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Authenticity in Personal Branding

In a world where influencers who guide consumer habits are often also our closest friends, it can be difficult to differentiate between authentic vs. calculated content. So what does this mean exactly? Showcasing your unique personality on social media can be a real challenge. 

But worry not, because here are three steps to ensure that your online presence is truly reflective of the person behind the screen. 

        1. Reflection 

Reflection begins by looking inwards. This includes understanding your own behaviours, passions, and ultimately what makes you special. Whether it’s sharing your journey as a small business owner or your new found love for cooking, we all have the power to influence others. Proven tests such as the Myers-Briggs 16 personality test can help provide insight into your character and habits. 

       2. Goals 

Goals represent a mindset of progress and growth to help you maximize your potential. This ideal version of yourself encompasses not only your career aspirations, but the way you interact and treat others. Life may be keeping you busy, but it is important to pause and take a moment to understand and lay out the specifics of what you are striving towards. Keep in mind that goals are unique to you and can include anything from expanding your instagram following to partnering with your favourite brand. When writing down your goals, it is important to incorporate frameworks that are SMART: specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based goals, which will help you look deeper into the criteria that guides your goal-setting. 

       3. Action Plan 

Now that you have reflected on who you are and understand the direction you want to take your personal brand in, it is time to create an action plan. When building this, you can categorize your next steps into short term vs. long term objectives. This will give you a clear picture of where to begin and help you easily track your progress along the way. It is also important to find a balance between measurable vs. continuous checkpoints in order to sustain your personal brand and allow for it to evolve with you. Incorporating details and writing down your plan is a great way to keep yourself accountable and ensure that you remain authentic to yourself and your brand.

 

Through reflection, goal setting, and developing a unique action plan, you can build a personal brand that is an accurate representation of who you are. By drawing from different aspects of your life, the brand image you create will remain true and unique to you. Expressing your authentic self through your brand will allow for ease in content creation while motivating you to continue influencing others positively.