This is Digital podcast hosted by Dylan Schmidt.
Dylan Schmidt:What is going on family, I am a little bit pumped up, because I've got a lot of caffeine running through my blood right now. But also, I'm excited. I'm excited. I'm excited for everything. I'm just excited for the future. You know, there's been a lot of love shared on the Instagram lately, which feels good. Love feels good, you know, and there's a lot of craziness in the world. I was thinking earlier today, what I was gonna say in this intro, and I think I've got it. I haven't even thought about it too much. But I have been thinking about this one thing, because I don't really talk about current events. I don't really talk about what's going on in the world today. But I do for a second. I do want to say one thing that is going on in the world today doesn't matter where in the world you are. Things are crazy. Things are absolutely freakin crazy right now, no matter where you are, and any we're here doing it. And it's pretty freakin cool. Because despite how wild the world is, we're still here. Focusing on bettering ourselves, making an impact and growing the our own platform so that we can influence the world in a better way. Which is like, pretty freakin awesome. I've said freakin like, three or four times already in this episode. I don't know if I say it in today's interview. But we'll see. We'll see. We need a freakin meter for you. So a little bit about today's guest. Her name is SEMA. And she is living in India. She lives in America. I found out for a few years, a few years ago, and she is awesome. So she is like a branding expert. And she is incredible. I connected with her originally on Instagram. And then I was like, we want to be on the podcast fleas. And what do you know? She said yes. And we had a fun conversation. I learned a lot about myself. I was listening back to this episode. And I realized it sounds like almost like going through therapy or something at some points. Apologies ahead of time for that. But also, Sima and I are similar in so many ways. And you'll probably notice that through the episode as well. She helps a lot of introverts. So if you identify as an introvert, then this will be handy. And if you don't identify as an introvert in person in real life, but maybe you identify as an introvert or feel socially strange online, then maybe we could just for the sake of today's conversation label that as introvert online. You know, I don't really hear about people just being I mean, actually, you know what, some of the most extroverted people in person are kind of introverted online. Not that that's a bad thing. You know, everything's welcome. Everything's cool. But maybe, if you feel like you're not expressing yourself, and maybe the way you want to express yourself, this episode should help you get clear on that. And what else a couple things before we dive in. As of this recording, SEMA has an awesome course available. I'm gonna link to that in the show notes. And what else what else? What else? That is pretty much it. But I do want to share one quick story about SEMA before we just dive in the conversation because it does just kick off. There's not like a hey, so tell me about the time in second grade. All that? No, we just dive right in. That's how I do this podcast. So Sima is awesome. And then after the podcast, I had connected with her through Instagram quite a bit. And I was like, then it just made me realize more and more how similar we are. And we have a very similar sense of humor. Because you know, sometimes I am absolutely silly. And then sometimes I'm serious, but not like to the point of serious where I can't kind of switch out of it. She has a great sense of humor. And she sent me a cup. A couple of weeks ago she sent me oh my gosh, okay, I'm connecting all the dots here. She sent me a box from India. I'm in Los Angeles, send me a box of 36 Rhys 36 packages of Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. So that's actually like a I think it's 36 felt like more at this point. That's actually 72 peanut butter cups. And in my refrigerator right now is the last one. So I think it was like two weeks that has taken me I've eaten that many peanut butter cups in two weeks. That's so many peanut butter cups I need. I need to speak to an expert on self control. Because clearly I don't have much. But SEMA I'm going to blame SEMA publicly for putting me in that situation. She didn't know it's not her fault. It's not her fault, it was actually very, I was very excited and thankful. But yeah, that's so many. So I have, I'm gonna eat that peanut butter cup while I listen to this episode. And if you have a peanut butter cup in your kitchen, maybe you want to enjoy peanut butter cup, too. We don't talk about peanut butter cups on this episode, except now. But she has sent me that. And she's just super nice and super cool and super knowledgeable. And it goes deeper than just like some branding. It's really cool to find out really fast. So without further ado, here's SEMA and our conversation about building a personal brand. And showcasing your expertise online. Here it is. I'm like, trying to do the opposite of what everyone's doing. I know, especially as like an introvert, it's like hard for me to put myself out there, connect with people that stuff. So I'm like, I'm going to do that I'm going to do the opposite of what I want to do. Because I know that a lot of people aren't doing that. And that's what's gonna set me apart. And I don't know if it'll pay off. I don't know if it's right. But I have a lot of people will write me and go like, how do you do that? And to me, I'm just like, how do I do what? And they're like, how do you put yourself out there? And just keep doing it? Like, you're so confident? And I'm like, I feel confident. I'm just, I'm just recording like, to me confident. So I don't know, doesn't feel like a heroic act by any means. But like how? How do you work with people who are introverts and want to put themselves out there
