We are constantly bombarded with “branding”, especially “personal branding”.

“You, Inc.! A Brand Called You! Brand Yourself! Inc. Yourself!”

It’s no surprise, then, that too many of us are concerned about how we “look” to other people, more than who we REALLY ARE.

Big difference. How you appear to others, versus how you truly are. The difference is supposed to be in “meaning”. Not in “being”.

When you are authentic, you appear to others the way you truly are. When you aren’t authentic, your true face shows up in ways that are often shocking and unpleasant to others.

Those of us who are entrepreneurs and microbusiness owners often express ourselves and “brand” ourselves through our business.

It becomes very tempting to focus more on the branding part - the image part - than the value or contribution part.

The truth is, nobody cares about who You are.
Nobody cares about “Your Personal Brand”.

Nobody cares - UNTIL you give your “who” and “brand” some substance to back it up.

Only then, will your personal brand STAND for something, about something.

We only need to look at what is happening in our economy right now to see the danger of a lot of hot air being pumped out at amazing speeds - in the form of paper-money that isn’t backed by anything other than bureaucrat consensus.

Inflation - including personal brand inflation - is superficial and short lived and often triggers some ugly demise that can create widespread harm (i.e. to entire industries or professions).

If you want your value to last, find out what makes up your “GOLD STANDARD”.
Then give it everything you’ve got to Cultivate it and Make Good with it.

More reading
Personal Brands (again) by Frank Martin
My Value-Add by Steve Woodruff

From my favorite comedian: