What do you think of when you hear the term “personal brand?” Maybe you think of a famous celebrity or a social media influencer. But we all have a personal brand, and it boils down to reputation. What do people think of when they think of you? AJ Vaden is the CEO and Co-Founder of Brand Builders Group and one of the world’s leading experts in personal brand strategy. Over the last 15 years she has helped create, launch and grow several multi-million dollar businesses from start up to 7 and 8 figures in annual revenue. AJ is the Co-Host of The Influential Personal Brand Podcast and was recently named as one of the top 5 personal branding speakers. On this episode, she shares why you need a personal brand, how to build it, and the common mistakes to avoid.
BONUS: Click here to get free access to the “Trends in Personal Branding National Research Study.”
Follow AJ: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Website
Show Notes
- What is a personal brand? (2:23)
- Who needs a personal brand? (4:53)
- Your reputation matters (5:34)
- Why personal branding is the future of marketing (6:42)
- Personal branding is profitable (7:03)
- How personal branding accelerates trust (7:32)
- The offline components of a personal brand (8:16)
- Why you should promote content and ideas on social media over products and services (10:01)
- Don’t measure yourself against the competition (12:01)
- The three personal branding mistakes to avoid (14:40)
- How someone who doesn’t enjoy the spotlight can still build their personal brand (18:23)
- The importance of testimonials in building trust (22:30)
- What titles hold the most credibility? (26:19)
- Know what you are an expert in (29:07)
- Corporate brands that have successfully leveraged personal brands (30:59)
- The generational differences when it comes to personal branding (38:20)
- Why you need a personal brand to stay relevant (39:40)
Resources / People Mentioned
- Brand Builders Group
- The Influential Personal Brand Podcast
- Trends in Personal Branding National Research Study
- The Center for Generational Kinetics
- Rory Vaden
- Victoria’s Secret Swaps Angels for ‘What Women Want’
- Priyanka Chopra Jonas, activist and actor
- Sara Blakely, founder of Spanx
- Cristiano Ronaldo, soccer player
- Elon Musk, founder of Tesla
- The Five Dysfunctions of a Team by Patrick Lencioni
- Ted Lasso (TV show)
- How to Style Your Brand by Fiona Humberstone
Recommended For You
Did you enjoy this episode? Then listen to:
- Seth Godin on The 3 Questions Every Marketer Should Ask
- Donald Miller on How to Use Story to Clarify Your Brand’s Message
- Robert Cialdini on The 7 Principles of Influence
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