March is a new month for new beginnings, new goals, and new focuses. I’m challenging myself to focus on one thing this month and that is my personal branding. To be honest I cringe at that word because it is thrown around so much online and on reality shows that I’m literally confused every time I hear a different person say it. Nonetheless, my goal this month is to set myself aside and become more identifiable and produce quality work. That’s what BRANDING is all about right!?!
At one point when I began this writing journey I was on blogspot because I was using my blog as an online journal. I wasn’t really focusing on the big picture. All I wanted to do was share my experiences while entertaining the idea of writing a book. I was second guessing myself!
I switched over to wordpress as I was completing my doctoral program with Nova Southeastern University and my blog then took on a life of its own. While my education and credentials would have me considered an expert in the field of education: Dr. LaTilya Williams—Doctor of Education: Higher Education Leadership and Master’s in Public Administration; I find myself coming up short in the blogging/self-published/writing industry. Oh to be an expert in this field would be a dream come true!
So what must I do? Yea, you got it! WORK ON MY BRAND!
I have read so many blogs from the experts and they all have this one tagline or statement in common: “I AM MY BRAND!”
Well there you have it! But not so fast.
While I sit and read, subscribe to mail listings myself, subscribe and listen to podcasts, and emulate the things I see, I know I am closer to hitting my mark and finding my sweet spot.
This journey has been eye-opening because in my research and studying some of the experts say that there is not definite formula to success and making a big impact. Others say develop a plan and work the plan. I still stand my truths about blogging because there are some things you discover. Go check out my epic blog, What No One Tells You About Blogging. It is one of my favorite blogs and one that I see lasting for years to come as new trends arise.
Now reexamining all do the Dos for content creation and personalizing your brand, all of us side hustlers are told to FIRST BE CLEAR. I can’t any clearer about wanting to make an impact on new teachers with my book,
My Fourth Year in Middle School; The Truth About Teaching
I truly want to help change the narrative about teaching so that the newbies learn that in order to truly be successful in the classroom there must be a complete understanding that what you learn in traditional training is helpful. But what you do in the classroom from day today is what’s going to shape your approach, career, and style of teaching. Now if only I could attract the right audience and individuals invested in my book, I could really make gains as an educational expert.
DRAW PEOPLE TO YOU: It is difficult to create a consistent buzz as a newbie blogger and collecting emails is a task. Build your brand! Create the leads! Magnetize your audience! That is a lot easier said than done. As I look at my social media networks…
I have learned that my friends are not my target audience and I actually get more feedback from people that don’t know me personally. Now I do have some friends that purchased my book, left a review on Amazon, or told me personally what they thought of my work but I’m hungry! I want to grow in my efforts and reach the masses that I know could benefit from my experiences.
I want to see my follower numbers convert to sales. Another one of the DOs that we must be mindful of is CONTENT CREATION.
Visiting my blog is rich and full of experiences that I feel provide knowledge and inspiration. I think about the goals I have set for myself and reflect on my progress over the years.
Content creation is one thing but the focus must shift to…QUALITY CONTENT in the form of books (Check Me Out On Amazon), videos especially if you are on youtube: check my sidebar 🙂 (Subscribe to me @ LaTilya Rashon), and of course while you’re here browse around read my blogs, comment on what you like and most importantly
Subscribe to the LaTilya Rashon mailing list
Brand clarity is an ongoing process! Content creation takes a lot of work. I have only been serious about this for the past two years because I know I have message of inspiration. I’m sure my audience will change by the day but I plan to be authentic and transparent in my approach. I don’t have it all figured out but I’m figuring it out.
March is not the month for stagnation! New goals! New insights! New material!
Stay Tuned!
latilyarashon.com 