How to Start (or Start-over) Building Your Personal Brand

Personal branding
Photo by paintMonkey.

A ‘personal brand’ is in many ways synonymous with your reputation. It refers to the way other people see you. Are you a genius? An expert? Are you trustworthy? What do you represent? What do you stand for? What ideas and notions pop up as soon as someone hears your name?

If you’ve been around for a while you’ve probably already developed a personal brand. People recognize your name, what you’re working on, what you offer and what you’re about. That being said, your personal brand might be a little weak and disjointed. If you’d like to make it stronger, I’m going to help give you the tools by outlining what I believe to be the components of a strong personal brand.

If you don’t feel like you have a personal brand yet, this post will show you how to go about building one. But first, it might be worth talking a little about the value of your personal brand and why we might want to create one in the first place.

A smart investment

Your personal brand has the potential to last longer than your own lifespan. While the projects you’re working on might get sold onwards or shut down, your personal brand will persist and (hopefully) add value to each new project you create. If you consider yourself to be in this particular game for the long-haul, whether it’s online business or just online creativity, a good personal brand is the single most valuable investment you can make. People will follow your brand from project to project if they feel connected to it.

One example from my own experience that highlights the long-term importance of a personal brand occurred when I launched my second blog. I announced it on this one, hoping to give it a little head start but expecting to build up an audience mainly from scratch. Instead I found the second blog had accumulated over 1,100 subscribers in under five days.

When launching new projects, your personal brand has the potential to guarantee you never have to start from scratch again.

Your personal brand is not just you

Because your personal brand is built from the thoughts and words and reactions of other people, it’s shaped by how you present yourself publicly. This is something that you have control over. You can decide how you would like people to see you and then work on publicly being that image.

You should plan your personal brand based on your aims. If you want to sell an expensive course in watercolor painting you’ll need to be seen as someone with the authority to teach others on the topic. If you want to get work for high-end design clients you’ll need to be seen as a runaway talent with a professional attitude. Two useful springboard questions are:

  • How would you like potential customers/clients to think of you?
  • How can you publicly ‘be’ that brand?

The second question is an important one, but a tricky one. Your personal brand is composed of your public actions and output in three main areas:

1. What you’re ‘about’. Seth Godin is about telling stories, being remarkable. Leo Babauta is about simplicity and habit forming. Jonathan Fields is about finding ways to build a career out of what you love doing. Think about the key ideas you would want people to associate with you.

2. Expertise. Every good brand involves the notion of expertise. Nike brand themselves as experts in creating quality and fashionable sportswear. Jeremy Clarkson (host of Top Gear) is an expert on cars. Even if you’re not interested in marketing your advice you need to create the perception that you are very good at what you do.

3. Your style. This is not so much what you communicate about yourself, but rather, how you do it. Are you kind and unusually enthusiastic, like Collis Taeed? Are you witty and raw, like Naomi Dunford? Are you confident and crusading, like Michael Arrington? Hopefully you’re none of these, or at least, not in the same way. Your style of delivery should be as unique as any other aspect of your personal brand. This doesn’t mean you need to sit down and brainstorm how to be different. If you don’t actively imitate anyone else, it will happen naturally.

Starting construction

Even without a large following or audience you can build a strong personal brand. A few people talking about you a lot is better than lots of people not talking about you at all. Here are the steps I’d recommend for creating your brand:

You should be running a blog or website that is all you. It doesn’t matter if it’s not your first priority, or even your second priority, but it gives people a place to develop a stronger connection with you. (You might already be doing this!) A good example is Gina Trapani’s new blog Smarterware. Gina is most well known for editing one of the world’s most famous blogs, Lifehacker, but is an author now and probably would like to build a stronger brand in her own right.

Help people learn about the person behind the projects they enjoy. Include a mini-bio at the end of each post, put time and effort into your About page and use it to paint a picture of your ideal personal brand. One About page that does this very confidently but very well is Chris Pirillo’s ‘About’ page.

Don’t just agree with other people you admire. In doing so, you’re building their personal brand, not yours. Focus on topics where you have something new to say or some more value to add.

Think about the most important thing you have to say and become known for that (it needs to be something new, or an old thing in a new way). Truth be told, most people do the latter. What Tim Ferris is ‘about’ is not new (the idea of working less) but it’s communicated in a new way via The Four-Hour Work Week idea. Gary Vaynerchuk’s ‘hard work trumps all’ message is thousands of years old, but the ‘Hustle 2.0′ message makes it seem new and relevant to the web.

Keep adding layers, keep it fresh. The two people I mentioned in the previous point risk seeming stale and repetitive if they don’t continue adding new elements to their brand. You can’t ride one idea forever. Keep adding new layers to what you represent.

Never be hypocritical. Don’t let people know when you’ve done something that goes against what you advocate. Don’t let people know if you fail in your area of expertise. Failing in new areas is OK, because you’re not trying to be an expert in those. That’s the difference between when you should and should not talk about your failures. The exception to this rule is when your failures become public despite your best efforts. If this happens, confront the issue and explain it - don’t avoid it, or you’ll seem deceitful. You’d rather people learn about your failure from you than someone with no sympathy.

Keep learning and updating your knowledge, especially if your expertise is based around the online world. The web changes drastically from month to month. If you were an ‘expert’ two years ago but have since stopped learning and challenging yourself, you’re not an expert anymore.

Try to be personally ubiquitous without over-stretching or over-exposing yourself. If people hear your name enough they will check you out (maybe not the first, second or third time, but they will). Participate in social media but only on services you enjoy. I focus on my Twitter and StumbleUpon and try to use these both in a way that helps me reach out to more people while also being enjoyable.

Help your projects become ubiquitous by writing viral content and guest-writing. Try to make sure your voice is unique and that you’re not imitating someone else (the only way to do this is by reading widely and writing a lot). If there’s one writer you love and read all the time, you’re probably going to ape them a little bit unless you catch yourself. We all do it.

People will only remember a few things about you, so focus on telling the story that contributes most to your brand. Use your personal story as the basis for your expertise. The best example of a personal story doubling as credentials that I can think of is Darren Rowse. An expert in how everyday people can earn a living through blogging, Darren was an ordinary Aussie bloke before becoming a decidedly richer ordinary Aussie bloke through blogging. I suggest you read Darren’s ‘About’ page as an example of this method.

Which three things in your life (personally or professionally) add to your personal brand more than anything else? Use interviews as an opportunity to tell this story. As you become better known, you’ll get interviewed more often.

Get people talking

Think about your personal brand each time you interact with someone - or don’t interact with someone. What impression are you leaving them with? If you don’t want to spend time responding to tweets and emails there’s no reason why you can’t make this part of your personal brand so that people do not expect differently. If you only have the time to answer 1/4 of the emails you get, why not mention this (with apologies) on your Contact page? The greatest source of negative feeling in these situations is disappointment. If you make it clear that you intend to behave in a certain way people have little right to be disappointed when you do so.

Try to build relationships with as many people as possible. Get to know their real names and remember details about them. Not only is this fun and good karma, it leaves a strong impression on the people who interact with you. The ones who you know best and who feel most connected to you will talk about you to others - this is how your personal brand grows stronger.

Build name recognition with influencers. In this instance an influencer is any person with an audience that you want to reach. Comment on their writing, keep track of them on social media, help them when they ask for it, if they have a blog try to guest-post (it must be your best stuff!) Not only do you have plenty to learn from people like this, they are the people who can give you that killer testimonial when you launch your product, who can tweet your links to thousands of followers, who can share the best opportunities with you. That being said, don’t pester them and don’t ask for more favors than you give them. If you are useful and not overbearing these influencers will remember you. View this as a long-term process. You can’t expect to become friends with influencers in a week. It takes months. Tip: try to use non-intrusive forms of communication. Don’t write things that require a response in blog comments, that’s what email/Twitter is for.

You don’t need to be big, to be big

There are a number of so-called ‘A-list’ bloggers and web personalities who I consider to have quite weak personal brands (relative to the size of their audience) based on the way they behave and interact with people outside their blog content (arrogantly) and how clearly they communicate what they represent (mainly just ‘making money off people like you’). There are also some people who do not have a huge audience for their projects but have managed to create a personal brand that is ‘bigger’ than what they have built. This is an excellent platform for them to grow their projects into something bigger and better.

How do they do it? By making connections with a lot of people, including influencers. It should be noted, though, that a strong personal brand is not going to provide much benefit unless you have valuable output to pair it with - a great service, a great blog, a great app, great public speaking skills, or something else. You need to spend as much time creating your ’stuff’ (whether that’s blog posts, videos or artwork) as you do building relationships.

There’s so much more to say…

One topic that fascinates me more and more over time is the way people use strong personal brands as a springboard for profitable online businesses. This is something I’d like to discuss much more in the future, so make sure to subscribe via RSS or you might miss it :).

