What are the best ways to overcome personal branding and networking barriers?

Why should people connect with you? The answer lies in decoding, why do you connect to people? What is it that makes you bond with them? Is it their knowledge that might be beneficial for you? Or maybe they have a huge network? Or do they have a charming personality and are entertaining? There is no right or wrong answer. But figure it out- why should people connect with you?

It starts with your WHY! Value proposition follows one's purpose! Giving the audience a reason to want to know more about your value proposition means you need to succinctly explain your mission and purpose. Then the How and What follows.

Networking is a lot easier in this digital era. Thanks to social media platforms with a million plus people ready to connect! However, while you can reach out to people of your interest at the click of a button, it is important to understand why they would like to connect with you? This is where self branding becomes significant. Before you actually meet someone in the physical world, your perception is already built through your digital profile, your posts, likes and comments, and even who you follow. Presenting yourself in the best version of yourself, your knowledge, and the way you present your views and opinions thus matters. Being truthful, sensitive and compassionate creates trust and credibility of your brand in the network.

One time I attended a workshop on personal branding. A key takeaway was to consistently document and share small achievements. Not only does it boost your own confidence, but it subtly reinforces your brand to your network, showing your consistent growth and dedication

When was the last time you audited yourself? Identifying your value proposition is gaining clarity and also, constantly affirming what you deliver to your clients and key stakeholders. Some key questions to ask: - What impact have I created? - Who do I serve, best? - What problems am I gifted in solving? - How does success look like in working with me? - How am I unique and different from the peers in my space? - When I'm not in the room, what will people tend to say about me? Asking more questions breed clarity and answers.

The best branding is what others can do on your behalf. It is hard when one is just bootstrapping so it is best to start small and then go from there. Self-promotion can backfire if there isn't proof that others can attest to behind it. Especially so in this day of AI where fake everything can be created instantly.

Perhaps most of us are not aware of self-marketing materials. Keep in mind that, apart from your resume, all the social media platforms, including LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and your online presence, serve as self-marketing materials. They reach for your personal marketing materials, which work for you and your brand, and get a brief understanding of you as a professional. Developing a brand that serves all your requirements will require you to review and revise it over and over again, in multiple iterations, until you are confident that your personal marketing materials will stand out from anyone else who has similar qualifications on paper. Invest your time and thoughts in the place that will help you in the future.

In my opinion, there is a thin line between personal branding and self-promotion. Don't be shy to display your expertise if you can help someone. Share your insights, experiences, and knowledge through compelling content and not just as a billboard. This establishes you as an authority in your field and attracts like-minded individuals. Your audience trusts you as someone who can help them. For example, as a CXO, regularly sharing thought leadership pieces about industry trends showcase your deep understanding and positions you as a go-to source of knowledge.

If you don't show, nobody will know. Showcasing is not the same as showing off. The former is factual, objective, and anchored in the service of the people you serve. While the latter is often egotistical and "all about you". One way to showcase your expertise is taking through intentional documentation. You want to document the highlight moments, milestones, project completions, success points in your life. But what will be more effective is to include the key lessons and insights you've learnt through the process.

The most impactful way of showcasing your expertise is to author a business book. When the structure, content, and tone of voice are right, you can create a reader experience that provides lightbulb moments and gives you plenty of time with your ideal reader in a one-to-many format. Podcasts and blogs are also fantastic for showcasing expertise. They transform your website from a static business card into an online resource people can revisit and subscribe to. Podcasts in particular allow your audience to connect with your voice and energy. Plus, you can discuss your core principles (the ones you'd share in your book) through the lens of real-time events.

It starts with what you can do for others without asking the question what they can do for you! Once that "karma bank" starts overflowing, the relationships will naturally evolve and truly meaningful relationships will emerge.

Networking extends beyond amassing contacts or engaging in business card exchanges. It involves the cultivation of genuine bonds with individuals who share your interests, values, and aspirations, and who possess the potential to offer support, references, or collaborative opportunities. To foster these meaningful connections, a proactive, authentic, and benevolent approach is essential. It entails initiating contact with individuals capable of enriching your network, whether they be mentors, colleagues, influencers, or prospective clients. Authenticity is key; present your true self and demonstrate sincere curiosity about your endeavors.

