5 Myths About Personal Branding

June 8, 2023
Personal Branding

I still remember the moment I realized I had my very own personal brand. It happened a few months after I launched my blog, and a couple of people actually took the time to comment on how much they enjoyed my content. It was like a light bulb moment when I realized that through my blog, I had somehow managed to create a connection with people. And let me tell you, it wasn’t a “today’s the day I start my personal brand” kind of thing. No, personal branding usually sneaks up on us, resulting from a mix of activities and some trial and error about what to share with our beloved community members.

According to Wikipedia, personal branding is the conscious and intentional effort to mold the public perception of an individual, positioning them as an authority in their industry, boosting their credibility, and setting them apart from the competition, all in the pursuit of advancing their career, expanding their influence, and making a bigger impact. So basically, it’s about becoming a rockstar in your field and showing everyone that you’re the real deal.

But hold on, friends! Personal branding isn’t all lofty and abstract.

It’s about defining your unique value proposition, knowing who you’re trying to impress, creating a platform to shout from the rooftops about your greatness, and connecting with people in a way that’s genuine and consistent.

So yeah, it’s about being strategic and deliberate, but not in a creepy way. We don’t want you to come across as a robot or a used car salesman. That’s just not the vibe we’re going for here.

Personal branding is all about cranking up the volume on your personality traits so that you stand out from the pack, gain the trust of your audience, and attract all those juicy leads and opportunities. It’s like having a personal hype squad cheering you on, but without the glitter and confetti (unless that’s your thing, then go for it!). You want to be known for being unapologetically yourself, because that’s where the magic happens.

Now, let’s address some of the common misconceptions that can trip us up on our personal branding journey.

The 5 Most Common Myths about Personal Branding

🌟 Myth #1: Personal branding is all about creating a superficial image.

Oh boy, are we far from the truth here! I get it, we’re bombarded with images of celebrities like the Kardashians and J-Lo, whose entire brands revolve around their image. But let’s be real, folks. For us mere mortals, our personal brand thrives when it’s rooted in our authentic selves. So if your brand is all about living in sweatpants (I’m looking at you, pandemic warriors), don’t feel pressured to transform into something you’re uncomfortable with. Take a page from the branding playbooks of Brene Brown, Ellen Degeneres, Oprah Winfrey, and countless others who have built powerful brands by staying true to themselves. Authenticity is the name of the game.

🌟 Myth #2: Personal branding competes with corporate branding.

Folks, here’s the tea: your personal brand and your corporate brand can actually be BFFs. It’s not an either-or situation! People don’t just buy things; they buy from people they trust, and they trust people they like. So, channel your inner marketing magician and use your personal brand to create that trust, connect with your clients, and lead them down the path to purchase. As the great Seth Godin once said, “People do not buy goods and services; they buy relationships, stories, and magic.” And you, my friend, can be the magician who weaves those magical spells.

🌟 Myth #3: Personal branding is all about social media.

Sorry Zuckerberg and friends, it ain’t about your billion-dollar platforms! Believe it or not, you don’t have to be a social media guru to build a solid reputation and brand. Of course, social media can turbocharge your amplification efforts, but let’s not forget the other branding tools in our arsenal. We’ve got direct one-to-one connection through customer service, our charming phone call styles, email newsletters, and the magic that happens at meetings, conferences, and networking events. So put down your selfie stick, my friend, and explore the other avenues available to you.

🌟 Myth #4: Personal branding is time-consuming.

Ain’t nobody got time for that, right? Wrong! Personal branding doesn’t have to eat up all your precious hours. With the platforms I just mentioned, you can squeeze in branding activities that take no more than 10 minutes a day. Shoot someone a heartfelt thank-you card, create a fun poll on social media, drop a witty comment on someone else’s post, or jazz up your email signature. You’ll be surprised at how much you can accomplish in those short bursts of branding brilliance. Who said personal branding had to be a never-ending time suck?

🌟 Myth #5: Personal branding is all about you.

Cue the dramatic gasp, put your ego aside and get ready – while your personal brand is a reflection of your awesome characteristics, stories, and thought leadership, the real secret sauce lies in understanding your ideal community member. By tapping into their struggles, challenges, and questions, you can shape your brand to resonate with them on a deep level. When you have your ideal customer or client in mind, your brand becomes a powerful tool to communicate and connect with them in a way that hits home. It’s like having a secret decoder ring for your branding success.

Before you run off and start whiteboarding your unique and unforgettable brand, let me drop one last truth bomb: starting your personal brand isn’t as complicated as it may seem. But hey, if you want a little boost and some expert guidance, consider joining the Brand Plan Academy. It’s like having a personalized A to Z toolkit for B2B sales professionals, helping you launch your personal brand with intention. So go forth, my fellow brand warriors, and make your mark on the world. You’ve got this!

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