Seema Batavia:more. The funny thing is, most introverts do not want to put themselves out there more. But what they would like is the byproduct of it, which is the visibility, right, they all want to know, they all want the people to, to know them for something to be popular to get the respect and have people around them. But the act of putting themselves out there is not something that they like, or they look forward to, or they want to do at all, which is where we have to identify what the the core reason is that they want to do it to begin with, like, what is the reasoning that you want that fanfare? Why do you want the visibility? How will popularity change things for you. So what I really believe in is digging very, very, very deep. And it comes down to you've been through your childhood experiences for the people you've interacted with the people around you, your traumas, and getting to the root of that and identifying that with why you feel that you have the need to be visible, and how that's going to change your identity as well. Because we have as introverts, we have this narrative that okay, I'm not seeing my entire life. Most introverts, I'm not saying oh, I'm not seeing so I need to be seen. Now, most of the time, this narrative can be unfounded, because it's something we've built up over time, because we have been self isolating for such a long time. And we feel that this visibility is gonna validate us in some way. Yeah, but on a very, very foundational level. If you want to be visible, if you want to be seen the act of putting yourself out there is just an action that you have to take. It's a very unfamiliar action. Right? Yeah. And it's something that most of us have never done before. And the thought of it has people running towards the hills. And that's why when I am saying, I help you, as an introvert, build your personal brand is Oh, tell us what to do. Tell us how to do it. But it's less than the action plan. It's more Hmm, let me dissect you a little bit and see why do I do this to begin with? So I go very, very deep.
Dylan Schmidt:Yeah, so it's not necessarily like one size fits all. It's not Oh, introverts are dealing with this thing. Like they all it's a bit, they all need this one. Same thing. It's different for each person on what they need to put themselves out there more.
Unknown:Absolutely. A lot of people are very surface level where they're quite sorted, they have no unpacking to do, they have nothing to go through in terms of the internal work, and they're pretty, okay, they're like, I actually just need an action plan. I really don't know what to do. That way what the strategy would be, they actually need a step by step plan. But for those who are kind of like holding on to a lot of internal resentment may be those who feel like their introversion is keeping them from something that takes a much deeper approach. So I don't believe in giving everyone the same solution because it doesn't work, right, because everyone's motivations are very, very different. But I do feel like at some point in the journey, they all kind of come to the same point. There's a leveling off point where maybe someone starts from here, someone starts from here, but they all kind of get to this one point where it got it gets to neutral. And they're like, I've unpacked everything I needed to and now I'm kind of ready to put myself out there.
Dylan Schmidt:Yeah, like now I can move forward. Yeah. Yeah. And you I think you said you you would Say you're introverted yourself? Massively. Yeah, have you found that like, the more you've put yourself out there, especially online, as it translated to like in person, face to face. That's a hard
Unknown:one. Because I wasn't corporate before I embarked on this whole personal branding thing. I was in corporate for a decade, and I was at a senior level position. So I'd work myself up the corporate ladder I was I was the highest I could go. And as an introvert, what happens is you kind of learn these coping mechanisms, right, you know how to fake it till you make it as far as your personality goes, you know how to turn it on and turn it off. So I kind of already had those coping mechanisms where I knew where when I'm in the public eye, or I'm associating with someone or talking to someone how to turn that on. But this version of me that you see right now, this is probably the most authentic that you're going to see. So now when I come across someone, so I'm no longer in corporate, this is my business now. Now when I come across someone in real life, and they're like, hey, so you're, you're doing this business thing. Now. How's that going? That makes me like, go inside my show. Let me guide you know, what I'm talking about. This is so they see you.
