Generated by All in One SEO Pro v5.0.0.1, this is an llms-full.txt file, used by LLMs to index the site. # Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - CEO Branding - PR ## Posts ### [Blog](https://clairebahn.com/blog/) **Published:** August 2, 2015 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Article & news ## Latest posts from my Blog Search [![Executive speaking with reporters during a media interview, highlighting the role of personal branding and modern PR.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-and-Personal-Branding-in-2026-executive-doing-PR.jpeg "Executive Media Interview on Personal Branding and PR in 2026 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn")](https://clairebahn.com/future-personal-branding-pr-2026/) ![Claire Bahn](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=128&d=mm&r=g) ### [ The Future of Personal Branding and PR: What Every Leader Needs to Know in 2026 ](https://clairebahn.com/future-personal-branding-pr-2026/) If someone researched you today, would they immediately understand why you’re the expert they should trust? In 2026, traditional PR [ Read More → ](https://clairebahn.com/future-personal-branding-pr-2026/) [![Professional building a personal brand by developing an online presence and personal branding strategy on a laptop](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/personal-brand-app-launch-looking-at-screen.jpeg "How to Build a Personal Brand With a Clear Strategy - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn")](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-app/) ![Claire Bahn](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=128&d=mm&r=g) ### [ How to Build a Personal Brand: Why I Created the Personal Brand Advantage App ](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-app/) How do you build a personal brand that creates real career opportunities? It starts with more than posting on social [ Read More → ](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-app/) [![Female executive recording a business podcast to share leadership insights and strengthen her personal brand through strategic communications.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/woman-doing-a-podcast-personal-brand.jpeg "CEO Building a Personal Brand Through Executive Thought Leadership - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn")](https://clairebahn.com/why-every-ceo-needs-a-personal-brand-strategy/) ![Claire Bahn](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=128&d=mm&r=g) ### [ Why CEOs Need Agents Now More Than Ever? ](https://clairebahn.com/why-every-ceo-needs-a-personal-brand-strategy/) What if the biggest opportunity your company is missing is the visibility of its CEO? Today’s most influential executives understand [ Read More → ](https://clairebahn.com/why-every-ceo-needs-a-personal-brand-strategy/) [![Executive business leader delivering a keynote presentation to an audience, demonstrating thought leadership and the ROI of personal branding.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-women-giving-speech.jpeg "Executive Speaker Building Authority Through Personal Branding - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn")](https://clairebahn.com/roi-of-personal-branding/) ![Claire Bahn](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=128&d=mm&r=g) ### [ What’s the ROI on Building a Personal Brand? ](https://clairebahn.com/roi-of-personal-branding/) Is your personal brand delivering measurable business value—or is your invisibility costing you opportunities? A strong personal brand is more [ Read More → ](https://clairebahn.com/roi-of-personal-branding/) [![Search bar displayed over a tablet screen representing online search behavior, AI-powered discovery, and digital information seeking.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/Reddit-search-computer-search-1024x683.jpg "Modern Online Search and Digital Discovery Concept - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn")](https://clairebahn.com/reddit-search-personal-branding/) ![Claire Bahn](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=128&d=mm&r=g) ### [ Is Reddit the New Google? ](https://clairebahn.com/reddit-search-personal-branding/) Why are more people adding “Reddit” to the end of their Google searches? This article explores how trust online is [ Read More → ](https://clairebahn.com/reddit-search-personal-branding/) [![Collection of headshot photos of diverse professionals spread across a wooden table](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/myth-of-cofounder-headshots-1024x683.jpg "Founder Personal Branding and Executive Visibility - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn")](https://clairebahn.com/shadow-founder-personal-brand/) ![Claire Bahn](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=128&d=mm&r=g) ### [ The Myth of the Cofounder ](https://clairebahn.com/shadow-founder-personal-brand/) Are you building a company while someone else builds the legacy? Many cofounders assume equal titles and equity lead to [ Read More → ](https://clairebahn.com/shadow-founder-personal-brand/) [![Human hand touching robotic hand symbolizing collaboration between AI and human expertise in modern content and thought leadership](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/thought-leadership-robot-and-human-hands-1024x683.jpg "AI and Human Collaboration: Balancing Technology and Authentic Expertise - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn")](https://clairebahn.com/ai-thought-leadership-authenticity/) ![Claire Bahn](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=128&d=mm&r=g) ### [ Don’t Let AI Commoditize Your Expertise ](https://clairebahn.com/ai-thought-leadership-authenticity/) AI can significantly speed up content creation, streamline workflows, and help generate ideas—but it cannot replicate your unique perspective, lived [ Read More → ](https://clairebahn.com/ai-thought-leadership-authenticity/) [![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Substack-personal-branding-1024x718.jpg "Substack personal branding - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn")](https://clairebahn.com/substack-personal-branding/) ![Claire Bahn](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=128&d=mm&r=g) ### [ Should I Get a Substack? ](https://clairebahn.com/substack-personal-branding/) Personal Branding Insights: Is Substack the right platform to strengthen your personal branding strategy? How does Substack support audience ownership [ Read More → ](https://clairebahn.com/substack-personal-branding/) [![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/personal-branding-with-social-media-1024x683.jpeg "personal branding with social media - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn")](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-with-social-media/) ![Claire Bahn](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=128&d=mm&r=g) ### [ Your Guide to Personal Branding and Building Authority with Social Media ](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-with-social-media/) How does personal branding with social media help you build authority without feeling performative? Why is personal branding more about [ Read More → ](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-with-social-media/) « PreviousPage1[Page2](https://clairebahn.com/blog/2/?doing_wp_cron=1786164216.2467079162597656250000)[Page3](https://clairebahn.com/blog/3/?doing_wp_cron=1786164216.2467079162597656250000)[Page4](https://clairebahn.com/blog/4/?doing_wp_cron=1786164216.2467079162597656250000)[Page5](https://clairebahn.com/blog/5/?doing_wp_cron=1786164216.2467079162597656250000)[Next »](https://clairebahn.com/blog/2/) --- ### [Don’t Let AI Commoditize Your Expertise](https://clairebahn.com/ai-thought-leadership-authenticity/) **Published:** April 1, 2026 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** AI can significantly speed up content creation, streamline workflows, and help generate ideas—but it cannot replicate your unique perspective, lived experience, or strategic judgment. As more professionals rely on AI tools, there’s a growing risk of content becoming repetitive, surface-level, and indistinguishable from everyone else’s. Leaders who depend too heavily on AI-generated output may unintentionally dilute their voice, weaken their authority, and lose credibility with their audience.* *The real competitive advantage comes from what AI cannot produce: original thinking, nuanced insights, and a clear, authentic point of view shaped by real-world experience. Strong thought leadership requires interpretation, opinion, and the ability to connect ideas in meaningful ways—something AI can assist with, but not replace. The most effective approach is to use AI as a support tool to enhance efficiency, not as a substitute for expertise, ensuring your content remains distinct, credible, and genuinely valuable.* --- AI makes it easier than ever to publish. That doesn’t mean it’s easier than ever to be a [thought leader](https://clairebahn.com/branding-strategy-for-thought-leaders/). That’s the fact many executives and leaders are overlooking right now. The internet is being flooded with polished, tidy, perfectly formatted content that says next to nothing. It sounds smart at first and checks the usual boxes. It uses all the “right” words. But after you’ve seen it over and over, it all starts to blur together. And when everything starts to sound the same, the people making the content get lumped together right along with it. That’s why a strong personal brand matters even more in this moment. Not because you need to be louder or post more, but because people need a reason to remember *you* instead of the thousand other recycled takes with slightly different wording. Let me be crystal-clear: this isn’t an anti-AI argument. AI can absolutely be useful. [Google](https://developers.google.com/search/docs/fundamentals/creating-helpful-content) itself has said the issue isn’t whether content uses AI, but whether it’s helpful, reliable, and created for people first. What I’m talking about in this blog is outsourcing your brain. If your content is meant to represent your judgment, voice, and thought leadership, it can’t be built entirely from generic prompts and outputs. At some point, people can tell. And even if they can’t explain exactly why, they can feel the difference. ## **AI Can Generate Text. It Can’t Create Your Point of View.** AI is very good at summarizing, remixing, and pattern-matching. That’s part of what makes it so helpful. You can use it to organize information faster, go through data, and get unstuck when you are staring at a blank page. But none of that is the same thing as original thought. Even if you give it a detailed bio, AI isn’t drawing from your actual leadership experience. It’s not pulling from the hard conversation you had last quarter, the bad call you made three years ago, the lesson you learned after losing a client, or the insight you had after sitting through a dozen versions of the same problem. It’s pulling from what already exists out in the world. And that makes a huge difference. When leaders let AI write everything from scratch, the content starts to sound like a cleaned-up summary of what’s already been said. And on the internet, quite a lot has already been said. If your content sounds like a generic summary of every other idea out there, your expertise starts to look generic, too. That’s the real risk here. We’re not just talking about boring content. We’re talking commoditized expertise. There’s also a business angle to this. [Edelman and LinkedIn’s 2025 B2B Thought Leadership Impact Report ](https://www.edelman.com/expertise/Business-Marketing/2025-b2b-thought-leadership-report)describes executive content as “a strategic tool for building trust and opening doors with decision-makers.” If your content is supposed to help people trust your judgment, then it can’t read like something anyone could’ve put together in 30 seconds with ChatGPT’s help. At that point, what are they trusting? Your expertise, or your prompt? ## **The Real Differentiator is Experience, Not Volume** The strongest content thrives in specificity. It comes from actual stories, real tradeoffs, decisions that were messy in the moment, and lessons that only make sense in hindsight. That’s what gives original thought leadership weight. Think of AI like a movie script. It can generate lines. It can mimic structure. It can produce something that looks finished on the page. But anyone who has spent time around actors knows the script isn’t the magic part. The magic is in the delivery. The pacing. The timing. The emotion. The lived experience the actor brings into the words. That’s what makes one performance compelling and another one lifeless, even when both people are reading the exact same lines. Content works the same way. The words alone aren’t what make someone credible. It’s about the perspective. Like I tell my clients, the way you tell the story matters. The detail you choose influences what people take away. The specifics you share shape the lessons people learn. The fact that the insight came from something you actually lived through makes a huge difference. That’s why real thought leadership stands out in the age of AI. Even in a sea of content, original thinking and expertise carry weight. To the reader, it feels earned. It gives people a reason to stop scrolling and think, “Ok, this person has actually been in the room.” And not just any room; the room where it happens. ## **Use AI as Support, Not as Your Substitute** This is usually the point in the conversation where people get defensive, because the second you criticize AI-written content, they assume you’re saying AI should never be part of the process. That’s not what I mean at all. AI can be genuinely helpful when it’s used in the right way. But that’s the key. You have to use it in the right way. I recommended clients use AI for: - Research starting points - Topic clustering - Identifying related questions - Organizing rough notes - Pressure-testing an outline - Cleaning up grammar - Repurposing content you already created Used that way, AI isn’t replacing your thinking. It’s helping you move your thinking forward. The problem starts when people stop using AI as support and start using it as a stand-in for human judgment. That’s where things fall apart. So, what shouldn’t you hand over? Don’t give AI control of: - Your point of view - Your stories - Your conclusions - Your examples - Your strategic opinions - Your voice That’s the difference between using AI to support thought leadership and using AI to fake it. This is the distinction more people need to make. One helps you communicate your expertise more efficiently, while the other slowly eats away at the very thing you’re trying to build. There are also practical reasons to be careful. [As organizations like NIST have pointed out](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/worklab/work-trend-index), generative AI has real limitations in reliability, explainability, and trustworthiness. That matters in content just as much as it does anywhere else. If your audience is engaging with your work because they believe it reflects your judgment, then your judgment actually needs to be present. If people are trusting you because of your ideas, those ideas need to be yours. ## **If Your Backlog is Full of AI Slop, Here’s How to Recover** I think a lot of people might be realizing they’ve “written” themselves into a problem. They spent the last year posting because they felt like they were supposed to. They used AI heavily because it seemed efficient, and because everyone kept saying speed and consistency were what mattered most. So they published. A lot. The content looked polished and sounded fine. Maybe it even performed decently well. But underneath it all, they felt something was off. It never really sounded like them, and, more importantly, it never built the kind of authority they were hoping for. Sound like you? It’s OK. You don’t need to panic, and you don’t need to disappear from the internet for six months while you reinvent yourself. But you do need to be honest and clean it up. The first step is to look back at what you’ve published with a more critical eye. Let’s do an audit: Which pieces feel inflated? Which ones sound vague or generic? Which posts could have been written by almost anyone in your industry? What content feels so disconnected from your actual voice that it makes you cringe? That review process may be uncomfortable, but it matters. Some of that content may be worth deleting. Some of it may be worth rewriting. In either case, honesty is your best friend here. Pick three to five topics where you have experience. Ignore topics you *think* you should talk about in favor of areas where you have done the work, made mistakes, and formed real opinions. That’s where your best material will come from. Start building on what you know firsthand instead of relying on AI summary language that could belong to anyone. And here’s another key piece of the puzzle I know so many people like to ignore: You have to use video. In a content landscape flooded with synthetic text, video provides a much clearer signal of what’s real. You can show up and explain an idea clearly, carry a thought all the way through, and speak with the kind of natural confidence that comes from actually understanding your subject. It doesn’t need to be perfect. In fact, perfect usually isn’t the point. What matters is that it feels human and relatable. So no, the answer isn’t to post more often or flood your channels with a new wave of “better” content. The answer is to bring reality back into the process. More lived experience. More specificity. More voice. More actual thought. That’s what repairs trust, and that’s what makes your content worth paying attention to. ## **In a World Full of Synthetic Content, Clarity is a Competitive Advantage** AI is going to keep changing how content gets made. That’s not up for debate. The tools will improve, and the workflows will get faster. More people will keep using it to produce more content at a higher volume. None of that is going away. But access to AI doesn’t make human expertise less valuable. It actually does the opposite. The easier it becomes to produce generic content, the more valuable a real voice becomes. When polished blandness is everywhere, the people who stand out are the ones who bring something more difficult to replicate: judgment, specificity, lived experience, and a point of view. That’s what strong thought leadership has always been. It was never just about having content. It was about having substance. That doesn’t become less important in the AI era. Be honest about what the tool can’t do for you. It can’t live your career, it can’t learn your lessons for you, it can’t build credibility on your behalf. And it definitely can’t be your voice without costing you something in the process. No one cares if you’re using AI. At this point, most people are, at least in some way. The more important question is whether your audience can still tell that there’s human thought behind the message. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Executive Branding, Personal Branding **Tags:** AI Content Strategy, AI Writing Risks, Authentic Content, Brand Voice, Content Differentiation, Thought leadership --- ### [The Myth of the Cofounder](https://clairebahn.com/shadow-founder-personal-brand/) **Published:** April 27, 2026 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Are you building a company while someone else builds the legacy? Many cofounders assume equal titles and equity lead to equal recognition, but public perception rarely works that way. One founder often becomes the visible face of the business while the other quietly drives operations, product, or execution behind the scenes.* *This article explores the difference between the “Prime Founder” and the “Shadow Founder,” why invisibility can limit long-term opportunities, and how cofounders can build authority without competing against their partners. It explains why personal branding is not ego-driven, but essential career protection in today’s visibility-driven market.* --- People often assume cofounder relationships are naturally balanced. Two people meet, build together, and share the rewards. It sounds fair, but that’s rarely the case. On paper, cofounders might split equity, titles, and responsibilities equally. In practice, though, public perception is different. Usually, one founder becomes the face of the company, while the other handles the behind-the-scenes work. This is where the idea of the shadow founder personal brand becomes important. I’ve seen this pattern many times. One founder takes on the role of storyteller. They draw attention, build relationships, speak at events, give interviews, and become closely linked to the company’s image. The other founder is essential behind the scenes. They handle operations, set up systems, manage the product, solve problems, and keep everything running. > **“Both roles are important, but usually only one is visible, which can catch some cofounders off guard.”** The market doesn’t reward everyone’s work equally. It rewards those who get noticed. Investors, the media, recruits, and [future partners often connect the company to the person](https://clairebahn.com/future-of-pr/) in the spotlight. **[Harvard Business Review](https://hbr.org/2025/12/most-employees-dont-trust-their-leaders-heres-what-to-do-about-it)** has shown that visible leadership develops trust, attracts talent, and shapes how people see the company. When one founder is always in that role, their reputation grows with the business. I call this the difference between the Prime Founder and the Shadow Founder. The Prime Founder isn’t necessarily smarter or more important. They’re just the one whose name becomes linked to the company. For example, think of Steve Jobs at Apple. Steve Wozniak may be respected as the new head of the company, but the story of Apple is tied to Jobs. It’s not necessarily a competition of who contributed more, but rather whose story people actually remember. The Shadow Founder is usually very skilled, valuable, and important to how things work. But because they concentrate on internal operations and making the company succeed, their reputation isn’t as visible as their partner’s. For some Shadow Founders, while they’re busy building the business, the Prime Founder is writing a legacy. That legacy becomes a kind of leverage. It creates opportunities quickly and develops trust that extends beyond the business. If the company changes, gets sold, or faces problems, that legacy, or brand, they’ve built for themselves is still there. That’s why building a personal brand is never just an ego boost for cofounders. It’s part of building a lasting career. ## **What is a Shadow Founder?** Visibility works a lot like market share. Once someone becomes the main voice for a business or relationship, they usually keep that spot unless someone makes a real effort to change things. That kind of shift won’t happen by itself. I’ve worked with founder teams where one person managed almost every public interaction for years, including media interviews, investor meetings, podcasts, conferences, and so on, while the other founder stayed invisible outside the company. This often happens naturally. Maybe one founder likes the spotlight more or is a better communicator. Or, maybe one simply raised their hand first. Over time, a temporary division of labor becomes a lasting public hierarchy. These roles get set, and when they stay that way for so long, changing things can start to feel taboo. That’s why some Shadow Founders face passive resistance if their public profile starts to grow. A stronger profile for the perceived co-founder can challenge the neat story people have accepted: the visionary genius, the singular operator, the one-person symbol of the company. Sharing authority is usually better for the business, but it takes some of the sparkle away from the one founder’s story. I’ve seen great operators stay quiet for years because they didn’t want to seem disloyal or self-promoting. They convinced themselves the company needed just one clear voice. Sometimes that’s true. But often, it’s just easier for the person who already benefits from the single-founder setup. Keep the 10-second rule in mind here. When a venture capitalist, journalist, recruiter, or potential buyer first checks out a company, they move fast. They scan headlines, look up founder names, and review social profiles. They’re searching for signs of credibility, leadership, and expertise. They’re not doing a deep background check. They’re making quick judgments. If one founder has interviews, articles, podcasts, a strong LinkedIn profile, and a clear track record, while the other has almost no online presence, the outcome is obvious. One seems central; the other, secondary. Even if that’s not true, it still affects opportunities and public perception. That’s the hidden cost of the cofounder dynamic. Staying silent makes you invisible, and invisibility can be very costly. ## **Where Does the Founder Myth Break?** But here’s the kicker: Many cofounders stay in these uneven partnerships for years because scale and growth cover up the problems. When the company is growing, everyone shares the rewards. But success often hides deeper issues. As long as things are going well, few people will ever ask whose reputation is actually growing. The imbalance between founders usually shows up after an acquisition, a leadership change, or an IPO. When the company isn’t the main focus, each founder is left with what they’ve built for themselves and the business. > **“At that point, the idea of equal partnership falls apart.”** The Prime Founder usually moves on quickly. They already have visibility, name recognition, and public credibility. Investors know them. Recruiters know how to present them. The media recognizes their name. Their next step can start right away because their identity was never tied just to the company. This could mean taking a new CEO job, becoming an advisor, angel investing, speaking, joining boards, or starting another company with momentum. Their reputation goes with them. That’s the value of a personal brand. It gives you continuity after your company’s story ends. But the Shadow Founder often has a different experience. On paper, they may have created huge value. They might have led product, operations, engineering, finance, or execution at a high level. They may have been key to every big moment the company had. But if they spent years staying out of the spotlight, the market doesn’t really know who they are. Talented founders often think their track record will speak for itself, but it usually doesn’t. Your experience needs to be visible, and your achievements need a story. If someone looks you up and finds little about what you did or believe, opportunities will pass you by. This matters even more in **[today’s recruiting market](https://business.linkedin.com/hire/resources/future-of-recruiting)**, where hiring, investing, and partnerships often begin with a quick internet search. ## **Why Should You Choose Personal and Business Success?** One of the biggest mistakes I see cofounders make is mixing up humility and loyalty. They think they’re being good team players by sticking to their roles. They accept being “the operator,” “the technical one,” “the COO,” or “the person behind the scenes” because it seems sensible or humble. Sometimes their cofounder encourages this because it keeps things simple. I call this being a box-fitter. A box-fitter keeps playing a narrow role that once made the partnership work, even when it doesn’t help their future. They get known only for internal work and never build outside authority. There’s nothing wrong with being great at operations or technical work; those are definitely strengths. The problem is when that’s the only thing people know about you. You’re more than just the job you did at one company. Don’t let yourself be boxed in or limited. Some of the most interesting founders I know are the ones who really understand systems, solve tough problems, and have useful insights they never share. They think no one wants to hear from them because they aren’t the public face of the company, but that’s usually not true. Often, their grounded and real perspective is exactly what people want more of. While others repeat the same founder clichés, the Shadow Founder brings real substance; they’ve just never been pushed center stage to share it. When I work with founders in these situations, I take a “breath of fresh air” approach. You don’t have to compete with your cofounder or hurt the company. You don’t need to become loud or act differently. You just deserve to be seen for your own expertise. That’s all. That could mean sharing lessons on business strategies, writing about hiring technical teams, discussing leadership mistakes, or offering thoughtful takes on market trends as someone who’s actually walked the walk. This kind of visibility stands out because it’s based on real experience, not just polished company messaging. Even quieter founders can gain real traction when they stop trying to copy the hero image and start sharing their own experiences. ## **How Can You Step Out of the Shadow?** Once cofounders recognize this pattern, the next question is usually: How can I become more visible without causing problems for the business or my partnership? You don’t have to go to the other extreme. There’s no need to be the loudest person in the room, compete with your cofounder’s visibility, or turn your presence into nonstop self-promotion. Just keep it simple and follow the 70/30 split. About 70% of your visibility should demonstrate your expertise. The other 30% can focus on the company, including posting updates, milestones, announcements, and team wins. Most Shadow Founders do the reverse, so just flip it. > **“If your voice is only linked to the company, people see you as just a part of it. But when you share your own ideas, experience, and perspective, you build credibility that endures.”** This matters most for cofounders whose work is less visible. Operational leaders, technical founders, and product-focused executives often have great insights with little exposure. Just put yourself out there. I’ve worked with founders who believed they had nothing interesting to share. But when they talked about behind-the-scenes decisions, like scaling systems, hiring, making tough choices, or learning from mistakes, the feedback quickly improved. If you learned the basics, built things from the ground up, and solved problems without a guide while your cofounder pitched investors, that’s your story. It’s not less important. It’s actually more relatable. **[Edelman research](https://www.edelman.com/trust/2024/trust-barometer/special-report-trust-at-work)** shows people trust leaders more when they understand how decisions are made, not just the results. Sharing how you think, not just what you achieve, builds that trust. Start by searching your name online. What comes up? Is it just the company, a simple LinkedIn profile, or a few mentions that don’t show your role or ideas? I’m not saying you need to be everywhere, because you don’t. Instead, focus on being clear, consistent, and easy to find. Your online presence should guide people to you, not just fill space. ## **Why Is Your Brand Your Only Real Asset?** Cofounders often spend years focused on building together. It’s how companies grow, teams form, and value is created. But companies don’t last forever. Markets shift, leadership changes, **[partnerships evolve](https://toolkit.techstars.com/navigate-cofounder-relationships)**, and sometimes there are exits and new chapters. That’s all natural, and after it’s done, what remains is your reputation. Your reputation carries through every stage of your career. It remains even when a company no longer defines you. It helps others see your value and trust your judgment. That’s what makes you worth investing in. I’ve seen founders build extraordinary businesses and still struggle after leaving because people outside the company didn’t know who they were. I’ve also seen founders move easily into new roles because their identity was already clear to the market. What happens next is up to you. A strong personal brand isn’t about getting attention for its own sake. It’s about making your expertise, experience, and value clear to everyone. So, for cofounders, you can let your partner stay the main voice while you focus only on execution. Or you can start building a presence that shows your own ideas, contributions, and authority. One path keeps you dependent on the company’s story. The other equips you to shape—and own—your expertise. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Executive Branding, Founder Branding **Tags:** business partnerships, cofounder dynamics, entrepreneurial visibility, Founder Branding, founder personal brand, leadership reputation, shadow founder, startup leadership --- ### [Is Reddit the New Google?](https://clairebahn.com/reddit-search-personal-branding/) **Published:** April 30, 2026 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Why are more people adding “Reddit” to the end of their Google searches? This article explores how trust online is shifting away from overly polished content and toward real conversations, first-hand experiences, and authentic perspectives shared in forums like Reddit.* *It also explains how Reddit search personal branding is becoming increasingly important in the age of AI-powered search. As search engines and AI systems prioritize useful, experience-driven answers, executives, founders, and thought leaders have an opportunity to build authority by participating in genuine conversations instead of relying only on traditional content and self-promotion.* --- Lately, I’ve noticed a small change in how we search online. Instead of just typing a question into Google, more and more people tack on one extra word at the end. “Reddit.” “How to negotiate salary Reddit.” “Best CRM for startups Reddit.” “Is this product worth it Reddit.” This isn’t just a passing trend. It’s a real change in how we decide what to trust online. People still use search engines, of course, but they’re starting to question the results. The main results page, which used to be the first place for answers, is now full of content made to rank well, but not always to help us. In truth, many of those pages seem built for clicks, not for real people. These days, it’s easier than ever to spot when content is engineered just to get your attention. I see the same [thing happen with executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/). When something sounds too polished or overworked, we all get a little suspicious. Perfect messaging just doesn’t feel genuine, and let’s be honest, most of us can tell when a message is trying a little too hard. When people add “Reddit” to their search, they’re looking for something different, not just another platform. They want: - First-hand experience - Unfiltered opinions - Trade-offs, not just benefits - Context that wasn’t written for an algorithm or with an agenda Bottom line: What people really want is perspective. That’s what makes this shift so interesting. It’s not that Reddit is suddenly the best search engine out there; it’s that people are tired of generic answers and want something real. There’s data to back this up. **[Reddit’s research](https://www.business.reddit.com/blog/path-to-purchase-2025)** shows user discussions are having a bigger impact on how we judge products, services, and decisions. That’s because those conversations just feel more authentic. They sound like real people, not marketing copy. If people trust real conversations more than polished content, and search engines and AI are noticing, then being visible online is more than just appearing in results. Your visibility needs to be strong enough that you’re mentioned in places that feel genuine. That’s a pretty big deal for people thinking about their personal brand, and it raises the question: Where does your expertise actually show up when people go looking for honest answers? ## **How Does Reddit “Fuel” The AI Connection?** Search isn’t just about what shows up on a results page. It’s also about what’s included in the answer itself. As AI-powered search grows, platforms don’t just list content. They summarize, interpret, and give users a single response. > **“That changes what information matters. AI systems don’t create authority; they look for it.”** They scan lots of content and focus on what seems useful, consistent, and trustworthy. Much of this useful content comes from forums, like what you find from a Reddit search. **[Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/reddit-google-search-ai-overview-2025-6)** reported that sites like Reddit and Quora often show up in AI-generated answers because they have direct, experience-based replies that are easier for AI to understand. Forum content has a structure that AI models prefer: - Questions framed in plain language - Answers that are direct and contextual - Multiple perspectives in one place - Upvotes or engagement signals that indicate usefulness This style is closer to how people think and talk. Even as AI models get better, they still prefer this kind of content. OpenAI recently **[announced a partnership with Reddit](https://openai.com/index/openai-and-reddit-partnership/)** that gives its products access to Reddit’s Data API, which provides real-time, structured Reddit content. Founders and executives shouldn’t ignore this. Don’t assume authority only comes from long-form content. Whitepapers, reports, and polished blog posts are great, but they’re not always the first place AI looks for a quick answer. Your digital presence isn’t only judged by humans doing research anymore. AI models interpret, summarize, and share your information before anyone even clicks your name or profile. These systems pull from places where your expertise appears in real conversations**,** not just in polished content. That’s why a Reddit search is more than a new information-gathering tool on a different platform. It’s part of the modern system that decides what gets noticed, trusted, and remembered. ## **What’s the Personal Branding Opportunity on Reddit?** Reddit stands out not just because it’s growing or appearing more in search results, but because credibility works differently there. When someone asks a question, answers are judged by how helpful they are in the form of upvotes and downvotes. It doesn’t matter who gave the response. If a response seems too polished, promotional, or out of touch, people usually ignore it. This changes how people build authority on the platform. You don’t build credibility by saying you’re an expert on Reddit. You have to show it. Small, helpful answers matter more than big claims about your experience. A clear answer to a specific question often has more impact than a long article meant to prove your authority. Long story short, no one cares about that. People aren’t using a Reddit search to find executives with authority and impressive credentials. They just want useful answers to real questions from real people. So, for someone building a personal brand, engaging in Reddit threads to share practical stories, strategies, and real-life lessons based on their experiences is a one-way ticket to building authority naturally. Over time, these answers help people understand how you think. > **“They notice how you solve problems and explain things, and this pattern builds a level of credibility that’s hard to gain through traditional routes.”** What’s surprising is how often the best insights come from seemingly simple questions. These are the questions people might not ask in office settings because they feel too basic or specific. On Reddit, these questions are common and often get the most thoughtful answers. On Reddit, you’re not just talking to a crowd. You’re helping one person. But your answer stays online, can be searched, and is picked up by systems looking for real expertise. This is how a personal brand grows in a real way, not just by self-promotion, but by sharing helpful answers that show what you know. ## **How Can You Engage Without Being “Cringe”?** Many executives hesitate to use Reddit, not because of the platform, but because it works so differently from what they’re used to. In most workplaces, people expect a certain manner and tone, and messages are carefully edited. Titles and affiliations help reinforce identity. Reddit takes all of that away. Most people don’t care about your title, and there’s no visual branding to support you. You’re just another person in the thread, and your answer is judged on its own. This can feel strange, especially for leaders used to speaking from a clear position. Suddenly, all of that clout is stripped away. What works better on Reddit is changing your approach, not your message. Instead of trying to sound polished, imagine you’re explaining your thoughts in a one-on-one conversation. Use simple language and everyday examples, like how you’d actually talk. You shouldn’t be focused on sounding like an authority figure. That approach won’t land you in a Reddit search. When you make this switch, you’ll notice people respond more to answers that seem genuine and practical. With a Reddit search, being helpful matters more than sounding impressive. You can show up in every single thread, leading every answer with your impressive credentials and achievements, but none of that is going to be as impactful as the single piece of advice you shared with someone candidly in a one-off thread. ## **Will Reddit Replace Google?** It’s tempting to see this conversation as Reddit replacing Google, community versus algorithm, or people’s answers against polished content. But that misses the bigger picture. Google isn’t going away, and a Reddit search isn’t necessarily becoming the go-to source for information. What we’re really seeing is a collaboration between the two. This became even clearer when **[Google announced a bigger partnership with Reddit](https://blog.google/company-news/inside-google/company-announcements/expanded-reddit-partnership/)****,** meant to make Reddit content and communities easier to find and to support new AI-powered features. Now, being found online isn’t just about your website, LinkedIn profile, or media mentions. Those things still count, but they’re only part of the story. A few years ago, if someone wanted to learn about a founder or executive, they’d check LinkedIn, the company website, and maybe some press. These days, people look deeper. Recruiters, investors, journalists, and partners want to see if you show up outside your own channels. They might look for interviews, podcast appearances, guest articles, and especially places where you’ve joined real conversations. Their interest is less about what you say about yourself and more about how and if you’ve used your experience to help others. Hence, the increased importance of appearing in a Reddit search. > **“I call this the magnet effect. Instead of sharing your knowledge only in places you control, you open more ways for people to find your ideas.”** To start, pick a few subreddits that align with your expertise and aim to answer one question a week. Every helpful answer shows what you know, how you explain things, and how you solve problems. One good answer helps, but a steady stream of useful answers builds real credibility. There’s also a future-proofing side to this. Search algorithms change. Social platforms change. Content formats change. Anyone who has built visibility online knows how quickly a strategy can lose momentum when a platform changes its priorities. But useful contributions based on real questions tend to keep their value because they’re tied to problems people still have. If you helped someone understand a tough pricing decision, hiring issue, or leadership challenge, that insight can stay relevant long after it was posted. This doesn’t mean you should drop your website, media strategy, LinkedIn engagement, or long-form articles to go all in on Reddit. Instead, these are now part of a bigger system. Your online presence isn’t just one place anymore; it’s a network of signals. A Reddit search can be one of those signals, especially if your posts show real expertise, not just self-promotion. ## **Are You Ready to be a Source?** The main point is that search is getting more dialogue-driven and relies more on places where people already share helpful information. Google is acting more like a directory and interpreter. **[Reddit](https://redditinc.com/news/introducing-reddit-answers)** is becoming part of the conversation layer that helps decide what appears trustworthy from real people. For executives and founders, this changes how you build authority. It’s not enough to repeat ideas after they’re already popular. Lasting visibility comes from joining early, answering real questions, and sharing your views when people are making choices or seeking outside help. In short, original thinking matters more than polished content. But, then again, that’s always been the case. A corporate blog can explain your beliefs. A LinkedIn post can share your point of view. A media feature can prove your credibility. But giving a helpful answer during a real conversation with a real person in need shows how your expertise helps when it matters most. That creates a different kind of trust that has genuine staying power. So don’t just use a Reddit search because it’s trendy or treat it like another place to post your content. The future belongs to people who become helpful sources in important conversations. Those who just repeat what others say later might still be seen, but they’re less likely to have any impact. So no, Reddit isn’t exactly the “new Google.” But it’s one of the places that influences what Google, AI systems, and human decision-makers trust, making it way more than just a forum. It’s part of the modern reputation landscape. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Founder Branding, Personal Branding **Tags:** AI search, digital reputation, executive branding, founder visibility, online trust, personal branding, Reddit search, Thought leadership --- ### [Should I Get a Substack?](https://clairebahn.com/substack-personal-branding/) **Published:** February 12, 2026 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Personal Branding Insights:* *Is Substack the right platform to strengthen your personal branding strategy? How does Substack support audience ownership and long-term personal branding authority? Should [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/powerful-personal-brand/) focus on visibility alone, or on building direct relationships through email?* *This article explores how Substack fits into a modern personal branding strategy focused on ownership, authority, and long-term influence. Rather than chasing algorithm-driven visibility, Substack offers creators, consultants, and entrepreneurs a way to build direct relationships with their audience through email-based publishing. The post breaks down how the platform works, how it supports monetization, and why [audience ownership has become central to sustainable personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/defining-your-target-audience/) in today’s digital economy.* *The blog also examines the [advantages and limitations of using Substack for personal branding,](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-app/) including discoverability, consistency demands, and platform dependency. It outlines how to position a publication strategically, structure free versus paid content, and integrate Substack into a broader brand ecosystem. Ultimately, the piece argues that Substack is not a viral growth tool, but an authority-building platform designed for those committed to depth, consistency, and meaningful audience connection.* --- I’ve talked a lot about the importance of identifying your [target audience](https://clairebahn.com/defining-your-target-audience/) in personal branding. That doesn’t just mean getting as many followers as you can on social media. Your target audience will vary depending on your goals, but it often includes clients and customers, peers, thought leaders, stakeholders, and more. In the middle of this conversation, one platform keeps popping up on the radar: [Substack](https://substack.com/about). If you care about [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/), this question of “should I get a Substack?” becomes even more important. Because we’re no longer working in a digital economy where visibility alone equals opportunity. Visibility without ownership is fragile, and influence without direct access isn’t permanent. For years, [social media platforms](https://clairebahn.com/top-social-media-platforms/) like Instagram, LinkedIn, X, and TikTok have been the go-to channels for building authority. You post, you engage, and you grow. But as I’m sure you’ve noticed, algorithms constantly change. Reach fluctuates. Accounts get suspended. And suddenly, the audience you thought you had…isn’t entirely yours. That’s why more creators, professionals, consultants, and entrepreneurs are exploring Substack. Not because it’s trendy, but because it represents a shift from platform dependency to audience ownership. So, let’s talk about it. Should you get a Substack? In this post, we’ll look at what the platform is, how it works, how it supports personal branding, and whether or not it aligns with where you’re trying to go. ## **What Is Substack and How Does It Work?** Before deciding whether to start one, we need some clarity around the platform. Because “I should probably start a Substack” without understanding what it is isn’t a concrete strategy. ### **What Is Substack?** Substack is essentially a newsletter-based publishing platform. At its core, it combines blogging, email marketing, and subscription monetization into a single, simple ecosystem. When people ask, “What is Substack and how does it work?” I explain it like this: It’s a platform designed for independent writers, thinkers, and creators who want to have a direct relationship with their audience without needing to have a full tech stack. You [create a publication under your own name or brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand/). You write posts, and those posts are automatically delivered to your subscribers through email. Your posts also live on your Substack page, just like blog articles do on a personal website. You can offer free subscriptions, paid subscriptions, or a mix of both. Substack handles all of the payment processing, subscriber management, hosting, and basic analytics. In return, they take a percentage of paid subscription revenue, plus payment processing fees. It’s super simple, and that simplicity is part of the platform’s appeal. ## **How Substack Works** > ***“Visibility without ownership is fragile, and influence without direct access isn’t permanent.”*** So, how does Substack work? Here’s a quick breakdown of the process: 1. You create a Substack account. 2. You name your publication. 3. You customize the basic branding (like the logo, colors, and description). 4. You write your first post. 5. Readers subscribe with their email. 6. Every time you publish, it lands directly in their inbox. An algorithm doesn’t decide who sees your content. There’s no fighting for feed placement, and there’s zero guessing about your reach. You own your subscriber list. You can export it and always take it elsewhere if needed. And from a personal branding perspective, that ownership is vital. ## **Why Substack Appeals to Personal Brands** Substack isn’t built around aesthetics, viral hooks, or trending audio. Substack is built around *voice*. The platform rewards clarity of thought, consistency, and depth. For professionals building authority, such as consultants, strategists, coaches, founders, and industry experts, this format supports thought leadership in a way that short-form platforms simply don’t. It also allows for monetization without needing sponsors. You don’t need brand deals, ads, or affiliate links to get started. Instead, you can charge directly for your expertise. ## **How Does Substack Support Personal Branding?