Building a personal brand isn’t an easy thing.  As an entrepreneur you have to wear all the hats in your business until you’re making enough to outsource (which I highly recommend!!).  It’s also really easy to blend into the crowd, which is exactly what you want to avoid with a personal brand. You want to be bringing people to you who have similar interests and who you can connect with on a level so they’ll trust you.  

Building trust and connection online can be done, but it has to be done with a lot of intentionality.  Regardless of what people try to say, it isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme, and doesn’t happen overnight. There’s a lot of hard work, thought, and planning that goes into your brand and your business for you to be able to build it like you want.  

Here are three ways that I’ve found to stand out while building a personal brand:

1.  Have lots of photos of yourself.  I know, I know – it seems like I shouldn’t even need to say this, however, you’d be surprised at the people trying to build a personal brand that don’t put themselves at the forefront of their business!  Your face needs to be visible a lot. People don’t connect with objects, but they do connect with people. Show your face 🙂 Find a branding photographer to take some photos for you to show on your social media/website!
2. Choose 3-5 things that you want to focus on and talk about those things throughout your literature, social media, email newsletters, etc.  People like to connect with others who are going through the same things they are, or who have the same interests. This doesn’t mean pick something random, but something that you love talking about and/or love doing!  When you have your photos taken, make sure to include these things in the photo session, so you’ll have visuals as well as text that shows who you are!
3. Be Authentic.  Be YOU, and not someone else.  Again, this is a reflection of you and your life so make sure you’re being yourself in your brand.  Going a step further, make sure you’re also kind and giving when interacting with others. Give compliments, encourage others, and notice the good in the world around you

Remember people are craving genuine and authentic connections.  Give your audience a space online where they can connect with you in that way.  You’ll all be richer for the experience.  

-Susie