FIRST STEPS FIRST

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We get an increasing number of requests for “Personal Branding” sites, and with good reason. If you’re starting or growing a company, people are going to look you up on the internet. It’s vital to be able to control what they learn about you as much as possible, build your credibility from the very beginning, and define your value to the world.

But before you invest in a logo and website design, do this exercise:

WHO ARE YOU AND WHAT’S YOUR STORY?
Think carefully about where you’ve come from, and how to tell your story in an authentic and engaging way. Hint: don’t make it (all) about you.

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE IN?
What are your values? What drives you? What words would you want people to use to describe you at your funeral?

WHAT MAKES YOU DIFFERENT?
This is your differentiator or USP (unique selling point). Look closely at your list of beliefs. What sets you apart from everyone else? Which do you feel most strongly about? How does this shape your work?

Most importantly…

WHO DO YOU WANT TO HELP?
Think about why you’re creating a personal brand in the first place.

You want to connect with people – at a human level, right?

This isn’t about finding a niche, it’s about how people see the world. Who are your kind of people, and what makes them tick? What do they love? What makes them mad?

Answer these four questions at length. Don’t edit, don’t filter, just throw everything at the wall until there is nothing left to say in any way, and no other way to say it. We’ll cover the next step a week from now.

For help with your personal brand, email us at hello@21thirteen.com or call us at 646 808 0249. Let’s make something memorable together.