Editor’s note: Hey, hey! Our team at Blackwood has launched a podcast called The Big Brand Theory! This episode, our host, Ryan Zerfas, had the awesome opportunity to sit down with Macy Troyer, commercial real estate broker with Cressy Commercial Real Estate and expert on personal branding, and talk about how to authentically present yourself on social media. You don’t have to hide your true personality in an effort to look more professional! If you’d prefer to listen to the episode where Ryan & Macy talk about Personal Branding, you can do so at this link. Enjoy!!
Branding your business is a huge part of being successful in your ventures. But what about branding as it pertains to things outside your business? Even further – what about branding yourself? Woah. We know. Personal branding can be a tough thing to navigate. Not only do you have to determine what’s “professional enough” to showcase on your social media, but then you have to maintain that presence.
You don’t have to look at it as a chore, though! Your personality is absolutely an asset to your business, and people want to get to know the real you. Let’s get to the bottom of personal branding beyond just what you do in your current position.
What is personal branding?
According to Macy Troyer, personal branding is, “a mixture of authenticity and professionalism” and the way you show that on your personal social media accounts. It’s how you demonstrate your passion for what you’re doing in every aspect of your life and show your personality along the way!
One of the best things about having a strong personal brand is that your success there will reflect back on your business. Think of it a little bit like ambassadorship; you’re living your life as a reflection of your business’s morals, and instead of letting that stress you out, let it encourage you! You have the power to single handedly bring in business – just by being you.
How does this influence the type of content you post on your personal accounts?
As an ambassador for your business, it’s important to maintain some professionalism, but that can look different depending on your individual business. If your business is formal, you can probably let loose a little bit, but try to stay within the realm of whatever your business is. However, that doesn’t mean your personal social media accounts need to be 100% devoted to your professional life!
Social media is a wonderful way to stay in touch with family, so it’s totally fine (and even encouraged) to showcase your life with your family, if you’re comfortable doing so! Outings and family get-togethers are wonderful ways to give a glimpse into your relationship with your loved ones. All in all, it shows you’re human, and it allows your audience to connect with you on a more personal level.
The balance between personal and professional is entirely dependent on your business. You have the freedom to focus more on your company as it affects you personally, which is a great perspective for your audience to have. You also get to talk about things you’re excited about outside of work – so take advantage of that!
Where can you especially focus on your personal branding?
Perhaps the best platform to start building your personal brand on is LinkedIn. Because it’s geared specifically toward professionals and facilitating networking, it’s a great way to connect with people around you and get to know them better. Additionally, social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook can be great places to grow! It really depends on where most of your audience is and what type of content you prefer posting.
How do you get started?
First off, you must decide why you’re going to post the things you want to post. If the goal is to show the real you, you gotta give ‘em the real you. Sit down and determine what it is that’s making you want to work on your personal branding and social media right now. Having a reason to post helps you add value to your audience’s social media feeds, not just noise.
The best way to get started is just to show your passion! You may not “get it” right away, but after a bit, your social media presence will begin to feel more natural. As your goals get closer to being achieved and new goals come up, you may discover new ways to reach your audience. Go get ‘em, tiger!
What are 3 takeaways as you keep personal branding in mind?
- Make sure your content adds genuine value, not just noise.
- Show your passion for what you do.
- Be consistent always & show the world what a star you are!
No matter where you start developing your personal brand, make sure you’re being as authentically yourself as possible. People want to get to know the real you – so give the people what they want!
If your current marketing strategy just isn’t cutting it anymore, you’ve come to the right place. Our team of experts here at Blackwood Creative would be more than happy to work with you and help you meet and exceed your business goals. We’re in the business of building remarkable brands – yours could be next. Reach out to us today!
Interested in listening to this episode and more of The Big Brand Theory Podcast? Visit this web page for streaming options!