Leza Klenk: It can be scary to put yourself out there, but if not now - when?

Personal Branding online is now officially the main marketing strategy for many professionals, right here on LinkedIn.

I've always taken personal branding online seriously and have invested many years to build myself a prominent name aimed at seizing business opportunities through winning the right audience. There is so much power with personal branding online, because we are living in a era where social media platforms allow us to connect to far more people than we can ever do offline.

I started my business after being a stay home mother for seven years, so if you are daunted to start putting yourself out there (online) - imagine how scary it was for me. I never had real business connections, enough corporate experience, almost zero business acumen so when I started business at age 27 and jumped on LinkedIn only in 2017, I am not even sure where to start.

My common fears that made me overthink about putting myself out there include the following:

• What if people condemn me for writing content they don't appreciate?
• Am I ready to read negative feedbacks from others?
• What if people judge me for how I look, how I speak or anything physical about me?
• What if people think my knowledge is not deep enough and form an impression that I am not professional enough to do business?

If you have the same fears, maybe these tips from my personal experience will guide you.

1. Comfort in your own Skin.

This is not a competition of who is better than who. Everyone who've decided to put themselves out there brings a unique value incomparable to anyone else. Most importantly, how can you work on being comfortable as yourself?

Check your environment. Most people like to record videos privately, or need an inspirational ambience to write content. Set yourself up accordingly. I enjoy having a cup of nice latte at the cafe nearby when I want to be inspired in writing content but when it comes to recording video - I have a corner set up at home to do it privately.

Dress comfortably. If you are are recording video, or taking photos to compliment your posts - think about the clothing that makes you comfortable. It's about how you feel, that will show in your presentation. I only wear clothes or dress up (hairstyle, make up etc) that I feel most comfortable and attractive. Naturally, this adds up to my confidence level that I'll be performing my best in any situation. Simple things that keep me motivated.

Choose your language. If you are better in your native language than you do in English, start off writing content with that. More often, using the language you are comfortable with makes it easier to convey messages through your published content, allowing your network to be impressed with your depth of knowledge. Miscommunication, at early stage of building connections, hinders the growth of network.

2. Practice Speaking and Writing.

This is a skill of 2020 since most people convey messages, share stories and promote their offerings through writing published content or videos on social media. These two skills have now become imperative to own and master, so if you are struggling with them - get help. Attend classes, sign up mentors, or learn through many self paced videos on Youtube. Then, practice often with speaking with more people, in front of a mirror or present among close trusted network for their opinions. Without practice you won't get better, but when you finally master the skill of communicating right - you'll be confident to post anytime.

3. You can only grow with feedback.

This is a mindset shift. Know that without feedback, you'll never know where or how to improve. I am sure your first posts or videos might not be the best, but based on the reactions of your online connections - their feedback helps you improve.

You'll discover words that trigger their emotions, and how to present yourself better that engages your online connections to want to linger longer.

4. Know that you can erase what you don't want remembered.

I am sure you've made mistakes when putting yourself online i.e. saying wrong info, stumble on words, poor written content etc. The good news is, you can retract this information anytime. So if you are not quite proud of your video last week or poorly written posts from last month - delete them off. Never to be seen or read again.

Be informed also, that each post that you put out is most valid for the first 48 hours after which they get drowned by other content from other people. So, do not feel too stressed about your past content if you feel the standard of delivery is not as good. We are all learning!

5. Block people who degrade you.

It's a privilege to follow your network and learn from the value adding posts you share. But respect work both ways - so if you've come across negative trolls who've left feedback only to degrade you or make you feel bad, rid of them. You have all the power to do so, without caring how that person feels.

This is social media but yet not everyone practise positive etiquette with their behaviour online. I can be quite sensitive myself - so rather than be affected or demotivated from negativity online, I remove them immediately as I come across their comments. I do encourage you to learn from feedback, but not when it's sent to you in a degrading or belittling manner.

So know that you do not ever have to entertain comments that does not sit well with you.

6. Be Yourself

No one is really an expert, and this is not a competition if you can write better content or facts than another industry leader. This is about sharing what you yourself know, and your personal encounters or experiences. Know that you will most likely bring a different value and perspective, than your other peers and that is completely okay!

Don't be stressed about content depth against someone else, worry about how your value can engage your network by conveying it in a relatable manner. The right audience will find value and choose you to connect with.

It's not about blending in, but more on how you can stand out with your stories and sharing.

7. Humility is the best trait.

The last thing that people want to hear, is another story of success on repeat mode. Try to write from a humble perspective because humility is the best way to attract others.

• Ask questions sometimes. Don't always feel like you need to know everything, and tell everything like a teacher. Once in a while, change the context to you asking questions instead and giving your network a chance to share what they know. That way, they feel included in your life and appreciate that their existence in your network is acknowledged to contribute value to you too.
• Share lessons, not trophies. People love success stories written in the context of a journey. Less on how proud you've become but focus on the lessons that contribute to your success. Write from how you humbly start and overcame challenges, because those kind of stories remind your connections - that you're not born with super powers but a normal human like everyone else, finding their way through life.
• Tell the truth. Lies have short legs. So whenever possible, tell the truth in your stories online. Don't craft a made up story just because you think that will appeal better. Authenticity is a crucial ingredient in building trusting online bonds. When you're caught lying - words get around, and less people will trust you and this jeopardises your opportunities to monetise from your connections in future.

8. Be emotionally attach to the content you put out, but not the reactions of the people who read it.

Reactions of others, are something you have no control over. The more you understand this, the better it is for your self confidence. So don't overthink about what your connections might feel or react because you can never please everyone.

Instead, be committed and attached to the value you want to share with your network online. Will this positively impact my network?

If it is something positive, educational and value-adding to their lives - that is more than enough reason to get content out there knowing most of them will be impacted.

So, if not now when?

Sometimes, I imagined what my life would be like without my personal brand online. I thought about the opportunities I've seized, revenue I made, amazing people I've connected, benefited from business growth, capital I've raised - and you know that, thank God I did put myself out there. Otherwise, I would have lose out of these opportunities just because of my personal self esteem issues.

Having fears is okay, just don't let fear dictate you. Everything amazing that can happen in life (or business) start from the bold step of taking a chance.

So, when will you take a chance on yourself, knowing how much impact your genuine stories can contribute to the communities online?

Trying to find your footing? Purchase my self paced modules from USD 99 to get you started in the right way. Click here.