The Reason I Said No to My Biggest Brand Deal of 2019
I still remember getting the message in my inbox.
“Wow,” I thought. “This company would be amazing to work with.”
I knew it would be a lot of work, but I also figured that the return would be worth it.
I indicated that I was ready to move forward, and the process began.
“Influencer” is not a title that I would necessarily give myself. Although, I’ve come to realize when you build a personal brand and have a clearly defined sense of purpose, companies take notice and want to work with you.
I’ve always viewed this creative work I produce for companies as another source of income, and never something that I put towards the forefront of my business. Nevertheless, when I feel like a partnership is a good fit and makes sense for my personal brand, I go for it!
I drove for 45 minutes down the peninsula to reach their office. I didn’t think much of anything except that I had a lot of work I needed to get done at home, and this needed to be quick.
I parked. Got out of the car. And took out my phone to put the experience on Stories.
As I positioned myself in front of the camera, I began to speak.
As I finished the story, I couldn’t help but notice this nagging feeling welling up in my heart.
Something didn’t feel right.
I stepped into their office and began filling out the paperwork, but I couldn’t shake the feeling.
What was it? Why did something feel so wrong?
The nurse sat down beside me to review the contract, and suddenly it all made sense.
This didn’t feel genuine.
While this experience may be something I would undertake without a brand partnership, it didn’t make sense for me to be promoting it through my brand. Bottom line: it just wasn’t aligned with my underlying message.
The reason I felt a nagging feeling was because I couldn’t naturally and genuinely promote this experience through my IG Stories without it feeling “forced”.
I looked over the contract, and it included everything that would be expected of me once I accepted their services. I just couldn’t do it.
I walked up to the reception desk and asked to speak to the nurse who had been helping me.
As she came around the corner, I caught her attention.
“I’m so sorry,” I said, “I think I’ve made a mistake here.”
I told her about my work as a Personal Brand Strategist and that my mission is to help people forge their own path and step into their true identity online. I explained that I would be fearful of doing their company a disservice since I felt that it wouldn’t be a true reflection of the message I promote. And I apologized for not realizing this much sooner.
Truthfully, I felt embarrassed that I had wasted everyone’s time, including my own. But in hindsight, I am proud of myself for having the courage to speak up. (Even though the office understood where I was coming from, it was a terribly uncomfortable situation).
I stepped outside and shut the door behind me. As I drove back to Oakland, I reflected on this experience and how it relates to personal branding on a deeper level.
The truth is, there was a time that I wouldn’t have walked away. There was a time where I didn’t know what my underlying mission and message were.
Finding clarity on your purpose is arguably one of the most difficult things a person can do. It’s that tough inner-work that requires you to be introspective and honest with yourself, even when finding the answer can seem like a shot in the dark.
Why is finding clarity so important? When you know what your purpose is, you can make smart decisions for your life and business.
What do you think would have happened if I would have said yes? It wouldn’t have made sense. It would have been confusing to my audience, and they would likely question the validity of my content moving forward.
Decisions like these have the ability to tarnish or build our brand reputation. That’s why doing the groundwork is so important for your personal brand, it keeps you mission-driven and aligned with your vision for the future. It’s also why my job as a Personal Brand Strategist exists! It’s helpful to work with a partner to identify what the mission for your brand actually is. (You can also learn more about the foundational elements of a personal brand here).
Have you identified what your purpose for your personal brand is? Tell me below.
