Presence and Persona

I attended a Zoom talk on Presence and Persona: Leveling Up Your Personal Brand.

I cannot repeat the exact method the speaker Christina Bryan told us to use. It is her approach.

Instead I recommend you go on her website The Roadmap Coach. She is a Black businesswoman who coaches other women. I intend to pay for her coaching service in the future. As after listening to her talk I got fired up.

In my own words here I’ll tell you about how to create be and sell your personal brand for everyone of any identity. It’s simple really: who you are and what you stand for is your brand on and off the job.

Like Bryan said: “Be authentic.”

It’s imperative to “stay in your lane” and avoid going “off-brand.”

This is why I’ve pivoted on a dime to not talk about politics in my blogs again. It would detract from and dilute my message. As I think each of us has what I’ve coined the “self-power” to go after our goals regardless of the political climate.

In a coming blog entry I’ll talk about my views on capitalism. Here I’ll tell followers that you should not have to act false to yourself anywhere you go to promote your brand.

Zoom speaker Bryan told us women to: “Be your authentic self. Let you come through.”

I think Christina Bryan’s method for personal branding is better than the 5-step plan I read in a book that I might have reviewed here years ago.

Promoting yourself might not come easy. Which is why I think it pays to read what I wrote in the recent blog entries here.

You can be driven AND decent. You don’t have to be “relentless in pursuit of your goals.” If you’re tightly wound that will cause ill health.

In a future blog entry I’ll talk about setting goals.

Sartorial Self-Care for Peers

I studied the life work of Caroline Myss a medical intuitive. Her concept of Archetypes is right-on. Studying this I found out that I have a Fashionista archetype. There is such a thing!

Everything clicked into place after I bought and read the book Wear It Well by Allison Bornstein. Using the personal stylist’s Three Word Method I defined my style as Chic Quirky Confident.

Choosing and using wardrobe items for everyone not just women is a form of self-care. When dressing up gives a person joy they should not be ridiculed for their love of fashion.

This kind of self-care for us peers can help us feel good interacting with others. Dressing well can give us ease in our relationships. Years ago I met a peer who told me that this is why they dressed to appear normal when going outside. Precisely because your appearance is judged.

I joined a private online fashion community a year ago. Women post photos of outfits we’re dressed in to request feedback. I’ve figured out winning outfit combinations this way.

Everyone is positive. There’s a $25/monthly fee. This keeps out the trolls and anonymous hateful comments.

Polishing your presence is just a book or click away then. I completed a 5-outfit challenge for January by creating 5 new outfits out of clothes I already own.

“Shopping in your closet” is the way to go. Plus it’s OK to repeat outfits. Particularly when the outfits are “winners.”

Once you’ve fashioned this wardrobe it’s easier to choose and use clothing items each day. Think in terms of how you want to come across.

By automating your outfit choices you’ll have extra time in the morning. Start the day with an edge once you’re going out your front door.

Coming up a blog carnival of related topics beginning with my approach to dressing. Then a deep dive into what I’ve learned after viewing the webinar on Presence and Persona for women.

After this a focus on conducting a job search effectively linked to my recent experience helping out peers get jobs. Lastly a review of what I’ll call a “case study” in succeeding in business as a peer.