How to Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul: A Quickstart Guide to Personal Branding
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Do you want a new job? Do you want to attract investors or donors? Do you want a promotion? More customers? A raise? You want to increase your rates? Maybe you want to be tapped for industry recognition, panels, speaking opportunities, interviews?
In order to get there you need to do more than just do “good work” and hope someone notices.
But maybe you feel icky about tooting your own horn online. You feel more comfortable with doing what you did in school: studying for the test and making an A.
But for better or worse, in the world beyond academics, rewards don't come to those with the highest grade on the test. Competence is critical, but you need more than that. You need to make sure the right people know about what you have done and what you can do.
I have conversations all the time with competent professionals who know they need to show their work in public in order to level up their careers but they’re not sure where start. It can feel draining.
It is exceedingly possible to sell yourself without selling your soul. Here are seven ways to approach building a personal brand that will open doors and attract opportunity.
How to Sell Yourself Without Selling Your Soul: A Quickstart Guide to Personal Branding
1. Determine your “why.”
Get crystal clear on what you aim to accomplish. You will lose steam if you don’t feel motivated by a clear goal, so figure out what motivates you. Write it down. Put it on a 3x5 card on your desk. Tape it to your mirror. Do whatever you need to do to keep it in front of you. Selling yourself without selling your soul has to be tied back to a vision for a better future. What is your vision?
2. Determine what you want to be known for.
What do you do? Who do you serve? And what do you want people to think of when they think of you? Getting clarity on what you want to be associated with is critical.
3. Provide value to your audience.
My mantra for online content is to keep it PUFI: pleasant, useful, fun or interesting. And the best content creators strive for a balance of all four of these. You have an incredible opportunity to educate, encourage, and inspire those who you’re connected with online. How are you serving your audience?
4. Remember that your customer has Main 👏 Character 👏 Energy 👏!
THEY are the hero. You are the guide: the Yoda, the fairy godmother, the Jiminy Cricket. Steer clear of any communication that assumes your potential client is a planet orbiting around your sun (whether it's you or your company.) People have their own problems, insecurities, and concerns. You can show your work, build your brand, and position yourself as a thought leader, without the ickiness if you keep others in mind. Sharing your expertise in a way that honors the other person as the Main Character they are, has the potential to make a huge difference for your business and for your career trajectory.
Would you like help cultivating a thoughtful personal brand? Hustle & Grace Coaching is a unique hybrid program that is one part marketing and branding consulting and one part career & life coaching. It is perfect for time-strapped individuals who want to build businesses, careers, and lives that are flourishing. I had a past client say “killing it was killing me.” If that resonates, this is for you. There is a way to build a career that is headed up and to the right as well as a life that is headed up and to the right. I can help you get there. Get in touch here.
5. Don’t be afraid to celebrate.
Don’t assume the folks who you’re connected with online don’t want to hear about the good work you’ve initiated or been a part of accomplishing. (Imagine how much more interesting your feeds would be if people were sharing things worth celebrating regularly!) Most of these people have connected with you because they know and like you, so share accomplishments. Share the exciting moves your company is making. Share the headlines of your life and career.
6. Remember, you are (or you have) the solution to someone’s problem.
Sharing about what you do and who you serve is the only way people will ever know that you can help them. To that end, I love helping leaders communicate their values, vision, and knowledge through strategy, content, and communication. I get a thrill in helping people “show their work” so they grow their businesses, get access to bigger stages, can strategically position themselves for the next opportunity, attract more investors, and build a platform that makes it crystal clear to their audience what they do, who they serve, and how they can help. Get in touch here to talk about how we can partner together.
7. Don’t overthink it.
Social media is temporal. Today we often fall victim to “perfectionism paralysis” and can avoid posting any content because we’re afraid it might not be perfect or it may be criticized. Be brave enough to put yourself out there. If you do it authentically and with good intentions you can connect with others and even encourage them. With the advent of the internet and online communities, you have an incredible opportunity to reach like-minded folks and grow a loyal tribe like no one in any past generation ever has. Remember, the online space is a good servant but a terrible master. Keep it in check, use it for good, and take a break from it when you know that you need to. (I’m a big fan of social media sabbaticals. I recommend taking them regularly.)
Thoughtfully building a personal brand, gaining visibility, and sharing your work in public are things you can actually do to strategically grow your career, live in your purpose, and help others. Your story is begging to be told. So get out there and share it.