Dylan Schmidt:They're like, I see, I see you doing this thing. Like, I'm looking at you like, whoa, why are you following me
Unknown:though? Yeah, but yes, I do know how to come out of that very quickly, because it's okay. Everything that I'm saying all day. Yeah, teaching. So that that veil that you have that protection, that you have that that wears off, and then you own it after a while. So I'd say yeah,
Dylan Schmidt:yeah, that's interesting. You say that about when you say if someone will comment on what you're doing, I had someone also comment on what I'm doing a couple weeks, a week, about a week ago, someone that I've known my whole life, and I'm, like, transparent, I've talked about it on Instagram, like, I will block pretty much anybody that I know, in real life. Like, for the most part, not like everybody I know in real life, but people that are closest to me, I don't care, like I just block you. Because I put I'm putting myself out there so much. And I don't want them to feel like they have to like my stuff. And I'm just like, you too close, get out of here. I don't even post stuff on my personal page. Because that's, but in person totally talk to you to totally talk. Like, I'll tell them everything. I don't know how to get conversation with them online. I mean, I can't block them from everything, but and it's not like the list is too long. But we're talking just a couple people do a few and it just makes me feel better. Because it makes me feel more free to be able to not feel like not that I feel like they're judging me. But I feel like I don't ever want them to feel like they have to support me because I used to play like in bands and music and like, my background is in music. And I don't know, there's something like, especially when like, after high school and and playing in some bands where you're like trying to gain a following before social media. It was like come see our band live come to your band live. And I always kind of like didn't really care for that cuz I just wanted people to come because they wanted to come not because I'm telling them to go. And if if someone was like, oh, like, I'd love to, I want to follow you. I want to do that stuff. I'm like, okay, cool, but it's just fine on like, I'll block my dad in a heartbeat. cutthroat, cutthroat Sima. You look at me wrong. If you look at me wrong blocks. I wouldn't. Not not like actually, and I welcome debate in like criticism and stuff like that. It's not I'm like, Oh, they're gonna call me out or something like that. I don't block everybody. But there's one it's I don't know. It's just kind of explained it enough, I guess. But yeah, I don't know. Have you ever ever heard of someone doing
Unknown:that? I know where you're coming from. Because it's very different when you meet someone when you're on this journey already. And they know you as this different identity. And it's different. When it's someone you've known your entire life, they've probably seen your ups and downs, they've probably seen you growing up awkwardly, they probably they probably have a different idea of who you are. Right? And then all of a sudden, it's this whole different version of you that's probably more confident, probably more talkative, probably more like eloquent and doing all this interesting stuff. Beautiful. It's beautiful. Their identity completely and it's the same person. So more than you being awkward around it. It's more like they feel as if they don't know this part of you. And because of that it can bring up a lot of different feelings in both of you, right? You can feel like oh, where was this person all along? like who are you? I never knew that you did this. And also like, but maybe you wouldn't have supported me if you knew this side of me or maybe you heard me all along. So it brings up a lot of these feelings. especially if you've known someone for so long. But there's also this element of you don't want them to feel obligated or anything like that. I get very awkward when someone from real life follows me or someone from real life mentions what I'm doing or even makes a comment. I'm just like, Ah
Dylan Schmidt:yeah, you What's it, you made me kind of connect the dots in my head without trying to connect the dots in my head. Like, also, I feel like I've I've been around other successful people that have platforms that would get recognized in public. And when someone like, you, there's like, a different thing behind the eyes with like, a fan recognize the stem in public. And, and it's not like a bad thing. It's not, but it's just like a different type of thing. And when I know somebody, and they're like, oh, my gosh, I love when you share this thing. And it's I'm not trying to speak to this person. At the same thing. I'm trying to speak to other people. So I almost am like, afraid in some way that like, the person that I'm like, that's like a sister or cousin to me like that. They'll turn into kind of a different it'll change our relationship. And then wait, hold on, I don't want I don't know, I just kind of still want to not that I don't. I think I share like pretty, pretty authentically online, I would say but just I'm like, don't, don't get me any different. Like, I'm still the same person. Like don't, don't turn into not a follower. But like, Don't Don't, don't get me any different.
