At The Healing Conference in Grand Junction, CO, M. Curtis McCoy, a renowned personal branding expert, gave his audience practical advice on building a personal brand through earned media. Drawing from his experiences as a business owner, speaker, and author, McCoy shared valuable insights for entrepreneurs, speakers, and anyone wanting to make an impact. His advice was simple yet powerful: your story matters, and building your brand authentically can unlock incredible opportunities.
In this post, we’ll discuss critical takeaways from McCoy’s talk, including the nuts and bolts of personal branding, earned media strategies, and practical steps to get your brand noticed.
Your Story Matters: Why Personal Branding is Essential
Curtis opened his talk by reminding the audience that everyone has a story worth sharing. Personal branding isn’t about trying to be something you’re not; it’s about aligning what you genuinely love with how you want the world to see you. When you build a brand around your authentic self, people connect with you more deeply, which is crucial for personal and professional growth.
M. Curtis McCoy’s Defining Moment in Branding: A Lesson Learned
One powerful example McCoy shared was when a false rumor spread about him, causing his business to lose many customers. The experience taught him a hard truth: if you don’t actively build your brand, others will define it for you. McCoy’s takeaway was clear—taking control of your narrative is crucial. His story underscores the importance of establishing your presence and reputation so others can’t fill in the blanks.
Earned Media vs. Paid Media: Understanding the Difference
In today’s world, two main types of media exposure are earned and paid. Earned media includes any recognition or publicity you receive without paying for it, such as a local newspaper feature or a podcast mention. M. Curtis McCoy emphasized that earned media builds credibility because it’s based on others valuing what you bring to the table, not what you’ve paid to showcase.
Creative Strategies for Building Earned Media
One of McCoy’s standout strategies for earned media is hosting free community events. For example, he organized free movie nights at his store, drawing in local families and community members. M. Curtis McCoy advised that “sneaky” tactics, like calling media outlets anonymously to inform them about an event, can help generate press coverage and bring in customers without advertising.
Own Your Website to Build Visibility and Authority
Having a website is essential for anyone serious about personal branding. M. Curtis McCoy shared that a website boosts your credibility and allows you to control how people find you online. However, a simple “about me” page isn’t enough; he advises building a site with rich content that answers common customer questions, improving your SEO (search engine optimization), and helping new clients discover you.
Practical Tips for Writing SEO-Optimized Content
McCoy recommends publishing content that solves real problems your audience faces to make a website effective. This means researching keywords and using them naturally throughout the text to make your site more discoverable on search engines. The more consistently you publish quality content, the more credible your site becomes in the eyes of Google and other search engines.
Streamline the Customer Journey
M. Curtis McCoy advised that making it easy for customers to engage and do business with you is essential. He noted that a simple and streamlined website—without too many clicks or complicated processes—makes a big difference. For instance, McCoy described a friend’s website where a ticket purchase was a straightforward, two-step process, which helped eliminate any friction that might discourage potential clients.
Use Social Media Consistently to Build Brand Awareness
Social media is another powerful tool for building your brand. M. Curtis McCoy encouraged daily posting, even if it’s just a quick tip or advice. Over time, providing consistent value will position you as an expert in your field and create a loyal audience who looks to you for insights and guidance. Authentic engagement, especially on platforms like Instagram and Facebook, helps audiences feel connected to you and your brand.
The Impact of Speaking Engagements and Podcasting
Public speaking and podcast guesting are excellent ways to grow your brand’s reach. McCoy shared that he’s earned impressive income from short speaking engagements because he had built a recognizable personal brand. Whether getting paid or simply gaining exposure, speaking engagements allow you to share your story with new audiences, and podcasts provide an additional platform to showcase your expertise.
Repurposing Content for Maximum Reach
One valuable tip M. Curtis McCoy shared is repurposing podcast transcripts into blog posts. This strategy allows you to create written content effortlessly and improves your website’s SEO. By summarizing key podcast insights, you can make the content accessible to those who prefer reading, broadening your reach and capturing different audiences.
Consistency in Storytelling Builds Trust and Authority
McCoy stressed the importance of sharing your story regularly across various platforms. Consistent storytelling, whether through social media, blog posts, or public speaking, builds trust with your audience. As they see you repeatedly providing value, they’ll recognize you as a go-to expert in your field.
Start with Earned Media Before Moving to Paid Media
M. Curtis McCoy encouraged starting with earned media to build a strong foundation before investing in paid advertising. Organic growth through earned media strengthens your brand’s authenticity and credibility. Once you’ve established a presence, paid media can be a powerful tool to scale your reach and amplify your message to a broader audience.
Conclusion: Commit to Building Your Brand
McCoy’s talk left the audience with a simple yet powerful call to action: your story matters, and building a personal brand is the first step to sharing that story with the world. You can grow your influence and impact by leveraging earned media, creating consistent content, and providing real solutions to your audience’s problems. So take control of your narrative, share your unique perspective, and build a brand that reflects your true self.
