I began my profession in modeling, which, as anybody within the business is aware of, is mainly a crash course in branding. You study in a short time tips on how to current your self on-line, particularly on platforms like Instagram. From there, I moved into gross sales and the world of B2B. I figured, if I may thrive in gross sales, I may do absolutely anything.
After which, one thing occurred. At my final company job, they requested me to begin posting on LinkedIn as a “thought chief.” I had solely ever used the platform to search for jobs. I had no concept tips on how to present up on LinkedIn, a lot much less tips on how to construct a private model on it.
That’s after I turned to AI. Collectively, we created a seven-page model technique doc — like a advertising and marketing plan, however for me. I had no concept how a lot it could change every thing.
Why Gen Z Ought to Be Constructing Private Manufacturers
Lots of people underestimate simply how digitally fluent Gen Z is. We’ve been branding ourselves — consciously or not — since we have been 13 on Instagram. However, LinkedIn all the time felt somewhat off-limits. Too company. Too buttoned-up.
That modified after I began spending actual time on the platform — not simply scrolling, however really creating. I discovered different Gen Z creators who have been killing it — talking at conferences, working remotely, operating their very own companies. I began finding out them such as you’d research a profitable entrepreneur: how they wrote, how they advised tales, what they posted.
Finally, I noticed the chance to carve out my very own area, particularly as a Gen Z girl speaking about AI. That combo was not frequent. So I assumed, “That is my shot.”
ChatGPT was beginning to decide up steam. I requested the chatbot to assist me construct a private model technique, identical to an organization would. The preliminary immediate: “Are you able to assist place me as a LinkedIn thought chief? I wish to be seen as an skilled in AI, private branding, and Gen Z profession content material.”
With rounds of iteration, that plan reworked my profession. Right this moment, I’ve a presence that reaches over 140 million folks on the platform. I’ve partnered with LinkedIn, been featured in Fortune and CNBC, and run workshops for girls across the nation — all due to my private model.
So, how precisely do I exploit AI to construct my model? Beneath, I’ll share the framework I adopted.
Find out how to Construct Your Private Model and The place AI Can Assist (Step-by-Step)
1. Make clear your core values and message.
Everybody says, “Decide one area of interest.” I disagree. I feel you must have three key belongings you speak about. For me, that’s AI, private branding, and Gen Z.
I used ChatGPT to discover tone and values. I’d even ask issues like, “What does my writing sound like?” or “Are you able to rewrite this within the tone of Virginia Woolf if she went to Harvard?” It was enjoyable and clarifying.
If you’re getting began, I like to recommend compiling this data right into a doc with model pointers. You may have AI allow you to create this fashion information. If you’re caught, you possibly can simply scan your Google Doc and get again on observe.
2. Construct a visible identification.
I hopped into Canva and handled myself like a model. I created a LinkedIn banner that clearly acknowledged my area of interest: Gen Z girl in enterprise.
It’s wild to me how many individuals go away that banner area clean — it’s such useful actual property. I made certain to incorporate my electronic mail, so folks knew tips on how to attain me.
I like to recommend working with AI to search out features of colour psychology and fonts that help your model. I went with the blue, which is related to trustworthiness. I like to recommend chatting with AI in regards to the model values you’ve outlined. You may then ask ChatGPT to suggest just a few banner parts that double down in your messaging.
3. Create constant, considerate content material.
At that time, I went again to ChatGPT and stated, “Are you able to give me 20 put up concepts based mostly on these pillars?” I then used these subjects as a jumping-off level for my posts.
I pull from present occasions — what’s taking place in AI or Gen Z tradition — and tie it to my model. That makes my content material really feel well timed and thought-leader-y. Bear in mind: You’re not simply creating evergreen posts to fill area. You’re talking to a second.