** Personal branding is about becoming known for something specific and building trust around that. Substack can play a strategic role here. We can see this in four main components: - Ownership of audience - Establishing authority - Depth over virality - Monetizing expertise ### **1. Ownership of Audience** On social media, you’re just borrowing attention. But on Substack, [you’re building](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-mistakes/) a direct line to your target audience. That’s where “owning” versus “renting” your audience comes into play. Your email list is completely portable. You can export it, which lets you communicate with subscribers outside an algorithm. That reduces dependency on any platform. This doesn’t mean you have to abandon social media. It just means you use social media as more of a “discovery” engine and Substack as a “relationship” engine. And as we know, those long-term relationships are where real authority is built. ### **2. Establishing Authority** I’ve said this before, and I’ll say it again: authority isn’t built through one viral post. It’s built through consistent, layered communication over time. And long-form content is a big component here. Long-form content allows you to: - Demonstrate nuanced thinking - Share frameworks - Offer case studies - Break down industry shifts - Show *how* you think, not just *what* you think Substack creates a space for that. If your personal brand is positioned around expertise, insight, or perspective, long-form publishing strengthens credibility in a way that short captions simply can’t. ### **3. Depth Over Virality** Virality creates spikes while depth creates stability. Substack encourages sustained attention rather than short-form engagement. It encourages readers to spend 5, 10, or even 15 minutes with your ideas. And that, ultimately, builds trust. When someone consistently opens your emails and reads your work, you move from “someone I follow” to “someone I trust.” And trust is the currency of personal branding. ### **4. Monetizing Expertise** [Monetizing your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/monetizing-your-personal-brand/) often depends on the size of your audience. However, Substack lets you monetize your knowledge directly on the platform. You can create: - Free weekly essays - Paid deep dives - Premium strategy breakdowns - Private Q&A access Subscription-based income tied directly to your expertise reinforces perceived value. When someone pays to read your thinking, the dynamic changes. You’re no longer just a content creator but a trusted authority in your respective space. ## **Potential Limitations for Personal Branding** Now, let’s balance the conversation. Substack is powerful, but it’s not perfect. Some limitations of the platform can show up in: - Limited design customization - Discoverability - Consistency demands - Brand dependency on the platform > ***“Personal branding is about becoming known for something specific and building trust around that. “*** ### **1. Limited Design Customization** If visual branding is central to your identity, Substack might feel restrictive. Customization is relatively minimal when you compare it to a full personal website. The experience is platform-centered. To put it plainly: it looks like Substack. For some brands, that simplicity is a strength, but for others, it can feel really limiting. ### **2. Discoverability** Substack does have internal discovery features, but your growth will often depend on external channels. You’ll likely need: - LinkedIn - X - Instagram - Podcasts - Speaking engagements All of these together will help drive traffic to your Substack. It’s not a “post and instantly grow” environment. Which means it’s not wise to ditch your socials and operate exclusively on Substack. ### **3. Consistency Demands** Substack rewards consistency. So, if you’re the type to publish once and disappear for three months, your momentum will quickly stall. Audience expectations increase over time. That means people who subscribe will expect value to be delivered on a regular basis. That requires commitment on your part. ### **4. Brand Dependency on the Platform** Yes, you own your email list. But your publication still exists within Substack’s platform. If fee structures change or policies shift, you’ll be affected. This is why I often recommend thinking of Substack as a [part of your brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-in-2023-2/) ecosystem, not the entirety of it. ## **How to Use Substack for Personal Branding** If you decide to move forward with Substack, your strategy matters. Let’s talk about how to use Substack intentionally through: - Positioning your publication - Content strategy - Structuring fees vs. paid content - Integrating with your brand ecosystem - Leveraging analytics ### **1. Positioning Your Publication** Before writing your first post, make sure you get clear on: - What niche are you owning? - Who are you writing for? - What problem are you solving? If your personal [brand is about executive](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-services/) leadership, don’t publish random productivity tips one week and travel stories the next. Clarity here creates authority. Additionally, your publication name, tagline, and description should all align with your broader brand positioning. ### **2. Content Strategy** Now, let’s talk content strategy. Substack works well for: - Thought leadership essays - Industry commentary - Personal insights and lessons - Behind-the-scenes breakdowns - Educational deep dives - Frameworks and models This isn’t about posting for the sake of posting. It’s about reinforcing your core message repeatedly from different angles. So, if you want to become known for strategic storytelling, every essay should reinforce that narrative. ### **3. Structuring Free vs. Paid Content** Substack doesn’t cost creators or readers anything to set up. For publishing content, the platform offers two tiers: free and paid. Free content doesn’t require any fees to post. This is ideal for content that has broad value and is focused on audience growth, brand awareness, and community building. Paid content, on the other hand, will be charged a fee from Substack. This content is aimed towards deeper insights, templates, frameworks, or private access. When deciding which structure to apply, there should be a clear difference between the two tiers. Free content builds trust while paid content deepens commitment. ### **4. Integrating With Your Brand Ecosystem** Substack shouldn’t live in isolation, but should be shared across your existing profiles. Link it to your: - Personal website - LinkedIn profile - X bio - Speaking pages Use social media to highlight excerpts from your newsletter. Turn your essays into threads. Repurpose your insights into carousels. Everything should reinforce each other. Consistency across all of your platforms strengthens your personal branding. ### **5. Leveraging Analytics** Analytics will determine how well your publications are doing. Substack [provides data](https://support.substack.com/hc/en-us/articles/5320347155860-A-guide-to-Substack-metrics) on things like: - Subscriber growth - Open rates - Engagement This applies to your home page, posts, and stats like emails, network, and traffic. Take advantage of this asset and use it. Make sure you also ask yourself: - Which topics get the highest engagement? - What subject lines increase open rates? - Where are subscribers coming from? Once you’ve answered these questions, refine your strategy accordingly. Authority isn’t just about creativity. It’s also about informed iteration. ## **Comparing Substack to Other Personal Branding Channels** Let’s quickly zoom out for a minute. How does Substack compare with social media, personal websites, email channels, and other platforms? ### **1. Social Media** Social media offers faster reach, broader exposure, and algorithm-driven discovery. But visibility is dependent on platform rules. You don’t own your audience on social media. Substack offers slower growth in this area, but you get deeper ownership. ### **2. Personal Website + Email Platform** This route gives you full design control, branding flexibility, and custom integrations. But in turn, it requires technical setup, multiple tools, and payment processing configuration. Substack simplifies everything into one system. You trade customization for convenience. ### **3. Other Newsletter Platforms** Platforms like [Kit](https://kit.com/) or [Beehiiv](https://www.beehiiv.com/) offer: - More advanced automation - Branding flexibility - Different monetization models Substack’s edge lies in its simplicity and built-in subscription payments. If your goal is straightforward thought leadership with optional paid tiers, Substack works well. But if you need complex funnels and automation, other platforms may be better suited to your needs. ## **Questions to Consider Before Starting** Before you launch a Substack, ask yourself honestly: - Do I want to build authority in a specific niche? - Am I prepared to publish consistently? - Do I want direct access to my audience? - Is subscription-based monetization aligned with my brand? - Does my personal brand benefit from long-form content? If your strength lies in deep thinking, structured insight, and written communication, Substack can amplify that. But if you dislike writing and struggle with consistency, it may become another abandoned project. ## **So… Should You Get a Substack?** Here’s my perspective: Substack is not a magic growth tool. Instead, it’s an authority-building tool. If your goal is: - Sustainable influence - Direct audience relationships - Long-term positioning - Monetizing expertise - Building intellectual equity Then Substack deserves serious consideration. But if your goal is: - Rapid follower growth - Viral visibility - Short-term attention Then [social media platforms](https://clairebahn.com/top-social-media-platforms/) may serve you better, at least initially. Personally, I see Substack as a long-game strategy. It’s where you deepen relationships. It’s where you refine ideas. It’s where your voice matures publicly. And in personal branding, maturity beats virality every time. You don’t need millions of subscribers. You need the right people consistently reading your work. So, instead of asking, “Should I get a Substack because everyone else is?” Ask: “Does this platform support the kind of authority I want to build?” If the answer is yes, then start. Start small. Publish imperfectly. Refine as you go. Because in the end, the platform is just a vehicle. Your thinking, your voice, and your perspectives are the real assets. Substack simply gives it a home. ## **Final Thoughts** If [you’re serious about building](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-mistakes/) authority, not just attention, then the platform you choose matters. Substack can be powerful, but only when it’s aligned with a clear positioning strategy, a defined niche, and a long-term vision for your personal brand. The real question isn’t “Should I start a Substack?” It’s “How does Substack fit into the bigger picture of my brand, revenue, and influence?” If you’re unsure how to position your publication, structure your content, or integrate Substack into your broader brand ecosystem, let’s map it out together. Your authority deserves more than guesswork. Sign up for a [strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) today, and let’s build a personal brand that doesn’t just get attention but earns trust, commands respect, and creates sustainable growth. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding **Tags:** personal brand, personal brand strategy, personal branding, social media, Substack --- ### [Measuring Success: How a Public Relations Agency Demonstrates ROI](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/) **Published:** June 6, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Is hiring a public relations agency really worth the investment? How does a public relations agency measure success and demonstrate ROI? What can a PR strategy actually deliver for your brand in real terms?* *In this blog, we break down exactly how a public relations agency proves its value, beyond just press hits. From [brand visibility and thought leadership to measurable media](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/) impact and website traffic growth, you’ll see how strategic PR efforts directly contribute to credibility, audience trust, and long-term brand equity. Whether you’re a [startup founder looking for traction or a seasoned executive](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-startups/) ready to scale your influence, this post shows how PR can unlock real business opportunities.* *The blog also walks through how a public relations agency like Claire Bahn Group customizes each campaign to fit client goals, budgets, and industries. Through real-world case studies and clear ROI metrics—like Share of Voice, SEO impact, and lead generation—you’ll get a transparent look at how PR success is tracked. If you’re evaluating whether a public relations agency is the right next step for your brand, this guide gives you the data, context, and insight to decide with confidence.* I’ve had clients cry on the phone from sheer relief. Not because we landed them a front-page feature (although we’ve done that) or booked them on a morning talk show (that too), but because, for the first time, they felt *seen*. They were understood, represented, and finally had the world paying attention to the story they’d been trying to tell for years. That, to me, is what public relations is all about. But understandably, one of the first questions new clients ask is: “How do you measure success in PR? What’s the ROI?” It’s a fair question, and one I’ll answer in this blog. We’ll explore how a public relations agency like Claire Bahn Group operates, who benefits most, what you can expect to invest, and—yes—how we’re measuring PR ROI and defining PR success. Whether you’re a CEO, startup founder, or thought leader considering working with a [public relations agency](https://clairebahn.com/pr-firm), this guide is for you. **Table of Contents:** [What Is a Public Relations Agency?](#_Toc204588439) [Who Needs a PR Agency?](#_Toc204588440) [Is Hiring a PR Agency Worth It?](#_Toc204588441) [How PR Contributes to the Bottom Line](#_Toc204588442) [Understanding the Cost of a PR Agency](#_Toc204588443) [What is the Cost of a PR Agency?](#_Toc204588444) [How Do PR Agencies Bill Their Clients?](#_Toc204588445) [How We Measure PR ROI](#_Toc204588446) 1. [ Media Impressions](#_Toc204588447) 2. [ Media Mentions and Placements](#_Toc204588448) 3. [ Share of Voice (SOV)](#_Toc204588449) 4. [ Website Traffic and Referral Analytics](#_Toc204588450) [From Visibility to Value: Additional PR Success Indicators](#_Toc204588451) [Lead Generation and Conversion](#_Toc204588452) [Social Proof and Community Growth](#_Toc204588453) [Advanced ROI Tools We Use](#_Toc204588454) [Brand Sentiment Analysis](#_Toc204588455) [SEO and Domain Authority](#_Toc204588456) [Surveys and Brand Lift Studies](#_Toc204588457) [Case Studies: Real Clients, Real ROI](#_Toc204588458) 1. [ Thought Leadership in Data Science PR Case Study](#_Toc204588459) 2. [ CEO Brand Elevation in B2B Marketing PR Case Study](#_Toc204588460) 3. [ Global Finance Authority Recognition PR Case Study](#_Toc204588461) [Conclusion](#_Toc204588462) ## What Is a Public Relations Agency? > ***“A public relations agency doesn’t just help you “get noticed”—we help you become remembered and respected.”*** If you’ve ever confused PR with marketing or advertising, you’re not alone. In my world, PR is the earned part of the communication mix. At its core, a public relations agency is a team of professionals dedicated to managing how your brand is perceived by the public, your industry peers, and the media. Unlike advertising, which is paid and controlled, PR is earned. That means we help shape your story and distribute it through trusted third-party sources like journalists, podcast hosts, and influencers. We work to build your brand’s [reputation and credibility through services such as media](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-3/) outreach, brand positioning, crisis communication, and executive visibility. A public relations agency doesn’t just help you “get noticed”—we help you become remembered and respected. This nuanced difference is what separates PR from traditional marketing. Where marketing might deliver a clear call to action, PR cultivates awareness, authority, and trust over time. ## Who Needs a PR Agency? The truth is, many brands and individuals can benefit from strategic [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/future-of-pr/), but not everyone is at the right stage to fully leverage it. If you’re a startup founder with a disruptive product and no media traction, a PR agency can help put you on the radar of investors, journalists, and customers. Similarly, if you’re a seasoned executive seeking to elevate your visibility and become a thought leader in your space, PR can position you as the go-to expert in your industry. Even established companies undergoing a rebrand or reputation rebuild often turn to PR agencies to guide the narrative and maintain public trust. We’ve worked with tech innovators, B2B marketing executives, wellness influencers transitioning to corporate leadership, and finance veterans aiming for global recognition. What all these clients had in common was a desire not just to be seen, but to be seen in the *right* way, by the *right* people, at the *right* time. ## Is Hiring a PR Agency Worth It? Absolutely—when your goals align with what [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/pr-hybrid-approach/) can actually achieve. Here’s what clients typically come to us seeking: - **Awareness**: “No one knows we exist.” - **Credibility**: “People are skeptical of what we offer.” - **Leads**: “We need more inbound interest.” One of the biggest misconceptions about PR is that it’s supposed to function like direct advertising. But PR isn’t about overnight leads; it’s about long-term credibility. Most clients come to us because they face challenges like low brand awareness, lack of third-party validation, or minimal inbound interest. These are the exact areas where PR thrives. Through storytelling, media placements, and visibility strategies, we [build the kind of brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-with-social-media/) equity that reduces skepticism and builds trust. And trust, as we all know, is the foundation for everything else—sales, partnerships, media invitations, and more. ## How PR Contributes to the Bottom Line Let’s talk about the tangible impact of working with a public relations agency. Consider a niche SaaS brand we worked with. While they had respectable revenue, they lacked industry buzz. After landing features in *TechCrunch*, *Forbes*, and a key industry podcast, their website traffic surged, and they successfully closed a major funding round. One investor told them point-blank: “We kept seeing your name—we had to find out more.” That’s what PR does: it opens doors that might otherwise stay shut. By increasing brand equity, PR helps you become a known quantity. This can translate into lower customer acquisition costs, better recruiting results, and even pricing power. It keeps you top-of-mind for when your audience is ready to buy, invest, or recommend you. ## Understanding the Cost of a PR Agency PR isn’t a commodity; it’s a partnership. And like any strategic investment, it comes with a price tag that reflects the level of service and customization you receive. ### What is the Cost of a PR Agency? > ***“PR isn’t a commodity; it’s a partnership.”*** Most retainers fall between $3,000 to $15,000+ per month. Why such a wide range? It depends on several factors. The size and experience of the PR agency play a role, as do the complexity and competitiveness of your industry. Tech clients, for instance, often require more intensive outreach than lifestyle brands due to the fast-paced nature of the space. Likewise, your goals—whether it’s regional visibility or national thought leadership—will affect the scope and resources needed. At Claire Bahn Group, we don’t believe in cookie-cutter retainers. We tailor every engagement to your objectives. If someone wants coverage “just for the sake of it,” we often recommend against it. Without a strategy, even the biggest media hit won’t lead to meaningful ROI. ### How Do PR Agencies Bill Their Clients? PR agencies typically use a few common billing models: - **Monthly Retainers** are the most popular. They offer predictable costs and allow for long-term strategy execution. This is our preferred model at Claire Bahn Group because storytelling takes time to build momentum. PR is not a one-hit wonder. - **Hourly Rates** might be used for consulting or short-term projects where no ongoing relationship is required. - **Project-Based Fees** are often applied to one-time efforts like product launches, event publicity, or crisis communications. - **Performance-Based Models** are rare, but sometimes used as hybrid arrangements. We use these selectively and only when there are very clear deliverables that can be tracked over time. ## How We Measure PR ROI Now, for the big question: how do we go about measuring PR ROI and tracking [PR success](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-public-relations/)? We do this in a few ways: - Media Impressions - Media Mentions and Placements - Share of Voice (SOV) - Website Traffic and Referral Analytics ### 1. Media Impressions Media impressions estimate the number of people who might have seen your feature. For instance, if you’re featured on *Inc.com*, which has 2 million monthly readers, that counts as 2 million potential impressions. While impressions aren’t the end goal, they indicate reach and visibility. ### 2. Media Mentions and Placements We go beyond quantity. A mention in *The New York Times* is not the same as a blog feature with limited reach. That’s why we consider both the quality of the outlet and its relevance to your audience. Are we reaching the decision-makers you care about? That’s the key. We track and categorize coverage using tools like Meltwater, Cision, Google Alerts, and through manual tracking for podcasts, YouTube features, and newsletters. ### 3. Share of Voice (SOV) This is one of our favorite PR success metrics. Share of voice compares how often you’re mentioned in the media versus your competitors. If your company is mentioned in 20 out of 100 articles in your industry, you own 20% SOV. That’s a powerful way to visualize your growing influence. ### 4. Website Traffic and Referral Analytics We closely monitor how PR placements drive website activity using [Google Analytics](https://developers.google.com/analytics), UTM tracking, and custom dashboards. Traffic spikes often follow media placements, but what really matters is what users do after they land. Do they stay? Do they convert? When the right strategy is implemented, the average growth for many platforms is around 10%- 20% ROI. We beat these benchmark goals monthly. ## From Visibility to Value: Additional PR Success Indicators > ***“When positive impressions of a company CEO generate positive sentiment through social media, this can create positive perceptions in other seemingly unrelated areas.”*** There are a few additional indicators that can also track PR success: ### Lead Generation and Conversion Though PR doesn’t generate leads in a traditional way, its influence is undeniable. One client saw 17 demo requests the week their founder’s op-ed was published in a niche trade publication. That’s not a coincidence—that’s positioning at work. ### Social Proof and Community Growth Your credibility skyrockets when you’re featured in major publications or respected podcasts. We’ve seen clients gain thousands of new followers, get approached for new partnerships, and receive unsolicited [media inquiries—all from one strong](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-a-strong-social-media-content-strategy/) media cycle. Social proof makes future outreach easier, both for sales and media. Once someone sees you’ve been featured in *Forbes*, they take you a lot more seriously. Combining these elements can all lead to what we call a “[halo effect](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/h/halo-effect.asp).” When positive impressions of, say, a company CEO generate positive sentiment through social media, this can, in turn, create positive perceptions in other seemingly unrelated areas, such as less risk with a new product launch. ## Advanced ROI Tools We Use Once the foundational metrics are in place, we go deeper. These tactics provide a more in-depth analysis of measuring PR success: - Brand Sentiment Analysis - SEO and Domain Authority - Surveys and Brand Lift Studies ### Brand Sentiment Analysis Using tools like [NLP-powered sentiment analysis](https://www.analyticsvidhya.com/blog/2021/06/nlp-sentiment-analysis/), we examine the *tone* of media coverage—are people praising you? Critiquing you? Mentioning you neutrally? A positive sentiment shift can indicate a successful positioning campaign, especially during a rebrand or crisis response. ### SEO and Domain Authority Backlinks from high-authority outlets improve your search rankings, driving long-term organic traffic, which is gold for SEO. For one [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) client, a feature in *Business Insider* gave them a DA 85 backlink, boosting their website ranking overnight. Over the next six months, organic search accounted for 55% of their leads. ### Surveys and Brand Lift Studies Sometimes, we go old school. We’ll survey your audience before and after a campaign to assess: - Brand recall - Favorability - Association with key messages It’s especially useful for awareness-based campaigns, and gives your board or investors something concrete. ## Case Studies: Real Clients, Real ROI Now, what does all of this information look like in practice? Here are some examples of real PR case studies highlighting the client’s industry and the corresponding results of implementing a PR strategy. ### 1. Thought Leadership in Data Science PR Case Study We helped a senior data executive gain 500% more media and speaking requests. Her content was syndicated over 3,500 times per month, and she was named one of the Global Data Power Women of 2022. Her newsletter now reaches over 1,800 subscribers and counting. ### 2. CEO Brand Elevation in B2B Marketing PR Case Study A CEO in the B2B marketing world increased her media engagement by 50%, with 20,000+ monthly shares of her video content. Her website generated 19,000 new views, and thanks to increased visibility, she formed a major partnership with Kendra Scott. ### 3. Global Finance Authority Recognition PR Case Study A European finance executive grew his visibility by over 417,000% across social platforms. He was quoted in *U.S. News & World Report* and *Fortune*, appeared on multiple top podcasts, and his website saw a 1,481% increase in traffic—all organically. ## Conclusion Is a PR agent worth it? Working with a public relations agency is an investment in how the world sees and believes in you. PR is not about vanity. It’s about credibility, influence, and trust. It’s the story behind the headline, the perception behind the product, the force that gets your audience to say “yes.” So when someone asks me, “How do you measure PR success?” I tell them: “Visibility. Credibility. Opportunity—the kind that changes everything.” That’s the ROI you can feel—before you even see the spreadsheet. Ready to measure PR ROI for your brand? Let’s talk. Sign up for a [strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/Strategy-Call/) today. Claire Bahn Group is here to help you become not just noticed, but unforgettable. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Public Relations **Tags:** personal branding, Public relations, public relations agency, public relations ROI, ROI --- ### [Your Guide to Personal Branding and Building Authority with Social Media](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-with-social-media/) **Published:** January 6, 2026 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How does personal branding with social media help you build authority without feeling performative? Why is personal branding more about trust and clarity than followers and visibility metrics? What does intentional personal branding look like when social media is part of your long-term strategy?* ***Personal Branding Insights:*** *This guide breaks down how personal branding and social media work together to build real authority, not fleeting attention. Instead of treating platforms as popularity contests, the blog reframes social media as a trust-building ecosystem where personal branding allows your audience to experience your perspective, values, and expertise over time. You’ll learn why personal branding starts with clarity and self-definition before content creation, and how aligning visibility with intention turns social media into a meaningful growth strategy rather than a source of burnout.* *The post also explores how personal branding through social media builds credibility, trust, and business momentum by focusing on consistency, storytelling, and authentic engagement. From choosing the right platforms to teaching instead of promoting, this guide shows how personal branding creates familiarity, shortens sales cycles, and positions you as an authority people remember. When personal branding leads the strategy and social media becomes the tool, influence compounds, opportunities expand, and visibility starts working in your favor.* --- Almost everyone I talk to lately has the same question about using social media: “How do I show up online without feeling performative?” or worse, “How do I build visibility without accidentally turning myself into a caricature of my own business?” This is where personal branding comes in. And more specifically, it’s where [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) with social media becomes either your biggest asset or your biggest distraction. Let’s get one thing clear early on: this conversation is not about getting famous. Fame is unpredictable, fleeting, and often disconnected from real influence. What we’re really talking about is authority, trust, and recognition that actually leads somewhere, like clients, opportunities, partnerships, and [public relations success](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/). Social media is currently the fastest and most efficient way to reach your audience. But that’s only the case if you use it with authenticity and intention. ## **Why Social Media Is a Personal Branding Tool (Not a Popularity Contest)** Somewhere along the way, social media became synonymous with attention, followers, and likes. All milestones that look impressive on paper but don’t always translate into real impact. The issue isn’t social media itself, but how it’s framed. Too many people confuse personal branding with being an “influencer.” An [executive brand](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-and-executive-reputation/) is not an influencer; there is a big difference. Influencers sell either through sex appeal or entertainment. Personal brands, on the other hand, are always positioned to help others. You must be willing to share your experience and expertise to build trust and authority with your audience. It’s about giving back. By giving back, you build authority and trust, the cornerstones of a successful personal brand. > ***“Storytelling is a powerful way to get your point across in a way your audience will appreciate and help them understand.”*** When I look at social media through the lens of [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-in-2026/), I don’t see platforms designed to make people famous. I see ecosystems designed to accelerate familiarity. And familiarity is what leads people to like you, trust you, and eventually engage with you either socially or in business. That’s where the real power lies. The ones that succeed understand that visibility is not vanity, it is a growth strategy. Personal branding that leverages social media works because it allows people to experience your perspective repeatedly, over time, in context. They don’t just see what you do; they see *how you think*. And that’s what positions you as an authority rather than just another voice in the feed. If you’ve ever chosen a coach, consultant, or expert because you felt like you “already knew them,” you’ve experienced this firsthand. ## **The Difference Between Visibility and Authority** Let’s talk about a common trap I see with social media. Visibility without intention leads to noise. Authority without visibility stays hidden. Social media sits right in the middle of those two extremes. You can post every day and still not build a personal brand if your content lacks clarity. On the flip side, you can have world-class expertise and remain overlooked if no one knows you exist. Personal branding with social media is about aligning those two things: what you’re known for and where people consistently see you. Authority isn’t built by saying everything. It’s built by saying the *right* things repeatedly, from a clear point of view. ## **Choosing the Right Social Media Platforms for Your Personal Brand** Not every platform deserves your energy. And this is where a lot of people burn out before they ever build momentum. Each [social media platform](https://clairebahn.com/top-social-media-platforms/) rewards a different type of behavior, communication style, and attention span. That doesn’t mean you need to master all of them. It means that you need to choose which to use strategically. Here’s how I think about it: - **LinkedIn** is where personal branding thrives on clarity, experience, and thought leadership. - **Instagram** leans into visual storytelling, identity, and relatability. - **TikTok** rewards clarity of message and fast value delivery. - **X (Twitter)** is built for perspective, conversation, and real-time authority. - **YouTube** supports long-form depth and trust-building at scale. Instead of asking, *“Where can I grow fastest?”* I always recommend asking, *“Where can I communicate my value most clearly?”* Because growth without alignment rarely converts into anything meaningful. ## **Personal Branding Starts with Self-Definition (Not Content Creation)** Before social media ever comes into play, personal branding begins offline. Let’s talk about why clarity matters so much. A strong personal brand answers three questions: 1. What do you stand for? 2. Who do you help? 3. Why should someone trust your perspective? If you can’t answer those clearly, social media will magnify the confusion. This is why I always encourage people to start with strengths and values, not trends or tactics. When your personal brand is rooted in what you genuinely care about and what you’re actually good at, consistency becomes easier. You’re no longer performing. You’re expressing. And that’s what people respond to. ## **Defining a Target Audience Without Boxing Yourself In** There’s a misconception that choosing a niche limits your growth. In reality, it sharpens your signal. Personal branding on social media works best when your message feels specific, even if your audience turns out to be broader than you expected. Think of it this way: people don’t connect with generic expertise. They connect with relevance and authenticity. When someone feels your content speaks directly to them, they stay, engage, and, perhaps most importantly, remember you. And that’s how a personal brand compounds over time. ## **Why Is Storytelling the Backbone of Personal Branding on Social Media?** Here’s something I wish more people understood earlier: Your credentials might earn respect, but your stories earn trust. Your stories make you relatable. Sometimes people are so intent on getting the point across and sharing their expertise that they come across like a professor teaching a class. Storytelling is a powerful way to get your point across in a way your audience will appreciate and help them understand. > ***“Personal branding with social media is relational, not transactional.”*** Social media gives you the space to tell those stories in layers. Think moments, lessons, reflections, and perspective shifts. And when you tell them consistently, people start to understand *why* you do what you do, not just *what* you do. This is especially important if you’re building a business. People don’t hire personal brands because they’re perfect. They hire them because they feel understood and relatable. That understanding comes from shared experiences, failures, questions, and growth, not polished highlight reels. ## **Using Social Media to Build Authority and Trust (Especially When You’re Growing a Business)** Let’s talk about [authority](https://elnevents.com/your-brand-authority), because this is where social media either becomes a growth engine for your business or a massive time sink. When you’re building a business, the goal of showing up on social media isn’t to be everywhere or to be impressive. It’s to be *trusted*. Authority isn’t about how loudly you speak or how many people see your content. It’s about how confident someone feels choosing you after they’ve been watching you for a while. That trust is what shortens sales cycles, warms up conversations, and turns “I’ve been following you for a while” into “I’m ready to work with you.” Social media allows you to build that trust at scale, but only if you use it intentionally. ### **Authority Comes from Consistency, Not Credentials** One of the biggest misconceptions I see is that authority comes from listing achievements. While experience matters, people rarely decide to trust you based on a résumé alone. Many people think their social media posts should be aspirational or even self-promotional. Nothing could be further from the truth. Your audience isn’t looking for a celebrity to follow. Your audience is interested in finding authentic expertise that can help them with their challenges. And to build authority, you do it through consistency and authenticity. > ***“When your personal brand is rooted in what you genuinely care about and what you’re actually good at, consistency becomes easier.”*** When someone sees you consistently talk about the same challenges, from the same perspective, with the same values, something powerful happens: they begin to associate *you* with clarity. Over time, your name becomes shorthand for a specific solution or way of thinking. That’s personal branding working behind the scenes. Social media allows you to reinforce that association regularly, without ever needing to “sell.” Every post becomes a quiet credibility marker, reminding your audience that you understand their challenges and have navigated them before. ### **Teaching Builds Trust Faster Than Promoting** If you’re using social media to grow a business, here’s a helpful reframe: teaching creates trust; promoting begs for it. When you consistently explain *why* something works, *why* something fails, or *how* you think about a problem, you position yourself as a guide. You have to be willing to share your expertise in a meaningful way. You just need to help them see the landscape more clearly. This is especially effective for service providers, consultants, coaches, and founders. Social media becomes a preview of what it’s like to work with you. Your audience gets to experience your thinking, your approach, and your standards long before money ever changes hands. By the time someone reaches out, trust has already been established. ### **Transparency Builds Credibility (Perfection Breaks It)** Here’s something that often surprises people: sharing uncertainty, mistakes, and lessons learned actually *strengthens* authority. Social media trust isn’t built through perfection. It’s built through honesty. When you talk openly about what didn’t work, what you learned the hard way, or how your thinking evolved, you signal confidence. You show that you’re grounded enough in your expertise to reflect, adapt, and grow. For business owners, this is especially important. Clients don’t expect you to be flawless. They expect you to be self-aware, strategic, and able to navigate complexity. That kind of credibility can’t be faked, and social media makes it visible. ### **Visibility is a Business Advantage** One of the most underrated benefits of personal branding with social media is visibility. People trust what feels familiar. When someone has repeatedly seen your content, your name doesn’t feel like a risk; it feels like a safe choice. This is why social media is so powerful for business builders: it creates pre-sold relationships. By the time someone books a call, joins your program, or hires your services, they often feel like they already know you. That familiarity lowers resistance and increases confidence in the decision. This isn’t just for entertainment’s sake. It’s about being present, clear, and consistent. ### **Authority Is Reinforced in the Small Moments** Authority isn’t only built in long-form posts or polished content. It’s reinforced in the comments you respond to, the conversations you engage in, and the way you handle disagreement. How you show up when challenged matters just as much as what you post when things are easy. For business owners, this is a chance to demonstrate leadership in real time, through thoughtfulness, emotional intelligence, and respect. These qualities don’t just build trust with your audience; they shape how your brand is perceived overall. People are always watching *how* you communicate, not just *what* you communicate. ### **Social Media as a Long-Term Trust Asset** When used strategically, social media becomes a living portfolio of your expertise. It documents your thinking, your growth, and your credibility over time. This is why I encourage business owners to stop treating social media as a lead-generation hack and start seeing it as a trust-building asset. [Authority isn’t built overnight](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/06/15/five-keys-to-establishing-online-authority/), but once it’s established, it works for you quietly, opening doors, creating opportunities, and positioning your business as the obvious choice. That’s the real value of using social media to build authority and trust. Not attention for attention’s sake, but influence that actually leads somewhere. ## **Consistency Without Becoming a Content Machine** Now, let’s talk about consistency, because it’s often misunderstood. Consistency doesn’t mean posting every day. It means showing up with the same core message time and again. Social media algorithms reward participation, but people reward coherence. When your ideas reinforce each other instead of competing for attention, your personal brand becomes recognizable, even before someone remembers your name. That’s real influence. Planning content in advance, using scheduling tools like [Buffer](https://buffer.com/), and creating a consistent “Look & Feel” across all of the platforms you’re on, as well as recognizable templates for different types of posts, aren’t shortcuts; they’re sustainability strategies. They allow you to stay visible without letting social media consume your life. That balance matters way more than people will admit. ## **Engagement Is Where Personal Branding Actually Happens** Posting is only half the equation. Personal branding with social media is relational, not transactional. The strongest brands don’t just broadcast, they participate. Responding to comments, having conversations, and acknowledging your audience as people, not metrics, is where trust is built quietly, over time. You don’t need to reply to everything forever, but early engagement compounds just like early content does. It signals accessibility, credibility, and respect; three things no algorithm can fake. ## **Monetization as a Byproduct, Not the Goal** When monetization becomes the focus too early, authenticity suffers. That doesn’t mean personal branding shouldn’t lead to revenue. It absolutely should. But the revenue comes *because* of trust, not before it. When your personal brand is clear, aligned, and visible on social media, opportunities start finding you in ways such as: - Clients who already trust your expertise. - Brands that align with your values. - Speaking opportunities that position you as a leader. - Partnerships that feel natural, not forced. This is what sustainable influence looks like. ## **Staying Relevant Without Losing Yourself** Trends will change. Platforms will evolve. Formats will come and go. Your personal brand shouldn’t be built on any one of those things. Social media is the vehicle here, not the destination. Experimenting with new features is smart. But chasing relevance at the expense of clarity isn’t. When your message is strong, you can adapt without losing your identity. And that’s what keeps a personal brand resilient long-term. ## **Social Media Is a Tool in Your Personal Brand Strategy** If there’s one thing I hope you take away from this blog, it’s this: Personal branding with social media isn’t about being everywhere. It’s about being intentional. It’s about showing up with purpose, sharing perspective, and building trust one interaction at a time. Fame might get attention, but authority builds businesses, careers, and legacies. Social media gives you access. Personal branding gives you direction. When you combine the two thoughtfully, you don’t just become visible; you become remembered. And that’s where real influence begins. ## **Are You Ready to Build a Personal Brand That Actually Works?** If you’re serious about using social media as a tool for growth (not noise), then the next step isn’t posting more. It’s getting clearer. Personal branding works best when it’s rooted in purpose. When your message, positioning, and platforms are aligned with where you want your business or career to go, not just where the algorithm happens to be today. If you’re done guessing and ready to build a personal brand that supports real, long-term growth, [schedule a strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/). Let’s turn your presence into something purposeful and make sure the effort you’re putting into social media actually moves the needle. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding, Social Media **Tags:** personal brand, personal branding, social media --- ### [How to Boost Your Job Opportunities Using Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/job-opportunities/) **Published:** July 28, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Job opportunities come to those who are prepared. Use your personal brand as a tailored representation of what you do best. Demonstrate excellence with a clear and consistent message. Then find the best prospects with these pro tips.* Job opportunities can give you multiple avenues to consider. Which direction do you want to take your career? What new standards would you like to follow? Also, how much more money do you want to make? Use [personal branding strategies](https://clairebahn.com/contact-claire/) to develop a living resume. Your current situation might work fine, but there’s always room for growth. Fortunately: > ***“personal branding can help you shoot for the moon and hit your target”*** A tailored approach to your industry could capture much-needed attention or encourage more networking. Be prepared for exciting doors to open with a sleek personal brand. Understand that your persona can speak volumes on your behalf. It’s also better than any printed resume and serves as a pre-interview ice breaker in many cases. If your branding is on point, your bid for a job will receive much more consideration. An [excellent personal branding strategy](https://clairebahn.com/reinventing-yourself/) helps [differentiate your talents](https://hbr.org/2020/01/how-the-best-managers-identify-and-develop-talent) from the rest of the crowd. What does your personal brand say about you? Does it make you a top candidate for exciting careers? It should demonstrate what you bring to the table and encourage employers to hire you. Align your branding with suitable job opportunities and enjoy a meaningful change to your economic condition. This article will show you how to do it and explain why it’s essential. **Table of Contents** [What Your Personal Brand Brings to the Table](#_Toc109411251) [How to Align Your Personal Brand with Job Opportunities](#_Toc109411252) [5 Tips for Using Your Personal Brand for More Job Opportunities](#_Toc109411253) [\#1. Highlight Your Achievements](#_Toc109411254) [\#2. Display Your Personal Goals](#_Toc109411255) [\#3. Show off Affiliations](#_Toc109411256) [\#4. Create Clickable Portfolios](#_Toc109411257) [\#5. Gather References](#_Toc109411258) [Hacks for Approaching Job Opportunities with Your Personal Brand](#_Toc109411259) [How to Build Your Personal Brand for a Job Search](#_Toc109411260) [Conclusion](#_Toc109411261) ## What Your Personal Brand Brings to the Table A customized personal brand can bring multiple job opportunities your way. People and employers see you differently when your image and messaging are impactful. Because of their shrewdness, many branded individuals also enjoy a higher [perceived value in public](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2019/05/01/how-public-perception-can-make-or-break-a-brand-and-what-it-means-for-employees/?sh=70760e68d118) and private sectors. > ***“Personal branding brings additional job opportunities by making you look like an expert in your field.”*** Efficient and intuitive marketing helps establish consumer trust, transforming you into an indisputable authority. Since companies can appreciate applicants who’ve already carved a path within the industry, you give yourself a head start. Become the ideal candidate with a well-managed personal brand. Here is what an established reputation can bring to the table: - **You appear authentic 100% of the time.** Executives know you’re less likely to deviate on values and standards because your personal brand is at stake. - **Your intentions are well defined.** Personal branding demonstrates your preparedness for achieving specific goals. - **You look like the go-to person.** Your expertise in a select audience makes you a significant influencer in particular arenas. - **You stand out from the competition.** Hiring managers will see your unique abilities and knowledge to appreciate your contributions even more. Exciting job opportunities come to those who work hard for them. However, hard work is not the only ingredient to success. You must also [develop a network](https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/business/trends-and-insights/articles/7-ways-to-build-a-strong-network/) for support and manage your reputation to remain relevant and trustworthy. Companies don’t want to hire someone who isn’t ready for the position. Personal branding brings all your best qualities to the table for consideration. It helps establish your [public persona to demonstrate](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/) experience, excellence, consistency, and dedication. Snag the best job opportunities in your industry with tailored personal branding. ## How to Align Your Personal Brand with Job Opportunities A personal brand can’t lead to more job opportunities if it aligns with nothing. Most professionals can do multiple things, so determining the trajectory of their personal brand can be challenging. Therefore, > ***“The first step to aligning your personal brand to new job opportunities is to define your purpose**.”* Then you can decide which employers to approach first. Research different job descriptions to ensure a proper [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important/) alignment. You want to mention specific skills and abilities to become a legitimate candidate. Never piece together a background or portfolio on the spot. Enter interviews prepared with a branded reputation, and increase your chances of exiting with a terrific job. Begin the alignment by asking yourself these crucial questions: - What do I want people to think when they see my name, picture, or logo? - How would I like people to respond to my goods and services? - What positive impact or difference do I want to make in the industry? - Who or what has influenced my goals and decisions the most? - What job opportunities do I want to pursue? - How can my personal brand messaging improve to attract better job opportunities? Bake the answers to those questions into your unique brand strategy. Let employers know who you are, where you come from, and why you’re there for a job. They’re more likely to hire people who [demonstrate confidence](https://www.harpersbazaar.com/uk/people-parties/bazaar-at-work/news/a36647/how-to-demonstrate-confidence/), competence, and congeniality. **DID YOU KNOW:** *Many employers care less about college degrees and more about affiliations or proven experience and success.