Unknown:I guess I know what you mean. But you know what happens though, it's very easy to slip into that role as well. Like I'm, and there are times when I'll just be speaking to friends or speaking to someone and they start talking about things that they're going through or maybe talking about their problems. I automatically slip into my coaching role. Yes. Even though they don't need that at the time, or even though they feel like they're just venting or they're just having a discussion. I immediately go into that role and start being a coach. And they're like, yeah, what is going on? Why are you giving me advice? Yeah. It's right now. Yeah, thanks. Sorry. Sorry. It's just a it's just a occupational hazard. But that happens. Because, yeah, that role which is on so I feel like with with your relatives as well, when they see you in this role, it's okay. So if he's the guy who's greater podcast, I'm gonna go for all my podcasts issues to him or if they come back guy become Yeah.
Dylan Schmidt:Oh, yeah. No, I get I get it all. Like, it's funny because the person I'm referring to actually, I'm talking to a lot she's going through relationship issues. And it's funny, it's, Hey, he can deal with podcasts. You can deal with relationships, but but I do love like relationship dynamics anyways, so it's not and I have a little bit of background in like, coaching and life coaching, too. So I don't know. I don't think she knew that. So I don't know where she is. But yeah, it's like, yeah, it's so easy to slip into that coaching mode, where it's, I'll help you,
Unknown:which is fine. It's just a vibe, right? You're just a vibe. I see that you're hurting. I'm here for you. It's like a siren.
Dylan Schmidt:Yeah. I can help you with that. I love that. Okay, question. I've always wanted to ask somebody but never had the opportunity to, until now, is you mentioned you're from like, a corporate background. I am not I've like, I'm just not I don't fit into the corporate thing. Like, I gotta I also got a lot of tattoos you can't see. I don't know. It's like, my, my grammar isn't always the best. I don't, I don't know. Suits are too hot. I'm just I'm like, I don't know. I'm not corporate. And I've always looked at corporate people. Like differently like to me as an introvert, I guess. Or, or I'm using introvert. I don't even know if I'm always using introvert is the right word. But I look at like, corporate life is so freaking draining. Like you have to put on this face to climb up the corporate ladder. And you have to be this person to navigate the corporate sphere. A hitch, is it is that true? Is it like that draining is like it just seems exhausting to show up every day and be like, Hi, how you doing mark? Is there room for realness and authenticity in the corporate world?
Unknown:There is there is I think that's good. It completely depends on the job and the role that you're in. And I've been an amazing jobs. I've been in terrible jobs, like I've seen pretty much all ends of the spectrum in terms of corporate. And it really, really comes down to the kind of people that you work for the overall culture and the environment of the place dictates your experience a lot. It takes how you can express yourself how you fit in how will you work with other people if you truly truly enjoy your job or not. A lot of people have this tendency to grab the first job they get after graduating and they just stick to it for like years and years right because it's just convenient if they go to the same domain, even if they switch jobs, it's there's no room for experimentation after that. Yeah. So if you find yourself in the perfect job, and the perfect company, among the perfect people, it is highly, highly rewarding because you actually start looking forward to going to work every day because you enjoy the people you work with. You enjoy doing the work that you do, because it truly brings you joy. It's really in your zone of genius. And you don't even feel like you're working. And there's security, there's a paycheck coming every month, so you know, that you're taking care of. So I would have to say there are good jobs that are bad jobs. But there definitely are great jobs out there if it's the right fit for you.
Dylan Schmidt:Yeah, yeah, that makes a lot of sense. Yeah, it just says one of the things I'm like, it never seems like it leaves much room for creativity starting a business does. And it just I don't know, it's, I guess, have you found like, since you've gone, the more entrepreneur route, that your stress has gone down, and everything's gotten way easier, right? I'm just getting
Unknown:a lot of Moxie to be an entrepreneur. And I don't think I realized that I kind of slipped into this entire experience. And I'm just taking it as it comes. But I feel like those were true born entrepreneurs, those serial entrepreneurs to kind of get an idea and just go for it. There. I give them serious kudos because it is not easy, right? Yeah, there's so much on the line, there is so much rejection on hand, there is so much risk on him. There's so much you need to be a visionary, to be able to bring an idea to life. And I highly, highly respect that. And I feel like going from a corporate environment where all you have to worry about is showing up and doing your job and collect a paycheck at the end of the month, right full security, and maybe getting to work and coming back from work to the point where you're pretty much managing this whole new ecosystem, and you are the driver of the entire thing, especially if you're a brand new solo entrepreneur doing the entire by yourself to start with every step
Dylan Schmidt:of the way. It's like it doesn't move forward. If you don't do every single thing.
