Personal branding is one of those terms marketers love to hate. But the thing is, ignoring your personal brand doesn’t make it go away. In fact, your personal brand is defined whether you pay attention to it or not. This week #ContentChat was joined by Lucy Rendler-Kaplan (@lucyrk78) to discuss just that.
Q1: What do you say to content marketers and content creators who think personal branding is another buzzword and not something they need to spend their time on?
Its overuse may be buzzword-y, but it’s still vital.
A1: I want to say they’re wrong! Personal brands help create credibility. What you do with that credibility is up to you – get a new job, earn a promotion, find freelance work, win an award, etc. It’s an investment in yourself. – @jesseghiorzi #ContentChat
— CHARGE (@CHARGEgoforward) March 12, 2018
A1 It’s your archived, stays forever personal record. With you or without you, it’s being defined with EVERYTHING you say and do, so it’s best to try to control the narrative as much as you can. #contentchat
— LUCYrk (@LUCYrk78) March 12, 2018
A1 cont’d – I don’t feel it’s a buzzword. I feel like it’s an apt description of a way to describe how you are seen and uber important to nurture. It’s different than pre-internet days – personal branding notes online are forever archived. #contentchat
— LUCYrk (@LUCYrk78) March 12, 2018
A1: Personal branding now is imperative. It’s more or less your living, breathing resume/portfolio. I’m a big believer in being a practitioner and what better way to sell yourself as a content marketer/creator than to show that you’re one?! #contentchat
— Maria Marchewka (@_MariaMarchewka) March 12, 2018
A1: Personal branding is all about telling your own story. Without your story, you look like another replication of all the other businesses/people promoting similar product and services as you! People buy from other people. #ContentChat
— Ashley Hoffman (@ashhmarketing) March 12, 2018
A1: Personal branding is a way for content creators to improve their credibility and perceived credibility. The term #personalbranding is basically your name and what it represents. #contentchat
— Julie Lichtenberg (@jalichtenberg) March 12, 2018
It’s a buzzword but that doesn’t mean it lacks value.
A1 Well, “personal branding” *is* a buzzword. But it’s something you absolutely need to be conscious of. What are people saying about you? How do they describe you? What is their perception of you? #contentchat
— Martin Lieberman (@martinlieberman) March 12, 2018
It’s branding. Pure and simple.
A1: Your online brand is no different than your offline brand, it’s all brand and it all takes work! If you take your time looking for clothes that reflect your personal style and want in digital you need to develop an online style as well. #ContentChat
— Derek Pillie (@dpillie) March 12, 2018
A1: “Personal branding” and “message platform” overlap a lot probably. So if you strengthen one, you strengthen the other. Then your audience gets clearer about the value you offer. A win for you & your biz #contentchat
— Joanne Masterson (@attentiontips) March 12, 2018
A1; It does need to be done, people want to get a feel for who you are, branding gives them a better idea and clearer picture if you will be a fit for them! #ContentChat
— Brandie McCallum (@lttlewys) March 12, 2018
A1: “branding” is a fuzzy concept that troubles non-marketers, imho. It’s translates as “hype”, “snowjob” or “fluff” to them. So I think we need a better definition than “it’s who you are.” It’s more strategic, I think. #contentchat
— Joanne Masterson (@attentiontips) March 12, 2018
Side note: a solopreneur or entrepreneur CAN have a personal brand in addition to their business brand. They’re not always one and the same.
If you’re a solopreneur and use your name as the business name, then the brands can be considered the same. If you have a different company name then you have two brands to build. @annhandley and @MarketingProfs are definitely two different brands. #ContentChat
— Tod Cordill (@todcordill) March 12, 2018
I think of my “brand” as simply my personality within the larger brand of MarketingProfs. The key for any one person/company brand is that they be compatible: there’s no dissonance between the two. We have shared characteristics; a similar philosophy. Also, HI #CONTENTCHAT!
— Ann Handley (@annhandley) March 13, 2018
Q2: What are the steps I can take to think through and define my personal brand?
