Refreshing Your Personal Brand: A #CMWorld Twitter Chat with Anh Nguyen

Branding isn’t just for companies. Your personal brand is who you are, what you stand for, and how you express those values.

Developing your personal brand may sound intimidating. Evaluating it as you and your career evolve might be a bigger challenge. But there are steps you can take to ensure your personal brand accurately reflects your identity.

Amplified Marketing Founder Anh Nguyen believes the story we tell through our personal brands can open – and close – doors. To jumpstart a refresh for the new year, Anh provided helpful tips you can take action on now.

What follows is a brief look at our community’s conversation with Anh during a recent #CMWorld Twitter chat.

What are the steps you can take to think through and define a personal brand?

A2 (1/3). Ask yourself:
⭐What makes you unique?
⭐What do you want to be known for? (Subject matter expertise)
⭐What are your values?
⭐What do others think or say about you? (Reputation)
⭐What is your brand voice?#CMWorld

— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) December 8, 2020

A2 (2/3). After answering these questions, put it all together in a brand statement – a strong statement about who you are and what you can do. #CMWorld

— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) December 8, 2020

A2: Be authentic. Think about the things that make you unique and that you are passionate about and build a strategy/plan/content around that. #CMWorld https://t.co/QqXLTLqayG

— Megan Ingram┃#YourBrandYourStory (@thedataoutlier) December 8, 2020

A2: Be methodical & honest with yourself. Also, review & assess every year.

The reality is that your personal brand may not be at the level of “world thought leader” just yet. You need to be realistic about who you are now & who you want to become. #cmworld #personalbranding https://t.co/NpHvpjKT1d

— Buddy Scalera (@BuddyScalera) December 8, 2020

A2 Honestly, I didn’t think it through. I just let my strengths stand out, and amplify it. So everyone knows three things about me now (in no particular order):
1. storyteller
2. gamer
3. that LEGO guy
#CMWorld

I’m the antithesis of research; I just do. pic.twitter.com/Twuq9eTGvJ

— Creatively brave. ? (@bhrome) December 8, 2020

What role does your personal brand play when it comes to a career in content marketing?

A5 (1/2) Remember, your personal brand showcases your expertise! Are you sharing content about #contentmarketing? (How meta, right??) Are you creating content on this topic? Are you engaging in conversations on content marketing? #CMWorld

— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) December 8, 2020

A5 (2/2). Being successful with content marketing for your personal brand sets you up for a career in content marketing. All the knowledge + experience gained for your personal brand can be scaled for content marketing for a client or an employer company. #CMWorld

— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) December 8, 2020

A5 Your brand can help you be noticed more, and remembered when opportunities are available. That has helped me these last five months, for sure! #cmworld

— Martin Lieberman (@martinlieberman) December 8, 2020

A5: No matter your role, personal brand shows how you can be approachable and knowledgeable at the same time. How you interact with people on an individual level is a good indicator of the copy approach you’ll bring to other, professional content. #CMWorld

— Rachel Wendte (@rkwendte) December 8, 2020

A5. Your personal brand gives an indication of the type of content you’re likely to write (both in subject and approach). It’s like an ad and business card combined. #CMWorld

— Dana Lemaster (@DanaLemaster) December 8, 2020

A5. You’ll want to become a SME as a content marketer. The more you talk about certain topics, the more your authority in that space will grow. Strive to be a subject matter expert and pitch yourself as such in the world of content marketing – it’s all personal branding. #CMWorld

— Rebecca Reynoso (@rebeccasreynoso) December 8, 2020

There can be a tricky line between your personal brand and your employer’s brand. How can they work together?

A6 (1/2). Remember, regardless of your role or industry, your brand is your own. Your employer most likely hired you due to your expertise and experience. Continue to showcase that in your content. #CMWorld

— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) December 8, 2020

A6 (2/2) Support your employer’s branding by sharing their content, adding your insights, contributing to their content. Is there opportunity for you to write for the company blog? For video content? This will help both your brands! #CMWorld

— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) December 8, 2020

A6: Know the social media guidelines of your company. What are the requirements? Develop your personal brand outside of a job, but if they can overlap in a positive way, lean into that. Have candid conversations with HR & your manager. #CMWorld

— Berrak Sarıkaya ? (@BerrakBiz) December 8, 2020

A6: Unless you own your own business, your brand and your employer’s brand should be separate but complimentary. You don’t want to be known as the guy/gal from _______ because if you leave you have to start over. Work hard at both, but keep them separate. #CMWorld

— Mike Myers ? (@mikemyers614) December 8, 2020

Are there resources/websites/people you suggest we follow when looking to create a personal brand?

A7 (1/20. People to follow: @StringStory, @BethGrangerSays, @SaharPaz, @ChelseaKrost
Resources: @CMIContent, @SMExaminer, LinkedIn Learning
#CMWorld

— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) December 8, 2020

A7 (2/2). I teach workshops through @GA and I consider them to be a good resource for courses! https://t.co/J9GjSDv6jL
Share your fave people + resources with me! #CMWorld

— Anh Nguyen (@AnhTNguyen) December 8, 2020

A7. On our blog we provide free resources to guide brands in the content they create. Here is one of them to help you refocus and create balanced content for your personal brand: https://t.co/SmGe3S8s3u #CMWorld

— Allee Creative, LLC (@alleecreative) December 8, 2020

A7: I’d say @garyvee because he’s done magnificent job marketing himself over the years. @neilpatel also is a respectable choice. #CMWorld

— Meng Yang (@Meng360_) December 8, 2020

A7: Here are some people I respect and watch their personal brands for inspiration: @webby2001 @dougkessler @MarketingProfs @Robert_Rose @JoePulizzi @heidicohen @mkobach @ThatChristinaG @Aportzline @arb #CMWorld

— Mike Myers ? (@mikemyers614) December 8, 2020

A7: I’m not going to say me (though I do offer branding sessions if you’re looking to create/consult on a new one!). I love brand tips from @wes_kao, @chvrlesjr, & @techladyallison. #CMWorld

— Rachel Wendte (@rkwendte) December 8, 2020

See every tweet from Tuesday’s chat here.

Now’s the time to take stock of your personal brand, assess what it says about you, and  determine how it will help you achieve your goals. How do you manage your personal brand? I’d love to hear about.

Polish your content marketing skills and build up your personal brand when you attend CMI University. Our holiday present to you: CMWorld community members receive $200 off when you use code GIFT200 at checkout.