* ## 5 Tips for Using Your Personal Brand for More Job Opportunities Your personal brand is now aligned with your dream career. Employers will have no choice but to take your bid seriously. They can see your expertise and understand your motivations. If your branding strategy is effective, they could feel foolish for passing on a pro. Being talented and motivated is only a piece of the puzzle. Discover job opportunities in your industry but miss the boat because someone else presents themselves better than you. Use your personal brand as an essential tool for getting noticed. Or rebrand yourself to enter new industries using previous experiences and established connections. > ***“Personal branding turns your expertise into a well-packaged presentation fit for immediate launch.”*** Here are five surefire ways to make the most of your [self-marketing](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/small-business/social-media/articles/how-to-market-yourself/) efforts. ### \#1. Highlight Your Achievements Don’t be afraid to brag about all the things you’ve accomplished. People want to know they’re in good hands when doing business with you or hiring you for an open position. Many job opportunities even require demonstrated knowledge or ability before starting. Create a portfolio or update your resume to include recent successes. Then develop a unique bio briefly describing your expertise. These techniques are essential, so most reputation management firms use them as part of your personal branding strategy. ### \#2. Display Your Personal Goals [Use your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/value-of-your-personal-brand/) to discuss the things that motivate you. Show your involvement in specific movements and causes, or promote participation through advocacy. You can display your personal values in multiple ways without losing job opportunities or rapport in your industry. Personal branding ensures your message is clear, concise, and contagious. If you share the why and how people will want to help with your goals. Still, don’t forget to discuss what’s in it for the employer who hires you. Otherwise, you might look like just another applicant wanting an easy come-up. ### \#3. Show off Affiliations Let employers know it’s safe and wise to hire you by revealing who’s in your network. Most employers will follow suit if others trust you as an industry authority or partner. You can mention high-profile affiliations or [name-drop during interviews](https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/capitalbusiness/be-careful-about-dropping-names-during-job-interviews/2013/09/27/62215eec-2621-11e3-b75d-5b7f66349852_story.html) to seal the deal. Personal branding involves creating an online presence, including websites and social media accounts. Use those platforms to share project developments and outcomes with target audiences. Then direct attention to those areas when seeking new job opportunities or discussing salaries. ### \#4. Create Clickable Portfolios Your web presence significantly impacts your employability regardless of your industry. Employers want to see what you’ve done but can’t always pour over your portfolio during the interview. Create a clickable portfolio online to provide interactive information and valuable insights. > ***“Use personal branding for packaging yourself as an industry authority before ever walking into the room.”*** Integrate SEO to make your presentation searchable and streamlined. Being easy to find online can help hiring teams compare you to other candidates. ### \#5. Gather References Find people who believe in you, and then ask them to leave honest reviews on your websites or social media pages. Approach friends and family first, but also tap into your LinkedIn network. Personal branding should give you more access to additional contacts, vendors, and investors. Talk to current and former colleagues to get practical feedback on your brand. Find out if they know of any exciting job opportunities in your field, and see if they have advice for landing the position. A reputation manager might also offer insights on making your personal brand more impactful to specific employers. **TIP**: *Get information on each business with open job opportunities that interest you. That way, you can align your presentation even more or provide solutions to problems the company didn’t know it had.* ## Hacks for Approaching Job Opportunities with Your Personal Brand Discover job opportunities that make your pulse race but don’t get too excited yet. You still have to approach career options with a streamlined personal branding strategy. Develop your brand, determine your goals, and then check on the trajectory before applying for jobs. This step can help you avoid unnecessary setbacks and pitfalls. Unfortunately, your personal brand is not infallible. Also, the market and economy constantly shift to accommodate changing values and trends. You can determine your purpose and develop an attractive persona but become obsolete overnight. Carefully [manage your reputation](https://www.forbes.com/sites/susanadams/2013/03/14/6-steps-to-managing-your-online-reputation/?sh=2c7a3c2a7767) with a personal branding expert and real-time data. Get the most out of your efforts without missing the chance to elevate your career. Incorporate these [effective strategies](https://clairebahn.com/) before approaching new job opportunities: - **Track data** and metrics to ensure your brand’s market relevance. - **Monitor DEI** compliance among multiple audiences. - **Check the reputation** of affiliates before mentioning them. - **Look at the competition** to differentiate more effectively. Find ways to demonstrate how your personal brand could help the hiring company. Solve problems before they arise with a well-thought-out presentation. Then anticipate needs and offer answers to turn job opportunities into long-lasting career pivots. ## How to Build Your Personal Brand for a Job Search Building a personal brand isn’t as challenging as you think. There are several steps, and some of them are unpredictable. The process can also be confusing and stressful without the best help. However, you can develop a cohesive brand for yourself by defining crucial vectors and coordinating them with job opportunities. Your brand and the job opportunities it brings depends on multiple factors. One of those factors is your willingness to become an innovative [thought-leader in your industry](https://www.entrepreneur.com/slideshow/349024). > ***“Demonstrate excellence and consistency with a personal brand made for your desired position.”*** Here are a few tips to help you get started: - **Know your niche.** Become familiar with your target audience. - **Project your voice.** Communicate values and goals in creative ways. - **Update regularly.** Keep up with your latest accomplishments. - **Support your network.** Give credit where credit is due. - **Stay focused.** Try not to concentrate on too many projects at once. - **Prepare to fail.** Not every effort will be a success, but keep seeking anyway. ## Conclusion Job opportunities don’t come to those who wait. They appear in front of people who create a personal brand and use it to get hired. Like a living resume, personal branding demonstrates your expertise in a neat little package. It helps show your unique qualifications while differentiating you from similar applicants. > ***“Personal brands can turn your experiences into tangible facts and appealing attributes.”*** Discover job opportunities that excite you, then help employers feel excited about hiring you. This is your chance to demonstrate uniqueness and skill, so don’t miss the boat. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding Strategist, Tips **Tags:** job opportunities, personal brand strategies --- ### [Is PR Critical for Company Success?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-public-relations/) **Published:** August 18, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/), and can your company survive without it? Chances are, it can’t. To remain relevant and trusted in any industry, you need an efficient [digital communications strategy](http://clairebahn.com). Here is how to make the most of your marketing efforts with the best PR services.* What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/)? Do you need managed PR services to survive in the modern economy? Many experts say yes, and most consumers agree. Your industry is likely fickle, with evolving standards and expectations defined by trends. Excellent public relations can help soften the blows of a displeased crowd and ensure a positive trajectory for your brand. Understanding the ins and outs of effective [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/future-of-pr/) techniques is crucial. You might think PR involves managing in-office conflicts and marketing messages, but it’s much more. Public relations specialists typically use a tailored digital communications strategy to promote meaningful interactions, satisfy transparency requirements, and deliver error-free messaging. What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/) without due diligence and best practices? It’s sloppy and inefficient. However, a busy executive or developing startup might not have the time to oversee every detail. Oversights and accidents are inevitable, but some mistakes could cost your brand its reputation. Here is what you need to know about public relations and how to [use it to your best advantage.](https://clairebahn.com/public-speaking-tips/) **Table of Contents** [What is ](#_Toc112603656)[public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/)? [PR Specialist Job Description](#_Toc112603657) [What Do Public Relations Professionals Do?](#_Toc112603658) [Public Relations vs. Marketing vs. Advertising: What’s the Difference?](#_Toc112603659) [The Goal of Public Relations](#_Toc112603660) [What Are the Six Types of PR?](#_Toc112603661) [\#1. Community Relations](#_Toc112603662) [\#2. Public Affairs](#_Toc112603663) [\#3. Social Media Management](#_Toc112603664) [\#4. Local/National/International Media PR](#_Toc112603665) [\#5. Crisis Management](#_Toc112603666) [\#6. Internal Affairs](#_Toc112603667) [What Are the Five Functions of Public Relations?](#_Toc112603668) [What is ](#_Toc112603669)[public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/): A Personal Guide to PR for Executive Branding [Conclusion](#_Toc112603670) ## What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/)? You can shorten the term “public relations” to the abbreviation “PR.” However, you can’t shorten the workload for disseminating strategic information that could [impact public perception](https://online.maryville.edu/blog/what-is-pr-a-guide-to-understanding-public-relations/). If you’ve ever asked, “What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/),” here is your answer. It’s how you present yourself to the target audience in various situations. It’s also critical to the success of your business. PR can involve internal or external factors, but it shapes opinions and can impact your opportunities. > ***“A digital communications strategy can help encourage confidence from shareholders, investors, consumers, and employees.”*** Still, streamlined public relations services usually include customized tactics to establish industry authority and promote beneficial relationships between various parties. ### PR Specialist Job Description What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/) in terms of duties and responsibilities? How can a [reputation management](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-3/) firm or personal branding agency help foster advantageous bonds in business? They typically start with a well-oiled digital communications strategy and then end by implementing feedback from the target audience. PR specialists help manage a company’s status or an individual’s reputation and public image. Their techniques can vary widely depending on the objectives. However**,** [the primary goal](http://prdefinition.prsa.org/) is to produce and maintain a positive relationship with the public while increasing brand awareness and decreasing conflicts. ### What Do Public Relations Professionals Do? If marketing delivers value and advertising inspires, What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/)? PR professionals help positively influence a business or brand, not necessarily their goods or services. Public relations experts work closely with other talents to start a constructive conversation on your behalf. They essentially persuade the public to trust what you say, think, do, and promote. Many reputation management firms use a [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) to ensure excellent public relations. However, they might also harness other tools and techniques, such as: - Social Media Posting - Publication Development and Editing - Speaking Engagement Scheduling - Event Organization - Crucial Connections for Networking - Press Release and SEO Blog Writing - Photo Shoots - Bio Creation and Pivoting - Podcast Production - Crisis Management Strategies > ***“What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/), if not a strategy using emerging technologies to foster better bonds with target audiences, employees, and stakeholders?”*** Define your objectives with marketing, inform consumers with advertising, and ensure consistency with excellent PR. Then avoid any negative publicity that could threaten your brand’s integrity. **DID YOU KNOW**: *A public relations specialist can help undo the damage from bad press.* ## Public Relations vs. Marketing vs. Advertising: What’s the Difference? What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/) compared to marketing and advertising? The digital communications strategies are, with considerable differences evident upon implementation. Meanwhile, the responsibilities are vastly different and can render unique outcomes based on pre-set standards. Public relations are generally a part of a comprehensive marketing plan. That’s because marketing requires promoting your goods and services to various consumers. Marketing aims to fulfill requirements and honor requests while outperforming the competition. The technique helps increase traffic and conversions to drive sales or brand recognition. Meanwhile, PR encourages meaningful interactions with various groups across multiple platforms. It helps establish and [maintain relationships with followers](https://hbr.org/2007/12/what-every-leader-needs-to-know-about-followers), potential clients, and investors. Many public relations professionals work alongside marketers to enhance their industry impact and ensure a profitable trajectory for a brand. Advertising also overlaps with marketing and PR. The reason is that advertising and public relations have similar goals. However, experts achieve their objectives using different tools and techniques. Here is a brief comparison of the three methodologies: - **Advertising** is a one-way conversation with the audience about product superiority. - **Public Relations** is a two-way conversation with the audience about business worthiness. - **Marketing** is a promise fulfillment that aligns with your advertising and public relations strategy. What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/)? It’s an opportunity to control the narrative around your organization to increase brand recognition, boost sales, and avoid mishaps. Along with advertising and marketing, PR can tremendously impact any competitive company. ## The Goal of Public Relations > ***“The goal of PR is to manage a brand’s image and influence the ecosystem of its target audience.”*** However, What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/) if everyone is doing it? Won’t consumers suspect fraudulent information when they’re aware of the tactics? The answer is no. Most clients want to do business with transparent companies but prefer partnerships with high repute. PR paves a path to the best of both worlds. Some public relations experts might go beyond the call of duty to include enhanced or tailored services and experiences. The verdict usually depends on the primary objectives, competitive spectrum, and chosen campaign. These are some of the things a public relations manager will focus on: - The tone of information shared with relevant audiences - Timing for marketing and advertising campaigns - Defining agendas, competencies, and responses - Refining or creating a positive public image - Developing a comprehensive digital communications strategy - Determining the modes of communication Discuss the options before deciding on the best PR policy. You must consider the industry expectations, consumer opinions, and business intentions to prevent counterproductive incidents. **FACT**: *Many PR consultants use* [*data analytics*](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/data-analytics.asp) *to define project launch parameters and process real-time feedback.* ## What Are the Six Types of PR? What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/), and why is it so complicated? Ask any PR professional, and they’ll tell you the complexity of multiple communication methods. The modern world is fast-paced and poised with countless opportunities. Your brand must stand out without being standoffish. Demonstrating your worthiness and mitigating mishaps can be tricky. That’s why reputation specialists use these six tailored PR types to ensure positive momentum: ### \#1. Community Relations Community relations pertain to the brand’s reputation with locals. Many businesses foster relationships within their region through targeted events, charity involvement, or project sponsorship. This tactic helps increase the company’s presence in a community, providing more opportunities for meaningful interactions. ### \#2. Public Affairs You can call public affairs by its modern name – lobbying. This PR type aims to develop a bond between organization executives or representatives and the consumer or investor. It can also help brands create relationships with government officials or equitable organizations interested in sponsoring or partnering with your brand. ### \#3. Social Media Management Many modern public relations firms can help develop, publish, moderate, and monetize social media profiles. They can do this without damaging your reputation or forcing your company too far outside the box. What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/) if it doesn’t involve social media management? It’s old-school, and it no longer works. **DID YOU KNOW:** *Experts project nearly 4 billion* [*social media users*](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2022/04/19/why-companies-need-to-give-social-media-managers-a-seat-at-the-table-and-how-to-do-it/?sh=ac3a51873e33) *by 2025. That’s a lot of potential conversation about your brand that you should control.* ### \#4. Local/National/International Media PR Media PR is essential, especially if your brand is in the public eye often. Public relations specialists can manage your dealings with local, national, and international media sources. They can also organize events, schedule interviews, monitor questions, and responses, or craft press releases before and after campaigns. ### \#5. Crisis Management What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/) without crisis management? You can’t always control what the media or consumer says about your company. However, PR experts can use a customized digital communications strategy to reduce the damage to your reputation. They also help manage controversies, litigations, and scandals to delay or prevent adverse impacts. ### \#6. Internal Affairs Public relations professionals can direct hiring and firing to ensure compliance with industry standards. They also maintain an ethical ecosystem for employees, executives, and applicants. PR firms confirm payroll fairness, help enforce fair labor laws, [promote workplace diversity](https://www.businessinsider.com/execs-from-top-us-companies-share-how-theyre-championing-inclusion-2021-8), and incorporate new policies within the company. Strategic public relations means developing a customized technique to reach the target audience with the correct tone and message. It’s complicated, but PR doesn’t have to be a challenge with the right help. Speak to your team about the possible pitfalls and obstacles, and then discuss the options with a reputation manager. ## What Are the Five Functions of Public Relations? PR goes where you go, carving a conscientious path despite evolving trends and shifting expectations. That means a public relations team could use multiple approaches to catapult campaigns or mitigate misnomers. The experts must be flexible, and so should you. > ***“Use a digital communications strategy to ensure consistent messaging regardless of where or why your listeners gather.”*** Producing or protecting your public image is usually a multi-step process, and your experience is unique. What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/), and how do you know if you’ve found a suitable [reputation management](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-2/) firm? Clue number one is that the team should help you achieve the following goals: 1. **Get to Know Your Target Audience** – Discover their wants, needs, likes, and dislikes. 2. **Establish Realistic Company Goals** – Determine which objectives suit your staff best. 3. **Develop Meaningful Messaging** – Say appropriate things to the right people at the perfect time. 4. **Monitor Your Competition** – Watch what competitors do in similar situations, then do better. 5. **Remain Relevant and Authoritative** – Maintain your position while elevating the game. What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/) if it doesn’t include improving projections and revealing opportunities? The target audience will only understand what you explain. ## What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/): A Personal Guide to PR for Executive Branding Executive branding is a delicate process requiring constant attention to several elements. Branding yourself as a CEO involves separating yourself from corporate interests and creating a unique name without the same associations. However, you don’t want to step on toes or sever ties with essential connections. Public relations professionals can help streamline the transition to prevent untimely or unexpected issues. Ambitious executives understand the importance of having an excellent social status. They know that word-of-mouth advertising is an effective tool despite modern communication conveniences. Still, intuitive CEOs also appreciate the value of profound interactions, positive public opinions, and reputation maintenance. Facing any market without PR is a recipe for disaster. **DID YOU KNOW:** *Some* [*negative publicity*](https://www.inc.com/rhett-power/how-bad-pr-can-kill-your-business-and-how-to-avoid-it.html) *can come from data breaches, workplace harassment, and fraudulent activity.* ## Conclusion What is [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/)? How does PR affect a business or brand? Does your business really need it? You must ask and answer those crucial questions before confronting the target audience. Your reputation depends on whether your message is correct, timely, and sufficient. A reputation management firm can help determine the appropriate responses in various situations regardless of your circumstances. Experts can also help develop an impactful digital communications strategy to ensure consistency, compliance, and conscientiousness. Make the most of your hard work with an approach that guarantees excellent public relations. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** digital communications strategy, Personal Branding, Public Relations **Tags:** digital communications strategy, what is public relations --- ### [How Does Executive Branding Build Your Career Faster?](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-success/) **Published:** September 1, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Executive branding for success is a complex process requiring a tailored approach. Learn how[ CEO branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) can help elevate your career opportunities with a digital communications strategy. Check out these tips and benefits to get started.* Executive branding for success: what is it, and how does it work? Do you need a [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/), or can you make an impact without one? Today’s economy shifts rapidly and sometimes without notice. You must be prepared for anything while providing consistency to your target audience. Sound impossible? It isn’t. You can transform industries and establish yourself as an authority with [strategic executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-2/). Let consumers and investors know who you are and why you’re in business. Give them something to discuss and ensure it’s the best message for your brand. > ***“Executive branding for success means streamlining your public persona to suit various objectives.”*** The target audience is essential, but so are your other connections. Focusing primarily on the consumer makes sense, but you can’t ignore the different eyes on your company. Executive branding for success involves [creating a professional profile](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/07/15/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-that-stands-out-to-employers/) to interact on multiple platforms. It helps keep your brand flexible but predictable. Why is executive branding critical for success? Can you manage the details alone, or do you need professional help? There are pros and cons to consider and multiple benefits to remember. Here is what you should know to take advantage of it all. **Table of Contents** [What Is Executive Branding?](#_Toc114429558) [How Does Executive Branding Work?](#_Toc114429559) [Services Included in Executive Branding](#_Toc114429560) [The Pros and Cons of Executive Branding for Success](#_Toc114429561) [PROS:](#_Toc114429562) [CONS:](#_Toc114429563) [5 Ways Executive Branding for Success Can Catapult Your Career](#_Toc114429564) [\#1. Associate Your Name with Excellence](#_Toc114429565) [\#2. Control the Narrative About Your Business](#_Toc114429566) [\#3. Lay a Solid Foundation for the Future](#_Toc114429567) [\#4. Capture the Best Attention](#_Toc114429568) [\#5. Get More Job Opportunities](#_Toc114429569) [How to Use Executive Branding for Success](#_Toc114429570) [Step One: Determine Your Target Audience](#_Toc114429571) [Step Two: Develop a Digital Communications Strategy](#_Toc114429572) [Step Three: Implement and Evaluate Your Results](#_Toc114429573) [Conclusion](#_Toc114429574) ## What Is Executive Branding? Executive branding for success isn’t a straightforward process. It involves multiple strategies to develop a personal brand for CEOs. Established executives and business owners can create a public persona to support various marketing campaigns and corporate objectives. Branding as a successful executive means elevating yourself to the forefront of your industry. Many eyes will watch your actions and consider your decisions. Therefore, successful executive branding requires careful management of various complex elements surrounding your company. > ***“It is not a one-size-fits-all process.”*** Executive branding for success can include a tailored approach to different audiences. The goal is to help CEOs leverage more attention for increased traffic, [brand awareness](https://www.businessinsider.com/marketing-branding-small-business-more-memorable-2021-4), and revenue. Effective personal branding can also introduce or refine an individual’s image and online presence. This step helps ensure a positive reception from diverse audiences. **DID YOU KNOW:** *Executive branding for success can include photo shoots, wardrobe coaching, and ghostwriting.* ## How Does Executive Branding Work? Personal branding is a complex process involving multiple steps and countless factors. Meanwhile, executive branding for success is typically more profound. Launching a business requires due diligence and attractive aesthetics. You cannot focus too heavily on one aspect over another. Brand messaging is essential. It tells the target audience who you are, why you’re there, and what you can offer. Executive branding works by controlling those messages across multiple paths to ensure consistency. However, the best digital communications strategy adapts to evolving trends and shifting expectations. This benefit encourages the audience to trust your company’s expertise. You might already have a brand established but want to [separate yourself](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-do-you-separate-a-per_b_6012364) from it. That’s where executive branding is most practical. It provides a unique experience that revolves around your goals. > ***“Many CEOs want to brand themselves as founders or entrepreneurs instead of remaining linked to a specific company.”*** Executive branding for success allows CEOs to differentiate from similar professionals in their field. It can also help [initiate broader networks](https://hbr.org/2007/01/how-leaders-create-and-use-networks) with parallel industries and foster relevant partnerships. Stay vigilant and choose a personal branding firm that meets or exceeds industry standards. ### Services Included in Executive Branding All[ executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-startups/) firms operate differently. Each provides an exclusive [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/), public relations techniques, and customer service. However, you should choose the agency that best suits your personality. You’ll need an intuitive team to excavate your brand’s most appealing and appropriate attributes. Executive branding for success typically includes a customized methodology. That means not every CEO will require an identical approach. Experts can collect relevant data, analyze it to determine your brand’s primary function, and study consumer behaviors for maximum impact. Meanwhile, these are the standard services you can expect: - SEO Keyword Generation - Blogging and Vlogging - Podcasting - Logo or Catchphrase Development - Performance Metrics Tracking - [Data Analytics](https://www.techtarget.com/searchdatamanagement/definition/data-analytics#:~:text=Data%20analytics%20(DA)%20is%20the,of%20specialized%20systems%20and%20software.) - Digital Communications Strategy - Social Media Management - Profile Photos and Headshots - Bio Writing or Editing - Public Relations - Business and Industry Tips Using the wrong techniques can be catastrophic, and it isn’t easy to bounce back without terrific PR. Fortunately, the best executive branding agencies can help prevent mishaps and reverse the loss of public interest. Thus, services could also include [reputation management](https://www.businessnewsdaily.com/7869-choosing-a-reputation-management-service.html), speech writing, and press release development. **FACT**: *Executive branding costs can vary based on the services you use.* ## The Pros and Cons of Executive Branding for Success Many CEOs assume they neither need a personal brand nor must interact with their target audience. Yet, most consumers want a meaningful relationship with their favorite businesses. > ***“Executive branding for success means meeting people in the middle, where you can achieve various goals without seeming aloof.”*** Disengaged leadership is less effective and can get misconstrued as deception. Folks appreciate transparency as much as consistency, and executive branding for success includes both. Develop a personal brand focused on your unique talents and [demonstrate your rare contributions as a successful](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/) executive. First, consider the pros and cons of expert-led, data-driven executive branding: ### PROS: - **Discover** new marketing methods tailored to your target audience. - **Develop** a digital communications strategy for modern consumers. - **Reveal** industry trends to make more intuitive predictions. - **Introduce** (or reintroduce) yourself as an expert or authority. - **Maintain** your positive momentum despite evolving economies. - **Streamline** operations to enjoy improved productivity and profitability. - **Improve** public relations and boost traffic to your websites. - **Inspire** change within your industry or transform the standards. Executive branding for success is a step-by-step process based on various criteria. Always consult your marketing team for tips on developing the most comprehensive strategies. ### CONS: - **Invest** in the [future of your career](https://hbr.org/2022/02/how-to-build-a-career-you-wont-hate) with costly services and monthly management fees. - **Experiment** with different digital communications strategies until you find one suitable. - **Prepare** for the unexpected because your results are not guaranteed. - **Wait** to iron out the details when launching an executive brand. - **Study** compliance regulations for your industry to monitor progress and avoid mistakes. - **Communicate** with your [CEO branding](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding/) team when issues arise. Executive branding for success requires solid communication skills, patience, and preparedness. Never brand yourself without expert insights. ## 5 Ways Executive Branding for Success Can Catapult Your Career Intuitive marketing methods are essential to any business. They help executives and entrepreneurs attract potential clients with practical and punctual means. Many [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-building/) agencies utilize data, consumer feedback, and competitive analysis to determine the most successful approach. Their work can elevate CEOs to help obtain or maintain a positive reputation. > ***“Executive branding for success is a strategic move designed to paint your personality in the best possible light.”*** It draws from your experiences as a professional and combines those elements with unique traits. This mixture of various aspects can inspire interactions, motivate sales, and help establish your business as a transparent influence. [Branding an executive](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2019/10/15/ceo-and-executive-brandingthe-importance-of-communicating-values-to-increase-emotional-connectivity/?sh=27ee2ad525fa) can be complicated, but there are at least five more career advantages to consider: ### \#1. Associate Your Name with Excellence Customers don’t like change but are always searching for better. Use your brand to introduce new offerings and business modifications without upsetting the flow. Give your startup wings with due diligence and creativity. Consumers and investors will start associating your brand with high-quality services and relatable leadership. Executive branding for success begins with one interaction at a time, so don’t forget about the little things. **TIP**: *Mind your associations and affiliates to ensure a trustworthy presence in your industry.* ### \#2. Control the Narrative About Your Business Executive branding for success means managing your reputation in various ways. It also requires attention to diverse audiences and the messaging displayed to them. You must be careful not to offend people when sharing crucial information or [inspiring action](https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/7-characteristics-of-inspiring-leaders/252916). Build your brand as a CEO to control the conversation and avoid mishaps that could damage your reputation. Monitor your words, phrases, and expressions with an expert who understands your industry’s subtle ins and outs. **TIP**: *Ask your team where to find real-time comments or how to initiate meaningful exchanges.* ### \#3. Lay a Solid Foundation for the Future Use executive branding for success today and enjoy multiple achievements tomorrow. Many strategies can help ensure long-term relevance in crucial industries. The best techniques make a CEO approachable and less intimidating without sacrificing authority. Your personal brand speaks volumes about who you are and where you want to go. Tell consumers your objective and share concerns but never look desperate. **TIP**: *Align your brand’s goals with the target audience for maximum influence.* ### \#4. Capture the Best Attention Personal branding is executive branding on a higher level. It helps highlight your most attractive qualities as a professional instead of an ordinary person. Executive branding for success requires a digital communications strategy that shows your best side no matter who’s looking. An experienced branding agency can determine which audiences are paying attention and which need more coaxing. Experts can also help shave the fat from existing campaigns for a more significant impact. **TIP**: *Use data collection and analysis to track consumer behaviors and manage the demands.* ### \#5. Get More Job Opportunities Companies looking for experienced executives will consider branded CEOs first. Their business can adopt and assimilate the CEO’s brand into existing departments. Then both entities can walk away without losing their individuality. This is an attractive bonus for many corporations and startups. Get better job offers for becoming a relevant and recognizable name. Let companies fight over the resume as they strive to announce a new partnership with your brand. **TIP**: *Ask your branding specialist to help you determine the criteria for hiring and affiliation.* ## How to Use Executive Branding for Success Using executive branding for success is a wise decision because it covers all the bases. You no longer must shoot messages in the dark and hope for some positive feedback. [CEO branding strategies](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2018/05/18/use-ceo-branding-to-gain-more-visibility-for-your-company/) give you more control over the discussion while allowing for honest input from consumers. Unfortunately, an excellent executive branding strategy isn’t the only thing that matters. Experts can provide a well-packaged portfolio, but it’s up to you to use it. Follow these three steps for the best results: ### Step One: Determine Your Target Audience Define who is most interested in your goods and services. This initial step might reveal some surprising facts about your industry. [Consumer behavior](https://info.civicscience.com/navigating-the-seas-of-change-landing-page?utm_term=consumer%20behavior&utm_campaign=&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=ppc&hsa_acc=7940824339&hsa_cam=424813591&hsa_grp=1355699414867063&hsa_ad=&hsa_src=s&hsa_tgt=kwd-84732239785774:loc-190&hsa_kw=consumer%20behavior&hsa_mt=e&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_ver=3&utm_content=Search) depends on multiple factors, including societal trends and market expectations. Have your team evaluate the average audience when executive branding for success. Otherwise, you might miss the target. ### Step Two: Develop a Digital Communications Strategy Figure out which social media platforms perform best for your brand. Then discuss the limitations and posting restrictions with your executive branding team. They can help you create clickable status updates, photo albums, and video series to capture and keep the audience’s attention. Many also provide staff to help manage comments, messages, and other interactions. ### Step Three: Implement and Evaluate Your Results Seek feedback from website visitors, product users, and other stakeholders to determine the effectiveness of various campaigns. You can also adjust different aspects of your executive branding techniques to align with shifting goals. Excellent public relations usually include reputation management and conflict resolution services. ## Conclusion Executive branding for success involves multiple steps and several customizations. No two personal marketing campaigns are alike. The desired outcomes are likely similar, but the path to greatness is never straightforward. Successful personal branding requires a streamlined digital communications strategy and knowledge of your target audience. Develop a marketing and advertising technique that speaks to your average consumer. Use clever verbiage, search engine optimization (SEO), and other methods to start a conversation. Then let your excellent company speak for itself on ready platforms in front of enthusiastic people. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** digital communications strategy, Executive Branding **Tags:** digital communications strategy, executive branding for success --- ### [The New Era of PR: Maximize Your Brand's Reach with A Hybrid Approach](https://clairebahn.com/pr-hybrid-approach/) **Published:** August 28, 2024 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What are public relations in marketing? What are public relations strategies? How can a modern PR agency help executives and companies boost their recognition and reputation?* *In today’s digital landscape, [public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/) (PR), branding, and publicity have merged into a unified approach to increase visibility and build credibility. At Claire Bahn Group, we emphasize an integrated PR strategy that leverages every platform—from social media to podcasts—to help executives and businesses make a lasting impact. By combining technical expertise and strategic design, we create personalized campaigns that deliver measurable results, ensuring a strong return on investment (ROI).* *Discover why hiring the right PR agency is essential for your business growth and how we can position you as a thought leader in your industry.* Gone are the days when PR, publicity, and branding were distinct specialties. Today, these elements have merged into a comprehensive strategy designed to enhance visibility and industry recognition across multiple platforms. At Claire Bahn Group (CBG), we understand that your audience engages across various channels—LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and podcasts, etc. Our integrated approach ensures a consistent message with a high design focus across multiple platforms to maximize your impact and visibility. > ***“85% of executives believe that PR is more important than ever in today’s digital age. – Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)”*** **Table of Contents:** [Leveraging Technical Expertise and Design Resources](#_Toc173858613) [Measurable Results with a Focus on ROI](#_Toc173858614) [Personalized Service and Industry Recognition](#_Toc173858615) [The Benefits of Hiring a PR Agency](#_Toc173858616) [Choosing the Right PR Agency](#_Toc173858617) [The Power of CBG Public Relations for Executives](#_Toc173858618) [Unparalleled Success and Client Recognition](#_Toc173858619) [The Hybrid PR Approach: Visibility Across Multiple Platforms](#_Toc173858620) [Success Stories and Client Testimonials](#_Toc173858621) [Conclusion: Why the Right PR Agency Matters](#_Toc173858622) ## Leveraging Technical Expertise and Design Resources Successful [PR](https://clairebahn.com/future-of-pr/) requires more than pitching to journalists, TV producers, and podcast bookers. Your network and targeted audience expect to be able to Google your name and find specific examples of your thought leadership. This demands an omnichannel approach that extends beyond sporadic social media posts and a few mentions in articles. Building authority and trust with a growing audience involves consistently showcasing your expertise and experience across every channel your target audience frequents. > ***“Businesses investing in PR activities experience an average increase in website traffic by 53%, accoriding to [Pressfarm](https://press.farm/20-pr-industry-statistics-to-know/). This boost in online presence can lead to more customer engagement and potential sales.”*** At CBG, we combine strategic content creation with deep technical expertise to fully leverage every available channel and platform. This strategy drives significant PR success, securing top-rated podcast appearances and earning media coverage in prestigious publications. ## Measurable Results with a Focus on ROI Visibility and industry recognition are essential but must translate into tangible benefits. Our goal at CBG is to increase your visibility and ensure it leads to meaningful opportunities and a strong return on investment (ROI). Our clients experience measurable outcomes, including enhanced industry recognition, thought leadership, and increased audience engagement. > ***“Companies that engage in regular PR activities see an average revenue increase of 23%, according to a study by Meltwater.”*** ## Personalized Service and Industry Recognition Claire Bahn Group is not a one-size-fits-all agency. We pride ourselves on offering personalized service tailored to each client’s unique needs. Our clients include top-level companies and individuals who seek to amplify their message and surpass their competitors in online visibility. We regularly secure placement in top-tier magazines and podcasts, frequently ranking in the top 10% of their respective categories. ## The Benefits of Hiring a PR Agency Managing all social media channels internally can be overwhelming. A [PR agency](https://clairebahn.com/) brings several advantages, including: 1. Media Relations: PR agencies have established relationships with journalists and media outlets, ensuring your story reaches the right audience. 2. Experience and Expertise: Agencies offer rich experience across various aspects of [PR](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-public-relations/), from reputation management to crisis handling. 3. Fresh Perspectives: A larger team provides diverse viewpoints, leading to innovative ideas and strategies. ## Choosing the Right PR Agency When selecting a PR agency, consider your specific needs and the agency’s capabilities. A full-service agency like Claire Bahn Group offers a cohesive and synergized approach to PR, integrating all marketing and communication efforts for maximum impact. ## The Power of CBG Public Relations for Executives At [CBG Public Relations](https://clairebahn.com/), we understand that effective public relations is a crucial tool for executives, offering numerous benefits that translate into substantial returns on investment (ROI). Here’s how our tailored PR strategies can enhance your professional and organizational impact: 1. #### Enhanced Reputation and Credibility – Benefit: Our PR strategies position you as a thought leader and credible authority in your industry. – ROI: Increased trust and respect from stakeholders, leading to more influential roles and greater decision-making power within your organization and industry. 2. #### Increased Visibility and Recognition – Benefit: Our effective PR campaigns raise your profile through media coverage, interviews, and podcast guest appearances. – ROI: Greater recognition and visibility lead to more speaking engagements, invitations to join boards, and opportunities to represent your company at high-profile events. > ***“Building relationships with journalists and securing media coverage are considered the most effective PR strategies by professionals, according to a study conducted by Pressfarm. This approach can lead to more frequent and favorable media mentions, enhancing a company’s public image.”*** 3. #### Stronger Relationships with Key Stakeholders – Benefit: Our PR strategies help you build and maintain positive relationships with investors, customers, partners, and employees. – ROI: Stronger stakeholder relationships result in increased loyalty, support, and advocacy, driving business growth and stability. 4. #### Market Leadership and Competitive Advantage – Benefit: Our PR efforts position you and your company as industry leaders and innovators. – ROI: A strong market leadership position attracts top talent, secures better business deals and funding, and increases market share, driving long-term success. > ***“The global public relations industry is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.9% from 2021 to 2026, according to a study by Pressfarm. This growth indicates a rising recognition of PR’s value across various sectors.”*** 5. #### Increased Investor Confidence – Benefit: Positive media coverage and a strong public image enhance investor confidence in you and your company. – ROI: Increased investor confidence can lead to higher stock prices, more investment opportunities, and better terms in capital-raising efforts. 6. #### Attracting and Retaining Talent – Benefit: A well-managed public image makes you and your company attractive to potential employees. – ROI: Attracting top talent leads to a more skilled and motivated workforce, improving overall business performance and reducing recruitment costs. 7. #### Business Development and Partnership Opportunities – Benefit: Enhanced visibility and reputation make it easier to form strategic partnerships and attract new business opportunities. – ROI: More partnerships and business opportunities can lead to increased revenue streams, expanded market reach, and accelerated growth. > ***“Leveraging social media influencers is seen as a key strategy for PR success, with 60% of PR leaders highlighting its importance, according to [uSERP](https://userp.io/organic-growth/pr-statistics/). Influencer partnerships can amplify a brand’s message and reach new audiences effectively.”*** 8. #### Brand Loyalty and Advocacy – Benefit: By becoming more visible and respected, you can build a loyal customer base that advocates for your brand. – ROI: Increased brand loyalty and advocacy can lead to higher customer retention rates, positive word-of-mouth, and sustained revenue growth. 9. #### Personal and Professional Growth – Benefit: Through media interactions and public engagements, you gain valuable experience and skills. – ROI: Enhanced personal growth and professional development make you a more effective leader, capable of driving your company to new heights. ## Unparalleled Success and Client Recognition With over 17 years of experience, CBG has a proven track record of delivering successful campaigns for CEOs, executives, high-net-worth individuals (HNWI), and corporations. Our clients have been featured in prestigious publications such as Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fortune, and The Wall Street Journal. Additionally, we have secured bookings on top-tier podcasts, helped secure awards like the AI-100 for leaders in the AI industry, and recurring monthly bylines in influential global publications like Les Echos. > ***“77% of PR professionals believe that relevancy and personalization are critical for successful pitches, according to [MarketSplash](https://marketsplash.com/public-relations-statistics/). Personalized and relevant pitches are more likely to be picked up by journalists, leading to better media coverage.”*** ## The Hybrid PR Approach: Visibility Across Multiple Platforms Successful PR requires more than pitching to journalists, TV producers, and podcast bookers. Your network and targeted audience expect to be able to Google your name and find specific examples of your thought leadership, which demands an omnichannel approach that extends beyond sporadic social media posts and a few mentions in articles. Building authority and trust with a growing audience involves consistently showcasing your expertise and experience across every channel your target audience frequents. > ***“79% of Chief Marketing Officers (CMOs) believe that earned media, which is obtained through PR efforts, is more effective than paid media, according to a study by Pressfarm. Earned media includes features in newspapers, magazines, TV shows, and other media outlets, which can enhance a company’s credibility and reach.”*** At CBG, we combine strategic content creation with deep technical expertise to fully leverage every available channel and platform. This strategy drives significant PR success in top-rated podcasts, earning media coverage in prestigious publications. ### Success Stories and Client Testimonials Our methodology is proven, and our success stories speak for themselves. Clients consistently report increased site traffic, higher conversion rates, and more substantial social media followings. These results are backed by our strategic research, meticulous execution, and ongoing analysis to refine and enhance our efforts. > ***“Press releases sent on Thursdays have the highest open rates at 27%, compared to other days, according to [InBound Blogging](https://inboundblogging.com/pr-statistics/). This insight can help businesses time their PR communications for maximum impact.”