Let’s delve into the subject of building a personal brand. Remember that no one knows what you've done until you communicate about it, and until you have people documenting your actions, the onus falls on you to document what you're doing and thinking.
- The Importance of Self-Expression
- Overcoming Writer's Block
- Create a Personal Wiki
- Show, Don't Just Tell
- Leverage Your Network: The Post Malone Example
- Share Your Insights Publicly
- Follow Other Proven Principles of Personal Branding
- Final Thoughts
The Importance of Self-Expression
Start by making it a habit to express what you're doing and thinking regularly. This could be done through various platforms like tweeting threads, blogging, or posting thought leadership content on your chosen platform. The objective is to create a data trail that gives people a sense of who you are.
You are unique and special, but unless you communicate, no one will perceive you the way you want to be perceived.
Overcoming Writer's Block
For those struggling with writer's block, remember, you don't always have to write. If you can speak out loud what you've been up to, transcription services such as Descript can help translate spoken words into written text. You can then feed the transcript into AI tools like ChatGPT to format your updates in any way you wish.
Learning to utilize tools like ChatGPT is an invaluable skill in today's world, helping you express your thoughts and ideas more effectively.
See: Gary’s Guides on Writing & Communication
Create a Personal Wiki
Another recommendation is to create a personal Wiki. This could be seen as an advanced step, but it can be extremely beneficial. Your personal Wiki should contain timeless factual knowledge and guides based on your expertise.
This becomes a showcase of your knowledge and passion, demonstrating to others what you bring to the table.
See: 
Show, Don't Just Tell
Part of building your personal brand involves visual expression. Suppose you want people to perceive you as a cool person who attends interesting events. In that case, you should regularly post pictures of your outfits or the events you attend.
This can feel uncomfortable, especially when posting pictures with famous friends, but remember to strike a balance. Here’s an example:
Leverage Your Network: The Post Malone Example
Building a brand doesn't solely rest on your professional skills or the value you provide. Your network plays an integral role in creating a perception of who you are, and this is where the 'Post Malone Example' comes in.
Let's imagine you're a music producer and a close friend of Post Malone. You don't want to constantly flaunt your connection by posting daily photos together, even if you hang out every day. Yet, it's important to share this part of your life occasionally.
Say, once a quarter, you post a photo with Post Malone. What this does is communicate to your audience that you're part of an influential network, demonstrating not only your social stature but also hinting at your professional credibility in the music industry.
This strategy is about striking a balance between being authentic and 'name-dropping'. You're not exploiting your connections, but subtly planting seeds in people's minds about your network. This acts as a form of social proof and enhances your personal brand's value. It adds a layer to your brand persona, showing you're well-connected and respected within your industry.
Remember, you're not only communicating your association with an industry icon like Post Malone, but also giving a sneak-peek into your personal life. This builds a more holistic and appealing personal brand. This method works beyond the music industry, applicable to any field where networking plays a crucial role.
By carefully managing this, you can further enhance your personal brand, presenting yourself as an influential, connected, and respected professional within your industry.
Share Your Insights Publicly
If you're known for having great insights, share them publicly. As the age-old saying goes, if a tree falls in the forest and no one hears it, did it really fall? Similarly, if you have insight but don't share it, will people recognize you as insightful?
It's important to build a reputation around your insights and create social proof that you are a thought leader in your field.
Follow Other Proven Principles of Personal Branding
It's my belief that every leader and innovator striving for a better future should have a strong personal brand in order to make the biggest impact possible.
Check out these principles I captured in a Substack post:
5 Super Practical Personal Branding Principles
No nonsense advice from someone who has helped dozens of innovators level up the way they come across to the world.
substack.garysheng.com
Final Thoughts
Building your personal brand is a continuous process, and it's essential to take responsibility for how you want to be perceived.
Work hard, build a habit of self-expression, and gradually express more of yourself as you become comfortable.
Remember, your personal brand is within your control, so take charge of it and shape it to represent who you are and what you stand for.
Related reading: Gary’s Guides on Writing & Communication