Building a personal brand from nothing is like building a house from the ground up.
First, you have to decide you want to buy. Then, you have to find the right location. After that, you should take care of the legal stuff.
Then, and only then, can you lay a foundation and build upward brick by brick. And, of course, once the house is built, there’s taxes and maintenance costs.
But, when it’s all said and done, you are living in a space that makes you feel comfortable, at ease, and secure.
As such, deciding to build a house is a huge but rewarding undertaking.
This is basically the same way you build a personal brand. Much like building a house, you can take steps along the way to prepare you and set you up for success.
On today’s #ThursdayThoughts episode, I answer a question about where to start with building a personal brand when you have nothing. I suggest a few strategic steps that will help even the brokest of the broke get started.
Check out my thoughts and answers below.
To summarize the episode, my basic advice is to start by:
Creating a vision,
Developing a message,
Creating content,
Posting your content on your own platform, and
Leveraging other people’s platforms.
Questions & Action: Create a vision
After you’ve had a chance to watch the video, I’d love to hear from you in the comments section!
Please answer these questions:
Do you have a clear vision for what you want your personal brand to look like?
If you don’t, what’s one step you could take today to get clarity on where you want to go with your personal brand?
Are you creating enough content? What would this look like for you?
Please give as much information as you can in response to these questions. I’d be happy to share more tools and resources that help you get what you want. Most importantly, I know the other folks reading this can learn from your experiences! We are all in this together.
Finally, I always say that I’m on a mission to help people build the brands, businesses and lives that they love. We can learn from each other on this journey, particularly when we have accountability partners. This is why I am building a whole nation of side-hustlers, creatives and business owners who keep each other––and me––accountable.
You can join my support network–which I affectionately call the LVRG nation–online and via app. Check us out at programs.shontavia.com or via the Mighty Networks App.
To get the app:
First, download the Mighty Network app by clicking here. Second, once it downloads, click “Find a Mighty Network” and search for Shontavia Johnson. You’ll find content there that I may not share elsewhere.
Thank you so much for joining me on this roller coaster of an experience.
I am eternally grateful that I get to do this work with wonderful people like you each day.
What’s up everybody. I’m Shontavia
Johnson and this is another episode of The Shontavia Show where I want to
inspire you to build a brand, business and life that you love. Today is
Thursday and what I love to do on Thursday is give my thoughts on your questions,
usually, and whatever’s happening, you know, that I just have thoughts about.
If you have questions for me, please reach out to me at askshontavia@gmail.com
— that’s askshontavia@gmail.com — and maybe you’ll hear your question on a
future episode. All right, so let’s jump into the question for today.
Hey there Shontavia. My name is Les
and I have some questions about how to build a personal brand. I’ve been
working in my field for more than 10 years and I feel like I know the space
very well, but nobody knows me. I don’t have a website, I don’t have social
media, and I don’t know where to start. Obviously, I am hopeless. Please help.
Yes, I know I can Google it, get a website, Google it, get social media. But
other than Googling, I don’t really know where to start. You Google something
and there’s like thousands or millions of hits. So could you please offer any
advice to me. Help! Because like I said, I am hopeless. Les.
Les, Les, Les you are not hopeless,
darling. You just need a strategy and I have thoughts about this because I have
been in the same place–not really knowing where to start and not really having
a strategy. I lived in this zone. This was my neighborhood Les. We were
neighbors, because I knew I wanted to do something. I didn’t really know how to
make it happen, but I kind of picked myself up. I read a ton, worked with a ton
of people, made a bunch of errors, but I do have thoughts for how you can
create a personal brand.
This is one of my favorite, favorite
topics. So let’s jump into it.
So here’s what I would suggest you do
right now to get started.
(1) The first thing I think you
should do, Les, is create a vision. Create a vision for what you want, your
brand, your business, your life, your energy, to look like. You need to know
what the point is. I mean, perhaps one of the reasons why you don’t really know
where to start, is you don’t really know what you want. So let’s create a
vision, Les, for how you can start to think about what is the point of you
creating a personal brand or website or social media account, whatever the case
might be. Create a vision. If you visit my website shontavia.com, I have a
whole Create a Perfect Vision exercise that you can walk through. I think that
that might really help you get a better idea of what the goal is for all of
these things.
So that’s the first thing. Create a
vision.
(2) Number two, create a message. So
what is the message you want to get out into the world? So before you–so I’m
glad you haven’t put up a website and done a bunch of social media content yet,
because it doesn’t really sound like you know what your message should be.