Skellie has used blogging as the spring-board for a successful freelancing and consulting business. She now manages the Tuts+ Network for Envato.
  • Published On Mar. 31, 2009 by Skellie

    • 83 Comments


    1. 3/31/09

      Nicely done.


    2. 4/1/09

      “You don’t need to be big, to be big.”

      This resonates with me. I feel sufficiently dwarfed by the big names in my niche. It’s good to know it’s not all about that. And I have to start somewhere in small incremental ways. And a good reminder too to watch out for the littlest acts that may jeopardize my efforts at building a personal brand.

      Thank you for posting again. I think I have read through all the entries in the archive page. For whatever this is worth, I will have to reread again some posts in case new ones don’t come in yet - a lot of them deserved second and third reading anyhow to be fully assimilated.

    3. Great post about personal brand. Its true that many people have gotten away from personal branding and are like copies of each other.

    4. Great post Skellie.

      I think that the really great thing about building a strong personal brand, is that it is something that can be done really quite easily for the potential pay off. As you say, and plenty of other experts do as well, you can ultimately control how others perceive you, and if you’re conscious of this all the time and present yourself in a way that is going to support what your desired image is, you should be able to develop yourself as an authority and really get people interested in what you have to say - regardless of the topic.

      I also like how your brought up the importance of having your own viewpoints, and not just agreeing with others all the time. It is so important for people to see you as an individual when considering that you want to be known for something, and you want to be remembered.

      Can’t wait to read more of your thoughts on personal branding!


    5. Christina
      4/1/09

      As someone about to finish grad school, I think the subject of personal branding is an important topic but often gets overlooked (even by myself). Many of us are taught in school to put lots of labor hours into a resume, but I’m quickly finding out those can be much better spent on my personal brand. Thanks for such a great post.

    6. This part:

      1. What you’re ‘about’.

      is the most important aspect to me. What you’re about requires to essentially sing your OWN song and give yourself permission to believe in your own greatness. It’s key to breaking out of the mold.

      Data points, Barbara

    7. Meaty analysis of personal branding. Enjoyed it.

    8. Excellent post with terrific examples. I’m amazed at how challenging Baby Boomers, who should be so brand sophisticated, are finding this concept. I hope you don’t mind that I share this blog with many!

    9. Hi Chris,

      Thanks for this post. I’ve read many posts about personal branding and find most of them very superficial. I think yours is quite comprehensive and I like some of the “key”words you used.

      As I don’t have a personal brand yet (because I love change) and am working on one, I think that it is indeed very important to be ubiquitous, transparent and not hypocritical.

      I have however a concern regarding the last one. From your blog it sounds like we should hide the truth and control the information flow. This relates to the paragraph where you states that your personal brand is shaped by how you present yourself publicly and that you have control over it. On the other hand, you say it is built from the thoughts and words and reactions of other people.

      I have the feeling you compare personal brand with positioning, brand control and brand equity. These are studied and applied daily by companies, and yet today, in the social media “era” we talk about companies needing to stop controlling their brand and be more open to others (join the conversation).
      Does it mean that creating a personal brand is synonym of “instituting” your name? Sounds to me like we’re back in the 20th century…

      I personally believe that even if you try very hard (and persist) creating a personal brand, it will always be perceived differently on an individual level and THAT is what is great!
      I would prefer knowing how people perceive me and learn from it rather than force my own image onto others. It’s the best way to know why people actually read and love my blog.

      But that’s just my 2 cents and would give a penny for your thoughts, :o)

      Laurent.

    10. Oups, Sorry Skellie, for some reason (and the looks of your blog) I thought I was on someone else’s blog. That’s what happens when you’re schizophrenic and use friendfeed :o)

    11. [...] How to start (over) building your personal brand (Via: @chrisbrogan) [...]

    12. Skellie, thanks for your inspirational wisdoms here, you’ve given me a nice swift kick in the right direction. Hopefully my motivation and budget won’t let me down to get my own brand up and running.


    13. 4/1/09

      This is good. In an era of uncertainty (no permanent jobs), personal branding is gaining momentum for sure.


    14. 4/1/09

      Thanks for good reading… I didnt saw before this article one big thing.. I am also a brand :) I can say that, becouse all my clients follow things I say and do:) There are only words and acts.. Thank you so much!!!


    15. Patrick
      4/1/09

      Oh my…..

      I think Skellie is back.

      Hooray!


    16. 4/1/09

      Skellie,

      Thank you for this well layed out article.


