This is me, trying to realize that what I’m doing will all be worth it. I’ve always preached the importance of elevated branding, not just the bare minimum to be “good enough.” But I’ve been guilty of not practicing what I preach.
Hours spent on blog drafts that never see the light of day, procrastinating on new podcast episodes, and sporadically sharing content on social media – I am exactly what I tell my clients NOT to be.
But this time, it will be different. Not because I want to be “liked,” but because I know it’s necessary to build the future I want – the one on my terms. It’s still uncomfortable as hell, but being able to work through it all will be 100% worth it.
The Awkward Reality of Building Your Brand
Personal branding is not what everyone else makes it look like. It’s hard, it’s a grind, it’s an everyday thing. Let me break it down for you based on what I’ve been doing lately:
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- Scheduling a Photoshoot: I’ve dealt with years of hating myself for the way I look. I’m fat, I’m ugly, people only respect me because I’m funny and make fun of myself. Yes, this is what my brain tells me daily, but even with all that noise in the background, I went out and forced myself to pose for a camera.
- Being Consistent on Socials: I’m sitting here right now at 5:30 am writing an article on branding so I can post it on LinkedIn and keep up with the 17 likes I had last week. Yep, 17 likes, but I know consistency is key, and I have to keep going.
- Strategic Planning…I think: Who am I becoming? What am I bringing to the table? Will anyone care? Writing all of these ideas down on a notepad, or the notebook on my desk, or the note app on my phone…or on a piece of paper I lost. How are you still reading this?
Does any of this sound familiar? Yes? That’s because you are not alone! Even the people you think have it all together are still only human. But this is a good thing. It reminds you to relax and take the next bite of reality.
Shout out to Salt & Light Café in Reading, PA. (These photos are killing me.)
Stop Being a Bitch!
I’ve been in the branding game for years, but I never really gave myself the same attention I gave my clients. Life gets in the way, project deadlines, family obligations, etc., but I’m over making excuses for myself. I looked in the mirror a few weeks back and told myself, “Stop being a bitch!”
My future is not going to write itself. I want to create opportunities that stretch beyond my little corner of Berks County, and I know a strong personal brand is my ticket to get on that train. Connections, collaborations, and maybe even my dream gig of being involved in baseball. (Hey, you never know.)
All of this can’t be achieved overnight. You need to attack it one bite at a time. Here’s a quick list to get you started:
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- Start Small: Post one photo a week. Make it authentic and see how great a reaction you get. People love people. (Never forget that.)
- Embrace the Mess: Behind-the-scenes content is always a hit because it shows vulnerability. Others can relate, and again, it makes you human. People love people.
- Keep Track of Your Wins: Smile at your 17 likes, reply to all of your comments, and realize that you are building something.
- Don’t Forget Why: I want to build opportunity for myself in the next chapter of my life. What is your purpose?
The Payoff
In the short amount of time I’ve spent on personal branding, I have seen an uptick in engagement. And not just on social media, but at in-person events, and I’ve even booked a couple of meetings.
If you’re still on the fence, here’s my challenge to you: just post the damn thing! Take a selfie, write about what you were doing in that moment that made you smile, and hit post. And if you feel obliged to do so, follow me here and let’s take this journey together.
We need to normalize the grind of branding and how it can make you squirm – but you should do it anyway!
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