*** ## Conclusion: Why the Right PR Agency Matters In the dynamic world of public relations, staying ahead is crucial. With our award-winning expertise and comprehensive digital strategies, we ensure your message reaches and resonates with your target audience. Claire Bahn Group stands out in the PR industry for its innovative approach, technical expertise, and commitment to client success. By partnering with us, you can ensure [your brand’](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-strategy/)s message is heard loud and clear across all platforms and by the right audiences. Contact us today to elevate your visibility and solidify your industry recognition with world-class PR. By working with Claire Bahn Group and following our expert PR strategies, executives can significantly enhance their professional reputation, influence, and impact, leading to substantial returns on investment for both themselves and their organizations. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Public Relations **Tags:** PR, PR Agency, Public relations --- ### [The Future of PR and Why You Need a Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/future-of-pr/) **Published:** June 2, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Here’s what a PR agency isn’t going to tell you: the future of PR is going to rely on your own personal brand and[ self-promotion.](https://clairebahn.com/self-promotion/) And I, for one, am *so* glad. For some of you, the concept of public relations in 2021 might be almost unrecognizable. Social media influencers are getting press features in *Forbes,* and people recording their lives with their iPhones are becoming household names. In this new age of digital media, your personal brand *is* what gets you in the press. Not your company, product, or service. ***You.*** For a while, I was paying a PR firm (this was *years* ago) to help get my name out there. Back then, I wanted to use PR for marketing purposes to get features in magazines or the local news. I filled out endless story ideas and pitch letters— only to get very few interviews or mentions. It wasn’t cheap, either. I can’t remember exactly how much the monthly price was. I did have some friends who would pay their PR agency upwards of $10K *a month* to pitch them. A year later, and they never got a single interview. Can we chalk this up to a lousy PR firm? Maybe. The fact is, today, we live in a fast-paced and digital environment. It’s no longer adequate to wait for a PR firm to connect you to the “right people” to get some recognition. Instead of **waiting to get noticed**, I created a brand around my own stories, experiences, and expertise. And now [I have press coming to me. ](https://clairebahn.com/claire-in-the-press/) **RELATED: [THE GUIDE ON HOW TO BECOME FAMOUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/)** ## **PR vs. Marketing** Is there a difference in PR and marketing strategies? Traditionally, yes. PR and marketing used to be two *separate* commodities for businesses. Marketing is when we actively spread the word about our company to generate sales. This typically starts with brand logos and mission statements, followed by rigorous promotion directed towards ideal customers. PR, or public relations, is “a strategic communication process that builds mutually beneficial **relationships** between organizations and their publics.” That’s a direct definition from [The Public Relations Society of America (PRSA)](https://www.prsa.org/about/all-about-pr). In other words, a PR firm’s goal is to help CEOs build a professional and likable persona to attract customers, key stakeholders, and investors to their company. In today’s market, there is no PR vs. marketing. That’s because PR and personal branding have melded together to create a new wave of marketing where all you need is an internet connection and your cell phone. ## **How Public Relations is Changing in 2021** ![pr-vs-marketing](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/what-is-PR-marketing.png "what is PR marketing - Claire Bahn") When it comes to marketing in 2021, it’s not just about selling your product or service. In fact, I would argue that it’s first and *foremost* about building a **relationship** with your audience. There’s that word again: **relationship.** The benefit of having a personal brand is having the ability to cultivate relationships with your audience. You can’t do that with a company logo. The good news? You no longer need to hire an expensive PR [agency to build these public relations](https://clairebahn.com/how-a-public-relations-agency-demonstrates-roi/). Your personal brand helps cultivate your public perception *because* you can have a direct relationship with them. Videos help your audience see and get to know you, and long-form content allows them to see you’re an expert in your field. Suffice to say that social media and traditional PR have *merged* together to allow the everyday business owner to create their own success stories. All it takes is posting consistently, providing value, and engaging with your online audience. That being said, there’s only so much you can achieve with a social media following. You still need to branch out of your bubble and get press features or guest spots. ## **The Future of PR: Top 3 Public Relations Trends in 2021** ![future-of-pr](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/future-of-pr.png "press features - Claire Bahn") Let’s face it; nobody wants you to be their podcast guest or [interview you for *Forbes*](https://www.forbes.com/sites/julianmitchell/2017/11/30/this-on-demand-platform-has-the-secret-to-building-the-perfect-social-profile/?sh=fa6ce24234cb) if they can’t figure out who you are. You might be well known within your company, but has anyone else in your industry heard of you? If the answer is no, that’s because you haven’t caught up with modern marketing (or modern PR). I’m willing to bet you’re not posting on social media. You probably don’t have a blog, and you’ve never even thought about creating video content on your expertise. Unfortunately, if you want to have a relationship with the public, you have to be willing to display your public persona. Nobody cares about the company brand anymore. They want to know the CEO— the mastermind behind the company. Think Elon Musk or Marcus Lemonis. This brings me to my first prediction for the future of PR: the celebrity CEO. ### **1. The Celebrity CEO** If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a million times: people want to hear from other people, not company brands. This market demands CEOs to be present online. The public wants to hear about Jeff Bezos’s hardships before becoming the richest man in the world. They want to hear from small business owners who create multiple six-figure businesses with $40 in their bank account. These stories are what people want to hear because if someone else can do it, then they can, too. The future of PR relies on the company CEO to be the face of their business. So when you map out your marketing plan to generate sales, make sure that plan includes you personally filming videos, writing blogs geared towards your target audience, and creating captions divulging your triumphs (and downfalls). ### **2. Mainstream Media is Out** Another thing that you may not have guessed about this new age of public relations is how little newspapers and magazine features do for your recognition. As of 2021, more people get their news from online devices instead of mainstream media. [According to Pew Research](https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2021/01/12/more-than-eight-in-ten-americans-get-news-from-digital-devices/): - 86% of U.S. adults get information from a smartphone, computer, or tablet - 68% of U.S. adults get news from television - 50% of U.S. adults get news from radio - 32% of U.S. adults get news from print publications **This means that industry leaders and up-and-coming CEOs should focus on getting press features in blogs, podcasts, and YouTube channels.** [Half of all U.S. households](https://www.podcastinsights.com/podcast-statistics/) (that’s right— 50%) tune into podcasts, which is about 60 million homes. And with over 2 million podcasts to choose from, there are sure to be quite a few where your expertise is highly valuable to their listeners. In terms of turning a profit from these features, “[61% of people say their purchase decisions](https://www.semrush.com/blog/blogging-stats/) came from watching vlogs on YouTube.” And “On average, companies who blog produce [67% more leads](https://www.semrush.com/blog/blogging-stats/) per month.” ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/public-relations-trends.png "public relations trends - Claire Bahn") ### **3. Reputation Management** If you’ve consumed any of my content before this, you know that the key to a thriving (personal) brand is creating content consistently. This is easier said than done. Besides time management, what happens if one of your posts goes viral? Based on my experience, two things will happen when your public image starts spreading all over the internet: 1. Your social media recognition (and follower count) grows. 2. You’ll receive a slew of negative comments. Having a sudden influx of public attention is a wild card: it can be really good or really, *really* bad. Because the future of PR relies on your personal brand, you need to be proactive about maintaining the integrity of your name. You either have to consistently stay on top of your comments and news articles made about you, or you need to [hire a team to manage your online presence and your reputation](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/). Executives and entrepreneurs are at the point where they need what amounts to a “talent agent” (like Hollywood celebrities have) that manages all aspects of their outward personas. This is exactly the service I provide for CEOs. Not only can we build your “celebrity” to attract your target market, but we help you gain the authority, trust, and influence necessary to succeed. ## **How To Get Media Coverage** Now, if you’re wondering how to get media coverage for your business on your *own*, it’s pretty straightforward. Here are 3 steps I took to take control of my personal brand and get my name out there. ### **Step 1: Define Your Personal Brand** The most fundamental aspect of your personal brand is crafting your personal brand message. It’s similar to a company mission statement, except a *lot* more personal. This is the image people will come to know you by; are you funny, informative, outgoing, relaxed? What image and what *message* do you want to be associated with your personal brand? I always recommend being a positive reinforcement for your target audience. For example, I like to present myself as someone who tells it like it is. I’m not someone who gives motivational pep talks or tells you how easy it is to market your personal brand (because it not easy). However, I make sure that I provide helpful resources (like this blog and my videos) to help *everyone*— whether you’re a [brand new startup founder](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) or a million-dollar CEO. ### **Step 2: Syndicate Your Content** Speaking of helpful resources, a crucial part of starting a relationship with the public is to produce content. We all relied on PR agencies back in the day because they were the only ones who could find people to create articles or news segments around our company. Now you can produce and syndicate your content much more effectively and use it to leverage yourself into the public arena. It’s just a matter of your own determination and self-promotion. You need to be providing valuable — and often free — content. This means posting on your favorite social media platforms, creating free masterclasses, or simply writing blogs like this one. Stop hiding your knowledge behind a paywall before you’ve built a relationship with the public. You have to prove yourself first so that your audience will like, know, and trust you. ### **Step 3: Pitch Yourself** Just because we can talk to an audience directly via social media doesn’t mean that press features don’t have their place. But before you think about getting your full-length feature on Entrepreneur.com, you need to understand what type of person journalists are looking to interview. The public wants authenticity, which means the people behind the press are looking for “real” entrepreneurs to interview. You don’t have to build a vast social media following to look interesting, either. Even if you do happen to have a large following, having your name in high-authority publications helps you reach out of your current sphere of influence. This is the only way to build your “celebrity” CEO status faster and more effectively than with social media alone. So what will catch a journalists’ attention? Stories, valuable content, and consistency. Pretty much [everything that goes into your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/why-personal-branding-is-the-key-to-success-in-2021/). If you want to know how to pitch to podcast hosts or journalists, here are some blogs that will come in handy: - ### [How Being a Podcast Guest Elevates Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/how-being-a-podcast-guest-elevates-your-personal-brand/) - ### [What is Omnichannel Marketing?](https://clairebahn.com/omnichannel-marketing/) - ### [How To Become an Industry Leader](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-an-industry-leader/) - ### [How To Build a Reputation with Your Online Presence](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/) ## Conclusion When it comes to being a CEO or thought leader, you should be marketing your personal brand. By maintaining a translucent persona with the public, you can easily build your audience, get featured by the press, and scale your revenue. If creating content *and* pitching to the media on your own sounds like a bit too much to handle, I’m here to help! I built my Personal Brand Concierge Program for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** how to get media coverage, ​how to get media coverage for your business, pr for marketing, PR vs marketing, press features, public relations 202, public relations 2021, public relations trends --- ### [Self Promotion: What It Is and How to Do It Well](https://clairebahn.com/self-promotion/) **Published:** May 26, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** If you cringe at the idea of self-promotion, you’re probably used to seeing poorly executed marketing tactics. Or you’ve attended one too many networking lunches. But I’m here to remind you that – if done correctly – the promotion of your brand is *extremely* beneficial to reaching your business goals. And no, that doesn’t mean bragging to your colleagues every time they invite you out for a drink. And it definitely doesn’t mean getting online and shoving your success stories down your audience’s throat. Sure, elements of [self-promotion](https://clairebahn.com/roi-of-personal-branding/) require you to put yourself out there. After all, you need to convince people that you’re worth their time and money. But to be successful at it, you have to learn how to strike the right balance between humble and boastful. (Now, this is where I can brag a little…) Through my work as a business owner and personal brand strategist, I’ve nailed the perfect (and not-so-cringy) self-promotional strategy. This is what I use for all of my clients; most of whom come to me with little to no confidence to talk about themselves online. By the end of this, I promise you’ll have a completely different outlook on promoting your brand! **RELATED: [The Influencer Strategy Mistake That Is Ruining Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/influencer-strategy/)** ## **What Is Self Promotion?** ![self-promotion](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2-1.png "self promotion instagram - Claire Bahn") ### **What’s the Difference Between Self-Promotion and Bragging?** Many people avoid self-promotion because they assume it means bragging. Bragging is about impressing people and good self-promotion is about helping them understand the value you bring. Instead of constantly listing accomplishments, share lessons you’ve learned, challenges you’ve overcome, or results you’ve helped others achieve. When your audience leaves with something useful, your content feels helpful. You’ve probably witnessed your fair share of people putting themselves out there in the name of growing their businesses. Those Instagram ads on how you can make $10K/month (with a $1,000 course, naturally). Those people on LinkedIn who *constantly* talk about themselves (and are kind of annoying). And of course, the archetypical influencers whose entire livelihood depends on promoting their personal brand. Although those lengthy posts and the endless [social media](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-with-social-media/) ads can be overwhelming, they’re all forms of self-promotion. And when done with the right approach, they can be effective in helping to elevate your personal brand. I understand that putting yourself out there isn’t always easy or comfortable. It can be awkward at first, but a change in mindset and effective strategies can turn you into a pro. Would you believe me if I told you that even the timidest entrepreneur prefers chatting up a total stranger than having a conversation with their romantic partner? [Psychology](https://www.spring.org.uk/2011/10/stop-being-socially-lazy-and-start-enjoying-yourself.php) tells us that networking with new people can have a positive impact on our emotional state. That’s not to say that your partner is chop liver, but it does prove that self-promotion isn’t as intimidating as it sounds. In fact, it should be fun! The question is, how do you get started? Naturally, social media is the go-to strategy. It’s a quick and easy way to get the word out there about your business. But it’s all done in vain (literally) if all you’re doing is talking about how great your business is doing. Sometimes even bragging too much about your *client’s* success can come across as forced and irritating. If this is all sounding a bit too relatable, then I’m thrilled you’re here. Because as a personal branding specialist, it kills me to see half-hearted approaches to self-promotion. **RELATED: [The Ultimate Personal Brand Messaging Guide For CEOs and Founders](https://clairebahn.com/brand-messaging/)** ## **What NOT To Do** Before you can confidently take on self-promotion, I need to call out those who are doing it *all wrong.* With the rise of digital platforms, many people are desperately trying to become social media famous without first accepting the reality: it takes a lot of work (and consistency). If you haven’t thought about *why* you want to have a social media following, your [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-examples/) is already headed for trouble. I see it all the time. When people come to me for help with their personal brand, it’s because they want more recognition. You used to have to hire a flashy PR firm to land press opportunities and to grow your influence. Now it’s easy to promote yourself. But here’s the one thing that I see everyone get hung up on: ***Focus.*** Before you can talk about your brand to your audience, you have to know what you’re doing and *why.* If you just jump right in, you’re going to do one of two things: 1. Make fool of yourself 2. Stop trying because the pressure is too strong When you don’t know *why* you want more recognition, you’re going to feel lost. Either that or you simply won’t *want* to promote yourself. A strong self-promotional strategy demands an understanding of [omnichannel marketing](https://clairebahn.com/omnichannel-marketing/) so that your brand is consistent and has a notable presence on multiple platforms. But before we get into that, here’s what you *shouldn’t* do when it comes to promoting your brand online. ### **Don’t:** - Start self-promoting without a strategy. You need social media, a blog or YouTube channel, *and* an overall omnichannel marketing plan. - Depend on *just* your personality; you need to have a niche or area of expertise to get people to like, know, and trust you. - Forget to think about your audience. Consider this: what do they want from you? **RELATED: [10 Habits of Successful People](https://clairebahn.com/10-habits-of-successful-people/)** ## **Your Self Promotional Strategy For Getting Noticed** ![self-promotion](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/4.png "Self promotional strategy - Claire Bahn") All of this begs the question: How can you genuinely promote yourself without feeling burnt out? Believe it or not, it is possible to create a thriving digital presence without losing sight of yourself. [Self-promotion](https://clairebahn.com/monetizing-your-personal-brand/) is more than bragging about your accomplishments or shouting your name from the proverbial rooftops. A strong promotional strategy should use social media, marketing models, and personal branding to spotlight your service or product *and* your skillsets. Yes, you should share your entrepreneurial journey. But to an extent. When it comes to potential clients, they’re only interested in what you have to offer once they see what’s in it or *them.* **What Does Self-Promotion Look Like in Different Professions?** Self-promotion should reflect your profession. Entrepreneurs can share business lessons and client success stories. Executives can offer leadership insights and industry perspectives. Authors, speakers, and coaches build their credibility through sharing their expertise. Professionals and job seekers can highlight projects, certifications, and career milestones. No matter your profession, the goal is to help people understand what you do and why they can trust you. In short: quit bragging and start providing value. Here’s how you can do that: ### **Step 1: Choose Your Battles** It pays to be choosey when it comes to promoting your personal brand. But first, you need to decide how, where, and when you want to show up. First, the how. Knowing how to talk about yourself without sounding vain is tricky. That’s why you need to define your [personal brand’s statement](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/),[ message](https://clairebahn.com/brand-messaging/), and [voice](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-personal-brand-voice/). These are the three core elements that define your brand. Each one builds on the other and serves as the reference point for everything you do and everything your post. Without understanding each of these, you’re going to get hung up on what to post, how to write your captions, and you’ll fall off the wagon. Promoting yourself shouldn’t be that exhausting. With that said, remember that you also shouldn’t pretend to be an expert on *everything.* For example, don’t be a finance expert who knows all about stocks, filing taxes, *and* real estate investments. Pick one of those topics. This makes it easier to get noticed because you’re constantly promoting your success and strategies on a nuanced subject. Next, the where. As much as you may like being on every platform, you have to be mindful about where you spend your time online. Decide which social media platforms are the best ones to be on for your niche. I outline which [5 I think are the best in this post](https://clairebahn.com/top-social-media-platforms/), but you’ll need to analyze this for your specific brand. Also, keep in mind that copying and pasting the same content into each post won’t do you much good. Each platform demands a different type of content and appeals to a varied demographic of your target audience. This brings us to the next battle when it comes to self-promoting: time. It’s not about knowing when the best time to post is; it’s about creating and adhering to a schedule that helps you stay consistent. Ask yourself how often you’re willing to promote yourself to best reach your target audience. Is your schedule realistic? Are you willing to keep up with it all? Remember that you’ll feel strained and burnt out if your schedule is too hectic. So keep it realistic. ### **Step 2: Be Active, Not Passive** The belief that good things come to those who wait is an outdated recipe for disaster when it comes to self-promotion. To make your efforts worth it, you have to be proactive in putting yourself out there 24/7. I’m not talking about always having your business cards on you or pestering colleagues for a LinkedIn connection. Being active really means taking the initiative, conducting research, and engaging with your ideal clientele. Tap into the magic of SEO by consistently [researching keywords](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/how-to-do-keyword-research-ht) to learn what people are talking about in your industry. Use those keywords in your blog posts and YouTube videos to become a part of the conversation. This is how you’ll increase your web traffic. But as I mentioned earlier, social media is probably the most accessible and immediate way to have an active self-promotional strategy. It’s not enough to post and scroll through your feeds. You have to actively engage with your audience on social media platforms. Leaving genuine comments, viewing stories, and following up with connections allows people to establish a relationship with you and your brand. In addition to engaging on social media, going live on any platform can give your brand a massive boost. I recommend going live once a week and sharing insights, personal anecdotes, or anything else relevant to your audience and consistent with your other content. Using SEO and social media is the best way to join in or even *create* a conversation around trending topics in your industry. By showing your audience that you know how to keep up, they’ll feel increasingly confident in your product or service. Part of being active is contributing new ideas to the conversation, so don’t be afraid to express your opinions in your blogs, videos, or posts. Your concept may strike the right chords of your target audience and help to get you noticed by other industry leaders! **RELATED: [How To Stay On Top of Trends For Your Brand](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/)** ### **Step 3: Give More Than You Take** When it comes to marketing yourself in any manner, it’s all about the value you provide. You have to give a LOT before people will begin to recognize you. Think of it this way: 80% give, 20% take. This is where most people screw up their self-promotion strategy. They curate content to highlight their own success or they *only* use [social proof](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-proof/) as a way to convince others that they know what they’re doing. We’ve all seen them: the brands that rely on screenshots hyping up their product or [service for *all* of their digital](https://clairebahn.com/digital-media-services/) content. Maybe it’s nice at first, but after a while, it gets old. Why? Because it’s forced, it isn’t helpful, and frankly, it comes across as self-absorbed. Sure, people might follow you because they admire your work ethic and what you’ve accomplished, but they won’t stick around if you’re not providing them with value. But if you make your self-promotion more about *giving* to other people, it’ll provide you with more value in the long run. You’ll create lasting impressions, grow your client intake, and feel more fulfilled in your efforts. So, quit investing so much time and energy into making your brand all about you. Instead of trying to convince people of how awesome you are, commit yourself to providing free content (and free value) to your ideal client. This is why tools like [Keywordtool](https://keywordtool.io/) or [Answer The Public ](https://answerthepublic.com/)is crucial to self-promotion. You need to know what it is that people are asking. That way, you can promote yourself as the answer they’ve been looking for! If you make your self-promotion more about *giving* to other people, it’ll provide you with more value in the long run. You’ll create lasting impressions, grow your client intake, and feel more fulfilled in your efforts. It’s a delicate balance that takes practice, but it’s completely worth it. ### **Self-Promotion Ideas for LinkedIn and Social Media** You don’t have to talk about yourself every day to [promote your brand](https://clairebahn.com/executive-brand-roi/). Share lessons from recent projects, comment on industry trends, answer common questions, celebrate milestones by explaining what you learned, or repurpose blog content into social posts. If someone learns something from your post, they’re much more likely to remember you when they need your expertise. **RELATED: [HOW TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS IN 6 MONTHS](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-in-6-months/)** ## Conclusion When it comes to promoting yourself, it’s all about being concise. You have to know who you’re targeting, why, and what value you can provide for them. Only then can you overcome this monumental (and somewhat intimidating) task of getting out there and showing people what you can do. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** Self promotion examples, self promotion instagram, self promotion psychology, Self promotional strategy, What is self promotion --- ### [Reinventing Yourself Through Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/reinventing-yourself/) **Published:** July 21, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Reinventing yourself using a [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/developing-personal-brand/) provides more control over public perception. It can also position your business ahead of the competition. Learn how to use personal branding to your benefit and reinvent yourself the easy way. Here’s how.* [Reinventing yourself](https://clairebahn.com/your-ultimate-guide-to-reinventing-yourself/) takes guts. You must first recognize the need for change and determine which aspects of your personality or brand require adjusting. However, adapting to evolving audiences is only the beginning. Your personal branding strategy also matters. Personal branding techniques define, control, and [reshape public perception](https://clairebahn.com/public-speaking-tips/). Tailored branding methods also help prevent mistakes, oversights, and embarrassment. > ***Reinventing yourself through your personal brand means orchestrating a specific persona and carefully managing it.*** What does it take to reinvent yourself, and where do you start? How can a targeted personal branding approach fix complex issues and reposition you for success? Find out now. **Table of Contents** [Reinventing Yourself: What It Takes](#_Toc108968483) [How to Reinvent Yourself Step by Step](#_Toc108968484) [Step One: Begin with Self-Awareness](#_Toc108968485) [Step Two: Define Your Core](#_Toc108968486) [Step Three: Set Realistic Goals](#_Toc108968487) [Step Four: Practice Makes Perfect](#_Toc108968488) [Step Five: Reflect and Redesign](#_Toc108968489) [Six Tips for Reinventing Yourself Through Your Personal Brand](#_Toc108968490) [\#1. Believe in Your Dreams](#_Toc108968491) [\#2. Share Your Story](#_Toc108968492) [\#3. Develop Your Voice](#_Toc108968493) [\#4. Decide Brand Standards and Style](#_Toc108968494) [\#5. Highlight Your Uniqueness](#_Toc108968495) [\#6. Audit Your Audience](#_Toc108968496) [Reinventing Yourself and Tracking Trends: Why It Matters](#_Toc108968497) [Conclusion](#_Toc108968498) ## Reinventing Yourself: What It Takes Reinventing yourself in the public eye isn’t the same as reinventing yourself for the private sector. The people who know you best can understand life’s ups and downs. However, consumers and clients want to [witness consistency](https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamarruda/2016/12/13/why-consistency-is-the-key-to-successful-branding/?sh=7f9d9ea07bbd). They might not appreciate the challenges you face. Meanwhile, their opinions can make or break your brand. Finding ways to integrate issues and demonstrate lessons can be tricky. Still, honesty is the best policy because the public hates deception. How do you remain transparent with your clients while maintaining privacy and dignity? Personal branding is the key. You must understand the audience’s wants, needs, and dislikes to package yourself as their solution. Personal branding strategically “spins” information in your favor. Strategists help refine presentations, offers, and interactions to align with updated goals. Then they can use data analyses to determine patterns and trends for future modifications. Standard revelations from [data collection and analysis](https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/data-collection-methods) usually include: - Purchasing habits - Website efficacy - Industry keywords - Marketing reactions - Inventory statistics - Competitor behavior > ***Targeted marketing tactics and clever advertising can help you regain respect and forge ahead in your industry**.* They enable you to separate yourself from the pack or previous partnerships and create a unique brand. A customized approach to executive branding could also position your business ahead of competitors. Personal brand managers helping you reinvent yourself will focus on identifying issues, defining values, and eliminating activities that no longer fit the bigger picture. Excellent strategists might also suggest adjustments to external characteristics, such as: - Appearance - Networks - Relationships - Location - Career ## How to Reinvent Yourself Step by Step Genuinely reinventing yourself takes internal motivation. You must modify how you think and behave for any personal branding strategy to work. [Brand managers](https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-claire-bahn-personal-branding-expert/) can only help plan and execute upgraded campaigns. Maintaining integrity is your gig. Ready to put your best foot forward with a tailored strategy that’s easy to sustain? Follow these five simple steps to start reinventing yourself through personal branding: ### Step One: Begin with Self-Awareness Think about your personality, values, and objectives. Then determine how you look through other people’s eyes. Focus on your target audience to align your interests with theirs. **TIP**: *Reflect on your brand’s history before deciding which elements to change.* ### Step Two: Define Your Core Shed light on the values you share with specific groups without threatening brand consistency. Use personal branding to home in on particular standards and beliefs. **TIP**: *Compare your core values with those of your competitors and clients.* ### Step Three: Set Realistic Goals Reinventing yourself takes time. You must be patient to see results and enjoy increased brand recognition. Remain steadfast and iterate techniques consistently to gain momentum. **TIP**: *Expect to spend about six to twelve months on a complete personal reinvention.* ### Step Four: Practice Makes Perfect Begin behaving like your reinvented self as soon as possible. Ask a personal branding expert to help you develop savvy habits. They can also guide your attention to the most critical areas of your brand. **TIP**: *Discard or recycle products, reminders, and triggers from the past.* ### Step Five: Reflect and Redesign Build positive habits and examine your progress often. Reinventing yourself requires continual attention to personal and public matters. Personal branding experts can help you find balance in the chaos. **TIP**: *Be honest with yourself to avoid missing abundant opportunities.* Reinventing yourself for the world to see can be intimidating. There are also countless details to juggle and [unpredictable influences](https://hbr.org/2006/09/marketing-in-an-unpredictable-world) to manage. Don’t try to become a new you without some guidance. Ask a personal branding consultant for help. ## Six Tips for Reinventing Yourself Through Your Personal Brand Reinvent your personal brand with an intelligent and intuitive strategy. Focus the bulk of your efforts on defining goals and targeting specific audiences. Then use proven branding methods to integrate your new concepts and motivate meaningful interactions. You work hard on self-development and dedicate countless hours to your brand. Avoid a plateau by stepping back to observe your current position. You can use the downtime to assess brand trajectory, review guidelines, and update your inventory. > ***Decide your new path and move forward after reinventing yourself with an expert.*** Brand managers can help you make marketable adjustments that increase conversions and sales. You’ll always want to try new things, and most people have constant doubts or questions when reinventing themselves. However, your personal development and career advancement opportunities only count when you take them. Are you somebody’s motivation? Become an inspiration for your target audience to earn respect and gain authority in your industry. Regardless of your core values or goals, reinventing yourself through personal branding can help [change the game](https://hbr.org/2010/11/how-to-reinvent-your-personal). Here are five handy tips to get started: ### \#1. Believe in Your Dreams It may sound cliché, but your dreams and aspirations are worth following. Your hopes for your brand play an essential role in every aspect of the strategy. No matter what, always start by defining and evaluating your primary objectives. You can refine or redefine them later. Begin by asking yourself these crucial questions: - Where do I want to be in five to ten years? - How close am I to my goals right now? - Can my outcome positively impact people’s lives? - What is the central purpose of my personal brand? - Which elements are missing from my approach? [Dream big](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-make-a-plan-for-your-goals-2020-6), then develop a technique to rewrite your public persona. **HACK**: *Write down your short-term and long-term goals, then track your progress for motivation.* ### \#2. Share Your Story Consumers care about background, experiences, and opinions. They want to know who you are before conducting business or spending money. Many people don’t trust unknown [brands or companies headed by unscrupulous executives](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-services/). However, their perceptions aren’t always fact-based. > ***Reinventing yourself through your personal brand means telling stories and being transparent.*** Find ways to relate to your target audience for maximum impact. Perhaps include details about your previous endeavors, childhood, or education. Then create a synopsis for easy digestion. Here is an example you can use as a template: *“I thrive while teaching others to embrace their uniqueness because I believe everyone has a purpose in life. Lost and confused, I used my education, experience, and resources to make a fresh start.”* Next, continue your story by explaining the next steps for your brand: *“I created a technique to help you reinvent yourself with practical steps. My website and social [media platforms promote my services](https://clairebahn.com/digital-media-services/) and help me network with like-minded people for lasting connections.”* Remember, your brand’s narrative should be honest, candid, and focused on your goals. Attract authentic attention to maintain a diverse following. **HACK**: *Look at similar brands to discover their stories and review consumer reactions.* ### \#3. Develop Your Voice How would you like to approach your target audience? Do they respond positively or negatively to your current persona? [Determine your voice](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-personal-brand-voice/) to reach as many people as possible. Then remain consistent to gain their trust and [build authority in your niche.](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-building/) Your story helps people appreciate how your brand developed. However, your voice gets audiences hooked on the critical message. Communicating with appropriate language and a distinct tone can make consumers loyal to your brand because they feel understood. Ask these essential questions to [define the voice of your brand](https://www.semrush.com/blog/how-to-define-your-tone-of-voice/): - Do I want to come across as conversational or authoritative? - Would I prefer to educate, entertain, or both? - Are there any language barriers or obstacles for my audience? - How could my lingo positively or negatively change public perception? Remain flexible enough to adjust your voice for evolving markets. Use visual storytelling and SEO blogging to get relevant information to the right groups. **HACK**: *Choose brand voicing that reflects who you are as a person or professional.* ### \#4. Decide Brand Standards and Style Create guidelines for your upgraded personal brand to align your voice with company goals. Choose colors, fonts, and logos that compel target audiences to your website or social media. Organize and design your online presence to be cohesive, comprehensive, and content-dense. Being in the public eye is an enormous responsibility. Decide how you will handle the haters, naysayers, and skeptics ahead of time. Then determine some fundamental guidelines to prevent responses that could threaten your brand’s reputation. Ask these five questions to begin: - What is my unique aesthetic? - Are there any motivating examples or mentors to help? - How do I want people to think and feel when interacting with my brand? - What things do I want to associate with my personal brand? - Does my current network support these goals? **HACK**: *Produce blogs, videos, and interactive content to highlight your brand’s vibe.* ### \#5. Highlight Your Uniqueness Show the world what makes your brand different from the others. > ***The shameless self-promotion can help people feel like they’re interacting with a relatable and transparent company**.* After all, most consumers prefer brands that bring value into their lives. Demonstrate your unique approach to their issues for lasting loyalty. Reinventing yourself with a personal brand helps reveal the most exciting parts of your personality. It can also [showcase achievements](https://www.forbes.com/sites/brucekasanoff/2016/07/11/40-ways-to-self-promote-without-being-a-jerk/) and draw attention to crucial causes without looking like a jerk. Enjoy more meaningful and profitable results with a tailored strategy that differentiates with compassion. **HACK**: *Use statistics, charts, and infographics to help audiences distinguish your brand from others.* ### \#6. Audit Your Audience Find out what makes your audience tick. Study reactions from social media platforms and in-house collaborations. Use data analysis to discover trends and exploit opportunities. Then integrate the findings into new marketing methods that help refine your approach to any industry. Your audience will evolve with the economy and culture. Thus, auditing your buyers, suppliers, and investors can help reveal purchasing preferences and pitfalls despite the changes. When you rethink your brand’s trajectory, look closely at the followers. Their opinions can shape public perception regardless of your efforts. Changing your target audience’s perspective can be challenging with inappropriate voicing and chaotic marketing. Pay as much attention to complaints as positive reviews. Then conduct regular surveys to obtain a comprehensive overview of your demographic’s behavior. **HACK**: *Provide incentives to your audience for honest feedback about specific elements of your brand.* Reinventing yourself through a personal brand helps differentiate and dedicate your efforts. Ask an expert to help you decide where to start. ## Reinventing Yourself and Tracking Trends: Why It Matters Keep your finger on the pulse of your industry through tailored branding. > ***You can watch the ebb and flow of success or ride the wave with excellent personal marketing.*** Brand management helps remove some of the risks associated with reinventing yourself. It also enables you to keep an eye on the competition. Decide your strategy, refine the approach, and then practice consistency despite the ups and downs. Brand yourself as someone trustworthy and accountable. However, try to remain relatable and enthusiastic. Don’t get sidelined by unforeseen circumstances. Work with a reputable branding agency instead. ## Conclusion Reinventing yourself can be tricky. There is a right and wrong way to approach an audience faced with unexpected changes. Fortunately, personal branding helps eliminate some of the pitfalls and potential dangers. It also protects your brand’s integrity through transparency and consistency. New branding strategies should offer practical solutions while demonstrating your uniqueness. Promise exclusivity without relying too heavily on your former reputation. Then show your authenticity while building authority and enjoying increased profitability. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding, Tips **Tags:** personal branding, reinventing yourself --- ### [The Ultimate Guide to Reinventing Yourself Through Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/your-ultimate-guide-to-reinventing-yourself/) **Published:** March 25, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Reinventing yourself through personal branding opens countless doors of opportunity. It showcases your ethics, passions, mindset, and goals to relevant audiences. Life is unpredictable, and you’re constantly changing. Make sure your personal brand changes with you. [Here’s the way](https://clairebahn.com/contact-claire/).* You’ve worked so hard on developing your personal brand. Now you’re hitting a plateau in your business and don’t know what to do. This is the perfect time to take a step back, look at your current path, and find ways to improve before moving forward. This downtime allows you to assess your brand trajectory. You can review guidelines, update products, or streamline services to sell, promote campaigns, or gain traction on social media. Don’t be afraid to reinvent yourself during the lull. People do it all the time. This could be your best chance to make marketable changes. It doesn’t matter if you’re accepting a new challenge, restructuring your business model to pursue different passions, or trying innovative strategies to increase profitability. You’re always going to discover things you want to explore. However, opportunities for personal development and career advancement only count when you grasp them. Keep doing what you’ve always done and continue to get what you always got. Nobody becomes successful by staying glued to their comfort zones. Regardless of your personal brand or objectives, you must embrace change and understand that people love seeing folks follow their dreams. Are you somebody’s motivation? **Table of Contents** [Why Personal Branding Is So Effective](#_Toc99105192) [How Hard Is It?](#_Toc99105193) [The Top 7 Tips for Reinventing Yourself with Personal Branding](#_Toc99105194) [\#1. Define Your Dreams](#_Toc99105195) [\#2. Tell Your Story](#_Toc99105196) [\#3. Determine Your Voice](#_Toc99105197) [\#4. Create Brand Guidelines](#_Toc99105198) [\#5. Demonstrate Your Differences](#_Toc99105199) [\#6. Audit Your New Audience](#_Toc99105200) [\#7. Track Relevant Trends](#_Toc99105201) [Conclusion: There’s No Wrong Way to Reinvent Yourself Through Personal Branding](#_Toc99105202) ## Why Personal Branding Is So Effective Some people can’t believe how [effective personal branding](https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2019/02/12/why-personal-branding-is-more-important-than-ever/?sh=4443a1482408) can be. Yet, each person is born with a brand-worthy personality, appearance, or life story. We all have a greater purpose in life, with unique characteristics that set us apart from others. Meanwhile, your personal brand dictates how the rest of the world sees you. Let’s say you crush it at an interview. Or you promote products so well that they sell out in minutes. Those accomplishments can bode well for your branding technique, especially if they align with your values. People enjoy seeing others reveal their likes, dislikes, ethics, and style. Your personal brand provides common ground for potential followers while making your goals crystal clear. Personal branding is effective because it helps people feel more connected to someone who inspires them. Comprehensive branding also encourages like-minded individuals to follow suit and spread the word. Brand strategies center on who you are as a person, transforming your best traits into marketable materials. ## How Hard Is It? Discovering who you are and how you want the world to perceive you may seem like tons of fun. For the most part, it is. However, personal branding isn’t always easy because it depends on several factors. For example, the average consumer has a relatively short attention span. Therefore, the public might ignore your creation if it’s not eye-catching or compelling. Moreover, many people are set in their ways. They despise change that forces them to reevaluate their perspectives or lifestyles. You must [develop a personal branding strategy](https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2019/02/12/why-personal-branding-is-more-important-than-ever/?sh=4443a1482408) that accounts for those obstacles. The only way to do that is to understand your target audience through metrics-based research and data analysis. Here is what you need to know: - Who they are - What they want - Which things do they enjoy - Which things do they deplore - When they began their journey - Why they’d be interested in you - How to engage them authentically Bottom line: You must keep interested parties intrigued by constantly revamping your approach. Track trends to anticipate social shifts. Change the colors, rethink the fonts, or update the imagery. Or use graphics and other attention-getting tools to keep the spectators hooked. The point is to do more than give people something new to view. Offer them a glimpse into your everyday life instead. **TIP**: *Reveal changed mindsets, expanded perspectives, and new experiences.