Why you should blog to build a personal brand
Everyone wants to build a personal brand, right? It adds so much value to our professional life. Most times clients have issues trusting a company with work, but this could be reversed if they happen to know who you are thanks to the way you’ve built your personal brand. That is the power of a personal brand.
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Possessing a powerful personal brand will help you get the following:
- Leadership opportunities at various startups
- Improved credibility
- People perceive you as someone with a lot of value
- Recognition and rewards
- Speaking engagements
- People would want to partner with you
- A stream of new clients who are awed by your work
Having a successful personal brand is all about being someone who provides a lot of value and can offer solutions off the cuff. If you are thinking about which platform to use to build your blog, I'd suggest you to buy a domain. While you might think that buying “firstnamelastname.com” for a URL might be too tacky, you couldn’t be more wrong. There are a lot of people who have found fame and cult status by using their names for the blog. Jeff Bullas, Neil Patel, Seth Godin, John Chow, to name a few.
Now let us see how you can blog your way to a personal brand:
Use personal anecdotes to make a point
If you observe James Altucher’s blogs, you will find that almost all of his posts have a personal anecdote or two. Readers can relate with you when you make your point in the form of a story. When you share personal story, it becomes more perceivable and your presence ceases to be that of someone who is a million miles away from them. Using stories to prove a point will only improve your credibility.
Build trust, but slowly
Gaining your readers trust will take time, never expect it as a given. Be open about who you are and what you aim to establish with your blog. It is perfectly all right to look for ways to earn income with your blog, there is no reason to be secretive about it. Give more reasons to your readers to trust you. There is no reason to blow your own trumpet, or worse, or mislead them. The moment your credibility becomes a topic of debate that's the moment your blog will tank.
Write outstanding content
The sublimity of your blog solely depends on the content it features. Even if you've planned to write only four blog posts a month, ensure they are well-researched and hits the point across. Pick thought-provoking narratives or subjects your readers would want to be addressed. The only reason people are coming to your blog is because there is riveting content.
Be personal
The best way to make a connection with your readers is to be true to yourself. Give them an occasional glimpse into your personal side. There is no need to put on a farce, your readers will eventually see through it. Also know where to draw the line. Don't transform your blog into a Snapchat-type medium, with constant updates on your personal life, always stay true to the theme of your blog.
Be generous
Super bloggers like Neil Patel give readers more than what they expect. It is not unusual for some bloggers to float a lot of content for free, especially when there are people willing to pay for it. Aboid being one of those consultants who talk about abstract ideas without giving too much away. Not only does it not build any trust, it doesn’t give much to their readers too. My advice is give your readers a little more than what they expect, you can charge them later for a report or a course and they would be more than willing to pay for it.
Your blog will always stay afloat if you remain to be authentic. Also modesty, humility and benevolence will take you a long way, so if there are people who have helped you along the way, provide them the limelight too. Develop a voice that is unique to you and before you know it you might be a star in your field.
