Hey!
So I was thinking about this whole “personal branding” thing the other day while scrolling through LinkedIn. Ugh, I know—another marketing buzzword, right? But hang on.
This isn’t about becoming some polished “thought leader” or whatever. It’s just about making sure people see the real you, not some weird version that happens by accident.
What Even Is This “Personal Brand” Stuff?
Remember when you stalked that person on Google before your coffee meeting? Yeah, you did that. We all do. That first impression you got from their socials and whatever random stuff popped up? That’s their brand.
It’s just what people think of when they think of you. The stuff you post. How you talk. What you wear. The vibe you give off in meetings. Nothing fancy.
Why Should You Give a Damn?
Look, it’s 2025, and everyone’s checking everyone out online:
That manager is looking at your Instagram before your interview
People decide whether to follow you back based on your last few posts
Clients snoop before signing contracts
Having a clear “you” out there means:
You might get opportunities you’d otherwise miss
People feel like they know you before they meet you
You don’t get lost in the sea of boring LinkedIn profiles
You can show off your skills without being that person who won’t shut up about themselves
And honestly? It feels good to control your narrative instead of letting others make up their minds without your input.
How to Do This Without Being Fake or Cringey
1. Just Figure Out Who You Are
Easy questions that are hard to answer:
What are you good at? Not what you wish you were good at.
What do you do that makes you forget to check your phone?
What do your friends always ask for your advice about?
What hills are you willing to die on?
Don’t overthink it. Just be honest.
2. Fix Your Online Mess
Go Google yourself. Seriously, do it now.
Found those old MySpace pics? That abandoned Twitter? That Reddit comment you wrote at 2 AM five years ago? Yeah, time for some cleanup:
Update your LinkedIn so it doesn’t look like you died in 2019
Post stuff you care about, not just what you think you should
Use a picture where you look like yourself on a good day (we all know the difference)
Think of it like your apartment when someone might come over. You don’t need to redecorate, just hide the dirty laundry.
3. Share Stuff When You Feel Like It
Look, nobody’s saying start a YouTube channel (unless you want to). But maybe:
Write something when you learn something cool
Share an article with your actual thoughts, not just “Interesting read!”
Start a low-pressure newsletter if you enjoy writing
Just show up sometimes. Imperfect and present beats perfect and absent every time.
4. Talk to People Like They’re People
Respond to comments. Ask questions. Go to meetups sometimes. Your personal brand isn’t a press release—it’s a conversation.
5. Tell People About Your Screw-ups
Nobody trusts the person who claims they’ve never failed. Talk about that project that bombed. That time you were totally wrong. What you learned from it. People remember vulnerability way more than achievements.
6. Keep Changing Your Mind
As you grow, your brand should too. It’s weird if you’re still the same person you were five years ago. Stay curious. Try new things. Change direction when something’s not working.
Stuff That Makes Everyone Cringe
Acting all corporate on LinkedIn but posting party pics on Instagram (pick a lane)
Trying to be everyone’s cup of tea (you’re not coffee)
Acting like a saint online but being rude to waitstaff (your offline brand matters)
Being so obviously fake that people get secondhand embarrassment
Bottom Line
Your brand isn’t some marketing scheme—it’s just making sure people see the real you, on purpose.
Start small. Don’t overthink it. Be yourself, but with better lighting.
So what’s your move? Could you update that sad LinkedIn bio today? Post something you believe? Let me know what you try—I’m figuring this out too.