* ## The Top 7 Tips for Reinventing Yourself with Personal Branding I know how hard it can be to reinvent yourself, but I also realize how helpful a personal brand strategy can be. That’s why I wrote down some of my top tips for making it more manageable. These guidelines can help you show your true self while sharing what you love with targeted groups. Let’s get you where you want to be in life. ### \#1. Define Your Dreams No matter what you’re doing, always start by [evaluating your goals](https://www.jodymichael.com/blog/reinvent-your-personal-brand-for-new-opportunities/). Then appreciate that your objectives are probably different from everyone else’s. Ask yourself these crucial questions to begin: - Where do I want to be in 5-10 years? - How do I intend to impact people’s lives? - What is the primary purpose of my personal brand? Make it official by grabbing a notebook and pen. Write down five to seven goals you want to accomplish, paying no attention to the scope or scale. Try to consider a range of short-term and long-term milestones to avoid feeling overwhelmed or underprepared. An excellent example would be to commit 30 minutes a day to post on social media. Then continue for 30 days while tracking your progress for encouragement. Goal setting plays a critical role in personal branding because it gives you a better idea of the direction and timeline. For instance, consider your life’s mission is to preserve wild animal habitats. You can’t change the world overnight, but you can start making conscientious decisions today. One step in the right direction equals more motivation and eventual success. However, always remember that the small wins are just as important as the big ones. ### \#2. Tell Your Story Believe it or not, people care about [your history](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/02/18/rebranding-your-personal-brand-easy-steps-to-stage-your-personal-brand-turnaround/?sh=6391b53f3703https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/02/18/rebranding-your-personal-brand-easy-steps-to-stage-your-personal-brand-turnaround/?sh=6391b53f3703) and path. They want to know how you became the person you’re presenting on the stage. Folks also like to hear your story so they can find ways to relate to your personal brand. Don’t miss this opportunity to make a meaningful impact on your audience. Use this time to jot down the things you’re most passionate about, even if they don’t necessarily align with your goals. Next, note your reasons for feeling compelled in those directions. Perhaps include details from your childhood, school years, or early professional stages. Then, write 5-10 ways you can refine the trajectory and describe your methods for making it happen. Here is a great example you can use as a template: > “I am passionate about teaching people to embrace their true selves. This is because I believe everyone was born for a purpose. Unfortunately, I was on the same journey that so many people follow. Lost and confused, I knew I needed direction. My education, experiences, and resources gave me what I needed to start. Yet, I was too nervous about accepting what was right in front of my face.” Now, continue the story with what you plan to do about it: > “In response, I will create a strategy that teaches people how to reinvent themselves through personal branding. I’ll use my unique knowledge to show others how to follow in my footsteps. My website and social [media platforms will help promote my services,](https://clairebahn.com/digital-media-services/) allowing me to network with individuals and continually create lasting connections to improve myself.” I just shared what I wrote before I launched Claire Bahn Group. My method involved unpacking every paragraph to create an exclusive brand story. You’re likely more interested in what I do, and that’s the point. Your narrative should be candid because authenticity attracts attention. ### \#3. Determine Your Voice Next to your story, [your voice](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-personal-brand-voice/) is the essential aspect of personal branding. Your account gets audiences hooked, but your tone is what makes them loyal to you. That means you should establish a distinct form of expression that’s flexible enough for reconsideration but sufficient to maintain a positive presence. Do you want to be conversational or authoritative? Would you like to educate or entertain? Which language barriers (if any) does your audience have? How will people’s perception of your brand change based on your lingo? Determine the appropriate terminology and then set the tone from the start. After all, your voice is how consumers learn to trust what you do or say. As an example, consider my brand. It’s focused primarily on education, yet it’s casual enough to attract various audiences. You don’t have to set only one tone because you’ll likely interact with different demographics. Take time to determine how you want to position yourself online, in your followers’ lives, and elsewhere. **TIP**: *Use a voice that makes you the person they go to when seeking advice, needing a laugh, or escaping reality.* ### \#4. Create Brand Guidelines Reinventing yourself through personal branding isn’t about just about perfecting your tone and picking pretty fonts. You’ll soon be in the public eye with your story and goals on display. What will people think of your vibe and aesthetic, and how will you handle the naysayers? These are factors that far too many entrepreneurs ignore. Define your brand guidelines by answering these # simple questions: - **What is my aesthetic?** Are there any mentors or examples to help me define it? - **What vibe do I want to convey?** How do I think people will react? - **How do I want people to feel when interacting with myself or my platforms?** Motivated? Convicted? Entertained? - **Which things do I want audiences to associate with my brand?** Knowledge? Humor? Both? Whether you’re a minimalist or whimsical, your personal brand guidelines should reflect your goals. Pick elements that feature the colors, textures, and vocabulary that aligns best with your brand. Then feel free to refine it as you climb the ladder to success. ### \#5. Demonstrate Your Differences Social media users don’t follow everybody, and they choose people based on various criteria. Folks want to interact with someone relatable and transparent. However, they also want their brands to bring value into their lives. It’s like walking a tightrope to get their attention. That’s why you need to show them what makes you different. [Reinventing yourself](https://hbr.org/2011/03/reinventing-your-personal-brand) through personal branding means revealing exciting parts of your life to appear unique. Much of that comes from studying the competition and understanding where you deviate. Say you train animals for a living. Perhaps you know a specific technique that renders better, faster results. Be sure to mention that to your audience so they’ll learn to trust your advice. Let people know you’re the go-to for all things related to your brand. Serve their needs and accommodate their busy schedules with concise information and excellent content. There is nobody else like you in the world, so prove it. ### \#6. Audit Your New Audience As your brand evolves, so too will your audience. The people you assumed would be interested in the beginning might be the last group you want to engage in at the end. It’s your job to evaluate the target demographic, especially after reinventing yourself through personal branding. Spectators and fans can quickly turn to skeptics and complainers if you’re not careful to keep their opinions in mind. Each time you rethink your trajectory, reconsider your listeners and onlookers. Their perspectives and interactions will shape your success story, making it more challenging to gain traction if they’re displeased. **TIP**: *Conduct surveys or ask for honest feedback from your audience to refine your brand strategy.* ### \#7. Track Relevant Trends Reinventing yourself with personal branding usually involves keeping your finger on the pulse of your industry. That means you must continually review significant trends and watch the competition for curveballs. There’s nothing worse than feeling excited about your new direction only to be sidelined by unforeseen circumstances. Brand yourself as someone who remains ahead of the curve. Don’t let opportunities fall through the cracks because you weren’t paying attention. Choose a mentor for guidance or audit the competition using real-time analyses. Then hire a personal branding strategist to help you stay on track. ## Conclusion There’s no wrong way to reinvent yourself through personal branding. How will you use your personal brand to reinvent yourself or write your success story? The possibilities are virtually endless. You have a unique personality, special abilities, and thoughts worthy of sharing. Now is the perfect time to create a persona that suits your goals and satisfies your passions. Branding strategies should provide solutions while demonstrating your exclusivity. That means there’s no right or wrong way to do it. However, personal branding relies heavily on authenticity and transparency. Keep it real, lock onto your target, and [get down to business](https://clairebahn.com/captivate-podcast/5-tips-to-help-your-personal-brand-today/) with your new and improved approach. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding, Tips **Tags:** how to build your personal brand, reinventing yourself --- ### [Is Your Invisible CEO Making Your CMO Job Harder?](https://clairebahn.com/is-your-invisible-ceo-making-your-cmo-job-harder/) **Published:** August 22, 2024 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Are you, as a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), struggling to connect with today’s consumers? How can you build greater trust, improve your Return on Ad Spend (ROAS), and enhance your company’s reputation in a highly competitive market?* *One underutilized solution may lie in leveraging the personal brand of your CEO. This blog explores why building a strong CEO [personal brand is crucial to modern marketing](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) success. A well-branded CEO can humanize your company, fostering trust and credibility that traditional advertising struggles to achieve. With real-world examples and proven statistics, we’ll highlight how a recognized CEO can enhance media visibility, attract top talent, and ultimately drive business growth. Learn how aligning your marketing strategy with the authority of your CEO can lead to long-term success, increased consumer engagement, and a significant competitive edge.* ## Quick View: As a CMO, you have a variety of challenges you work to overcome in order to benefit your company and make it successful. Things like the economy and the changing tastes of consumers make that even more difficult. A straightforward solution is to break away from the more traditional marketing solutions and enhance your efforts by building true industry and consumer recognition by focusing on your CEO’s personal brand. After all, [people are more interested in trusting a person](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-sabotage/) than any corporate entity trying to sell them something. A strong [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/) for your company’s CEO is not just a “nice-to-have” or a way to boost his/her ego as a celebrity CEO. The CEO’s personal brand and thought leadership have a direct and tangible impact on the company that they lead. Their brand is a strategic imperative that can significantly enhance your marketing efforts, improve ROAS, [attract and retain top talent](https://clairebahn.com/attracting-top-talent-through-strong-executive-thought-leadership/), and foster trust and loyalty among consumers. By investing in your CEO’s personal brand, you can overcome traditional marketing challenges and drive your company’s success to new heights. ## Introduction: How do you make your CMO job easier while boosting sales and enhancing the reputation of your company? Over the last decade, companies have approached our agency asking this very question as they have watched more traditional marketing decline in effectiveness while costs have increased. I believe that the simple answer is that consumers have become so jaded that they rarely trust any advertising that’s presented to them. Consumers want to trust people not corporations. Therefore, the question becomes how do you engender trust in your company? The simple answer is that you build the authority and trust factor of the CEO or even the entire leadership suite so that consumers have an individual(s) that they can get behind and believe in. The authority and trust of the CEO creates a halo factor that directly benefits the company. Over the last decade, more than 50% of our clients have grown to be Companies that have embraced the [development of the CEO’s personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/developing-personal-brand/) as a way to enhance the company image. The ROAS on this strategy has been excellent. > **Executives noted benefits of a positive CEO reputation included “attracting investors (87%), positive media attention (83%) and positive employee attraction (77%), according to a survey by Weber Shandwick – “The CEO** As a Chief Marketing Officer (CMO), you are undoubtedly aware of the myriad challenges that come with the territory. From boosting sales to enhancing the company’s image to aligning with C-suite objectives to leveraging data to attract top talent, all the while staying ahead of technological trends, the hurdles are significant. However, one often overlooked factor can dramatically [influence your success: your CEO’s personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/influencer-strategy/). A CEO who lacks industry recognition, who doesn’t present as a “Thought Leader” or is virtually invisible to the target audience or their industry in general can make it exceedingly difficult to achieve your marketing goals. Without a public and respected leader, your efforts to promote the company’s products or services through traditional channels—advertising, TV promotions, billboards, events, and conferences—can fall short. But there is a solution. **Table of Contents:** [Quick View:](#_Toc173747007) [Introduction:](#_Toc173747008) [The Solution: A Well-Known and Respected CEO](#_Toc173747009) [Enhanced Trust and Credibility](#_Toc173747010) [Increased Media Attention and Positive Publicity](#_Toc173747011) [Attracting Top Talent](#_Toc173747012) [Improved Investor Relations](#_Toc173747013) [Stronger Customer Loyalty and Engagement](#_Toc173747014) [Increased Market Value](#_Toc173747015) [Modern Marketing Strategies for CMOs](#_Toc173747016) [Celebrity CEO vs. Thought Leader: Understanding the Difference](#_Toc173747017) [Celebrity CEO: The Fame Game](#_Toc173747018) [Thought Leader: The Wisdom Approach](#_Toc173747019) [Benefits of Being a Thought Leader](#_Toc173747020) [Statistics That Prove the Point](#_Toc173747021) [ROAS: CEO Branding vs. Traditional Ads](#_Toc173747022) [Benefits of Building Your CEO’s Personal Brand](#_Toc173747023) [Creating a Large and Engaged Audience](#_Toc173747024) [Lead Generation Benefits](#_Toc173747025) [Recruitment and Retention Benefits](#_Toc173747026) [Conclusion](#_Toc173747027) ## The Solution: A Well-Known and Respected CEO A well-known and respected CEO who is recognized within their industry can make attaining the goals of the CMO significantly easier. Building a strong personal brand for your CEO can bridge gaps, enhance trust, and create a competitive edge that traditional marketing methods alone cannot achieve. A well-known and respected CEO can serve as a cornerstone for a company’s success, bringing numerous direct benefits that extend far beyond traditional marketing efforts. In today’s interconnected and transparent business environment, a CEO’s personal brand has become a vital asset. Here are a few ways a prominent CEO can positively impact their company: ### Enhanced Trust and Credibility A respected CEO inherently enhances the trust and credibility of the company. When consumers and stakeholders recognize and trust the CEO, it translates into greater confidence in the company’s products and services. For instance, Apple’s late CEO Steve Jobs was a visionary [leader whose strong personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/future-personal-branding-pr-2026/) significantly boosted consumer trust and loyalty towards Apple. His reputation for innovation and quality helped Apple become one of the most valuable companies in the world. ### Increased Media Attention and Positive Publicity A CEO with a strong personal brand attracts media attention, resulting in more positive publicity for the company. Richard Branson, CEO of Virgin Group, is a prime example. His adventurous spirit and entrepreneurial success have made him a media magnet, providing Virgin with continuous coverage, and keeping the brand in the public eye. This kind of visibility is invaluable and far exceeds the reach of traditional advertising. ### Attracting Top Talent A CEO who is well-regarded in the industry can attract top talent more effectively. Employees are drawn to leaders they admire and respect. Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, has a personal brand characterized by innovation and ambition. His reputation attracts highly skilled professionals who want to work for a company led by such a dynamic figure, enhancing the overall talent pool and driving the company forward. ### Improved Investor Relations Investors are more likely to invest in a company led by a well-known and respected CEO. Warren Buffett, CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, is known for his investment acumen and ethical leadership. His strong personal brand reassures investors about the stability and potential growth of the company, leading to greater investment and a higher stock price. According to Weber Shandwick, executives estimate that 44% of their company’s market value is attributable to the reputation of their CEO. ### Stronger Customer Loyalty and Engagement Customers are more likely to remain loyal to a brand associated with a CEO they respect. For example, Howard Schultz, former CEO of Starbucks, built a [personal brand around ethical business practices and social](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/) responsibility. His commitment to creating a company with a conscience resonated with consumers, fostering deep loyalty and engagement with the Starbucks brand. > **78% of consumers believe that CEOs with a strong personal brand have a positive impact on the company, according to The CEO Reputation Premium Study,** ### Increased Market Value A well-regarded CEO can significantly boost the company’s market value. According to the CEO Reputation Premium Study, 57% of [people believe that a CEO’s personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-sabotage/) has a significant impact on the company’s stock performance. For instance, the leadership and vision of Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, have revitalized the company’s market value, leading to significant stock price appreciation since he took the helm. ## Modern Marketing Strategies for CMOs In the world of Modern Marketing CMO’s face a variety of challenges. Traditional marketing methodologies may be insufficient to meet today’s challenges. With an increased Focus on ROAS, customer experience, MarTech, Pipeline, and conversion optimization, the modern CMO needs to use all available assets to address the problem. One overlooked asset is the CEO’s personal brand. Take a look at all the ways a CEO’s Personal Brand enhances the key CMO priorities. 1. ### Customer Experience Enhancement A CEO’s strong personal brand can play a pivotal role in enhancing [customer experience](https://thecmo.com/marketing-strategy/priorities-of-cmos-2024/). When a CEO is well-known and respected, they become a credible and trustworthy face of the company, fostering deeper connections with customers. This personal connection can make interactions feel more personalized and authentic, leading to improved [customer satisfaction](https://www.pwc.com/us/en/executive-leadership-hub/cmo.html). Example: Richard Branson of Virgin Group has a personal brand characterized by adventurousness and customer-centricity. His reputation for putting customers first permeates through Virgin’s customer service philosophy, leading to higher customer loyalty and satisfaction. Benefit: A CEO with a strong personal brand can advocate for customer-centric initiatives more effectively, aligning the entire organization towards enhancing the customer journey. 2. ### Marketing Technology (MarTech) Optimization A CEO who is a thought leader can drive the adoption of advanced [MarTech solutions](https://thecmo.com/marketing-strategy/priorities-of-cmos-2024/) by championing innovation and technology within the organization. Their endorsement can accelerate the integration of sophisticated tools, ensuring that marketing teams have the necessary resources to optimize their strategies. Example: Satya Nadella of Microsoft has been instrumental in driving the company’s digital transformation. His advocacy for cloud computing and AI has empowered Microsoft’s marketing teams to leverage cutting-edge technology, resulting in more efficient and effective marketing operations. Benefit: A CEO’s strong personal brand in technology can streamline the adoption of MarTech tools, breaking down data silos and improving overall marketing efficiency. 3. ### Data-Driven Decision Making A CEO known for valuing data and analytics can foster a culture that prioritizes [data-driven decision-making](https://www.revsure.ai/blog/2024-cmo-priorities-top-insights-from-75-saas-leaders). This culture can lead to more informed and agile marketing strategies, enabling CMOs to respond quickly to market changes and consumer behavior. Example: Jeff Bezos of Amazon is renowned for his data-driven approach to business. His emphasis on metrics and analytics has ingrained a data-centric mindset throughout Amazon, helping the company make precise and impactful marketing decisions. Benefit: A [data-focused CEO](https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/future-of-marketing/management-and-culture/transforming-the-cmo-role/) can ensure that marketing strategies are guided by robust analytics, enhancing the effectiveness of campaigns and resource allocation. 4. ### Pipeline and Conversion Optimization A CEO with a well-established [personal brand can enhance lead](https://clairebahn.com/get-speaking-engagements/) generation and conversion rates by attracting attention and interest from potential customers. Their thought leadership can draw more qualified leads into the pipeline, making the marketing funnel more efficient. Example: Elon Musk’s personal brand attracts immense attention to Tesla and SpaceX. His ability to generate buzz and interest translates into a steady influx of high-quality leads, which the marketing teams can then nurture through the sales funnel. Benefit: A CEO who commands a strong [personal brand can significantly boost the effectiveness of lead](https://clairebahn.com/get-speaking-engagements/) generation and conversion efforts, ensuring a steady and optimized pipeline. > **60% of people believe that a CEO’s personal brand is more important than the company’s brand, according to a study by Weber Shandwick.** 5. ### Brand Accountability and Sustainability A CEO known for their commitment to [sustainability and ethical practices](https://www.cmoalliance.com/top-responsibilities-for-cmos-in-2024/) can enhance the company’s reputation in these critical areas. This can lead to greater consumer trust and loyalty, as well as improved employee satisfaction and retention. Example: Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever, built his personal brand around sustainability and corporate responsibility. His leadership in these areas helped position Unilever as a global leader in sustainability, resonating with eco-conscious consumers and attracting top talent. Benefit: A CEO who is a recognized advocate for sustainability and DEI can drive these values throughout the organization, aligning marketing efforts with broader societal expectations and enhancing the company’s overall brand accountability. So, when incorporating the [personal brand of your CEO into your broader marketing](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) strategy, you can provide substantial benefits across key areas of focus. From enhancing customer experience and optimizing MarTech investments to driving data-driven decision-making, improving pipeline efficiency, and championing brand accountability, a well-branded CEO can be a powerful asset in navigating the complexities of modern marketing and achieving sustained success. ## Celebrity CEO vs. Thought Leader: Understanding the Difference It’s not about self-promotion or showing off; it’s about helping your target audience and building the authority and trust you need to have a positive impact on that target audience. The audience will reward you for it. The terms “Celebrity CEO” and “Thought Leader” are often used interchangeably, but they represent distinctly different approaches to leadership and public engagement. Understanding these differences is crucial for companies that leverage their CEO’s public persona for strategic benefits. ### Celebrity CEO: The Fame Game A Celebrity CEO gains recognition through widespread media coverage, often because of their larger-than-life personality, flamboyant lifestyle, or controversial statements. This type of CEO is frequently in the public eye, making headlines not just for business achievements but also for personal exploits. While this visibility can generate significant attention, it can also lead to volatility. The media spotlight can swing from positive to negative quickly, depending on the CEO’s actions and public perception. An example of a Celebrity CEO is Elon Musk of Tesla and SpaceX. Musk’s frequent tweets and public appearances keep him in the news constantly. While his celebrity status drives substantial media coverage and brand awareness, it also brings scrutiny and controversy that can impact stock prices and public opinion rapidly. ### Thought Leader: The Wisdom Approach In contrast, a Thought Leader is recognized for their expertise, insights, and contributions to their field. These CEOs are known for their deep understanding of industry trends, innovative ideas, and the ability to influence through knowledge rather than spectacle. Thought Leaders build credibility and trust through consistent, valuable contributions to industry discourse, such as writing articles, speaking at conferences, and engaging in meaningful discussions on relevant topics. Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, exemplifies a Thought Leader. Since taking over in 2014, Nadella has transformed Microsoft with a focus on cloud computing and artificial intelligence, driving the company’s growth through strategic vision and innovation. His leadership style emphasizes empathy, collaboration, and continuous learning, making him a respected voice in the tech industry. Nadella’s approach has not only enhanced Microsoft’s market position but also its reputation as a forward-thinking and inclusive company. > **59% of [people believe that a CEO’s personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-sabotage/) is important in deciding whether to purchase a product or service, according to The CEO Reputation Premium Study** ### Benefits of Being a Thought Leader Being recognized as a Thought Leader offers several strategic advantages over being a Celebrity CEO: 1. Sustained Credibility and Trust: Thought Leaders build a reputation based on expertise and valuable insights. This credibility is more stable and less susceptible to the whims of public opinion compared to the fame of a Celebrity CEO. For instance, Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo, is revered for her strategic focus on healthier products and sustainability, which has left a lasting positive impact on the company’s brand. 2. Deeper Industry Influence: Thought Leaders shape industry trends and influence peers through their ideas and actions. This influence extends beyond the company to affect industry standards and practices. Jeff Bezos, through his strategic innovations at Amazon, has not only revolutionized e-commerce but also set new benchmarks for customer service and operational efficiency. 3. Attracting and Retaining Talent: Companies led by Thought Leaders are often seen as desirable workplaces for top talent. Professionals are drawn to leaders who inspire through their vision and expertise. Google’s Sundar Pichai, known for his thoughtful and inclusive leadership style, attracts top talent by fostering a culture of innovation and respect. 4. Long-term Strategic Value: Thought Leaders contribute to the company’s long-term success by driving sustained innovation and strategic thinking. Their focus on impactful contributions ensures that the company remains relevant and competitive over time. Hence, while a Celebrity CEO can generate immediate buzz and media coverage, a Thought Leader provides enduring value through expertise, strategic vision, and industry influence. Companies benefit more sustainably from CEOs who are recognized for their thought leadership, as this approach builds long-term credibility, attracts top talent, and drives consistent innovation. Just to round things out , let’s review a few more CEO’s with a strong [executive brand](https://clairebahn.com/executive-brand-building/) and exemplifies the impact their brand has on the company they lead. Jeff Bezos (Amazon): Bezos’ visionary approach and relentless focus on customer satisfaction have been instrumental in Amazon’s rise to dominance. His [personal brand has played a key](https://clairebahn.com/why-personal-branding-is-the-key-to-success-in-2021/) role in driving the company’s innovation and expansion. Indra Nooyi (PepsiCo): Nooyi’s emphasis on health-conscious products and sustainable practices strengthened PepsiCo’s brand and market position, showcasing how a CEO’s [personal values can align with company strategy to create](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand/) positive outcomes. Thus, the benefits of a well-known and respected CEO are manifold and far-reaching. From enhancing trust and credibility to attracting top talent and improving investor relations, a strong CEO personal brand is an indispensable asset that can drive a company’s success in ways that traditional marketing methods cannot. By investing in the personal branding of your CEO, you can create a competitive advantage that fosters long-term growth and success. > **57% of [people believe that a CEO’s personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-sabotage/) has a significant impact on the company’s stock performance, according to a study by Weber Shandwick.** ### Statistics That Prove the Point 1. Consumer Trust and Engagement: A robust personal brand fosters trust. Seventy-four percent of American consumers are more likely to trust someone with a respected personal brand. This trust translates into buying behavior, with consumers 4 to 6 times more likely to purchase from purpose-driven personal brands. 2. Enhanced Recruitment and Retention: Personal branding also plays a critical role in the job market. Approximately 78% of job seekers believe that the way a company treats its candidates reflects its values. A positive employer brand can attract 50% more qualified job candidates (Digital GYD). Furthermore, 80% of recruiters consider personal branding an important factor when evaluating job candidates. 3. Online Visibility and Engagement: Individuals with strong personal brands tend to have more online visibility. On average, employees have 10 times the followers of their company’s pages on social media, leading to significantly higher engagement rates. 4. Loyalty and Preferences: Consumers are nearly three times more likely to be loyal to brands that show personal value over mere business value. They also prefer brands that are transparent and authentic, aligning with the general push towards personalization and genuine engagement in modern marketing. > - Executives estimate that 44% of their company’s market value is attributable to the reputation of their CEO.” ## ROAS: CEO Branding vs. Traditional Ads Investing in the [personal branding of your CEO can lead](https://clairebahn.com/get-speaking-engagements/) to a higher Return on Ad Spend (ROAS) compared to traditional product-focused advertising: 1. Enhanced Trust and Engagement: When consumers connect with a recognizable and trustworthy CEO, they are more likely to engage with the company’s products and services. This increased engagement often translates into higher conversion rates and improved ROAS. 2. Holistic Brand Value: Leveraging the CEO’s personal brand generates holistic brand value, enhancing direct revenue and long-term customer loyalty and advocacy. 3. Competitive Advantage: A well-known CEO can differentiate the company in a crowded market, making marketing efforts more effective and increasing engagement rates. 4. Efficiency in Multi-Touch Attribution: [CEO branding](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding/) results in better performance across multi-touch attribution models. Consumers may interact with the CEO’s content on social media, read their thought leadership articles, and then engage with product-specific ads. This multi-channel influence can drive a more comprehensive and accurate attribution of revenue, leading to improved ROAS calculations. 5. Empirical Evidence: According to insights from AdRoll, companies that run brand campaigns, including those focused on [executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/), typically see better ROAS compared to non-branded campaigns. Bidding on brand-related keywords, including those associated with the CEO, often results in a higher return because these campaigns attract more qualified leads who are already familiar with and trust the brand. ## Benefits of Building Your CEO’s Personal Brand 1. Trust and Credibility: Seventy-eight percent of consumers believe that CEOs with strong personal brands positively impact the company (The CEO Reputation Premium Study). This trust translates into buying behavior and loyalty. 2. Enhanced Recruitment and Retention: A charismatic CEO attracts top talent and inspires current employees, reducing turnover rates and fostering a motivated workforce. 3. Lead Generation: A CEO’s strong personal brand can significantly improve lead generation efforts by attracting more qualified leads who are familiar with and trust the brand. 4. Positive Media Attention: Executives report that a positive CEO reputation attracts investors (87%), garners positive media attention (83%), and enhances employee attraction (77%) (Weber Shandwick). ## Creating a Large and Engaged Audience To create a large and engaged audience for your CEO, robust social media strategies and thought leadership are essential. Effective social media presence and thought leadership through articles, speaking engagements, and interviews will enhance the CEO’s visibility and credibility, making journalists and podcast hosts more interested in featuring them. ### Lead Generation Benefits A CEO with a strong [personal brand can significantly improve lead](https://clairebahn.com/get-speaking-engagements/) generation. The enhanced trust and credibility that come with a well-known CEO can attract more qualified leads. According to the CEO Reputation Premium Study, 59% of [people believe that a CEO’s personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-sabotage/) is important in deciding whether to purchase a product or service. This credibility can drive higher conversion rates, making your marketing efforts more efficient and effective. ### Recruitment and Retention Benefits A CEO with a [strong personal brand not only attracts top talent](https://clairebahn.com/attracting-top-talent-through-strong-executive-thought-leadership/) but also retains them. Approximately 78% of job seekers believe that the way a company treats its candidates reflects its values (Digital GYD). Furthermore, a positive employer brand can attract 50% more qualified job candidates, and 80% of recruiters consider [personal branding an important factor when evaluating job](https://clairebahn.com/job-opportunities/) candidates (Learn Hub | G2). A well-branded CEO can inspire and motivate employees, increasing job satisfaction and reducing turnover rates. ## Conclusion You want your company to succeed. You want to be an integral part of that success. There are challenges you face and a changing sentiment from your target audiences. One of the easiest steps to take to humanize your company and make it more attractive for today’s consumers of your products and [services is to give them a person](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-services/) that embodies the values of your company that they can “Know, Like & Trust” The obvious choice in most cases is the CEO of your company, at other times it could be a few members of the C-Suite. What’s important is that the person is not a spokesmodel or a celebrity, someone the consumers know is simply shilling for your company, but a true stakeholder they can believe in, that is not selling for the company but genuinely sharing their expertise and helping to educate and inspire them. The results are a “halo effect” for your company that results in increased leads, improved branding, and better employee recruitment and retention. When you embrace the power of [CEO branding](https://clairebahn.com/why-ceo-branding-is-good-for-your-company/) and evolve your modern marketing strategy to this enhanced approach, you will see. how you can boost your company’s reputation, improve traditional marketing efforts, and achieve unprecedented success. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** CEO Branding, Personal Branding **Tags:** ceo branding, CMO, personal branding --- ### [What’s the ROI on Building a Personal Brand?](https://clairebahn.com/roi-of-personal-branding/) **Published:** June 23, 2026 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Is your personal brand delivering measurable business value—or is your invisibility costing you opportunities? A strong personal brand is more than a polished LinkedIn profile or a consistent social media presence. It’s a strategic business asset that builds credibility, earns trust before the first conversation, and creates opportunities that traditional marketing alone often can’t. Whether you’re a CEO, founder, executive, or entrepreneur, your reputation influences how clients, investors, partners, and the media perceive your expertise.* *This article explores the ROI of personal branding, showing how executive visibility translates into tangible business results—from attracting qualified leads and speaking engagements to strengthening corporate reputation and accelerating long-term growth. You’ll learn why the most [successful leaders intentionally invest in their personal brands](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) and how building authority today can create lasting opportunities for both your career and your organization.* --- Many of our clients begin by asking, “How many followers will I get?” It’s a reasonable question since followers are easy to count. We can show you reports on impressions and charts of engagement rates. While these KPIs are simple to track, they don’t tell the whole story about whether your personal brand is truly working. When I evaluate a personal brand strategy, I like to ask, “What becomes easier when the right people already know who you are?” That question gets to the heart of a personal brand’s ROI. We can track likes, comments, and views, but the real value comes from trust, visibility, and influence. These are what drive deal flow, media opportunities, and investor confidence. You know your personal brand is working when people come to meetings already familiar with your ideas, when a journalist contacts you about your expertise, or when a conference organizer invites you to speak. These are signs your personal brand is making an impact. It’s easy to measure personal branding like a marketing campaign since they have a lot in common. However, marketing ROI usually focuses on driving a specific response from the audience, such as attention or conversion. Personal branding, on the other hand, should build long-term leverage and open up new possibilities. Building trust through thought leadership leads to more opportunities. ## **Why is the ROI of a Personal Brand Difficult to Measure?** Modern executives are trained to look for measurable outcomes. With as much data as we can track now, that’s a good instinct. The problem is that a personal brand is often held to the wrong ROI standard. If the goal is to become “internet-famous,” then followers matter. But for most serious executives, that’s not the goal. They’re not trying to become influencers. We’re trying to make them more trusted and better understood by the people who can impact their business outcomes. Tracking that requires a slightly different measurement model. The ROI of a personal brand isn’t how many people saw your post. You need to focus on whether the *right* people saw your post and understood your expertise. Did your ideas and insights reduce doubt and start the process of building trust? Are you connecting your name with a specific authority that’s relevant to the category? As you can imagine, these outcomes are long-term results, and market movement is rarely immediate. It comes with time and consistency. Visibility and reputation grow in a different way than advertising. With ads, the impact fades once you stop spending. But when you build a reputation, it keeps working for you. One media mention can help you land the next one. A good thought leadership piece might lead to a podcast invite, and that podcast can keep appearing in search results. Before you know it, that episode could get you invited to speak at a conference. I call this the “reputation trail.” > ***“Each credible moment provides a signal that makes the next one easier to believe. That’s hard to capture in a dashboard, but the effect is very real.”*** This reputation trail is important because the market isn’t neutral. If you’re not building authority, someone else in your category probably is. Over time, their advantage will compound as the most **[visible leader](https://clairebahn.com/industry-leader/)** becomes the most familiar leader. While familiarity doesn’t guarantee trust, it certainly helps. If you’re invisible, opportunities may never find you because they’re funneling toward the more visible competitor. That’s a steep cost to pay for being unknown. ## **What Happens When Nobody Knows Who You Are?** Many excellent companies are indeed led by people the market barely knows. They have good products. They have a strong team. But an [invisible leader makes the business work harder](https://clairebahn.com/is-your-invisible-ceo-making-your-cmo-job-harder/) than it needs to. This is the “best-kept secret” problem. Take Berkshire Hathaway. An investment company with ownership stakes in many different businesses across various industries. It’s not really the kind of business that most people would pay attention to. It doesn’t have a sexy tech product or a flashy brand. But it does have Warren Buffett, the “Oracle of Omaha.” A legendary figure who built **[one of the strongest personal brands in American business](https://www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/strategy-and-corporate-finance/our-insights/warren-buffett-an-appreciation)**. As a result, having Buffett connected to it made Berkshire’s business a lot easier. A lack of executive visibility can create additional friction across the business. It can make forging partnerships harder. It can cool sales conversations when buyers don’t know who the company leader is. It can slow recruiting and turn off top candidates. It can make PR and media relations harder because journalists want sources who are familiar, easy to find, and easy to position. This doesn’t mean a CEO needs to be loud; they just need to be understandable. A visible leader doesn’t have to post all the time or put themselves out there in an inauthentic way. A visible leader is someone whose expertise and point of view are clear and consistent. And, most importantly, easy to **[connect to the company’s broader reputation](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding-vs-company-branding/)**. That’s a big piece of the puzzle, because the market is increasingly evaluating leaders alongside the business. When nobody knows who you are, the company has to carry all the trust-building on its own. That’s a heavy lift. But when you build your reputation in a clear and credible way, it helps provide context before the first interaction. It gives the market a reason to pay attention, and it helps people believe there’s substance behind the offer. ## **Why Do Some CEOs Get Every Opportunity While Others Get Ignored?** Doesn’t it feel like some leaders are everywhere? They’re quoted in articles and appear on podcasts. They’re placed on boards and introduced to investors. They get talked about in rooms they aren’t even in. That doesn’t happen by accident. It’s the outcome of a dedicated **[personal branding strategy](https://clairebahn.com/gen-x-and-boomers/)**. Visibility creates a cycle of opportunity, and **[authentic authority](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2026/04/08/why-personal-branding-is-the-real-asset-for-building-authority-in-2026/)** starts to compound. When a leader is known for a clear perspective, people associate that leader with a specific topic, problem, or market conversation. Think about how clearly Steve Jobs was tied to innovation and creativity. At first, visibility might create small opportunities. But over time, those signals build on each other, and a leader becomes easier to remember and recommend. > ***“That’s the difference between popularity and authority. If your name is connected to a clear idea, you get the benefit of category association.”*** It helps people remember you, so they think of you when an opportunity arises. If your expertise is too broad or undefined, then you might be respected but not necessarily top of mind. This is one of the major reasons people come to us. They’re very experienced and capable, but they’re being overlooked for opportunities with investors, stakeholders, or the media. Usually, the problem is that the market has no easy way to describe them. They’re impressive leaders, but their positioning is unclear. Their opinions aren’t public, and their track record isn’t connected to a larger narrative. So, we help make them easier to understand, and opportunities follow. ## **How Does a Personal Brand Create Business Growth?** A personal brand doesn’t create business growth because a leader posted a few strong opinions on LinkedIn. It creates growth by improving the conditions that make business easier. When people understand what a leader stands for, the conversation changes. Prospects no longer arrive cold. They have a chance to read your articles and watch your videos, so they come into conversations with context. And context reduces resistance. Buyers come in familiar with how you see the problem. Sometimes, they even agree with your approach before you talk. While your reputation alone won’t close a deal, it does make the sales process easier by building trust early. Edelman and LinkedIn describe thought leadership **[as a way to create alignment and open doors](https://www.edelman.com/expertise/Business-Marketing/2025-b2b-thought-leadership-report)**. When done right, it helps buyers, investors, and employees connect with your ideas before they need to make a decision. And people buy into leadership before they buy into products. This is especially true for high-trust, high-consideration decisions, which are the hallmark of enterprise buyers. Investors and strategic partners are rarely making decisions based solely on features or services. They’re evaluating credibility and judgment. They need to trust whether the person leading the business seems capable. A strong personal brand helps answer those questions at scale. This gives the company more opportunities to fuel growth. Sure, the company website may explain what the business does, but it’s the executive’s personal brand that explains why the company is worth trusting. Together, they create a stronger market signal. That’s the impact on business development. ## **Why Is Authority More Valuable Than Attention?** Attention is easy to misunderstand. A post can get attention because it’s timely, emotional, or controversial. That doesn’t necessarily mean it’s **[building authority.](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-with-social-media/)** In fact, for executive leaders, attention without credibility can become a distraction. Authority is different. It means people don’t just know your name; they respect your perspective. They associate you with relevant experience and a specific way of thinking. They might not agree with everything you say, but they understand what you stand for and why your opinion matters. And that’s more valuable than broad popularity. > ***“For business leaders, the goal is to become trusted by the people who matter to your business, career, and category.”*** That could mean a specific universe of buyers, investors, board members, peers, and other niche stakeholders. And that’s alright. Deliberate positioning matters more than chasing broad trends. If your content strategy is built around reacting to whatever the algorithm is favoring this week, your presence will be scattered and forgettable. But if you’re building your personal brand around a defined authority lane, every message will have a larger job to do. Authority builds when it creates a distinct memory. People remember when someone consistently says something useful and specific. They remember when someone helps them understand a complex issue more clearly. They remember an executive whose point of view is earned through experience and expertise. That’s how a personal brand becomes an asset and not just another activity. ## **What’s the Cost of Waiting to Build a Personal Brand?** Rome wasn’t built in a day, and a personal brand isn’t built in a week. It takes months and years. That’s why waiting has a cost. To paraphrase a famous Chinese proverb: the best time to build a personal brand is twenty years ago; the second best time is now. Unfortunately, executives often wait until they need visibility to start building it. They wait until a fundraising round or a book launch. They can be forced into it by a crisis or a market transition. Whatever it is, they often find themselves trying to create trust on a deadline. And trust just doesn’t work that way. Yes, you can accelerate visibility, but you can’t fake a long-standing reputation. You need time for your ideas to circulate and for a body of evidence to accumulate. Only when insight and proof combine with time will the market associate your name with a clear point of view. If your digital footprint is too thin or outdated, you won’t show up when people search for you. Nowadays, that’s how people are evaluating leaders. They’re looking at **[AI summaries](https://odsc.medium.com/pew-study-google-users-click-less-when-ai-summaries-appear-in-search-results-cc003baf6a35)** and Google results to review your public record. If that process doesn’t yield results, it’s a net negative, not neutral. Executives who build clear and consistent visibility today will have an advantage tomorrow. Their reputation will already exist when the market needs to evaluate them. In the age of digital information, personal branding isn’t optional for leaders who want to remain relevant. Decisions are made online, and a leader needs to be found and trusted by the tools of that environment. ## **Is Your Personal Brand an Expense or an Asset?** So the real ROI of a personal brand isn’t just what you get from being seen. It’s what becomes possible because people know who you are. Thought leadership and visibility aren’t a side project or vanity exercise. It’s a business asset that builds trust, unlocks opportunities, and influences marketing positioning over time. A strong personal brand supports sales conversations and affects media relationships. It helps with recruiting and investor confidence. It gives a company reputational resilience. This happens through clarity, consistency, and proof. Executives who understand this won’t ask how many followers they’ll gain or likes they’ll get. Instead, they’ll consider what their invisibility is costing the business. That’s where the real ROI conversation begins. --- ### **Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)** **1. What is the ROI of building a personal brand?** The ROI of building a personal brand is not measured only in followers, likes, or impressions. The real return shows up in trust, visibility, influence, deal flow, media opportunities, investor confidence, and stronger market positioning. A personal brand is working when the right people already understand your expertise before a conversation begins. **2. Why is the ROI of a personal brand difficult to measure?** The ROI of a personal brand is difficult to measure because many of its most valuable outcomes happen over time. Unlike a campaign that may produce immediate clicks or conversions, personal branding builds reputation, familiarity, and trust gradually. Those outcomes often lead to opportunities that are harder to attribute to one single post, interview, or media mention. **3. How does a personal brand help business growth?** A personal brand supports business growth by reducing friction. When prospects, investors, partners, or candidates already understand how a leader thinks, they enter conversations with more context and trust. That can make sales conversations warmer, partnerships easier, recruiting stronger, and media opportunities more likely. **4. What is the difference between attention and authority?