Is my personal brand me sitting in this bookstore writing this blog with my journal sitting next to me looking like a stock photo with my MacBook, iPhone and hipster drink? Or is it me dancing around my apartment in my underwear to the new Jonas Brothers album? Is it me lighting candles, eating cookies and watching Friends for the 13th time?
Finding your personal brand is basically a professional self-reflection. It's how you want the world to see you. It's like you becoming a product and marketing yourself to consumers. Who's going to buy you? Who would be interested? What makes them interested? Is it your social media presence? Is it your diction? Is it your style?
You have to ask yourself what kind of values do you have? What's most important to you? Would you choose to support local businesses or are you a brand-junkie? Are you a wannabe environmentalist or do you use straws and plastic bags still? Are you vocal about your political views or do you keep your opinions to yourself?
My answers to these questions:
I have an informal, conversational diction. I have puns and corny jokes in my photo captions. I choose to support local businesses when I can. I make the extra effort to bring my own bags to the grocery store; I use reusable water bottles and care about doing my part to better the world. I know not to speak out about my political views but I like to know I'm on the right side of history. I listen to all sorts of music, I love reading young-adult novels or self-help/memoir books. I choose to educate myself on topics that matter to me. I move my body every day because I was given a healthy body to use but I don't believe in denying myself a cookie when I want one. My goal is to be kind and graceful but I have bad days and at times I slip up too. I prioritize mental health and self-care. I see through bullshit quickly and don't like sticking to the status quo. I believe in doing your best and having fun. I'm rough around the edges but I'm trying and that's enough for me. That's my personal brand.
The important part of your personal brand is to not let someone decide that it needs to change. Marketing yourself is hard and if someone doesn't like what you're selling they'll more than likely let you know. But that's not your problem-it's theirs. Be loud and proud about who you are and the rest will work itself out.
