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7 Ingredients To Personally Branding Yourself With Your Blog

This post was most recently updated on February 22nd, 2014

Personal Branding is how people perceive you.  People don’t buy products; they buy people.  That’s why on TV commercials you see “superstars” selling products.  People don’t buy products; they buy people! Establishing your personal branding on the internet is crucial. 

 

It reminds me of a quote from Bella Abzug: I began wearing hats as a young lawyer because it helped me to establish my professional identity. Before that, whenever I was at a meeting, someone would ask me to get coffee.”
Those of you who are familiar with Ms. Bella know her from her hats.  That separated her from the crowd. What separates you from the crowd?  Just being yourself …that’s it.  Each of us is totally unique.  We have unique personalities and experiences to offer.  When you present who you honestly are, you are being authentic.  People are always attracted to authenticity.  The authentic “You” that you present becomes your “Brand”.

Here are the 7 Ingredients that YOUR BLOG needs to personally brand YOU:

 

 

1.  Information that Brands YOU… not a company or MLM. In other words, do not use your blog as a means to sell products or garner downlines for your MLM. Never directly link a blog post to your MLM company’s replicated page assigned to you as a distributor.  Such pages represent a company, a business, an opportunity, a product. 

 

They do NOT represent YOU. You can, of course, put such links on a “work with me” page of your blog, but I do not recommend it.  It still results in taking people from your blog to a company page.  This does not help brand YOU.

 

 

 

2. Quality Content. The information you post on your blog could be anything from technical information and techniques, to How-To ideas or personal development methods.  Whatever you are willing and competent to share is what projects who you are. For instance, talk about the financial freedom your internet marketing has given you (if it has).  Talk about what you have learned along the way that may be of teach something your readers need to learn.  This is all important and valuable content.

 

 

 

3. Upload pictures and videos. Because your blog is your central hub, you want to put some video’s of yourself on it.  People need to see you in action, get to know you and appreciate your unique style of presentation.  Be yourself!  It may take you practice if you are camera shy, but you will get there.  It’s absolutely worth the effort.

 

 

 

4. Develop your niche. Your personal brand must evolve from the niche you are comfortable with.  Your niche is your specialty, expertise or particular passion or interest.  It may be to work with stay at home moms, executives, physicians, fellow bloggers or fellow internet marketers.  Whatever it is, get involved with others in your niche and get to know them.  And encourage them get to know you!

 

 

 

5. Get personal. Use your blog as a platform to present yourself, not only as a business person, but as a living, breathing human being.  Share some personal stuff!  You may be a working mom, a stay at home mom, a retired person, an entrepreneur, an MLM representative. But you’re also a person.  So share pictures and stories about your family, pets or special hobbies or passions that are not business related.

 

 

 

6. Build trust. It all boils down to people being attracted to a real person.  No one is there to judge you.  They either gel with you or not.  If they don’t, you don’t want to work with them anyway.  If they do, you start building relationships with them.  They will only be attracted to you after they have started trusting you.  At this point, they may look more seriously at your product or affiliate program.  At the point of trust, they are likely to opt-in to your special offers, and end up on our your auto-responder email list. So be authentic and personal and this will build the trust factor.

 

 

 

7. Always lead with YOU. There are countless ways to market products, ideas and services. The most effective is Personal Branding.  Few people trust a company, but if they resonate with your message and technique, they will want to trust you.  Especially if you are open, honest and giving.  They want a real person they can relate to.  So go for it, and don’t be shy,  After a while, you’ll get the hang of it and make many connections for your business.  Why?  Because you are YOU!

Donna Merrill
Donna is a well known blogger and creator of "Blogging Magic" - an intensive guide to blogging. "Blogging Magic" is for beginners who are trying to figure out how to bring their blogs to life with tons of visits, comments and social media interaction. It's even for advanced bloggers looking to reach new levels of authority and engagement with their audience.

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27 Responses to 7 Ingredients To Personally Branding Yourself With Your Blog

  1. Yossi Steinblatt May 15, 2010 at 7:58 am #

    Hey Donna,
    Excellent Post.
    People always connect to people and not to companies or comp plan. Using a blog that brands you is so crucial to your biz in building trust and to get to know you and make it easy for the rest of the process.

    I want also to congratulate you for the new blog.
    It looks fantastic.
    Great job.

    Yossi
    .-= Yossi Steinblatt´s last blog ..Get Yourself Ready To The New WordPress 3.0 Release =-.

