Beyond the Brand: The Unexpected Journey to Success

This week, we caught up with Becky Daniels, the dynamic force behind Daniels Business Solutions. She's achieved incredible success with her personal brand, but guess what? That wasn’t even her main goal! Wondering what her true aim is and the hard work that got her there? Keep reading!

Q: What is your overall goal when creating content?

A: My goal is to make entrepreneurs feel seen and understood. The more I worked with different types of entrepreneurs, the more I started seeing commonalities in their anxieties. When someone comes to me, they often open up about things they're not even discussing with their spouse, like worries about their employees, confusion about finances, feelings of inadequacy, and worries about the sustainability of their businesses.

My real goal when creating and posting content is less about my personal brand and more about helping entrepreneurs feel less alone in the world because being an entrepreneur can be very lonely. This approach naturally builds my brand in a genuine way, as it's more about connecting with others rather than just talking about myself.

Q: How do you approach posting content on LinkedIn? Do you have a schedule or is it more spontaneous??

A: I used to have a strict schedule for posting. Years ago, I created a calendar with blank boxes for about nine or ten weeks, and I aimed to post every day during that period. I would jot down ideas on the calendar to space out any repetition and ensure variety in my posts. I used Hootsuite to schedule posts, so I wasn't posting in real-time every day, but it had the same effect. This method helped me maintain consistency and visibility.

Nowadays, my approach is more spontaneous. For example, if I have an idea, I might write it down on a post-it note and draft a post later. Sometimes inspiration strikes from everyday events. Just yesterday, my husband fixed our lawn mower after struggling with cheap replacement parts and then using the right, more expensive parts, which worked perfectly. I immediately saw it as a LinkedIn post about using the right tools for the job. I find that this spontaneous method keeps my content authentic and relevant to what's happening in my life and work.

Q: Is LinkedIn an important platform for entrepreneurs, and what advice do you have for new users??

A: Absolutely, LinkedIn is crucial for entrepreneurs, especially those in business-to-business industries. It's valuable for building connections, finding resources, and establishing yourself in the industry. However, if your business is more consumer-focused and your audience isn't on LinkedIn, it shouldn't be your primary platform.

Additionally, when it comes to how often you post or what your content looks like, FIND YOUR MOTIVATOR. Some people are very externally motivated and need an accountability group. Others are more internally motivated and can set a content schedule for themselves. Whatever it is, find that motivator to stay on track.

Q: What do you tell your mentees about using LinkedIn effectively?

?A: I always tell my mentees to?

1. Create a LinkedIn profile early, even before they start job hunting. This way, they can begin building their network and showing their curiosity and expertise. People aren't looking for employees on Instagram; they're looking on LinkedIn.?
2. Be consistent and authentic—share what you know, be honest about your experiences, and don't worry too much about perfection in your early posts.

I encourage them to start conversations and make connections with people in their desired industry. The biggest mistake people make is waiting until they need a job to start using LinkedIn. Instead, they should be engaging and building their network long before they need it. This makes the job search process much easier and faster when the time comes because they already have a solid foundation and network to rely on.

Thank you, Becky, for sharing your expertise! If you want to learn more about Becky and Daniels Business Solutions check out her LinkedIn here .