Start by thinking through how you currently come across and if that’s your desired brand.
A2 Take a good hard look at who you REALLY are in other peoples eyes – ask people to describe your brand to you- is it what you would WANT people to say? If not, you need to work on what’s NOT working in your life/work to help be more of the person you want to be #contentchat
— LUCYrk (@LUCYrk78) March 12, 2018
A2:
Above all, be authentic, unique and simple.
Analyze: what you want to be known for
Research: learn about yourself
Define: find common themes, create core message
Develop: identify 3 stories & 3 channels to tell them
Launch: put it into action
– @jesseghiorzi #ContentChat— CHARGE (@CHARGEgoforward) March 12, 2018
Understand your unique value prop and what you want to accomplish. What brand YOU can help you tell that story?
Q2: Ask yourself: Why did you decide on this field? What brought you to this point? What do you want to accomplish with your work/brand? How can you utilize your skills to make for a better world? Then create your story & promote from there. #ContentChat
— Ashley Hoffman (@ashhmarketing) March 12, 2018
A2: Understand what your online persona looks like, does that show/tell the story of who you? Be concise and clear #ContentChat
— Brandie McCallum (@lttlewys) March 12, 2018
A2: Answer “what do I want to be known for?”, and go with that. #Contentchat pic.twitter.com/6lkeWKWTqG
— Julie Lichtenberg (@jalichtenberg) March 12, 2018
A2: What is that you want to accomplish? Once you’ve defined your goals, you can work your way backwards to figure out what exactly you need to do in order to reach that goal and stay true to yourself along the way. #contentchat
— Maria Marchewka (@_MariaMarchewka) March 12, 2018
Ask trusted friends and colleagues how they would describe you to others.
Your brand is defined by others’ perception of you. So you can try to manage it, but it’s not 100% in your control. #contentchat
— Martin Lieberman (@martinlieberman) March 12, 2018
A2
Figure out what kind of brand you want to have
Even ask people what word they think of when your name pops up
Connecting with people through social and networking to build your brand. #ContentChat pic.twitter.com/JItsiNN3bJ— Annoyin’ Observer (@SirKingofGifs) March 12, 2018
Q3: How can I determine what others consider to be my personal brand?
Ask friends and colleagues directly!
A3: Ask your friends and industry colleagues which five words they associate with you. #contentchat
— Shelly Lucas (@pisarose) March 12, 2018
A3 ASK THEM. Be direct – there’s no better way to find out than to directly question people. Hopefully you surround yourself with people that will be honest with you 🙂 #contentchat https://t.co/LlSfokhh0P
— LUCYrk (@LUCYrk78) March 12, 2018
A3: Ask coworkers, friends, clients to give an ‘elevator pitch’ describing who they think you are. From there, pull common themes. #ContentChat
— Power Digital (@PwrDigMarketing) March 12, 2018
A3 Ask your friends and family what words best represent you and keep an eye out for things your audience respond to more #ContentChat
— Dami Adenaike (@damiade00) March 12, 2018
Survey friends and colleagues anonymously.
A3: Just ask. Use @SurveyMonkey or @google Forms to create an anonymous survey to ask friends/colleagues what they think of when they think of you. Also, pay attention to what people ask you for, e.g. restaurant reccos, outfit feedback, etc. #ContentChat
— CHARGE (@CHARGEgoforward) March 12, 2018
A3: The best way to know is just to ask. Maybe set up an anonymous survey to send to your friends/audience. Plus, utilize those closest to you. They know you best and will be (hopefully) honest about your perception. #ContentChat
— Ashley Hoffman (@ashhmarketing) March 12, 2018
A3 Perhaps you could take a poll and ask yer network what it thinks of you! What do you say, #contentchat?
— Ken Gordon (@quickmuse) March 12, 2018
Look at your most recent social mentions and the referrals coming your way.
