Personal Branding Essentials

73% of people admit their online presence doesn’t represent who they truly are. Honestly? Yea! We live in a world where social media pushes us to be “marketable,” “polished,” and “always-on.” But guys—being seen ≠ being understood. My job? To fix that gap. Without losing the real “you.” Here’s how most business owners get it wrong. 👉 They think ‘professional’ means ‘boring.’ You don’t have to sound like a corporate robot to build authority. Your quirks? Your humor? They’re your superpowers. 👉 They focus too much on aesthetics. A great profile pic and sleek visuals are nice, but your words and stories are what build trust and connection. 👉 They struggle with consistency. Posting once in a blue moon won't make you memorable. Building an authentic online presence is like going to the gym—you’ve got to show up regularly. 👉 They copy trends instead of owning their voice. Trends fade. Your unique experiences? Timeless. Stop being a knockoff; start being the original. So, how do you fix it? Think of personal branding like a first date: 📍Be yourself (but the best version). 📍Show, don’t just tell. 📍Stay consistent but not repetitive. And most importantly—speak to people, not at them. Why do we need all of this effort? 86% of consumers prefer an authentic brand personality over a polished one. In short: Authenticity wins. Always. If your LinkedIn, Instagram, or website doesn’t feel “you,” it’s time for a change. Let’s fix it—without the fluff, without the fake. What do you think? Does your online presence truly reflect YOU? Or just a version you think people want to see? 🤔 DM me or book a call if you're ready to build a REAL personal brand. #PersonalBrandingExpert

5 Mistakes I Made in my branding journey (and How to Dodge Them) Looking back on my personal branding journey, one super important thing that I learned is: 📢That goof-ups are just as important as high-fives. ✅Admitting mistakes is as important as cheering for successes. Here's a scoop on where I went wrong, helping me understand the road to successful personal branding. These are those 5 mistakes you must absolutely steer clear of: 1️⃣Lack of Clear Goals: Without clear, measurable goals, my personal branding efforts lacked direction. Establishing specific objectives helped in crafting a strategy that aligned with the overarching vision for my personal brand. 2️⃣Neglecting the Power of Networking: Building a personal brand goes beyond individual efforts. I initially underestimated the power of networking within my industry, missing out on valuable collaborations and opportunities 3️⃣Ignoring Analytics: Analytics provide valuable insights into what works and what doesn't. Initially, I failed to leverage the power of analytics. Overlooking data-driven insights led to a lack of understanding regarding what resonated with my audience and what needed improvement. This resulted in missed opportunities. 4️⃣Skipping Personal Brand Updates: As you evolve, so should your personal brand. Skipping regular updates may lead to an outdated online image that doesn't reflect your current achievements and aspirations. 5️⃣Ignoring Consistency: Inconsistency in your online presence can dilute your personal brand. I was not consistent in the beginning. Still am. It's a work in progress 🙈 So there you have it – a roadmap of mistakes to avoid on your personal branding journey. Remember : Your oops moments and mistakes, in their own quiet way add depth, character and authenticity to your story that's unfolding every minute, every day. Here's to learning, growing, and crafting a personal brand that truly reflects the authentic and incredible you. Cheers to the journey ahead🥂 #personalbranding #analytics #contentstrategy #storytelling

When I first started building my personal brand, I made plenty of mistakes. Looking back, here are the 5 most common ones and how you can avoid them: 1️⃣ Waiting for perfection before posting So many of us hold back because we want everything to be “perfect.” The truth? Progress beats perfection. Just start. 2️⃣ Copying others instead of finding your voice It’s easy to mimic successful creators, but authenticity wins. Your unique perspective is your superpower lean into it. 3️⃣ Ignoring engagement Posting content is only half the battle. Respond to comments, connect with your audience, and build relationships. That’s how personal brands grow. 4️⃣ Focusing only on followers Followers don’t equal impact. Focus on the value you provide, and the right people will follow and stay. 5️⃣ Not tracking results If you’re not measuring what works, you’ll keep guessing. Track your posts, see what resonates, and scale what works. PS : If you’re struggling to get results, grow your audience, or make an impact, I can help you turn things around. Check the featured section for more or reach out directly. #personalbranding

