What is a Personal Brand and does it mean we have to be perfect and lose our authenticity?
I love the quote:
“To thy own self be true!”
I believe that this should remain core to developing a personal brand. What do you think?
Personal Branding is becoming an increasingly important part of building and growing a business and how we choose to present ourselves to the world can have negative or positive consequences for our lives. Whether we like it or not, if we use Social Media, we’ve already created a Personal Brand that will be accessible in some form or another, across the internet, for all the world to see! The question is:
Is your current brand working for you or against you?
The important thing to remember, is that when it comes to what we reveal about ourselves, we definitely have choices to make. We can just post anything and everything randomly, without any thought, which is probably what the vast majority of people do or we can be pro-active and decide what we will post and how we will post it, across all of our social media.
A personal brand is how we choose to present ourselves to the world.
3 billion people are now connected to Facebook and many of us will have posted pictures, stories and information about ourselves, which enables somebody we’ve never met to have a look and form an impression of who we are. We have a choice about what we tell the world about ourselves. I suspect the vast majority of people just ‘post’ without thought (as I certainly have in the past) but this does have it’s risks…
- Increasingly companies are monitoring social media, to determine whether to employ someone or not – would you employ someone who’s posted derogatory comments about their employer or who’s photographs show them getting very drunk and falling over every weekend?
- What you did when you were 18, may still haunt you when your 28. I’m glad that some of my experiences age 18 aren’t available to access on the web today!
Deciding what you want people to see doesn’t mean you can’t still get drunk (if that’s what you enjoy), it means that you’re taking control and making conscious decisions about what you want the world to see about you.
When I first started my blog 18 months ago, I hadn’t really got a clue about why I was doing it and what my aim was. Over the first year of blogging, I blogged about anything and everything as the mood took me, which was probably what I needed to do as a ‘rookie blogger’. I needed to find my feet, develop my blogging confidence and recognise what I enjoy writing about and importantly, what people are interested in reading. However, I was probably more thoughtful about what I put on my blog than I was about what I posted on Facebook!
In life I’m a “What you see is what you get” person and I’ve tried to continue this ‘ethos’ with my blog. However, I realised, that to achieve my business goals, I needed to re-look at how I present myself to the World and be clearer and more focussed about what I’m aiming to achieve, whilst still reflecting my values and beliefs and showing the real me.
Do you ever feel that you’re lacking clarity and focus about where your going in life and therefore you’re just drifting along and constantly shifting direction depending on which way the wind is blowing?
That’s how I felt about my ‘blogging’. I’d achieved my goal of creating a blog, but initially it was directionless. It meandered here there and everywhere without any clear focus.
Earlier this year I decided to move to a self hosted blog, which was quite a ‘leap’ from my reliance on WordPress. I decided it was time to ‘get serious’ and start to become a bit more focussed in the topics I write and post about so that people could clearly see what my blog is about. You may have noticed the changes.
How I’m Starting To Create My Personal Brand Consciously
- I re-looked at my blog posts and decided on the direction I want to move forward with – my niche
- The obvious choice was Personal Development – it’s been my passion for years and I’ve developed my expertise through managing large teams of people in business and working as a hypnotherapist for over 17 years
- Whilst I focus my posts predominantly around personal development, I still include some posts about other things too, but these are less frequent. For me, it feels authentic to still reveal some of my other interests when the mood takes me.
- I researched other people’s blogs and noticed that I was drawn to the blogs that had a consistent ‘style’ and I played around for a little while to come up with my style.
- I’m sure professional branders may tell me that I should have a professional logo etc. and maybe they’d be right.. I’m still thinking about this but if I want to be taken seriously in the business world, I may have to up my game and ‘go pro’.
- I’ve been gradually implementing changes to my blog and social media accounts, trying to give them a consistent appearance whether it’s my Blog, Facebook or Instagram account, they all have the same ‘logo’
- Even though this may still need to be professionalised, it’s already consistent.
- I’ve tried to develop a style for my blog etc. that makes me feel good when I look at it and feels unique. I noticed that quite a lot of blogs follow the same minimalistic format and I was tempted to go the same way. They do get the followers but somehow it didn’t feel like me, so for now I’ve stuck with my ‘look’… time will tell whether this is the right thing to do.
- I’ve started to create my own stationery which although has some variety, still picks up on the same colour scheme.
I’m clear about what my values are and I try to ensure that I live in alignment with these and that my social media presence also reflects these too. I suspect it won’t gain me the rapid growth of followers, but my personal brand, is definitely a reflection of me.
As the vast majority of us don’t currently give much, if any, thought to our ‘personal brand’, developing one could really help us to stand out from the crowd. In the words of Andy Harrington:
“Why fit in when you were born to stand out!”
Is my brand perfect? Definitely not! I’m still working on it and I suspect it will never be perfect, because – hey – I’m definitely not perfect either! My brand is still reflecting my imperfections but hopefully in a positive way!
I believe that our inner voice should be our ultimate guide. Asking ourselves whether what we ‘post’ is something we’d be happy for our families to read or see about us in a few years time and then listening to our inner voice, will help us to ensure that our personal brand is working for us and not against us!
I’d love to hear your thoughts on this – Please leave me a comment!
Hi Wendy!
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts on personal branding! Since people often make quick assessments of others, it is important for us to be clear and consistent about what we believe and represent. This is particularly true in the age of social media.
Congratulations on your progress! I too operate in the personal development space and am working to grow my following on my blog and website, so I am excited to follow you for ideas and inspiration. I wish you continued growth and prosperity both personally and professionally!
