PERSONAL B-R-A-N-D-I-N-G is all I’ve been hearing lately. And no, it’s not because I am married to LinkedIn Top Voice LadyBoss Rachel B. Lee 😍
This month, I’m getting serious with y’all about why you’re missing a MASSIVE opportunity if you’re not using your LinkedIn to your personal brand’s advantage. Let’s jump into how to stand out, engage, and grow on LinkedIn.
No More Sweaty Handshakes: Mastering the Art of Online Networking
Think of LinkedIn as your personal TED Talk stage, where you can share your journey and engage in genuine H2H (human-to-human) interactions. When I started my career, I had to attend countless networking events, shake a bazillion sweaty hands, and hand out physical business cards to grow my network. THANKFULLY, today, LinkedIn offers that same opportunity with just your fingertips. It lets you showcase your unique narrative and connect with like-minded professionals globally.
Now, you might be thinking…” Awesome, Josh–that means I can hide behind my keyboard and not speak to anyone ever again…” Don’t be fooled! The same social skills are essential for all types of networking: hanging out with friends, in-person networking, and online networking. Think of it this way: just like any relationship, building genuine connections with someone you’ve never met in person requires effort.
The same is true online, where algorithms track your activity and reward you for engaging with others.
First, you’ll need to stand out to get noticed. How do you do that? Easy! Get your profile properly set up and create your personal brand strategy. This is all about working out your values, who you serve (your audience), what message you want to convey, and then showing up (consistent posting).
Coca-Cola: A Masterclass in Building a Brand That Transforms Time
You know, The Coca-Cola Company is a real masterclass in branding. They’ve managed to stay relevant and top-of-mind for generations, which is no small feat! They’ve built an iconic brand that resonates with people across cultures and time. It’s a testament to their understanding of what makes a brand truly enduring. It’s like they’ve cracked the code to building a business that transcends time. I think that’s something any business leader can learn from.
( Image Credit: Coca Cola)
Coca-Cola And the Power of Consistent Branding
Coca-Cola has been a branding powerhouse for decades, and their 2023 and 2024 strategies continue to set the standard. Committed to emotional connection, Coca-Cola leverages consistent messaging and iconic branding to maintain its leading position. Their campaigns focus on happiness, sharing, and celebration, appealing to a global audience while respecting local cultures.
( Image Credit: Coca Cola)
In recent years, Coca-Cola has focused on sustainability, aligning its brand with environmental consciousness. This move resonates well with millennials and Gen Z. This strategic shift strengthens its market position and ensures it remains relevant in a rapidly changing world. And it’s working! According to the Coca-Cola Quarterly Performance Review, the company’s net revenue grew by 3% to $11.3 billion in the first quarter of 2024.
What We Can Learn
The importance of authenticity, storytelling, and strategic engagement. Here’s how you can apply these insights to your own brand:
🔴 Authenticity is Key: Stay true to your values, as Coca-Cola does, to create a branding narrative that resonates.
🔴 Storytelling Wins: Like Coca-Cola, use storytelling to connect with your audience emotionally.
🔴 Strategic Engagement: Engage meaningfully with your audience, leveraging LinkedIn tools to enhance visibility.
Snoop Dogg with A Masterclass in Authentic Branding
(Image Credit: Snoop Dogg’s LinkedIn)
You know SnoopDogg, right? The legendary rapper who’s always been unapologetically himself? Well, his storytelling skills are just as legendary. He’s got this knack for capturing attention and adding depth to his personal brand, making him a captivating figure that’s gone viral across social media, even racking up views on LinkedIn! Remember seeing him at the Paris 2024 Olympics? Snoop’s a chameleon, adapting to different situations while staying true to himself. This kind of versatility solidified his brand as a respected authority, showing us all the power of strategic storytelling in reaching a wide range of audiences.
But did you catch him on LinkedIn? Snoop’s journey from “gangsta” rapper to business mogul is a powerful testament to the magic of authentic branding. Take his partnership with the smokeless BBQ pit brand, Solo Stove, it’s a perfect example of how storytelling and authenticity can elevate a personal brand and create narratives that resonate with a broad audience.
The Smokeless BBQ Pit Collaboration
When Snoop announced he was “done with smoke,” and going “smokeless,” the internet went wild! It turned out it was all a clever marketing campaign with Solo Stove. The whole thing was brilliant, proving how authentic storytelling can make a brand soar. Snoop brings his signature realness and quirks to the collaboration, making the partnership relatable and engaging. He’s not afraid to be himself, and that genuine connection with his fans is what makes him so successful, even in the business world.
(Image Credit: Solo Stove)
Did you know LinkedIn users who engage with posts in the first hour see significantly higher visibility? Or that content rich in storytelling and personal insights tends to receive waaaayyyy more engagement? These stats cement the power of being present and purposeful on the platform.
So, if I could encourage you to explore some extra LinkedIn tools that will give your personal brand that stand out authority like Coca-Cola and Snoop Dogg, I would say turn your attention to:
🔵 LinkedIn Live: Host live sessions to engage your audience in real-time.
🔵 Behind-the-Scenes Content: Share glimpses into your professional life to humanize your brand.
🔵 Profile Optimization: Use storytelling to make your profile reflect your journey and expertise.
Remember, your story is powerful—share it authentically and watch your LinkedIn personal brand stand out! But where do you start? 📢 Introducing: The Authority Builders Challenge!
Over 3 action-packed days, you’ll dive deep into crafting a personal brand and LinkedIn profile that captivates, connects, and converts. Join @Rachel B. Lee and me, along with experts Jim Edwards and Matthew Hagberg from CopyandContent.AI, for interactive sessions packed with insights into:
💡 Day 1: Defining your target audience using AI to attract ideal clients.
💡 Day 2: Building a personal brand statement and headline that captures your unique value.
💡 Day 3: Optimizing your LinkedIn profile for SEO and maximum visibility.
Join us September 30th to October 2nd, 2024, and learn what it takes to turn your ‘meh’ LinkedIn account into a shining, glowing client magnet 🧲 Click here to secure your spot today and wake up to opportunities landing in your inbox!
P.S. It’s completely FREE to sign up. And NO, there’s NO SECRET CATCHES. We just want to share the LinkedIn dopamine with y’all.