Seasoned professionals often struggle with personal branding because traditional advice focuses on building visibility rather than leveraging existing authority and expertise. The most effective branding strategies for experienced professionals emphasize thought leadership and industry wisdom rather than personal promotion or trend-following. Key platforms and approaches that work: Professional publishing through platforms like Medium allows you to share insights and frameworks developed through decades of experience. Speaking opportunities and podcast appearances position you as an industry authority and provide content that can be repurposed across multiple channels. Board-ready profile development opens doors to governance opportunities while demonstrating executive-level thinking. Alumni network activation leverages existing relationships built throughout your career trajectory. Industry association leadership roles provide visibility within your professional community while contributing meaningful value. Mentorship program participation allows you to monetize your experience while building relationships with emerging leaders. The goal isn't to compete with younger professionals on energy or trend awareness - it's to demonstrate the strategic thinking and problem-solving capability that only comes through extensive experience. Your decades of experience represent unique intellectual property. The challenge is packaging and presenting that knowledge effectively. What platforms have you found most effective for showcasing professional expertise? Sign up to my newsletter for more corporate insights and truths here: https://vist.ly/3yuu7 #deepalivyas #eliterecruiter #recruiter #recruitment #jobsearch #corporate #personalbranding #executivebranding #thoughtleadership #careerstrategist

What if the key to influence isn’t just what you do but how you think and how you engage? Too many professionals treat personal branding as a job description—trapped under their employer’s identity. But the most successful thought leaders transcend their roles, shaping industry conversations beyond their job titles. So, here are the three levels of personal branding: -> 𝐋𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 Defined by your employer’s reputation. You’re just a cog in the machine. -> 𝐃𝐢𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 You engage with your industry, network, and passions. You start standing out. -> 𝐀𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐜 𝐁𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐝 You share your insights, challenges, and beliefs. You build trust, credibility, and influence. 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜 𝐀𝐧𝐝𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐬𝐬𝐞𝐧'𝐬 (𝐕𝐂, 𝐚𝟏𝟔𝐳) 𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 on the future of tech has built his brand beyond his firm, making him a go-to voice in Silicon Valley. His essays, from “𝐖𝐡𝐲 𝐒𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐰𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐈𝐬 𝐄𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐥𝐝” to 𝐖𝐞𝐛𝟑 𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬, didn’t just spark conversations; they shaped entire industries. Instead of only investing, ℎ𝑒 𝑒𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑎𝑡𝑒𝑠, 𝑐ℎ𝑎𝑙𝑙𝑒𝑛𝑔𝑒𝑠, 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑝𝑟𝑒𝑑𝑖𝑐𝑡𝑠. His writing turns abstract ideas into movements, making a16z synonymous with the future of tech. That’s the power of 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩. 𝐼𝑡’𝑠 𝑛𝑜𝑡 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑣𝑖𝑠𝑖𝑏𝑖𝑙𝑖𝑡𝑦—𝑖𝑡’𝑠 𝑎𝑏𝑜𝑢𝑡 𝑠ℎ𝑎𝑝𝑖𝑛𝑔 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑛𝑎𝑟𝑟𝑎𝑡𝑖𝑣𝑒. Leaders who write don’t chase opportunities. They attract them. 𝐿𝑒𝑠𝑠𝑜𝑛? Thought leaders own the conversation, not just their job title. They become industry architects, not just participants. So, are you building a resume or a reputation? #thoughtleadership #personalbranding #CXO #leadership #visibility #linkedin

3 biggest mistakes I see startup founders & entrepreneurs make on LinkedIn that destroys their personal brands - Too many startup founders unintentionally hurt their brand. They destroy their credibility and don’t even realize it until it’s too late. All because they don't understand one simple thing - Building a personal brand on LinkedIn is less about posting, and more about positioning. Here’s what I see often—and how to fix it: Mistake 1- Talking only about their product. Every post is “Buy this, try that.” But guess what? People don’t care about your product yet. How to Fix It- - Share why you built it. - Talk about the real problem you’re solving. Mistake 2- They focus entirely on their business page. But people trust people, not logos. How to Fix It- - Build your brand by sharing insights, values, and expertise. - Show up as the face of your business. Mistake 3- Posting inconsistently or randomly One month they’re active; the next, they disappear. Or they post content without any strategy. How to Fix It- - Commit to showing up regularly. - Plan content that resonates with your audience's problems and desires. A weak personal brand can hurt your business growth. Want to avoid these mistakes and build a brand that attracts clients, investors, & opportunities? 📩 DM me, and let’s make your LinkedIn work for you! ♻️Share/Repost so it reaches all the founders making these mistakes. #shambhavi_writes LinkedIn News India LinkedIn Guide to Creating #personalbranding