Networking is also about treating people with respect, recognizing and appreciating where they have positioned themselves in your scheme of things. Being honest and authentic, doing the relevant check- ins, providing clarity and feedback , advice, support and referrals add to the dignity of those people n your network. They in turn value you and your connection and in turn expand your reach via referrals, introductions, authentic advertising and support.

Networking is about giving. Networking isn't just about numbers; it's about forging authentic connections. Engage with this intention - reply to comments, participate in discussions, and initiate conversations that foster genuine relationships. No agenda meetings/calls, taking time to understand each other's goals, challenges, and aspirations. This approach goes a long way and builds a stronger foundation for collaboration.

Networking deeper (getting to know your current network more) than more comprehensive (connecting with more people) is where the gold is hiding. There was a mutual know, like, and trust exchange through my podcast (and as a guest) and over 250 conversations with career professionals. You create a more powerful referral engine than Google (which is essential, too). Not only referrals for business contacts and clients but to refer other like-minded professionals. Others you've engaged will refer others to your expertise and experience as a valuable resource.

Consistency and Courage is key. Thinking about how many comments, likes, shares is meaningless when one starts out. Or even after becoming an influencer, there can be content that doesn't resonate. Similarly reaching out to folks and there is no response is OK. Looking back at how many people may have reached out to us that we may have ignored is a good self-reflection as well. Start responding when people reach out. And the rest will follow.

Fear is stubborn. Fear of rejection or inadequacy can hinder progress. Acknowledge these feelings but don't let them hold you back. Embrace discomfort, knowing that growth often emerges from stepping beyond our comfort zones. If public speaking is a challenge, start small by speaking at local events or joining webinars. Gradually, you'll build confidence that extends beyond the virtual stage.

Action is the best cure for fear, but there's a lot more you can do. (I'm going to get a little bit woo-woo in a moment.) Fear is largely a physical sensation in your body. There are many ways to calm your fear, or even transform it. Some of my favorite tools: -Box breathing -Focus on the physical feeling (for example, the "butterflies" in your stomach or your racing heart) for a few seconds and you'll feel it start to change. Notice the changes and after a minute or two you'll have a new relationship with fear. -Recognize that the physical feeling of fear is similar to the feeling of excitement. Consider that what you're experiencing is excitement, and face your fears head on.

Learn from failures. Use data as the truth teller. Adapt to new forms of content. Let go of things you are skilled at if they have stopped resonating.

I heard a CEO say, "Yesterday's news is irrelevant." In the literal sense, fostering conversations relevant to what people are experiencing is not possible. It may not be the most engaging post or discussion at first. Eventually, it could help one person through revealing or revelation.

Always celebrate your wins, it can inspire/motivate someone. Share your accomplishments, milestones, and even lessons learned. This authenticity humanizes your journey and encourages others to connect. If you've successfully executed a game-changing project, share your experience - the challenges faced, the strategies employed, and the impact achieved. Not only does it motivates others, the acknowledgement and appreciation received motivates us too.

When I was starting out, I was shy and overwhelmed by personal branding. But I learned that being genuine was key. Instead of mimicking others, I embraced my uniqueness. This made networking easier and more authentic. Always be true to yourself; it's more impactful.

The best way is to just start. Doesn't matter what others think or how many engagements you are getting. You just need to start off and see what happens later.

Most of the time you start by thinking about your market, your audience, your customers and clients. When it comes to personal branding, you get to start with you. You're exploring who you really are, and how you're going to express this in your business. This can be a lot of fun. But it also demands clarity, honesty, playfulness and a sense of adventure.

You are your brand! Having your elevator pitch - that 45-60 second description of you and your business - will help you crystalize your message and excite people to want to know more. As you are networking, be sure to listen to what someone is saying instead of waiting for a break in the conversation to talk about yourself. You don't need to pitch to everyone you meet. It is good to learn about them and leave them wanting to know more about you. This is how you set up for follow-up calls and conversations outside of the networking event. Your brand is what people say about you when you're not there. Make sure the conversation goes the way your want it to by actually caring about what others do, and not just focusing on your agenda.

Great points all Dori. I would add: with elevator pitches, the best ones ate in the form of a quick story (case study) of someone you may have helped (vs a grocery list reading of your super powers.)...and when I go to a networking event, my goal is to meet 2 or 3 interesting people. I only follow up with people I actually meet, have a conversation with.