I hear the term “personal branding” used often among marketing and advertising types. As an “ad man,” I understand the importance of a brand name and what it means for a business. Your brand is all you truly have.

What I didn’t always understand is that there is a brand attached to my own name, and that everywhere I go, in everything I do, that brand follows me.

Each of us already has our own personal brand, whether we realize it or not, and whether we have spent time cultivating it or not. If we have a digital presence at all—and let’s face it, in today’s world, it’s impossible not to—then we have a personal brand.

I spent some time recently reflecting about what personal branding looks like in my own life. I realized that by my own use of social media, I have developed a personal brand that is growing and developing in its own unique way.

My faith, my family, my friends, and my business make up the largest parts of my personal brand on social media, with a healthy dose of Pittsburgh Pirates critiques and praise thrown into the mix. In addition to all of that, a few years ago I began to post daily pieces of advice–original thoughts inspired by events in my own life and lessons that I have learned along the way.

One way that I have learned to strengthen my own brand is by posting original quotes each weekday and holiday on Facebook and Twitter, pieces of advice I’ve dubbed “Jimmer Jab.”

Jimmer Jab screenshot

First, a bit of background. After experiencing just how negative and draining social media can be, and after growing weary of contributing to that negative mess myself, I made it my mission to remove all of the negativity and share only encouraging messages that would inspire and motivate people throughout their daily life.

At the same time, I didn’t want to simply share fluffy, optimistic posts that had no substance to them. I wanted to share meaningful, impactful, inspiring, and relevant information that would help others to do the same. I wanted to share my own thoughts and ideas, and the result of this on social media was “Jimmer Jab.”

My “Jimmer Jabs” are usually only a line or two in length, but I believe that just because they’re short doesn’t mean they lack meaning. I aim to spread positivity each day because as we all know, the social media world has enough negativity as it is.

While I do use a signature hashtag in each post (#jimmerjab1, if you’re curious), I have found that the key to the “Jimmer Jab” project is that I make time to post each and every weekday morning and holiday, without fail. Consistency is key when building a personal brand, and I strive for that consistency by sharing daily “Jimmer Jabs.”

More than anything else, I want to spread positivity on social media, and I want that positive energy to begin with me.

In my mind, you have two choices: you can motivate, or you can denigrate—which does more good? It’s simply not difficult to be positive and kind! It’s just as easy to dress up as it is to dress down, so why not look good? The same goes for social media. It takes just as much to post negative thoughts as it does to post positive ones. The goal is to be happy and encourage others to be happy as well.

If you know me, or want to get to know me, reach out! Find me on Facebook (Jim Emmerling) and follow me on Twitter (@jimmerjab1).

While you’re at it, find EM-Media on Facebook and follow us on Twitter (@weareEMmedia).

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