    17. 4/2/09

      Although I try to avoid using the term “personal brand” — it feels so clinical to me! — the concept is a reality we all need to be conscious of if we have any presence online. This is more thorough than any other article I’ve seen on the topic — it seems we can always count on you for in-depth analysis we can actually act on.


    18. 4/2/09

      Thanks for the great post! It’s so important to hone in on our personal brand, especially when we deal with such a variety of projects. It’s easy to feel fragmented. Personally branding is what makes it all come together.

    19. As social media has grown, more and more people are realizing the importance of building a personal brand and a blog is a great way to showcase your own personal brand.

      It used to be that “branding” was for “companies”. The explosion of blogs and social media has clearly illustrated that, whether we like it or not, as we participate - we’re building our own personal brand.

      Whether you’re self employed or a “wage slave” - it’s not a matter of WHETHER you’re building your own personal brand but rather HOW you’re going about it.

      I love this: “If you don’t actively imitate anyone else, it will happen naturally.”

      I think that is the real “magic” of blogging - that the act of blogging really does provide a window allowing you to get to know the blogger without actually meeting him or her. That’s why it’s a GREAT way to build your brand. Just make sure you’re authentic… because transparency is an integral part of blogging.

    20. popurls.com // popular today…

      story has entered the popular today section on popurls.com…


    21. 4/3/09

      Good to see a new post from you, Skellie! :) I would add, don’t forget your original friends. As you meet new people online, make sure you’re still nurturing old relationships.


    22. JImmy Soho
      4/3/09

      Wow, Very valid points indeed! Well done!

      RT
      http://www.anonymity.us.tc

    23. [...] 10. How to start (or start over) building your personal brand. [...]

    24. A lot of common sense advice here that I hadn’t fully considered, but will start implementing on my blog. Thanks


    25. 4/3/09

      My first exposure to your blog - impressed with this article and hope to become a regular reader.


    26. 4/3/09

      Thanks so much. Some good things to consider.

    27. [...] Skelliewag.org » Posts » How to Start (or Start-over) Building Your Personal Brand (tags: marketing Personal blogging socialmedia business blog career advice brand branding) [...]


    28. 4/3/09

      excellent tips on personal branding

    29. Great Post, good lock
      thank you


    30. 4/3/09

      Great post.
      Thanks for the nice article on personal branding.

    31. [...] Link:http://www.skelliewag.org/how-to-start-or-start-over-building-your-personal-brand-877.htm Tags: genius, notions, personal brand, reputation [...]

    32. [...] the full story here:http://www.skelliewag.org/how-to-start-or-start-over-building-your-personal-brand-877.htm Page 1 of [...]


    33. 4/4/09

      “People will only remember a few things about you, so focus on telling the story that contributes most to your brand.”

      I’m experiencing the effects of this already, even though my site is only 18 days old.

      Very valuable post, Skellie. I’ve got it bookmarked and will be referring to it regularly.

    34. Yes – your personal brand IS what should comes to mind, instantly, when someone hears your name.

      But with the exception of a few “Mega” personal brands that have become cultural icons, (Winston Churchill, Nelson Mandela, and Marilyn Monroe) few last beyond the lifetime of the individual they represent.

      So rather than build a personal brand to make a lasting imprint,
      focus on its purpose in the PRESENT.

      What current objectives do you want your personal brand to fulfill?

      Product brands are strategically developed to attract the specific target market that is predisposed to buy that product.

      An Authentic Personal Brand is strategically developed to:
      - reflect with your passions
      - embody your values
      - utilize your strengths - and
      - leverage your experience/expertise in order to:

      A. Position you in a specific way - and make you “stand out”
      (This is what brings you to mind, instantly!)

      B. Elicit a specific response from others

      What’s the “End Game” for you?
      - Building a business?
      - Amassing wealth?
      - Inventing new products?
      - Making a difference in the world?
      - Fighting injustice?

      A personal brand CAN take you to any “End Game” you choose – but it’s important to know WHAT that is, and WHY you want it, before you build the brand that takes you there.

      Your brand will also DIRECT the actions of your target market.

      What do you want them to DO?
      ( If you’re not clear, they won’t be either!)

      1. Buy your products or services?
      2. Join your community?
      3. Help you raise money
      4. Volunteer for you?
      5. Sign your petitions?
      6. Tell others about you?

      Once you’re clear on the PURPOSE of your brand and the “End Game” it’s aiming at, you’re ready to begin gathering the raw materials and outside feedback you need to begin to build (or renovate) your Authentic Personal Brand.

