To rebrand, sometimes it’s necessary to un-brand.

You need to shed the past to embrace the future.

At a time when personal branding is ultra-important, un-branding matters.

It’s a challenge to develop a new image, story, or reputation to replace an existing one.

The “un-brand to re-brand” idea jumped out from the pages of Matthew McConaughey’s biography, Greenlights.

After a string of lucrative rom-com hits (“How to lose a guy in 10 days”, anyone?), McConaughey wanted more serious roles.

He moved to Texas and rejected a string of rom-com offers, including one worth >$10-million.

The offers disappeared but But McConaughey held his ground for nearly two years.

Then, dramatic roles slowly started to emerge.

Hollywood had forgotten about McConaughey, the rom-com star. Out of site, out of mind.

But McConaughey was granted the freedom to embrace a personal brand to do movies like Mud and the Dallas Buyers Club.

Personal branding is a multi-step journey. It’s not an overnight exercise. It takes time to establish, nurture, and pollinate.

You’re rewarded with a personal brand by how you walk and talk every day until people realize it’s who you are.

Book: Greenlight:

Podcast with DP Knudsen on developing a personal brand.

Like this content? Subscribe to my marketing newsletter featuring bite-sized advice and opinion.