A3. Keep track of mentions, competitors content, and conversations with visual images which reveal what is perceived rather than conceived. #ContentChat pic.twitter.com/zzpSIZ9zCe
— Dr. Dorrie Cooper (@sittingpretty61) March 12, 2018
A3 For that you need to know who you are. Identify your strengths and weaknesses, see what draws people to you, what advice do they come to you for, pay attention to the compliments people give you, cash on it! #ContentChat https://t.co/cMQWAG9w3F
— Goddess of Tweets (@tweeterellaah) March 12, 2018
A3 Ask people, see what you are getting referred to the most. #ContentChat
— Brandie McCallum (@lttlewys) March 12, 2018
Q4: Uh-oh. The personal brand I’ve put out into the world isn’t exactly how I’d like to be known. Where should I start to get public perception better aligned to my brand ideal?
Show up every day and be the person you want to be seen as. It just takes time.
A4: Brands are like bank accounts with a series of withdrawals and deposits. Try to make a small deposit every day that aligns with the authentic brand you want to represent. Keep going, it won’t happen overnight. – @jesseghiorzi #ContentChat pic.twitter.com/gp5KNh5yUP
— CHARGE (@CHARGEgoforward) March 12, 2018
“Find out who you are and be that every day.” @jontaffer said that to a bar owner on @BarRescue and I thought that kind of consistency applied perfectly to personal branding. #ContentChat
— CHARGE (@CHARGEgoforward) March 12, 2018
Get to the root of why people perceive you the way you do. Are your words and actions aligned?
A4 Think about WHY there’s a disconnect. Do you talk about being an “expert” but never share actual expertise? Actions always speak louder than words. #contentchat
— Martin Lieberman (@martinlieberman) March 12, 2018
A4 This is SUPER personal for me. This has happened to me twice, once in 1996 and then again ending around 2014…Realize when this is happening and do some soul searching – is “this” who you really want to be? #contentchat
— LUCYrk (@LUCYrk78) March 12, 2018
A4 cont’d – the GOOD NEWS is: you CAN reinvent yourself. #contentchat
— LUCYrk (@LUCYrk78) March 12, 2018
A4: Once you’ve pulled themes from the opinions of your industry peers, identify which ones you don’t agree with and try to understand that perception. Once you understand why you’re seen that way, you can attempt to change it to your preferred perception. #contentchat
— Power Digital (@PwrDigMarketing) March 12, 2018
Start creating and amplifying content that supports your ideal brand.
A4: Consistently create content that speaks to the message you’re trying to articulate. You have the power to shift the conversation in a way that you want it to go if you’re dedicated to content creation & community engagement that aligns with your brand. #contentchat
— Maria Marchewka (@_MariaMarchewka) March 12, 2018
A3: Align yourself with applicable #influencers and share what they are sharing. Post the type of content you DO want to be known. If you want the perception to change, you need to initiate the change. #Contentchat pic.twitter.com/dEdAyQmg3Z
— Julie Lichtenberg (@jalichtenberg) March 12, 2018
A4: Write a definition of your personal brand. Integrate your online & offline comments to align with your brand messaging. Create personally branded content. Engage in forums & topics that touch on your brand. #ContentChat
— Shelly Lucas (@pisarose) March 12, 2018
A4: Start putting yourself out there in the context that you want. Write articles exploring a subject that you’re interested in and want to be known for. Engage with others with a brand better aligned to your preferred one. Be the best version of yourself! #contentchat
— Ashley Hoffman (@ashhmarketing) March 12, 2018
Be more realistic about your branding.
A4: Figure out where your branding went wrong and fix it, then change the story you are telling people. #ContentChat
— Brandie McCallum (@lttlewys) March 12, 2018
A4: Assuming that what you’re currently putting out there is who you truly are in real life, wouldn’t that be an accurate reflection of your personal brand? The ideal brand we have in mind may not be who we truly are. #contentchat
— Randy Thio (@ideabloke) March 12, 2018
A4. One should also not be afraid to embrace the evolution and change of one’s personal brand because that it might be a proper depiction of what you actually do, and who you are. You have to decide on whether you want to accommodate the change or redefine yourself #ContentChat
— Peta Leitermann-Long (nee Long) (@petalong) March 12, 2018
Q5: Let’s talk headshots. What are some do’s and don’ts for social profile photos, from a personal branding perspective?
