Here's the thing: you already have a personal brand. Whether you’re showing up on social media or just known for who you are in your work environment, it’s there. The question isn't if you have one, but whether you're going to take the reins and intentionally shape it. Because once you integrate every part of you, there is no competition. You are number one at being you.
I recently sat down with Jessica Gill, host of Expanded, and we talked all about how to really lean into this. She pointed out that so many people think, 'Uh, I don't want to be an influencer. I just want to focus on my job.' And I get it. Not everyone feels called to post a ton of content or speak on stages, and that's totally okay. But here's the truth: opportunities don't go to the most qualified person.
"Opportunities do not go to the most qualified person, and I know that sucks. Like you think, 'I put my head down, I work hard, I'm going to get the opportunities.' But opportunities go to the most visible person."
It's about who is putting themselves out there. And no, it's not about being 'me, me, me.' It's about who you're impacting, who you're serving, and getting your message out to the world.
Own Your Work
Your personal brand isn't just about public social media posts. It's also about your internal brand within your organization. This could be as simple as your Google signature reflecting a confident photo and the project you're working on, or your Slack profile. It's about sharing your learnings with your team after a conference or highlighting the impact you're creating for your clients or boss.
Jessica and I talked about how often we downplay our contributions. We think, 'I don't want to brag.' But it's not bragging. It's helpful. Your boss isn't going to go digging through your Google Drive to find out how amazing you are. You have to show up and remind them.
One powerful exercise Jessica shared is to imagine talking about yourself in the third person, as if you're a friend praising someone else. You'd say, 'Jessica is so amazing. She took the reins on this podcast and created this big community.' It takes a second to break that dissonance, but it's a great way to own your wins without shame. I recommend everyone create a 'wins folder.' Screenshot every nice message, every compliment, every win, and put it in there. When discouragement hits, you can go back and see years of positivity that reaffirm your impact.
Receive More
My mentor once told me, "If you can't receive compliments, you're not going to be able to receive money." That hit hard. I used to deflect every compliment, saying things like, 'Oh, this old thing? I got it at TJ Maxx.' But she was right. Being able to receive, whether it's compliments, gifts, or blessings, is a practice. And it's a direct indicator of your ability to receive more, including money or a bonus.
Another telling sign? Birthdays. If you hate birthdays because all the attention and gifts make you uncomfortable, that's a signal. Practice saying 'thank you' and letting it land. It's about nervous system regulation, allowing yourself to receive without immediately deflecting or feeling like you owe something back.
Thought Leadership
Thought leadership isn't just for TED Talk stages. It means actively shaping your industry, not just observing it. It’s about bringing your authentic opinions and values to others in your field. So, if you believe the marketing industry needs more artists, you don't just wish for it. You talk about it, you involve others, you create to make it happen.
Where can you start? Sharing your knowledge internally is a low-lift option. If you're great at understanding company benefits, offer to give a presentation. This positions you as a leader. Publicly, LinkedIn is a game-changer. Less than 2% of its 1.1 billion users post once a week. If you post just once a week, you're already in the top 2%.
But the real secret? What's obvious to you is probably mind-blowing to someone else. You don't have to invent groundbreaking ideas for every post. Document your life, share your perspectives. As Jessica put it, it's about sharing the conversations you're already having with friends or co-workers, because others aren't seeing the patterns you are. Only 2% of the world creates content, and that content impacts 98% of the world's decision-making. Imagine if more good-hearted people stepped into that position of leadership.
Category Of One
Instead of trying to be the top 1% at one thing, try to be the top 10% at three or four different things. That's how you create a category of one. I had a friend who was a marketer and loved video games. She was afraid to talk about gaming on LinkedIn, thinking it wasn't professional. But by combining her marketing skills with her passion for gaming, she became a category of one and landed a marketing lead job at EA Sports in their video game department.
Your 'authentic code' is your brand. Jessica shared how her coach told her that her love for sunsets and cozy home moments were part of her brand, helping people ground into the moment. You don't have to develop these core things; you just have to be you, online. Even if two people talk about the same topic, say personal training, their unique experiences (like being a mom or a student) make them resonate with different audiences. When you integrate every part of you, there is no competition. You are number one at being you.
Cringe Mountain
The number one mistake I see people make in their careers and personal brands is looking for a 'right answer.' Should I do X or Y? What's the right platform? There is no right answer. Everything is a suggestion, not a prescription. You have to connect with yourself and figure out what feels true for you.
But what if you're afraid to start? Afraid of being seen with 100 followers, or trying, or starting from zero? That's what I call Cringe Mountain. It's the initiation. Building a strong personal brand isn't technically difficult; it's about walking through that portal of extreme discomfort. It’s about enduring people ignoring you or talking smack. If you can summit Cringe Mountain, you've done it.
And here's the real kicker: the biggest YouTubers or Instagrammers won't look at your 300 followers and scoff. They'll celebrate you and say, 'That's exactly where I started. Keep going.' It's not a game of perfection or talent; it's a game of consistency. It literally cannot not work for you. If you post every single week for five years on YouTube, you will see success. Statistically, it's inevitable. The average Substack writer doesn't get past article number 12. Just show up every day.
Impact Over Metrics
So, how do you measure success? Not by vanity metrics. My manager once asked me why I cared about follower growth, reminding me that brands don't care, and deep down, neither do I. What truly matters is collecting stories. I have a PowerPoint slide filled with stories of people who've taken my advice and seen positive changes in their lives. Like the person who took my LinkedIn class, got their visa sponsored, and moved to New York City to live their dream.
That's impact. That's what motivates me. Because if I can help one person accomplish their dreams, how many more can I help?
The journey of building your personal brand is about more than just career advancement; it's about stepping into your authentic power and making a meaningful impact on the world. It’s about realizing that what’s easy for you is often revolutionary for someone else, and that consistent, authentic sharing is the most powerful tool you have.
Don't wait for perfection. Start where you are, with what you have. Embrace the discomfort of Cringe Mountain, because on the other side awaits celebration and the profound satisfaction of knowing you're truly making a difference. Your voice matters, and the world is waiting to hear it.
Ready to start building your authentic personal brand? Join me in my Sunrise Content Club, where we meet daily to create, get feedback, and post together.
