Your brand reflects your commitment to what you do, why you do it, and who you do it for. It is the fabric of “you.” And if you don’t choose your brand, someone will create it for you. That’s why it’s important for you to write your brand story.
Curating your brand is your chance to share your unique journey and build a connection with people who resonate with your values and vision. When your brand is aligned with your story, it becomes a powerful tool for attracting the right people into your life to help you grow—personally and professionally.
But creating a personal brand is just the beginning. To truly make an impact, you need to take your story and share it in ways that amplify your message. Here are three strategies to get your message in front of your audience.
Write a Book
Writing a book is one of the most powerful ways to establish authority in your field. It allows you to position yourself as an expert and demonstrate your knowledge and experience. A recent Grammar Factory survey showed that 34% of entrepreneurs who have written a book saw a positive impact on their business.
A book is a tangible representation of your expertise, and it creates opportunities to get in front of new audiences. Becoming a published author opens doors to speaking engagements and other opportunities that improve your brand’s reach. In fact, one of the benefits of writing a book is paid speaking gigs. The Grammar Factory survey showed that 72% of authors got some form of speaking engagement, and 33% reported they were paid.
You can promote your book by releasing chapters or portions of chapters on your blog or as part of an article on other media channels. Use blogs to showcase your personality – the “why” behind writing your book.
Give readers an insider’s peek to build buzz.
Start a Podcast
The very best thing about podcasting is being able to reach people when they are away from their computers. People can listen while walking the dog, working out at the gym, or driving home. A new survey shows that 53% of Americans are active podcast listeners each month.
If you’re new to podcasting, here are some tips for getting started:
- Choose a podcast topic that is reflective of your brand and something you can talk about consistently.
- Decide on a format such as interviews, monologues, conversations, or panels.
- Determine the length of each and number of episodes per month. Be exact in the day of the week and time you publish — consistency tells your listeners when to tune in.
- Determine where you’ll host your podcast.
Here’s how to stand out:
- Tell stories with actionable information. People connect through stories — stories make up 65% of our conversations and are remembered 22% more than facts alone.
- Engage your listeners – ask questions and respond to those on your podcast.
If you’re stuck, check out PodLaunch Academy. This course was co-created with the team at SWELL production to walk you through every step of podcasting.
Become a Keynote Speaker
There’s no doubt that public speaking is the fastest way to skyrocket your personal brand. Standing in front of an audience gives you instant credibility, positioning you as a thought leader in your field. When you deliver a powerful message that resonates, you create a ripple effect. People talk about great speakers, share their ideas, and spread their message long after you’ve stepped off the stage.
This kind of exposure only comes from sharing your talk in an authentic and powerful way.
After delivering my first talk at TEDxBerkeley in 2013, my private coaching business was booked in full with a waitlist. This and my second talk opened doors to more speaking engagement, brand deals, and organic traffic to my podcast. You can read about about my story here.
Remember, if you don’t write your brand story — and share it — someone will write it for you! Your personal brand is your story, and it’s up to you to get it out there. Writing a book, starting a podcast, or becoming a keynote speaker are powerful ways to elevate your brand and make a lasting impact. Take control of your narrative and build your brand like you want.
