If you’ve been around long enough then you know how strongly I believe in bringing attention to your personal brand. Developing my personal brand over the past few years has allowed me to shift gears in my business without losing my audience simply because they were here for me more so than the service I was offering. I once had a new client say to me, “Candis, I don’t remember what you said, I just remember the way you made me feel.” So how do I ensure that my vibe attracts the right clients to me? I read great books to inspire me, I listen to motivational seminars and I meditate and pray on the daily.
This year I’ve read many books that have had a profound impact on the way I show up online in my business and also in my personal life. Some of them may actually surprise you a little but understand that building a personal brand is a holistic experience.
Here are five great books to inspire you in the ongoing cultivation of your personal brand.
The Road to Recognition by Seth Price and Barry Feldman
This book is the “A-To-Z guide to personal branding for accelerating your professional success in the age of digital media”. It’s easy to read, super informative and even has glossy pages and cool imagery to keep you hooked. I recommend this book if you’re a total beginner still learning how to make your mark on the internet. There’s a bunch of practical tools and skill-building exercises to help you along the way.
Mama Gena’s School of Womanly Art: Using the Power of Pleasure to Have Your Way with the World by Regena Thomashauer
Mama Gena’s books have a very special place in my heart because they helped me through one of the most difficult times in my life to date. The most important part of this book is the emphasis on having fun and the profound impact that this has on your energy. You’ll hear a lot that your vibe attracts your tribe and so if you aren’t prioritizing your own happiness then your brand vibe and your client roster will be adversely affected…trust me, I know firsthand. What this book offers is practical ideas to pursue pleasure so that you can get anything you want out of life.
Shark Tales: How I turned $1,000 into a Billion Dollar Business by Barbara Corcoran
This autobiography chronicles Barbara’s life as a Real Estate mogul and draws from lessons she learned from her mother throughout childhood. What I love about this book is the use of storytelling to inspire. Before reading the book I didn’t have too much of an idea of what Barbara Corcoran was known for outside of the TV show Shark Tales, but by the end of it I felt curious about all aspects of her work simply because I had grown to like her. What this book illustrates for me is that being the truest version of yourself, drawing on the lessons you’ve learned throughout life and not being afraid to share your story is essential to building your personal brand. Plus, this one was just an all-around fun read!
Known: The Handbook for Building and Unleashing Your Personal Brand in the Digital Age by Mark Schaefer
What can I say? Mark Schaefer is a true expert in this area and whether you’re new to the idea of personal branding or a seasoned pro there is undoubtedly useful information to be learned. What I loved about this book was the inspiring stories he shares about others who have highly successful personal brands and lucrative businesses as a result of unleashing their work. After reading this book I decided to embark on a 90-day challenge to continue building my influence by publishing a blog post per day.
The Universe Has Your Back: Transform Fear to Faith by Gabrielle Bernstein
I saved this one for last because of all the books I’ve read this year, The Universe Has Your Back was easily the most transformational. Building a business and putting yourself out into the world to be seen by others can be a really scary experience. Having a visible brand requires that you release fear and step out in faith but sometimes that can be hard when there are all types of deep fears rooted under the surface. Before starting this book I didn’t even realize that I had been holding myself back in areas of my life and business! All I can say is this–if you want a personal brand that is the best, realest and healthiest version of you then it’s time to visit Amazon.com!
