a softer approach to personal branding.
If one of your goals this year is to work on your personal branding, make sure you don’t burn yourself out right away.
Putting yourself out there can feel pretty scary—and if you’re feeling that way but still want to give it a go (yay!), here’s what’s helped me stay somewhat consistent over the past 11 months (but who’s counting?):
I have a VERY clear reason for why I keep going through the uncomfy motions of posting. In my case: no LinkedIn, no clients—it’s a pretty easy one. And finding clients is what allows me to work full-time on a business that’s fully aligned with my values.
I don’t follow all the sketchy suggestions I stumble across. I figured out early on that I’d either do it my way, or it wouldn’t happen at all. Chances are, if you’re following someone else’s plan, it will feel a bit inauthentic and way less fun (though, let’s be honest, “fun” is pushing it).
I focus on connecting with people. It’s human nature to look for stories we can relate to, so I try to share what’s on my mind and could be helpful to someone out there. A comment like “I genuinely resonate with this” makes it worth showing up again and again.
I remind myself I’m not an influencer (puh.. thankfully). I don’t need to collect impressions or reactions. Some of my “worst” posts, performance-wise, were the ones that led people to reach out and start working with me. Numbers don’t matter if your goal is to reach the right people.
Yes, I absolutely do have a color-coded content calendar—but it’s only filled one week at a time. I don’t plan months ahead or generate endless AI prompts. I post what’s on my mind that week and try not to overthink it. And if I need a break, I take one. Consistency includes breaks, too.
about the author:
Hi there! I'm Silja, the founder of the wholesome growth club, an inclusive hub for career coaching with a soft spot for introverts and perfectionists. I’m an Amsterdam-based expat, but I love connecting with people worldwide. With a background in recruiting, I know the struggle of crafting a career path that feels truly yours. At the wholesome growth club, we're all about fostering sustainable growth, meaningful engagement, and authentic connections. Our blog is dedicated to making coaching accessible and sharing insights to approach work and life with an extra dose of confidence, slow productivity, and self-compassion. If you are curious to make things happen for yourself, get in touch—we offer personalized coaching journeys that will get you closer to your (dreamy) goals in no time.
