I find myself gravitating towards a variety of podcasts, with a noticeable tilt towards those discussing business and entrepreneurship. Today, as I delved into one such podcast about cultivating a personal brand, I was surprised to feel my energy levels plummeting. I found myself overwhelmed by a desire to resign. The discussions on being seen, being unique, becoming a reliable source for customers, and identifying an ideal client just didn’t align with my vision of entrepreneurship. My way may seem unconventional, especially given my nascent journey into business and the wealth of experience those podcast hosts possess. Nonetheless, I feel compelled to give my approach a try. In this post, I’m going to delve into those intimidating phrases, infusing a mindful perspective into each one. Ready? Let’s dive in!
“Be Visible!”
Indeed, visibility is critical for attracting clients, establishing partnerships, and overall brand recognition. Yet, when you consider the hundreds of millions of blogs out there (Google’s statistics underscore this fact – we’re indeed talking about hundreds of millions), the idea of standing out can feel daunting. Modern expectations extend beyond owning a blog – there’s YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, Facebook, and more. I realize that I need to maintain visibility across these platforms to retain relevance. But the point I’m attempting to make here is that it’s necessary to be visible, but not necessarily omnipresent. As I write, I can’t help but acknowledge the truth in this statement – visibility is indeed key.
“Be Unique!”
Here, I find myself more aligned with my perspective. I don’t believe it’s necessary or even desirable to be unique in a forced manner. We’re all unique in our own ways, yet remarkably similar too. If you nurture a particular thought, interest, or idea, chances are, there are others who share the same. Embrace the fact that not everyone will gravitate towards you, and that’s perfectly okay! We should view the competitive landscape as an opportunity to exchange clientele, offering a win-win-win scenario. Striving for uniqueness can be exhausting; instead, embrace your authentic, perfectly imperfect self. Acceptance, a core tenet of mindfulness, encourages us to trust ourselves and our capabilities. Be brave enough to be ordinary – after all, we’re in this together.
“Become the Go-To Person for Your Customers!”
This phrase admittedly unearths some of my insecurities – the notion of expecting someone to choose me, considering me the best in my field. Here, the podcast hosts probably hit the nail on the head. It’s indeed advantageous if customers appreciate and return to your services. That’s the dream, after all, to be a part of the customer’s journey, watching them evolve and grow. Here, I concede, this statement holds water – being a reliable resource for customers is indeed desirable.
“Who Is Your Dream Customer?”
Here, I find myself skeptical again. My focus is on engaging in work that inspires, motivates, and fulfills me. I believe that this approach will naturally attract a group that resonates with my work ethos. If I target a preconceived ‘dream customer,’ I risk missing out on potential clients and may end up in an unfulfilling role. The emphasis should be on trusting our abilities, allowing the process to unfold naturally, and staying open to different types of customers we might attract.
In Conclusion…
It’s common for my perspectives to shift or evolve when I take the time to articulate my thoughts and feelings. What I observe is a recurring trend where we constantly strive to please others and base our sense of satisfaction on their reactions. When we post content, we often question, ‘What do they want?’ instead of ‘What do I want to share?’ It’s not detrimental to consider others’ interests, but if that’s our primary focus, we might soon find ourselves in situations that don’t resonate with us. After all, just because everyone else is doing something, or because it’s what they want, doesn’t mean it’s right for us. This is my perspective, and I could be entirely wrong, but that’s okay – it’s all part of the learning process. Please let me know how your journey of building your own brand has been.
Comment to picture: A unique flower yet similar to all other flowers of its kind.
Grounded gardens 