Personal Branding with Storytelling

Learn why today’s job market demands a new approach—shifting from job titles to skills and achievements—and how TV pitch strategies can help you reframe your career story for broader opportunities.

Learn the four core elements of a successful TV pitch—story, talent, audience, and materials—and discover how this framework can be applied to your own career story and personal brand.

Take a closer look at the HGTV show Home Town and how it was likely pitched. Explore how its story, talent, and production make it successful—and start noticing the keywords that can also define your own strengths.

Use this exercise to reflect on your past roles and uncover the standout skills that define you. Write down your career strengths—like teamwork, problem solving, or creativity—and, if needed, ask peers or colleagues for insight.

This short video gives you a quick overview of how the course worksheets work. The PDFs are fillable and designed to guide you step by step toward identifying what makes you unique. Download the attached worksheet under "Resources" and follow along as you progress through the class.

Discover why every pitch needs a hook and how to create one for your personal brand. Learn from TV pitching examples and start shaping a logline that makes your strengths and goals memorable.

Learn how to shape your career storyline by identifying your key skills, unique twist, and transformation. Discover how to translate job roles into memorable strengths that define your personal brand.

Understand the difference between skill and talent. Learn why skills are important, but talent—the unique strengths that set you apart—is what makes your personal brand stand out.

Discover the Platypus Principle—the idea that your quirks and unique traits are your strengths. Learn how embracing what makes you different can help define your personal brand and set you apart in any career story.

Use this exercise to write your personal logline — a short, memorable blurb that sells your strengths. Then, create a TV-style show title that reflects your unique career story and brand. Download the attached worksheet to guide your reflections and creativity.

Discover how to shift your career story from role-based titles to transferable skills. Learn to position your pitch for different audiences, just like tailoring a TV show for multiple networks.

Learn how to reshape your career story so it appeals beyond your current industry. Discover how to rewrite your bio with transferable skills and strengths that open doors across sectors.

Learn how to break down your past roles into core skills—like leadership, problem-solving, and project management—that apply across industries. Discover how to shift your mindset from job titles to opportunities that showcase your true strengths.

Discover how networking outside your industry can open new opportunities and bring fresh perspectives. Learn how accountability partners can help you stay motivated, recognize your strengths, and push your career forward.

Use this exercise to rewrite your personal logline for at least two different industries. Explore how your skills translate across fields and broaden your career options. Download the attached worksheet to guide your rewrites and practice adapting your logline.

Learn how to align your resume, cover letter, and credit list with the personal brand story you’ve developed. Highlight accomplishments and talents first, keep your documents clear and compelling, and ensure they showcase the impact you bring to every role.

Learn how to shift your resume from listing job titles to showcasing results. Just like tailoring a TV pitch to different networks, you’ll discover how to highlight accomplishments that solve an employer’s problem and make your resume stand out.

Learn how to transform your cover letter into a mini pitch. Break it into four parts—hook, story, talents, and closing—and apply the storytelling skills you’ve developed to create a letter that’s clear, memorable, and persuasive.

Learn how to tailor your resume and cover letter with the right keywords from job postings. Understand how AI tools like ChatGPT can support—but never replace—your authentic voice and personal brand.

Use this exercise to draft a cover letter that opens with your personal logline. Practice refining your resume and cover letter to highlight your skills and strengths with confidence. Download the attached worksheet to guide your writing practice.

Learn how to refine and practice your personal brand pitch so it feels authentic, confident, and ready to deliver in interviews and beyond.

Learn three simple strategies to boost your confidence when speaking. Eliminate filler words, avoid uptalk, and stop apologizing so your communication feels strong, clear, and persuasive in interviews, meetings, and online.

Learn how to use LinkedIn, social media, and networking groups to promote your skills and build credibility. Treat your profile as a personal billboard, leverage referrals, and explore short-form video to showcase your strengths.

Use this exercise to practice pitching your personal logline out loud and in writing. Share it with friends, peers, or accountability partners to get feedback. Then, refine your logline using the attached worksheet and build a visibility plan to share it confidently across platforms like LinkedIn, interviews, and networking events.

A short closing message to wrap up the course. Shannon shares encouragement, key takeaways, and how to stay confident in selling your skills. In this final lecture, you’ll get a quick recap and next steps. You’ll also learn how to stay connected for future classes and support. Be sure to download the two resources below.