Update (2026-01-20)
What changed: This post has been refreshed with a lean 5-step framework, a practical 30-day action plan, and a new hero image. If you read the old playbook, this update tightens the actions into bite-sized moves you can do this week. Published now with fresh metadata and social preview text.
Be Unmistakable: Build Your Personal Brand
Personal branding isn’t about pretending to be someone you’re not or posting inspirational quotes on repeat. It’s about choosing one clear promise, proving it, and making that promise unavoidable to the exact people who matter. Here’s a slightly irreverent, very practical playbook you can actually finish.
1) Start with one clear promise
Stop trying to be everything. Pick one audience and one outcome. Write one sentence that says: “I help [audience] do [result],” and stick to it. This becomes your north star for everything from your bio to your emails.
- Exercise: Draft a 30-second pitch. Test it on three friends and revise until it sounds natural.
- Proof: Collect two quick proof points — a metric, a testimonial, or a specific project result.
2) Design a repeatable visual voice
Your visual system doesn’t need to win awards; it needs to be repeatable. Pick two colors, one heading font, one body font, and a simple layout you reuse. Templates are your friend.
- Create a single hero template for articles and social posts (1200x675 for the web).
- Save a square profile image, a banner, and one slide template. Use consistent logo placement and spacing.
3) Content that proves, not boasts
Think of content as evidence. Show work, explain decisions, share short case studies. Longform article? Great — break it into three micro-posts and a newsletter snippet.
- Cadence: Aim for one meaningful asset per week you can repurpose into 4–8 micro pieces.
- Channels: Own your site + newsletter first, then LinkedIn and a niche community.
4) Nicknames beat megaphones — network with intent
Networking isn’t mass DMs. Map 20 people who can move the needle (clients, connectors, press), and plan a specific, small ask for each — feedback, an intro, or co-creation.
- Weekly habit: Comment thoughtfully on two posts from your target list and send one personalized note.
- Protect your reputation: set Google Alerts for your name and save positive mentions to a testimonial bank.
5) Measure, iterate, repeat
Pick three metrics to watch for 90 days: subscriber growth, inbound leads, and engagement (comments/shares). Review weekly and double-down on what works.
- Run fast experiments: change one headline, one distribution channel, or one CTA each week and compare results.
- Document what moved the needle and make that repeatable.
Conclusion — A 3-step action plan (do this now)
- Clarify: Write your one-sentence promise today and save it where you can copy it into bios.
- Create: Make one piece of longform content this week and extract three micro-posts from it.
- Reach: Pick 10 people from your map and send personalized notes with one small deliverable (a feedback snippet or a quick audit).
If you do these three things consistently for 30 days, you’ll have clearer messaging, reusable assets, and a pipeline of small wins. Want a one-page starter for your profile? Subscribe to Terry’s newsletter or reply and I’ll send a free brand checklist.
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