I Want to Build My Personal Brand. Help?

[Stealth Mode]

Hey everyone,

I'm a huge fan of TFM ever since I read the book. It has pushed me to break away from the 9-5 lifestyle.

One thing I really want to do is build my own brand online. I found a niche I want to attack and one that I can support with my experience.

The difficulty that I am having is finding a way to position myself. Has anyone built a personal brand and would be willing to help me get going?

 

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[Niptuck MD]

start by utilizing social media all mediums and fiverr.com can help you with likes and small intricate things; depending on your niche and image (assuming its a professional type or professional product based on your avatar) then structure it accordingly. Its all about effective market utilization. You've found your niche and only you know your product for your niche market; whether it pays to market by word of mouth or obtain reviews/digital presence you can structure from that point.

am assuming you have a website that is solid and up to date (if not this is good starting point as well); linkedin is huge these days as well...

SEO and google metrics can help you track your web page viewings and demographics + data responding to your needs.

 

[lowtek]

What's your story? What makes you different than the other 7 billion of us? A personal brand should be just that.. personal.

For some inspiration, check out the bold and determined blog and YouTube channel. It is one of the better examples I can think of with regards to personal branding.

In addition, Chris Jones of Pump Chasers / Physiques of Greatness is a personal brand type guy. Awesome entrepreneur and over the top personality. When he had a falling out with his business partner at PoG, he had to start Pump Chasers. He's even more successful now, because he WAS/IS the brand.

 

[Niptuck MD]

What's your story? What makes you different than the other 7 billion of us? A personal brand should be just that.. personal.

For some inspiration, check out the bold and determined blog and YouTube channel. It is one of the better examples I can think of with regards to personal branding.

In addition, Chris Jones of Pump Chasers / Physiques of Greatness is a personal brand type guy. Awesome entrepreneur and over the top personality. When he had a falling out with his business partner at PoG, he had to start Pump Chasers. He's even more successful now, because he WAS/IS the brand.

THATS the punchline. "what makes you or your product no different then the rest of us 7 Billion"

competition at its finest. i love it!

 

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[JasonR]

I'm a huge fan of TFM ever since I read the book. It has pushed me to break away from the 9-5 lifestyle.

One thing I really want to do is build my own brand online. I found a niche I want to attack and one that I can support with my experience.

The difficulty that I am having is finding a way to position myself. Has anyone built a personal brand and would be willing to help me get going?

What makes you want to build a personal brand?

What have you done that's special?

Why should I care about you? Your brand?

Why should the market care about who you are or what you've done?

Let's be honest here. The truth will set you free. No one cares about you. They only care about what YOU can do for them. Ask yourself: What can YOU do for others that's so HIGH value they will be screaming for it?

 

[Kung Fu Steve]

Hey everyone,

I'm a huge fan of TFM ever since I read the book. It has pushed me to break away from the 9-5 lifestyle.

One thing I really want to do is build my own brand online. I found a niche I want to attack and one that I can support with my experience.

The difficulty that I am having is finding a way to position myself. Has anyone built a personal brand and would be willing to help me get going?

Why?

 

[Lex DeVille]

There's only one thing that's worked for me to build a personal brand.

Here's what didn't work:

• Instagram
• Twitter
• Facebook pages
• Websites
• YouTube Videos
• New Logos
• Business Cards
• Posting on reddit

Here's what did work:

Building relationships with the right people -- people who positioned me as a credible authority. People who's name was strong enough to lift my name up just by being part of their network. People who know people and could introduce me to people. People who think I'm skilled enough to say "this guy is an expert at and you should listen to him."

Brands aren't just about colors and logos and email lists. They're not about Instagram pictures or Snap Chats. You have to know people and be someone worth listening to. It's not so much a matter of "attacking" a niche. It's a matter of showing up, being awesome, and meeting the right people in a way that causes them to like, know and trust you so they open up their world to you.

Make sense?