    • admin May 20, 2010 at 5:30 pm #

      thank you Yossi
      I love my new blog!!! My blog guys are the best!
      And yes, Branding is he key factor.
      Thank you
      Donna

  2. David A Haines May 14, 2010 at 4:03 am #

    Donna, I’m loving your new blog, very clean and organized. Good job! Thanks for this post, as always you’ve given very good information. It’s a pleasure to share your articles!

    Sincerely,

    David Haines
    .-= David A Haines´s last blog ..Is There Value In Your System, Or A System In Your Value? =-.

    • admin May 14, 2010 at 3:34 pm #

      Thanks David
      Isn’t this new blog a blast? I can change my optin offers and design any time all by myself and I’m so not the geek gal.
      Thanks for your comment. Donna

  3. Debbie Lattuga May 14, 2010 at 1:05 am #

    Hey, your friends like you cause you’re you, right? Well, people online will like you cause you’re you, too.
    .-= Debbie Lattuga´s last blog ..Personal Growth | It All Started With Tomatoes =-.

    • admin May 14, 2010 at 3:31 pm #

      Hey Debbie good to see you here. Thank you for your comment! Hope you enjoy this blog. I like yours too, in fact, heading over to read some more. Have a Glorious Day
      Donna Merrill

  4. Sharon Hartman May 13, 2010 at 5:21 pm #

    You are right on target with this great information. We must ALWAYS be true to ourselves, and ALWAYS lead with value!

    How true that people join us because of “US” not because of the company. People often forget that.

    Thanks for sharing Donna 🙂
    Sharon

    • admin May 22, 2010 at 11:39 pm #

      Thanks Sharon
      “To thine own self be true!” Learned that one when I was a teenager. I live by that motto!

  5. Teresa Ivory May 13, 2010 at 1:58 am #

    Hi Donna,
    I agree with Joe. This is one the best posts I’ve read on personal branding. You’ve done a fantastic job of laying out the steps in your own authentic way! And there you are talking about video again – I’m just going to have to bite the bullet and start making videos!

    • Dona Merrill
      Twitter:
      May 13, 2010 at 2:17 am #

      Thanks Teresa
      Just make them. Speak from your heart and soul and you will shine my dear.

  6. Val Wilcox May 12, 2010 at 4:27 pm #

    Donna,
    Your last statement – Always Lead With You – is by far the best for me! It’s not about being cookie-cutter, it’s about standing in your power of who you are.

    Great list of tips that should be considered when Branding – You. Inc!!!!

    Thanks for reminding me of all of these important aspects.
    Val 🙂
    .-= Val Wilcox´s last blog ..Along The Path of Self Discovery… =-.

  7. admin May 12, 2010 at 7:32 am #

    Hey Hector I see you are looking at number 5. Yes, it is difficult for some people. When trying to expose your inner self to people, some can find it difficult. But just tell them to think that they are talking to an old friend and the words will fly!
    Thanks for your comment, Donna

  8. Hector Cuevas May 12, 2010 at 6:08 am #

    Hey Donna,

    I think most people have problems with number 5 so I’m glad you mentioned it. Being yourself is crucial to your success because you are the only UNIQUE factor in this business.

    Depending on you niche, there might be a little competition or A LOT, but either way there will always be, so being unique and being yourself should never be overlooked.

    nice post,
    have a great day
    Hector Cuevas
    .-= Hector Cuevas´s last blog ..5 Ways To Improve Conversion Rates On Your Blog =-.

  9. Don Enck May 12, 2010 at 12:35 am #

    Donna,
    You have hit the nail square on the head with this. It really is all about YOU. Your Personal Brand. That is the key.

    I can’t decide if this is good or bad but being online a lot more these days I see a lot of blogs that are boring. There’s no pictures, no videos, no real human so it seems. And sadly, the content on it is pretty boring too. I’d much rather connect with someone that is authentic, is a little vulnerable and willing to expose their soft side. It’s easier to connect with them. What’s really cool is when you build a relationship and before you know it it has blossomed into a fantastic one. Many times before even meeting face to face.

    Thanks for sharing your insight.
    .-= Don Enck´s last blog ..How To Survive Today’s Online Gold Rush…A Lesson From 1849 =-.

