Goldie Chan, the founder and head of content at the branding agency Warm Robots, is a remarkable figure in the world of digital marketing and personal branding. As an accomplished author, a sought-after keynote speaker, and a recognized LinkedIn Top Voice, Chan has cultivated a strong presence in her field. Despite her impressive achievements, she identifies as an introvert, which has posed unique challenges throughout her career. "I think a lot of people underestimate introverts in the workplace," she shares, highlighting the misconceptions often associated with introverted professionals.
Chan's journey to success underscores the importance of building a personal brand. Early in her career, she worked quietly behind the scenes in various marketing and social media roles. However, in 2017, a pivotal moment arrived when she began posting short videos focused on pop culture, branding, and marketing on LinkedIn, which was then in the process of beta-testing its video feature. "I really thought, I'm just going to do this until I get my next full-time job," Chan recalls about her initial motivations.
During a transitional phase in her career, Chan committed to posting over 800 consecutive daily videos. "That's a pace I don't necessarily recommend unless you never want to sleep again," she jokes, but this commitment quickly attracted a substantial following. Today, she boasts over 100,000 followers on LinkedIn, which has significantly contributed to her career by helping her secure new roles, a book deal, and opportunities to share her insights as a contributor for Forbes.
In her upcoming book, Personal Branding for Introverts, set to debut in October, Chan explores how introverts can effectively elevate their careers. "Whether you know it or not, everyone has a personal brand," she emphasizes. For those intimidated by the concept, she suggests viewing it as a representation of what people associate you with in your professional life—be it your public speaking skills, your unique fashion sense, or your witty LinkedIn posts.
Chan firmly believes that developing a strong personal brand enables introverts to showcase their talents and advance in their careers. "It allows you to shape the story that other people are telling about you," she explains. Yet, she acknowledges that many introverts fear putting themselves out there. "I've had so many introverts tell me, 'I'm so terrified of growing my personal brand because I don’t want to put myself out there,'" she recounts, admitting that she once felt the same way.
To combat her social anxiety, Chan embarked on a personal challenge: speaking with a new person at her local coffee shop every day for a month. "Just one small, consistent action can help you break out of your comfort zone," she advises. For those apprehensive about expanding their professional networks, she suggests starting small by committing to send one networking email per month or posting one update on social media each week. "The more you do it regularly, the easier it is to keep going," she assures.
Chan emphasizes that a personal brand is not confined to the online world. Engaging in social events, such as hobby groups or networking meetups, can significantly contribute to your personal brand. "Your unique interests help set you apart," she says, noting that unexpected opportunities can arise from these interactions. "A personal brand is never created in isolation," she adds, illustrating that being involved in diverse groups—even those not directly linked to your career—can enhance your professional prospects.
Chan likens personal branding to a central hub with various spokes representing different aspects of one’s life and career. "All these different spokes are all the different things that you do, and they all connect back to a central hub," she explains. This metaphor underscores the idea that even small actions contribute to the overall strength of your personal brand.
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