AN UNDERESTIMATED ASSET IN THE AGE OF CLOUT
What do PewDiePie, MrBeast and Ryan Kaji have in common?
Besides stacking those followers on YouTube, they are all content creators, with a HUMONGOUS fan base.
I’m talking MILLIONS of followers around the world.
And very popular among children. Bets are your kids have watched some of their videos, if not all.
They are found on online platforms, produce engaging content that hooks audiences in, they have a unique style that appeals to the masses, strong personalities that can be felt through the screen and a significant influence over our children as they drive trends and conversations through their content.
But beneath their massive popularity lies something intrinsic about each individual.
They all have a personal brand.
Kind of like a special stamp that makes you unique and special.
Just like brands you see on TV or in stores, your personal brand is what makes you stand out and sets you apart from everyone else. It’s made up of your interests, talents, values, personality, and what you do best.
If you love playing video games and are really good at it, that could be part of your personal brand - like PewDiePie, known for his gaming commentary and Let’s Play videos of Minecraft.
Or MrBeast, known for his stunts, challenges, and elaborate pranks, as well as his large-scale acts of generosity and charitable donations.
Or maybe you’re young like Ryan Kaji, a 9-year-old YouTube star known for his channel “Ryan’s World,” which features videos of him playing with toys, going on adventures, and reviewing products.
Whatever you’re doing, having a strong personal brand helps people see what you’re all about.
A HIGHLY UNDERRATED SKILL SET THAT IS INCREASINGLY GETTING HIGH VALUE OUTPUT TODAY.
Are you under the impression that personal branding is only important for adults in the workforce? I hope not.
Here’s the truth.
Children are increasingly judged by their online presence, and building a strong personal brand is crucial if they want to go far.
And it all boils down to 1 simple reason why.
WHO YOU ARE ONLINE MATTERS MORE THAN WHO YOU ARE OFFLINE.
This is the age of clout we live in. A reality brought about by the rise of the Creator Economy and social media. The lives of our young children are planted on digital platforms and everything they do online matters more than you think.
Also consider the changing nature of your own work.
Technology is disrupting tradition and creating new opportunities, but it’s also making it more competitive to stand out. A strong personal brand showcases your unique selling point and differentiate ourselves from everyone else.
WHERE TECHNOLOGY IS MAKING EVERYONE SIMILAR, DISTINCTIVENESS IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS.
Children who can leverage their creativity and brand to stand out in this ultra competitive world will,
✔️ have an advantage in the future of work
✔️ be more likely to be chosen for college or university admissions
✔️ stand out amongst their peers and be seen as influential
✔️ open themselves up to new opportunities and connections
But personal branding isn’t just about professional success.
Let me give you an example of one of our past students.
Meet Caleb. Also known as Singapore's greatest Pokemon Master.
Caleb Leong, the Pokemon Master
Caleb's obsession with Pokemon has led him to invest hours and hours of research into all things Pokemon. He has attributed his heightened creativity to his passion for Pokemon. It opened his eyes up to the world and stirred his imagination as he thinks of ways to create new creatures.
His greatest advice for other children who are passionate about anything is to explore more about it, read more about it, learn more about it… and don’t be afraid of failure!
He also advises parents with children who are passionate about something - "Give your child the space to explore, and explore the things they love with them - take it like a bonding activity!"
Our GoshkidsTV interview with Caleb
I am so encouraged by individuals like Caleb who aren't afraid to showcase their love for something. My wish is for all children embody the identity of passion like how Caleb did!
Watch the past podcast interview we had with Caleb here.
BUILDING REPUTATION, INCREASING VISIBILITY AND CREATING VALUE.
It not about merely showcasing your Pokemon knowledge, taking award winning photographs, creating world class designs or coming up with new profound expressions of art that impact millions of audiences worldwide, how what PewDiePie, MrBeast and Ryan Kaji are doing.
It’s simply about generating content that captures the attention of the people around you and providing value to their lives.
So how does this apply to your children?
Well for one, I’m a firm believer in children building a brand for themselves.
I believe that children do not lack agency. Neither are they passive nor idle. They have the potential to showcase passion, take control of their lives and decide for themselves.
I'm not saying that your children should be the next PewDiePie, MrBeast or Ryan Kaji.
Rather than assigning homework or activities, help your children develop the values and skills they need to thrive in the Creator Economy. New technologies are changing our lives. Your child’s success depends on their capacity to express their individual identity.
In all that we do, children must leverage technologies and tools of their time to showcase their
passion
values
goals and achievements
ideas, opinions and perspectives
When others see the photograph your child posted on Instagram, they might say
“Wow, she has great photography skills!”
But in reality, what is being communicated is,
“Man, this person knows how to capture attention and express beauty with great skill”,
“Her portfolio shows off her versatility” or
“He's got a clear creative vision”
Your child can establish themselves as thought leaders and experts in their niche, which can lead to new opportunities and connections.
YOUR CHILD IS NEVER TOO YOUNG TO START.
Empower your children to create a confident online presence.
Help them identify their unique strengths and use them to stand out from the crowd. Encourage them to collaborate with other children to create something truly special.
At this point, some of you might think all this talk about personal branding is a bunch of hogwash.
Here’s the mind-blowing truth:
YOU’LL NEVER KNOW WHO’S GOING TO BE CHECKING OUT THEIR PROFILE.
A college admissions officer or a potential future employer?
A potential business partner who has been following you throughout your journey of creating?
70% of college recruiters / employers screen applicants’ social media for credibility.
It’s imperative that their online identities reflects their best qualities and demonstrates their uniqueness.
It is their public resume to the world.
And not just the ordinary world that we once knew, but a highly-connected world that is becoming ever more exciting and innovative due to advances in technology. Human creativity and competitiveness is reaching new heights each day, and it’s so important to nurture your child’s unique talents and create their own personal brand identity.
Or think about it this way.
INSTEAD OF MINDLESSLY SCROLLING THROUGH YOUTUBE OR TIKTOK TO WATCH OTHER PERSONALITIES, WHY NOT ENCOURAGE YOUR CHILD TO CREATE THEIR OWN BRAND THAT OTHERS WILL WANT TO EMULATE?
This will help them to focus their time and energy in a productive way.
I believe in staying relevant to our current culture. We should embrace new narratives and technologies.
Let’s use these powerful tools to help our children reach greater heights of success.
More importantly, let's focus on giving our children the tools and mindsets stand out in this ultra competitive world.
