#014: The Hardest Part is Starting ???

There is a lot of subjective information out there surrounding how to build ones personal brand online, and like most creative forms of expression, there are *many* ways to approach it. I am not here to tell you how you *should* show up, because this is an innately personal decision, and no "social media guru" can provide you with any roadmap. What *feels* right for you, won't *feel* right for the person sat next to you - so the work has to be done internally before you start sharing your magic with the world.

If you're reading this, I'm guessing you are in your research phase or even toying with the idea of building something, so I thought it would be helpful to share the three steps I followed, that helped me go from being terrified to share anything, to posting everyday and being invited into Linkedin's Top Voice Program 18 months later ??.

Step 1: You need to work out what can you share with people that is *actually* useful to them. In short, what have you spent time learning and doing that others haven't. What can you share *generously* with others? Maybe it's social media tips, maybe it's learnings from setting up your business; as I said above, everyone is different, but what have you got in you, that other's can benefit from? Content creation on LinkedIn is actually wildly selfless (despite what the critics say!) - we are here to serve, and help others by sharing what we have spent time learning.

Step 2: You need to get super clear on what people will follow you for. I talk about defining a clear Unique Follower Point *alot* and you'll need to define one for yourself. You should be able to use the sentence to market your profile; i.e "Follow me for daily social media tips" or similar. This must be informed by step 1, and not by your ego. People are not going to follow for you at the beginning, they are going to follow you for the value you can deliver them.

Step 3: Start sharing articles & re-posting other peoples content (with tags of course!) to start getting used to sharing with little risk to you personally. I remember in the beginning, I would share a lot of Social Media Today, LLC articles as I found these *helpful*, over time I then started adding my opinions, and then it, naturally my profile snowballed to where it is today.

Building a profile around yourself, requires a different approach to building a profile for a product or service business - so if you are starting to test the waters with the idea of showing up online, get clear on *why you want to do it* - and remember, people can sense inauthenticity a mile off, so your intentions must be right and true.

I believe that #LinkedIn is an incredible vessel for creative expression, and above all else, can connect us with the people that need us. By putting ourselves out there, we make easy for the people that are looking for us, to find us & that's pretty incredible if you ask me.

The AMA sessions are now booked out for June & July, but I will open August booking in the next few weeks for those of you who want to meet.

See you next week,

E x