Debunking The Most Common Personal Branding Myths

We live in the golden era. Your personal brand = realizing your true identity. This is an incredible point in time where you can get paid for who you are, not just what you do. I developed my personal brand so I could act on the purpose I felt called to fulfill.

We throw this word around all the time, purpose. But what does it actually mean to live in alignment with this? Let me paint a picture for you:

Once your actions are aligned with your purpose, you wake up early each morning, not because you have to, but because you want to.

You are well-rested and at ease because your schedule is entirely up to you.

The work you produce is purpose-driven and principle-centered. You’re not getting paid because of what you do, you’re getting paid for who you are.

You share a new post to social media and you feel really good about it. There’s nothing to worry about. Your message is clear and effective. 

You have the confidence to be yourself. The real you. Totally authentic. Nothing to hide.  

People love you and admire you. They even want to work with you.

This is the life you’ve designed for yourself. The life you’ve always wanted.

You don’t even want to sleep at night, because it’s just so good. 

Here’s the truth:

I’m 100% purpose-driven. Living a radically authentic life. And I believe with full certainty that this kind of lifestyle is available to anyone who reaches for it.

You guys know I live, breathe, and sleep personal branding. I make it my business to know the ins and outs of this field so I can help you realize your true identity and communicate yourself with confidence. There are many common misconceptions about personal branding that I want to debunk once and for all, so let’s dive in:

So, if you’re still confused on what having a personal brand entails, let me clear the air:

Personal Branding is a promise to be radically authentic:

Don’t waste time trying to be something you’re not. People can feel when your social media presence something is not coming from a genuine place. If your content feels clunky or forced, it means that you are either copying someone else OR that you are half-assing your most authentic self. It’s much harder to portray a false image of yourself.Instead, think about what it means to be 100% you? Let people see your quirks and your weird side. Get weird. Be Polarizing. And say exactly what you mean. 

Personal branding means working in the name of your purpose:

This takes time. Discovering your purpose requires really that you dig deep and yourself the tough questions like, “what do I really care about?” What is it that you would not be able to forgive yourself for if you didn’t pursue it? If you don’t know what your purpose is yet, that’s okay. Remember that all of the ‘no’s’ in our life lead us to our ultimate yes. If you have some ideas swirling around in your head, you should consider applying to PBA, you may be a good fit. 

Personal branding is inspiring others to follow your story:

When you come from a place of a personal experience, this creates content that is contagiously authentic. Others will surely follow, it’s only a matter of time! This doesn’t mean that you push your products or services on people without their asking. It means sharing your journey, documenting the ups and downs, and teaching your audience something that will benefit them in the long run. Have the courage to share your story and tell it with confidence.

Personal branding is contributing something valuable to the world:

There’s a common misconception that says personal branding is self-promotion. On the contrary, personal branding is *not* self-promotion! It's a tool that can help us understand ourselves in a way that makes our lives richer and relationships stronger. When done correctly, it's the opposite of self-promotion because it motivates us to share our expertise in a way that is selfless and seeks to give something back to the world - not just get something from our followers.

Personal branding is about getting intentional with your online presence:

We live in the digital age, folks! What you choose to put online is forever. Having a personal brand is just another way of saying, “I am getting intentional with my online presence.” Just as we care about our offline presence, we should also care about our online presence. Take pride in how you communicate yourself. Your personal brand should be considered an accurate reflection of who you are offline. Can you say that’s for certain right now?

Don’t delay! The time is now. If you want to reap all the benefits that a personal brand can give you, start here.