Is imposter syndrome killing your brand's vibe? Here's how to deal.

As a Personal Brand Strategist, I work with many different types of entrepreneurs who span across industries.

The fundamentals of personal branding are always the same.

And so are the fears and objections.

The #1 thing standing in peoples’ way of becoming truly great online is their fear of what people might think of them, or as we often call it, imposter syndrome. 

In an upcoming episode on Personal Branding Podcast, I interview Morgan Kennedy, owner of South and West Photography, on how to create an unforgettable brand experience for her clients. I was listening back to the episode last night, and what stuck out to me was our conversation about confidence. Confidence is something ebbs and flows in entrepreneurship. There are some days where you literally feel like God’s gift to the universe. And there are some days where you doubt yourself, and fear being “exposed” as someone who doesn’t know what they’re doing. An estimated 70% of people experience this at some point in their careers, according to a review article published in the International Journal of Behavioral Science.

As entrepreneurs, we’ve all asked ourselves the question, “Am I good enough?” But it could be this very question that is standing in the way of better clients, a larger audience, and an unforgettable brand experience for your clients and customers. 

Now, why is this so damaging to your brand?

Think of imposter syndrome as energy. It’s a bunch of blocked energy that is stored in your heart; and although you may not realize it, this energy expends itself through the words you speak, the blog posts you write, and the emails you send. It comes out everywhere. Imposter syndrome is not a private feeling, it’s a public feeling. It prevents you from stepping into your ultimate purpose as an entrepreneur.

Now, before we continue, know that you’re good enough. You are wildly capable and deserving of the best that your business can give you. We are all inexperienced to a level of some degree, but the only way to become more confident in yourself is to get past the imposter syndrome and stay committed to your work. If you are truly living in the name of your purpose (not sure? Click here) then you will soar with flying colors.

Follow my steps below to drop imposter syndrome for good:

You are not your feelings.

Do not pay so much attention to your feelings; they are not a true source of support for you, as you probably already know. Your feelings are telling you something about yourself as you are at this particular moment, not necessarily more than that. Healthy entrepreneurs look at their weaknesses as an opportunity for growth (or as an opportunity to outsource 😉) .

Awareness is the first step to change, so ensure you track these thoughts: what they are and when they emerge. “the fact that I feel useless right now does not mean that I really am.”

Leverage your inexperience to inspire a fresh perspective.

You can use your inexperience to your advantage by providing new concepts and a fresh perspective when you dare to ask for a seat at the table. While there is no real substitute for experience, I do believe that young entrepreneurs can provide a new solution for an old problem or a creative answer to a current process that isn’t working.

Be hungry to innovate and take risks, more apt to try new things without fear of failure; because inexperience may also mean you’ve got less to lose, and everything to gain.

Serve with humility.

I used to get embarrassed when I wouldn’t get something right, (sometimes I still do) because it can be tough to swallow, especially when you are just starting out. But here’s the truth, screwing up is how you chalk up, “experience”. When you have the courage to lead with humility, grace, and transparency, there is nothing to hide. Screwing up with humility creates an open space for connection. It makes you relatable and it gives others an opportunity to show empathy in return.

Speak from a place of personal experience.

Any budding entrepreneurs should seriously consider the opportunity to leverage their personal brand to support the growth of their business. In a digital era, you have a chance to inspire trust and believability through your own personal experiences and professional expertise.  It’s never been easier to write and share your own story. And do you know the best part of sharing from personal experience? No one can argue with what you’ve experienced. No one can say, “That isn’t right.” This is because they are YOURS, they are your lessons to share.

Personal branding is both your unfair advantage and your competitive edge. It will set you apart and allow others the opportunity to connect with you and your business in a unique way.

Do you know what credibility means? It’s the quality of being trusted and believed in. Credibility isn’t necessarily how long you’ve been in business for, it’s not how many followers you have, or how many clients you have landed, though these are important factors, it’s actually a measure of trust and believability.

And there are many alternative ways to inspire these feelings in your audience, clients, and prospects when you don’t have years of experience under your belt.

Seek help.

I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. The best way to fast-track your growth is by working with someone who’s done it before. You don’t have to do this alone. Everyone needs an accountability partner; someone to support them when that imposter syndrome is at an all-time high.

Remember, Imposter Syndrome does not have to rule your life and business. It’s just a feeling. And feelings can pass through your mind and body as soon as you let them. It’s as simple as choosing not to dwell on it.

Keep persisting with confidence and humility. I believe in you!