Navigating the world of personal branding can sometimes feel like a heavy duty. Many think it's a competition on who has the best banner or the best logo. It's not just about selecting colors or fonts. It's a deeper journey into self-discovery and the impressions we leave on others.

Social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, TikTok, and X(formerly Twitter) unite billions of users in our ever-evolving digital landscape. As of 2023, nearly 5 billion individuals actively engage with social media. Projections indicate that this number will surge to an astounding 5.85 billion by 2027.

Here's the remarkable twist. In this vast sea, there are 207 million content creators worldwide, and the Creator Economy is set to reach an astonishing $500 billion by 2027. It's an incredible opportunity, indeed. But how do you rise above the noise?

The solution, while seemingly straightforward, is a game-changer. You need to become an Autonomous Brand, Naval words. Or, in my own words, become a Multi-Dimensional Personal Brand.

Forget about designing logos or banners. This is about understanding how to craft your personal brand in a way that doesn't rely on fleeting tactics. Achieving this requires tapping into your "unfair advantage" – something inherent in everyone, though often overlooked.

It's about shaping how people perceive you. It's about shaping how people remember you.

Here's what you'll learn

• Identify Your Unfair Advantage
• Validate Your Advantage
• Leverage Your Unfair Advantage to Forge Your Brand with Authority

Ready to tap into your unfair advantage? I hope so. Let's dive in.

The Power of an Unfair Advantage

An unfair advantage is not a reason to hate others or become a narcissist.

An unfair advantage can help you grow faster as a person and as a multi-dimensional personal brand. Many have an unfair advantage they aren't aware of.

In the creator economy, many have understood the power of their unfair advantage and used it at its full potential. So, let me help you identify yours.

How to Identify Your Unfair Advantage

There are many ways to identify an unfair advantage that we think is "basic."

Here are eight areas you can reflect on to find yours.

Hint: you can have many unfair advantages.

1) Innate Talents

Some individuals are naturally gifted in specific areas. For example, a person might have an exceptional talent for playing a musical instrument, excelling in sports, or grasping complex mathematical concepts with ease.

2) Acquired Skills

Many people invest time and effort in acquiring specialized skills. This could include skills related to their profession, hobbies, or personal interests. Skills gained through education, training, or practical experience can become significant advantages.

3) Unique Experiences

‍Life experiences can provide a unique perspective and expertise. Someone who has travelled extensively, overcome adversity, or worked in a niche industry may possess insights and knowledge that others lack.

4) Personal Attributes

‍Personal qualities like creativity, empathy, resilience, and adaptability can be considered unfair advantages. These attributes often shape an individual's approach to problem-solving and interaction with others.

5) Passions and Interests

‍Genuine passion for a particular field or subject matter can lead to deep expertise. When people are genuinely enthusiastic about something, they tend to invest more time and energy in it, naturally becoming more knowledgeable and skilled.

6) Network and Connections

Building a robust network of professional and personal connections can be a significant advantage. Access to mentors, collaborators, or influential individuals can open doors and provide valuable guidance.

7) Geographic Location

‍Sometimes, living in a specific geographic area can be advantageous. For example, residing in Dubai has tax benefits and valuable networking opportunities.

8) Resources and Support

‍Having access to resources, whether financial, educational, or familial support, can offer a substantial advantage. It can facilitate the pursuit of goals and the development of skills.

I have some great examples to show you.

Creators Who Tapped Into Their Unfair Advantages

Ali Abdaal

He started his YouTube journey while being a Med student. He always shared his grades and ability to study for an extended time without burning out. That's how his productivity videos were born out of demand. People became interested in him because of his "unfair advantage" as a medical student (future doctor).

Unfair advantages: Medicine, tests taking, productivity, teaching, web design background, Cambridge University branding.

Ruri Ohama

Ruri is a part-time Med Student. She is a Turkish half-Japanese Polyglot who speaks 4 languages. She has more than 1M subscribers now.

Unfair advantages: Polyglot, Med student, Critical Thinker.

Dan Koe

Dan Koe's growth exploded in 2023 due to his 2D animated videos and unique philosophy. His success is not by chance. By the age of 26 years old, he already has more than 7 failed businesses under his belt.

Unfair advantages: web design skill, portfolio of failed businesses, obsession, unique thought articulation.

Imed Djabi

I include myself because I want you to understand how I identified my unfair advantages.

I got a lot of inspiration from Dan Koe. I used my web design & branding skills to build a solid foundation, which helped me a lot. Until today, I always receive questions about how I made my website.

Unfair advantages: web design & branding, unafraid of failure, obsession, multi-faceted, fast learner.

Keep in mind that those could be a double-edged sword.

I have to keep focus and maintain my priorities.

Validating Your Advantage

In essence, validating your unfair advantages is about letting your actions and the value you provide speak for themselves. It's less about labelling them explicitly and more about naturally incorporating them into your personal brand's narrative and content.

This approach can make your advantages more relatable and appealing to your audience instead of shouting, "Hey, here are my unfair advantages."

Leaning into Your Unfair Advantage

Leaning into your unfair advantage will help you eradicate imposter syndrome.

Your unfair advantage goes beyond a set of skills.

For instance, I'm going back to Bali this winter.

IT IS an unfair advantage to be in Bali as a creator.

I was in Bali this past February and did not use it to my advantage. AT ALL.

My creativity and productivity were at an all-time high.

Many people want to see what it looks like and feels like to be there.

Therefore, my content will slightly shift toward creativity, productivity, environment adaptation, and networking.

If you're living in a country with a lot of tourist traction, take advantage of that to connect with your audience interested in coming to your hometown.

Building Your Autonomous Brand

You're already three steps ahead of your previous self by leaning into your unfair advantages.

I can't cover everything about building your autonomous brand in this article alone. So, I suggest you read Multi-Dimensional Personal Brand (upcoming article) and The Anti-Niche Philosophy.

How to get started right away:

1. List all of your unfair advantages (no way in hell you don't have at least one) - Hint: reading this article is an unfair advantage.
2. Don't shy away from sharing things you're good at.
3. I share videos of me shooting basketball because I'm confident in my abilities and know I'm a good shooter, not by arrogance but by confidence. I threw more than 400,000 shots in the hoop.
4. Lean into what resonates with your audience and leverage it

I'm curious, let me know after you identify your unfair advantages.

- Imed