If you've been active in the digital world lately, you may have noticed the rise of personal brands. 

You might even be considering starting your own. Wise Decision! 

Why haven't you started yet? I know why.

You might think it's not for you, or you're too busy, or God knows which excuse your mind is coming up with.

So, today we’ll explore the 7 most common excuses people use —perhaps ones you've told yourself—to avoid building a personal brand, and I'll debunk them all.

Be it a CEO, employee, freelancer, job seeker, or student—by the time you finish reading this article, you'll find yourself without excuses, ready to start building your wonderful personal brand.

If I've successfully convinced you to begin, then your journey will likely kick off with EasyBranding.

I'm worried about what people will think

Usually, it's not 'people' in general. 

It's specific close individuals whose criticism you fear. 

Could be a friend, uncle, boss, cousin, or even your parents. 

It's definitely not just 'people;' it's someone or a group of people you can name.

This fear is common, and you're not alone in experiencing it.

Here's a mental framework to help you overcome this excuse whenever it arises:

Imagine someone whose criticism and judgment you fear if they notice you starting your personal brand, for example, your colleague Johnny. 

Imagine that each time you hesitate to start, it's because Johnny doesn't want you to do it; he's somehow controlling your destiny.

Once you picture this vividly, ask yourself: 'Do I want Johnny to have this power over my life?'

The reality is that nobody, including Johnny, cares about whether or not you start your personal brand. They may criticize, judge you negatively, or even laugh. 

But in the long term, nobody cares. 

People are too busy with their own problems, desires, fears, dreams, and doubts.

Don’t let others have more control over you than yourself.

I don’t have enough expertise to build a personal brand

In every business, profession, and niche, there are many newcomers. 

Upon entering, they often find themselves overwhelmed about where to start, struggling to find the right information, and confused about the meaning of the unlimited jargon they find. 

But remember, you've already made a start! 

Even if you feel you lack expertise, you have valuable experiences to share on how to start. 

You can tell your audience how you began, the mistakes you encountered, the lessons you've learned along the way, how they can avoid them, and some tips they can use to save time in the learning process. 

These insights allow you to build and dedicate your personal brand.

I am an introvert

This excuse is often based on a misconception. 

People think that building a personal brand means being constantly outgoing and publicly exposed, to the extent that there is no private life anymore. 

However, this is not true, it may be for some cases, but you have the power to control it, especially when building a personal brand in a professional industry. 

Even if you are still convinced that personal branding is not for you because you are an introvert, you can test yourself and see how you feel about it.

Start building your brand on digital platforms that are less mainstream than social media, such as blogging, or by participating in podcasts that are new to the scene and have a small audience of maybe just 10 to 20 listeners. 

Gradually, you will develop a proactive 'Yeah, let’s do it' mindset. 

Then may you expose yourself more broadly on social media platforms and expand your presence from there. 

Step by step, you will notice that the 'introvert excuse' is not an issue at all.

I already have a stable job, so I don’t need to attract any new companies to hire me

First, there is no such thing as a 'stable' job. 

I'm not trying to dwell on negativity, but things can go wrong at any time. 

When it does, you should be ready. 

Going through the process of sending your resume, attending job interviews, and the whole hiring process can be very slow and painful. 

However, if you have already established your brand, gained some recognition and reputation, and made great connections in your industry, things will become far easier and quicker. 

Building a personal brand doesn’t mean you are looking for a new job; rather, it means building a future-proof career against random and surprising circumstances, like the sudden layoffs in the Tech industry that have occurred lately.

I am busy, I don’t have time

First, I bet you that you do have the time—it's easier to find than you think. 

Skip just one TV episode or a football match. Just one. 

Use the newfound hours to write content, refine your brand's look, or anything related to your personal brand. 

Second, if despite all of these suggestions, you still don't want to engage in this activity, especially if you are a CEO or an executive, you might consider investing a bit of money. Here's how:

• Create a branded profile picture and banner using EasyBranding (it will only take 5 minutes).

• Find and hire a reputable freelance ghostwriter on platforms like Fiverr or Upwork.

• Provide them with all the details necessary to represent your brand accurately, such as the target audience, your brand's tone, and the desired type of content.

• Establish a clear schedule for when the posts should be completed, minimizing the time you need to spend reviewing their work.