** Attention means people notice you. Authority means people respect your perspective. A post can get attention because it is timely, emotional, or controversial, but that does not always build credibility. Authority comes from consistent, useful, specific ideas that help the right audience understand why your expertise matters. **5. Why is executive visibility important?** Executive visibility matters because people increasingly evaluate companies through their leaders. Buyers, investors, journalists, partners, and top candidates want to know who is behind the business. If a leader is invisible, the company has to carry all of the trust-building on its own. **6. How do you build a personal brand that creates ROI?** To build a personal brand that creates ROI, start with clear positioning. Define your expertise, your audience, and the ideas you want to be known for. Then create consistent thought leadership across content, media, speaking, and digital presence. The goal is not random visibility. The goal is to build a credible reputation around a specific authority lane. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Executive Branding, Personal Branding **Tags:** business growth, ceo branding, executive branding, executive visibility, leadership branding, personal brand strategy, personal branding ROI, Thought leadership --- ### [Personal Branding Examples: 12 Strong Examples to Learn From](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-examples/) **Published:** March 27, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What do the best personal branding examples have in common? How can you use these personal branding examples to land your dream job, attract clients, or even improve your dating profile? What strategies do top influencers use to make their personal branding examples stand out in a crowded digital world?* *In this inspiring blog post, I break down the power of building a strong personal brand—from choosing the right visuals to developing a consistent voice across platforms. You’ll learn why personal branding isn’t just for influencers and CEOs—it’s for anyone looking to establish authority, build trust, and expand opportunities in both professional and personal arenas. Featuring standout personal branding examples, this post demonstrates how authenticity, consistency, and niche focus can elevate your presence.* *Beyond the examples, you’ll discover actionable insights into the core pillars of successful branding—such as strategic content creation, storytelling, and leveraging digital platforms to amplify your reach. Whether you’re job hunting, scaling a business, or cultivating a standout online presence, these personal branding examples provide the blueprint for turning your personal story into your most powerful asset.* The importance of your [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/), from your photos to your written profile(s) to your social media presence, makes all the difference when it comes to marketing yourself and your business. Luckily, we put together a list of personal branding examples that are sure to inspire. If you’ve ever wondered where to start, or how to come up with creative ideas, it’s time to let that go. We’re about to jump into exactly what personal branding is, how to use it, and some examples to get your creative wheels turning. **Table of Contents:** [What Exactly Is a Personal Brand?](#_Toc194321704) [How Can a Personal Brand Help Me with Finding a Job, Getting a Promotion, or Online Dating?](#_Toc194321705) [Unveiling the Three Pillars of Successful Personal Branding](#_Toc194321706) 1. [ **The Power of Consistency**](#_Toc194321707) 2. [ **Niching Down for Impact**](#_Toc194321708) 3. [ **Authentic Experience Sharing**](#_Toc194321709) [Focusing on One Niche: A Personal Branding Strategy](#_Toc194321710) [Builds Audience Loyalty](#_Toc194321711) [Establishes Expertise and Authority](#_Toc194321712) [Facilitates Targeted Content](#_Toc194321713) [Enhances Relatability](#_Toc194321714) [Unlocking Financial Freedom Through Personal Branding: Tactics of Top Influencers](#_Toc194321715) [**Key Strategies for Building a Prosperous Personal Brand**](#_Toc194321716) [**A Blueprint for Success**](#_Toc194321717) [Six Personal Branding Examples to Get Excited About](#_Toc194321718) 1. [ **Gary Sheng**](#_Toc194321719) 2. [ **Darren Hardy**](#_Toc194321720) 3. [ **Amy Cuddy**](#_Toc194321721) 4. [ **Marie Forleo**](#_Toc194321722) 5. [ **Simon Sinek**](#_Toc194321723) 6. [ **Richard Branson**](#_Toc194321724) [Conclusion](#_Toc194321725) ## Personal Branding Examples to Inspire Your Own Brand**?** **The best [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/) examples show how people intentionally shape the way they’re perceived online and offline. You could be an entrepreneur attracting clients, an executive pursuing your next leadership role, a job seeker trying to stand out, or a content creator growing an audience. A strong personal brand helps people quickly understand who you are, what you do, and why they should trust you. **In this guide, you’ll explore personal branding examples from professionals across different industries and learn what makes each one effective. From business leaders and authors to speakers, educators, and entrepreneurs, these examples demonstrate how consistent messaging, authentic storytelling, and a clear niche can create lasting influence. You’ll also discover practical [strategies you can apply to your own brand](https://clairebahn.com/branding-strategy-for-thought-leaders/) so your experience, expertise, and personality work together to open new opportunities. Think of it this way: self-help techniques aim to improve you as a person (“self-improvement”) and how you view yourself. Personal branding, similarly, aims to increase your success by building your authority, influence, and trust so you can have a positive impact on others. It’s as if everyone is their own small business, and you want to build it, curate it, and market it to be the most successful it can be. Moguls and celebrities are the masters of personal branding, but it is not exclusively for them. A personal brand can be the key to successfully finding jobs or building a career, improving your social presence, and even starting new romantic relationships. Your personal brand involves perception, emotion, and experience. Your personal brand will likely have to evolve with your audience and be remade and reinforced over and over again. This does not happen overnight. You need to have a strategy and, in many cases, help to achieve the right personal brand. There are many platforms available to get the word out and improve your personal brand. You’ll want to find the platforms that work best for you and start laying the foundation of your [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/video-content/) and then build upon that through content creation and publication. It’s a content-driven world and you need to make sure to give your audience something to “chew on” while they learn more about you. Don’t worry, you don’t have be a Shakespeare or a Michelangelo to create content that others will appreciate. Regardless, you have to start somewhere, and we can [help you](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-consultation/). ## **How Can a Personal Brand Help Me with Finding a Job, Getting a Promotion, or Online Dating?** If you run a business, market yourself professionally, or are looking to find success in online dating, you need to create a personal brand. Ambiguity doesn’t usually lead to success as an online personality*—*audiences want to know what you’re about, what you’re doing, and why they should trust you. [Personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-stages/) involves the use of social media, photos, videos, and written content in order to grab the attention of audiences and keep them interested. These elements of branding must be done well. That means your work must be cohesive and have a consistent brand message. You can’t be overly formal one day and super casual the next. How you are IRL (in real life) is a little different than how we are in the business or even dating world. But, you say, is that fake? Absolutely not. You are the master of your own brand. However, people judge you on the quality of your online profiles. Frankly, science and common sense say that no matter how casual you are, wearing a ripped-up shirt and cargo shorts with flip-flops is not going to set the right tone. You do not need to wear a tuxedo, either. There is a happy medium between being casual and looking put together. It’s better to err on the side of looking more “put together” for your first impression than anything else. Be casual at home and with friends, but in business, project an air of professionalism. There are a ton of great companies that will help you take strategic and desirable photos if you’re willing to invest. A picture says a thousand words and a well-done photo taken by a professional with a few wardrobe changes to mix it up and proper lighting can make all the difference in how you present yourself. ## **Unveiling the Three Pillars of Successful Personal Branding** In the realm of personal branding, certain strategic elements consistently emerge among those who have mastered their brand. These elements serve as critical components for establishing an impactful and enduring personal presence. ### **What Makes a Strong Personal Branding Example?** The strongest personal branding examples make it easy for people to understand who you are, what you do, and why they should trust you. Instead of trying to appeal to everyone, successful personal brands communicate a clear message, maintain a consistent voice, and focus on a specific area of expertise. Clarity and authenticity will always have a greater impact than trying to be everything to everyone. ### **1. The Power of Consistency** Consistency is the backbone of every strong personal brand. It involves a regular cadence of content publication, such as posting multiple times a week over several years. Here’s why consistency matters: - **Identity and Voice**: Developing a unique brand voice takes time, and continuous content creation helps refine it. - **Trust Building**: Consistent content helps forge a genuine connection with your audience. - **Content Fit**: Over time, you’ll discover what resonates with your audience and enjoy creating. Even if early content feels subpar, sharing it is critical for learning and growth. Your skills will improve, and you’ll gain insights into audience preferences. ### **2. Niching Down for Impact** Successful personal brands focus on a specific niche, avoiding the temptation to cover too many topics. Delving deep into one area establishes authority and attracts a dedicated following. Remember: - **Avoid Overextension**: Diversifying topics too much can dilute your brand message and confuse your audience. - **Expertise Matters**: Concentrate on the area where you have the most knowledge. It’s acceptable to occasionally share about your personal journey or interests—this adds relatability. Aim for about 80% niche-focused content and allow for 20% that showcases your personality. ### **3. Authentic Experience Sharing** People crave real-life stories and personal experiences over information crafted solely for search engines. Sharing personal insights: - **Connects on a Human Level**: Relatable stories resonate because others face similar challenges and can learn from your solutions. - **Adds Depth**: Personal anecdotes enrich your brand, differentiating it from generic content often sought out through AI tools. Incorporating these three elements into your strategy can significantly enhance the strength and appeal of your [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-with-social-media/), positioning you for lasting success. ## Focusing on One Niche: A Personal Branding Strategy Carving out a distinct place in a crowded market demands focus, and honing in on a single niche can be the game-changer for personal branding. Why is this approach so advantageous? ### Builds Audience Loyalty Your audience connects with you because of the expertise or unique perspective you offer. When you focus on a particular niche, you continuously deliver what they expect and desire. This consistency builds trust, making your brand a go-to resource. For instance, a listener following a podcast for digital marketing insights may not care about content related to NFTs, which dilutes engagement. ### Establishes Expertise and Authority Owning a niche allows you to showcase deep knowledge in a specific area. By becoming synonymous with your chosen topic, you build authority and credibility. This specialization demonstrates your expertise, making it easier for your audience to see you as a trusted source. ### Facilitates Targeted Content Focusing on one niche provides clarity in content creation. Knowing your subject inside out allows you to tailor your message to precisely address your audience’s pain points and desires. ### Enhances Relatability While maintaining focus, adding elements from your personal life can humanize your brand. This blend makes you relatable, showing the person behind the expertise. Keep this personal content to about 20% of your output, reserving the majority for your specialized topic, ensuring you remain coherent in your niche. By zoning in on a niche, you not only sharpen your brand’s focus but also forge a deeper connection with your audience, building a loyal and engaged community around your [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/pr-hybrid-approach/). **RELATED: [50 PROVEN WAYS TO GROW YOUR PERSONAL BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/grow-your-personal-brand/)** ## Unlocking Financial Freedom Through Personal Branding: Tactics of Top Influencers Are you curious about how successful personal brands attain financial freedom and security? Let’s dive into the strategic actions that set them apart. ### **Key Strategies for Building a Prosperous Personal Brand** 1. **Consistent Content Creation**: They commit to regular content production. By maintaining a steady flow of valuable posts, videos, or podcasts, they keep their audience engaged and brands fresh in their followers’ minds. 2. **Authentic Storytelling**: The most successful figures connect with their audience through compelling personal narratives. By being genuine and relatable, they foster trust and loyalty. 3. **Networking and Collaboration**: High-achievers prioritize building relationships with other industry leaders. Collaborations and cross-promotions amplify their reach and credibility. 4. **Online Presence Optimization**: By mastering social media platforms and their own websites, they ensure their target audience can easily discover them. 5. **Skill Development and Expertise Sharing**: Continuous learning and sharing expert knowledge position them as thought leaders in their fields, attracting more opportunities and followers. 6. **Monetizing Expertise**: Many offer coaching services, e-books, or workshops to [monetize their specialized knowledge](https://clairebahn.com/monetizing-your-personal-brand/), adding another layer to their income portfolio. 7. **Diversified Income Streams**: Savvy individuals create multiple revenue sources. From online courses to influencer partnerships, they tap into various channels to boost income. ### **A Blueprint for Success** These approaches are not only actionable but adaptable, allowing you to tailor them to your own journey toward financial independence. Embrace these tactics and watch your personal brand thrive! ### **Personal Branding Examples Across Different Professions** Personal branding looks different depending on what your goals are. Entrepreneurs use it to attract clients and investors. Executives build credibility that leads to leadership opportunities. Job seekers create a professional online presence that helps them stand out in the industry. Authors, speakers, and coaches establish authority by consistently sharing their expertise. While every profession has different objectives, the strongest personal brands are built on consistency and authenticity. ## **Six Personal Branding Examples to Get Excited About** Now that’s we’ve broken down what personal branding is, let’s take a look at some personal brand success stories. ### **1. Gary Sheng** Software engineer and Dancing Pineapple founder [Gary Sheng](http://www.garysheng.com/) had the right idea when he created his personal brand*—*he decided to be genuine. Sheng mastered a way of talking and writing about his work, education, and life that is not only relatable but also easy to digest. He isn’t aggressive in his style but is consistent and descriptive in his [storytelling](https://clairebahn.com/visual-storytelling-and-personal-branding/). Sheng is a good example of someone with a personal brand that can tell interesting and compelling stories. ### **2. Darren Hardy** Success mentor [Darren Hardy](http://darrenhardy.com/) is another fantastic example of personal branding done right. Hardy has made a business of helping people learn to become more productive, successful, and well-rounded in whatever they do. Moreso, he’s made a business of himself. Hardy makes it a point to back up his claims rather than trying to convince people of things without any proof. Most photos and videos you see of Hardy have fantastic lighting and dynamic yet unintimidating poses. He usually wears fashionable suits that create a sense of professionalism and intelligence. ### **3. Amy Cuddy** [Amy Cuddy](https://www.amycuddy.com/) is known as a successful New York Times Best-Selling author and the face and brain behind a [popular body language Ted Talk](https://www.ted.com/talks/amy_cuddy_your_body_language_shapes_who_you_are?language=en). She’s also a psychologist and professor at Harvard. Cuddy’s success is a testament to how much digital networking and an online presence can evolve your personal brand and carry it up the ladder to success. Cuddy makes her online content shareable, accessible, and interesting. This is a good example of how serious social network marketing can aid in creating a successful personal brand. ### **4. Marie Forleo** Self-help guru [Marie Forleo](http://www.marieforleo.com/) has the visual presentation to get your attention. However, her appearance and aesthetic aren’t what make her such a great example of personal branding. Her language is the most enticing thing about her. The way she writes is beautiful, yet entirely accessible and relatable. Forleo doesn’t try to write or speak differently. This makes her much more believable as a person. Forleo is a great example of how language and writing styles that are natural can work majorly in your favor when it comes to creating a good personal brand. ### **5. Simon Sinek** Motivational speaker and author [Simon Sinek](https://www.startwithwhy.com/) has made a personal brand off of being self-aware*—*and it totally worked. With relatable language, inspiring tones, and an unshakable sense of optimism, Sinek has drawn the attention of everyday people around the world and has encouraged them to get up in the morning with a hearty sense of adventure. Sinek has also made his website simple and quick to access. Having a simple and clean website design can make a huge difference in how long your audience stays interested in your website’s content. Sinek is a great example of how self-awareness and articulation are immensely important in building a decent personal brand. ### **6. Richard Branson** The founder of Virgin Group has a face that is recognizable to many. [Richard Branson](https://twitter.com/richardbranson) is an entrepreneur, philanthropist, and author. He made it cool not to be an uptight stereotypical businessman while still reaping the rewards of hard work and self-sufficiency. Branson focuses on summarizing mission statements and making a clear decision about who you are, what you want, and what you’re going to create. His online presence is interesting and inspiring. His fearless attitude towards creating has made his personal brand all the more enticing. Branson is a great example of how pushing boundaries and not fitting inside the box can actually work to your personal brand’s benefit. ### **Common Personal Branding Mistakes to Avoid** Many people weaken their personal brand by trying to appeal to everyone or showing up inconsistently across platforms. Some neglect professional photos, publish content sporadically, or shift between unrelated topics that confuse their audience. Focusing on your expertise, communicating a clear message, and showing up regularly will have a far greater impact than chasing every trend. ### **How Can You Apply These Personal Branding Examples?** Identify the qualities that make your brand effective, then adapt those strategies to fit your experience, expertise, and goals. Start by defining what you want to be known for, presenting yourself consistently across platforms, and creating content that reinforces your strengths. ## **Conclusion** Do you have a personal branding success story? Our readers and we would love to hear about it. Drop us a line in the comments and let us know what your strategy is for your personal brand and how you’re investing in it. #### **It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our** [**Personal Brand Concierge Program**](https://clairebahn.com/concierge)**.** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, LinkedIn, Profile Photos **Tags:** Branding, build a personal brand, personal brand, personal brand strategy, personal branding, personal branding examples, social media --- ### [Social Media and Executive Reputation: Risks and Opportunities](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-and-executive-reputation/) **Published:** September 22, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How does social media amplify executive reputation in ways that can either build trust or damage credibility overnight? What risks and opportunities should leaders consider when shaping their executive reputation online? How can intentional personal branding strengthen executive reputation while supporting broader organizational goals?* *This blog explores how social platforms have transformed executive reputation into a real-time, high-stakes dimension of leadership. With every post, comment, and public interaction capable of influencing stakeholders, executives must navigate a landscape where visibility is both an asset and a risk. The article breaks down the key challenges—from missteps and misinformation to crisis amplification—and explains how executive reputation directly impacts corporate credibility, investor confidence, employee trust, and long-term business performance.* *The piece also highlights the opportunities social media creates for strengthening executive reputation through thought leadership, authentic storytelling, transparency, and strategic personal branding. By aligning messaging with corporate values, engaging responsibly, and leveraging platform-specific best practices, leaders can turn social media into a catalyst for influence, trust, and career capital. Ultimately, the blog argues that managing executive reputation today requires intentionality, consistency, and a deep understanding of how digital platforms shape modern leadership.* --- When we talk about leadership today, one truth has become impossible to ignore: executive reputation travels faster than ever before. A single tweet, LinkedIn post, or podcast clip can ripple across industries within hours. That’s both exciting and terrifying. For years, I’ve worked with leaders who wrestle with this balance. How do you harness social platforms to grow your influence without risking a misstep that could undermine both you and your company? This is where [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) becomes more than just a marketing buzzword. It’s the foundation of how executives show up online, how they’re perceived, and ultimately, how they impact their organizations’ credibility. Let’s unpack how social media shapes executive reputation, the pitfalls to watch out for, and the opportunities leaders can embrace to build visibility and trust. ## **Understanding Executive Reputation** > ***“60% of consumers base purchasing decisions on their perception of a company’s executives.”*** Before we get into the social side of things, let’s clarify what executive reputation is. At its core, it’s the perception of a leader’s credibility, values, and authority. This isn’t just about charisma or likability; it’s about trust. Stakeholders (employees, investors, media, customers) look to executives as the face of the organization. What fascinates me is how closely executive reputation is linked to corporate reputation. A CEO’s misstep can tank stock prices, but their credibility can reassure markets during a crisis. The personal and the corporate are inseparable, which is why a personal [brand strategy is no longer optional for executives](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-services/). Now, it’s easy to confuse some of the terms floating around: - **CEO PR**: Focused specifically on the CEO’s visibility, messaging, and positioning. - **Executive PR**: A broader umbrella, covering the reputation of multiple leaders, not just the CEO. - **Corporate Communications**: Messaging on behalf of the company itself, often more formal and less personal. The difference matters because audiences today respond less to polished press releases and more to authentic, humanized leadership voices. Why does this matter? A [Weber Shandwick study](https://webershandwick.com/news/the-company-behind-the-brand-in-reputation-we-trust-ceo-spotlight) revealed that 60% of consumers base purchasing decisions on their perception of a company’s executives, not just its products. This underscores why executive reputation isn’t simply about “looking good”—it’s a measurable business driver. Investors, too, pay attention. Executives with strong personal brands are [87% more likely to attract investment](https://cms.webershandwick.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ceo-reputation-premium-executive-summary-3.pdf). And when employees trust their leadership, retention rises—and those employees are [260% more motivated to work](https://www.deloitte.com/us/en/insights/topics/leadership/brand-trust-and-challenging-orthodoxies.html). ## **The Role of Social Media in Executive PR** If PR was once about managing headlines, today it’s about managing timelines. Social media is no longer just an “add-on” to press releases; it’s the frontline of perception. So, what is the role of social media in PR? In my view, it’s threefold: 1. **Speed**. It’s the fastest way to reach an audience with your message. 2. **Access**. It bypasses traditional gatekeepers (journalists, editors) and allows direct communication. 3. **Engagement**. It turns a monologue into a conversation. This is where social media public relations comes into play. Integrating social platforms with traditional PR creates a hybrid approach: press releases still matter, but they’re amplified through LinkedIn thought pieces, X (formerly Twitter) threads, or even Instagram reels. Now, here’s the bigger question: How do you integrate social media with PR? The answer lies in alignment. Social channels should reflect the same themes as corporate press efforts, but through the lens of leadership voice. For example, when a company announces sustainability initiatives, the CEO might post a video sharing their personal commitment to climate action. That blend of formal announcement and authentic executive storytelling builds both authority and relatability. Executives who combine corporate news with personal commentary tend to see stronger results. Why? Because people perceive that message as less filtered, even if it aligns with corporate strategy. In other words, the messenger matters just as much as the message. ## **Risks of Social Media for Executives** Here’s the tough part: social media is a double-edged sword. The risks for executives aren’t hypothetical—they’re headline material. Consider the following: - **Misstatements**: A poorly worded comment can ignite a PR firestorm. - **Tone-deaf posts**: Celebrating company wins while employees face layoffs? That’s a reputational nightmare. - **Amplified crises**: One screenshot, one viral thread, and suddenly you’ve lost control of the narrative. And then there’s the issue of misinformation**.** Once a misquote or false claim circulates, correcting it becomes a game of catch-up. Social media thrives on speed, not accuracy, which means executives can quickly lose control of their own stories. Negative engagement is another trap. A heated back-and-forth with critics may feel cathartic in the moment, but it often undermines credibility. Even silence can be interpreted negatively if it’s not handled strategically. That’s why corporate social media strategy must anticipate how executives’ voices fit into the broader brand presence. This leads us to a question I get asked a lot: [What is CEO reputation management?](https://clairebahn.com/why-proactive-ceo-reputation-management-is-a-strategic-necessity/) I talk about this extensively in another post (and its strategic necessity), but in short, it’s the proactive monitoring and safeguarding of how a leader is perceived across platforms. That includes crisis planning, media training, and careful curation of online presence. Think of it as insurance for [executive reputation](https://clairebahn.com/the-importance-of-authenticity-in-executive-reputation-management/). It doesn’t stop storms from coming, but it helps weather them. Consider the cautionary tale of BP’s former CEO Tony Hayward, whose infamous “I’d like my life back” remark during the Deepwater Horizon crisis became a case study in executive missteps. His comment wasn’t just poorly timed; it amplified public outrage and left a lasting scar on both his personal reputation and BP’s brand. On the flip side, Satya Nadella’s use of social media to emphasize empathy and innovation has transformed Microsoft’s cultural narrative. The lesson is simple: every post carries weight, and the consequences, whether positive or negative, extend beyond the leader to the entire organization. ## **Opportunities for Executive Branding on Social Media** > ***“Executives with strong personal brands are 87% more likely to attract investment.”*** Now, let’s look at the upside. Because, despite the risks, the opportunities for executives online are massive. We see this through six key elements: - Positioning as a Thought Leader - Building Trust and Transparency - Humanizing Leadership - Boosting Credibility - Expanding Networks - Increasing Career Capital ### **1. Positioning as a Thought Leader** Social platforms are fertile ground for executives to share industry insights, predictions, and commentary. When done consistently, this positions them as authorities rather than figureheads. When leaders put their expertise into the public domain, whether through short posts, long-form articles, or podcast appearances, they shape conversations, influence trends, and sometimes even create new markets. ### **2. Building Trust and Transparency** There is a lot of skepticism out there, and audiences reward leaders who show openness. Sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses or even lessons learned from failures builds credibility. People want (and trust) authenticity, not a copy-and-paste version. Transparency also signals confidence: when an executive is willing to speak candidly, stakeholders assume they have nothing to hide. That kind of honesty strengthens both personal and corporate reputation. ### **3. Humanizing Leadership** People connect with people, not logos. When an executive shares their values, hobbies, or philanthropic efforts, it creates relatability that strengthens brand loyalty. Highlighting the human side of leadership, like mentoring employees, supporting a social cause, or balancing family life with work, reminds audiences that leaders are not just decision-makers but people with shared values. ### **4. Boosting Credibility** [Executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/crafting-a-compelling-brand-story/) isn’t just about visibility; it’s about authority. By consistently sharing relevant insights, leaders build reputations as experts in their fields. Over time, this credibility gives them influence far beyond their immediate role. It allows them to shape conversations, attract media attention, and build stronger relationships with investors and partners. ### **5. Expanding Networks** Social media also acts as a networking builder. A thoughtful post can spark dialogue with peers, attract panel invitations, or create connections with like-minded industry leaders. In many cases, these online interactions turn into offline opportunities like speaking engagements, collaborations, and partnerships that wouldn’t have appeared otherwise. ### **6. Increasing Career Capital** There’s also a very practical benefit for executives on social media: a strong online executive reputation is more valuable to their organizations. Their visibility attracts top talent, reassures stakeholders, and contributes directly to brand equity. That kind of value strengthens their negotiating position internally, enhances job security, and often opens doors to new opportunities. In fact, leaders who invest in their executive brand frequently find themselves with more career prospects than they could pursue, as their expertise and influence become widely recognized. Executives who fully embrace these opportunities quickly discover that social media isn’t just a tool for visibility; it’s a cornerstone of their broader personal brand strategy. ## **Understanding CEO Branding’s Role** That brings us to an important question many leaders ask: What is CEO executive branding? I also talk about this more in depth in another post, but for this purpose, I define it as the strategic process of shaping how a CEO presents themselves to stakeholders, using both digital and offline platforms. It’s the intentional crafting of presence, voice, and values so that the leader is seen not just as an operator but as a visionary. This is where executive PR overlaps with [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding-vs-personal-branding/)**.** Thoughtful social media activity isn’t about ego; it’s about building relational equity with the audiences who matter most. Take LinkedIn as an example. Executives who post regularly, whether sharing personal reflections, spotlighting employees, or commenting on industry shifts, see engagement rates much higher than company pages. Why? Because audiences crave a human face and an authentic voice. Even short posts can create significant visibility when they tap into current conversations. For example, a CEO who weighs in on AI ethics is not just joining a trend; they’re shaping thought leadership in real time. ## **Best Practices for Executives on Social Media** > ***“When employees trust their leadership, retention rises—and those employees are 260% more motivated to work.”*** So, how do leaders reap the benefits while mitigating risks? Here are the practices I recommend: 1. **Consistency in Messaging** Align personal accounts with corporate messaging, but avoid sounding like a press release. The sweet spot is authenticity paired with consistency. 2. **Balance Personal Voice with Corporate Alignment** Share personal views where appropriate, but always be mindful of the company’s values and current climate. 3. **Engage Responsibly** Comment on industry news, celebrate team wins, and respond to meaningful comments, but avoid debates that spiral. 4. **Proactive Reputation Management** Don’t wait for a crisis. Regularly audit your digital footprint, monitor mentions, and plan for potential issues. This is the heart of CEO reputation management. Here’s the final question we need to answer: How can social media be used for PR? It’s a pretty simple one: storytelling. Social media PR isn’t just about announcements; it’s about weaving narratives that highlight leadership, values, and vision. Whether through LinkedIn articles, X threads, or Instagram stories, executives can use these tools to tell stories that resonate and reinforce their reputation. Another best practice worth noting is platform differentiation. Not every channel serves the same purpose. LinkedIn may be the best place for long-form thought leadership, while Instagram Stories can showcase behind-the-scenes moments that humanize a brand. X is ideal for quick commentary on breaking news, and YouTube offers executives space to dive deeper with more nuanced storytelling. Leaders who tailor their approach to each platform’s culture tend to gain credibility faster than those who post identical content everywhere. ## **Measuring Impact** A strong online reputation is only as effective as the results it drives. That’s why measurement is essential. Tracking KPIs such as engagement, sentiment analysis, and follower growth provides insight into what’s working. More advanced tools allow executives to monitor media mentions, identify emerging risks, and even benchmark themselves against peers. For example, if an executive’s thought leadership posts consistently outperform industry averages on LinkedIn, it’s a signal to double down. Conversely, low engagement or negative sentiment highlights areas for improvement. Reputation isn’t static; it evolves. Leaders who adapt their content, tone, and approach based on audience feedback remain relevant and trusted over time. ## **Conclusion** When I look at the intersection of social media and executive reputation, I see both risk and reward—and they’re two sides of the same coin. Social media can amplify missteps at lightning speed, but it can also elevate leaders into trusted authorities with unmatched reach. The difference comes down to intentionality. Executives who treat social media as a strategic part of their personal branding, not just as a casual add-on, are the ones who turn visibility into influence, and influence into long-term business growth. Social media isn’t going anywhere. Executive reputation will increasingly live or die online. The leaders who win will be those who lean into opportunities, guard against risks, and show up authentically, consistently, and strategically. Ultimately, executive branding online isn’t about chasing likes or building vanity metrics. It’s about creating long-term trust capital. When leaders combine authenticity, consistency, and platform fluency, they don’t just manage reputation—they shape markets, attract talent, and inspire loyalty. And that’s the kind of influence that separates good leaders from great ones. #### Are you ready to elevate your executive brand and build lasting trust online? Sign up for a [strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) today! ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Executive Branding **Tags:** executive branding, executive reputation, personal branding, social media --- ### [How to Select a Personal Branding Strategy That Actually Works](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-strategy/) **Published:** July 14, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Personal branding strategy guidelines ensure optimal results regardless of your target audience. Develop an intuitive approach to the market with the best personal branding strategy. Use these tips to light your path.* > ***Your personal branding strategy could make or break the marketing budget.*** Spend capital on boosting brand recognition but waste it with the wrong approach. Your company’s competitive edge might depend on more than product innovation. A personal branding strategy ensures a favorable public opinion despite your inventory. Entrepreneurs rely on their personal brands to generate traffic and establish industry authority. However, brand management can also mitigate issues before they destroy your career. [Celebrity brands](https://www.forbes.com/sites/worldviews/2012/05/18/5-personal-branding-lessons-learned-from-forbes-celebrity-100-women/?sh=28518c5125ab) often utilize these fundamental principles when interacting with fans and foes. You simply cannot remain relevant *and* authentic in the modern world without an excellent [personal branding strategy](https://clairebahn.com/). Your target audience could change anytime, and their opinions can be fickle. Some events could also spur a much-needed shift in your company’s direction or values. How will you manage it without a rock-solid personal branding strategy? Here is how to create one that actually serves its purpose. **Table of Contents** [What Is a Personal Branding Strategy?](#_Toc109147614) [Why a Personal Branding Strategy Is Essential](#_Toc109147615) [The 10 Golden Rules of a Personal Branding Strategy](#_Toc109147616) [Be Focused.](#_Toc109147617) [Stay Authentic.](#_Toc109147618) [Tell Your Story.](#_Toc109147619) [Remain Consistent.](#_Toc109147620) [Prepare to Fail.](#_Toc109147621) [Spread Positivity.](#_Toc109147622) [Meet Mentors.](#_Toc109147623) [Live the Brand.](#_Toc109147624) [Invite Commentary.](#_Toc109147625) [Create a Legacy.](#_Toc109147626) [BONUS: Lead by Example.](#_Toc109147627) [Personal Branding Strategy Tips](#_Toc109147628) [12 Brand Recognition Hacks](#_Toc109147629) [Five Steps to Building a Personal Branding Strategy That Actually Works](#_Toc109147630) [Step One: Choose Your Channel](#_Toc109147631) [Step Two: Create Your Message](#_Toc109147632) [Step Three: Be Clever and Concise](#_Toc109147633) [Step Four: Share an Origin Story](#_Toc109147634) [Step Five: Form a Network](#_Toc109147635) [Conclusion](#_Toc109147636) ## What Is a Personal Branding Strategy? A personal brand is your intentional presentation to the public. It is your contribution to consumer perceptions about specific goods and services. The purpose is to [influence your target audience](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2021/02/12/what-a-personal-brand-is-and-why-you-need-one/?sh=1007d3091578) and position your company as an industry authority. > ***The best personal branding strategy involves a step-by-step plan to bring you from obscurity to visibility.*** Brand managers can help you define your current position and describe your goals for the business. Experts can also refine your appearance across multiple platforms to align with audience expectations and trends. Your personal branding strategy can help increase credibility among diverse competitors and skeptical groups. Create a brand to differentiate yourself from similar companies and entrepreneurs. Then present your uniqueness through targeted techniques and proven guidelines. **FACT**: *A refined personal brand can elevate your career, broaden your sphere of influence, and create a more significant impact.* ## Why a Personal Branding Strategy Is Essential Your personal branding strategy is crucial to how successful your marketing campaigns will be. Most [entrepreneurs tailor their approach](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/423892) to an industry so they can experience fewer setbacks and losses. Branding your personality is essential either way, even if you’re already well-known. A personal branding strategy aims to convey a unique message while ethically and efficiently monetizing it. Here are some of the other benefits you can enjoy: 1. **Control the Narrative** – Use a customized technique to communicate effectively regardless of the conversation. 2. **Improve First Impressions** – Introduce yourself in the most flattering light and maintain your well-earned reputation. 3. **Be Outstanding** – Show people why you’re different. Offer them practical solutions with [data collection and analysis](https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/data-collection-methods). In a world where every entrepreneur has a website, you must find ways to capture attention and keep the respect. A personal branding strategy does more than help. It steers the ship so you can focus on more critical things. **DID YOU KNOW:** *Personal [brand management can help executives](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-services/) allocate resources more efficiently.* ## The 10 Golden Rules of a Personal Branding Strategy You can’t create a successful personal branding strategy with no direction. Meanwhile, every brand manager swears to have the secret. The truth is that you can boost your business without lofty promises and compromised dreams. > ***Working with a branding agency helps explain and refine what you already do.*** Legitimate firms will likely follow a formula. Many might also obey these ten golden rules for creating a personal branding strategy: ### Be Focused. Know your target, and don’t lose sight of it. Even if your audience’s wants and needs change, your brand should remain their best answer. ### Stay Authentic. Never sell out because of the competition; don’t let the haters affect you. Be yourself and refine the personal branding strategies underlining your reputation. ### Tell Your Story. Show who you are and why you’re an expert in the industry. Demonstrate your experience, share your values, and inspire people to join your cause. ### Remain Consistent. Don’t sway your brand’s voice with each new craze. Decide which trends you want to create or follow, and then use consistent messaging to grow your following. ### Prepare to Fail. Nothing is ever 100%. Your personal branding strategy could be a massive flop because of missed targets. Work with a brand manager to avoid preventable mishaps. ### Spread Positivity. Develop a personal brand with a positive message and promise a meaningful impact. Give your target audience a reason to remember your name. ### Meet Mentors. Follow the example of [successful entrepreneurs](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/personal-finance/092315/top-5-most-successful-american-entrepreneurs.asp) before you. Then find a mentor willing to show you the ropes in your industry. ### Live the Brand. Your personal branding strategy relies on a similar reputation in the real world. Coordinate your lifestyle to represent your company’s values. ### Invite Commentary. Give others something to talk about, and then spark a conversation. Discussions about your brand can improve your rank on crucial search engines. ### Create a Legacy. Build a personal branding strategy with staying power. Make something that can outlast the test of time and trendiness. ### [BONUS: Lead by Example.](https://clairebahn.com/brand-messaging/) Demonstrate why your company offers the best solutions with shameless self-promotion. Then take charge of your industry using an intuitive approach. > ***You can cherry-pick the golden rules of a personal branding strategy to suit your objectives**.* Add or remove specific elements that don’t match your values. Or get regular [audience feedback](https://smallbusiness.chron.com/feedback-target-audience-46261.html) to adjust the brand trajectory as needed. **FACT**: *A personal branding strategy should be flexible enough to adapt without sacrificing consistency.* ## Personal Branding Strategy Tips Picking a personal branding strategy can be tricky because multiple elements are involved. You also can’t predict how audiences will react to your approach. Sometimes, the best you can do is plan for the worst and hope for the best. Preparation can help you stay on track during a bumping ride. Marketing is a challenge regardless of your technique, so choosing the best method is imperative. Personal branding can be complicated because it depends on lifestyle factors and a professional reputation. Experts must find and maintain a delicate line between your private and public lives, but that’s not always easy. ### 12 Brand Recognition Hacks Much of the work of building a personal brand falls on your shoulders. You know the company’s message better than anybody else. That means you must communicate concerns and ask questions to understand various decisions. These twelve tips should help you home in on your next steps: 1. Don’t compromise your vision. 2. Pay attention to the competition. 3. Listen to your audience. 4. Use the data to your advantage. 5. Try not to blend in. 6. Start a conversation. 7. Maintain an online presence. 8. Follow industry best practices. 9. Produce excellent content. 10. Let imagery tell a story. 11. Track your progress. 12. Adapt as needed. Managing a personal branding strategy requires help from multiple angles. You’ll likely need content creators, photographers, wardrobe specialists, publishers, and more. The best techniques almost always involve [search engine optimization](https://www.techtarget.com/whatis/definition/search-engine-optimization-SEO) (SEO). Learn how to incorporate keywords to improve your rank and relevance. > ***Use analytics to discover what your target audience searches for the most.*** Particular keywords can pivot your personal brand into the realm of authority. SEO also helps fortify your other branding efforts. Web crawlers determine the value of your content based on specific words or phrases on the page. ## Five Steps to Building a Personal Branding Strategy That Actually Works Building a personal branding strategy requires due diligence and dedication. Even if doors of opportunity already exist, markets will remain fickle. Your job is to get into the minds of your target audience and stay there. Here are five foolproof steps to help ensure your personal branding strategy is successful: ### Step One: Choose Your Channel Use data and analysis to determine where your target audience congregates—note which social media platforms and interactive channels they prefer. Then examine the content and pay close attention your how your competitors communicate their messages. Choose the avenues that can provide your personal brand with the most exposure. Make your mark in the industry by focusing on these standard channels: - Social Media - Podcasts - Streaming Sites - Guest Blogging - Pay-Per-Click Advertising - Affiliations - Meet & Greets **TIP:** *Do a deep dive to discover hidden channels popular among your target demographics.* ### Step Two: Create Your Message Develop compelling content to attract audiences and establish yourself as an authority. An effective personal branding strategy should include tailored SEO, image enhancement, PR, and other reputation management services. Communicate the who, what, when, why, and how without confusion. Let a personal branding expert help you carve out company values and tell your unique story in a way your audience will appreciate. Learn how to differentiate your messaging while remaining authentic and consistent. **TIP:** *Develop multiple messages to target diverse groups from different angles.* ### Step Three: Be Clever and Concise The average website visitor has a [short attention span](https://smallbusiness.chron.com/long-website-viewers-attention-72249.html) and little patience for mixed messages and hidden agendas. Most people spend eight seconds or less determining whether a page is valuable. You must be clever, concise, and confident, or they will disengage. Many audiences also prefer a sleek [online presence](https://clairebahn.com/7-tips-branding-yourself-online/) that gets to the point quickly. Your content and web copy are essential elements of a personal branding strategy that actually works. **TIP:** *Use entertainment, incentives, and education to attract people to your personal brand.* ### Step Four: Share an Origin Story Let people know where you came from and where you’re headed. They’ll feel more comfortable doing business with your brand when they relate to your values. Share perspectives and highlight specific goals to rally your following and demonstrate your expertise. Create a comprehensive about page or publish press releases on relevant channels. You can also integrate your life story into brand messaging and marketing. **TIP:** *Be candid and describe some of your failures or experiments along the way.* ### Step Five: Form a Network It’s not always about what you do. Sometimes, success depends on who you know and how collaborative the relationship is. Vendors, investors, and businesses in parallel industries can help [your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/captivate-podcast/5-tips-to-help-your-personal-brand-today/) gain momentum. Make connections with as many entrepreneurs and executives as possible. Follow up and see how you can best serve each other’s needs. Then provide a solution to create a positive track record. **TIP:** *Focus on people in your industry but don’t forget to diversify your contacts.