2024 was a disaster for most businesses. Why? They ignored the basics. Here’s the hard truth: In 2025, the winners will be the ones who simplify, stay human, and play the long game. Here’s the roadmap: 1️⃣ Authenticity Over Automation AI-generated content is killing trust. Consumers can spot fake from a mile away. People buy from PEOPLE. Write like a human, not a bot. 2️⃣ Personal Brands Dominate Logos don’t inspire loyalty - real people do. Show your face, tell your story, and be relatable. Skip the overproduced junk. 3️⃣ Micro-Conversions Matter Sales don’t happen in one step. Track the small wins - DM replies, email signups, webinar attendees. These are your building blocks. 4️⃣ Connection > Content Stop posting for vanity. Start engaging. Every DM, comment, and voice note is a chance to convert. The brands that focus on human conversations will win. 🔥 Here’s the Shift: AI is your assistant, not your replacement. Use it to save time, not your soul. If you’re ready to stop losing and start dominating, it’s time to get real, get consistent, and get HUMAN.

Yesterday, I was asked a question: Why personal branding over company branding? Here’s my take— People connect with people, not logos. Your company might evolve. Your business model might pivot. Heck, you might shut it down and start something new. But if you’ve built a strong personal brand, you don’t start from scratch. You start from trust. From authority. From presence. That’s the real power of personal branding. It gives you leverage in any room, any business, any industry. Clients follow you, not your logo. Opportunities chase your name, not just your offer. Your face becomes your credibility. In a world full of noise, your personal brand is your signal. So if you're only investing in company branding... Ask yourself, what happens when the company changes? Will people still listen? Because personal branding isn't just a strategy. It's your insurance for the long game.

The brand of the company you work for is not your personal brand. If all you talk about is the company you work for, you’re simply a mouthpiece for it, and it can stifle your individual voice. Here are three ways to develop your own personal brand while still championing your company: 1. Showcase Your Expertise: Share industry insights, trends, and thought leadership content. Demonstrate your skills and knowledge beyond the scope of your company. When people associate you with valuable expertise, they remember you. 2. Highlight Personal Achievements (these can include learnings): Share your professional milestones, successes or where you fumbled and how you recovered and grew from it. Whether it’s a project you led, a problem you solved a skill you honed, or how you fumbled, learned and recovered, your achievements and learnings contribute to your personal brand. 3. Engage Authentically: Interact with your network in a genuine way. Comment on posts, join discussions, and share personal stories that resonate with you. Authentic engagement builds trust and sets you apart. Often times, I see people talk about the company they work for constantly and they amass a following because people love the company — but they don’t know how to separate their own voice. Remember, you can have a strong personal brand and also complement and enhances your company’s brand, but the company’s brand voice is not your own. Let your unique voice be heard.

The game has changed. Personal branding in 2025 isn’t just about visibility—it’s about depth, trust, and sustainability. The old tactics of just showing up and posting consistently? Not enough. People crave authenticity, depth, and long-term impact. Here’s what’s shaping personal branding this year: 👉 AI Is Your Amplifier, Not Your Replacement With AI-powered content flooding social media, human connection is the differentiator. Thought leaders in 2025 use AI to enhance their ideas, not replace them. Personal branding is now about showcasing your unique insights, experiences, and perspectives—not just repackaging trends. 🔥 Winning move: Share personal stories, fresh insights, and bold opinions AI can’t replicate. 👉 Video & Voice Dominate—But Only if You’re Real Short-form videos and podcasts aren’t optional anymore. But here’s the shift: People don’t just want polished content; they want realness. Candid, unfiltered, and conversational content is outperforming scripted, overly produced content. 🔥 Winning move: Show up on video. Speak on industry panels. Start a podcast or regularly contribute to one. 👉 Niche Depth Beats General Influence The biggest personal brands in 2025 aren’t chasing vanity metrics. They are owning micro-niches and becoming irreplaceable voices in their fields. Broad generalists get drowned out; those who double down on a niche stand out. 🔥 Winning move: Find your niche, go deep, and be known for something specific. 👉 Trust Is the New Currency Trust is crucial in the era of deepfakes and AI-generated content. Personal brands must now focus on building credibility through consistent value, proof of expertise, and community engagement. 🔥 Winning move: Show your work. Share case studies, testimonials, and real-life experiences that demonstrate your expertise. 👉 Personal Branding Is a Business Model, Not Just an Identity In 2025, creators and professionals aren’t just building an audience—they are monetizing their expertise through courses, consulting, speaking, newsletters, and product collaborations. Your personal brand isn’t just a profile—it’s an ecosystem. 🔥 Winning move: Build assets—newsletters, digital products, courses, and community-driven memberships. Follow #socialJJ to read more posts on personal branding. #personalbranding