If you’re a solopreneur, blogger, podcaster, or influencer, then you know the power of personal branding. But I’m going to let you in on a little secret, friend—there’s one (super popular) myth that experts are still teaching around this topic. Year after year, I see far too many people buy into this idea. So today, it’s time for a little real talk.

In order to grow a successful personal brand, it’s important to keep this truth in mind so you can take intentional action towards your goals. If you don’t pay attention, it could have you spinning your wheels and seeing none of the results you deserve. So let’s bust this personal branding myth and get you on the right track to creating a brand that delivers results, shall we?

THE PERSONAL BRANDING MYTH NO ONE IS TALKING ABOUT

If you’re part of the creative community in any way, shape, or form, then you’ve probably heard some variation of this idea before: if you build a fiercely authentic personal brand, then the clients will line up at your door ready to hand over the money.

Sounds almost too good to be true, right?

Well, it is.

We have to be honest with ourselves and realize the brands that are just about one person do not succeed.

If you build your brand around YOUR story, YOUR preferences, and YOUR values alone, then you unintentionally leave no space for your ideal client to meet you there.

How can your ideal client envision themselves working alongside you or benefitting from what you have to offer if your brand is all about you?

CHANGING THE NARRATIVE ON THIS PERSONAL BRANDING MYTH

Has a brand ever really drawn you in with their personal story, but you lost interest when they didn’t offer you true connection or value? I know I’ve had that happen to me time and time again. In this incredibly busy era, there are so many people, brands, and cute dogs constantly competing for our attention… so if there’s no true value, it’s easy to get lost in the noise.

Simply put, when you don’t leave room for your ideal client to join in your story, you’ve created a personal brand that’s simply shouting to the masses. And that, my friend, is a surefire recipe for burnout.

Let’s breathe a little realism into this idea, shall we?

Instead of creating a brand that is all about you (and, thus, doesn’t include your ideal client in the picture), let’s make you the face of your brand. Instead of thinking of yourself as personally being the entire brand, think of yourself more as the spokesmodel for it. With this approach, you’re able to share how your personal story fits into your ideal client’s journey—and that’s when you create a truly successful, authentic brand! Why? Because your ideal client can instantly see how your work fits into their own journey. They can identify with you, so your personal story becomes a powerful testimony to the value of your brand. On top of that, they can see how your story, values, and personal experience align with their own.

ONE REAL-LIFE EXAMPLE

One of my favorite examples of building a personal brand that is both authentic and profitable is my boss lady friend, Emily Ley. Emily’s desire to find a planner that allowed her to simplify all the things on her plate brought her to create her own Simplified Planner! Now, she’s able to use that personal experience to inspire connection with fellow business owners, busy mommas, and women in all walks of life who are looking for a planner that enables them to experience a similar definition of success to her own.

In her messaging, Emily shares her…

• Personal story: her desire to simplify all the things on her plate
• Preferences: a planner that would help her write and organize her daily to-do’s
• Values: inspiring connection with others who are looking for a similar definition of success

Emily’s ideal clients share their…

• Personal story: a desire to simplify all aspects of their lives
• Preferences: to organize and plan out their schedules daily
• Values: to experience a similar definition of success

BUILDING AN AUTHENTIC PERSONAL BRAND

You see, friends, there IS a way to use your personal experience to connect with your ideal clients on a deeper level. It IS possible to build a personal brand that is as authentic as it is profitable. But in order to do so, your brand must be strategically built to reflect your values and allow room for your ideal client to share them alongside with you.

If you’re ready to build a personal brand that’s equal parts purposeful and profitable, then I would love to chat with you about how we can work together!

I’m currently booking custom 1:1 branding clients for 2021, and it would be such a joy to craft a visual brand that authentically reflects the heart of your life’s work. Head here to schedule your complimentary consult call!

BOOK YOUR COMPLIMENTARY CONSULTATION TODAY!