99% of Personal Brands Fail: How to Succeed as a Brandividual
Before you read this article, I’ll tell you straight up… most that read this information (yes, including you) will either not implement it, or usually they quit before their success even gets a chance to take place.
Almost nobody wins the personal brand game, because 99% of you are simply playing it the wrong way.
I wrote this newsletter and blog for those that want to make the right moves, get ahead. Those that want to make a real difference in their lives, make the right choices, and grow a real business. A business capable of paying you hundreds of thousands of dollars a month if you succeed.
All0, so you can live the life you want, with your own version of freedom, whatever that looks like to you.
Did I say this would be easy?
No.
If it WAS easy, 99% of people would ALL be winning in this space, and that’s just not how the data reads. But, with a little of the right advice, turning in the right direction, and continuing to work on it as you go… anyone can win.
Let me show you how…
On Social Media, Your Competing with the Whole World on Social Media
Everyone and their mother is trying to build a personal brand right now. Hell, I’ve tried it several times already, myself, and failed several times because I too was doing all the wrong things, just like you.
With the cost of entry so low, and the potential rewards so high… it’s no surprise we’d all like to take a swing at it. And, everyone is. Every man, woman, child, and even many pets of the world, are all at it.
Whether it’s Instagram, selfies, story posts, junk motivational quotes, fake platitudes, carousels we’ve all seen a million times, reels, stupid dances, or momentary pieces of more-and-more mediocre stupidity shrouded in the cloak of ‘comedy’ or ‘entertainment’…
…everyone wants to be the next Mr. Beast.
Tens of millions of people just like you are out there, all competing for airspace, posting the most mediocre, or more and more ridiculous shit. They all want the same thing as you do… all just praying to be seen, and hit the virality jackpot like a lottery winner.
You’re Addicted to Vanity Metrics
Staring and scrolling on your social media app of choice, for hours on end, searching for even more inspiration from second-hand ideas to replicate because they’re ‘trending’.
You’re too busy sucking up the fake dopamine hits like crack as you anticipate the likes, views, impressions, shares, and vanity metrics that you’ve been told, matter. All as the platform absorbs your vision, chews you up and spits you out yet again, as you crash into burnout, and quit once more.
Until next week, when the new idea hits you, and you come storming out of the gate with a whole new channel / personal brand idea like a 5 year old raiding an abandoned Toys R Us.
You’re Using Social Media the Wrong Way
You’ve done all the ‘right things’ right? Posted every day, multiple times. You used the right hashtags, set up your profile and bio in the way your guru told you to.
Only, it’s not working, is it?
Like, not at all.
Here’s why…
The Uncomfortable Truth About Personal Branding
Likes, shares, and all the visibility in the world, won’t mean you earn a single solitary dime.
The truth is, you could have 500,000 followers, and still not sell a single thing, make any money, or land a single client.
200 likes on every post, and you know how much money THAT IS? Zero dollars.
This is because ATTENTION IS CHEAP (it’s FREE, remember?), but ACTION IS EXPENSIVE.
The fact is… …posting every day, won’t build a business.
Is it a good habit? Yes.
Is it helpful? Absolutely.
But, if your content doesn’t point somewhere, or attract people in the right direction, it’s not doing it’s job. It misses the mark.
What Does Your Personal Brand Even Do?
Sure, your puppy video got 1,000,000 impressions, 200 likes, 132 comments, and was shared 57 times in one day. It made a LOT of people laugh, and went viral, but what was it about?
You randomly post quotes from famous wealthy people, and talk about inspirational things, and inspire people to not drink that fourth cup of coffee this afternoon, or workout one more time this week… …but what did it all mean?
What is your content about?
Where does it send people?
What is the goal of that one piece of content, for YOU?
Is it on brand? And, what does your ‘brand’ even fucking mean, anyway?
If your content doesn’t point in the right direction, have a product or service to sell, or an end-goal landing in dollars, you’re pretty just pissing in the wind, here. You’re a product of the platform, entertaining and inspiring others…
…all while Zuckerberg is living it up, snowboarding off a cliff into a base jump, or whatever stupid crap he’s trying to do today trying impress us, and convince us he’s actually cool now.
The difference between what you’re probably doing, and what a real personal brand does, is CLARITY.
Real Personal Brand Growth Comes from Clarity & Direction
I’ll say it again; real business growth comes from clarity and direction.
Ask Yourself These Questions
Can people tell what you do in 5 seconds?
Is it obvious how to work with you?
Do your posts all have a clear next step?
Do all roads lead to your business, or are you just collecting followers?
If the social media platform disappeared today, do you own your traffic, or would your brand die instantly?
If not, you’re literally treading water right now, and probably heading for burnout as you’re doing it.
It’s okay, I’ve got you.
Here’s how to fix it…
Start Thinking, Writing, & Posting Content Like a Funnel
Your story is inspiring, sure… but, no one is going to pay you for your backstory. People will only you pay for the results you deliver, and only if that result solves a problem for them.
Positioning isn’t about being likable, at all. It’s about being clear.
What do you do?
Why does it matter?
Who do you do it for?