Unknown:Oh, you have one bad day your business stalls? You're like, yeah, you got to get up and do it doesn't matter. So yeah, I have nothing but respect for entrepreneurs. And yeah, it is stressful.
Dylan Schmidt:Yeah, yeah. Yeah, it is. Yeah. And I don't like judge or or think any less of anybody who chooses like a corporate route or just the career route doesn't have to be super corporate it just because it's there's certainty in there. And I know some people it's I don't have kids and all these dependents. But if I did, it's like, how do you do that? And do an entrepreneur like who especially start things I know get more stable over time. But just starting out from there. It's that's, that's so much risk. I was talking to a man the other day, Skype John on Instagram, live the other day, we did a live and he has, you know, two kids and he's starting a new business. And just man shout out to you like, for being able to do that. Because I know any extra hours in the day, it's you probably just want them for yourself. And the fact that you're choosing to do it to create a business to create a better life for yourself and your family. Is this like, it's so commendable?
Unknown:Sadly, I have respect for that so much because even like single moms are you see these people juggling kids in their jobs to start a business and it's insane. I think they're super people. Superwoman. Superman. I am not married. I don't have kids. I'm just sitting here. Wow, I think I kind of easy. Now. I think about people who don't have as much time as I do. Yes. Just talent. Yeah,
Dylan Schmidt:my neighbor is a single mom with four kids. And, and I'm just like, always in awe of everything. And they're all under like, I think they're all around like 18 and younger. And just like what, like, she's like, whenever I think of like inspiration, or I'm like, I'm tired. And I'm just thinking, I'll hear her car life. I'm in the front part of my house. Like, I'll hear her car go by or something. And I'm just like, she's always coming and going, because she's always got to take someone somewhere. And it's just so inspiring, because I'm like, What am I tired about? What Oh, I had only gone for a little early. Oh, for me like she is she doesn't have time to be tired. Like she has just to go because he has four bodies relying on her and yeah, and that's not even going into any of the kids. Yeah, but it's just it's so inspiring. So when it comes to personal brand building, I'll tell you where like I see from my perspective, is there's there is people that want to have what someone else has like they see your page on Instagram, Sema, and they're like, I want that. I don't know what it is, but I just want what Siemens got, and they don't really know what makes up your page or what makes you Your brand like most people, and I like I love the fundamentals, because people are so quick to give me the experts. I know you got the, the the phenylalanine. And I want like the I can take it Sema, I can take the hardest Hold on, let's just start at the very, very basics, because that's where everything else will stem from. So they'll see I know people will see like your page and they'll go, I just want that can you just give me I just want what's what's the difference between my page is basically the same. And speaking specifically to Instagram for a second like, then go on their page, they'll post it like once in the last six months, they it'll it the only thing they posted was like a picture of a piece of grass. And it will say I believe you can and you're halfway there. And then the picture before that was a picture of their dog with no caption. And then a picture before that was like a picture of someone that we don't know who they are. And it will say some other inspirational code. I'm like, what does this have to do with anything? So I think people are just confused amongst the idea of what is like, personal branding, and like how does it even work? Like what what it how do you see it? What does it to you I guess?
Unknown:Well, first of all, what SEMA has that other people don't is anxiety. If you want it I got
Dylan Schmidt:Amen to that I got that. Oh my God, I feel like we're we're so similar in so many ways.
