10 Rules for Building a Personal Brand That Lasts

We asked 10 people with devoted, lucrative followings to share the most unexpected takeaways from their wild and winding journeys of building personal brands.

- By Liz Brody, Jason Feifer, and Britta Lokting

RULE 1 Stay present to connect.

→ No.1 New York Times bestselling author. Oprah-endorsed thought leader. Self-described Spirit Junkie. Gabby Bernstein is a guru girl to millennials everywhere. Thirsty for her tell-it-like-it-is authenticity, they flock to her books (nine and counting, including The Universe Has Your Back and May Cause Miracles), podcast, social media, online content, and talks. But at 43, with so many balls in the air, she doesn't forget the most crucial thing: Be present in the moment, for whoever is there.

When I was 25 with 13 women in my studio apartment, I was able to say, 'This is true perfection, Bernstein says. Because why did you go and build your own business and take all these risks? You wanted it to be fun, right? So many people lose sight of that.

Bernstein stresses that you don't need to crack a million followers on Instagram all at once (as she has over time). Hold a small gathering, start a book-for her, looking ahead at your goals while appreciating exactly where you are is the most genuine way to connect, even (and especially) with unfriendly audiences. I spoke at an event where some of the women were drunk, and people were talking over me, she says. At one point I just slowed down my voice, speaking really thoughtfully, almost leaving silent moments so that they would hear themselves. And they started to listen.

Focusing on who you're with now also keeps fear from getting in your way, says Bernstein. When she was anxious before her Super Soul session on stage with Oprah, she realized: If I was nervous because of Oprah, then it was me making this about me. And it wasn't. Of course, then I got out of the car and she's the only other person in the parking lot. I was like, thank you, universe, for reminding me, like, get the fuck over yourself.

RULE 2

Trademark your 'isms.'