10 Tips for Building a Personal Brand (by the dynamic duo - Me and ChatGPT)

I’ve been working in the brand management sector with hundreds of brands for more than 20 years. So I’ve seen a lot and have a lot to say on the subject. But finding time to write is challenging.

Yet, writing content is something we must all do in marketing our brands, whether a company brand or a personal brand. It’s important.

In fact Brandkit’s SEO agency (Team Empathy) has given me some homework to do. A list of articles to write on various topics.

Many folks resort to hiring a writer or outsourcing this task to a contractor or 3rd party SEO company.

However, I’ve personally found that the results from others writing for you, are almost always disappointing and often inaccurate. Most writers simply don’t know what you know. Not to mention what is produced lacks authenticity, simply because you didn’t write it yourself.

So the rise of AI tools like ChatGPT (and others) are interesting. I was curious. Could ChatGPT help me write more often.

What about this Authenticity thing?

Authenticity is important for brands, and something I bang on about a lot. It’s true that if you employ ChatGPT to write for you, you have an authenticity problem. Or do you?

The reality is that AI is coming whether we like it or not. We have to alter our thinking to embrace this technological change or be left behind. We also should accept the fact that there is a lot of content already written on every subject you can imagine. ChatGPT works by referencing all that existing content and remixing it.

Googling “10 Tips for Building a Personal Brand” found 649,000,000 results.

That essentially is what we do as humans, as artists, as creators. We remix eons of human knowledge and creativity in creative ways, as I’m doing here.

So now the skill (and authenticity) becomes:

• knowing what to write about (ChatGPT is not going to wake you in the morning to discusss what it should write about),
• knowing how to write a good prompt,
• having the knowledge and experience to review and edit what the AI produces.

An experiment

In the interest of embracing this new technological change, here’s an experiment.

Use ChatGPT to help me write an article titled “10 Tips for Building a Personal Brand”

I appreciate the brevity of the Ernest Hemingway’s style of writing, so I prompted ChatGPT to write in “Hemingway style”.

“Hemingway style” is widely used to refer to the kind of prose writing which is characterized by simplicity, directness, clarity, freshness and naturalness.

I was also curious about prompting in different writing styles, so below the Hemingway version, we have the exact same prompt but asking for a Steve Jobs style. The differing results are fascinating.

By the way everything above the prompt below is written by me, not my assistant ChatGPT.

Ernest Hemingway style

The Prompt:

Write a blog post titled 10 Tips for Building a Personal Brand, in the style of Ernest Hemingway, should be between 500 to 1000 words.

The ChatGPT result:

Building a personal brand is like building a legacy. It’s not something that can be done overnight, but rather it’s a process that requires hard work, dedication, and a clear vision. As a writer who has built a personal brand that has stood the test of time, I have a few tips to share with those who are just starting out. Here are my top 10 tips for building a personal brand:

1. Simplify your message When it comes to building a personal brand, simplicity is key. Your message should be clear and concise, and it should be easy for people to understand. Don’t try to be all things to all people; instead, focus on what makes you unique and stick to it.

2. Be authentic Authenticity is crucial when it comes to building a personal brand. Don’t try to be someone you’re not, or pretend to have expertise in an area where you don’t. People can tell when you’re not being genuine, and it can hurt your credibility.

3. Show your personality One of the best ways to build a personal brand is to show your personality. This means being yourself and letting your true self shine through in everything you do. People want to connect with real people, not with someone who’s trying to be something they’re not.

4. Be consistent Consistency is key when it comes to building a personal brand. This means using the same tone, style, and messaging across all of your platforms. Consistency helps build trust with your audience and makes it easier for them to recognize and remember your brand.

5. Find your niche If you want to stand out in a crowded market, you need to find your niche. This means figuring out what makes you unique and what sets you apart from everyone else. Your niche should be something that you’re passionate about and something that you’re knowledgeable about.