A5 imo, the only rule here is remembering that we are gonna see you in real life. Don’t filter yourself into someone we won’t recognize when you walk in the door 😊 #contentchat https://t.co/dm3gum4wPK
— LUCYrk (@LUCYrk78) March 12, 2018
Don’t: Bathroom mirror selfies. #contentchat https://t.co/aGiy7pklIq
— Ashley Hoffman (@ashhmarketing) March 12, 2018
A5. I see WAY to many profile photos that aren’t headshots. Pictures with S.O.s, BFFs. Drives me crazy when I can’t tell which person belongs to the profile. #ContentChat
— Tod Cordill (@todcordill) March 12, 2018
A5: Be authentic – If your brand is more casual and approachable, don’t be afraid to be dressed casually. If your brand is polished and formal, let your photo reflect that, too. Make sure your profile and cover photo are hi-res. – @jesseghiorzi #ContentChat pic.twitter.com/JMIGzKZoL2
— CHARGE (@CHARGEgoforward) March 12, 2018
A5: Don’t put yourself in situations that don’t apply to you. If you preach about freelancing and working from home, don’t show yourself in a suit in every photo. Do’s: Smile. #contentchat
— Terry Schilling (@tschill86) March 12, 2018
A5 they need to be relatively up to date — so when the person meets you they can relate you to the pic. #contentchat
— Paula Kiger (@biggreenpen) March 12, 2018
A5 I would say keep it simple and not overdo it with makeup or styling #ContentChat
— Dami Adenaike (@damiade00) March 12, 2018
A5 Make sure that your face is easily seen and there’s no distractions, also good lighting. I’d save the extra content for your cover photo. #ContentChat
— Annoyin’ Observer (@SirKingofGifs) March 12, 2018
A5: Change your Avi pic at least every 6 months. Part of your branding is both online/offline. People want to see you, not high school you! Make them clear and well-done. And current! #ContentChat pic.twitter.com/c4h23Aod8K
— Brandie McCallum (@lttlewys) March 12, 2018
Q6: How can I bring my personal brand to life through social media and blogging?
Be consistent.
A6 Ask yourself if every post or piece of content tells your story or tells your audience something you care about #ContentChat
— Dami Adenaike (@damiade00) March 12, 2018
A6 write what you know, that others want to know. Even in your writing you can let people in and learn who you are. Blogs are great for helping build consistency. #contentchat
— LUCYrk (@LUCYrk78) March 12, 2018
A6: Engage with focused intent. I try to collaborate and share with others as much or more than I create and share my own content. #contentchat pic.twitter.com/ntDbyNtChB
— Mike Bryant (@MichaelRo22ss) March 12, 2018
Be authentic.
A6: Your personal brand should be authentic, unique and simple. Interact with relevant accounts and chats. Create or curate content that provides value to your audience, not just stuff that promotes you. – @jesseghiorzi #ContentChat
— CHARGE (@CHARGEgoforward) March 12, 2018
A6: 1st rule of writing: write about what you know. You know yourself best – share pieces of you (professionally & personally) through your social platforms. Audiences love authenticity. #contentchat
PS I love baking and I made a delish orange cake yesterday.
— Julie Lichtenberg (@jalichtenberg) March 12, 2018
A6: Personality, distinct perspectives (consistent and/or evolving on a continuum), approachability, responsiveness, & respect for others. #ContentChat
— Shelly Lucas (@pisarose) March 12, 2018
Share your story—what makes you, well, you?
