FINALLY!! it's a wrap 👉 Today marks 365 days of posting. Here's what I learned...


9 months of posting daily on LinkedIn taught me this...


Crazy, it was 251 days ago I took the plunge.

Here's what I have learned so far...
 
🔥 1) Don't overthink, don't second guess

It's scary to step out, I know. Warm up the "room" by liking, following, and commenting before you start posting. This builds a network to support you.
 
🔥 2) It gets easier each day (not a cliche, it's really true.)

Now, 9 months in, if a post doesn't hit, I don't take it personally. It can be the algorithm, timing, relevance. I keep learning from each post and it gets easier to write and find ideas as well.
 
🔥 3) People first. Posts second

The Law of Reciprocity applies here. Focus on building up people. They will pay you back with support, kindness, and often referrals and opportunities. 
 
🔥 4) Comments are currency

Comment thoughtfully on every. single. post. Even when it takes longer. This is how we build trust, show our personality and increase engagement.
 
🔥 5) Somebody's always watching you...

Most of my leads and clients come from those who read but don't engage. Don't be harsh on lurkers. It's hard to step out online.
 
🔥 6) Fresh content daily

People get bored easily. Focus on a compelling headline/opening sentence. Rotate post formats and your pillar topics but stay in one lane. Sprinkle in some short-form content for those who scan more than they read.
 
🔥 7) Friends are found here

I can't wait to open up my LinkedIn app each morning. This community is supportive, smart, and kind and will prop you up the days you want to quit.
 
🔥 8) Metrics don't always matter

In the last few weeks, we all have taken a hit. Those that stay in it, win it. Aim for leads vs likes.
 
🔥 9) Be relatable and approachable

Show your personal side and watch your engagement grow. You can share your personality and be personable without being too personal.
 
IT'S TRUE...
 
When you put yourself out there, the opportunities are out there. 

REMEMBER...

You don't need permission or perfection.
It's never too late.

 ➡️ What lessons have you learned on LinkedIn this year?


#personalbranding #linkedin #socialmedia #PutYourselfOutThere

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To all those in the #365challenge, WE DID IT!! It wasn't easy, but it was.so.worth.it!

Here are 12 lessons learned this year.
(I probably can write 50, but keeping it brief for NYE)

1. Do it scared!
✅ Ignore the inner voice. We're never meant to stay long in our comfort zones.

2. Build a community before you create.
✅ Even before you start posting, get active commenting, reading, engaging with others.

3. Put in the reps. Find your flow.
✅ The more I posted, the more I learned, wrote better, and found clarity and confidence.

4. LinkedIn is NOT a social media platform.
✅ Nope, I realized fast (and wish I knew earlier) It's your community and your university.

5. Give, give, give, and then give more.
✅ You have to give 10x more than you get here, and it pays off.

6. What do I post about??
✅ It's magic: when you get out there consistently the ideas flow. It's nuts, but true!

7. If a post flops, I know these 2 truths.
✅ I don't take it personally and I know more people see it, even if they don't engage with it.

8. It's a long game, not a one-and-done.
✅ First, it takes time to build. And then you have to be doing #2 and #5 and results will follow.

9. Fortune DOES favor creators.
✅ Out of sight, out of mind rings true here. Inbound leads, dream clients, and opportunities are the payoffs.

10. Visibility is NOT vanity. It opens doors & unlocks opportunities.
✅ Get out there as people need to know you so you can help them.

11. People are the REASON.
✅ The community, connections, and friends I've made here are my biggest success story. I can't stress this enough.

12. We all have something to say and share.
✅ Write your original insights, stories and build in public as they say. You'll find your people and payoffs by being you.

And for now, that's a wrap. 🎉
I'll move now to 3-5 days and take my weekends off.
___

👉 To the #365crew, let's hear from you below. We did it!
👉 Are you planning to post regularly in 2022?

Launch and Grow Your Personal Brand: 7 Considerations to Set You Up for Success

Last year when polls were all the rage on LinkedIn, someone took a count: What’s the most overused buzzword on LinkedIn? To my unsettling, “personal branding” was the clear winner.

Reading through all 421 comments, I realized there’s a real need to set the record straight: personal branding is not a narcissistic buzzword but rather an impactful way to be real and relatable in service to others.

What *Really* is a Personal Brand and Why Do You Need One?

Much like the differences in the definition of a “brand,” the term “personal brand” has myriad variations, most notably from misunderstandings that primarily come from its usage on social media.

It all started with this 1997 article when the term “personal brand” was first coined but in recent years with the rest of social media usage, the need to define and strengthen our personal brands is at the forefront. Now, a personal brand is no longer a “nice to have” but rather a “need to have” for professionals and entrepreneurs wanting to make a bigger statement in their industries.

Personal Brand and Personal Branding Defined

A personal brand is the essence of who you are and the impression you have in the minds of others. Personal branding is the intentional and strategic process to leverage an individual’s perception for more significant influence and impact It’s important to distinguish between the two as they are not the same.

When done correctly, a personal brand shapes our perception among others and creates awareness and favorable outcomes for our careers, businesses, and professional standing with enhanced visibility, credibility, earned trust, and opportunities.

