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5 Personal Branding Mistakes to Avoid

by Torie Mathis | Authority, Branding, Message, Personal Branding

Personal branding is not just for influencers, entrepreneurs, or freelancers. It’s a tool that everybody in the workforce can use to tell their story and communicate their unique value.

Don’t worry if you feel like you’re getting a late start on your personal brand development. You may actually be at an advantage. You have the opportunity to learn from other people’s mistakes.

Here are 5 personal branding mistakes to avoid:

Being inauthentic.

Don’t pretend to be somebody you’re not. A newly invented persona or exaggerated expertise is difficult to maintain and threatens your connection with your audience.

Developing your personal brand in a bubble.

Yes, your personal brand is about you, but outside feedback is critical. Ask those who know you to name your strengths and areas where you can improve. Ask them to read your brand mission and vision and get their immediate reaction.

Letting your ego lead.

Even though it’s a PERSONAL brand, it shouldn’t be all about you. Focus on your audience: How can you help them? What are they interested in?

Expecting your personal brand to take off overnight.

Building a brand takes time. Relationships need to be cultivated and nurtured.

Failing to create your own content.

Don’t just share articles, videos, or links to your products or services. Personal branding is about distinguishing yourself and demonstrating your unique value.

Going overboard.

Don’t post everywhere, unnecessarily, or too frequently. Only offer relevant, helpful information. And don’t oversell. If the words “the best,” “expert,” or “the ultimate” find their way into your content, remove them. Let your value speak for itself.

Oberlo suggests this BONUS tip.

BONUS: Measure your success regularly

Set some KPIs for personal brand success so that you know you are heading in the right direction. Celebrate even small wins to remain motivated to achieve more.

So after doing all this, how do you know if you have been successful in building a personal brand? A few valuable KPIs include:

When a sale converts through your blog
When you are asked to speak at an event or on a podcast
When someone refers you to a potential client
When a publication reaches out to invite you to guest blog
When people start mentioning you online, on social media, their blog, or other important media

Building a personal brand can help boost your business to new heights. By following some of these personal branding strategies, such as being authentic, consistent, and letting go of your ego, you help increase your chances of success in business.

I know it can seem scary to put yourself out there, but the reward you’ll find is much greater than the fear. You have the power to impact the world. Your legacy lies in your hands, and your personal brand can help you get there.

Do you want to learn more about how to get started developing your personal brand? Be sure to sign up for my weekly email with actionable ways you can market your business smarter without wasting time or money!

Here’s to working SMART.

About Digital Marketing Expert Torie Mathis

Torie Mathis helps entrepreneurs, like you, use digital marketing to grow your business without wasting time, money, or your sanity. She is a best-selling author, Army veteran, speaker + trainer, and your digital marketing coach. You don't need crazy tech skills, buckets of cash, or dedicated staff to market your business. In fact, you don't even need a lot of time. What you need is to be SMART.

Torie hosts SMART AF, a show for non-techy entrepreneurs looking to grow their business, with her husband Sean and is the creator of SMART AF Magazine. Learn from Torie at the Smart Arsenal and on her channel.