    • admin May 12, 2010 at 7:30 am #

      Thanks Don
      I agree that there are too many boring blogs. Lots of people are looking for numbers for ratings. I rather pick and choose and get up close and personal with people to deal with in business.
      Like anything else, I meet someone, get them to know who I am and if they are attracted to that we lead to a conversation. They may opt in to me or I may opt in to them. I’m open!
      I can only be me … Take it or leave it is my motto. When they “take it” it becomes a relationship.

      Thanks, Donna

  10. admin May 12, 2010 at 4:28 am #

    Hey Danielle, Thanks for your kind words. Yes being yourself is being authentic. We are all different like fingerprints. We all have gifts to share. We just have to do it!
    Thanks again
    Donna

  11. Danielle Zack May 12, 2010 at 2:08 am #

    What Great Advice Donna!

    Everything you list here is right on. What I love is that it is all focused on being YOU and being AUTHENTIC. That’s what it is ultimately all about. If anyone follows your direction, there is no way they won’t have a Rockin’ Blog.

    Danielle
    .-= Danielle Zack´s last blog ..What’s the Point of the Social Media Game??? =-.

  12. Jaden Daniels May 12, 2010 at 1:30 am #

    Thanks for the tips, Donna. There are a couple of things I have been doing wrong. I will make sure I get those corrected.

    Jaden
    .-= Jaden Daniels´s last blog ..Find Your Burning Desire and Achieve It =-.

    • admin May 12, 2010 at 4:27 am #

      Hey Jaden, there is no such thing as “wrong” – It is only a learning experience. When we fail at something it is the greatest lesson of all because we will never repeat that again.

      thanks for your comment -Donna

  13. Venus :) May 12, 2010 at 12:20 am #

    Donna,

    I love the way you create your posts.
    You pour your true authenticity in them
    and they are a real example of what you share.
    You do walk your talk.
    I am always absolutely entertained, educated
    and inspired in your presence.

    I love the true you!
    Infinite love and gratitude to you,
    Venus 🙂
    .-= Venus :)´s last blog ..Who Are You Really? (part 1) =-.

    • admin May 12, 2010 at 4:25 am #

      I appreciate your kind words Venus. I know we share the same outlooks on so many things and can truly understand each other on a “higher” spiritual level. It is always refreshing reading your blogs too.
      -Donna

  14. Nelson Schroeder May 11, 2010 at 11:49 pm #

    Thanks Donna. The seven tips are right on. Ill start to check them off each time I write. I like the 7th best. If they can’t see who I am than I’m failing at the personal communication level. Your so good at making it easy for us duffers.
    .-= Nelson Schroeder´s last blog ..The Power of One =-.

    • admin May 12, 2010 at 4:24 am #

      Thank you for your reply Nelson. I like the 7th best also. We are all unique and have our special gifts to offer. When doubting ourselves, it only blocks us from moving on. Keeping the idea in your head that there is only one unique “YOU” will help.

      Regards, Donna

  15. Joe Emmet May 11, 2010 at 7:21 pm #

    Hi Donna,

    Such sage advice regarding branding “YOU Inc.”! This is one of the best posts I’ve read in the last several months because it is so chalk full of really good ideas, suggestions and recommendations that will pay off big time. . .and its briefly presented.

    Think your suggestion to eliminate company info is really important. Companies come, and companies go; it would be unfortunate to give anyone reason to doubt who or what we are because of the fact that a company we’ve chosen to affiliate with is out of business (they might assume we are not a good judge of companies or character).

    What trust we may have developed with some folks might be lost due to problems beyond our control.

    We need to think about the value our list represents to our LONG TERM success (no matter who we are affiliated) and build those lists and relationships in such as way as to avoid anything that could create future issues and concerns about our trustworthiness.

    Another great point; so many of us are shy around the camera. Thanks for acknowledging this.

    The great thing about our blogs is that we can always pull down older videos (where we may feel we look stiff and/or unnatural) and replace them with newer ones as we become more comfortable/natural in front of the camera. Remember, practice will make us much better!

    The most important thing you shared though, was being yourself, so you can build trust. Frankly, this is a key to online success and it can make you growth viral as more and more people connect to the “real” you.

    Thanks again. . .you and David have a great week.

    Joe Emmet

    • admin May 12, 2010 at 4:22 am #

      Thanks Joe for your wise words. If we are not “real” people can see right through that. I always tell my clients to overcome their negative anxieties about themselves. When I teach them to use Youtube, I tell them to act. Act as if you are talking to your kid, or friend. This alleviates the “pressure” that is in their minds that people will judge them. I find that the most common block they have.
      Again, Thank you

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