A6: Start conversations about it! Blog about your journey. Tell your story on social media and your blog. Engage with others with similar and complementing brands. Build your network. Share your story. #ContentChat
— Ashley Hoffman (@ashhmarketing) March 12, 2018
A6b: Also, be candid with your audience. Let them get to know you and what your hobbies are. By giving people a more inside look of your life, you can still add value through life hacks, etc. People will respond to genuine content. #ContentChat
— Terry Schilling (@tschill86) March 12, 2018
A6: Share what you are passionate about, what are your insights into your chosen profession. Write consistently. Make sure you make it personal, let people get to know you. Build layers. There are several ways to share, post, pictures, gifs #ContentChat
— Brandie McCallum (@lttlewys) March 12, 2018
Document your content strategy.
A6: By having a cohesive content strategy. Next select the appropriate social media channels where your target audiences are. #ContentChat https://t.co/tTBxaNH6qE
— Carlarjenkins (@carlarjenkins) March 12, 2018
A6: Personal branding isn’t all that different from any other kind of branding. If you want to be successful at it think through a plan and work it. Stay on message, be consistent and engage your audience! #contentchat
— Derek Pillie (@dpillie) March 12, 2018
Q7: Are there any common misconceptions about personal branding to watch out for?
A7: A brand is not just a logo or your website. Those are touchpoints. It’s a unique statement about who you are and what you stand for. It should serve as a guide for all of your touchpoints – in-person, social media, interviews, etc. – @jesseghiorzi #ContentChat
— CHARGE (@CHARGEgoforward) March 12, 2018
A7: That it’s all one-way and all about me. Your personal brand is about what you offer and how you stand out from the rest. #ContentChat https://t.co/NGPWE65TUs
— Carlarjenkins (@carlarjenkins) March 12, 2018
A7 the number one imo: that YOU control it. It’s being defined with you or without you. That’s why it’s important to control your own narrative and be who you are! #contentchat https://t.co/LECzs579V0
— LUCYrk (@LUCYrk78) March 12, 2018
A7: That you should promote, promote, promote! Don’t forget to interact and engage. You should be personable and interactive, not a tweeting advertisement! #contentchat
— Kavita Chintapalli (@kavita1010) March 12, 2018
A7: That I must appeal to the 45-year-old white man stuck in my head. Maybe it’s just me, but a difficult part of personal branding is finding the audience who will relate to your story and speaking to *them* – not *everyone* #nicheaudience #ContentChat
— Ashley Hoffman (@ashhmarketing) March 12, 2018
A7: That branding is easy or not even needed for you, personally. That you can brand yourself without a plan and consistency. That you can have the brand as your business without being distinct #ContentChat
— Brandie McCallum (@lttlewys) March 12, 2018
A7: You’re not a corporate giant. Don’t behave like one. #contentchat
— Mark Rowan (@Mark_Markets) March 12, 2018
A7: Myth: Personal brands are predictable experiences (like branded products). Different facets of human knowledge, insight, personality, & behavior surface, depending on specific contexts. #contentchat
— Shelly Lucas (@pisarose) March 12, 2018
A7 Biggest misconception is that a personal brand is something you choose to have. We all have a brand, whether we want one or not. #contentchat
— Martin Lieberman (@martinlieberman) March 12, 2018
Q8: What are some good personal branding resources or examples I should check out?
A8:@16personalities for insight into your personality@socialrank to learn about your audience@canva to upgrade your look/graphics
And a shameless plug to our free guide: https://t.co/oAe468g5hk – @jesseghiorzi #ContentChat— CHARGE (@CHARGEgoforward) March 12, 2018
A8: Throwback to my former life but @MarketSnare‘s content opportunity report is a resource that could help you figure out what kinds of things you could be writing about. https://t.co/XsOhg0bhlc #contentchat
— Derek Pillie (@dpillie) March 12, 2018
A8: Also on the content discovery front, if you know what you want to write about @rightrelevance is a great tool for folks who may not have a Youtuber branding budget. 🙂 #contentchat
— Derek Pillie (@dpillie) March 12, 2018
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