Written by: Becky Baker
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
3 personal branding tips to do it. We’re all experts at putting on a fake mask of professionalism at work. But that doesn't build trust with others. Try sharing your (im)perfect self instead. People feel a deep emotional connection when you do. Here are 3 personal branding tips to do it.
From the day we’re born, we all learn a key skill that helps us survive and thrive in our professional career. We put on our mask of professionalism. At work and with clients, we watch what we say. We speak well of others and put on our best manners. We project confidence and competence.
What we’re actually doing that comes so naturally to all of is lying. In fact, the article 3 rules to catch a liar, says that the average person lies 30 times day. We all lie, every day, little lies and big lies. People who don’t lie are autistic, saying everything on their minds with no editing.
But for coaches, consultants or entrepreneurs, this ability to lie and put on a generic mask of professionalism doesn’t cut it in today’s online marketing environment. People prefer to do business with people they know, like and trust.
That means communicating as your authentic (im)perfect self. People feel a deep emotional connection when you speak with conviction, reveal your own stories, share what matters to you and why you understand their situation so well. It’s the powerful way to attract the clients who need and want your products and services most.
Keeping that in mind, we should always tell the truth, but it’s wise to be careful of what truth you tell. We always need to look closely at how we present ourselves to the world.
People know when you’re faking it
As a writer, I know how hard it is to put aside the security of a professional mask. When I first started out as a copywriter, I agonized over the text for my first website for two years before I finally felt it was perfect enough to go public.
Eight months later, I read it again and realized it didn’t feel right. Every word sounded good, but it just didn’t fit my personality. I took it down and wrote a new one from scratch. One that felt much more like me. The harder you try to be a perfect communicator, the harder you make it for yourself.
Before becoming a personal branding coach, I worked as a freelance copywriter for 25 years. I produced hundreds of sales brochures, articles and thought leadership pieces that fit the individual personality of business experts and leaders. Here are three powerful tips I’ve learned that can help you find your natural tone of voice in your offline and online marketing.
1. Make yourself vulnerable
“The easiest way to find your voice is to write about something you are nervous to tell other people. Make yourself vulnerable.” This is a great thought from Adam Thomas.
Great leaders see vulnerability as an asset, rather than a weakness. They understand the importance of showing vulnerability. That’s because when you are vulnerable, you are more authentic. You inspire others and connect with them on a deeper level.
That doesn’t mean you have to share your deepest, darkest secrets. It can be as simple as talking about something you are struggling with, how you misjudged a situation, how the presentation you worked hours on fell flat with a client.
Share what you learned from an experience.
Share advice you would give to your younger self.
Share something you stand for or find difficult.
And remember, if you feel nervous to share it you are probably on the right track.
2. Let go of your expectations
When you are doing something you feel passionate about, you set ambitious goals and expectations for yourself. But communicating honestly and authentically when you are trying to meet a self-imposed goal just doesn’t work. Sometimes the best thing you can do is let go!
Let go of your goal to fill your workshop or sign up 3 new clients.
Think instead of why you do what you do. What do your clients need to get to the place they want to be?
Let go of your need for likes and comments.
Think instead of the people you want to inspire by sharing your story. Then tell that story.
Let go of your pre-conceived idea about the best services or products you can offer.
Think instead of what you’ve learned from your clients lately about what they really want and need from you.
The minute you let go of whatever expectations you have for your communication, it frees up your creativity so you can express yourself in your most natural and authentic way.
3. Talk about whatever’s in front of you
Do you ever think, ‘I need to say something brilliant and thought provoking, that no one’s ever heard before.’ That’s a tough standard for anyone to meet. The truth is, everything probably has been said – but not by you.
As the great writer Natalie Goldberg said, ‘How to generate writing ideas, things to write about? Whatever’s in front of you is a good beginning.’ Tell that story from your point of view, with your opinions, your personality, and your quirky take on the situation. You might be surprised where it takes you.
For instance, I’m looking at a card on my desk that says, ‘Say yes to new adventures.’
It reminds me of moving across the United States after I got divorced to start a new life and a new career in a new place.
It reminds me of moving again across the Atlantic Ocean to The Netherlands to start a new life and a new career in a brand new country.
It reminds me of the new adventures you experience as an entrepreneur, when you go after your dreams. When you dare to be yourself, to be open and unafraid, you will find your voice to attract your best clients who value what you have to offer and are willing to invest in it.
So make yourself vulnerable
Let go of your expectations
Talk about whatever’s in front of you
Share your (im)perfect self and claim your true worth.
Into the Noblahblah Zone
In 2018, we founded Noblahblah, a company specializing in public speaking training, speech writing, personal branding and related communication services. People often ask us, “What is no blah blah?”
Our answer is always a question:” What is blah blah?” It’s anything that doesn’t interest the audience. No matter what the subject, if the audience isn’t interested, it’s blah blah blah.
So, no blah blah is anything that captivates your audience. Anything that intrigues them. Engages them. It’s the story that only you can tell.
The fight continues. Saving the world from blah blah blah.
Ditch that mask of professionalism. Be your (im)perfect self. You can do it.
Becky Baker, Personal Branding Trainer & Executive Coach, Noblahblah Becky Baker inspires women entrepreneurs and professionals who are at a pivot point in their career to rise, grow and lead. With 25 years of experience helping leading Dutch multinationals communicate with more heart and soul, she uses her marketing and communication skills to train and coach women to position themselves for new roles. She is co-founder of the Noblahblah Women Raising Women platform which inspires women to become their best self and live their best lives.
Noblahblah, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
We are on a mission to save the world from blah blah blah.
Noblahblah was founded in 2018 as a training company to support better public speaking. Today we offer a broad range of trainings and coaching that help our customers develop their full potential by communicating with more confidence and more fun, on stage, online and in person.
Noblahblah trainings provide professionals with new skills to present more persuasively, to define and communicate their unique personal brand with more impact, and to literally shine online by building and engaging their LinkedIn network. A special focal point is harnessing the power of diversity and inclusion by cross-cultural trainings and through our Women Shine with Personal Branding workshops and our Women Raising Women interviews.
Our customers include Fortune 500 companies, universities, start-ups and scale-ups.
Based in the Netherlands, our five executive trainers, from the United States, the Netherlands and Germany, bring a diversity of skills and experience.
While our core activity is communication trainings, we offer a range of related services, from speechwriting and copywriting to executive speaker coaching to corporate events design and moderation.
