Be Seen. Be Valued. Be Followed.

In today’s hyper-connected, digitally driven world, building your personal brand should not be an afterthought. It requires careful curating because it’s your career currency. Whether you’re aiming for a promotion, seeking new opportunities, or establishing yourself as an industry expert, the perception others have of you—online and offline—plays a massive role in your professional success.

You can leave it to chance, or you can control the narrative. You are the Chief Brand Officer of You!

Your words, actions, digital footprint, and even those you are “friends” with all feed into your personal brand story that defines how others come to know, trust, and value you.

A Strong Online Presence Is Essential

Your online presence is often your first impression. Recruiters, potential employers, partners, and even clients Google you before they greet you.

According to a 2024 LinkedIn study, 85% of hiring managers say a candidate’s online presence influences hiring decisions.

70% of professionals believe that having a strong personal brand has helped them achieve better career opportunities.

Your LinkedIn profile, social content, blog posts, or podcast appearances aren’t just optional—they are often your digital handshake. If you’re invisible online or only reposting content without context, you may be missing crucial opportunities to stand out.

Offer Value

The key to building a trusted brand isn’t just visibility—it’s credibility.

It’s not enough to just be active online; you must actively demonstrate value. Whether that’s in the form of thoughtful insights, useful tips, case studies, or genuine conversations, people engage with what helps them.

Ask yourself:

• Am I creating original content that solves problems or educates others?
• Am I sharing stories and lessons that reflect my experience and thinking?
• Am I amplifying others thoughtfully rather than merely parroting trends?

Your ability to be original or even contrarian and deliver consistent, meaningful value—online and offline—will determine whether people follow, reference, recommend, or hire you.

Establishing Authority and Thought Leadership

Avoid the temptation and allure of becoming a mere influencer, often a euphemism for trendsetting, fads, or aspiring celebrity status. Instead, focus on cultivating a genuine leadership presence within your industry. Begin with small yet consistent actions that underscore your expertise, integrity, and core values.

Consider these five steps to help begin or refine your journey:

1. Share Insightful, Value-Driven Content

• Post tips, lessons learned from failure and challenges, and stories from your professional journey.
• Write LinkedIn articles or start a blog on industry trends.
• Record short videos or audio snippets that break down complex ideas.

2. Engage with Purpose

• Comment meaningfully on others’ posts—add perspective, not just emojis.
• Participate in relevant conversations in online niche communities.
• Support others by sharing their content with your take on why it matters.

3. Optimize Your Digital Presence

• Update your LinkedIn profile with results, not just roles.
• Use a professional headshot, strong bio, and clear headline.
• Add links to your best work, speaking engagements, or articles.

4. Build Relationships, Not Just a Network

• Connect intentionally—follow up with a thoughtful message or a shared idea.
• Offer help, introductions, or advice without expecting anything in return.
• Respond to DMs, comments, and messages with courtesy and attention.

5. Be Consistently Reliable and Professional

• Return emails promptly and clearly.
• Deliver on your promises—reliability builds trust faster than charm.
• Stay respectful and kind regardless of someone’s title or status.

Your Brand Is Built in the Small Moments

Here’s a truth many overlook: the strongest brands are not built with a single viral post or high-profile feature—they’re built in everyday actions.

Your personal brand is a living asset. It evolves with every interaction. So, think of yourself as a brand steward and Chief Brand Officer. Commit to doing one thing each day—no matter how small—that strengthens your brand. When you write, share, speak, assist, and connect, always do it well!