San Antonio Agents and Lenders, my passion and mission with this blog is to deliver content for those of you looking to increase your discoverability and stand out and apart from the other 15,000+ agents working in and around “The (210).” Competition is everywhere, but the good news is that right now, and in our market specifically, it is easy to stand out from and run past your competition. Especially, if you’re willing shift ever so slightly and do what many aren’t willing to do.

And let’s talk about that shift right now – Branding, specifically PERSONAL BRANDING, is what will set you apart in a sea of faces. Personal branding is your message, your story, who you are, and what you’re about. The first thing to keep in mind is that a personal brand is no longer an option.

NUMBER ONE: If you don’t have a personal brand then get one and in the comments section I want you to write HELP! I’ll connect with you and give you a couple of FREE resources that will get you started in the right direction. Something is better than nothing. You can read books, watch other YouTube videos, listen to Podcasts…but if you think your Brokerage will sell your services or do the lead generating for you then think again. People work with people. You are your brand. And especially if you’re new to the field, you’ve GOT to figure out a way to stand apart, stand out and show people what you can do for them. To summarize, personal branding is no longer an option – it’s a must.

NUMBER TWO: A personal brand will help you better articulate who you are as an agent, leverage your skills, and help clients identify why they should hire and work with you. It will also help you identify your ideal client! Having a personal brand will answer the question that agents often face: “Why hire you vs the next guy?” Creating a brand, personal mission statement, and identifying not only your core values but the values you bring to the table will assist you greatly when answering that question.

What personal branding is NOT: Personal branding is not the same as marketing / public relations. Most people are putting out content that acts more like a “Look at Me” vs. “Here’s how I can help YOU!” You may be developing a personal brand without even trying and it MIGHT be hurting your business. It’s easy now a days to post content, images, memes and so forth that send a confusing message to prospects, clients, and even your SOI about who you are and what you represent (aka your Brand).

PART THREE: Your brand is not just am image – that may change over time. A brand is something people can connect to and with…because YOU are your brand. Your brand is something that will stand out or stick in one’s mind – even if they aren’t doing business with Said Brand at that moment, they know will recognize it. Your Brand is the foundation of who you are, your values, and what your customers get when they do business with you. Taking the time to identify and develop a personal brand will help your marketing efforts be more targeted. Why? Because marketing supports that brand. – Be authentic, be you so that your brand is sustainable – Identify your core values and beliefs – Starting with just these two things in mind will set you on the right foot to building your personal brand.