Unknown:At the very, very heart of it, I would have to say that it is pretty much you. The reason that I started this particular page to begin with was because I felt like something was lacking. And I needed a creative outlet. And I just started talking about something that I knew very, very well, because that was my corporate background was branding and marketing. And I truly, truly enjoy it. But not in the way that I was enjoying it at work, there was still something lacking. So when I had time during quarantine, and lockdown, I started just humbled page. And the reason I stuck to it, and it got to a point where it started getting some traction was because I truly, truly, truly enjoyed what I was talking about. And I believed in it. And I love showing up every single day. And to me it was never about an agenda. I did not intend to make money out of it, I did not intend for it to gain even like 4000 followers, let alone anything else. And it was only after I realized that there was something here. And I started looking at the reactions of people, I started seeing how it was actually helping people, it became a resource for other people to actually come to and take a look at and interact with me, where I realized that there's more than what meets the eye here, it's no longer just about me sharing information. It's because I'm actually interacting with people, they're here for my take on the entire issue. And that's what personal branding is at the core is you just pick something that is truly, truly you are a part of you. You keep showing up as that as you interacting with people and sharing interesting information Valley, whatever you want to call it. And you get to a point where you start knowing your audience and it becomes such a core part of your day, that it becomes synonymous with who you are, it doesn't feel disjointed anymore, it doesn't feel like a performance, it doesn't feel like Oh, I'm gonna post like a blade of grass, or I'm gonna post a dog photo, you sure can, if that's a part of your brand, right? If you presented yourself as such, for me, a big part of my brand was dad jokes, I told them all the time, all the time. And that, to me was a very honest depiction of who I was, and my audience loved it. So it really really there is nothing more to it than finding what truly makes you you what you can talk about all day, every day, and showcase in a way that's very cohesive. The problem that people have is actually sticking to it, right, they feel like they they're gonna see some kind of a result, whatever their version of a result might be, in, let's say a week or two weeks, but that's that's how it usually works. It takes time for it to sink in and for to take hold and for people to actually recognize who you are and what you represent to them. So just Just be yourself, y'all I know it's it's a very cliche thing to say, but at the core of it, that's exactly what it is, is to just find something that you really love.
Dylan Schmidt:And how how do you like balance the thing of well, I said that already. Like, I know that a lot of people will feel like that, especially people that are helping other people. They're like, I don't want to repeat my I don't want to and it's not that they don't want to say the same thing twice, but they're afraid of saying the same thing twice in a way they're like well, I already made a post about that or I already spoke about that thing on an Instagram Live 45 minutes into the Instagram Live. Like what what advice do you have for anyone who is thinking I already already said that?
Unknown:I think you're under estimating just how much information there is out there. And I mean this in the nicest way, right? If you take a full category like branding, branding has a million different pieces to it. Right? Yeah. And every every single piece has different things that go into that. And how granular you want to get how minute Li You want to dissect something is entirely up to you and what you want to talk about. It's okay to repeat concepts as much as you want to, I repeat posts all the time, because honestly, the you will be getting new eyeballs, there will be new people joining, they'll be new people following you. Even the old people, they might see something once they forget about it. And the next week you post it again, they're like, Oh, I've never seen this before. Well. We underestimate first of all, how much information you can actually talk about, you can really, really talk about a lot of things in in many, many different ways. And secondly, we also overestimate the attention span of the average user. Yes. So you may feel like you're repeating yourself, but maybe all you're doing is reinforcing a concept, but maybe in a different way. So you can still say the same thing. But if you phrase it differently, or if you bring something else as an emphasis or something else to light, that's still you making your point. So there's no such thing as saying something too many times. That's what marketing is. You say something at least seven times before it sinks in? It's yeah, okay. There's there's nothing wrong with that.
Dylan Schmidt:Yeah, yeah, that, that makes a lot of sense. Yeah. And and you say that makes me think to have even in school, it's been an hour on one, just a couple of key concepts in a class for each day, they wouldn't go like, here's 30 or 40. And we're getting at least that with scrolling tic tock or scrolling our emails, there's so many ideas crammed in one little thing, that it's it's so easy to forget that Oh, but I already said that. Did they grasp that at all? Also, did they see it? Because just the algorithm or whatever. But yeah, that makes that makes a lot of sense. So I've seen you post a little bit about this. And speaking of repeating yourself, what would you say like as far as is introverts? Using that as a superpower? In a way? Do you have any thoughts on introverts using that as a strength?
