How do you build a personal brand like Oprah Winfrey?

It is important to know your 'why'. Why am I doing what I am doing? What am I trying to accomplish? This guides every decision you make, ensuring you remain true to your purpose.

Any and everything I choose to be a part of is tied back to my why and must align to my core values; my why! Oprah is the consummate storyteller. Sharing your story and experiences to help others gain insight to you as a person with the hope that it resonates and helps someone else is a great way to serve others and add value.

I always feel that to experience the purest form of joy in our lives it is fundamentally important to be of service to others around in any form possible. We all are gifted with our unique superpower which needs to be utilised to reach our maximum potential. The more we tread in that direction of service the more enriched this life of ours will become.

It's true to start with your "Why." Even more important is to know first what lights you up, what you are passionate about, and what motivates and inspires you. Next, you must recognize and realize your purpose/mission in life. Aligning your purpose and your passion can also help you to uncover your Why. In my case, my purpose in life is to empower professional women of color. By helping them reclaim self-confidence and embrace their authenticity, they can speak up, be seen, and be heard, leveling the playing field (my passion), all without being labeled difficult or angry. (my mission).

Invest in Personal Development: Continuously invest in yourself. Oprah's commitment to personal growth and learning is a core part of her brand. Maintain a Positive Impact: Focus on making a positive impact. Oprah’s philanthropic efforts and focus on inspiring others have significantly contributed to her brand's strength.

Identifying what makes you authentic can feel like a HUGE task at first. And the reality is that this will evolve over time as you get to know yourself, your purpose and your audience better. One thing I found helpful to get started with this, is to consider how you do NOT want to come across. For example, is there a celebrity who could represent an 'Anti-version' of you? What is it about them that you don't like?

We are all out here living life & being human, & when we neglect to share those moments in our social media, we risk coming off as inauthentic & unrelatable. People gravitate to those with whom they have things in comment, feel more comfortable knowing that what they experience in their day to day is something you experience as well. In the end, YOU are your brand and if you are only sharing the perfect and pretty, your brand suffers. We are humans relating to other humans!

Authenticity has become an overused term, and unfortunately, many are turning a deaf ear. Being authentic, being yourself, in the workplace requires a combination of self-awareness and courage. Awareness of your strengths, talents, and flaws, and being confident nonetheless to share your stories of success and missteps - sharing lessons learned is how you embrace your flawsomeness and teach others how to treat you.

Self reflecting and doing the work to understand who you are, what you are good at is a good start at understanding who you are. Whatever it is that you find, lean into it and don't look back. Find some things you'd rather not see, that's OK! Change is good. You are the author of your story. Remember, "be yourself, everyone else is already taken."

In my experience, If you want to channel your inner Oprah in your branding photos make it all about capturing your authentic personality, creating a sense of connection, and exuding confidence. You should focus on bringing out your genuine smile and natural charisma. Choose outfits that reflect your personal style and make you feel like the best version of yourself. For a truly Oprah-inspired vibe incorporate props or backgrounds that represent your passions or areas of expertise. Remember, the key is to make the photos both relatable and aspirational. With a dash of Oprah's magic, you can have branding photos that not only catch the eye, but also tell a compelling story.

I have found it helpful to go back with my clients to when they were little - before anyone told them they couldn't or what the outside world expects. Connecting with your inner child is a great first step & once you do, share that! Share a memory or experience. There is a comfort in sharing from childhood that feels less vulnerable then starting in the present. I have never had a client come back to me and say, "I wish I never would have showed up real & authentic!". Showing up, #RadiatingReal & sharing what you have learned is a great way to be authentic.

One thing which might stop you here is this thought: "Everyone is further ahead than me, there's no point in even getting started". And reading about Oprah's amazing content in this context might just make you feel like you've nothing interesting to say. ⭐ But you do!!! ⭐ When I realised that even my favourite content creators had to get started somewhere (AKA their first YouTube videos or blogs were of super low quality), it helped me appreciate that allowing myself to start exactly where I was (for example totally video shy), was OK too.

Spend time caring about the people and not the numbers! Taking your 'why', #RadiatiingReal and cultivating true connections rather than chasing numbers, you know exactly where to go and what to to to make them feel seen, heard, loved & valued. As you share your real self, invite others to do the same! Include a call to action with your content. I have found one of the best ways to find amazing people to connect with is by asking people to tag someone who has made a them feel seen, heard, loved & valued and who always shine their light on others. People who do that for others, are the kind of people with whom you want to connect!

This is a hard one. If forced or contrived, it shows. One of the best ways to establish meaningful connections is by sharing common experiences. E.g. talking on my phone while looking for it. It happens to everyone, and being able to share this simple story and laugh at ourselves makes us human and starts to build the trust needed to establish a connection.

Many make the mistake of failing to continue to learn, grow, and evolve once they hit their target goal. Nature continues to learn—we humans need to do the same. Continuing to deepen our knowledge, experience new things, and expand our horizons, circles of friends, and professional networks helps us succeed and thrive.

It's wonderful to give back to your community as part of your personal brand. One of my favorite examples is Jorge R Gutierrez, a showrunner and director who regularly mentors both through his social media platforms as well as in person. The entertainment community both notices when he does this and also appreciates that he shares his expertise with less experienced artists and writers who are looking for helpful advice from someone who has succeeded in the industry.

Perhaps you can't donate on the same scale financially as Oprah, but that doesn't mean you can't give back, generously. Giving away your wisdom is invaluable! Volunteering and raising awareness is a phenomenal way to give! Shining you light and highlighting others is also a powerful way to give! The more you give, the more you will receive

Deciding upfront how you want your content to stand out, will help you get noticed by your ideal audience sooner. ⭐ For example, could you lean into your geeky side? Or could you become the content creator who shares real-life examples? It's worth considering this upfront.

Should you even build a personal brand like Oprah Winfrey's in the first place? While her brand is renowned across audiences of various ages, stages, and backgrounds, the same reach might not make sense for you. * Do you (or will you) have the resources to address 20-40 million people each week? Many people lack the stamina necessary to support an audience half or even a fourth that size. * Does a building a globally-known brand actually align with your career or business goals? Knowing your purpose here isn't enough: Your Oprah-sized brand must also make practical, Excel spreadsheet style sense. You might find that micro influencing or industry-level thought leadership is a better bet for all that you want to achieve.