How do you help people win?
How many others have you helped before?
Your bio, content, and offers should all reflect this.
If they don’t, you’re just ‘posting’ for likes.
And sure, if you can take those likes to the bank and cash them in, go ahead.
If not… keep reading.
You’re NOT the Hero of the Story, Your Prospect Is
You’re the guide that’s going to train them as a warrior, and lead them to victory.
They’ve tried to win, and failed. They need help now, someone to train them, get them through their difficult challenge, so they can succeed.
You are their Obi Wan Kenobi.
You are their only hope.
So, from now on you’re going to think about EVERY piece of content, like this:
- Content grabs people’s attention, and sends them your business
- Positioning grabs and holds their attention
- Building value will continue to hold it
- More value creates a feeling of reciprocity
- Offers convert attention and value, into revenue
Marketing hasn’t changed.
People haven’t changed in millennia (no matter how much they like to think they have), human psychology is mostly the same since we first crawled out of the caves.
So, let’s get on with making this funnel work for you and your personal brand, in the social media environment.
Optimize Bios, Buttons, and CTAs
Think of your social profiles like mini sales pages. Not like story boards, mood boards, or personal history.
SHOCKER ALERT: It all starts with the bio.
Yeah, I know you’ve read this before… …but hear me out for a second.
Your Bio
This is your elevator pitch…
…only, THIS elevator takes only 3 seconds to get to the top floor, so you’ve GOTTA make it count.
Example:
Helping coaches & creators turn content into conversions with standout design & strategy.
Then end with ONE clear call-to-action:
👇 Start your project today → sharedgraphics.com
Your Link in Bio
Stop linking to a list of random platforms, or anything like a Linktree page with 10 different link to follow.
Create one focused landing page.
One message
One goal
One offer
One next step
Need help?
That’s exactly what we build in our Branding + Landing Packages at Shared Graphics.
Calls-to-Action
Every post should invite the reader to take action.
It doesn’t need to be a hard sell, or a product, or anything major.
It could be as simple as:
DM me ‘branding’ if your online presence needs a glow-up.
Need help converting followers into clients? Link in bio.
Micro-conversions lead to macro-results.
Turn Content into Clients
You don’t need to go viral.
You need to get clear.
Here’s how to use social to grow your pipeline:
Create Content That Solves Problems
Share tips, before and afters, client wins, and breakdowns.
Teach what you know.
Be valuable… not just visible.
Every post must have a purpose, not just posted without a point.
You’re looking for newsletter subscribers, prospects, leads, clients, you’re not just there to spin the wheels of social media, and keep THEIR machine rolling.
Smart Engagement
Comment like a strategist, not a fan.
Do not just comment on someone’s post, saying simple, meaningless things like ‘great post!’, or ‘facts!’ , or anything similar.
Drop value.
Ask questions.
Add to the topic.
Treat it like a conversation.
Provide a really GOOD, in-depth, thoughtful answer, that might lead people that read it, to follow YOU.
Get on the radar of your ideal audience, by showing them you’re an expert.
Make sure when engaging, to always write comments like they could be a standalone post of their own. You must have complete context, so if anyone just comes across it, it makes sense.
Drive People to DM You
Social is the top of your funnel. Great content should start conversations.
Here’s the move:
Post value
Call to Action the reader to DM
Qualify the lead
Offer the next step
No sleaze.
Just systems.
Your Newsletter = Your Fire Content
Social is the spark.
But email is the long game.
Here’s how to make it work:
Give People a Reason to Subscribe
Offer something specific for them to subscribe. something of value, they will really want to get hold of, and be willing to offer their email address in exchange for.
This is called a ‘lead magnet’, for obvious reasons.
A good lead magnet can really be many things.
Think about things like a free PDF, an email course, or a free video breaking down a strategy. Maybe even a coupon for your online store, or for first purchase, or discounting your course.
PDF Example: “The 7-page website blueprint I use for all my high-ticket clients.”
Build your list.
Feed your funnel.
Write Like You Talk
Write like a real person. Like I am, to you, right now.
Share stories, tips, mistakes, and wins.
Then include a soft CTA.
Example:
I’ve got two spots open this month for branding + landing projects.
Hit reply if you want one.
Make Your CTA
Simple (don’t use complicated jargon, or buzz words)
Personal (speak to the reader directly)
Profitable (it’s gotta make sense)
Want to Look the Part? Fix Your Brand First
If your site, branding, or landing page looks DIY, people assume your service is too.
That’s why we build branding + landing packages that make personal brands look just as premium as the services they offer.
Custom branding that fits your voice, energy, and brand personality.
Landing pages that convert traffic into action.
No fluff.
No templates.
Just clean, high-converting, purpose-built, strategic design.
TL;DR: Don’t Just Build a Personal Brand. Build a Lead Machine.
If you want:
A brand that speaks clearly
A funnel that converts
A site that sells without needing to explain yourself
… then we should talk.
Let’s get started on your personal brand project today → SharedGraphics.com
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Just one email a week with useful insights and growth strategies you can use to grow your own personal brand.
Until next week,
Tricklowe