What is Brand Personality? Dimension, Elements, and Brands

When you think of brand personality, what comes to mind? Nike has always been about the "Just do it" slogan and attitude. Apple is sleek, modern, and minimalist. What do these companies have in common?

They have all developed a strong Brand Personality that sets them apart from their competitors. But what is brand personality, exactly? And how can you create one for your own business?

In this article, we will discuss the definition of brand personality, the different dimensions that make it up, and some famous brands that exemplify each dimension.

What is Brand Personality?

Simply put, brand personality is the set of human characteristics that are attributed to a brand. When consumers interact with a brand, they form an impression of that company based on their own experiences and observations.

A strong brand personality can make all the difference in whether or not a consumer chooses your product over another. If you want to create a strong brand personality, you need first to understand the different dimensions that make it up.

The Five Dimensions of Brand Personality

Generally, Brand personality has five main dimensions: sincerity, excitement, competence, sophistication, and ruggedness. These dimensions are often represented by adjectives, making it easier to understand how they might apply to a brand.

Let's take a closer look at each of these dimensions and some of the brands that exemplify them.

Sincerity

Sincerity is how honest, genuine, and down-to-earth a brand is. This dimension is often associated with family values and a sense of community.

Some brands that exemplify sincerity are Walmart, Honda, and Kraft. Remember how these brands make you feel the next time you see one of their commercials.

Excitement

The excitement dimension is just what it sounds like. It measures how adventurous, spirited, and imaginative a brand is. The common target market for brands with a high degree of excitement are young people.

Some examples of brands that fall into this category are Virgin, Red Bull, and Harley Davidson. They all have one thing in common: they're not afraid to take risks.

Brands that tend to evoke excitement in consumers are Red Bull, Virgin, and Harley Davidson. These brands are all about pushing boundaries and living life to the fullest. In other words - they're exciting!

Competence

The competence dimension is about how capable, reliable, and intelligent a brand is perceived. This particular dimension is important for businesses that want to be seen as experts in their field.

A few examples of brands that excel in the competence dimension are Google, Microsoft, and Kleenex. These companies are known for being at the top of their game, and consumers can count on them to deliver quality products and services.

Sophistication

The sophistication dimension is how elegant, fashionable, and upper-class a brand is perceived. Some brands decide to focus on this dimension because it can be a major selling point for luxury items.

Famous brands like Louis Vuitton, Tiffany & Co., and Rolls Royce all convey sophistication in their advertising. They want consumers to know that their products are the epitome of class and style.

Ruggedness

The ruggedness dimension is most often seen in outdoor or male-oriented brands. It's about how tough, strong, and gritty a brand is.

Some examples of rugged brands are Jeep, Timberland, and Diesel. These companies want consumers to know that their products can stand up to anything - even the most extreme conditions.

The rugged dimension is most often seen in outdoor or male-oriented brands. These brands want consumers to see them as tough, strong, and able to withstand anything. Some examples of rugged brands are Jeep and Timberland.

What are the elements of brand personality?

Now that we've gone over the different dimensions of brand personality let's look at the elements that make it up.

The four elements of brand personality are self-image, values, attitudes, and behaviors. Together, these elements create a complete picture of a brand's personality.

Self-image

One of the key elements of brand personality is self-image. This is how a brand wants to be seen by the world. It's the image that a company projects to consumers through its advertising and marketing.

Self-image is important because it sets the tone for all of a brand's communications. If a company wants to seem friendly and approachable, its self-image should reflect that.

Brands that do this well are Ikea, H&M, and Target. They all have a distinct self-image that they've cultivated over the years.

Values

The second element of brand personality is values. Values are the beliefs that a brand has about itself. They guide a company's actions and decision-making.

For example, if a brand's core value is "quality over quantity," it will likely produce high-quality products and services. And if " customer satisfaction" is a top value, the brand will likely go above and beyond to ensure its customers are happy.

Think about the values of some of your favorite brands. What do they believe in? How do those beliefs shape the products and services they offer?

Attitudes

The third element of brand personality is attitudes. Attitudes are how a brand feels about itself and its world. This is different from self-image, which is how a brand wants to be seen.

For example, a brand might want to project an image of being fun and carefree. But its attitude might be more serious and reserved.

A brand's attitude can be reflected in its tone of voice. This is the way it communicates with consumers. A company with a friendly attitude might use a casual, conversational tone. A company with a more serious attitude might use a formal, businesslike tone.

Behaviors

The fourth and final element of brand personality is behavior. This is how a brand acts in the world. It's the way it treats its customers, employees, and other stakeholders.

A company's behaviors should align with its self-image, values, and attitudes. If a brand wants to be seen as friendly and approachable, its behavior should reflect that. The common way a company can do this is by providing excellent customer service.

Another way a company can demonstrate its brand personality through behavior is by the way it treats its employees. A company that values employee satisfaction might offer perks like flexible hours and free food.

Creating a Brand Personality for Your Business

With all the elements and dimensions that go into creating a brand personality, it might seem like a daunting task. But don't worry - we're here to help! Here are a few tips for creating a brand personality for your business:

Know your audience.

The first step is to understand who your target audience is. What do they want and need from a brand? What kind of relationship do they want to have with a brand?

Answering these questions will help you create a brand personality that resonates with your audience.

Define your values.

Next, you need to define your values. These beliefs will guide your actions and decision-making as a company.

Think about what you want your brand to stand for. What do you want it to be known for? Once you have your values defined, make sure they guide everything you do as a company.

Get help from a Brand Strategist.

If you need help creating a brand personality for your business, reach out to a Brand Strategist. They can help you understand your audience and develop a strategy for creating a brand personality that resonates with them.

A Brand Strategist can also help you define your values and ensure they guide all of your company's actions.

Find your voice.

Your brand's voice is how it communicates with the world. It should reflect its personality.

If you want your brand to be seen as friendly and approachable, use a casual, conversational tone. If you want it to be seen as more serious and reserved, use a formal, businesslike tone.

Be consistent.

Once you've defined your brand's personality, it's important to be consistent. That means using the same language, tone, and imagery across your channels.

It might take some time to get everything aligned. But once you do, you'll have a strong foundation for building a successful brand.

Final Thoughts

Creating a brand personality is an essential part of building a successful brand. By understanding the elements that go into it, you can create a personality that resonates with your audience and sets you apart from your competitors. So go forth and conquer! You've got this.