When Is Personal Branding Too Personal?
Whether you're an entrepreneur marketing yourself and your business to the masses, or a professional highlighting your skills and services, we know establishing a strong personal brand is crucial to your success.
But, when is your personal branding too personal?
Personal branding becomes too personal when it overshadows your professional image, which can discredit your reputation or when it compromises your integrity, privacy, boundaries, or all of the above.
Navigating the balance between the personal and professional aspects of a brand can often be challenging, so if you’re feeling a bit torn, you’re not alone. By following these tips, you can maintain professionalism while simultaneously staying true to your authentic self. Doesn’t that sound like a dream?!
Do merge your personal and professional brand: Of course, we’re professionals, but we’re also people. We’re human and the digital age has given us the opportunity to be relatable online in a way that can truly set us apart. It is the key to oversaturated markets, differentiation, and putting your unique spin on your industry.
Don’t Overshare: Sharing intimate or sensitive personal information that is irrelevant to your professional brand can be considered too personal (we’re not talking about being vulnerable to the extent that you’re comfortable, we’re talking no ‘baby mama drama’ on your social media platforms). A good rule of thumb is to think about whether divulging your personal issues could help or hurt your professional reputation. The last thing you want is to make your prospects and clients wonder how capable you are at doing business.
Do Showcase Your Personality: Let your unique personality traits shine through in your content and interactions. Feel like you’re a little awkward, the only one who sings in the shower, or a mom who has to lock the bathroom door just to get a moment of peace? Good! This is the kind of stuff brilliant personal brands are made of, and P.S. you’re not the only one!
Share Your Perspective & Engage Authentically: Interact with your audience sincerely, get curious, and craft thoughtful responses that encourage additional conversation. Sharing and relating with your followers is a wonderful way to stay connected both passively by scheduling social media content and actively by posting real-time to win them over early with trust! However, while your audience may enjoy hearing your mom life mantras, thoughts on trendy products, technology, or books, it's crucial to avoid delving into controversial subjects that could go south quickly. Remember the age-old advice of steering clear of discussions about things like politics or religion. Respecting your viewers' right to their own opinions is paramount. Not sure what this looks like at play? Check out this Social Media Etiquette blog and learn 7 critical tips for staying professional!
Don't: Copy Others: While it's okay to draw inspiration from others, avoid copying someone else's personal branding strategy. Your personal brand should reflect your unique identity and values because you are absolutely unique and no one does business the way YOU do. Sharing someone else's article is great, but make sure to share your thoughts along with it to give it your own take. Copying others is never a way to build YOUR brand. It takes thoughtful consideration, soul-searching, and time.
Do: Be honest: In today's digital age, it can be tempting to exaggerate our successes on social platforms, especially when we are seeing everyone else doing things we wish we were also doing. While it might feel good to embellish our achievements, it can ultimately portray us as insincere, unapproachable, and untrustworthy over time. It’s okay to be vulnerable and authenticity is key. Sharing both our triumphs and failures makes us more relatable, humble, and honest in the eyes of others.
Don’t: Be a “Mean Girl” : A brand can come off as mean or offensive in various ways, intentionally or unintentionally. There’s nothing worse than completely being turned off by a brand you thought you liked, knew, and trusted. Once trust is fractured in the business world, it can be near impossible to repair because there is a huge pool of professionals to consider. Read more about it in my last blog;
Don’t: Give Up: Personal Branding is never a “one and done” thing. As you evolve, your business changes and so your digital presence changes with it. Maintaining your personal brand keeps you in control of what the world sees. In business, if you don’t define your brand, your competitors will… and it could be to your detriment. Stay consistent and always stay true to yourself.
Do: Ask for help! Navigating the line between personal and professional when developing your brand can be a tricky process. Asking for help from an expert can make keeping things professional so much easier!
A professional can assist with personal branding in several ways:
Strategic Planning: Experts can help you define your personal brand strategy, including identifying your unique value proposition, target audience, and key messaging.
Content Creation: They can create high-quality content, such as blog posts, emails, social media posts, and videos, that align with your personal brand and resonate with your audience.
Visual Branding: Experts can design visually appealing assets, such as logos, graphics, and website layouts, that reflect your personal brand identity and enhance your online presence.
Social Media Management: They can manage your social media accounts, including posting content, engaging with your audience, and monitoring analytics, to ensure consistency and effectiveness in your personal branding efforts. If you’re more of the DIY-ing type, consider a tool like Social Bee for scheduling.
Public Relations: Experts can help you build relationships with media outlets, influencers, and other key stakeholders to increase visibility and credibility for your personal brand.
Reputation Management: They can monitor and manage your online reputation, including addressing any negative feedback or criticism, to protect and enhance your personal brand image.
Networking: Experts can provide guidance and support in networking activities, such as attending events, joining professional groups, and building connections, to expand your reach and influence within your industry.
Overall, working with an expert can help you develop and maintain a strong and authentic personal brand that effectively communicates your expertise, values, and unique identity to your target audience. Wanna find out how to get more momentum with your personal brand? Book a free 15-minute Connect Up Call and let’s put you on the path to success!
