Importance of Personal Experience in Content Creation

The ‘secret’ ingredient to Social Media success: YOU! Faceless social media pages aren't effective anymore. With AI content improving, standing out is tougher than ever. Many still try to hack their way to success with generic accounts, but it doesn’t work. They fail to connect and engage with their audience, leading to stagnation. The best social media brands are personal brands. >> Here's a deeper dive into why and how to make it work << 1. Tell Professional Stories: Sharing your career journey and client successes makes your content relatable and credible. For instance, talk about the challenges you’ve faced in your industry and how you overcame them. This not only shows your expertise but also humanizes your brand. 2. Share Examples: Use personal experiences to illustrate your points. If you’re discussing a particular strategy, provide a real-world example of how you applied it successfully. This makes abstract concepts tangible and easier to understand. For example, if you’re explaining the importance of SEO, share a story about how optimizing a client’s website led to a significant traffic increase. 3. Give Opinions: Don’t shy away from expressing your views. Whether it’s subtly criticizing a common practice in your niche or taking a stand on industry trends, sharing your opinions can spark meaningful discussions. This not only engages your audience but also establishes you as a thought leader. Why Does It Work? A. Authenticity: In an era where AI can generate generic content, authenticity stands out. People crave genuine connections and are more likely to engage with content that feels real. B. Engagement: Personal stories and opinions invite interaction. They prompt your audience to share their own experiences and views, fostering a community around your brand. C. Trust: Sharing your journey and successes builds trust. Your audience sees you as a credible source of information, which can translate into business opportunities. >> Quick actionable tips << Mix Personal with Professional: Your posts don’t have to be all about you. Start with a broad idea and back it up with a personal story. For example, if discussing the importance of content marketing, mention how a specific campaign you ran brought great results. Use Visuals: A picture is worth a thousand words. Use photos or videos that reflect your personal brand and resonate with your audience. Consistency: Regularly share your stories, examples, and opinions. Consistency helps in building a strong personal brand. Faceless brands are losing their impact. By adding a personal touch to your content, you not only make it more engaging but also build a stronger, more relatable brand. Be real, share your journey, and watch your audience grow. 👉 Whenever you're ready, I offer five ways to assist you: (Details in the comments)

Five years ago, I started on a journey that has truly transformed my career and my life. When I started my firm, I knew the importance of establishing a personal brand, thanks to my 2018 New Year's resolution to start a blog. Little did I know how impactful that one decision would be. Personal brands are becoming increasingly important in an era where everyone wants to be an entrepreneur and build their businesses using social media. Why? Trust and Authenticity: People like to buy from/work with people they trust. By consistently sharing my insights, experiences, and values, I've built a community that knows I'm here to support and guide them. They know my story and my WHY, and being transparent about the highs and the challenges has created a deep sense of trust with my audience. Relatability: I've shared not just my professional milestones but also personal anecdotes and lessons learned along the way. This approach has helped me connect with clients and colleagues on a human level, making our interactions very meaningful and real. This often sets me apart from colleagues and others in the same or adjacent industries and niches, too, and is an additional benefit of personal branding. Over the years, my personal brand has opened doors I never imagined. I've had the opportunity to work with incredible creators and agencies, speak at industry events, and even mentor aspiring lawyers. It’s often why people are called to speak with me. Maybe it's curiosity, maybe it's admiration, but it helps get my name out there! If you are on a similar path, I encourage you to embrace your unique voice and share your story. You don’t have to be as personal as I am if that's not your vibe, but find what you feel comfortable sharing AND what you can talk about for hours. I call the topics I feel comfortable sharing and can often talk about my brand/content pillars. They help me continuously develop posts and content that I feel called to share and that fit my brand. Your authenticity is your greatest asset. Building a personal brand takes time and effort, but the rewards are immeasurable. What are your favorite benefits of having a personal brand? #PersonalBrand #Trust #Relatability #Likeability #LawyerLife #CreatorEconomy #OnlineBusiness #Journey

“I’m a founder w/ all this interesting life experience, but I have NO idea how to turn any of it into a story that resonates w/ my audience.” ^ if this sounds like you: a) You’re not alone b) I’ve got you. Keep reading. I've spent the last 4 years obsessively studying & dissecting viral social media content to figure out what resonates & why - helping my clients to generate close to $1mil now. But if I didn’t have this background (& weird obsession 🙃 ) & wanted to build a brand that brings in clients who are attracted to my authenticity & align w/ my values - Here’s what I’d do to craft “personal story” content: 1. Start w/ the MOMENT Reflect on those “standout” experiences Why? a) Our brains hold onto emotional experiences b) Emotional experiences make great stories Here's a few ideas: - You met someone who changed your life / perspective - You got laid off, pivoted, left a job - You relocated to a new place  - Something you meticulously planned went sideways - Something unexpected turned out amazing - Someone gave you advice that stopped you in your tracks (my most viral, money-making piece of content was a blog about this btw) 2. Fast-forward to the takeaway Don’t overthink the middle yet. Focus on what the experience taught you & why it matters to someone else. Ex: The Moment: You met someone who has your dream job & you realized you were on the wrong path.  Takeaway: Sometimes one person can change your life. Be open to what the universe is presenting to you. Another: The Moment: You burnt out at a job that didn’t make you happy & on vacation you slept through precious family time. Takeaway: Overworking impacts more than just you. The takeaway will become the final, impactful lines of your story. 3. Fill in the details This is where your story comes to life. Get specific. When did it happen? (Year, season, month) Where were you? (Location, environment)  Who was there? (Characters)  What were people saying? (Dialogue, quotes)  How did you feel—anxious, excited, scared? The more sensory, the more vivid & engaging the story 4. Tie it together You have your moment, takeaway & details. Start at the very beginning & let the story unfold. Ex: “In the summer of 2017, I flew from LA to NYC to start a new career” Advanced tip: Highlight moments of tension or struggle, where you felt X because of Y. End w/ your takeaway to leave your audience w/ a clear, emotional resolution. 5. Let it sit, then post Give yourself a day to review & edit. You might remember more details or refine your takeaway. -- Seems simple when laid out like this, right? But in reality, there’s a lot that goes into sharing your personal stories in a way that feels genuine to you AND strategically grows your business. Storytelling is the most powerful way to connect. It’s how you build trust & stand out from AI. If this is where you struggle w/ your LinkedIn strategy. This is exactly what I guide my clients to do - send me a DM to connect.