    35. [...] What do you stand for? What ideas and notions pop up as soon as someone hears your name?Link source:http://www.skelliewag.org/how-to-start-or-start-over-building-your-personal-brand-877.htm Publicado por ChickyWicky en [...]

    36. [...] Link:http://www.skelliewag.org/how-to-start-or-start-over-building-your-personal-brand-877.htm Tags: genius, notions, personal brand, reputation [...]

    37. [...] How to Start (or Start-over) Building Your Personal Brand A personal brand is in many ways synonymous with your reputation. It refers to the way other people see you. Are you a genius? An expert? Are you trustworthy? What do you represent? What do you stand for? What ideas and notions pop up as soon as someone hears your name?The full story is here:http://www.skelliewag.org/how-to-start-or-start-over-building-your-personal-brand-877.htm [...]


    38. 4/5/09

      Fantastic article, thanks!

    39. [...] thing in the blogosphere these days. Skelliewag has written a really useful post entitled “How to Start (or Start-over) Building Your Personal Brand” that’s really easy to follow and extremely [...]


    40. 4/6/09

      Thanks for giving nice valuable tips, i was preparing a product, your guidance have proved to me to excel that product, thanks man once again.

    41. [...] hace poco en Skelliewag un artículo sobre cómo crear (o recrear) las marcas personales (o personal brands). Y repensando [...]

    42. [...] Skelliewag.org » Posts » How to Start (or Start-over) Building Your Personal Brand [...]


    43. SOUNDCHILD CREW
      4/7/09

      Excellent.

    44. [...] Skelliewag.org » Posts » How to Start (or Start-over) Building Your Personal Brand (tags: personal branding personalbrand personalbranding howto billet) [...]

    45. [...] of the relation between marketing and pickup- this is a great article about building your personal brand that relates to life in general and how you should market your [...]

    46. [...] How to Start or Start Over Building Your Personal Brand [...]


    47. 4/12/09

      a great idea on how to build a brand.this is something that im doing and focusing right now. For me to be the best you have to look how the best did it.


    48. 4/13/09

      Skellie, great post! I am very interested in the idea of a personal brand versus creating a business brand. I am in the early planning stages for starting my own freelance website and graphic design business. In addition, I have a few ideas for some blogs I’d like to start. I currently have a personal blog which uses my name as the domain. I am struggling with the idea of building this site out to meet my needs as a freelancer or creating a separate site (and brand) for my business. I see both strengths and weaknesses in both approaches. Anyway, this post has some great information and is very thorough. I look forward to more from you!


    49. 4/14/09

      Interesting post. Do you think “branding” applies in the same way to less businesslike blogs? And have any tips for narrowing down one’s own personal brand?


    50. Jenny Fredrickson
      4/14/09

      Very helpful. I find getting started is quite a challenge. You want to just jump in but the more you do the more over whelming it feels. You are working to be relevant and not just another fish in this vast sea. Great jumping off article.

    51. [...] How to Start Building Your Personal Brand: you’ve heard me mention this recently.  It’s vitally important to your success, as a [...]

    52. Skellie,

      There’s a lot here to think about, react with and respond to. I love the thought line: if you’re no longer learning and challenging yourself in your area, you’re no longer an expert. One must know the times, and know what to do. Stumbled, shared and bookmarked. This post is definitely worth referring back to. Cheers!

      -Mig


    53. 4/15/09

      hi
      Very nice article , in addition to all the stuff in your post i would like to add a point , and that is ” First Impression is Last Impression” .. i feel Brand building is a long process and 1st impression plays very important role in that..

      thanks

    54. [...] You can read the complete article here. [...]

    55. [...] Grow your personal brand which isn’t always about you. Skellie covers this quite well [...]

    56. [...] How to Start or Start Over Building Your Personal Brand [...]


    57. 4/17/09

      Thanks for this. I have generally been keeping my personal online bits away from online eyes over the past 10 years. However, I think it’s about time to create abrand and become one with the net.
      N.

    59. Great article. I’ve never had any problem with people remembering me under any circumstance, however, I need to think what it is about me that makes this happen without sounding conceited or overly confident.

    60. [...] your followers can refer your products and further your network. Skellie, of skelliewag.org, offers helpful tips for creating your brand. Here are [...]

    61. [...] How to Start or Start Over Building Your Personal Brand [...]

    62. [...] How to Start (or Start-over) Building Your Personal Brand From Skelliewag: This post shows you how to go about building a personal brand and discusses the value of your personal brand and why you might want to create one in the first place. [...]

