Paint the Damn Canvas!
5 Foolproof Ways to Master the Art of Personal BrandingCiao Ragazzi,
After launching my new personal website last week, it’s amazing how many conversations have come up centered around personal branding and the growing importance of it whether you’re an entrepreneur, founder, or business leader.
So I figured today would be a great day to share with you all the sweet, sultry secrets of personal branding that even Michelangelo would want to trade his paintbrushes for (or not).
Grab your finest whiskey (or Whiteclaw, I won’t judge), ditch those neckties (seriously, who wears ties anymore), and let's dive in!
Define your Brand
Think of yourself as a well-aged bottle of bourbon (I might be on a brown liquor kick). You've got a distinct flavor, a kick-ass attitude, and the ability to light up a room (or burn it down).
Now, what you've got to do is, define that bourbon-esque essence.
What are your values?
What are you passionate about?
Hell, what makes you want to dance naked in the rain? (No judgment here!)
Understand what makes you YOU, and wrap it up into a neat little package that you can present to the world. Just look at Elon Musk! The dude made electric cars and space travel sexy, while also being a Twitter meme-lord. That's his brand (which the jury is out on and is totally up for debate)!
Optimize Your Online Presence
We're living in the digital age, isn’t it obvious? That means that people are more likely to meet you online before they meet you in person. Your online presence is like your virtual first impression - so, don't show up to the party looking like a slob.
Your LinkedIn profile isn't an online resume; it's the freaking Louvre where your personal masterpiece should be on display! Every tweet, every Instagram post, every shared article, they all paint a picture of who you are.
Exhibit A: Richard Branson. The guy lives on his own island! Yet, through his online presence, he's personable, relatable, and transparent. His brand isn't just about Virgin; it's about adventure, innovation, and a sprinkle of audacity!
Visual Identity
They say you should never judge a book by its cover. Well, they lie. We live in a visual world, and we humans are as shallow as a kiddie pool.
Your visual identity, from your wardrobe to your business cards, contributes to your brand. Even your choice of socks can speak volumes!
Take Steve Jobs and his turtleneck, for instance. That outfit became synonymous with innovation.
Don't underestimate the power of a striking visual identity. Just remember, choose something that screams 'YOU' and not 'midlife crisis'.
Create Content
Content is king, and if you're an executive or an entrepreneur, you're the freaking emperor (Marcus Aurelius emperor, not Nero).
Creating and sharing valuable content can help position you as an authority in your field. Think blogs, podcasts, webinars, interpretative dances (just kidding on that last one...or am I?).
Look at Gary Vaynerchuk; he turned wine tasting into a digital empire. Now, he's considered a thought leader, with a following that would make any rock star jealous. So, put on your thinking cap, summon your inner Shakespeare, and get cracking on that content!
Networking
No, networking doesn't mean you have to attend every dull-as-dishwater cocktail party. It means building genuine relationships with people who align with your brand.
It's not just about climbing the corporate ladder; it's about building an escalator of mutual support and collaboration. Oprah Winfrey is a prime example. She's not just a TV host; she's a one-woman powerhouse who has built connections across industries.
So, get out there, shake some hands, break some bread, and build your brand's kick-ass tribe!
The truth is, you don’t really have to invest in your personal brand if you don’t want to. The world doesn’t need a carbon copy of everyone else. But if you’re serious about building your name and a runway to launch, it’s time to get to work.
Remember, your brand is not what you sell; it's what you stand for. Now, stop reading, and go out there and paint the damn canvas! I’m here to support you.
✌️ Steven
P.S. Did you catch yesterday’s Talking with Branders Podcast with Laura Thomas from Peter Mayer Agency? You def want to tune in.
P.P.S. Whenever you're ready, there are 4 ways I can help you:
#1: Ready to grow your brand to $5 million or more? Let's chat. >>> Click here to apply for your call with me
#2 Just need an hour or two to spar on a concept or talk through a strategy? I have some immediate openings to help. CLICK HERE to book your 1:1.
#3: Promote your brand to over 7,000 subscribers by sponsoring this newsletter or getting involved with the new Talking with Branders Podcast. Click here to contact me
#4: Follow me on Twitter and LinkedIn for more branding tips, marketing hacks, and community-building systems.