Personal Branding

Personal Branding: How I Stopped Faking It and Found My Authentic Voice

Remember that cringe-worthy LinkedIn headline you wrote years ago? *shudders* Yeah, me too. Personal branding isn’t about crafting a perfect image it’s about uncovering what makes you uniquely valuable. And spoiler: I learned this the hard way.

Why Personal Branding Feels So Awkward (And How to Fix It)

Here’s the paradox: We’re told to “be authentic” while also “curating our image.” No wonder it feels fake! My breakthrough came when I realized:

• Your brand exists whether you shape it or not (people were already describing me as “the spreadsheet wizard who wears dinosaur socks”)
• Vulnerability attracts the right opportunities (my worst client experiences became my most requested speaking topics)
• Consistency > perfection (posting 5 decent articles beats 1 flawless piece nobody sees)

Truth bomb: My most engaged social post was literally me admitting I’d burned breakfast during a work call. Relatability wins.

The Moment My Personal Brand Clicked

Picture this: 2019, mid-pandemic, me desperately trying to sound “corporate professional” in videos. Then my cat jumped on camera during a live workshop. Instead of apologizing, I laughed and said “Meet my VP of Napping.”

Result? 300% more comments, 5 new client inquiries, and my first viral post. Lesson learned: People connect with humans, not polished avatars.

3 Personal Branding Myths That Held Me Back

Myth #1: “I Need to Appeal to Everyone”

Big mistake. When I niched down to “data storytelling for creative entrepreneurs,” I attracted:

• Higher-paying clients who truly valued my approach
• Speaking gigs at events I actually enjoyed
• A community that “got” my weird analogies

You know what they say if no one’s annoyed by your brand, you’re not standing for anything.

Myth #2: “My Brand Needs to Be Fully Formed”

Newsflash: Mine still evolves weekly! Here’s what helped me embrace the mess:

• Created a “brand evolution” document (version 12 and counting)
• Started sharing works-in-progress (#BehindTheBrand hashtag)
• Asked my audience for input (turns out they love shaping the journey)

Myth #3: “Personal Branding = Constant Self-Promotion”

Nope. My most effective “brand-building” activities:

• Celebrating others’ wins (my “Client Spotlight” series gets 5x more shares than my achievements)
• Sharing resources with no strings attached (free templates = unexpected referrals)
• Being a connector (introducing people is my secret superpower)

My 5-Step “No-BS” Personal Branding Framework

After coaching 200+ professionals, here’s what actually works:

1. The “Dinner Party” Test

How would friends describe you in 3 words when you’re not in the room? (Mine: “Analytical, approachable, oddly specific about coffee”) That’s your brand foundation.

2. Content Repurposing That Doesn’t Feel Icky

One client case study becomes:

• LinkedIn post with lessons learned
• Twitter thread breaking down the process
• Newsletter deep dive with bonus resources
• Speaking engagement talking points

Pro tip: Record Zoom calls (with permission) and transcribe golden nuggets.

3. The “30-Second Hook” Exercise

Can you explain what you do in a way that makes bartenders lean in? My formula:

• “I help [specific people] solve [specific problem] so they can [transformative outcome]”
• Plus one surprising detail (“Usually while listening to 90s punk rock”)

4. Strategic Inconsistency

Wait, what? Hear me out: Being 100% consistent across platforms feels robotic. My approach:

• LinkedIn = professional insights + dad jokes
• Instagram = workspace snippets + cooking fails
• Newsletter = deep dives + personal updates

Different flavors, same core ingredients.

5. The “Brand Autopsy” Technique

Every 6 months, I analyze:

• Which content performed best (and why)
• How my audience describes me vs. how I want to be seen
• One experimental element to test (right now it’s short-form video)

When Personal Branding Backfires: My Cringe-Worthy Lessons

Not all experiments worked. Exhibit A:

• The “Expert” Phase: Posted daily industry news. Result? Zero engagement and burnout
• The “Trendy” Trap: Hopped on Clubhouse. Wasted 20 hours for 2 lukewarm leads
• The “Viral” Misstep: Forced memes. Got 10K views… and confused DMs from ideal clients

What saved me? The “So What?” Test. Before posting anything, I ask: Does this help my audience, showcase my strengths, or spark meaningful conversation? If not—delete.

My Current Personal Branding Hack

I call it “Strategic Oversharing”—one vulnerable detail per professional post. Examples:

• Sharing salary history when discussing negotiation
• Posting rejected proposals with lessons learned
• Documenting my failed side projects

Surprise benefit: These now comprise 80% of my inbound leads. Go figure.

Your Personal Branding Starter Pack

If you’re overwhelmed (been there!), start with these 3 things:

• Google yourself: What shows up on page 1? That’s your current brand whether you like it or not
• Set a 5-minute timer: Jot down what colleagues always ask your help with that’s your niche
• Pick one platform: Master it before expanding (I still regret trying to be everywhere at once)

Final Thoughts: Branding Is Just Organized Authenticity

Here’s the truth no one told me: Your personal brand isn’t what you say about yourself it’s what others say when you’re not in the room. And that? That comes from showing up consistently as your imperfect, evolving self.

My challenge to you: This week, share one unpolished win, lesson, or failure. Tag it #RealBranding I’ll be there cheering you on. Because at the end of the day? The most magnetic brand is simply you, fully expressed.