How to Build Your Powerful Personal Brand | Lyn Cacha | TEDxUSMC

Summary

The speaker reflects on personal branding through a story from her childhood, where her father encouraged her to be confident despite feeling out of place. She explains how personal branding starts from within and how it has evolved from offline to online in the age of social media. Building a strong personal brand involves being authentic, open to experiences, and understanding that social media is a tool for communication. The speaker emphasizes that personal branding is not just about success, but also how you handle failure, and concludes with a powerful message about the legacy we leave behind.

Takeaways

• 😀 Personal branding starts from within and is the way you present and market yourself to others.
• 😀 In the 80s, personal branding was mostly offline, relying on how you interact and present yourself in person.
• 😀 Nowadays, personal branding has expanded online, with platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram giving everyone a chance to shine.
• 😀 Personal branding is not about the number of likes on a selfie or dropping casual language on social media—it's about perception.
• 😀 A strong personal brand is essential in a competitive world to stand out and secure coveted opportunities.
• 😀 Your personal brand can help speed up decision-making, whether for career opportunities or personal relationships.
• 😀 70% of employers check social media profiles, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a professional online presence.
• 😀 Building a personal brand requires authenticity and boldness—sharing both your successes and failures to connect genuinely with others.
• 😀 Social media should be used as a tool to listen to your audience and understand their needs in order to create meaningful content.
• 😀 To build a strong personal brand, expose yourself to new experiences, learn from them, and remain open to opportunities.
• 😀 Life is too precious to waste. How you are remembered after you pass is more important than how you are remembered during your life, so build a legacy worth honoring.

Q & A

What is the main lesson the speaker learned from her father at the party?

The main lesson the speaker learned was about personal branding. Her father encouraged her to be confident, speak up, and be proud of herself, despite feeling out of place at the lavish event.

What does personal branding mean according to the speaker?

Personal branding, according to the speaker, is about presenting and marketing yourself in the minds of others. It starts from within and is reflected in how you communicate, behave, and align your actions with your beliefs and values.

How did personal branding function in the 1980s, and how has it evolved?

In the 1980s, personal branding was done offline, mostly through interactions and media coverage (radio, TV, newspapers). Today, with the rise of social media platforms, personal branding has shifted to an online space where individuals can create their own content and presence.

Why is a strong personal brand important in today's world?

A strong personal brand is important because it helps you stand out in a competitive world, especially when job opportunities are scarce. It can expedite decision-making processes, as people are more likely to trust and engage with someone they feel connected to online.

What is the role of social media in personal branding?

Social media serves as a microphone for personal branding. It allows individuals to share their thoughts, interact with followers, and listen to what others care about. This engagement helps in creating meaningful content and fostering a purposeful relationship with the audience.

What are some common mistakes people make when promoting their personal brand online?

Some common mistakes include sharing unverified or vague content, seeking attention by posting irrelevant or exaggerated personal details (like 'having a fat day'), and engaging in unnecessary debates that damage credibility.

What does being 'authentic' in personal branding mean, and how can someone achieve it?

Being authentic means being true to yourself, including acknowledging both successes and failures. To achieve this, one must be bold, honest, and open about their experiences. Authenticity builds trust and relatability with others.

How can someone start building their personal brand according to the speaker?

To start building a personal brand, the speaker suggests exposing yourself to different experiences, being open to opportunities, and learning about what drives you. It's important to be authentic, share your real experiences, and understand what your audience cares about.

How does the speaker describe the impact of failure on personal branding?

The speaker emphasizes that personal branding is not just about showcasing successes. Failures are an integral part of the process, and they help to build resilience and authenticity. Being open about setbacks can make a personal brand more relatable and trustworthy.

What personal experience does the speaker share at the end of the speech, and what lesson does it convey?

The speaker shares the loss of her father and grandfather and reflects on a lesson her mother taught her: 'The day of death is more important than the day of breath.' This underscores the idea that what matters is the legacy and reputation you leave behind, not just how you lived.