthiness, and creativity – which allows them to create an emotional connection with their target audience.
This emotional connection is driven by understanding the needs and desires of their customers and helping them recognize how the brand relates to those needs on an emotional level. While archetypes have changed over time due to societal movements and changing cultural dynamics, they continue to be widely used in today’s world as a tool for creating personal connections with customers and driving meaningful experiences in everyday life.
What Are The 12 Brand Archetypes?
Personal brand archetypes can help you easily unearth the real person hiding behind the professional mask. It leads you to a roadmap for creating an identity that meshes well with your personal mission and vision as an entrepreneur or professional.
Let’s dive deeper into each brand archetype to determine its meanings, which one fits your brand best, and how to pick an archetype.
The Rebel Archetype
The rebel archetype, or the outlaw, is focused on challenging the status quo and pushing boundaries, with a “no rules” attitude. People who choose this archetype are likely to be creative, expressive, and bold. The outlaw is characterized by rebellion, nonconformity, and individualism. Brands that embody this archetype often focus on breaking rules, challenging authority, and embracing freedom.
Company examples include Harley-Davidson, Red Bull, and Virgin.
Notable people in this archetype include Robin Hood, Che Guevara, and Rosa Parks
The Hero Archetype
The hero brand archetype is one that stands up for what’s right, often taking on a larger cause in order to make the world a better place. This archetype is characterized by courage, strength, and sacrifice. Brands that embody this archetype often focus on heroism, leadership, and overcoming obstacles.
Companies: Nike, the U.S. Army, FedEx
Personalities: Superman, Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Malala Yousafzai.
The Magician Archetype
The magician, or enigma, brand archetype is fascinated with possibility and using their knowledge to create something out of nothing. This archetype is a manifestation of creativity, imagination, and transformation. Brands that possess this archetype often focus on innovation, imagination, and transformation.
Notable brands include Apple, Disney, Dyson, Coca-Cola and Tesla.
People in this archetype include Merlin, Gandalf, and Harry Houdini.
The Lover Archetype
The lover brand archetype focuses on creating deep connections with people and inspiring them with heartfelt emotion. Brands that embody this archetype often focus on passion, sensuality, beauty, and romance.
Company examples include Victoria’s Secret, Chanel, Godiva, Alfa Romeo
Personalities: Romeo and Juliet, Casanova, and Marilyn Monroe.
The Everyman Archetype
The everyman brand archetype is relatable, down-to-earth, and authentic. Other terms for this archetype are The Citizen or The Regular Girl/Guy. They focus on connecting with their target audience in a real way, often at the risk of personal vulnerability. It is characterized by humility, honesty, and authenticity. The everyman brand often attracts people as it is relatable, approachable, and trustworthy.
Examples of brands include Walmart, McDonald’s, Southwest Airlines, IKEA, LYNX
Personalities: Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, and Ellen DeGeneres.
The Jester Archetype
The jester brand archetype is all about having fun, bringing levity and amusement into any situation. They often employ humor, satire, and other forms of comedy to make the world a better place. Its behavioural patterns include humor, playfulness, and irreverence. Brands that embody this archetype often focus on entertainment, laughter, and fun.
Examples include Geico, Old Spice, and M&M’s.
Will Ferrell, Robin Williams, and Jim Carrey are just some of the human examples of this archetype.
The Caregiver Archetype
The caregiver brand archetype seeks to nurture others, tending to the needs of their target audience and providing comfort when needed. The best example of a caregiver personality is that of a mother figure. This archetype values compassion, nurturing, and generosity. Brands that represent this archetype often focus on empathy, support, and kindness.
Examples include Johnson & Johnson, UNICEF, and TOMS, WWF
Florence Nightingale, Mother Teresa, and Princess Diana are the people who embody the nature of a caregiver.
The Ruler Archetype
The ruler brand archetype values order, stability, and control in all aspects of life. They have a strong sense of responsibility and a need to be in charge. Ruler brands often exude an air of power and authority as a role model to lead their people. This archetype exudes power, authority, and control. Brands that embrace this archetype often focus on leadership, stability, and dominance.
Examples include Mercedes-Benz, Rolex, and Microsoft, Louis Vuitton
Julius Caesar, Napoleon Bonaparte, and Queen Elizabeth II are some of the human examples of this archetype.
The Creator Archetype
The creator brand archetype is focused on creating something new and original that inspires change in the world. They are driven by a passion for innovation and exploration. Imagination, creativity, and artistry are the hallmarks of The Creator. Individuals that identify with this archetype tend to express their creativity, embrace their uniqueness, and demonstrate self-expression.
Examples include LEGO, Etsy, and Adobe.
These iconic figures – Steve Jobs, Walt Disney, and Pablo Picasso. – embody the archetype of a creator.
The Innocent Archetype
The Innocent brand archetype is guided by hope and optimism, believing that the best is yet to come. They often seek out authenticity and a strong sense of purpose in order to positively influence others. The Innocent is a representation of purity, simplicity, and unbridled optimism. Brands that represent this archetype frequently prioritize safety, joy, and dependability.
