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.

I left halfway through her performance. The show had become unbearable for me. My roommate, Crystal, and I had gotten tickets to see Serena Kerrigan, the "Queen of Confidence” in Boston on a Friday night a couple of years ago. As she took the stage in her black power suit and stiletto pumps, the audience responded with cheers. I didn’t know what to expect, but her opening monologue revealed a hinted nervousness, and made me squirm in my seat a little.

There’s nothing wrong with making beautiful, aspirational videos. I love creating that kind of content, and I love to consume it as well. But that kind of content only shows one facet of your life. An authentic personal brand goes deeper. An authentic personal brand says…

After you start creating content, your experience on social media will never be the same. You will pay attention to every opening line, the music used, the camera angles, what catches people's interest and what doesn't. A big part of personal branding is showing your face online. People love to see the person behind the name, the writing, and the videos. We want to know who we’re following. The best way to show people who you are, is to tell them. So let’s review one of the best methods for doing so.