Have you ever met someone who tries too hard to impress you? It's almost as if their every word and action is a plea for attention, but the more they try, the more you want to pull away. Their facade leads you to question their sincerity. Perhaps, as you read this, you might be worried you’re that person! The truth is, we've all been both the giver and receiver in such dynamics. And while I’m not going to get into the psychology of these behaviors, let's explore how this dynamic could impact you negatively in the context of building your personal brand.

A couple of days ago, I was sitting with a client of mine (we’ll call him Peter) at lunch. He is, by far, one of my favorite people to work with; primarily because he brings such a natural energy and enthusiasm to our sessions.

Good writing takes you where you want to go. It’s a cornerstone of personal branding. The best formula to follow is, “Share what you know online, over and over again.” This practice attracts an audience of like-minded individuals; the people who will later become your followers, clients, and customers.

1. Be yourself. No mask, no hiding, this is a safe space. I want to know the real you. Don't be afraid to let your personality shine. Be who you are and know that you will be accepted for who you are.

I know the look all too well. The feeling of overwhelmingness written all over my students’ faces when they tell me their frustrations with social media. I empathize with them. Creating valuable content regularly will push you beyond what you are comfortable with. It is hard. And hard things require that we take breaks. So how does one take an intentional break from social media while still remaining aligned with the goals they have for their personal brand? Take it from someone who knows.

To write well is one of the greatest challenges people face while building their personal brand. Everything you do for your personal brand involves the practice of writing; i.e, creating Instagram captions, voice over scripts, blog posts, emails, and most importantly, the copy on your personal website. If I had a nickel for everytime I heard, “But Anna, I’m just not a good writer, can I hire someone to do it for me?” I would be a very wealthy woman and I still wouldn’t hire anyone to do it for you. Here’s why.

As I transition into my second year of business and celebrate another round of Personal Brand Accelerator, I stand humbly on the mountaintop. I rarely feel this way. The nature of entrepreneurship is, afterall, uncertain. I suppose the secret is in loving where you are when you get there: be it the valley or the mountain top and all of the resting places in between.