Watch This Episode on Personal Branding Mistakes
In this episode, I’m tackling one of the biggest branding mistakes: keeping your brand all about you.
This is a trap many small business owners fall into, and I’ll show you exactly how to fix it. Let’s dive in.
Mentioned in this Video – Personal Branding Checklist Download
The #1 Branding Mistake: Making It All About You
Starting a business is a huge leap. You put yourself out there, and suddenly, every marketing expert is telling you to “build a personal brand.”
Meanwhile, you scroll through social media, watching influencers monetise their daily lives. They share everything, and it works for them. So, it makes sense to do the same, right?
Then someone like me comes along and says: “It’s never about you.”
And just like that, you feel confused.
- How personal is too personal?
- How can it not be about you when you are your business?
If you’ve ever felt this way, you’re not alone. By the end of this, you’ll know exactly how to develop a personal brand that attracts your audience without making it all about you.
Why Does This Mistake Happen So Often?
Many entrepreneurs assume that building a personal brand means focusing entirely on themselves.
Why? Because everywhere you look, influencers and reality stars are making millions by sharing their unfiltered lives.
It’s easy to think:
“People love the twists and turns of my journey.”
“My personal story is the most exciting part of my brand.”
“If I document everything, my brand will feel real and relatable.”
This logic is understandable, but flawed. The truth is, the best personal brands create space for the audience to see themselves in the story. Many entrepreneurs struggle with this concept. If you’re wondering what personal branding really means, check out my detailed guide to personal branding here.
What Happens When You Keep Your Brand All About You?
If you only focus on yourself, your brand can suffer in two big ways:
1. You Seem Self-Obsessed
When every post, video, and email is about your journey, your audience might start thinking:
“Is this brand really about helping me, or is it just about them?”
Instead of attracting clients, you risk turning them away. Nobody wants to feel like they’re just subscribing to someone else’s personal diary, unless, of course, you’re running a cult (please don’t do that).
2. You Feel Distant or Inauthentic
On the flip side, not sharing enough can make your audience feel disconnected. When you only show a curated or partial version of yourself, people sense the gap.
This creates doubt and hesitation. If your audience doesn’t fully trust you, they’re less likely to invest in your brand.
The goal?
Balance. Your brand should be personal, but not self-centred.
How to Develop a Personal Brand That Isn’t Just About You
If you want to build a brand that connects and converts, you need to shift your focus. Here’s how to do it:
Do you want a personal brand strategy tailored to you? Book a 1:1 Personal Branding Consultation and let’s refine your brand together!
1. Get to Know Your Audience (Deeply)
Before you write a single post or film a video, ask yourself:
- What are my audience’s biggest struggles?
- What do they dream of achieving?
- How does my brand fit into their journey?
Your personal brand should be for them, not just a showcase of you.
2. Conduct Customer Interviews
The best way to understand your audience? Talk to them.
- Interview your ideal clients and key stakeholders.
- Ask about their goals, frustrations, and priorities.
- Listen to their language, and then, mirror it in your branding.
This will help you craft a brand that feels deeply relevant to the people you serve.
3. Use Data to Guide Your Brand
Once you gather insights, apply them to your branding.
- Write your About Page in a way that speaks to your audience’s needs.
- Shape your website copy around their goals.
- Align your visual identity with what resonates with them.
Even small details -like colours and design- should feel relatable to your ideal audience.
4. Build Feedback Loops
Branding is not one-and-done. You need continuous feedback to refine your approach.
Here’s how:
- Send customer surveys after purchases.
- Ask for feedback on social media.
- Monitor engagement trends. Ask yourself, what content resonates most?
When you listen and adapt, your brand stays fresh, relevant, and trusted.
The Big Business Benefits of an Audience-First Brand
When you build a personal brand that’s audience-focused, two major benefits emerge:
1. Cult-Like Brand Loyalty (The Good Kind)
Remember when I joked about cults? Here’s the twist, when you focus on your audience, they become deeply loyal to your brand.
The Apple Example
I’m an Apple fan. Not so much because I care about Apple’s branding, but because I feel like Apple gets me.
- Their products support my creative workflow.
- Their stores feel welcoming.
- Their customer service is seamless.
Apple has built a brand that aligns with my needs.
Your personal brand should do the same. It’s about making your audience feel seen, understood, and valued.
2. Longevity & Growth
A brand that’s only about you has limits.
Why? Because over time, people move on. If your brand relies entirely on your personality, it won’t scale easily.
But when you build a brand that’s about your audience, it can evolve without losing engagement.
That means:
- If you grow a team, your brand still thrives.
- If you launch new products, your audience stays engaged.
- If you shift focus, people stick with you.
This future-proofs your brand and sets it up for long-term success.
Final Thoughts: Make It About Them (But Keep You in It, Too)
The best personal brands balance personal storytelling with audience connection.
When you shift from self-focused to audience-first, you create a brand that is:
- Magnetic (because people feel seen).
- Impactful (because it resonates).
- Sustainable (because it grows with your audience).
So, are you ready to shift your personal brand? Let’s chat! Pick a date and time that works for you to do a Zoom call, or email me here.
Fancy a chat about your Personal Branding? Book a free no-obligation call now.