• Use social media management tools like Nuelink or Hootsuite to schedule the content they produce.

• Separate only 20 Min a day to comment and engage with your audience on your platforms.

By following this process, you can establish the right momentum. 

You'll only need to review the content at the end of each month, schedule it to be posted throughout the following month, and then repeat the process each month. 

My niche is already oversaturated

In your town there are a ton of coffee shops, am I correct? 

But people still open new ones all the time, don't they?

Why? Because each one brings something unique to the table.

Maybe it's the cozy vibe, the killer espresso, or the friendly barista who remembers your order from the first visit.

You can do the same! 

Within every niche, there exists a multitude of ways to stand out and deliver unique value to your target audience. You only need to find one.

One hack to stand out in a professional industry is to bring storytelling to the table. 

Combining complex technicalities and data with an engaging story that educates and entertains will put you away from any competition.

Another point is that 'oversaturated' often just means there's a lot of demand. 

Lots of players in the game usually mean lots of people are watching. 

That's not a bad thing. It means there's room for you, too, if you know how to stand out.

And standing out isn't about doing something wild or out there; it's about being authentically you, giving and sharing information and perspectives exactly how you see them.

People can sniff out fakes a mile away.

You will be building your brand in the digital world, which means your audience isn't just local; it's global. 

There's a pretty good chance there are folks out there who will resonate with your message, style, or approach. 

They may be looking for it right now and haven't been able to find it in the same niche you think is oversaturated.

It's not about filling a gap in the market; it's about creating a space that only you can fill.

I am afraid that my personal brand affects my current job negatively

It's normal to feel concerned about how building your personal brand might impact your current job. Perhaps your current company has reservations, guidelines, or rules for it, or maybe they don't.

How will you know? 

The solution is straightforward: communicate.

A simple conversation with your manager, HR, or even the CEO can provide clarity. 

Ask if the company has any policies or guidelines about employees building their personal brands. 

Often, you'll find support rather than opposition.

Companies like Lemlist actively encourage their employees to develop personal brands. 

They even offer a dedicated course to guide them through the process.

They know that the quality of the personal branding of their employees will massively affect the Lemlist brand, and how customers will perceive it.

This approach isn't unique; it's becoming a trend. 

More businesses are realizing the value of having team members with strong personal identities in their field.

What was mentioned in this article is just the tip of the iceberg. 

There are countless excuses people use to avoid starting their personal brand.

It's normal to feel doubts, concerns, and hesitation.

What’s not normal is allowing these feelings to dictate your future, and stop you from doing what you deep down know it should be done. 

Don't give them that power. 

Just do it.

Take the leap.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I'm worried about what people will think if I start building my personal brand. How can I overcome this fear?

Overcoming the fear of judgment involves shifting your perspective. Visualize those whose criticism you fear and ask yourself if you want them to control your destiny. Remember, in the long term, people are too busy with their own lives to care about whether you start your personal brand.

I feel like I lack expertise to build a personal brand. How can I leverage my experiences to start?

Even if you're new to your industry, you have valuable insights to share. Share your journey, including mistakes, lessons learned, and tips for newcomers. Your experiences, no matter how limited, can be the foundation of your personal brand.

I already have a stable job; do I still need to build a personal brand?

Yes, building a personal brand is essential for future-proofing your career. No job is entirely stable, and having a strong personal brand can make transitions easier in case of unexpected changes.

I'm an introvert; can I still build a personal brand?

Absolutely! Building a personal brand doesn't mean being constantly outgoing. Start small, such as by participating in niche digital platforms like blogging or podcasts. Gradually expand your presence as you become more comfortable.

I'm busy and don't have time to build a personal brand. How can I fit it into my schedule?

Finding time is possible with small adjustments, like skipping one TV episode or a sports match. Alternatively, consider outsourcing tasks like content creation to freelancers, allowing you to focus on engaging with your audience.

Isn't my niche already oversaturated? How can I stand out?

Every niche has room for unique voices. Use storytelling and authenticity to differentiate yourself. Remember, being yourself is often the best way to stand out in a crowded market.

I'm afraid building my personal brand might affect my current job negatively. What should I do?

Communicate with your employer to clarify any concerns or guidelines they may have. Many companies support employees in building personal brands, recognizing the value it adds to both the individual and the company.