Examples include Coca-Cola, Dove, and Apple.
From Forrest Gump, Dorothy from “The Wizard of Oz,” and Snow White, these iconic figures epitomize the charm of innocence.
The Sage Archetype
Committed to helping the world gain deeper insight and wisdom, the Sage brand is often seen as an expert in their field, offering advice and insights to anyone who seeks them out. It embodies wisdom, intelligence, and knowledge. This sage brand is centered on expertise, education, and thought leadership.
Example brands include TED, Harvard University, and National Geographic.
Notable figures such as Albert Einstein, Stephen Hawking, and Confucius have shaped our world.
Explorer Archetype
The explorer brand archetype values discovery over anything else. They are always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in life and in business, seeking new experiences and daring adventures. Explorers are the epitome of adventure and discovery, renowned for their independence. Brands that align with this archetype focus on freedom, exploration, and self-discovery.
Jeep, Patagonia and REI are all fine examples of companies embracing these values.
Significant figures such as Amelia Earhart, Christopher Columbus, and Neil Armstrong have all left their mark on history.
Archetypes in branding are not simply about mirroring the personality of your audience. It’s about identifying the desire that you want your brand to evoke and using that desire to define your personality.
The brand archetypes reflect different aspects of your personality and can be used to tell a powerful story about your brand. By understanding these archetypes and what makes them as they are, you can craft a personal brand that resonates with your target audience and sets you apart from the competition. Your brand will become more memorable, authentic, and impactful when you understand how to use these archetypes effectively.
Using brand archetypes gives personal brands a unique way to stand out in a crowded market and communicate their values. Through thoughtful storytelling that resonates with customers, experts are able to create meaningful connections that last. By understanding the power of brand archetypes, you can create a powerful narrative that speaks to your audience on an emotional level and increases engagement with your product or service. So if you’re looking for ways to make your brand stand out, consider leveraging brand archetypes to tell your story.
How do I choose my brand archetype?
Choosing your brand archetype can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be! There should be both strategy and heart behind the archetype you select. Below is the list of recommendations to help you with identifying it.
1. Write down your personal values, vision, mission, traits you appreciate in others and yourself.
2. Select an archetype with traits and characteristics that resonates with your list, has much in common with you as a proffesional and personality.
3. List 3-5 emotions you wish your target audience experience visiting your social media accounts or/and website and reading your content.
4. Google and take a couple of brand archetype quizes on the intranet and see what archetype they suggest based on your responses.
5. You industry and profession may have a typical personality that its audience would expect. For design sector would be the Creator as an example, healthcare – the Caregiver.
6. Finally, keep in mind that your personal brand can be a mixture of archetypes with one primary (at least 70% of the brand personality) and 1-2 others – complimentary. This archetypal mixture helps with differentiation. The core archetype often aligned with your industry
The best approach is to consider the overall personality traits of the brand and how it aligns with an existing brand archetype. There are twelve archetypes that you can reference when choosing a type for your personal brand message, each of which has a distinct set of emotional needs and desires that informs everyday life. By understanding how each archetype moves through the world, you can create content, services or products that reflect that same energy. Once you know what makes your ideal customer feel at home in your business, the process of selecting a brand archetype becomes much easier!
It’s important to note that while these archetypes provide a useful framework for understanding brand personalities, not all brands fit neatly into a single archetype, and some may exhibit traits from multiple archetypes. Additionally, brands may also evolve over time and adapt their archetype to changing market conditions or customer preferences
The Brand Archetype Strategy Goes Beyond Selecting Characteristics
It’s imperative that you communicate with the people who want to reach you more deeply. The brand must have a true character with an authentic tone. Less experienced companies can pick one or two traits that the audience would like. The archetype is a complete set of people who have an understanding of how things work. And to make people understand who you really are, a brand has to be aware.
When deciding which archetype to choose, the best thing is to talk to your customers and find out their values. What do people need from you? What does success look like for them? Once you have a good understanding of what matters most to your customer base, then you can select an archetype that will best represent them and illustrate the journey they
Archetypes Are Masters At Evoking Your Desires
Branding is a different kind of archetype. It focuses on understanding the desire for the identity you want to create and how this desire defines the person you are. If you are looking to establish an archetype that merely depends on the personality of a target audience you need to consider a specific motivation or desire. Developing a branding archetype that is driven by that desire is key. Branded emotions always have a role. The brand archetype speaks about your consumers’ main motivations, often emotionally laden. How can we communicate our message in the minds of people?
Conclusion
Creating an Archetype that illustrates your personal brand is a key element of building a successful business. It helps to create a stronger connection with your target audience by understanding their needs and desires.
Additionally, brand archetypes allow you to discover and differentiate yourself from competitors. As a result, you’ll gave a distinct personality you can call your own. To choose the right archetype for your brand, make sure to do your research and talk to your customers. With the right archetype in place, you will be able to create content that resonates with your target audience and helps you stand out from the competition.
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