6. Build relationships Building relationships is essential when it comes to building a personal brand. This means engaging with your audience on social media, responding to comments and messages, and networking with other professionals in your industry.

7. Provide value If you want people to pay attention to your personal brand, you need to provide value. This means sharing helpful tips, insights, and resources that your audience will find useful. The more value you provide, the more likely people are to follow you and share your content.

8. Be patient Building a personal brand takes time and effort, so it’s important to be patient. Don’t expect overnight success, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t see results right away. Keep putting in the work, and the results will come.

9. Be humble No matter how successful your personal brand becomes, it’s important to remain humble. Remember that your audience is what makes your brand successful, and treat them with respect and gratitude.

10. Keep evolving Finally, it’s important to keep evolving your personal brand. The world is constantly changing, and your brand should reflect that. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and technologies, and be willing to adapt and evolve as needed.

In conclusion, building a personal brand is not easy, but it’s worth it. By simplifying your message, being authentic, showing your personality, being consistent, finding your niche, building relationships, providing value, being patient, being humble, and evolving, you can build a personal brand that stands the test of time. Remember, it’s not about being perfect, it’s about being yourself and connecting with your audience on a deeper level.

Steve Jobs style

The Prompt:

Write a blog post titled 10 Tips for Building a Personal Brand, in the style of Steve Jobs, should be between 500 to 1000 words.

The ChatGPT Result:

Building a personal brand is a vital aspect of success in today’s world. It’s not just about selling a product or service but rather selling yourself as a brand. As someone who revolutionized the tech industry, I know a thing or two about building a personal brand. Here are my top 10 tips for building a personal brand in the style of Steve Jobs:

1. Focus on your passion The first step to building a personal brand is to focus on your passion. Identify what drives you, and let that be the driving force behind your brand. Passion is contagious, and it will inspire others to follow you.

2. Be innovative Innovation is what sets you apart from the rest. Don’t be afraid to take risks and try new things. Be innovative in your approach and use your creativity to stand out from the competition.

3. Have a clear vision Having a clear vision is essential when it comes to building a personal brand. Define what you stand for and what you want to achieve. This will help you stay focused and guide your decision-making process.

4. Embrace simplicity Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Don’t complicate things unnecessarily. Embrace simplicity in your messaging, design, and overall approach. This will make it easier for people to understand and remember your brand.

5. Be consistent Consistency is key when it comes to building a personal brand. Use the same tone, style, and messaging across all of your platforms. This will help build trust with your audience and make it easier for them to recognize and remember your brand.

6. Pay attention to details Details matter. Pay attention to the small things, such as the font you use, the colors you choose, and the wording of your messaging. These details can make a big difference in how your brand is perceived.

7. Build a strong online presence In today’s digital age, having a strong online presence is crucial. Build a website, create social media profiles, and engage with your audience online. This will help you reach a wider audience and build a strong following.

8. Be authentic Authenticity is key when it comes to building a personal brand. Be true to yourself and let your personality shine through in everything you do. This will help you build a genuine connection with your audience.

9. Provide value Providing value is essential when it comes to building a personal brand. Share your knowledge, expertise, and insights with your audience. The more value you provide, the more likely people are to follow you and share your content.

10. Be relentless Building a personal brand takes time and effort. Don’t give up when faced with obstacles or setbacks. Be relentless in your pursuit of success and never stop striving to improve.

In conclusion, building a personal brand is not just about marketing yourself but also about showcasing your unique qualities and values. By focusing on your passion, being innovative, having a clear vision, embracing simplicity, being consistent, paying attention to details, building a strong online presence, being authentic, providing value, and being relentless, you can build a personal brand that stands out and resonates with your audience. Remember, building a personal brand is a journey, not a destination, and it takes time, effort, and dedication to create a brand that truly represents who you are.

That’s it. Try it yourself at https://openai.com/blog/chatgpt

Happy branding and writing :)