9 Common Myths About Building a Personal Brand - And How to Start Yours Today

When I first wanted to build my brand, I had no clue what to do. I started writing blogs but didn’t get traction. I posted on social media, but no one seemed to care. Soon after I started, I wanted to give up because I didn’t see any results. I was putting in work to create content that didn’t seem to do anything. It was very frustrating.

If this sounds like you, you might also want to stop, or maybe you have stopped. Instead of spending time creating content, you consume it. You watch others and think, "How do they do it?" and you may have convinced yourself that building a brand isn’t for you.

The Problem and Turning Point

The reality is that there are a lot of myths about building a personal brand. All the how-to guides and tutorials won’t do any good if you don’t believe it will work for you.

I was writing blogs and posting on social media, but the problem is that I was all over the place. From the outside, I must have looked like a ginger chicken with its head cut off, running around in all kinds of content directions.

Things changed when I stopped to take a moment to really think about what I wanted to be known for. And when I say “moment,” it was more like months.

I really thought about what I found passion in. What things I was good at, and felt good about sharing with others. I did my soul searching and narrowed it down to three core traits that I wanted to be known for.

Defining Your Brand

One was about my personality—I wanted to be known as someone who has high energy and brings good vibes to the work I do and the people I interact with.

One was about how I wanted to be seen professionally—I love to speak and want to be known as a speaker.

Finally, life is not all about business, so I thought through all the things I liked to do non-work related and decided that my passion for sailing was at the top of the list.

Implementation and Results

Today, almost 10 years later, if someone asks, “Who's that Ryan guy?” They might go online to look me up. Seeing my stick figures, reading my bio, my posts, my articles, and/or listening to my podcasts, they will find out for themselves that I am a high-energy speaker who works with executives to build their brands, and they will definitely learn about how much I love to sail.

Once I decided what I wanted to be known for, I focused on picking three content lanes that I could speak to with authority. After a lot of reflection, thinking, journaling, and talking with those closest to me, I decided that my lanes would be personal branding, effective communication, and core messaging.

With these brand traits and thought leadership lanes, I was all set. I got back to creating content and posting on social media channels and platforms like Medium, Influencive, Thrive Global, and more. I drew stick figures every day. I documented my sailing adventures and boat projects. My content, in lanes, helped me get more traction because I wasn’t “all over the place.” I had focus, and that focus was on things that mattered to me—things that I was excited to dive deeper into and teach others.

People started to reach out to me, asking if I would be a guest on their podcast. Event planners and conferences started to ask me to speak. Publications wanted to feature me. Potential customers emailed and DM'd me, asking if I could help them. It was a slow and steady process.

Instead of saying a hundred different things, I got good at saying one thing a hundred times. I decided what I wanted to be known for, then created content around it.

Flash forward 10 years of creating content in these same lanes, and the validation has stacked up. With close to a half million followers, verified on all social media channels, four TEDx talks, three top-rated podcasts, and features in top business publications like Forbes, Entrepreneur, and Inc., and having the opportunity to speak across the globe, I’d say that I have a strong personal brand.

I’m not saying all this to brag or throw it in your face. I am sharing that it all happened as a result of me creating content over a long period of time, helping people get to know me for who I want to be known for.

It’s a really simple equation. But I always say, “Don’t confuse simple with easy.”

Content as "Brand Crumbs"

Let’s be real for a moment, and talk about content. I often refer to content as “brand crumbs” since they are little pieces that can help people find you like bread crumbs on the internet.

With AI playing a bigger part in content creation than ever before, it’s never been easier to create content. There is more content created than can be consumed. Your goal should not be to create content just to create it. You should decide what you want to be known for, and what content lanes excite you. Then create content that shows your personality, your professionalism, and what you like to do for fun.

Self-Limiting Beliefs

So what’s holding you back from building the brand that you deserve?

I’m guessing it’s you holding yourself back from creating content. And it’s likely because of the story you're telling yourself.

• You may say, "I don’t have a brand."
• You may think a brand is only for celebrities.
• You may think that what you say is not important.
• You might think that you are too late to the game.
• You might not think people care about what you have to say.
• You might not think that you have enough success to share.
• You might think that now is not the right time.

