Leza Parker: You have a voice, so don't wait on others to speak for you.

Most people do not understand what is personal branding. They assumed it's about raising engagement, extending their reach and to share knowledge of value to some one else. Subtly, we have to admit - plus it's proven with science - that we often check back our last posting, and feel immensely excited at the rising likes and attention we get in return. In other words, fame starts building up at the same time and soon enough, more people than before now know our name. We get addicted to this feeling, not action, and start losing the sense of awkwardness of posting for the world to read, whatever we feel like sharing that day.

But what people do not understand is the true power of personal branding. The objective is actually not to make people react to your general posting, out of curiosity or similar interest. Writing stories can be nice, but a more personal story binds people to resonate closer to you. The main intention is to enter someone's life, and be their centre of influence. Each of us are driven to achieve greater things for ourselves, only after we have compared ourselves with someone else's achievements. Each of us are after leadership, mentors and strong influencers who can guide, lead, and direct us what to do. No one would progress if they are not directly or indirectly in competition with someone else, they would do it for themselves for they have seem how it works for another person. That person, then becomes, their centre of influence by choice not bribe.

The power of influence

A person with that power of influence can do many things from initiating change, build interest in large masses, level up tension, build and persevere multiple relationships at one time, gets open doors through recommendation and close sales in a jiffy. They do not struggle as much with what others do, because the winning skill they have is not in the expertise or experience - but how much other people trust them.

Influencing does not always have to be anything positive, because negative leaders in our history and even in today's world have successfully lead teams to be negative. And though it might be puzzling to some of you, negative leaders and positive leaders have the same skill and can pretty much achieve the same things, just opposing side of the spectrum.

As much I have seen some influencers driving positive vibes each day in their community, I have also seen and experienced a fair share of hater clubs and groups who spent time spreading negativity condemning other people.

If you happen to be famous, be famous for a good reason.

Before I was on LinkedIn in January 2017, I already had over 100,000 followers on Facebook. I was in the newspaper every year, and people start knowing my name. But it did not bring my business much benefit and that fame is not useful for me in anyway. I was not globalising, not many professionals know what I am capable of, and I was not earning much income at all running my own business. So what now? If everyone knows my name.

This is when I realised, that I cannot be waiting around for the newspaper to write about me (content to their discretion) to show the world what I am capable of. I cannot wait around for bloggers to interview and how many of us, ever have the chance to get that kind of exposure throughout our professional life. I thought to myself - that if I could have a chance to be famous, then I would like to control the medium on the content written about me.

You have a voice, so speak.

So I thought, since all of us have a 'wall' on social media to share our ideas, knowledge and experiences, why not use it? Why not share what we have done, so people can understand what we are capable of doing? Why not share what we visioned, so people get interested to follow that journey? Why not share our experiences, that tells our character and who we are are? Why then, not share our future knowing someone out there, might want to make it happen for me?

No one can tell more of the truth about you, than you alone. No one can update of your recent ventures, progress, achievements more than you. No one can share your thoughts, emotions and feelings as much as you, who feels them. Often the printed articles only type content aligned to the theme, and may not best represent you or 'sell' you to target attention from the kind of people you are looking for to connect. And worse of all, that content once published cannot be altered whereas you changed over the years.

And all I did for the last 4 years, was writing daily postings and blog articles. I put out as much content about me (knowing I can trust the source: me) to as many people I could on a daily basis - not limited to - my family, my thoughts, my actions, my achievements, my experiences including failures and my intentions. I was clear, and precise while being concise. And each day, more people read what I wrote and go back to my previous posts and articles to read on more. That eventually, what I spoke got into their thoughts, and minds. I know that, because the readers started commenting, engaging and sharing more about them. That reciprocal in behaviour is a sign that trust has accumulates and they've made me their centre of influence.

My blog has over 100,000 readers so far - Read here.

Being known, or famous is a great position to contribute to change. People's actions are dictated by their minds to make decisions, and if you manage to influence that decision so they become better, wiser and smarter - is a great gift to have.

When people asked me nowadays, how I wish I could be like you. The truth is, I have no special techniques - the method is the same. Keep writing about you, in the subtle manner with intention to inspire, and keep writing for as long as you can. The returns will come slower than a printed advertising, but last longer in terms of the connections you've not built.

In my last posting, I've mentioned that we can only be successful because someone else wants us to, gave us the opportunity to and create the environment so we can. Without people, without support, or lack of it - we cannot win in life even if that is one of our greatest desires to do so.

What you speak is what you are.

It's natural and expected for people to be judgemental, and keeping this in mind, we should be careful and wary with what content we put out. Negative people react to negative content written but positive people, always look deeper in the character of the people who wrote something negative. Talking bad about others, condemning someone's else business, emotional ratings, defamation are some of the practices people still do, forgetting that the readers walk away knowing who are they and less of who they talk about. And without realising it, you are closing doors upon yourself for collaborations, opportunities and potential earnings. It is your right to say what you wish on your social media "wall" but if you are willing to claim as the source of such negativity, then you shall have to take accountability for the perceptions people now have of you. And that is never, winning for you.

If you want good things be said about you, because you know you are made up of so much more - then speak, tell them, share with them and keep them informed. Those who does not favour that knowledge, are not obligated to follow your journey but you will win a couple of interested people who emotionally be connected to you.

If you wait for other people to say the best things of you, you'll die trying to be the best and yet that might never happen. In some cases, people may write a wrong impression of you. Your business depends on your personality, character and knowledge, so let the world not hesitate for a second, that you are worth all of that.

You'll be surprised, that you are more important than you think.

At 28, I was awarded as Singapore Youngest Business Guru. You can read the article here.

Follow me on Youtube and my business blog. Over the many years, I've helped businesses grow and raised funding, invested and exited a few, and built my own tech start ups. Feel free to contact me if you need any help for your business.