4. Set a posting cadence (even when it’s free).
I‘m not tremendous inflexible with scheduling — I put up after I’m impressed. However, some folks favor extra construction. Each approaches can work, however I‘ve discovered that consistency issues greater than frequency. You’ll want to put up just a few instances per week once you’re beginning out, even if you happen to’re not scheduling particular days.
Take into consideration your tech stack, too. Are you going to make use of scheduling instruments? Automations? I like to recommend working with AI to brainstorm your content material and craft your posts. You may then use a scheduling instrument, like Hootsuite, to verify posts go reside.
5. Monitor what works.
Creator Match, based by creator AJ Eckstein, has an superior Chrome extension that I exploit to trace put up analytics. I’ve the choice to judge my efficiency and observe different creators in my area of interest. It’s like doing aggressive analysis, however for private manufacturers. If you wish to develop, you could perceive what’s working throughout the platform.
Creator Match may give me an summary of my profile, together with how steadily I’ve posted and the way typically sure phrases seem in my posts. I can then check out how folks work together with what I create. That features monitoring engagement throughout put up varieties.
I even have the choice to go looking by key phrase, so I can higher perceive what subjects get essentially the most traction from my following.
6. Have interaction together with your group.
Feedback are gold, so I attempt to answer everybody. These are the folks constructing your model with you. I’ve had a few of my greatest alternatives come by remark sections, not DMs or emails. I can then perceive what’s top-of-mind for my viewers, permitting me to give you extra concepts for posts that resonate.
I’m capable of construct my community, make the folks partaking with my posts really feel seen, and establish scorching subjects that maintain the content material engine operating. It’s win-win-win!
And sure, I’ve even used ChatGPT to answer hate feedback. I’ll say, “Are you able to assist me reply in a sleek but agency tone?” It’s an important instrument for crafting the proper message, particularly when feelings are operating excessive.
Why You Ought to Consider Your Model as an MVP
Lots of people wait till their model is “excellent” earlier than they put up. However, I handled my private model like an MVP (minimal viable product). I simply bought it on the market. I iterated alongside the way in which. I modified my banner, my headline, my content material fashion — all in actual time.
An incredible instance of that is my LinkedIn headline.
At first, it was imprecise: “Serving to creatives and businesses…” However, I wanted to get extra particular. After taking a course from Justin Welsh (sure, I really purchased a course), I refined it.
I landed on a model that spoke on to the folks I needed to succeed in — ladies curious about AI and profession empowerment — with the phrase “I assist ladies leverage AI to construct highly effective private manufacturers.”
That small shift helped my viewers discover me.
The Scale Solely Occurred Due to AI
After simply 4 months of posting on LinkedIn, I bought invited to their headquarters. They advised me, “You’re a pioneer in AI due to your content material.” That blew my thoughts.
By then, I had already hit over 3 million impressions. Quick ahead to in the present day: I’ve reached over 140 million impressions. The size I’ve skilled prior to now few months — the attain, the content material, the affect — would not have occurred with out the assistance of AI.
Earlier than, each new concept or mission got here with friction. I’d hit a hurdle and both get caught or want to attend till I had extra time or help. However as soon as I began utilizing AI recurrently, these hurdles began to dissolve. I may workshop concepts immediately. I may brainstorm sooner, make clear a narrative arc, or get to a tough first draft in minutes — even after I solely had just a few hours after work.
I now get round 10 DMs a day from ladies saying, “You made me much less scared to attempt AI,” or “Your content material helped me take a leap I’ve been laying aside.”
And sure, I left my company job as a result of my private model now helps me.
The explanation I maintain exhibiting up is easy: I wish to encourage extra ladies — particularly founders — to share their tales. I need LinkedIn to really feel much less male-dominated and extra like an area the place ladies can present up boldly, confidently, and strategically.
AI helped me get my voice again after being laid off twice earlier than I used to be 25. It gave me autonomy over my profession once more. Now, I wish to assist different ladies use it to do the identical.
That’s my story. And, we’re simply getting began.