Once you create that vision that can
help you figure out what is your message? So my message for example is that I
want to help people build brands, businesses and lives that they absolutely
love and that is my message. That is what I want to do. That is what I want to
put out into the ether, into the universe, into the atmosphere and into real
people. So number two for you is create a message for yourself. What is it you
want to share with the world. And, keep working on it.
It is not going to be great or
perfect the first time around. I’ve been at this now almost, gosh, eight or
nine years and I’m really just getting to the point where I feel really, really
good and confident about my message and what I want to do out in the world. So
create a message.
(3) Number three, yes, you’re going
to have to create a website, create content, whatever that looks like for you.
I think it is imperative for you. All that stuff you said you don’t have, like
none of that stuff is impossible to get, right? And we live in an age where you
can throw up a website pretty quickly. You can create a social media account
for free. I have a couple of resources on my website about this, about how to
create your own website, where you should think about starting with social
media.
So I really want you to go check some
of those articles out. I’ll drop some links in the show notes below so that you
have more information about where you should start with creating a website
whether you hire somebody and do it yourself. What types of social media
platforms you need to use. The last I checked, there were like 180 different
options for social media accounts. I don’t think you need all 180, whatever,
but you do need to figure out where to get your message out there. So I would
suggest you doing that. Developing content.
I think you should put your content
on your own website first before sharing it across social media platforms. So,
you know, create a strategy where you’re blogging or creating podcast or videos
or a newsletter or whatever it is you want to create. Don’t be limited by the
couple of examples I give.
Put all this stuff on your own
website first and then out to your other social media platforms.
And then, finally, leverage other
people’s platforms. Go on other podcast, blog for other websites. Put your
expertise out on display, on other people’s platforms. And by the time you get
to this step, people will want to work with you because they’ll be able to see
all the amazing things you’re creating on your website and on social media.
I hope that is helpful to you, Les,
because I think the, the issues you have, the challenges you have, they’re big
challenges, don’t get me wrong, but I think if we break them down into
digestible pieces, you could have an amazing personal brand in not that much
time with a really good curated strategy revolving around the things I
mentioned.
So creating a vision, developing
whatever your message is going to be, creating content, posting your content on
your own platform and leveraging other people’s platforms.
I hope, Les, that something I said
today helped you. For everybody else, I hope you got something out of that too.
If you have questions or comments, or agreements or disagreements with me about
this, please reach out to me at askshontavia@gmail.com. If you have a question,
you may hear your question on a later episode of the show. Thanks so much for
listening.
Your goal today is to find people in your field/working in your topic area.
This includes:
Those at the “next level”
Peers who are doing similar or the same work as you
Mentors who can offer guidance and advice
You do not have to know these people personally (though it is great if you do!).
How to Make it Happen
As you are grinding, building and hustling, remember that no person in as island!
Many new businesses start out with just one person. Consequently, entrepreneurship can be a lonely game. Especially early on.
It can feel like this if you aren’t careful.
To avoid this kind of isolation, you need a professional tribe that you can go to for inspirations, ideas and support.
Today, I’d like you to find and follow your professional tribe. I think of a professional tribe as a group of peers, mentors and next-level folks. Admittedly, I struggle with honing and maintaining my professional tribe. I get so caught up in the day-to-day that I don’t always ask for help when I should.
Your tribe and experience will probably be at least a little different from me. Above all, however, today’s goal is designed to help you find people who either have walked, or are walking, a similar path as you.
You’ll need the inspiration at some point. You’ll definitely need the coaching-off-a-ledge at some point.
How to find your professional tribe
If you have trouble finding these folks in your immediate circle or via a Google search, try searching popular industry hashtags on LinkedIn and Instagram. In addition, check the keynote speaker announcements for large industry conferences and events. Oftentimes, the keynote speaker is a well-regarded leader in their field.
For this exercise, I’d try to identify 3-5 people in each of the 3 categories (peer, mentor and next level).
After that, follow them on their most active social media accounts and sign up for their email newsletters via their websites. This will give you great insights into what other people at various levels are doing (or, are not doing) to support customers and clients.
In addition, start paying close attention to their business and marketing acumen. And, always look for what your professional tribe is missing–these may be gaps in the market where you can step in without as much competition.
If these are people you already know, ask to interview them about the business side of what they do.
If you do not know these folks already, there are many ways you can get to know them. One of the best ways is by a warm introduction from mutual friends or acquaintances.
If you don’t have this, try commenting on their social media posts, asking pointed questions, or connecting at conferences or industry events. Obviously, it behooves you to do this in a non-creepy way. Be respectful, but don’t be a groupie!
After you’ve filled out your professional tribe, shoot me a message or post on social media to let me know about it!