Unknown:Absolutely, I feel as introverts we are very, very, very self aware. And that is a very beautiful thing. Because as a result of being so self aware, you also become a very good listener, you've always made someone else the emphasis because we don't like talking about ourselves as much. So in this day and age, where if you're especially trying to build a business or trying to make money, or trying to make a customer feel special, that listening skill comes in very, very, very handy, because listening to them and understanding their problem and delivering a solution becomes a very good trait to have. And more than that, because we don't like relying on our personality as much because we feel that might be a handicap, we have a tendency to standardize things, right? We love frameworks, we love things that just work we love knowing a one plus one is equal to two, or we just know we don't like winging it as much, because we don't wing it. And we rely on systems. And we rely on proven methods for doing things. We know what the outcome is going to be before we even open a message or we know what the outcome is going to be before we even respond to an email or before something even happens. And that is a very rational way to go about things. And I always advocate approaching things as rationally as possible, try to be as pragmatic when you're trying to dictate your business or trying to dictate interactions, because you are not the hero, the hero is the person you're talking to. And when you're trying to build a personal brand, although it is you as the brand, the person consuming it is the hero, the person you're interacting with is the hero. So if you can make them feel as if they're heard, or that they their concerns, their pain points are being addressed. That's all you need to do. And then you look at the feedback, you see what they're saying, and then you go ahead and interact with them accordingly. So introverts, they have a lot of traits that they might be under estimating. They have a lot going for them.
Dylan Schmidt:Yeah, that's awesome. Introverts stand united gotta stick together. Stick together alone. Well, kind of closing it up a little bit. Is there anything that I didn't ask you that you want people to know when it comes to branding, personal branding, introverts strengths or just any advice for someone just starting out? That doesn't maybe feel totally grounded in what to do on the next steps to take, but they know they want to put themselves out there.
Unknown:Start yesterday. And I mean this on any level, right? If you've been contemplating or having some kind of an urge to put yourself out there, or if it's calling to you, there's a reason it's calling to you. Because what you're doing right now is maybe not fulfilling enough or you're feeling like there's something else that's better out there, or you're feeling FOMO, whatever it is, give yourself a shot, and just start. And that starting could look like anything, start an account, open a page, put up a profile photo, even if it's a dog profile photo, I don't care what it is, give yourself at least some credit to have the audacity to start, right. I feel like some of us feel that we're not worthy of attention. When we feel like we don't deserve to be in the spotlight for whatever reasons. That is not in this day. And age, everyone has an equal playing field, if you have an internet connection, if you have a phone, even if it's not a smartphone, you have a phone, internet connection, you can do pretty much whatever you want. It's no longer on approachable for you to put yourself out there and being found by the right people that you want to. So start at any capacity that you can, even if it is you creating a very simple post a once a month, doesn't matter. As long as you take that action, it feels like some kind of progress, that is still better than doing nothing, because you're gonna wish that you would have started a couple of months ago, last year, two years ago, three years ago, because things change very, very rapidly. Things progress very quickly once you gain momentum. So don't underestimate that. And give yourself some credit.
Dylan Schmidt:The truth, that's the truth, and I can I agree with I can identify with things progressing rapidly, because I just started this digital podcaster thing just just in June. And it's just I remember when I had free time, I remember those days and man, it's just but not that I look forward to all the busyness and the the fun and excitement. It's just that it's just different. And I wouldn't trade it for anything now. And so true. Just so true. So true. Sima, thank you so
Unknown:much. And it feels tangible, right, you don't see it as much. You don't see the movement as much and you feel it. And it's only when you look back like a month, two months, three months in your life. Whoa, I have made so much progress, I wouldn't have realized before. Yeah. And then before you know what you have something very tangible and something that like basically out of thin air. But that happens in increments, right? It's like the paper towel. Yeah, you know what that is? No. So the paper towel effect is used in like these, these weight loss communities where these paper towel rolls that you have, right? They're very thick, and they're big and round. And every single piece of towel that you tear off, is making it thinner and thinner and thinner and thinner, right? So it's not until you've tear torn off a lot of towels, that you realize that it's gotten much smaller. So this is like the opposite. It's You don't realize how much progress you're making. Unless every single day all of that accumulates and compounds until it's a big paper roll. Yeah,
Dylan Schmidt:I love that. I love that. And it looks so different. Looking back to like, I look back on if you whether it's podcasts, or emails or any content, basically, it's like in the moment and like there, I don't know who's gonna like this. And then like, at first Yeah, maybe nobody likes it. And then a couple people like it, and now more and more people like it. And I look back and I'm like, wow, this is actually really good. Who made this? I made this one doesn't feel like me who made it. But but it's like that effect because it's this, like getting that time and space in between of making it and then looking back on it is is so different than in the moment because in the moment, it's like, it's like the worst critic is in my head the loudest. But then the further I get it's almost doesn't feel like me. And then I can go oh, this is this is actually decent.