 

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[Andy Black]

Change your goal from "building a personal brand" to "helping people".

Want to be known as "The XYZ Guy"?

Help people with XYZ.



A rule of thumb (from Rob Walling I think): spend 50% of your time doing the work, and 50% of your time talking about it.


You may want to check out these threads:

• www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/stop-building-stuff.69842
• www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/clarity-of-purpose.63337
• www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/andytalks-with-tedm-about-blogging-authority-services-sitting-on-gold.69999

 

[Andy Black]

Also, read "Built to Sell"

It's alright getting started making sales as "The XYZ Guy".

Later on you might want to make sales as "The XYZ Business".

 

[Stealth Mode]

What's your story? What makes you different than the other 7 billion of us? A personal brand should be just that.. personal.

For some inspiration, check out the bold and determined blog and YouTube channel. It is one of the better examples I can think of with regards to personal branding.

In addition, Chris Jones of Pump Chasers / Physiques of Greatness is a personal brand type guy. Awesome entrepreneur and over the top personality. When he had a falling out with his business partner at PoG, he had to start Pump Chasers. He's even more successful now, because he WAS/IS the brand.

Great suggestions, thank you.

I've become much more aware of the need for a story, and it seems all great marketers have their story. For my niche, I've built that story but I am working on making it compelling, highlighting my ups and downs in a way that resonates with my audience. I don't want to come off as polished/almost fake.

Thanks again for the suggestions.

 

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[Stealth Mode]

Also, read "Built to Sell"

It's alright getting started making sales as "The XYZ Guy".

Later on you might want to make sales as "The XYZ Business".

I've read Built to Sell and it was a great book.

Loved the story form of it. Opened my eyes to a few things, including ways to avoid being the "I can be anything you want me to be" type of guy.

 

[Stealth Mode]

Change your goal from "building a personal brand" to "helping people".

Want to be known as "The XYZ Guy"?

Help people with XYZ.



A rule of thumb (from Rob Walling I think): spend 50% of your time doing the work, and 50% of your time talking about it.


You may want to check out these threads:

• www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/stop-building-stuff.69842
• www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/clarity-of-purpose.63337
• www.thefastlaneforum.com/community/threads/andytalks-with-tedm-about-blogging-authority-services-sitting-on-gold.69999

Thanks for the suggestions, I want to publish a bunch of content (Jab, Jab, Jab Right Hook type approach).

I'll pour through those threads.

 

[Stealth Mode]

There's only one thing that's worked for me to build a personal brand.

Here's what did work:

Building relationships with the right people -- people who positioned me as a credible authority. People who's name was strong enough to lift my name up just by being part of their network. People who know people and could introduce me to people. People who think I'm skilled enough to say "this guy is an expert at and you should listen to him."

Brands aren't just about colors and logos and email lists. They're not about Instagram pictures or Snap Chats. You have to know people and be someone worth listening to. It's not so much a matter of "attacking" a niche. It's a matter of showing up, being awesome, and meeting the right people in a way that causes them to like, know and trust you so they open up their world to you.

Make sense?

Makes a lot of sense but how were you able to find the right influencers to work with? That's definitely a big challenge for me starting out.

I don't have much to offer yet at least, but as I add more content and retain users it'll be easier.

 

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[Andy Black]

Thanks for the suggestions, I want to publish a bunch of content (Jab, Jab, Jab Right Hook type approach).

I'll pour through those threads.

If you're going down the "content marketing" route as a way of getting attention and influencing people, then I recommend Dan Norris's free video series here: www.contentmachine.com/free


Also, you're still talking about what you want (to publish content - so you can ask for something).

Try thinking in terms of publishing articles (etc) to help people. You have knowledge they don't and can't find easily. You're solving a problem for them.



The first two words of your thread title give away your mindset.

Maybe also check out the first radio interview linked to in my signature.



Remember, our job as business owners is to help people (aka add value), and get paid for it.