I recently ran my BUILDING YOUR INFLUENCE webinar; a one-hour introduction to help people understand:
– Why creating a compelling professional is now imperative
– What the influence game looks like
– How to get fit to play it
– A 9 stage blueprint – what you need to DO, BE and BUILD to grow
Questions, questions…
To find out more about my audience, I asked them all a simple question – ‘What’s holding you back from building your personal brand and influence today?’
Here’s what they said
Fear I can’t manage the workload
Procrastination
Lack of a plan
No confidence in my skills due to several career set backs
No self-belief
Self-confidence and knowing where to start
Can’t communicate my value to gain support in my workplace
Not enough time
Fear I don’t have much to say
Perfectionism
Not enough contacts
I get discouraged
Fear of negative comments from colleagues
Why you’re special (but not unique!)
Are some of these the same things that may be holding YOU back? I have mentored several hundred clever people through the process of putting themselves out there. I’ve seen all of these issues many times. That’s way I say to my clients when they voice these fears, “You’re special, but you’re not unique.”
We ALL doubt ourselves. We don’t think we are smart enough, connected enough, creative enough, confident enough or popular enough. We fear no one will like the content we create, or, worse, ridicule our efforts (actually VERY rare). We also think we’re the only ones who feel like this.
IT’S NOT TRUE
Everyone has the same fears, self-doubts and objections. Sure, getting started takes a bit of courage. Your first pieces of content and commentary are likely to be rough – but that’s OK. As my mate Matt Church says – “Write like no one is reading it” – because in the early days, that will probably be the case.
The people who matter don’t mind
Don’t let early nerves and wobbles put you off starting the journey. You’ll find support and encouragement from people who have your back and think more of you than you know. It won’t be long before you have a bit of momentum and belief.
I believe with all my heart that, in a digital age, not creating a professional online brand that showcases who you are and how you help is just plain dumb. Over the next few years this split will become increasingly obvious and divisive.
As my model shows, there are two very different futures – for those who carry on trading just on their expertise/experience and those who ACTIVATE this through a content creation strategy to become market INFLUENCERS with their own online brand and positioning.
Back yourself
No one wants to be seen as IRRELEVANT, OLD or TIRED. In the contest for jobs, promotions and sales, it’s obvious that the CONNECTED, DIGITAL and SMART are likely to win. So don’t sit on the sidelines. Time to jump in. Time To Shine.
The good news is that we recorded my BUILDING YOUR INFLUENCE webinar. Check it out and give yourself a chance to build your best possible future. I dare you.
