One thing I’ve been thinking about a lot lately is whether you’re an entrepreneur or an employee, you need a strong personal brand in today’s day and age.

I’m going to give you 3 tips on how to build your personal brand and why you shouldn’t wait to get started.

Here’s why you should prioritize building your personal brand:

1. Authentic Connection: A strong personal brand allows you to showcase your unique perspective and journey, creating deeper, more meaningful connections with your audience.
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2. Amplify Your Message: Your wisdom, teachings, or creations can help many people, but if you aren’t able to articulate what your brand stands for (and quickly), your potential clients will scroll on by.
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3. Sustainable Growth: When people purchase your offerings, they’re not just buying a product or service — they’re investing in you. Over time, this results in consistent growth, not just in numbers, but in community and influence.
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4. Resilience in a Changing Landscape: The digital world is ever-evolving, and trends come and go. I’ve witnessed A LOT of corporate layoffs over the last year, which made me realize that even if you’re an employee, you need a strong personal brand. Your brand is what will set you apart, lead to new opportunities, and keep you afloat if you are let go from your job.
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5. Fulfillment and Alignment: For many of us, success isn’t measured solely by monetary gains. It’s about alignment with our purpose and fulfillment in our work. By focusing on your personal brand, you align your business/work with your life’s purpose, leading to deeper satisfaction and joy in what you do.

Unfortunately, many entrepreneurs and creators shy away from building their personal brands, and here’s why:

Fear of being too Self-Promotional

You may feel like you should operate from a place of humility or that your work should speak for itself. But in today’s world, you have to be your biggest hype-woman. No one is going to notice you unless you’re continually talking about what you do and how you can help!
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This quote from marketing hall of famer Bozoma Saint John sums it up nicely:

“You think that you owe it to somebody. Because the way that our society is set up, it makes you feel like if you are bold, you’re arrogant. If you have a strong voice, you’re aggressive. If you have a strong opinion, ooh, don’t let the B word stick out. And so they counsel us to be humble, put your head down, do the work, somebody will recognize you. Where is that person? You keep getting passed over. Nobody is recognizing you with your head down, not saying anything.”
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Follow her if you want to see an example of a woman who knows how to brand herself.

Even when she was the Chief Marketing Officer of Netflix or the Head of Global Consumer Marketing for Apple Music and iTunes, she was always building her own personal brand on social media.

Here are 4 more reasons spiritual entrepreneurs and creators don’t focus on building their brands:

• Overwhelm with the Digital World: I get it! The digital landscape these days can be overwhelming — with its myriad platforms, algorithms, and ever-evolving trends. You might feel like you lack the technical know-how or the time to post regularly.
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• Belief in Organic Growth: Some people believe that if their message or content creation is genuinely impactful, it will naturally find its way to those who need it. I’ve got news for ya’… Without a clear strategy, it won’t.
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• Fear of Judgment or Criticism: Putting yourself out there as a thought leader opens the door to criticism, and most of us are afraid of attracting haters. I say you know you’ve truly made it when you have a few of ‘em.
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• Misunderstanding of Branding: Branding can conjure images of logos, color schemes, and marketing strategies, leading to the misconception that it’s solely about aesthetics, but it’s fundamentally about storytelling, authenticity, and building connections.
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So how the heck do you build your brand, Cooper?

3-step process to begin building your personal brand

Step 1: Define Your Core Message and Values
​Understanding your unique voice and what you stand for is the cornerstone of any strong personal brand. Without a clear core message, it’ll be challenging to differentiate yourself. What do you stand for? What are your core values? What is the movement you wish to create with your life’s work?

Step 2: Learn How to Write and Effectively Use Storytelling
​Writing and storytelling are the two most important tools in your branding arsenal. Consider the difference between stating the benefits of meditation versus sharing a personal story of how you overcame anxiety by meditating. The latter not only educates but connects on a deeply emotional level.

Step 3: Authentically Offer Value on Social Media
​A lot of people prioritize quantity over quality on social media. The prevalent wisdom is that you have to be consistent over all else. But it’s not about how often you post; it’s about the genuine connections you foster. Instead of posting daily generic quotes or advice, share a personal reflection once a week that ties back to your storytelling from Step 2. Engage with your audience, respond to their comments, and create a community.

With these steps, you’re not just building a brand; you’re crafting an experience that your audience can have with you and building deep connection.

Hope this helps. As always, comment or email with any questions or a-ha’s. I love hearing from you.