Last week we shared about how to get yourself out there. Today, let's talk about why.
Why is it your moral obligation to brand yourself and put yourself out there? Why is 2024 no longer a year to be hiding and wishing?
When every tech company is laying off their employees, is the next time to be putting yourself out there.
What if you stay hidden?
You don't post.
You don't create content. You don't even go to networking events. Just hiding behind your screen, trying to win business with ads.
What's going to happen?
- Nobody will know who you are.
- Your ads won't convert, because they don't know you.
- Nobody gets to enjoy the benefits of using your products.
- You're unable to provide value to people.
- Your employees and team suffer.
- You put your company down.
It doesn't matter whether you work for a startup or run a 100-person company, it's your duty to put yourself out there.
Marketing is building relationships.
Today, I visited a co-working space.
Upon entering, the owner shot up from his seat and offered to make me a cup of coffee. We chatted while he was making coffee and moved to a desk, continuing to chat for another 30 minutes.
No questions about how many desks I was looking to rent or how much they'd be. I was beginning to wonder when he'll move into the sale. (He didn't)
He didn't realize it, but he was building a relationship with me. I eventually became sold on renting the space that I began to look past the "defects" in the space.
This is why putting yourself out there is so important. People buy with emotions, not logic.
This is especially true when it comes to marketing your business. A lot of people think marketing is just putting up a great offer and running a bunch of ads. But if you study the most successful businesses, it's often because their customers have built a relationship with them.
To build a business, you have to get intentional about how you're perceived in the market – your brand.
The "Oh them..." phrase
What makes you different? Why do your customers choose you?
Identifying your "Oh them..." phrase will help you determine how you're different. Take me for example. Here are some things I've heard people say about me:
- "Oh Reuben? He's the marketing sifu guy that's really good at marketing."
- "Oh Reuben... He's that talented digital marketer who says marketing is about psychology & storytelling, not platforms."
- "Oh Reuben.. He's the legit marketing guy."
- "Oh him... He writes marketing content that doesn't sound local."
Does the thought of putting yourself out there scare you?
I get it. "Putting yourself out there is scary".
What if they judge you? What if you don't feel "qualified"? What are your credentials? Who are you to share this advice?
Here's one thing I'll tell you.
I write about marketing and call myself a marketer. But I don't have a degree or diploma in marketing study. Does this make me an imposter? Does this make me not qualified to share what I know?
The truth is when you say things like, "I don't know why anyone would listen to me" or "I'm just not an expert to post online", you are focused on you.
I, I, I.
Reframe it and focus on your customers.
"My customers have told me that they need help with X. I can help them. So it's my obligation to put myself out there, connect with people and get them results."
Totally different.
Today, just about everything I do is putting myself out there, because I know there are people I can help and get results for.
And I want to show you how you can build your brand, voice, and more importantly – the confidence to put yourself out there in the Branding Makeover Workshop. The workshop starts on 31st January 2024. Click here to learn more and sign up.
If you're in the phase of exploring and building your career, this workshop is for you.