    63. [...] have been deciding to create a personal brand for myself. This article on starting over, also applies to just starting on a new personal brand for you and your [...]

    64. [...] How to Start or Start Over Building Your Personal Brand [...]


    65. 4/29/09

      I agrree Be consistent

    66. [...] Blog Posts Skellie from Skelliewag A Complete Guide to Finding and Using Incredible Flickr Images How to Start or Start Over Building Your Personal Brand 25 Paths to an Insanely Popular Blog Chris Garrett from ChrisG Grow your google authority Diggbait, [...]

    67. [...] How to Start (or Start-over) Building Your Personal Brand [...]

    68. [...] via Skelliewag [...]

    69. [...] How to Start (or Start-over) Building Your Personal Brand [...]


    70. 5/19/09

      Our brand reflects in our voice or the soul of our communication. I tend to keep my down to earth self always, which I can’t change for the heck of it. I’m very sensitive to certain things of concern for others and basic tenets of a relationship.
      I want to fulfill the expectations of my client with whom I work on what agreed upon; and also expect the same from them. Often, I go the extra-mile to build or cement the trust reposed on me. I don’t do jobs for money alone;but do for my personal satisfaction
      I put forth my ideas boldly; even the other person is a big brand. ’cause I’m learning and am very optimistic of my talents, though. This is about me. This is about my inner personality and as well as outer one.
      I would like to portray these things where ever I go online or offline.
      Thanks for the insights!

    71. [...] Favourites: Be the best, be discovered, How to start (or start over) building your personal brand [...]

    72. Great post. I’ve been doing a lot of research on personal branding and this blog post is one of the most well written and thorough examples I’ve seen. Keep up the great work!


    73. jake richards
      6/10/09

      very helpful post. i found another very helpful post on how to name a company or product over at onthebutton. it’s a great resource and a funny read: http://onthebutton.wordpress.com/2009/06/09/10-ways-name-your-company-product/


    74. 6/16/09

      Thanks for such a wonderful post. These ideas were just what I needed to hear today.

    75. Having a personal brand is definitely important to stand out in this crowded blogoshere. Thanks for the insights into personal branding.


    76. 6/21/09

      I was bloghoping when came across to this blog..
      The post catch my eyes because I’m running a blog that based on my personal branding as a marketing strategy.
      By gain good branding, the readers will trust us more and show some respect to us. It is good in building relationship.
      Thank you by posting this such topic. I learn more to brand myself.


    77. 6/26/09

      Good info, thank you very match!


    78. 10/18/09

      Great piece. Most people don’t have to be too famous or have to big a brand. Most small businesess and independent business people can create a strong local,micro or personal brand that can help them to do very well. A big fish in a small pond can do very well. But they need to follow the points put forward here and use the tools and most importantly provide truthful and helpful information that people want or even better need.


    79. 11/1/09

      You know that “ahah” feeling? And its mirror image the “oh no” one? I just had both. Wonderful, well-written article. Thank you.


    80. 11/12/09

      I look forward to reading all your posts. You’ve got a really neat way of presenting material, breaking it down into a few easy elements. That’s talent, and to communicate it so the reader feels they can easily do it too, wonderful. Thanks, I have a refreshed boost of encouragement and renewed direction to follow. You’re my online role model.


    81. 1/3/10

      I am learning that running a business and establishing your personal brand is different. I work on several projects and have always stayed behind the scenes. One point that really stood out is the idea that once you’ve established your personal brand ,when you start something new you’re not reinventing yourself every time. It makes since, and makes things a bit easier.

    82. This is a very good intro to Skellie! As I move into the New Year it is with the hope that presenting myself in clearer and more defined ways will bring delight to those I intend to.

      Your point on running a blog that is “All You” underscores the power of confidence and willingness to be knowable. Plenty of takehome here!

      Great work


    83. 1/6/10

      Great post!

      One of the things I am juggling with is making sure that you can convert your brand into a group of people. If you are successful at one point you want to attract/ attach other people to your blog. At what point does your one man show turns into a group?

      Your readers might be interested in this post I wrote in December. It is about 8 popular design blogs that successfully branded themselves and now attract millions of visitors each month.

      http://www.vunkyblog.net/2009/8-popular-one-man-show-blogs

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    Skelliewag is for anyone - bloggers, freelancers, lovers of the internet and entrepreneurs included - who can't help but to produce and create.

    If you want to make a living by doing something you're proud of, everything here is written for you.

    I hope you enjoy it,

    Skellie