By Mahfuz Chowdury
Fourteen years ago, I made an audacious decision to start my career as a brand strategist. Some might say that the use of the word audacious here might be a bit of an overstatement, but for a shy introvert like me, I assure you, it was the complete opposite.
Since then, I’ve had the privilege of helping a startup digital marketing agency grow into a full-fledged national brand called Candybox Marketing.
Along the way, I’ve also had the opportunity to publish two marketing books, Project Reinvention and The Resilient Brand: Storytelling In A Digital Era, and deliver over 200 keynote talks, including my first TEDx Talk in 2023.
I don’t say this to impress you; what I hope to impress upon you is the importance of building a personal brand and its potential to help you thrive professionally, no matter your personality type.
In the competitive world of freelance writing and editing, establishing a strong personal brand is essential for attracting clients and standing out from the crowd—especially for introverted writers and editors. This may seem like a daunting task, but with a strategic approach, it can be a rewarding process.
But let’s start with the most frequently asked question: what is your personal brand?
If I called you today and asked you to recommend a photographer, who comes to mind? How about a graphic designer? Or a barber? What if I simply asked you to name the funniest person you know?
Someone’s name likely appeared top of mind for each of these questions. This is because of the perceived reputation that has been created through your experiences and interactions with these individuals. This is exactly what a personal brand is: one’s reputation.
The thing about one’s reputation is that it may not always be a positive one. This is why it is important to be intentional about how you present yourself to the market.
So, going back to the question, what is your personal brand? Well, the great news is that it can be whatever you want it to be.
Imagine yourself in a room filled with all your competitors. How do you want to be perceived in this room? You can be perceived as the knowledgeable one, the charismatic one, the empathetic one, the creative one, the one you can always trust, the one who tells the best stories, the one who challenges the status quo, etc. The more unique you are to your competitors, the more you will stand out.
The caveat? You have to be able to deliver on that promise consistently.
For example, one who claims to care but doesn’t bother listening to feedback or responding to direct messages or comments would get an opposite brand perception from what they intended.
In summary, make sure you can deliver on the promise of who you claim to be.
Once you have identified how you want to present yourself to the market, here are some actionable tips to help you acquire new clients, introduce yourself to a larger audience, and become a thought leader in your industry.
Activate your virtual storefront
Because of the work involved in creating a website, your initial reaction may be to skip this step. However, individuals with the most compelling websites often gain more clients and opportunities.
Your website is the final destination for your prospects and potential collaborators. This is where most of them will go to gain insights into your skills, experience, and the unique value you bring to the table (this is where your personal brand can really shine). More importantly, this is where they will most likely contact you to work together.
You can hire a freelance web developer to create a website or spend a weekend following a YouTube tutorial to build your own WordPress website.
Whatever you do, select a clean and user-friendly layout. Compliment this with a convincing bio that highlights your relevant skills and sets you apart in your niche. Make it incredibly easy for visitors to contact you by strategically placing call-to-action buttons throughout the website.
This may be the difference between winning and losing business.
Jam with your tribe
Okay, now that you have launched your website, it is time to introduce yourself to a larger audience.
The most common approach to growing an audience online involves posting content through your social media channels in hopes of attracting new eyeballs to your account. Although this is important, you may find yourself putting in a lot of hours for very little return.
If I were to start over with zero followers, the quickest way to put myself in front of new people is to collaborate with other industry professionals. This is a strategic move that can significantly enhance your visibility and open doors to new opportunities. By forging partnerships with like-minded individuals, you not only expand your reach, but you also tap into the networks and client bases of your collaborators.
I think of it as a jam session. You both get together, bring your instruments, and create beautiful music that others can enjoy.
Ensure that the collaborator’s audience is your ideal audience and that you can also offer value to this relationship. The goal is to create a win-win situation.
Find your microphone
If you’re anything like me, my previous suggestion of introducing yourself (in any capacity) activates anxiety unlike any other. Sorry about that.
Here’s the good news: introducing yourself to an audience does not require you to stand up in a room and play a game of two truths and a lie. You can choose the outlets that work best for your personality.
This can include a combination of video (YouTube, webinars, live streaming), audio (podcasts), or written content (articles, blogs, email blasts, whitepapers).
The goal is to experiment with various formats and find the style that works best for you. A diverse approach can often be effective in reaching a wider audience and keeping engagement high. The realization that there isn’t just one way to build your personal brand was music to my ears and allowed a shy introvert like me to thrive in my industry.
In conclusion, building a personal brand is an ongoing process that requires consistency and dedication. By tailoring these actionable tips to suit your personality and preferences, you can effectively market yourself while staying true to your unique nature. Remember, authenticity and expertise are your greatest assets.
About Mahfuz
Mahfuz Chowdhury, director of strategy at Candybox Marketing, has fueled the agency’s ascent to one of Canada’s fastest-growing companies over 12 years, boasting 40+ full-time employees. Mahfuz is also a two-time national award recipient and an acclaimed TEDx speaker. He has 15 years of experience elevating brands, leaders, and changemakers. He’s addressed audiences from Microsoft, IBM, KPMG, PwC, and EY and holds a Guinness World Record for speaking at Podfest Expo. Mahfuz hosts Canadian Western Bank’s Growth Decoder podcast, exploring entrepreneurial journeys. A published author, his latest work, “The Resilient Brand: Storytelling In A Digital Era,” delves into the power of storytelling for authentic brand narratives.
This article was copy edited by Andrew Silver.
Andrew Silver is a proofreader and editor of 8+ years. He previously worked as an in-house editor for System1, where he edited and published articles across the company’s wide spectrum of sites. Before System1, Andrew volunteered for the University of Waterloo’s student-run newspaper, Imprint, working as a copy editor and writing a weekly video game column.
Outside of editing, Andrew enjoys playing video games, reading magazines, and watching pro wrestling.