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The Story That Wasn’t Enough
When I interviewed influencer and author Jo Franco, she dropped a story that stopped me in my tracks. She was once shot in the back.
For a moment, I thought, That’s it. That’s the defining moment.
But Jo quickly corrected me.
That wasn’t the story. It was just the inciting incident.
The real story? How she came back stronger. How she used that resilience to take on even bigger challenges. How she showed up again and again, until eventually, she landed her own Netflix show.
But here’s why this matters to you.
It wasn’t just her skills that got her there. It was her character.
And that’s why character branding matters more than personal branding.
Personal Branding vs. Character Branding
Personal branding is all about perception. It’s the carefully curated version of who you want people to see.
Character branding? That’s who you actually are. The version that’s revealed through your actions, your experiences, and the stories that define you.
In a world where AI is mass-producing personal brands overnight, the only way to really stand out is by showing your character.
Why?
Because:
- Entrepreneurs get recognized and rewarded for who they are, not just what they do.
- Employees stand out and get promoted based on their authentic leadership, not just office politics.
- Decision-makers invest in people they believe in; and belief is built through real, lived stories.
Your character brand is what makes people trust you, follow you, and bet on you.
How to Develop Your Character Brand
Want to build a brand people trust? Start here:
1. Identify Your Defining Moments
Think about the struggles, wins, and lessons that shaped you. What’s the story behind your success?
2. Show, Don’t Tell
Actions reveal character more than words. Instead of just saying you’re resilient, tell the story of a time you had to be.
3. Share It Boldly
No one connects with perfection. The more you share real moments, the more people will resonate with your message.
Ready for the real?
Here’s a post about me being open about overcoming alcohol addiction and how my life changed as a result.
Amplify It with AI
Once you’ve identified the moments that define your character, use AI to refine how you tell them.
Try this prompt in ChatGPT:
“Here’s a defining moment in my life: [insert story]. How can I structure it into a compelling narrative that builds trust and positions me as a leader in my industry?”
Because the people who get the biggest opportunities aren’t just known for what they do. They’re known for who they are.
If You’re Ready to Build a Brand That Gets You Noticed
Opportunities don’t come from a polished LinkedIn profile.
They come from connection.
And one of the best ways to turn that connection into real income? Sharing your expertise at scale.
That’s why I partnered with Teachable to create a free course:
Scale Up: The Fast Track to Selling Your Knowledge Online.
In this course, I’ll walk you through:
- How to package your expertise into an offer people want
- The easiest way to launch a digital product without overcomplicating it
- How to use AI to streamline your course creation process and save time
And if you decide to take things further, you’ll also get a big discount on your Teachable plan using my link.
Your knowledge is valuable. It’s time to share it at scale.
Stay Savage,
Terry
Find me on LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, or book a 1:1 call.
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