The reality is that you have a personal brand before posting anything online. Everyone has a brand. Stop for a moment and look at your shoes, what you are wearing, or even the car that you drive. They are all social signals of things that you like, or that somehow represent yourself. The content you create is no different. It’s all part of signaling who you are, your values, what gets you excited, and that all comes through sharing your experiences and lessons learned.

If you don’t think you have a personal brand, it just means that you are not participating in your own brand narrative.

Taking Action

So don’t get stuck before you start.

Heed these personal branding myths. Focus on what you want to be known for, narrow your focus, and start small. But start.

9 Common Myths About Building a Personal Brand

1. Personal Branding is Only for Celebrities and Influencers

Myth: Only high-profile individuals need a personal brand.

Reality: Everyone can benefit from personal branding. Whether you're a job seeker, entrepreneur, or professional, a strong personal brand can open opportunities and establish credibility and a strong reputation.

2. You Need to Be an Expert to Start

Myth: You must be an expert in your field before you can build a personal brand.

Reality: Personal branding is about sharing your journey and growth. You can build your brand while learning and evolving, showcasing your progress and experience as it turns into your expertise as it develops. Let people follow your journey.

3. Personal Branding is All About Self-Promotion

Myth: Building a personal brand means constantly promoting yourself.

Reality: Effective personal branding focuses on providing value to your audience. Sharing insights, helping others, and engaging meaningfully with your community are crucial elements of a strong brand. When you showcase your experience and what you have learned, it comes across as helpful and not braggy.

4. A Large Following Equals a Strong Brand

Myth: The number of followers is the most important indicator of a strong personal brand.

Reality: Engagement and the quality of your relationships matter more than sheer numbers. A smaller, highly engaged audience is more valuable than a large, passive following. And don’t get stuck in the trap comparing your follower count to others. Some people started years before you. Don’t compare your page one to someone’s page 20 or page 200! The trick is to start and keep contributing to your online presence.

5. Once Established, a Personal Brand is Static

Myth: Once you've built your personal brand, it doesn't need to change.

Reality: A personal brand should evolve with your growth and market changes. Continuously adapting and refining your brand ensures it remains relevant and compelling. If you want to be known for something new, if you discover a new passion, or if you are making a career change, then your brand can evolve to support!

6. You Need a Perfectly Polished Image

Myth: Your personal brand must always present a flawless image.

Reality: Authenticity and relatability often outweigh perfection. Sharing your challenges and vulnerabilities can make your brand more human and relatable. I believe that people don’t care as much about your story of success. I believe that they care more about how they see themselves in your story.

7. Personal Branding is Only Online

Myth: Personal branding is limited to your online presence.

Reality: Offline branding through networking, speaking engagements, and community involvement is equally important. A well-rounded brand leverages both online and offline strategies.

8. You Can Build a Brand Quickly

Myth: Personal branding is a quick process.

Reality: Building a strong personal brand takes time, consistency, and effort. Patience and perseverance are key to long-term success. It’s a process that never stops, and the sooner you weave content creation into your life, the easier it becomes to help share your journey

9. Personal Branding Requires a Huge Budget

Myth: Building a personal brand requires significant financial investment.

Reality: While some resources can help, many personal branding strategies—like content creation, networking, and engagement—are low-cost or free. Consistency and authenticity are more critical than a big budget.

By avoiding these common myths, you can create a strong, authentic, and engaging brand that stands out in the crowded marketplace. Remember, you’re not behind. Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle. Focus on your unique journey, and share your experiences. Not everything you post has to be glitter and gold. People often care more about how they see themselves in your story than your success.

Take the Next Step

If you want a deeper dive, you should grab my book, "Ditch The Act." In it, I share how I started to gain traction once I stopped putting on an act. You can do the same.

Is today going to be day one, or will you continue to pump the branding brakes, waiting until you think you are ready?

I say you get going, as there is no better time to start than now.

And if you need help with how it all works, just let me know. I've been helping people define, build, and grow their personal brands for almost a decade. I'm happy to hop on an intro call, feel free to book a time here.