I recently read a post over on Nathan Hangen’s blog titled Are You Too Scared to Become a Hero? – basically talking about how the best out there develop their online persona.
My answer: nope.
But that answer isn’t what this post is about. It’s about what that post made me think through as the way to success, even more so in this internet marketing, personal-branding space in which a lot of us exist.
Here goes: Confidently be yourself.
Let’s tackle the first half – “Confidently.” Don’t speak or write like you don’t know what you’re talking about. More importantly, don’t talk or write like you don’t believe what you’re saying. If you’re unsure about it, don’t hit that publish button.
I’ve been guilty of this a lot lately – mostly with comments I make on other blogs. I start with “I’ve only been blogging for a month, but…”
Wrong.
Who cares how long I’ve been blogging? Does that mean that my thoughts and opinions are less valid? I don’t think so.
So now I’m trying to follow my own advice.
Second – “be yourself.” What’s the use of developing this online persona or brand if it doesn’t accurately reflect who you are?
I think a lot of people get burned out at their jobs because they spend 8.5 hours a day being someone they’re not. Why try to develop something outside of that, something that is supposed to be better and more freeing, if you’re not being true to yourself.
If you’re out there being yourself, some people won’t like you. That can be hard to take. I started a blog about 4 years ago that lasted exactly one post. I railed against those who were anti-Walmart in Chicago, and got a pretty intense comment back. It totally made me question myself and actually stopped me from blogging. One post. One negative comment. Done.
Here’s the deal though – if people don’t like you, who cares. People (insert readers, subscribers, clients here) want to know what you really think. They want to hear from the authentic you. There’s no one forcing them to read your thoughts.
Get out there and rock it.
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Bonus link: A great interview I listened to yesterday between Srivinas Rao at The Skool of Life and Nicole Crimaldi at Ms. Career Girl via the Blogcast FM podcast. They cover some similar thoughts about halfway through the interview.