To quote the internet, or at least its favorite source, Wikipedia, 

Personal branding is the conscious and intentional effort to create and influence public perception of an individual by positioning them as an authority in their industry, elevating their credibility, and differentiating themselves from the competition, to ultimately advance their career, increase their circle of influence, and have a larger impact.

“Have a larger Impact”— that’s why I’m an advocate for personal brands. If you’re considering stepping out in a much more visible way, here are 7 considerations to grow your impactful personal brand.

Commitment

Building your personal brand starts with knowing you’re 100 percent ready. It’s a long game, not a one-and-done endeavor that requires a mindset shift that you’re ready to dedicate yourself to the process. However, the payoff is immense — your personal brand is your currency to opportunities beyond measure — personal alignment, industry authority, and greater advantage in work, business, and life.

Lesson: Just like most worthwhile endeavors, building your brand takes time but the worth the payoffs are life-changing for you, for others, and for your community.

Contribution

Personal brand building is not really about you; it’s about how you can help others. It’s about showing up intentionally to make an impact for those needing what you have to give/sell/serve/do.

By stepping out to help others, you’ll benefit in both your professional and personal endeavors. With this mindset, a burden is lifted when you realize it’s not about being self-serving, but serving others.

Lesson: Personal brands are the real and relatable way to make an impact on the people who need you most.

Confidence

  • Why should I put myself out there? 
  • Why would people listen to me? 
  • What do I even have to say? 

These are common questions even from the most influential leaders and founders, as well as those just starting out. At some point, we’re all faced with massive uncertainty, relentless imposter syndrome, and the soul-crushing comparison conundrum of social media.

We can’t let it stop us.

If you don’t step out, no one will ever know about you or how you can help them.

You don’t have to be a CEO, influencer, or celebrity, or have years of experience to get out there. YOU are definitely worthy of putting yourself out there and having a personal brand.

Personal branding is a way to differentiate and humanize your business. Your insights, education, skills, and talents are all unique to you and no one else can bring the perspective you do. 

Lesson: You have a unique message and valuable expertise to share with people who are out there waiting for you to step out and share it.

Clarity

If you’re not clear about who you are, what you stand for, and what you do, no one will either.

Too many people, start, struggle and give up as they don’t have clarity in themselves, their audience, their message, and their offers. 

My Personal Brand Impact™ blueprint is a three-phase process to discover your purpose, define your presence and develop your platform to launch, grow adn amplify your personal brand.

It starts with your Clarity Trifecta, first with internal clarification of your goals, vision, mission, values, and expertise as well as your personal and professional WHY. 

After your internal uncovering, it’s time for external clarification: 

  • What is your niche/industry?
  • Who is your audience? 
  • What are their psychographics/challenges/desires and needs? 
  • What problem do I solve?
  • How exactly do I solve it?

Finally, professional clarity comes from unlocking your “known-as” unique expertise to communicate and present this in the marketplace

This personal brand deep dive will ensure you’re making an impact as well as building trust, and influence in your personal brand for your career or business.

Lesson: When you don’t take the time for the important foundational work, it’s always going to be a struggle.

Content

Content is at the heart of every personal branding endeavor. One mistake people make is jumping straight into creating content without being clear about themselves and their brands. (see “clarity” above)

Start with a content strategy and schedule that’s based on your goals and your audience’s pain points. Defining one main umbrella topic and 3-5 sub-topics and using content switching (switching up your content formats) keeps your content relevant and engaging. Consistently creating content is the best way to showcase your expertise and establish visibility, credibility, and authority.

Lesson: If you’re internally and externally clear about your personal brand, you’ll fast-track the attention of your ideal audience with your content.

Consistency

Like all good things, success takes time. You have to keep showing up, even when you don’t feel like it. When you’re not getting instant feedback, don’t give up or give in. Showing up with continuous value will build relationships and long-term trust.

I recommend a solid year of consistently creating content, showing up, and being helpful and valuable to your audience. Well before that, people will see you appreciate you, and reach out to you when they know you’re the real deal.

Lesson: Think of personal branding as compounding interest. Show up regularly and intentionally to be noticed, and known, and see results for others and yourself.

Community

You can’t build a personal brand without people, and it’s ALWAYS about people. Personal brands are not grown alone. Your community — your audience, clients, collaborators, friends, and partners — will be your biggest supporters.

Using a community-first approach will create a ripple effect. The more you connect and help people, the more your brand will grow and impact others.

Start small by simply participating first. Show up and show people you care. It’s as easy as liking or commenting on others’ posts or reaching out to connect or refer someone. Becoming known as a helpful person is the fastest track to growing your community. 

Put Yourself Out There and Make Your Unique Mark on the World

When you realize you can and should be developing your personal brand as a way to serve others, it seems less scary, intimidating, and more purposeful.

When done correctly, your personal brand will be impactful: shifting the trajectory of your career, organization, and personal and professional standing. Opportunities and impact come from building your brand, it’s one of the best and biggest investments in yourself, your career, and your business— all by stepping out as YOU.

With so much at stake, isn’t it time you stand out and seek your full potential with your personal brand

Are you ready to step out or doing so now? Let me know below so can follow your journey too.


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