You can share with me on social media by tagging me @shontaviajesq on all platforms and using the #VisionChallenge hashtag so that I can see it. Or, you can comment directly below.
If nothing else, take a picture of your completed workbook page(s) so that I know you’re doing the homework!
Join my support network
Download the app
In addition, studies show that you’re more likely to meet your goals when you have accountability partners! To work together with a supportive community of other side-hustlers, creatives and entrepreneurs, you can join my private group by clicking this link or via the Mighty Networks App.
Download the Mighty Network app by clicking here. Once it downloads, click “Find a Mighty Network” and search for Shontavia Johnson. You’ll find accountability partners and other content there that I may not share elsewhere.
New to the #VisionChallenge? You can learn more about it, and sign up to take the challenge, by clicking here.
Sometimes I will refer you to other books, products or services. While I may be an affiliate of these companies, creators, or authors, these are all things I have used and trust. I would not recommend these things to you if I hadn’t experienced them myself.
Your goal today is to identify your target audience and collaborators. Essentially, you should answer two questions:
What groups of people or groups do you want to work with?
What groups or people should want to collaborate with you?
How to Make it Happen
Target customers/clients
Imagine having the perfect customers every day — you are in sync, they love your work, and you never have to issue any refunds or haggle over money. Your projects and your business invigorate you. And, while every day may not be easy, you know you’re making people’s lives better. Thus, you are highly motivated and excited each day.
Wouldn’t it be awesome to have folks lining up to consume your content, work with/hire you, and buy whatever you’re selling? Imagine being the Prince or Beyoncé of your field–your entire job would be to create, because your reputation and work alone would sell your products and services.
The good news is that you can definitely have this kind of business with these kinds of customers.
The challenge is that finding this sweet spot is hard, because oftentimes it means turning down money and opportunities from people and groups who aren’t part of your target audience.
But, you’ll be glad you took this route in the long run. Working with the wrong people is, in my opinion, worse than not working at all.
The hard work starts by identifying and focusing only on the right people for your business. Today, you’ll identify who these people are.
You’ve already started identifying your target audience in the Vision Challenge – flip back to Day 5 and Day 16.
Now that you’ve gotten deeper into the challenge, I want you to take the information from these two days and find the overlaps. Most importantly, describe the people or groups you will serve and their common characteristics.
It is okay if you leave people out of this description–you actually should probably whittle it down a bit. The goal isn’t for you to serve EVERYBODY. The goal is for you to clearly and consistently resonate with the right people.
For example, in my own business, my target audience is women with a significant amount of work and life experience who want to expand their impact and professional reach. However, not everyone who follows me, listens to my podcast, or hires me falls within this category.
This is fine–anyone can come along with me (and I hope they do!). However, my messaging, my offerings, and my work are created with that one group in mind.
With my target audience, I don’t have to convince them of my value or beg them to work with me. They know that I deliver value in their lives and solve their pain points, because I create everything with them in mind.
Similarly, you should build your business around the target audience that you can bring the most value to.
Target collaborators
Finally, I’d also like you to consider if you need other collaborators or partners. What kind of partnerships would help both the collaborator and your business?
Not only should you build your own platform, you should consider where you can leverage other people’s platforms (and vice versa!).
For example, consider who else has your target customer base (ideally for a different product/service). If you are both trying to reach the same people or groups, perhaps joining forces makes sense.
In addition, think about the other products and services your customers need that you don’t provide. Bundling some offerings together could be appealing for your business, a collaborator, and the ultimate customers.
Finally, who wants access to customers like yours but doesn’t know how to reach them? Desperation is the mother of many collaborations.
This is not always the right approach for new businesses, but it is worth thinking about. In my experience, a new business first needs to get crystal clear on what it is doing and then focus on doing that incredibly well. Then, after working out the kinks, taking on collaborations can make sense.
At any rate, brainstorm about future collaborators and consider where you might start once you have solid footing in your business.
Join my support network
Download the app
In addition, studies show that you’re more likely to meet your goals when you have accountability partners! To work together with a supportive community of other side-hustlers, creatives and entrepreneurs, you can join my private group by clicking this link or via the Mighty Networks App.
Download the Mighty Network app by clicking here. Once it downloads, click “Find a Mighty Network” and search for Shontavia Johnson. You’ll find accountability partners and other content there that I may not share elsewhere.
New to the #VisionChallenge? You can learn more about it, and sign up to take the challenge, by clicking here.
Sometimes I will refer you to other books, products or services. While I may be an affiliate of these companies, creators, or authors, these are all things I have used and trust. I would not recommend these things to you if I hadn’t experienced them myself.