Unknown:It's that level of skill and confidence that we start taking for granted when that really really happens incrementally Right? Like every month when you learn something new. It might feel a little painful, but you're like No, you're getting it done anyway. And then after a year you're like I cannot believe that today I'm managing to do this when I had no idea how to do that a year ago and now it's Yeah, day to day kind of thing. Like boss loving all over the place.
Dylan Schmidt:Yeah, I love that. I love that. I love that so much. Yeah, yeah. And then and then and then my hope and my my my desire is as going through the stages as I go on is remembering what it was like and never forgetting what it was like for people that were just starting out because to me It's always annoying when someone has success in something. And if they're like a star athlete, Oh, you mean you just go practice every day? And it's like, yes, but I think there were a couple more steps into it, then just like you're kind of simplifying. So I never want to simplify too much for the beginner. But also at the same time, it's I think it is actually just as simple as what you had said, though, is it's just starting, like, just whatever it is starting a page, starting a podcast, it is starting it, whatever it is,
Unknown:I said this in a live yesterday, when I was when I was doing a soul live is the problem that a lot of people have is when they're at level zero, they're busy worrying about level 10, which is like making it on this insanely huge level and putting such pressure on themselves when they don't accomplish that when they're not supposed to at this point in time, right? Instead of worrying about the next thing that needs to be done, like the level one or level two thing, they're busy worrying about level 10. And because they haven't achieved it as quickly as they thought, they get discouraged. They get burnt out and then they stop. Yeah. And that's the sad part. So it's honor the journey. Honor the stage you're in, cut yourself some slack, and know that you're doing the best that you can. And the next move or the next piece of the puzzle will unfold. It'll show itself and it always does you meet the people, you come across things you come across resources that help you all along your journey. So yeah, never it's never linear. It's always there'll be ups and downs, but you'll get there.
Dylan Schmidt:Yeah, that is, that is like the perfect thing. I just want to I feel like we're at the top of the mountain right now. And I don't want to bring us back down at the beginning. We're like floating away into the that's, that's amazing. Thank you so much, Sima. Thank you so much. Okay, so we're also working. I was like, You had me you had me there. I'm just like, coming back to my body for a second. Where can people learn more about you and how to work with you?
Unknown:Well, you can find me on Instagram, which is my mothership at my account. axioma Batavia if you would like to work with me, please just send me a DM I would be great, gladly happy to have a chat with you and see how I can help you. And yeah, I'm just happy to meet new people and help as many people that I can.
Dylan Schmidt:That's wonderful. Yeah. I'll link to that in the show notes as well. Thank you again SEMA. It has been such a pleasure
Unknown:saying here thank you so much for having me. This was fun
Dylan Schmidt:How awesome was that? I got to keep the music going. Because it's just this is feel good song right here. And it's just feel good times. Yeah, we're going into, we're in fall. Winter's coming in not too, too long. But there's plenty of crazy stuff that's going on in the world. But we got great people like SEMA. We got great people like you listening here, that, despite all that are still showing up with a smile on our face, and showing up to serve and still make an impact. So that's, that's good news. That's good news, if I ever heard it, and just start including more good news on this show. So I hope you enjoy the conversation with SEMA. If you're listening, right now, she has a course called strangers to buyers. It is linked in the show notes. She is an expert at what she does when it comes to building personal brand, attracting your dream clients without that weird salesy feeling that I know we all I don't really care for. But we got to make money, we got to pay the bills. Because, you know, that's part of it. That's part of it. There's an energy exchange there, where if you're putting a lot into something, you gotta start receiving something back, right. And I meet a lot of people that are great at giving, but not so great ever receiving. So check out SEMA as strangers to buyers course that's enrollment is open now. Might not be if you're listening right now. So if you go there, and you're like, This doesn't work. Sorry. It's not only a limited time. And also, I just released an updated pot, the ultimate podcasting resource library. So if you want to start a podcast, and you want the, I basically compiled 250, plus tools and apps and resources in one place. And I'll link to that in the show notes as well. It's completely free. Check it out. It's like my brain organized and delivered to you. Really cool stuff. So check the show notes for that as well for the resource library. And thank you again for being here and spending your time with us. I will see you next week. Have a great week.