10 Reasons You’re Choosing to Hide instead of Building Your Personal Brand

I know you have big dreams but for some 'strange' reason,

?? you’re not getting your name out there...

?? you’re not publishing thoughtful content...

?? you’re not sharing your story...

?? you’re not connecting with your people...

?? You’re hiding.

So, how do expect us to know who you are and what you have to offer if you continue to hide?

It’s time to STOP!

Stop hiding my dear.

We need your gifts.

We need your message.

We need your light.

I get it. It can be scary AF to put yourself out there. But let's be honest, hiding isn't going to get you anywhere. So, to help you, I’m going to call out the top 10 reasons I see that brilliant women like you are hiding instead of building your personal brand and share some encouragement to step out of the shadows.

Yerp…it's time to get real ??

#1 Fear of Judgement

Let's start with the obvious one, shall we? You're afraid of what other people are going to think of you. News flash: people are going to judge you no matter what you do. So, you might as well put yourself out there and let them judge away.

And another thing, you’re afraid of others judging you because you are judgmental…towards others AND yourself ?? Let that sink in…yea, go ahead and schedule that therapy session.

#2 Fear of Rejection

It's like high school all over again, am I right? But here's the thing: rejection is a part of life. It happens to the best of us. And guess what? It's not the end of the world. Hell, you aren't for everyone anywayz. So, go ahead and put yourself out there and focus on the people who celebrate your brilliance. You might just be surprised at the results.

#3 Want to Avoid Conflict

Let me guess, you're a people pleaser. You don't want to rock the boat, so you keep your thoughts to yourself. Well, let me tell you something: conflict is inevitable. And sometimes, a little conflict can actually be a good thing. It doesn’t have to be confrontational and if you draw in the cyber bullies and trolls remember this formula: (DELETE + BLOCK = PEACE).

#4 You’re Not Sure What to Say

Sometimes it's hard to find the right words. But you know what's worse than saying the wrong thing? Not saying anything at all. So, take a deep breath, put your fingers to the keyboard, and #dewit. Still at a loss…share your story. No one can take your experiences away from you. It’s an easy place to start to get people to see your perspective and storytelling is a key component of brand building.

#5 You Don’t Feel Special

You might be thinking, "why would anyone care what I have to say?" Well, let me tell you something right now: YOU ARE SPECIAL. You have a unique perspective and experiences that no one else has. Literally, no one has your story.

Here’s proof: no one else on this planet was born in Barbados, grew up in Detroit, moved to Florida for college to be a doctor, switched to Business with a minor in English, started and grew a resume business over 13 years and is now helping brilliant women of color position themselves and build their visibility ??

#6 You Feel Like You Don’t Measure Up

This one hits close to home for a lot of us. We watch other people and think, "wow, they're so accomplished. I could never measure up to that." But here's the thing: you don't have to measure up to anyone else. You just have to be yourself. Furthermore, you’re likely comparing your chapter 2 to someone else’s chapter 12. It’s like comparing apples to onions…STOP IT NOW!

#7 You’re Insecure

Aren’t we all? It's like that annoying housefly that just won't go away. But here's the thing: everyone has insecurities. And the best way to overcome them is to face them head-on. So, go ahead and post that article or share that update. Your people don’t know about your insecurities anyway – and in the grand scheme of things, they really don’t care. They just want your magic, so give them the goods. You got this ????

#8 Don’t Think You Have Anything Valuable to Offer

This one is a big fat lie, ma’am. You have plenty to offer. Your knowledge, your experience, your perspective - it's all valuable. So, don't be afraid to share it with the world. Again, start with your story. That alone is valuable to those who can resonate with your journey. There’s something about us connecting through our pain that brings us closer together.

#9 You Feel Like an Imposter

Imposter syndrome is real. But here's the thing: just because you feel like an imposter, doesn't mean you are one. You got to where you are today because of your hard work and dedication. So, don't let those negative thoughts hold you back.

#10 Everything Isn’t Perfect

Chile, let me tell you a secret: nothing is ever perfect. Perfection simply doesn’t exist. In fact, imperfection is what makes us human. So, go ahead and hit that post button. It might not be perfect, but it's authentic – and that’s what the people want anyway.

Did you notice that all 10 of these are ideas in your head? So, none of it is really rooted in reality. These are just beliefs you bought into that are keeping you stuck. They can all be replaced with new truths so you can move forward and light up the world with your message.

If you're ready to stop hiding but need some guidance on how to start building a STRONG personal brand that will position you for new opportunities beyond the 9-5, we should chat ASAP: Mel's Calendar

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Melanie L. Denny is a personal branding consultant, self-marketing expert, certified LinkedIn strategist, and founder of the Empowered Presence? framework designed for brilliant women of color to gain visibility and capitalize on new opportunities beyond the 9-5 through the power of personal branding.

Melanie has been featured in Forbes, Huffpost, Yahoo News, Fast Company, NBC News and countless podcasts sharing self-marketing tips and tricks. She has been invited to speak to national organizations and non-profits across the world on career topics including LinkedIn, personal branding, networking, and career empowerment.nd