What do you do if the feedback you receive for personal branding is misleading and untrustworthy?

Check if the person giving advice is credible and not if he is being biased. Before taking advice, check if the person has relevant experience and insights, and is part of your target audience or not.

Following your intuition is key in life, but also when receiving any kind of feedback/counsel on your professional and personal journey. If it doesn't feel right, it's not. No need to spend time questioning yourself - your personal brand is PERSONAL for a reason. ** This sounds like a them problem vs a you problem!

Think about whether the people giving feedback are knowledgeable, motivated, or BIASED. For instance, if you're a graphic designer, feedback from an established art director who has hired designers would hold more weight than someone with no design experience. On the other hand, be wary of feedback from those with vested interests, like someone trying to sell you services who may push changes aligned with their offerings instead of your authentic brand. The key is looking at the source's qualifications, reputation, motivation, and any potential biases behind their feedback.

Evaluating the source of feedback helps discern its usefulness: → Check Expertise: Ensure the person has relevant experience in your field. → Consider Motivation: Understand their reasons for providing feedback. → Evaluate Past Interactions: Reflect on whether their previous advice was helpful. → Align with Goals: Match their suggestions with your career objectives. These steps allow you to effectively assess and utilize feedback.

You know, all advice created online is not equal. Do fact check. Before making big branding changes, double-check information with industry sources. Check out... ? Data can be our BFF! So befriend Analytics. Look at what content resonates with our audience and adjust our brand message to keep them engaged. ? Celebrate Small Wins-- Building a strong brand takes time. Track our progress, celebrate milestones, and keep reminding ourself why we're on this journey. ? Keep Learning, Keep Growing-- The marketing world is always evolving. Stay curious, keep learning new skills, and adapt our brand story to stay ahead of the curve.

I'd personally be very open for constructive criticism but always seek more details on them. Until I don't know the full picture, how could I improve it otherwise? So, yes be open to critical feedbacks but prioritize the follow up questions, deep analysis and examples of those feedbacks - only then can you improve it further!

When feedback on your personal branding feels unclear, seeking clarity is key: → Ask Follow-Up Questions: Don’t hesitate to inquire about specifics. Understanding the reasoning behind the feedback can reveal its foundation—whether it's personal preference or professional insight. → Engage in Dialogue: A conversation can help clarify points and uncover valuable insights that may initially be obscured by generalities or lack of context. By following these steps, you can effectively gauge the relevance and accuracy of the feedback you receive.

Ask specific questions. Clarify what aspects of your personal brand need improvement or adjustment. Request examples. Ask for specific instances where your brand may have missed the mark. Understand the context. Seek clarity on the criteria used to evaluate your personal brand. Context is key to interpreting feedback accurately. Avoid defensiveness. Approach the conversation with an open mind and a willingness to learn. Consider multiple perspectives. Seek feedback from different sources to gain a comprehensive understanding of how your brand is perceived.

If the feedback seems vague or unclear, seek clarification from the sources. Ask specific questions to better understand their perspectives and the reasoning behind their feedback.

To receive clarity, you wanna be in a positive state. This may sound obvious but think of a situation where you might have thought "but what do you mean?!" - did that really come from an empowered place or from fearful doubt. To receive clarity you have get yourself into a positive state first, like with deep breathing to regulate your heartbeat, refocus on why you're asking for clarifying questions, and then ask.

Stay true to yourself. Trust your instincts and intuition about what feels right for your personal brand. Evaluate feedback objectively. Consider the source and intentions behind the feedback, but ultimately trust your own judgment. Protect your brand integrity. Don't compromise your values or vision based on feedback that doesn't align with who you are. Be open to learning. Stay receptive to constructive criticism that helps you refine your brand without compromising authenticity. Stay confident in your vision. Sometimes, staying true to your instincts leads to the most genuine and successful personal branding.

Trusting your instincts is crucial when navigating misleading feedback in personal branding. While openness to criticism is valuable, it's essential to safeguard your brand’s integrity. Assess feedback critically, aligning it with your deep understanding of your brand’s core message and values. Often, maintaining confidence in your original vision proves to be the wisest strategy, ensuring your brand remains true to its foundational principles.

Trust your instincts and intuition when evaluating feedback. Consider how the feedback aligns with your own values, goals, and personal branding objectives.

Imagine receiving feedback that suggests a complete overhaul of your brand's tone and messaging, yet it doesn't resonate with your core values. Trusting your instincts in this situation can prevent you from diluting your authenticity just to conform to external opinions. Your instincts act as a safeguard, ensuring your brand remains true to its essence.

Be the watcher of your own mind. We assimilate so easily to other people's opinions and agendas, way faster than we think. So know your own mind, what's yours and what is picked up from someone else.

Seek diverse perspectives. Ask for feedback from a variety of sources, including mentors, peers, and your intended audience. Consider different viewpoints. Each perspective offers valuable insights into how your brand is perceived. Look for patterns. Identify common themes or feedback across diverse sources to pinpoint areas for improvement. Filter feedback. Discern which advice aligns with your vision and goals, and disregard misleading or conflicting opinions. Stay open-minded. Be receptive to constructive criticism that challenges you to grow and evolve.

Seek feedback from a diverse range of sources to gain a more balanced and comprehensive perspective. Solicit input from trusted mentors, peers, industry professionals, and target audience members.

Diversification of the sources of feedback we receive is important. The goal here is not to get feedback we like, but rather to weigh the feedback received in accordance with each other to look for trends.

Reflecting and adapting based on feedback is a strategic approach to personal branding. Even misleading comments can provide insights into perceptions of your brand. Use this reflection period to sift through the feedback, identifying what genuinely aligns with your brand's goals and values. This process allows for refined messaging and presentation adjustments, ensuring your brand resonates accurately with your target audience while staying true to your foundational principles.

Reflect on the feedback you receive and identify any valuable insights or areas for improvement. Use constructive criticism to refine your personal branding strategy and messaging accordingly.

After receiving feedback that initially seemed unhelpful, take time to reflect on specific examples or instances mentioned. For instance, if feedback critiques your communication style, reflect on recent interactions or content that might support or contradict this feedback. This targeted reflection can guide meaningful adaptations without compromising your brand's identity.

Once you've assessed the feedback and made any necessary adjustments, move forward with confidence. Trust in your ability to navigate your personal branding journey effectively and continue striving towards your goals.

I was once faced with conflicting feedback from someone I considered a mentor and it was quite hard to find closure then I decided to conduct a series of experiments (small-scale experiments). Here's what I did. Here's an example of one of these experiments. Test different messaging approaches with a limited audience or seek A/B testing feedback on visual elements. After doing this, I was able to make informed decisions that elevated my brand. Practical experiments can validate or invalidate feedback in real-world scenarios, guiding more informed decisions in your branding journey.