Personal branding is more important than ever – in an increasingly online and service-driven economy, our professional success depends on how others see us, whether we’re creatives, lawyers, influencers, bloggers, or any number of professions that depend on the trust of clients or readers. But taking the step to think about a personal “brand” can seem daunting – especially if you don’t feel like you’re a fully-fledged professional yet. So, I was excited to find a course on Skillshare by Kate Arends that promised to take me through this process. In this review, I’ll describe my experience following Kate’s advice so you can see whether this might be something that could help you as well.
Table of Contents
About the course
“Personal Branding: Crafting Your Social Media Presence” is a highly informative and practical course offered on Skillshare. In a world where our digital footprint plays a pivotal role in shaping our professional identity, this course provides key insights and guidance on how to strategically use social media to build and enhance your personal brand. Led by the engaging and experienced instructor, Kate Arends, this course takes you on a journey through the intricacies of personal branding, character development, and content creation to help you stand out in the online world.
Who is Kate Arends?
Kate Arends, the creator of the Wit and Delight lifestyle blog, serves as the dynamic instructor for this course. Her extensive experience in crafting her own personal brand and successfully leveraging social media makes her a credible source of knowledge. Kate’s friendly and approachable teaching style ensures that even those new to personal branding and social media can grasp the concepts and apply them effectively. Her candid insights and real-world examples add a layer of authenticity to the course that makes it engaging and relatable.
Who is the target audience?
This course caters to a broad spectrum of individuals, making it versatile and adaptable to various professional goals. Any of the following people can find value in the course:
- Freelancers and Entrepreneurs: Individuals looking to expand their client base, secure freelance opportunities, or promote their startups will find this course invaluable. It guides them on how to use personal branding to differentiate themselves in competitive markets.
- Career Changers: If you’re considering a shift in your career or industry, this course helps you strategize and present your new professional identity effectively on social media.
- Content Creators: Bloggers, writers, artists, and other content creators can learn how to use their personal brand to build a strong online presence and connect with their target audience.
- Job Seekers: Whether you’re a recent graduate or a seasoned professional, personal branding can give you a competitive edge in the job market. This course teaches you how to curate your digital identity to attract potential employers.
What topics does the course cover?
The course is structured into several sections, each covering essential aspects of personal branding and social media presence. Here’s an overview of what’s covered:
- Introduction: Kate Arends introduces herself, her blog Wit and Delight, and the goals of the course.
- Defining Your Purpose: This section focuses on identifying your professional purpose, what you bring to the table, and how to articulate it effectively.
- Defining Your Character: Explore the importance of character in personal branding, how to convey it authentically online, and align your values with your digital presence.
- Creating Engaging Content: Discover the principles of crafting content that adds value, stands out, and resonates with your audience. Understand how to tailor content to your personal brand.
- Defining Your Channels: Learn to choose the right social media platforms based on your goals and audience, create content buckets, set posting schedules, and understand your audience’s preferences.
Conclusion: Kate emphasizes the importance of keeping an open mind about your personal brand’s potential and shares her final thoughts.
Within each topic, there are also workshopping exercises and downloadable worksheets to help guide learners through defining their brand.
What I liked and disliked:
As with any learning course, there are aspects that worked well for me and others that didn’t. Everyone’s learning styles are different, so to help paint the full picture of the course, I will dive into what I personally liked and disliked.
What I liked:
Practical Worksheets: The course provides downloadable worksheets that help you apply what you’ve learned. These worksheets are extremely useful in defining your purpose, character, and content strategy.
Real-World Examples: Kate shares personal experiences and case studies that make the concepts relatable. Her own journey with Wit and Delight serves as a compelling example of effective personal branding.
Structured Content: The course is well-organized, making it easy to follow and revisit specific sections as needed, and the course content flows in a natural way.
Engaging Instructor: Kate Arends is an excellent instructor. Her passion for the subject matter shines through, making the course enjoyable and informative.
Practical Advice: The course offers actionable advice that you can implement immediately. Whether you’re a beginner or have some knowledge of personal branding, you’ll find valuable takeaways.
What I disliked:
Course Length: While the course covers the basics effectively, some learners might desire more in-depth content on specific topics.
How much does the course cost?
Courses on Skillshare can not be bought individually – they can only be accessed by signing up for a Skillshare membership. The good news? Skillshare offers e-student.org learners a full month free trial if you use our link (if not using our link, there is normally only a 7-day free trial). As virtually all Skillshare courses will take you less than a month to complete, you can in effect take this or any other Skillshare course for free – or any number of courses that you can finish in a month.
Once your free trial is over, the cost of Skillshare is $165 per year, which averages out to $13.75 per month. This gives you full access to all 34,000+ Skillshare courses. But if you're not happy to continue, you can easily cancel any time before your free trial ends – just go to your payment settings in your account.
If you have no need for a free trial, you can instead get %30 discount on your first year by using this special link instead. With this link, your first year will be just $115.50, averaging out to $9.63 per month. Note that this offer is only valid for new accounts, so it can't be combined with the 30-day free trial.
My overall thoughts
“Personal Branding: Crafting Your Social Media Presence” is an excellent course for anyone seeking to enhance their personal brand and leverage social media effectively. Kate Arends offers a wealth of knowledge, practical insights, and valuable resources that can significantly impact your online presence.
One of the course’s standout features is the inclusion of downloadable worksheets. These resources encourage active participation and guide you through the process of defining your purpose, character, and content strategy, and are something that more Skillshare instructors should leverage. Kate’s emphasis on self-awareness and authenticity in personal branding sets this course apart from others in the space.
While the course provides an excellent foundation for personal branding, it’s essential to remember that building and maintaining a personal brand is an ongoing process. To fully benefit from the concepts covered, learners should be prepared to invest time and effort in curating their online presence, staying updated with industry trends, and adapting their strategies as needed.
In conclusion, “Personal Branding: Crafting Your Social Media Presence” is a must-take course for individuals looking to harness the power of personal branding and effectively communicate their professional identity online. Kate Aarons’ expertise, engaging teaching style, and practical guidance make this course a valuable asset for personal and professional growth. Whether you’re an aspiring freelancer, a career changer, or a content creator, this course equips you with the tools to stand out in the digital crowd and make a lasting impression on your target audience.
