It’s all you ever hear….
“Build your personal brand.”
“Boost your business with personal branding.”
“Strategize with personal branding.”
You’ll hear buzz words…Positioning your brand…developing your voice…drawing out your narrative.
It’s enough to drive a person crazy. But the truth is, it’s not that hard.
It is important, but not difficult.
So here it is…the short and simple explanation you’ve been waiting for.
You.
That’s it.
The real you, the authentic you. Not the you behind a mask. Not the you behind the screen.
Just you.
It’s about who you really are, what you stand for, believe in. What you like, what you don’t.
It’s about why you do what you do.
Nothing else. It really is just that simple.
If I had to summarize you...all of you…your look, your attitude, your beliefs, your reason for doing what you are doing…that’s your brand.
Don’t get all stressed about developing the perfect brand…if it is you, it is the perfect brand. The brand that will attract a perfect audience and position you as a thought leader.
Seriously.
If it ain’t you, it won’t work. It will be a character, an act. And people will see right through it. And then you will be nowhere. Don’t be fake. Just be you. All of the fancy marketing terms…really…just that…fluff.
So here is my brand. Me. Cat Markel.
I am a child of God.
I am kind, caring, helpful, nurturing.
I am enthusiastic. Hopeful. Encouraging.
I like to help people.
I really like to help people who help people. Because I like to help.
I want to shine light all around this place.
I want to make ripples…big ol’ waves even.
I’m a bit crazy and a bit reserved.
I’m a little bit city, a little bit country.
I’m comfortable and simplistic. Understated and polished. Gold and silver.
I wear mascara.
I wear lipstick.
I have never touched bronzer or highlighter or whatever.
I like natural colors and deep moody colors.
I like plants and outdoors.
I like to be barefoot, especially when I’m creating.
I’m a bit of a mess. Seriously, don’t mind the stains.
If I tried to be anything other than this…it doesn’t work. What you see is exactly what you get…it’s how you’d find me at Starbucks or the soccer fields. Stains and all.
Sure, I've polished it up a bit and turned this into "marketing statements" but really, this is it.
So, who are you? Don’t be afraid. Own it. Don’t worry if people will connect with it….some will, some won’t.
Speak from your heart and people will relate. Do what you love. Do it because you love it…not because it’s a quick money grab.
If you are offering something that you’re not passionate about, well, why? It will never work. You’ll never succeed at it. Because it isn’t you.
If people like you they will listen to you, but if they trust you, they’ll do business with you. ~ Zig Ziglar
Years ago, when my children were young and I stayed at home to raise them, I wanted to help with the family finances, so I started selling make-up and skincare products from a popular MLM. They made it sound so easy. And it may have been for some. I was banking on the fact that “everyone” used it and loved it. My problem….I never used any of their products. I didn’t wear a lot of make-up. It wasn’t me. It didn’t fit. And it flopped.
But now I do what I love…create and design and help people. Better yet...I help people who help people!
I don’t try to be anything else. I don’t act like I have it all together because I don’t. I’m a hot mess. But that’s ok because other people are a hot mess too. They’re my kind of people.
I’m not grinding it out all day and night trying to build an empire. I’m not some amazing salesperson. But I’m good at what I do. Really good. I’m doing what I love on my terms. And that's enough for me. And it works for me. I help people by designing their websites, their marketing, and a bit of strategy (I’m creative like that). I put systems in place for them and help them grow.
So, that’s who I am.
That’s my brand.
What about you? Take a few minutes to figure it out. Grab a cup of coffee or tea or wine or water….whatever. Think long and hard about you. Not who you should be. But who you are.
Don’t be afraid to show the real you to the world. People like authenticity. It is at the heart of all success. ~ Michael Corthell
Ready to start crafting your personal brand? Take the first step by diving into my e-book, where I’ll walk you through bringing your authentic self to the surface. Download it now and let’s make your brand as real and relatable as you are.
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