Let’s talk about something that might make you a little uncomfortable – putting yourself out there! If you’re thinking “but I just want to run my business, not become an influencer!” I feel you. The good news? Building a personal brand doesn’t mean dancing on TikTok (unless you want to!) or sharing your entire life story. It’s about strategically showing up as the amazing business owner you already are!
Why Your Personal Brand Matters (Even If You Think It Doesn’t)
Fun fact: People connect with people, not logos. When I started sharing more of myself online – including those car confession moments and real talk about balancing business with mom life – something magical happened. My audience didn’t just grow; it transformed into a community of people who actually get what I’m about.
The “But I’m Not Interesting” Myth
Let’s bust this myth right now: You ARE interesting! You built a business from scratch, you solve problems daily, you’ve got expertise that others need. That’s literally the definition of interesting! The key isn’t becoming more interesting – it’s sharing the interesting things you’re already doing.
Building Your Brand While Building Your Business
Here’s how to show up authentically without feeling like you’re living at your phone:
- The Content Sweet Spot (find where these three circles overlap):
- What you love talking about
- What you’re good at
- What your audience needs help with
That intersection? That’s your content goldmine!
- The Visibility Recipe
- 60% Expertise sharing
- 30% Behind-the-scenes reality
- 10% Personal touches
The “Keep It Real” Strategy
Nobody’s asking you to be perfect (thank goodness!). Instead, focus on being:
- Consistently present
- Genuinely helpful
- Actually yourself
Your Personal Brand Building Blocks
- Your Origin Story Every legend has one! Share:
- What sparked your business idea
- Early challenges you overcame
- Lessons learned along the way
- Why you love what you do
- Your Expert Angles
- Industry insights
- Problem-solving tips
- Behind-the-scenes peeks
- Success stories (yours and clients’)
- Your Real Life Moments
- Business owner realities
- Work/life balance attempts
- Learning experiences
- Community involvement
The “I Don’t Have Time” Solution
Let’s make this doable with the 15/15/15 method:
- 15 minutes morning: Quick story time
- 15 minutes afternoon: Engagement
- 15 minutes evening: Content planning
The Content Categories That Actually Work
- Expert Moments
- Quick tips in your zone of genius
- Industry updates and insights
- Client success stories
- Common FAQs answered
- Behind-the-Scenes
- Day-in-the-life snippets
- Business owner realities
- Process reveals
- Team moments
- Community Connection
- Local business features
- Community involvement
- Collaboration highlights
- Industry relationships
- Personal Touches
- Work/life balance reality
- Business owner moments
- Learning experiences
- Celebration shares
Making It Manageable
- Content Batching. Pick one day a month to:
- Take brand photos
- Record quick tips
- Write post drafts
- Plan content themes
- Story Banking. Keep a running list of:
- Client win stories
- Business lessons
- FAQ responses
- Industry tips
- Template Your Life. Create templates for:
- Expert tip posts
- Behind-the-scenes shares
- Client celebrations
- Quick updates
The Reality Check
Building a personal brand takes time, but it doesn’t have to take over your life. Start small:
- One solid post a week
- Consistent stories
- Regular engagement
- Gradual growth
Signs You’re Doing It Right:
- People mention your content in person
- Clients say they feel like they know you
- Your community engages naturally
- Opportunities start finding you
- Your content feels effortless (most days!)
The Next Level: From Expert to Legend
Ready to take it further? Consider:
- Starting a podcast (hello, Riding in Cars with Moms!)
- Creating helpful resources
- Hosting local events
- Building community initiatives
- Collaborative projects
Remember: Your personal brand isn’t about being perfect – it’s about being present, authentic, and genuinely helpful to your community. Start where you are, use what you have, and share what you know!
Because showing up as yourself isn’t just good branding – it’s good business! ✨
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