Jonathan Clark
cra-z-dreamsinspired.com
cra-z-dreams.com
Author
Brilliant and it’s great to meet you too Jonathan. I wish you every success with your blog – I’ve loved my blogging journey and the fabulous connections it’s enabled me to make with some lovely people across the globe. x
Hello. This is something I would also want to consider for myself. Im glad I find this post. Same thing, since I just started blogging Im still figuring things out, content, technical aspect and such. You were one of the bloggers I first followed since you talk about personal development which is the first thing I want to do for myself. The year is about to end but I am determined that I want to make some changes with my life. 🙂
Author
That’s brilliant and I’ really glad you found this useful. If you’re interested in personal development, you may be interested in joining my ‘Brilliance Within Your Life’ Facebook group that I’ve just started. Do you use Facebook? If you add your name and email address, to my blog sign up box, you’ll also start receiving the regular Personal Development tips and tools. Great to meet you and Well Done for starting to make some changes to enhance your life! x
Thank you Wendy. I will be doing that soon. As of the moment I am working on something, and after this Im sure I will be able to read more of the things I need. I no longer use facebook, but Im planning to reactivate my social accounts for a better purpose as well.
Author
Brilliant and I wish you every success with your projects! x
Absolutely loved your post! Personal branding is becoming more and more valuable. When done right, it has the ability to help propel you further in your career. I’ve struggled with personal branding and finding my voice for years, and after studying from a variety of experts, I’m slowly building myself up! I look forward to more great posts from you!
Author
Thanks so much for popping over and taking the time to comment – I really appreciate it! Yes you’re right, personal branding really is important and I’m so glad you’re starting to find your voice. I think it’s so important to be authentic with our branding too.. Much appreciated x
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ps – you’re site is showing private on wordpress so I couldn’t reciprocate with a visit.. x
Wendy, Thank you for bringing this to my attention! I’ve changed the setting from my dashboard. See if you are able to access it now. Please let me know if it still doesn’t work. Have a wonderful day!
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Oh gosh – sorry no – now when I’m clicking on your link (3xgsite.wordpress.com) it says you’ve deleted the site from WordPress.. Good luck! xx
Oh! I’m sorry for the confusion. I have multiple blog/sites under this account and I’m still trying to figure out how to work the technical things out. The one I’m focusing on now is guts2gloryco.wordpress.com
Hi Wendy! this is so true on personal branding. whether we are aware of it or not…we are ‘a brand’ in the eyes of the world around us and we need to be mindful of what we’re putting out there. thank you so much for sharing. I’m glad for the reminder. cheers! 😀
I cannot believe how far you have come… I have known you since November of 2016. You were one of the first bloggers I followed. (Memories!) And now… you are an incredible, amazing shining light! Even back in November of 2016 I could feel your energy. Just to see it on paper now, its so very exciting. I am so happy for you and how you are staying true to yourself. Congratulations! ~Kim
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Oh Kim what a beautiful comment! It’s wonderful for me to have connected with a few very special people across the blogging world and your one of them. Thank you for boosting my confidence no end! I’ll need to keep my feet on the ground after that one or watch my head will still fit through the door!! Thanks and sending big hugs across the pond! xxx
“To thine own self be true” is a great motto Wendy. Your blog is always inspirational, warm and fun. I think you have created a great brand. xx
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Well thank you so much Brigid! My other favourite saying is “a journey of thousand miles begins with a single step” – I feel that I’m definitely making progress – slowly but surely, one step at a time! xx
I love what you’ve done with your blog Wendy and your syyle is definitely consistent and uniquely you. I think that’s so important now, more than ever. Congrats on all the changes you’ve made, I’ve no doubt your brand will grow even more as you continue to hone your style and brand. Warmest wishes and hugs from me.
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Thanks Miri!! One step at a time… xx Big hugs returned with love! xx
Social Media is something that people really should think hard about – I am quite horrified by some of the things people think its ok to post. I think one should think of it as a big room full of people all of whom can here every word you say and see you very clearly. With that in mind, caution and consistency would be the two words I err towards. Personal branding is something that people often don’t realise is important but it is. Terribly. When I ran my business in Britain and networked a lot, I was memorable. I always wore a consistent style of dress and it tied in with my business profile on line. People therefore could pick me out. They knew what to expect and in time trusted my ‘brand’. Your brand is noticeable, consistent and knowledgeable – I come back time and a gain and I am sure many others feel the same xx
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Absolutely true Osyth. I can imagine that you’re ‘brand’ was brilliant – (I’m not just saying that – I mean it!) Yes – I think I should have added the word ‘caution’ because that’s definitely what we should be and I also agree that when we’re in ‘business mode’ we should present ourselves in the way we want our business to be viewed too. Thank you for your compliments about my brand – I genuinely appreciate your lovely feedback because I know that you’d give me an honest opinion! Thank you!! Have a brilliant weekend x
Like you, I only say what I mean so yes – I am absolutely honest when I complement your brand. I have a theory that future generations will look back at the general attitude to Social Media today and scratch their heads in bewilderment that people can be so foolish. My Brand worked for my business and that was that – of course I was hopeless at charging people for the work I did so I was busy busy and poor as a church mouse!!! X
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I think they will Osyth! I know of 2 people who lost their jobs as a result of what the posted on social media! I know the feeling of working hard for minimal reward but I’ve got better in the last couple of years about putting a fair value on the work I do – I have to be very conscious about it though! xx
Oh I was not cut out for it which is perfectly fine. My destiny is elsewhere I am certain – these days I get lots of requests through LinkedIn because I make it clear I am retire and free of charge!!! Says something, non? Social Media is like big brother in some sense and the sense is to respect that otherwise the little guy will always be the victim 🙂 xx