Key Lessons from Crushing It! Book on Personal Branding

Personal branding lessons from “Crushing It!” you can’t afford to ignore

If you’ve ever wondered how to make your mark in the digital age, Gary Vaynerchuk’s book Crushing It! is practically a cheat sheet for building an unstoppable personal brand. As someone who’s followed his advice (and reaped the rewards), I’m here to give you a breakdown of the key lessons from this powerful guide. If you’re interested in personal branding, digital marketing, and influence—grab a coffee, sit back, and let’s dive into what you need to know!

What is personal branding, and why does it matter?

Before we get into the juicy tips, let’s clarify something: personal branding is not just for influencers or entrepreneurs. It’s for anyone who wants to leave a lasting impression, whether you’re in the corporate world, freelancing, or building your empire on social media. In short, personal branding is the unique combination of your skills, experiences, and personality that you showcase to the world.

Gary Vaynerchuk (a.k.a. Gary Vee) argues that personal branding is the ultimate investment in today’s digital-first world. The way you talk about yourself online, the content you share, and the value you provide can open doors you never imagined. So, what are the steps to crushing it with your personal brand? Let’s break it down.

How to crush it with your personal brand: step-by-step guide

Step 1: Define your passion and niche

The first lesson from Crushing It! is simple but game-changing: align your personal brand with your passion. Gary Vee emphasizes that authenticity is key. If you’re pretending to be passionate about something just because it’s trending, you’ll burn out in no time.

Here’s how to nail this step:

• Write down the top 3 things you’re passionate about. What would you talk about for hours without getting bored?
• Narrow it down to a niche. For example, instead of “fitness,” focus on “fitness for busy moms” or “biohacking for productivity.”
• Ask yourself: What unique perspective can I bring? Your quirks and experiences are your superpower—don’t hide them!

Personal tip: I once thought being “too niche” would box me in. But honing in on my love for writing about negotiation strategies for freelancers actually made my content stand out. Lesson learned: the riches are in the niches!

Step 2: Pick your platform(s)

Not every platform is right for every person. Gary Vee excels on multiple platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn, but he advises starting small. Choose one that aligns with your strengths.

• If you love writing: Start with a blog, LinkedIn articles, or Twitter (X).
• If you prefer video: YouTube, TikTok, or Instagram Reels are your playgrounds.
• If you’re a natural conversationalist: Podcasts could be your sweet spot.

Practical tip: Focus 80% of your energy on the platform where your audience hangs out. Use the remaining 20% to experiment with others and see what clicks.

Step 3: Commit to consistency

This is where most people drop the ball. The magic formula for personal branding is simple: content + consistency = trust and influence. According to Gary, building a personal brand is a long game, and you have to show up regularly, even on days when you don’t feel like it.

Here’s how to stay consistent:

1. Set a manageable schedule. Post once a week? Great! Twice a day? Even better—just stick to what works for you.
2. Batch your content. Spend one day creating a week’s worth of posts, captions, or videos, so you’re never scrambling at the last minute.
3. Schedule your posts. Use tools like Buffer or Hootsuite to keep your social presence active, even when you’re busy.

Step 4: Engage with your audience

A personal brand isn’t just about broadcasting content. The real magic happens in the conversations you have with your audience. Reply to comments, answer DMs, and genuinely connect with people.

Gary Vee’s “$1.80 Strategy” is a golden tip here: leave your two cents on nine different posts (for a total of $1.80) each day. These can be comments on Instagram posts, tweets from industry leaders, or blog articles in your niche. Over time, this consistent engagement builds your authority and connection with your community.

Step 5: Provide massive value

This is a recurring theme in Crushing It!: always lead with value. If you’re sharing tips, entertaining your audience, or solving their problems, they’ll keep coming back for more.

Practical tips for creating valuable content:

• Show, don’t tell: Instead of saying you’re great at something, share tips, tutorials, or success stories.
• Answer your audience’s FAQs: Pay attention to the questions your followers ask or the topics they’re struggling with.
• Repurpose your content: Turn a blog post into a YouTube video, a podcast episode, or an Instagram carousel to reach different audiences.

Step 6: Monetize authentically

Once your personal brand starts gaining traction, you’ll naturally spot opportunities to monetize it. But Gary Vee stresses that this should never feel forced. Your audience trusts you because they feel you’re genuinely there to help them, so don’t compromise that trust with spammy sales tactics.

• Create your own product or service: This could be a course, coaching, or an eBook in your niche.
• Affiliate marketing: Partner with brands you personally use and love, and recommend those to your audience.
• Collaborations: Offer sponsored content but ensure it aligns with your messaging and provides value to your fans.

Practical tips for branding success

As you build your personal brand, here are additional tips I found super helpful:

Don’t fear imperfection

Stop worrying about creating the perfect post or video. Imperfections make you relatable. I used to overthink my Instagram Reels, but when I decided to just hit “post,” I saw authentic engagement skyrocket.

Tell your story

Your personal brand is YOUR story. Don’t shy away from sharing the ups and downs. People connect with real, raw experiences.

Stay updated

The digital world is constantly evolving. Follow industry leaders (like Gary Vee!) to stay on top of trends and adapt your branding strategy accordingly.

Conclusion: Start crushing it today!

The good news is that everything you need to build a killer personal brand is at your fingertips! Gary Vee’s Crushing It! is a masterclass in leveraging today’s digital tools to stand out, help others, and ultimately grow your influence.

So, what are you waiting for? Start defining your niche, creating content, and engaging with your audience right away. If you’re serious about personal branding, get yourself a copy of Crushing It! and dive deeper. As Gary says, “Skills are cheap; passion is priceless.” Let your passion be your guide—and, who knows? You might just end up crushing it, too!