I’m Brand New & You Can Be Too!
What is a personal brand?
It is you. Your story. This intimate story is portrayed via an overall message that weaves throughout Social Media platforms. Just as major consumer brands have well-known, universally recognized images, individuals have them too. But more than a just a surface image, it is important to have a deeper story too. This serves as the backbone for all you are about, who you are and why you do what you do. How successful you are in telling your story will determine how deeply it resonates with your audience and will ultimately determine the success of your brand. When you are first learning about Social Media, you are usually unaware that you are creating an online persona for yourself with each post, status update and tweet. It is all experimental at this point as you learn how to navigate the various mediums.
The essential element in creating your personal brand is to be authentic. ee cummings said “It takes courage to grow up and be who you are.”
Don’t copy someone else’s style: be yourself! Being an imitation of the most fabulous thing is still just an imitation. People catch on to this behavior very quickly. Consider your avatar to be your logo: keep it fresh and real.
Be outstanding!! Each person has unique qualities and gifts that make them special. Find yours and amplify them. If you are hesitant about what image you are projecting, find interesting blogs or links to share that fit within your strategy and build up your confidence as you go. Pay attention to what people “like” or retweet, figure out where you are connecting with your followers and build on that. Above all, please be interesting. You may start with a little kindling and end with a big bonfire if you create the proper base.
Consistency is key in your personal branding efforts. If your goal is to be viewed as a professional, this needs to be across the board through your Social Media efforts. The language that you use is the currency and relevancy to your message. Make wise choices and remember that the internet is permanent. Linking your Social Media channels together makes it seamless for a follower to travel from your Twitter bio over to your blog. This does not mean that you should show all your tweets on Linked In and tweet your Facebook statuses. A separate, similar message is fine, no need to be repetitive.
Your personal brand will evolve over time as you grow but you start projecting your personal brand from your first tweet or post.
You might think you don’t have a personal brand yet however; you already do. Consider what this might be and polish it up if necessary. It is not just your avatar but all your interactions woven together to create a personal story: your personal brand.
Make it a good one!
Peg,
I think you wrote this post specifically for me. I have been trying to “find myself” in terms of how I want to come across in my social media correspondance. Just be yourself is the best advice I have heard. I just need to figure out how to polish some of the rough edges, which ones to leave unpolished, and how to define my niche. I’m getting there but still have some work to do. Thanks for the great post.
Hello Jim~
What a great compliment and of course I wrote this just for you! Any thoughts on what your niche may be? An idea might be to ask a good Social Media friend – chances are they already see your niche and can help you clarify it.
I wish you well finding your voice on Social Media!
Positively,
Peggy
Hello Jim~
What a great compliment and of course I wrote this just for you!
I wish you well finding your voice on Social Media!
Positively,
Peggy
Hi Peg – I echo everything Jim said and your advice is wonderful! I have been “bobbin and weavin” for quite some time trying to find my true “SM” self. Connecting (on twitter)at a 140 pace, initially seemed a daunting task. My experience really took off after I sat in on a few chats and started following hashtags. I’m still growing and although I try not to mimic folks, I am learning a great deal by following some great people, including you Peggy! All my best, John
Hello John,That you for liking my advice; that truly means a lot to me! I agree that hashtags & chats are the best learning experience. And I am still learning and growing too! I also try to read blogs to learn and expand.Thanks for reading and commenting – so appreciate that!
Peggy, as usual all excellent advice! Thanks for all you do to improve social media. I love how helpful you are to everyone. Keep on rockin’ my stream!! (my brand must include the use of exclamation points, I think that the 1 button on my keyboard is starting to wear,lol)
Michelle,
Always the supportive friend! I try my best to share what I have learned from so many people that are wiser than I. I also am prone to exclamation points ~ they just seal the deal, no?
Of course, I’ll keep rocking your stream – let’s meet up though out all of Social Media! That’s how we roll girl!
Mwah
Peggy
Hello John,
That you for liking my advice; that truly means a lot to me! I agree that hashtags & chats are the best learning experience. And I am still learning and growing too! I also try to read blogs to learn and expand.
Thanks for reading and commenting – so appreciate that!
Great post, Peg — you are a great example to follow and such a positive force for so many! As my mother used to say, “Just be yourself!”. Difficult for a kid, certainly — but for many people, even more difficult as an adult.
Hello Paul ~
That is deceptively simple advice to “just be yourself” especially when you are a kid, tween, teen or any age at all I guess. Finding who we are and what we are all about is a life long lesson. I appreciate your positive thoughts!
You Rock,
Peggy
Hello Elizabeth~
I appreciate your comments and how they relate to business. Personal and corporate branding are very similar.
Thanks so much
Peggy