* Remember, developing a personal branding strategy means watching specific audience behaviors and reacting accordingly. You might have a tiny window of time to respond to consumer demands or requests. However, you must be patient. Legacies take time to build. Don’t rush the process and use data to your advantage. Make every effort count with strategic plans and reasonable goals. Then confer with a reputation management firm to ensure a streamlined approach to your industry. ## Conclusion > ***Your brand’s legacy starts with an excellent first impression.*** Personal branding strategy tips are essential to any entrepreneur wanting to boost industry recognition. An effective technique can also help make the most of your marketing investments. Choose the methods wisely to maximize your impact. Use these guidelines to ensure optimal results regardless of your target audience. Then develop an intuitive [personal branding strategy](https://clairebahn.com/contact-claire/) that’s flexible enough for evolving industries. Harness the latest communications technologies to be present on relevant channels. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding, Tips **Tags:** personal branding strategy, tips for personal branding --- ### [Why You Need a Strong Personal Brand Strategy](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-strategy-2/) **Published:** February 16, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** A personal branding strategy is crucial for individuals and businesses looking to establish a strong and recognizable online presence, attract like-minded individuals, and achieve financial success. You might think your education, experience, and efforts are enough for your business to beat the competition and thrive. While this makes perfect sense, and the importance of these factors can’t be understated, they are sadly not enough in the cut-throat business world. After all, how can anyone know how hard you work if they don’t know who you are? Luckily, there’s a simple way to communicate your values and unique identity to potential customers and clients. Enter personal brand strategy. Having a defined personal brand strategy will help you step up your game, gain a competitive edge, and leave a lasting impression on your customers and business partners. I will show you how a [well-developed personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-strategy/) strategy can be crucial for your success. **Table of Contents** [What’s the Deal with Personal Branding?](#_Toc127863550) [A Roadmap to Standing Out](#_Toc127863551) [The Key to Building Trust and Confidence](#_Toc127863552) [A One-Way Ticket to Name Recognition](#_Toc127863553) [The Secret to Becoming More Visible Online](#_Toc127863554) [The Basis for Building Relevance](#_Toc127863555) [A Magnet to Attracting the Right Audience](#_Toc127863556) [An Opportunity to Show Your Personality](#_Toc127863557) [A Foundation for Building Business Relationships](#_Toc127863558) [The Recipe to Building a Business That Sells Itself](#_Toc127863559) [A Brand New Opportunity for Your Business](#_Toc127863560) [Conclusion](#_Toc127863561) ## What’s the Deal with Personal Branding? Letting your results speak for themselves will only get you so far. Employing a solid personal brand strategy will propel you into business stardom. But [what is personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/)? Simply put, your personal brand is how other people perceive you. A personal brand strategy allows you to tell your own story in your own words and influence their perception. For instance, my online presence says a lot about who I am as a person and an entrepreneur. While this notion is connected directly to you, it can also work passively and actively to promote your business. For example, I write these blogs to give helpful tips to my audience. However, I also use SEO, allowing me to be awarded a spot on Google’s front page. As a result, I could be getting sales from a blog I wrote months ago. If you’re unsure what other people think of you and your business, that’s a pretty good indicator that you need a solid personal brand strategy. With this in mind, let’s discuss why you need a personal brand strategy in more detail. I’ll also give you a few tips on creating an authentic personal brand that will signal to your customers and partners that your business is the real deal. ### A Roadmap to Standing Out Regardless of what you do, there are probably thousands of competitors that are doing the same thing. That’s where an effective personal brand strategy comes into play. By developing your personal brand, you’ll be able to showcase your unique value proposition. How does this help you? A unique value proposition will clearly show your customers and partners what you bring to the table and why your contributions are outstanding. Through [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/), you get to tell your story – what drives you and what experiences have shaped you into the person you are today. Once people recognize your unique appeal, you’ll build long-lasting business connections. So, how do you start? Don’t try to be unique for the sake of being unique. Instead, figure out what truly drives and motivates you, what subjects pique your interests, which skills set you apart, and what areas you excel at. Once you pinpoint these, you’ll be able to build a brand and a business that accurately reflect who you are while leaving room for evolving. After all, your personal brand isn’t merely a reflection of who you are today; it’s also a guide for your future aspirations. ### The Key to Building Trust and Confidence A strong [personal brand strategy](https://clairebahn.com/the-3-as-of-personal-branding/) will help you establish trust with anyone you may encounter, from clients to prospective investors. So, how can you build trust? The answer is simple – consistency, consistency, consistency. Take Nike’s “Just Do It” slogan, McDonald’s logo, or Coca-Cola’s emotional branding strategy. These elements have worked for these companies for years, making them easily recognizable. And there’s no need to change a winning game plan. If you’re building a brand, you must also stay consistent with your approach and keep showing up for the people. Once the people you interact with recognize your consistency, they will start to trust you. And trust translates to sales. A loyal customer base will, in turn, help you build credibility, which is a key element of reaching the top in a competitive environment. Over time, more and more people will become comfortable doing business with you and consider you their first choice when looking for products or services. A personal brand strategy encourages consistency in your messaging, tone, and overall image. It’s what your customers grow to know, trust, and love. Also, you will benefit from demonstrating consistency on and off the internet in terms of communication, visual identity, and values. ### A One-Way Ticket to Name Recognition While your ultimate goal might be to grow your business, it all starts with you. A successful personal brand strategy will bring you exposure and help you achieve high name recognition. This will, in turn, drive customers straight to your social media or website. It will also encourage them to trust any business endeavor you might take. But how can you go about building an easily recognizable name in the business world? It would be best if you positioned yourself as an expert in your field. You can achieve this by writing blog posts, creating educational videos and graphics, hosting webinars, and teaching free master classes. Whatever content you create, make sure it’s authentic, memorable, and valuable. This way, people will quickly see the value you provide to your audience and undoubtedly remember your name. Besides obtaining potential customers, this approach can get you on the radar of journalists in relevant, industry-leading publications. These publications can help get your name out there on a whole new scale. ### The Secret to Becoming More Visible Online In the digital age we live in, the internet is overflowing with businesses and individuals trying to stand out. Still, don’t let the sheer number of competitors scare you, as digital marketing is unquestionably the way to go. Instead, focus on employing your personal brand strategy to become more visible online. This often means you’ll have to think outside of the box and leave your comfort zone, especially if you’re new to [the world of social media](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/). Businesses will eventually either need to learn to use social media or fail. The key to gaining a massive online presence is consistently creating valuable content that reflects your personal brand and your business’s values. However, you can do a few more things to get your message across to more people: - Post at the right time to ensure maximum exposure. - Publish content regularly without sacrificing quality. - Optimize your content for your audience and search engines. The [main goal is to keep your brand](https://clairebahn.com/branding-strategy-for-thought-leaders/) and business at the top of your audience’s minds. While this doesn’t mean opening accounts on every single social media platform, you should be on the main ones. ### The Basis for Building Relevance When it comes to business, relevance is the name of the game. Many big names have fizzled out because they only relied on their previous achievements, name recognition, and the visibility coming from the old glory days. A strong personal brand strategy can help you stay relevant and relatable to your audience. This way, they will keep returning and ensuring your business has a place in their lives. Staying relevant will likely require you to keep on top of the prevalent trends. The [National Today](https://nationaltoday.com/) calendar is one of my favorite resources for this purpose. You’re probably wondering how exactly posting about National Ice Cream Day helps your business. Well, any opportunity to bond with your online audience and stay in their minds is an opportunity worth taking. This also plays into your personal brand strategy since it effortlessly evokes a sense of realism and relatability. After all, you’re more than a faceless [brand with no personality](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/). ### A Magnet to Attracting the Right Audience The rat race has moved online, and it’s about getting your share of attention on the internet and attracting the right audience. If people have thousands of options to choose from, why would they choose you? The answer is, of course, [strong personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/why-personal-branding-is-the-key-to-success-in-2021/). Getting the right audience to pay attention to you might seem like an uphill battle, but with the right strategy, you’ll do much more than that. You’ll get them to pay attention, stay, and fall in love with your business. If you’re just starting out, you probably have no idea how to reach your target audience. You might not even know what your target audience is. If this is the case, don’t worry. We all have to start somewhere. So, stop and think. Who do you want to reach? The sooner you define your ideal audience, the better brand identity you’ll be able to craft. You’ll know what story to tell from the very beginning. It’s also important to note that the size of your audience doesn’t necessarily define your revenue. If you have a solid personal brand strategy in place, you can earn considerable revenue even with a smaller audience. According to [Harvard Business Review](https://hbr.org/2015/11/the-new-science-of-customer-emotions), customers who are fully connected to a brand are worth 52% more to a business in terms of sales and frequency of purchases. ### An Opportunity to Show Your Personality A strong personal brand strategy lets you tell your story in your own words. You can use this opportunity to emphasize what sets you apart from the crowd and makes you memorable and unique. And since you are your brand, these qualities will translate to your business. It’s important not to show an unattainable and idealized image of you and your brand. This kind of image lacks character, and few people can relate to it. Even if your authentic story alienates some people, it’s still a step in the right direction of finding your ideal audience. However, you should also leave room for your identity and brand to grow. Think of your personal brand as a life-long project that will continue evolving. If you’ve managed to build brand loyalty through a personal brand strategy, your old clients will go along for the ride. Plus, this evolution can expand your horizons and bring in new clients. ### A Foundation for Building Business Relationships You know what they say: great minds think alike. If you build a strong and [recognizable personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding-for-startups/), you’ll only attract the like-minded. This is excellent news since it opens new avenues for your business to grow. Glowing reviews and testimonials from customers will surely attract attention from other businesses and investors. Building strategic relationships with business partners can help your business thrive and reach new people and markets. You can also take a proactive approach to building business relationships. Don’t just wait for them to find you. Instead, embrace networking. Connect with your peers and industry thought-leaders by attending formal and informal networking events. The more connections you make, the more doors you open to your business. Even attending online conferences can help you receive new opportunities. There’s always a hub for communicating and sharing ideas. You can also use relevant Twitter hashtags to join the chatter and find like-minded attendees. On top of that, you can sign up for digital networking memberships. Companies like [BNI](https://www.bni.com/) allow you to sign up for local or national membership and gain access to private networking groups, monthly workshops, and small digital conferences. ### The Recipe to Building a Business That Sells Itself One of the end goals of every business owner is to achieve financial success and profitability. Your personal brand strategy will help you reach this goal step by step. First, the audience will start noticing your content and leaning into your message. If you succeed in telling a story with your branding, the audience will stay engaged. Over time, those same people will become devoted fans of you and your business, making them more willing to recommend you to your friends and family. And according to a [Nielsen report](https://www.nielsen.com/insights/2012/consumer-trust-in-online-social-and-mobile-advertising-grows/), over 90% of consumers trust recommendations from their friends and family above all other forms of advertising. As your business continues to grow, it will reach a point it starts to sell itself. From there, you can only help it become bigger and more successful. And it all started with a masterfully-crafted story and a well-thought-out personal brand strategy. ## A Brand New Opportunity for Your Business Today, getting people to pay attention to you in the sea of content is an incredible achievement. Influencing them to buy your products and services is nothing short of a superpower. But that superpower has a name, and it’s called personal branding. Developing and implementing a strong, mindful, and intentional personal brand strategy should top your list of priorities when starting or expanding a business. This strategy will help you highlight the unique qualities you bring to the table, establish an excellent reputation, build trust, and open many doors for your business. This combination of elements can help you achieve your business goals much faster than anticipated while staying true to yourself. ## Conclusion In conclusion, building strong business relationships is essential to the success of any business. By creating a recognizable personal brand, you can attract like-minded individuals, and glowing reviews and testimonials can help your business grow. It is also important to take a proactive approach by networking with peers and attending formal and informal events, both online and offline. With a well-crafted personal brand strategy, your business can gain a devoted fan base that will help spread the word about your business, leading to financial success and profitability. By following these steps, you can build a business that ultimately sells itself, opening up new opportunities for growth and success. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** digital communications strategy, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal brand strategy --- ### [What Is the Cost of Building a Personal Brand?](https://clairebahn.com/cost-of-a-personal-brand/) **Published:** February 2, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What is the cost of a personal brand? How much can you expect to spend for a meaningful online presence? The answer can depend on multiple factors, including your starting point and goals. Develop a digital communications strategy and budget for the long run with this comprehensive cost breakdown.* The cost of a personal brand can vary greatly depending on several factors. Specific [digital communications strategies](https://clairebahn.com/) and marketing techniques can also contribute. Building a personal brand requires simultaneously investing in multiple areas. However, the market is fickle, so that those things can change abruptly and with little warning. How can you estimate the cost of a personal brand with so many variables? This makes budgeting and understanding the return on investment more challenging. What cost-effective strategies do you need to maximize your money? I’ll break down the factors contributing to personal branding costs and provide [tips to help you see the bigger picture](https://clairebahn.com/why-ceo-branding-is-good-for-your-company/). Let’s get started. **Table of Contents** [Personal Brand Definition](#_Toc127138135) [Examples of Successful Personal Brands](#_Toc127138136) [Why Is a Personal Brand Important Today?](#_Toc127138137) [How Are Personal Brands Developed?](#_Toc127138138) [What Tools Should I Use to Build My Personal Brand?](#_Toc127138139) [The Purpose of the SEO Blog](#_Toc127138140) [Three Factors That Can Affect the Cost of a Personal Brand](#_Toc127138141) [\#1. Time and Effort](#_Toc127138142) [\#2. Tools and Resources](#_Toc127138143) [\#3. Professional Services](#_Toc127138144) [What Is the ROI of Your Personal Brand?](#_Toc127138145) [Estimating the Cost of a Personal Brand](#_Toc127138146) [The Role of a Personal Brand in Career and Business Success](#_Toc127138147) [How Do You Know When It’s Time to Build a Personal Brand?](#_Toc127138148) [Signs You Need to Start Building a Personal Brand](#_Toc127138149) [Budgeting to Build Your Personal Brand](#_Toc127138150) [Conclusion](#_Toc127138151) ## Personal Brand Definition A personal brand is your opportunity to [make a name for yourself](https://www.monster.com/career-advice/article/make-name-for-yourself-at-office), separate from professional affiliations but sometimes associated with similar industries. It is a process of creating a customized identity as an expert or authority on something. This involves developing and maintaining several aspects of your offline and online presence. The point of a personal brand is to make your message cohesive, consistent, and catchy. However, the cost of a personal brand initially depends on which type you choose. Here are your [six possible personas](https://medium.com/@SlfMade512/the-6-types-of-self-branding-544f7ffaf2ad): 1. **Altruist** 2. **Careerist** 3. **Boomerang** 4. **Hipster** 5. **Connector** 6. **Selective** Talk to a personal branding expert to learn what each means and determine where you fit into the spectrum. A persona represents who you are, what you want to say, and where you’re headed in the industry. Choose yours wisely, and then consciously and intentionally optimize your brand and earn credibility. ### Examples of Successful Personal Brands What’s a good example of a personal brand that paid off? Let’s look at a few: - **Sara Blakely** – She turned her positive perspectives on fashion into the world-renowned SPANX brand. - **Tony Robbins** – He transformed his life experiences into an international brand focused on motivation and healing. - **Chip and Joanna Gaines** – They developed a home improvement and interior design brand centered on everyday luxury. These brands have the X factor, but they also have an excellent [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/). While not all [brands can grow](x%20https:/www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2021/04/08/eight-top-personal-brands-and-the-x-factors-that-make-them-stand-out/?sh=432486401044) to the heights of international fame, owning and operating a personal brand is the fastest way to relevant recognition. ***DID YOU KNOW:** 57% of people believe that a CEO’s personal brand has a significant impact on the company’s stock performance, according to a study by Weber Shandwick?* ## Why Is a Personal Brand Important Today? The cost of a personal brand pales in comparison to its importance. Today’s economy is fast-paced and demanding, so consumers require easily accessible information from brands they can trust. Meanwhile, the average [online consumer’s attention span](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jiawertz/2019/08/31/the-number-one-thing-marketers-need-to-know-to-increase-online-sales/?sh=1325497fed55) is only a few seconds long. These days, you don’t have much time to capture attention and convert it to action. Personal branding is essential because it introduces you to people inside and outside your niche. It helps prevent lost opportunities while demonstrating your strengths. This could lead to exciting partnerships, promotions, job opportunities, guest appearances, speaking engagements, and sales. Climbing to the top as part of a team can be tricky. Competition within an organization is real. If you don’t invest in yourself, nobody else will. Others will focus on personal development to benefit their bottom line, not yours. Make yourself known for what you’re good at or believe in to get your slice of the pie. Attempting to promote yourself through a single channel is an exercise in futility, though. The [“OmniChannel Approach”](https://www.techtarget.com/searchcustomerexperience/definition/omnichannel#:~:text=Omnichannel%20%2D%2D%20also%20spelled%20omni,brick%2Dand%2Dmortar%20store.) is what defines and drives your personal brand. This helps reach target audiences from multiple directions, speeding up brand recognition and visibility. In addition, seeing your content on several platforms reinforces their belief that you’re an expert or authority on the topic. Unfortunately, platforms don’t want single influencers anymore. > ***“The days of an ‘influencer’ developing a colossal audience for massive profits are over.”*** Digital communications platforms realized how little money they made from making individuals rich and famous. Now, the algorithm spreads visibility around, encouraging you to “[boost your post](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-promote-business-on-social-media-go-viral-influencers-2022-4)” to get more views and transfer wealth to the platform. Smart. Therein lies the problem for many [executives and people interested in personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-services/). Today’s marketing expectations hinge on a brand’s ability to publish relatable, relevant, and current information with a personal touch across numerous platforms. That’s a tall order for one individual against mature brands like Richard Branson, Oprah Winfrey, and Elon Musk. ***DID YOU KNOW:** Having a great brand can reduce hiring and training expenses by as much as 50%?* ## How Are Personal Brands Developed? Personal brands are developed using a comprehensive and customizable approach. However, it’s important to remain patient and consistent when building your brand. > ***“While it’s possible to see positive results quickly, that’s the exception, not the rule.”*** Constructing a personal brand takes time and requires even longer in competitive industries. Therefore, the cost of a personal brand depends on the tools and techniques used to [create an enduring presence](https://www.wsj.com/articles/branding-gets-personal-for-these-job-seekers-1440756000). It also hinges on how much time is required to position yourself at the top of the heap. Even Rome was not built in a day, so perhaps patience is the highest price for victory. Likewise, these are the many balls a personal branding expert must juggle to help you succeed: - Social Media Management - Biography Writing and Editing - Website Development and Maintenance - Professional Photography and Videography - Networking and Event Scheduling - Online Courses and Workshops - [Podcasting and Guest Appearances](https://clairebahn.com/how-being-a-podcast-guest-elevates-your-personal-brand/) - Personal Development and Coaching - SEO Blogging and Data Analysis ### What Tools Should I Use to Build My Personal Brand? Many tools and resources are available to help you build your personal brand. Each requires a different investment, depending on your timeline, industry, and goals. Here are a few that you might consider using for the best results: 1. **Design software –** Create graphics, logos, and other visual elements to represent your personal brand. Some options are Adobe Creative Suite, Canva, and Inkscape. 2. **Email marketing tools –** Use Mailchimp, Constant Contact, etc., to establish and maintain relationships with your audience through newsletters, updates, and other communications. 3. **Professional services –** Hire branding experts, graphic designers, publicists, data scientists, and other marketing professionals to supercharge your efforts. 4. **Social media –** Join Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and other platforms to share with a broad audience while connecting with like-minded individuals and industry anchors. 5. **Blogging platforms –** Use WordPress or Medium to [publish SEO blogs](https://yoast.com/seo-friendly-blog-post/) and other written content, making your profiles more searchable and visible. Ultimately, the tools and resources required will depend on your goals, budget, and preferred strategy. However, skipping some steps to save money can be counterproductive. ### The Purpose of the SEO Blog You might get away with building a personal brand without a headshot you love, but you won’t make it very far without SEO blogs. The reason is that written content is an anchor for your websites, social media, and other personal branding resources. > ***“A personal brand with nothing but photos or random social media posts is incomplete and scarcely competitive.”*** Web crawlers use blogs to categorize and rank your online presence using [Search Engine Optimization](https://mailchimp.com/marketing-glossary/seo/#:~:text=Search%20engine%20optimization%20(SEO)%20is,most%20to%20your%20target%20audience.) (SEO). You need to know the most relevant keywords and key phrases for your target audience to find and trust you. Then, you must answer their burning questions and develop a comprehensive blog library to demonstrate your in-depth knowledge. SEO blogging is considered a professional service but enhances your other services. Blogs are crucial in any digital communications strategy because they give your logos, graphics, photos, and wisdom somewhere to live. Embrace the SEO blog to build a foundation and make the cost of a personal brand make sense. **DID YOU KNOW:** *Search engine web crawlers can also use* [*metadata*](https://metadata.io/)*, alt-text, captions, and social media posts to classify your brand and audience?* ## Three Factors That Can Affect the Cost of a Personal Brand In general, the cost of a personal brand can range from minimal to significant. The more you can do on your own, the less you’ll have to pay a professional. However, personal branding pros know how and when to use the essential resources required for [building notoriety](https://clairebahn.com/grow-your-personal-brand/). Consider your budget, short-term and long-term goals, and the tools you think you’ll need. Some factors that can affect the price you pay are as follows. ### \#1. Time and Effort Aside from [resources and professional expertise](https://www.ncda.org/aws/NCDA/pt/sd/news_article/27987/_PARENT/CC_layout_details/false), time and effort will cost the most during the personal branding process. > ***“Building a strong, long-lasting personal brand requires planning, practice, and determination. The more you invest, the more successful you’re likely to be.”*** The time to build a personal brand can also vary significantly depending on several factors, including your aspirations, existing resources, and specific strategies you want to try. Here are a few additional things to consider: 1. Setting clear goals helps teams define your trajectory and determine the best approach for your investment. 2. Consistency matters in messaging, content, and your overall method. Meanwhile, building a [track record of value](https://am.jpmorgan.com/hu/en/asset-management/institutional/insights/portfolio-insights/value-vs-growth-investing/) in a chosen field takes multiple rounds. 3. Engaging with your audience helps speed up the process. Build relationships with your audience by listening, answering questions, and providing accurate information. ### \#2. Tools and Resources Particular social tools and marketing resources can alter the expected cost of a personal brand. For example, social media platforms are generally free to use. However, placing advertisements and needing specific content is costly. Some tools also require a one-time fee or subscription to use them regularly. ### \#3. Professional Services Professional services can also affect the cost of a personal brand. Hiring an expert to help zoom in on or interact with specific audiences will increase the overall price. This might include paying a personal branding expert, a graphic designer, a photographer, or a publicist. However, the extra fees go to a good cause and can be measured in your ROI. ## What Is the ROI of Your Personal Brand? > ***“The return on investment (ROI) for a personal brand is the benefit or value you receive in exchange for the time, effort, and money you put in.”*** Building and maintaining a personal brand is hard work, so many expect the ROI to reflect that. Still, the [return on investment](https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2020/02/26/the-priceless-roi-of-personal-branding/?sh=3dc0ecec5850) can vary as much as the cost. It can also take multiple forms, such as: - Increased visibility - Boosted brand recognition - Greater credibility - Improved public trust - Enhanced job prospects - Better business opportunities - Personal fulfillment The cost of a personal brand may be substantial, but the outcomes match. [Stand out in your field](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-success/), attract more attention, build relationships, and negotiate for higher wages or better contracts. Use your personal brand to make a memorable impact and generate revenue for your business. You can outsource each phase separately, but you could pay significantly more for the same outcomes. Building a personal brand with a single team helps keep your messages cohesive, sensible, practical, and in tune with your goals. It can also help you save time and money. ### Estimating the Cost of a Personal Brand Getting an accurate cost estimate for personal branding is tricky because of the many variables. You must decide how far you can go and how long you’re willing to wait for results. Developing a tailored digital communications strategy is the first piece of the puzzle. It will help reveal the factors driving your personal brand and help experts determine the appropriate tools. Your intended ROI is also a factor in the estimate. If you only want to establish a personal brand but not manage it for long-term success, your costs will be lower, but so will your conversions. Someone who wants a heavy-hitting personal brand with a lasting impact in evolving industries should expect to pay more. Just because you have a website, social media account, and logo doesn’t mean you have a strong or impactful personal brand. **TIP**: *Think of the cost of a personal brand as a long-term investment or routine business expense.* ## The Role of a Personal Brand in Career and Business Success Personal branding is an opportunity to be recognized for your expertise, visions, ideas, perspectives, thoughts, experiences, personality, and associations. You’re also speaking to a broad and diverse audience that consumes information at a blistering pace. > ***“Deliver consistent messaging across multiple** [**relevant platforms**](https://medium.com/digital-marketing-lab/the-best-platforms-to-build-your-personal-brand-528fad2c7f15) **and be predictable without being forgettable.”*** Drive target audiences to your websites, promote virtual stores, spark conversations, and populate social media profiles to inspire meaningful visits and lingering stays. The key to a powerful personal brand is answering the burning questions being asked in your industry. This helps motivate the right people to keep coming back. It’s not about what you want to write about, discuss, or pursue. It’s about becoming an authority in the things that matter to your business. ## How Do You Know When It’s Time to Build a Personal Brand? Launching a personal brand without adequate preparation can extend your schedule and stretch your budget. That doesn’t mean you must generate a massive following or invent a revolutionary product before launching your logo. I’m referring to the candid discussions you should be having with a personal branding expert or digital communications strategist. This is the best way to determine if you’re ready. ### Signs You Need to Start Building a Personal Brand Here are some signs you’re set for personal branding: 1. You’re sincere about your goals. 2. You have a flexible timeline and budget. 3. Your target audience is interested. 4. You’ve identified the competition. 5. You understand the cost of a personal brand. Taking a leadership role in your industry is crucial when representing your brand. However, allowing the experts to take the wheel during set-up and management is also essential. Begin creating a personal brand when you’re ready and willing to [maintain the balance](https://www.entrepreneur.com/leadership/5-signs-you-need-to-start-building-your-personal-brand/296260), drive change, and serve your target audience. ## Budgeting to Build Your Personal Brand All personal brands have different needs, but a budget can help you develop the best digital communications strategy for your comfort zone. Set resources aside to pay for the following tools and services: - Brand strategy and identity development - SEO blog writing, editing, publishing, and updating - Social media management - Public relations and media outreach - Custom content creation and syndication - Podcast and video production - Strategic messaging and positioning ## Conclusion The cost of a personal brand can vary greatly depending on multiple factors, including your goals, timeline, industry, and expectations. It also changes based on the tools required to get where you want to be. Use a tailored digital communications strategy to accomplish more than a few posts on social media. Manage your reputation, inspire interactions, and drive conversions to increase profitability. This is your chance to develop a distinctive online presence and garner it for business success. Professional services let you create SEO content, push promotions, get your face in front of the right audiences, and build relationships with cohesive and consistent branding. As a competitive business owner, you can hardly put a price on that. I recommend exploring the possibilities of personal branding to determine an appropriate budget and timeline. Discuss the pros, cons, and what to expect from a reputable marketing agency. Then start building your personal brand to take advantage of current market trends and demonstrate your unique expertise. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** digital communications strategy, Personal Branding Strategist **Tags:** cost of a personal brand --- ### [What is the ROI of a Powerful Executive Brand?](https://clairebahn.com/executive-brand-roi/) **Published:** October 12, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Why is ROI important? How can executives maximize the ROI of their personal brand? Why is executive brand ROI a critical factor in corporate success?* *In this blog, we explore how building a strong executive brand can significantly impact your organization’s visibility, reputation, and profits. A well-crafted personal brand showcases an executive’s skills and experience and communicates their values and leadership style. This differentiation is essential in today’s competitive marketplace. The post breaks down key strategies, such as defining your brand strategy, cultivating an authentic online presence, and leveraging networking opportunities.* *By measuring executive brand ROI, companies can benefit from increased customer trust, better talent acquisition, and greater funding opportunities—all of which lead to higher profitability.* > ***[Executive brand ROI](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-roi/) measures and maximizes the impact of your executive brand, driving unparalleled corporate success. Get ready to learn more about how your executive personal brand can take your organization to the next level.*** A personal brand is the most powerful professional tool in the digital marketing age. As competition fiercens and attention spans shorten, professionals across backgrounds — from freelancers to C-suite employees — are beginning to see the benefits of building a solid personal brand. What do I mean by personal brand? In simple terms, it can be described as a CV, with a difference. Much like a résumé, a personal brand lists an individual’s skills, training, and experience levels. Unlike a CV, however, it also communicates identity — the values, philosophies, and ideals of an individual that differentiate them from their peers. Research has suggested that building an executive brand is as valuable to an organization as the thousands of dollars spent on marketing its products. For instance, a [study by Weber Shandwick](https://webershandwick.com/uploads/news/files/CEO_Spotlight_ExecSummary.pdf) points out that 59% of customers believe a CEO’s personal brand is crucial to deciding whether they will buy a particular product or avail of a service from an organization. This critical statistic proves beyond a doubt that a CEO’s reputation isn’t just a tool to gain followers but a leverageable corporate asset. That said, an executive brand remains a highly underrated tool. Barring a few big names from the tech world, executives struggle to make the most of how much it offers in terms of tangible returns. In this blog, I’ll attempt to break down the ROI of a powerful executive brand and describe some ways I think you, as a C-suite employee, can maximize your returns or consider using a [personal brand strategist](https://clairebahn.com/) to get started. ##### Elevate Your Executive Presence ## Command Respect & Establish Authority. Earn an ROI from Your Executive Brand. [ Book a Strategy Call Today ](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) **Table of Contents** [Investing in an Executive Brand](#_Toc149901232) [Defining the Brand Strategy](#_Toc149901233) [Building an Online Presence](#_Toc149901234) [Networking and Relationship Building for a Strong Executive Brand ROI](#_Toc149901235) [Measuring Success](#_Toc149901236) [Assessing the Executive Brand ROI](#_Toc149901237) [Calculating the Financial ROI](#_Toc149901238) [Non-Financial ROI](#_Toc149901239) [Maximizing the ROI of an Executive Brand](#_Toc149901240) [Leverage Multiple Platforms](#_Toc149901241) [Learning from Competitors/Peers](#_Toc149901242) [Focusing on Authenticity](#_Toc149901243) [Some Questions Worth Asking](#_Toc149901244) [Conclusion](#_Toc149901245) ## Investing in an Executive Brand Before discussing returns, let’s take a minute to understand the “investment” aspect of the term a little better. What exactly does an [executive have to invest for their brand](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-services/) to be considered successful? The answer, I would say, lies in two words — time and effort. Building an executive brand isn’t an overnight process. It’s one that requires immense self-reflection, consistency, and the ability to resist aimless self-promotion while offering actual value. Most CEOs, whether they’re aware of it or not, already have an executive brand. Every decision they make, initiative they put forward, or employee they hire sends a message to customers, and peers. Transforming this message into one that reflects solid returns, once again, takes time and energy. The question here is thus: What should an executive focus their time and energy on to maximize their ROI? Some areas I find especially important to consider include the following: ### Defining the Brand Strategy Once you assess where your current brand falls in the larger scheme of things, the best use of your time is figuring out how to redefine and streamline this strategy. Some questions worth asking here are: Who is the target audience of my brand? Is my goal to appeal to customers? Other entrepreneurs? Investors? Or do I want to establish thought leadership by getting book contracts and an online following? Answering these questions goes a long way in creating a brand with a solid and compelling mission statement. This, in turn, can help maximize the ROI. ### Take the First Step Towards a Powerful Personal Brand # Get the Industry Recognition, Speaking Engagements and Career Opportunities YOU Deserve. [ Book a strategy call now ](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) ### Building an Online Presence As of 2023, more than half the global population uses at least one social media platform. Building up an online presence can, therefore, be one of the most valuable uses of a CEO’s precious time. A survey by [CEO Hangout](https://ceohangout.com/personal-branding-statistics/) suggests that over two-thirds of customers are more likely to buy products from a company whose CEO is active on social media. Meanwhile, over 80% are likely to trust the organization more. Investing in an executive brand could include leveraging all that the online world has to offer — whether it’s social media, blogging, podcasting, or creating the perfect website. That said, there is a distinction to be made in what this online presence promotes. While a brand’s online identity can focus on pushing products and improving sales, a CEO’s online presence could instead focus on highlighting the values of the people who made the product and promoting the company’s vision among customers. ### Networking and Relationship Building for a Strong Executive Brand ROI An executive brand cannot — and should not — be built in a vacuum. If you’re looking to build a positive executive brand, you must consider devoting some time to networking with like-minded individuals by attending conferences, events, or seminars, for instance. This can boost your image as a thought leader and help you build long-lasting relationships with your peers. [Over 80%](https://www.apollotechnical.com/networking-statistics/) of professionals believe that consistent networking leads to career success. Consistently providing value to your professional network, collaborating with industry leaders, and establishing yourself as a person with trustworthy insights is one of the best investments that you can make to improve media visibility and credibility. ### Measuring Success Some time and effort must also be invested in measuring the current effectiveness of your brand. This could involve any of the following actions: - Setting certain KPIs to track your brand’s effectiveness. - Using tools to track your online presence and engagement levels. - Identifying strengths and weaknesses based on feedback. One of the main reasons I believe that CEOs don’t make the most of[ executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-startups/) is that they expect to see significant positive changes immediately. The truth is that these changes take time. Think of it like a retirement fund. The amount of time you invest into building a brand directly impacts your returns. To truly succeed, you need to put in the effort to learn more about your audience and understand their pain points. You need to [create content that helps](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) them solve their challenges. Think of your ROI as the eventual reward for consistency. ## Assessing the Executive Brand ROI What exactly is categorized as a “return” when it comes to an executive brand? In marketing terms, a return on investment refers to both the monetary and non-monetary benefits you get from promoting a particular product. This works similarly for an executive brand — but only on the individual level. An ROI, in this case, can impact your organization’s net profits and improve your reputation among customers, peers, and various stakeholders. ##### Elevate Your Executive Presence ## Command Respect & Establish Authority. Earn an ROI from Your Executive Brand. [ Book a Strategy Call Today ](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) ### Calculating the Financial ROI When an executive brand effectively communicates its vision consistently and through the right channels, it can immediately impact an organization’s bottom line. This return is generally seen when tracking the following metrics. #### Increased Business Leads Traditionally, business leads were generated through paid advertisements and various marketing tactics — such as cold calling or emails. However, a solid executive brand is one of the most effective and affordable ways to generate new leads. [Weber Shandwick’s research](https://webershandwick.com/uploads/news/files/CEO_Spotlight_ExecSummary.pdf) noted that 83% of executives surveyed said a strong brand helped them get more media attention. These eyeballs, in turn, lead to increased brand awareness, a more positive reputation, and returns in the form of profits. #### A Growing Audience The improved credibility and trust that comes with a solid executive brand also help an executive’s target audience grow. Furthermore, it can influence opinion among this audience, as it highlights your vision for the company. This can help you strike more deals, find new niches, and significantly add to the company’s profits. A point to note here is that as a CEO, you don’t necessarily have to be an expert on every topic under the sun. Instead, consistently relaying relevant information and crafting engaging content is enough to grab the attention of peers and industry leaders with a strong [executive brand ROI.](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-success/) #### More Funding and Investment Opportunities It’s known that funders research a CEO thoroughly before putting their money on the line — whether it’s looking up LinkedIn profiles or analyzing press interviews. Startup entrepreneurs who invest in building a strong executive brand are more likely to be visible in this research, making this point one of the most crucial financial returns. In fact, I would go as far as saying that an executive brand is almost as crucial as overall sales in attracting investors. Nearly [90% of executives](https://webershandwick.com/uploads/news/files/CEO_Spotlight_ExecSummary.pdf) surveyed agree with me. ### Non-Financial ROI That said, the ROI of an executive brand isn’t just associated with immediate financial benefits. While making money is, of course, an essential reason for going through the whole process, an executive brand can offer so much more. When assessing your returns, don’t forget to take into account the following: #### Attracting Top Talent An executive brand has an impact on the inner workings of an organization, too. A visible and respected CEO makes the company a more attractive place to work, thus improving talent and company culture. As many as [77% of all executives](https://webershandwick.com/uploads/news/files/CEO_Spotlight_ExecSummary.pdf) say building a positive image has helped them attract employees. Furthermore, a [study by the Society of Human Resource Management](https://www.shrm.org/hr-today/trends-and-forecasting/research-and-surveys/Documents/2022%20Workplace%20Learning%20and%20Development%20Trends%20Report.pdf) says companies with strong employers are three times more likely to retain high-value employees. #### Increased Personal Reputation A strong [executive brand ROI](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) can also reflect your rising status — taking you from successful entrepreneur to visionary, mentor, and thought leader. This recognition, in turn, results in more visibility and opens up more opportunities for you to share your insights with your peers. These new opportunities could reflect in you being invited to more speaking engagements — from events to workshops to industry-specific podcasts. ### Take the First Step Towards a Powerful Personal Brand # Get the Industry Recognition, Speaking Engagements and Career Opportunities YOU Deserve. [ Book a strategy call now ](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) #### Significant Impact on Career Moves While I’ve mentioned some returns an executive brand can have for the company in general, I cannot stress how much it benefits the individual, too. Executives who are seen as more credible are more likely to get job offers from new companies, as well as the upper hand on the negotiating table. Don’t just take it from me — according to a survey by [ExecuNet](https://www.execunet.com/), 94% of executives believe personal branding is important for furthering their careers. Many hire [personal brand strategists](https://clairebahn.com/) to get the ball rolling. At the end of the day, either of these points, whether they result in immediate financial benefits or not, are good metrics to judge the effectiveness of an executive brand. ## Maximizing the ROI of an Executive Brand Now that we’ve individually identified both the investment and return aspects of an executive brand let’s shift our attention to how to maximize its ROI. One thing that should be clear by this point is that, as an executive, you are as much of an asset to the organization as the product or service you offer. As a result, as you would with any other marketing strategy, you must measure and reassess your executive brand until you have achieved your goals. Instead of worrying about how long it will take to see results, focus on maximizing your ROI by building your authority and sharing useful content among your target audience. This will help build more trust and improve the opportunities that come your way. Here are some tried and tested methods to help you along this journey. ### Leverage Multiple Platforms I briefly mentioned the benefits of building an online platform when promoting your brand. This is one of the most effective ways to boost the ROI of an executive brand, as well. The more you stick to one platform, the bigger the audience you’re missing out on influencing. ### Learning from Competitors/Peers If you notice that the brand you’ve spent months trying to promote isn’t offering many returns, it’s time to go back to the drawing board. Analyze what your competitors are doing better than you, and reach out to peers whose opinions you respect and value. Often, the solution is obvious but just requires some outside perspective. ### Focusing on Authenticity Sincerity is an often undervalued trait — especially among C-suite employees who are only too eager to boast about their achievements. But if there’s anything that audiences and shareholders value above all else, it’s authenticity and transparency. If you’re struggling to see significant returns on your ROI, maybe it’s time to consider a change intact and present yourself differently. ### Some Questions Worth Asking At the end of the day, I’d advise you to ask yourself some of these crucial questions: - Are you getting in front of your audience and building their loyalty? - Are you getting in front of the journalists who can tell your story? - Are you getting on the right podcasts and speaking engagements? - Are you controlling the narrative, or is someone else doing it to you? - Are you getting industry recognition, or is someone else overshadowing you? The answers will reveal a lot more about your current strategy and whether you’re making the most of your executive brand. ## Conclusion The role of an executive as a marketing tool cannot be underestimated. But, at the same time, a great deal of work needs to be done to get it right. Not only must an executive brand appeal to a diverse audience through a number of formats, but it should also do so while establishing authority, appealing to funders and stakeholders, and being authentic and honest. However, [executive brand ROI](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) of a positive brand is too good to resist — more talented employees, better respect and visibility for your organization, and a growing audience of customers are just some of the benefits you can expect to see. All it takes is a little time and effort. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** CEO Branding, Executive Branding, Personal Brand Strategist **Tags:** executive brand ROI --- ### [The Top 10 Tips for Successful Executive Branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-2/) **Published:** June 23, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Executive branding strategists can develop a multifaceted campaign to increase brand awareness and authority. These 10 tips help streamline and strengthen those campaigns through intuitive marketing. Which essential elements is your personal brand missing? Find out now.* [Executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/work-promotion/) exists because companies have discovered that people no longer trust nameless, faceless corporations. They are also aware of the clever sales tactics businesses place on them. Traditional marketing relevance is declining and will probably continue to do so for the foreseeable future. Companies have also found that celebrity endorsements aren’t as effective as they once were. Consumers generally prefer having celebrities as part of the management team instead. The reason is that people understand how the game works. They see celebrities leverage “know, like, and trust” factors to promote companies they know little about. Modern consumers see right through it. Most people want to deal with an individual, and that individual’s reputation impacts the company. Known as the halo effect, this marketing tactic helps maintain transparency and generates an undercurrent of industry authority. > ***“Through executive branding, many businesses leverage a more meaningful “know, like, trust” factor. They’re no longer dependent on meaningless celebrity endorsements.”*** Executive branding requires a refined approach and diligent market research. This article will explore the pros and cons and discuss the 10 crucial elements of practical [personal branding for executives](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/#:~:text=Executive%20branding%20involves%20developing%20a,owner's%20image%20and%20online%20presence.). Learn how to make the most of your investment here. **Table of Contents** [What Is Executive Branding?](#_Toc106997959) [The Pros and Cons of Executive Branding](#_Toc106997960) [PROS](#_Toc106997961) [CONS](#_Toc106997962) [The Top 10 Executive Branding Tips](#_Toc106997963) [\#1. Do Your Homework](#_Toc106997964) [\#2. Create Excellent Content](#_Toc106997965) [\#3. Never Neglect SEO](#_Toc106997966) [\#4. Use Varied Platforms](#_Toc106997967) [\#5. Research Keywords](#_Toc106997968) [\#6. Launch a Podcast](#_Toc106997969) [\#7. Remember the Aesthetics](#_Toc106997970) [\#8. Remain Consistent](#_Toc106997971) [\#9. Run Some Tests](#_Toc106997972) [\#10. Implement New Data](#_Toc106997973) [How to Use Executive Branding to Your Benefit](#_Toc106997974) [Conclusion](#_Toc106997975) ## What Is Executive Branding? The executive branding definition is simple. It involves developing an impactful [personal brand for successful CEOs](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding/) and established business owners. The goal is to put executives at the forefront of their industries. Reputation management firms can help capture the attention of target audiences through various methods, metrics, and marketing tactics. Branded CEOs separate themselves from the pack while still associating with their industry. They can leverage more revenue under the owner’s image and with a robust online presence. However, budding brands must manage public perception with white gloves. Despite [Google’s evolving standards](https://support.google.com/business/answer/7213077?hl=en), executive branding experts can ensure compliance among various platforms. ## The Pros and Cons of Executive Branding Executive branding comes with several pros and cons. For example, say you’re developing personal [brands for a few of your top executives](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-services/). Multidimensional personal branding is likely safer and more effective than creating a singular brand for the company. Additionally, many people fear investing time and money into branding businesses only to have the CEO join another corporation. Change is inevitable, but developing prominent personal brands has less impact when that individual departs. Unfortunately, that’s not the only drawback. Executive branding efforts should be a metric-driven, audience-targeted approach. They should also engage the target across every possible channel and platform. On the contrary, you don’t have to produce content for every social media outlet. Your audience and the connected demographics will likely congregate in a few discernable spots. That’s an obvious pro. Here are some more: ### PROS - Decreased marketing costs - Increased ROAS - Evergreen content - Rich content library - Robust connection to target audiences - Boosted industry authority > ***“Executive branding helps align the target audience with your message.”*** Meanwhile, most consumers deem personal brands “authoritative” instead of “corporate” or “logo-inspired.” Consistently produce relevant content across multiple platforms to stay on the market’s mind and [demonstrate your uniqueness.](https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2020/04/08/12-ways-to-define-your-unique-personal-brand/) **TIP**: *People tend to bond more quickly when seeing and hearing an individual. Don’t neglect YouTube and podcasting.* ### CONS - Overbearing individual personalities - Potential for leaving with an established brand - Adverse impact from individual actions - Google compliance concerns Work diligently to [create a personal brand for an executive](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/), and they could take their reputation elsewhere. In some cases, an unpredictable move can negatively affect the company’s integrity. An individual’s unfavorable feedback could also reflect poorly on the corporation. Most of these potential downfalls are avoidable. Careful monitoring of executive branding efforts can help. Ensure the content and individual are closely related to the corporation, products, or services. Then, contractually bind those individuals from leaving or becoming an asset to competitors. **DID YOU KNOW**: *Hiring a reputation management firm can prevent many executive branding pitfalls and contractual conflicts.* ## The Top 10 Executive Branding Tips Every brand has at least two audiences. Whether they like it or not, those dueling audiences can disagree about many things. Google and your target audience may fight about what’s relevant, popular, or appropriate. You must pay close attention to your published content or fall through the search engine cracks. Executive branding involves meeting or exceeding the ever-changing Google standards. Compliance helps [index your executive](https://www.semrush.com/blog/google-index/) on the most essential search engines. Then people will find you, your business, and your products through keywords instead of only your name. > ***“Any personal branding efforts without consideration for the sheer power of Google are misguided.”*** We’ve seen how there is a back-channel communication between Google and all of the social media platforms. It is such that an individual’s social reach to a target audience can drastically increase with accurate Google indexing. Meanwhile, executing branding is the fastest way to get an individual indexed. Create a personal website with consistent branding, and don’t forget these ten tips: ### \#1. Do Your Homework Market research is essential when working on an executive branding strategy. It helps individuals determine where their competitors are succeeding and failing. [Personal branding strategists](http://clairebahn.com) use it to differentiate between similar concepts. Adequate research can uncover the competition’s secret hiding places for robust target audiences and other resources. **TIP**: *Find out which attention-getting tactics your competitors use on different audiences.* ### \#2. Create Excellent Content Consumers want to see proof of your expertise and evidence of your claims. They expect you to flood various channels with relevant content surrounding your niche. The better your content, the more people will follow you on multiple media. Create valuable content tailored to each track, differentiating the size, language, and images for each one. **TIP**: *Follow successful brands in your industry on social media for inspiration on high-traffic posts.* ### \#3. Never Neglect SEO Executive branding requires excellent search engine optimization (SEO). Your website and social media profiles should be easy to find for those interested in your goods and services. Neglect the SEO and fall to the furthest pages of Google. Or include well-researched and [SEO’d content](https://yoast.com/ultimate-guide-content-seo/#:~:text=your%20content%20is!-,What%20is%20content%20SEO%3F,of%20content%20on%20your%20website.) on your channels to become a frequently sought-out industry authority. **TIP**: *Stay updated on the latest search engine optimization best practices for a higher ranking.* ### \#4. Use Varied Platforms Make videos for YouTube, TikTok, Vimeo, and other streaming platforms, then use SEO to get them accurately indexed on Google. Create a versatile library because those clips could be handy for your personal brand. Many videos become the inspiration for discussion among target audiences. They can also inspire articles and podcasts or serve as soundbites across social media. **TIP**: *Customize the video style to fit the platform and encourage interaction with your brand.* ### \#5. Research Keywords Keywords play a significant role in executive branding because they aid SEO. The keywords and phrases surrounding your personal brand are worth mentioning often. Do deep research to determine which ones your most influential competitors use. Then produce better content on it than they have. Also, find out how those keywords rank on Google and which target audience engages most. **TIP**: *Keep a list of the most relevant keywords in your industry and track their search frequency.* ### \#6. Launch a Podcast Give your personal brand and associates a place to express thoughts, ideas, and news. Podcasts are the rising star of the marketing world. Take advantage of guesting and hosting to quickly achieve your executive branding goals and generate a loyal following. Then use [PR best practices](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/402683) to pitch various executives on your podcasts when target audiences are most likely to listen. **TIP**: Use SEO keywords on podcast labels and episode descriptions to increase your organic traffic. ### \#7. Remember the Aesthetics Don’t ignore the impact of your brand’s appearance, especially compared to competitors. The look and feel of your social media posts, content, bios, and profiles can affect your target audience’s opinion. Executive branding follows the three primary variables of social media platform algorithms: - Uniformity - Frequency - Quality Neglect the aesthetics of your personal brand, and the algorithm will respond. Manage all three criteria to rank high on search engines and earn more followers across multiple platforms. **TIP**: *Track your engagements to mitigate the positive and negative impact on various audiences.* ### \#8. Remain Consistent > ***“Engaged audiences want to experience the consistency of excellent executive branding strategies.”*** Aesthetics are essential, but so are predictability and transparency. Your target audience is more likely to interact with consistently produced high-quality content. Develop a uniform look to provide an aesthetically pleasing personal brand that inspires long-term engagements. **TIP**: *Choose specific colors, shapes, and imagery to stand out and become a branded icon.* ### \#9. Run Some Tests Test your executive branding tactics to determine the results of various campaigns. It can help boost your impact on target audiences across multiple platforms. Run variations regularly to determine which post types are most effective and which are duds. Also, track how different aesthetics and branded imagery generate audience engagement to refine your approach. **TIP**: *Use comprehensive data analytics to uncover patterns in consumer behavior.* ### \#10. Implement New Data Executive branding is an evolving process requiring systematic [data collection and analysis](https://www.businessinsider.in/enterprise/news/five-ways-big-data-analytics-can-boost-revenues/articleshow/91954212.cms). The metrics can help marketing teams develop more impactful campaigns. Meanwhile, social media managers can use the data to understand target-audience preferences. Implement your findings through upgraded approaches and more inclusive branding. **TIP**: *Prepare to integrate analytical outcomes for maximum brand exposure regularly.* Do plenty of research and use the tools in your toolbox to [elevate your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-building/). Become an executive authority with adequate content placement and impeccable timing. Strive for consistency and uniformity across different platforms for more impactful exposure. Then work with an executive branding specialist to manage the finer details. ## How to Use Executive Branding to Your Benefit You can benefit from [personal branding for CEOs](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/). However, executive branding experts are not miracle workers. Their hands are tied without your involvement and dedication to serving the target audience. Many personal brands begin with an unknown entity but end as authorities in their industries. The approach is usually the deciding factor. Brand yourself as a successful executive in your industry with these seven bonus tips: 1. **Share Your Stuff** – There’s nothing wrong with a little shameless self-promotion when you produce excellent content. 2. **Be Innovative** – Don’t be afraid to paint outside the lines for more exposure to your target audience. 3. **Stay Flexible** – Changing industry standards, trends, and online compliance regulations requires adaptability. 4. **Track Your Competitors** – Don’t hyperfocus on your brand and ignore the competition, or you could fall behind. 5. **Remain Fresh** – Give your target audience something interesting to discuss or purchase through groundbreaking content. 6. **Listen to the Data** – Let your metrics speak for themselves, then follow the data to your most impactful arena. 7. **Hire a Reputation Management Team** – Have PR professionals handle the nitty-gritty of your personal brand. Executive branding strategists help you develop a multifaceted plan to suit your goals. Their efforts can increase brand awareness, establish industry authority, and generate a loyal following. Use these tips to streamline and strengthen your marketing campaigns across several platforms, including social media. **DID YOU KNOW**: *Each social media platform has* [*different rules*](https://buffer.com/library/social-media-rules-etiquette/) *on the content you can post.* ## Conclusion Which essential elements is your personal brand missing? These 10 executive branding tips should shine some light on them. Get indexed on Google and other search engines for maximum exposure. Then manage public perception with intuitive marketing and effective cross-promoting. Executive branding plays a critical role in how successful your business can be. Consumers no longer respond positively to traditional tactics. Use a reputation management team to develop more impactful strategies, boost revenues, and generate a loyal following. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding **Tags:** executive branding, personal branding strategy --- ### [How To Use Social Media To Boost Your Career](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/) **Published:** June 24, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Social media… oh boy. It’s a lot to tackle all at once. If you’re looking for ways to utilize your presence on social media to boost your career, you’ve come to the right place. As a personal branding strategist, social media is a huge part of what I teach my clients. These platforms give you the opportunity to take center stage in a huge arena. In just the U.S.[, 72% of people use social media on a daily basis.](https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/fact-sheet/social-media/) That’s about 250 million people who use social media daily in *just* the U.S. (assuming my math is correct). Utilizing social media is like being offered the chance to host your very own TED Talk— for *free*. Where else are you going to be given the opportunity to **reach that many people?** Obviously, not everyone is going to come to your TED Talk, let alone *buy* tickets. Why would they, if they don’t know who you are? This is why you need to **leverage your personal brand.** It all reverts back to that like, know, and trust mantra that I’ve been drilling into you [since day one.](https://clairebahn.com/building-a-personal-brand/) The only way people will come to ***know*** you is if you are posting consistently on social media. The only way people will begin to ***like*** you is if you’re willing to be vulnerable and share your experiences as an industry expert. Once people like you, you’ll have earned your audiences’ ***trust*** enough so that they’ll be willing to buy or promote anything you endorse. That type of loyal community is *exactly* what you can use to boost your career. And it all starts with being active on social media. But where do you even start? And how does your personal brand tie into it all? Don’t worry, I’m about to explain *everything.* ###### **RELATED:** [**What Is Social Media Branding?**](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) ## **9. Know Your Story** Your personal brand is simply your story. Before you even begin posting on social media with the mindset of establishing your personal brand, you have to recognize what that *is* exactly. There’s a great book by Donald Miller called *[Building a StoryBrand: Clarify Your Message So Customers Will Listen.](https://buildingastorybrand.com/)* In it, he talks about getting your story straight before you can effectively market yourself and your business. Without taking a good hard look at who you are, what you represent, and *why* you do what you do, it’s going to be hard to convince complete strangers on social media to trust you. So here are a few things to think about in regards to your story. You want to know the ins and outs of your main character— that’s you. Ask yourself why you’re doing what you do. Then, move on to the plot of your story. What was the inciting incident? Did you get fired from your job? Did you just drop everything and decide to go after your dreams? From there, write down the scenes that your ideal client will resonate with. Know which dramatic sequences will entice people to listen. Your personal [brand is simply you telling and retelling the main](https://clairebahn.com/branding-strategy-for-thought-leaders/) plot points of your story. You just need to do so in a way that speaks to your ideal client *and* provides value. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBUKI5XJ8mf/ ## **8. Have a Killer Bio** Once you’ve crafted your origin story, you’re ready to sign up on social media. Pick your poison— there’s plenty to choose from: Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Tik Tok, YouTube. As always, I suggest mapping out your[ social media marketing strategy](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) before diving headfirst into the waters. You can start by curating a killer bio. Your social media bio should answer the who, what, why, and sometimes the where of your business. A simple solution to hit all of those key points is to put in your [personal branding statement](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) in your bio. A killer bio will also end with a call-to-action. Every social media platform allows you a space to include links to your outside domains. On Instagram, for example, you can input a link to your website. I recommend utilizing a landing page for this (you can [check out mine](https://www.instagram.com/clairebahnbranding/) to see an example). That way, people will have a starting point to refer to and you won’t have to keep changing out your link. However, you should be switching up your bio’s call-to-action from time to time. If you’re launching a new product, service, or freebie, make sure to point it out in your bio! ## **7. Post Consistently** The number one issue my clients have when it comes to their social media is consistency. ***I get it. It can be so. time. consuming.*** The best way I can advise you to relieve some of the stress of posting consistently is to have a schedule with “themed” days. If you’re posting 5 days a week, know *exactly* what you want to post on those days. Maybe Monday is your day to spread motivation, Thursday you’ll throw it back with a personal anecdote,. Maybe Fridays are your “Industry Tip of the Week” day. I promise you that having a simple themed lineup for each day that you post is going to make writing captions and scheduling content *immensely* easier. Consistency on social media might not seem like a big deal to you, but imagine if you only showed up for work at your brick and mortar *sometimes?* Or simply whenever you felt like you had something to say to your customers. You would *never* do that, right? If you did, people wouldn’t come in because they couldn’t rely on you because you don’t have regular hours. So be reliable. Be consistent by setting your operating hours (i.e. your posting schedule). If you’re looking to use social media to boost your career, the importance of consistency cannot be understated. ## **6. Post With Purpose** Remember when I said your personal brand is all about sharing your story? Your story highlights your **purpose.** And that should shine through in *all* of your social media posts. You don’t have to end each post with a call to action like, “Buy my thing! Read my blog! Do something for me!” Believe it or not, you can just write a caption about the crazy thing that happened at the grocery store the other day. Or you can write a single sentence talking about your frustrations and asking your audience if they feel the same. However, each of those posts still needs to have an underlying purpose. Is the goal to evoke empathy? Do you want your audience to relate to you or learn from your mistakes? Use your anecdotes to teach a lesson or use them as a way to let your audience see the real you. Because the real you is who they’re going to buy and learn from. ###### **RELATED:** [**Top 5 Benefits of Outsourcing For Your Business**](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-outsourcing/) ![How To Use Social Media To Boost Your Career](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/9-Ways-to-Use-Social-Media-to-Boost-Your-Career-683x1024.jpg "9 Ways to Use Social Media to Boost Your Career - Claire Bahn") ## **5. Use Social Media to Boost Your Career and Expertise** I’m not going to lie— finding the happy medium of sharing your personal life and your entrepreneurial ambitions is going to take some time. You’ll need to understand the fine line between being relatable and sharing too much (which can sometimes destroy your brand). But when you do it right, you can leverage your social media to boost your expertise and, eventually, your career. For example, when you look at personal branding expert hashtags on Instagram or you Google search ‘personal branding strategist,’ there are only a handful of ***actual people*** to choose from. Ironically, these keywords bring up a lot of *companies* instead of a personal brand that you can trust. I’ve been branding myself as a personal branding strategist for under a year, and I already show up on as one of the first personal branding strategists on Google and Instagram. I’ve already been featured in high-authority publications like *Forbes* and [*Entrepreneur* ](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/306552)because I have been actively positioning myself on social media as an expert. These features happened because I have cultivated a social media presence and because I’ve positioned myself as an expert in my field. I’ve been able to use these highlights to cast myself as an expert in order to land speaking gigs like I did this year as a [speaker at the Alt Summit.](https://clairebahn.com/is-the-alt-summit-worth-it/) My ultimate career goal is to get more paid speaking gigs, and based off of the groundwork I’ve already laid out, I can guarantee this will be a possibility for me (once the pandemic gets under control). How do I know? Because my personal brand speaks for itself. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBUSs0Pjo1M/ ## **4. Cultivate A Community** Let’s talk about **vanity metrics** on social media. Followers, likes, and even impressions on your posts— these are vanity metrics. Which ultimately means that *they don’t mean a damn thing/anything.* It sounds unreasonable because companies and brands would have us believe that these numbers are the reason they choose to work with certain experts or influencers. However, that’s simply not the case— at least not anymore. It’s true that at one point you could use the size of your audience on social media to boost your career. But nowadays, these platforms have become so congested that people are willing to buy to get ahead. Thankfully, companies are seeing right through those fake numbers. Now the prerequisite to land speaking gigs, brand deals, or investors isn’t your online clout—but rather your brand’s professionalism, online *work,* and the response (aka engagement) from your audience. A loyal fan base of 2,000 people ***speaks volumes*** over an influencer account with 100K followers that can’t make a single sale. This is why telling your story has such a large impact on your career. Sharing your truths and your hardships is how you make friends in real life, but it’s also how you cultivate a loyal audience online. Actually scratch that. You’re not cultivating *just* an audience. You’re creating a *community.* ###### **RELATED: [SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY TO IMPROVE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/ "Social Media Marketing Strategy to Improve Your Personal Brand")** ## **3. Bring Your Audience to Your Own Platform** Social media is great for exposure and opportunity. But it should never be your end-all, be-all. Social media is someone *else’s* sandbox. You can play in it, but you’ll never *own* it. It will never be just *your* playground. **And you can be kicked out, ignored, or forgotten at any time.** That’s why you need to bring your social media audience to your own platforms. Ideally, you’re own .com. Yes, there are plenty of influencers who have made a name for themselves off the back of social media platforms, but those opportunities are rare and they leave little to be desired anyway. Your website gives you the opportunity to speak directly to your community without fighting your competition for attention. Your loyal audience will tune into your weekly blog or email newsletter because they’re *excited* to see what you have to say this week. Even if there are a few who sign up for your blog or newsletter and forget about it, you can send them reminders *directly to their inbox–* officially cutting out the middle man that is social media. This, ultimately, leads to a more engaged community, higher sales, and more career opportunities. ## **2. Build Your Brand** One such opportunity that your social media community can help bring to life is selling your own products or services. If you’ve established your story—*your brand*— to an extent that a small community like, knows, and trusts you, you’re ready for this step. Of course, you can be selling products or services *before* you’ve crafted that group of loyal followers. Honestly, that’s probably what led you to take your personal brand more seriously in the first place. The *result* of a branded, consistent, curated social media presence is higher sales from that dedicated audience. Once you have the numbers to back up the fact that your brand can *sell,* you’ll realize the full extent of this thing you’ve built. This is when you can really use your social media to boost your career. Use it to show brands or investors how hard you work to make those sales. Show them how *engaged* your community is to get that book deal. *Prove* that your social media presence is more than just a number— it’s a community of real people who are willing to buy from a brand that they know they can trust. ## **1. Collaborate with Others in Your Industry** ***Say this with me: Community over Competition.*** Listen, I get it. I’ve scrolled through my competition to see what they’re doing. I’ve stressed over the fact that others are (seemingly) doing it ***better than me***. I’ve been burned in the past by people who have used my shared enthusiasm as a tool to pry into the inner workings of my business— just so that they can take my ideas and run with them as their own. It can be hard to trust others in your industry when stuff like this happens to you. But one thing that has made all of this entrepreneurial stuff *so much easier* is letting go of the things I can’t control. And you know…. using my better judgment. When you stop treating others in your industry as ***competition*** and start seeing them as a part of you***r community***, you open up so many doors. Collaborating with others in your industry exposes you to new audiences and should be used as a way to build your brand. Sit down at the table with those who already have a loyal fanbase. If *they* see your potential and they praise you for it, their endorsement can go a long way in the eyes of your future audience, sponsors, and anyone else looking for a voice to speak to your industry. **RELATED:** [**SEO on Social Media – Claire Bahn Explains Social Media Marketing**](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/) ## **Conclusion: How to use social media to boost your career** There’s too much going on on social media to do anything other than *simply be yourself.* You are your personal brand. The only real difference is deciding which stories you choose to share with your community. But if you’re willing to showcase that level of vulnerability (those relatable setbacks, those triumphs of finally making your business) *that’s* when your social media will gain traction and *that’s* when you can use social media to boost your career. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** benefits of using social media to promote your career, how to use social media for business, how wisely using social media can boost your career, social media and your career, social media influencer --- ### [How To Be More Confident on Video](https://clairebahn.com/video-confidence/) **Published:** December 16, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** I’ve had video confidence since I was a teenager. Back in the day, when my family first bought a video camera (you know, those VHS Panasonic handheld ones), I instantly put myself in front of the lens. Naturally, this love of being on camera pulled me into the wondrous world of acting, where I spent a good portion of my early 20s trying to “make it big” in Hollywood (where I currently reside). And let me tell you— all those years of classes and acting gigs have paid off as an entrepreneur. Ten years ago, when I built my first business and started my blog (the one you’re reading now), I *knew* that video would become unavoidable someday. This was back in 2010 when Facebook had just branched out, Instagram didn’t exist, and YouTube was in its infancy. Do you remember the first time you thought, *“It’s so strange seeing people type out their every thought on these Facebook posts?”* I do. I remember thinking that nothing seemed private anymore and that, eventually, we’d be seeing the inside of people’s everyday lives. Not just through Facebook post rants, but with video. The writing was on the walls, and as I’m sure you know by now, video is a staple in marketing your personal brand. If your company depends on one-on-one interactions with you (the business owner) then video content will be **your ultimate selling point.** It’s going to help you intrigue investors, clients, or customers who want to know who *you* are and what it will be like working with you. **RELATED:** [**PERSONAL BRAND STATEMENT EXAMPLES & TIPS TO CREATE YOUR OWN**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) ## **How To Increase Video Confidence in 5 Steps** Your time to create video content is coming, and the fear of putting yourself on camera will have to be something you overcome. **Remember, as an entrepreneur, it is our job to step outside our comfort zones.** If you’ve been feeling a bit *too* comfortable in your business endeavors lately, then you’re in the right place. By the end of this blog, you’re going to make the ***uncomfortable*** decision to finally start working on your personal brand videos. Most people do not have the innate ability to be confident on camera. Especially if you’re an older millennial or a Gen Xer— we didn’t grow up with a camera attached to our hip. Reality TV meant watching an episode of *Survivor*. Whereas now, any video on YouTube, Tik Tok, or even Instagram Stories are essentially bite-sized reality shows. Today, **there are few excuses you can use to explain why you’re not creating videos for your personal brand**. Our video recorders fit into our pockets, there are tutorials *galore* on how to do simple editing, and you can film something as short as 60 seconds for a Tik Tok up to a 30-minute YouTube video. So *why* aren’t you creating videos, again? Oh, that’s right: **because being in front of the camera is intimidating as hell.** Don’t worry— your video confidence will go through the roof once you follow my five steps. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO BUILD A REPUTATION WITH YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE**](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/) ## **Step 1. Understand Your Equipment** If you want to know how to be confident on camera, you should know that it all starts with your main piece of equipment: your camera. Whether you’re using your iPhone or a DSLR, knowing your video device is going to cut your film time in half. Plus, it’ll give you the courage to **stop procrastinating and step in front of the lens.** The first time you set up your camera to record, you’re going to feel lost. You’ll be asking yourself, *“Does this background look professional?; Is this lighting going to work?; What am I going to say?”* Here’s the thing: you should have the answer to *all of that* before you film a single video. So step one for video confidence is deciding on your equipment. Let’s assume you’re just using your phone for now. The settings here are pretty straight forward: start record, stop record. ***BONUS TIP:*** Figure out how you’re going to send your videos to your computer for editing. Airdrop is the easiest if you have all Apple products, but you can also use a USB (so make sure you have one!). And remember that audio is vital to how well your video performs. I recommend a lapel mic (or something a *little less* conspicuous than AirPods) to ensure people can hear what you’re saying. ### **Lights, Camera, Action** Next, you need to decide where you’re going to film *all* of your videos. Have a clean, dedicated space that you can call your own. And have some fun with it! I set up my filming area with cute shelves, a desk, and some eye-catching objects. You also need to figure out your lighting situation. Natural lighting is the best (free) option, but nowadays, [these ring lights are pretty much a staple in everyone’s home.](https://amzn.to/3oyQrYp) Now for the hard part: editing software. iMovie is free on MacBooks, but programs like Final Cut are where the magic happens. Final Cut doesn’t have as steep a learning curve as programs like Adobe Premiere Pro. Any of these three will work for your first batch of videos. If you’re creating shorter form content like Instagram Reels, you can even use [apps like Inshot to clip everything together in minutes.](https://www.elegantthemes.com/blog/design/inshot-mobile-video-editing-app-an-overview-and-review#:~:text=Overall%2C%20InShot%20is%20a%20powerful,and%20it%20has%20its%20drawbacks.) **RELATED:** [**10 YOUTUBE TIPS FOR PERSONAL BRANDS**](https://clairebahn.com/youtube-tips/) ## **Step 2. Know Your Strengths** When I told one of my first clients that they needed to have video content, they wanted to know how to look natural on camera. I was honestly ***shocked*** that they asked me. This was a CEO of a major company; surely he had been on camera before? Come to find out; they had never to be in front of a camera for their company. They relied on the [company brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) and their customers to get the word out about their services, which meant his personal brand was on the backburner. Like most of my clients now, they came to me because they wanted to leverage their expertise for more opportunities. So I asked them a simple question: “What did ***you*** **bring to the table** for your company?” They instantly named three things they handled in their company or had received praise for from former colleagues. **Those topics became the focus of their video content.** Video confidence doesn’t have anything to do with being an introvert or an extrovert; it’s all about having confidence in yourself and the knowledge you have to give to people. If you genuinely know your stuff, all you have to do is turn on your camera and record a video explaining what you know. Do it the same way you would to explain to a potential client or customer. So, pick a few topics you can speak on easily. Then, break those down into smaller categories with things you talk about regularly. Not only will this make you appear more confident in your videos, but it will ensure you never run out of educational content to present to your target audience. **RELATED:** [**10 THINGS YOU NEED ON YOUR PERSONAL BRAND WEBSITE**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/) ## ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/How-To-Increase-Your-Confidence-On-Video-683x1024.jpg "How To Increase Your Confidence On Video - Claire Bahn") ## **Step 3. Write a Script** I don’t know if [you can tell from my YouTube video](https://www.youtube.com/c/clairebahn/)s, but I read from a script. Believe it or not, this comes more naturally to me than if I were to read from an outline on my video topic. However, not everyone is a trained actress that can remember their script well enough to repeat it verbatim. Because if you’re reading a script word for word, people will *probably* notice— especially if it’s your first time. Instead, I recommend writing down your video title and a few bullet points that will guide you through your video. **Think of them as talking points you would use if you were to give a presentation.** You can also choose to write down the entire script so that you have an idea of what to say. If you maintain a blog, then most of the work is already done for you because you can repurpose those into short video scripts! If you think you’re better off reading from a script, I recommend getting a DSLR and a teleprompter to read the words from (you can find a list of my video equipment down at the bottom). ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/VIDEO-CONFIDENCE.png "VIDEO CONFIDENCE - Claire Bahn") ## **Step 4. Video Confidence Requires Practice** If you want to know **how to get comfortable recording yourself**, I’m going to reiterate what you already know: It takes practice. I *will* say that recording long-form video content such as IGTVs or YouTube videos requires a lot more video confidence than tapping on Instagram Stories. For my clients who are video shy, I always recommend that they practice showing up on short-form video content *first*. Instagram Stories is an excellent option because if you don’t like it, it will disappear in 24 hours! Reels and Tik Toks only need to be 15-60 seconds long. This makes it easy for you to practice **being on video daily**, and it helps you with your editing skills. Keep in mind that these are likely to garner more views and followers because this is a new form of video content that both social media platforms are heavily prioritizing. If you want to get comfortable recording yourself, my suggestion is to start posting daily on Stories, move onto creating daily Reels, and then sit down to record long-form content. YouTube videos and IGTVs are going to serve as the [**main adversaries for your personal brand**](https://clairebahn.com/branding-strategy-for-thought-leaders/) because they show people the real you. And if the real you is still a mess in front of the camera, practice getting comfortable making shorter videos first. > “Like most of my clients , they came to me because they wanted to leverage their expertise for more opportunities.” ## **Step 5. Get Used To Negative Feedback** 1-star Google reviews, bad press, and mean comments— these are inevitable if you’re putting yourself on social media. Considering the whole *point* of your personal brand is to put yourself out there to establish yourself as a leading authority, you should know now that— at some point— someone is going to leave an *infuriating* comment about you. We all get it, and honestly, there’s nothing I can say to make you feel better about it. Suppose you’re not ready to take in that negative feedback and channel it into constructive content. In that case, your video confidence won’t grow, and you’ll never post consistently enough for your videos to make an impact on your brand or your[ career opportunities](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important/). I’ve already written an entire blog on how to take[ constructive feedback](https://clairebahn.com/constructive-feedback/), but here’s the main takeaway: **you have** ***more*** **confidence than the people leaving negative reviews** because *you’re* the one putting yourself out there and making things happen for your career. And they aren’t. **RELATED:** [**4 REASONS YOU NEED VIDEO CONTENT MARKETING FOR YOUR PERSONAL BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) ## **Extra Tips for Video Confidence** Another trick to feeling more confident on video is to make sure your personal brand is *fully* present: from the start of filming to uploading the final product on social media. While video confidence is something that comes with daily practice, but being proud of the content you’ve created *encourages* you to do it more often. So, make sure you create a YouTube thumbnail template ([I use Canva for this](https://www.canva.com/)), pick out your colors and fonts, and maybe even choose a few staple outfits that make you feel like the best version of yourself. **Another quick hack:** Say the same opening and closing lines in *all of your video*s. This saves you time trying to figure out how to start *and* establishes a sense of familiarity for your returning viewers (and new audiences who start to binge-watch your videos). Ultimately, knowing how to get comfortable recording yourself takes time and patience with yourself. That’s why I recommend filming yourself on a daily basis. Even if you don’t put it on social media, having a friend or family member point out what you can do better always helps, too. And don’t forget: **we’re all awkward on camera from time to time**. We all have stop words (“uh,” “um,” and “yeah” are some of mine), and we all get tongue-tied now and again. ### **My Video Recording Equipment:** 1. **[Camera](https://bit.ly/3mj71dD)** 2. **[Video Lights](https://bit.ly/3mj71dD)** 3. **[Teleprompter](https://bit.ly/2W6IVrI)** 4. **[Microphone](https://bit.ly/3nb1AP9)** 5. **[Video Monitor](https://bit.ly/3a3ZAnO)** 6. **[Video Tripod](https://bit.ly/2W4djCT)** 7. **[Audio Recorder](https://bit.ly/37VrFev)** 8. **[Editing Software](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/final-cut-pro/id424389933?mt=12)** #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** video content marketing, youtube, youtube confidence --- ### [The Competitive LinkedIn Marketing Strategy For Accomplished CEOs and Founders](https://clairebahn.com/linkedin-marketing-strategy/) **Published:** June 23, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Industry leaders are always talking about the success of B2B and growing their brand. But what they neglect to share is the LinkedIn marketing strategy that helped earn them those results they love to talk about. Social media is a handy tool for [building your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/), connecting with like-minded professionals, and keeping up with industry trends. But when it comes to generating new client leads, it’s best to be selective with what platform you spend your time on. Twitter is great and all, but it won’t do you much good in terms of building a committed clientele. Love it or hate it, Linkedin is undoubtedly one of the most valuable tools available to CEOs and founders who are looking to increase their brand’s digital presence. It is unmatched compared to other social media platforms and houses tons of helpful features designed to help you gain authority and generate more B2B leads. **RELATED: [The Ultimate Personal Brand Messaging Guide For CEOs and Founders](https://clairebahn.com/brand-messaging/)** ## **Why Linkedin is Important for B2B** ![linkedin marketing strategy 2021](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2-1.png "how to use linkedin marketing - Claire Bahn") Frankly, other social media platforms are not your best marketing partner. As a founder or CEO, LinkedIn is where you really need to be. If used correctly, LinkedIn and its business-forward features are your best bet for [generating valuable leads.](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-use-linkedin-for-lead-generation/) Need proof as to why LinkedIn is essential for B2B marketing? First, LinkedIn isn’t cloaked in mystery as much as other social platforms are. If you’ve tried your hand at organic Instagram and Facebook marketing, you know that they’re all about pay-to-play. Which makes it far more challenging and time-consuming to get your brand in front of the right people. LinkedIn isn’t so needy. Crafting a LinkedIn marketing strategy comes with much less headache and algorithm anxiety. This is thanks to the platform’s organic reach, which is *leagues* ahead of any other social media site. ### LinkedIn Means Business… Literally Now, if you’re active on socials, you know that each platform attracts a different demographic. And on LinkedIn, it’s all about business. LinkedIn is a space for other people who understand the business world. Here it’s easier to collaborate, connect, and invest in each other’s work. And when you mingle with the right crowds, you’ll be more likely to find your ideal client and spend less time trying to convince people to pay for your services. It can also help you gain [the right type of celebrity you want for your brand](https://clairebahn.com/future-of-pr/). Instead of dancing around in front of a camera for an Instagram Reel, you can get noticed by sharing your expertise on LinkedIn. The ultimate boost to your personal brand comes with achieving that “thought leader” status. Because of LinkedIn’s professional preference, it makes standing out as a thought leader more accessible. It’s an ideal platform for building your brand because you’re in a space that *encourages* going against the industry grain, sharing valuable insights, and announcing exciting business news. Once you’ve claimed your space in LinkedIn feeds, you can start proving that you’re someone who knows the ins and outs of your industry. How do you do that? You develop a content marketing strategy. With [47% of C-suite executives](https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/blog/linkedin-b2b-marketing/2019/creating-a-thought-leadership-marketing-plan) saying they use LinkedIn to connect with people who create thought-leading content, it’s certainly something to consider in your B2B strategy. **RELATED: [What is Lead Generation? A Beginner’s Guide](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-lead-generation/)** ## **The Ultimate Linkedin Marketing Strategy for 2021** Now that I’ve sold you the value of LinkedIn let’s get into how to use LinkedIn marketing for your goals. It’s one thing to have an eye for creative content or to have a list of incredible industry insights you can’t wait to share. But knowing how to best deliver your brand to other LinkedIn users and potential clients requires careful planning. Before you can start jumping into posting Native video, LinkedIn Pulse blogs, or carousel posts, you need to know your brand’s messaging, priorities, and goals. Otherwise, you may end up wasting a lot of time and energy wondering why nothing seems to be generating new leads. As I said, LinkedIn is all about business. With so many influential eyes watching, you have to treat it as an extension of your professional portfolio. You wouldn’t go into an elevator pitch unprepared, so you shouldn’t be posting aimlessly on LinkedIn either. ### **1. Have a goal** Before you start drafting up a content schedule for your B2B marketing strategy, you need to solidify your brand’s goals. And I’m not just talking about financial goals. You have to ask yourself the bigger questions: Who do you want your brand to advocate for? What problem do you want to solve for your clients? This is where you check in with your [brand’s messaging](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/brand-communication-strategy). Your brand’s message, voice, and content pillars should be at the core of everything you do — especially on LinkedIn. For example, I aim to help CEOs and [executives maximize their brand](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-services/)‘s authority and influence online. I center everything I do, create, and share on this goal. #### **Creating Content** From there, you can focus on content ideas to build your LinkedIn online presence. You really need to niche down here. If you’re a marketing director, you don’t want to post content about every single thing there is to know about marketing. If you do this, people won’t be able to associate you with anything in particular. When someone asks whom they can go to for a specific marketing tactic (let’s say, LinkedIn marketing strategies), you want your name to be the first one that pops into their head. If you focus on broad content ideas like “marketing,” you’re going to be a dime a dozen. This makes it that much harder for people to discover your personal brand. The bottom line is that you need to know what your personal brand is good at and stick to it. Only then can you begin getting serious about your LinkedIn marketing strategy. In terms of *what* to post, that’s pretty easy. LinkedIn offers lots of in-app content options. The less content you drive away from LinkedIn, the more likely they are to show it to your audience. That’s exactly why they have features such as: - **Native LinkedIn Videos:** [Video content is necessary for today’s market](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/). If you’re already creating YouTube videos, just repurpose these for Native LinkedIn videos! - **LinkedIn Pulse:** These are LinkedIn’s dedicated areas for personal brand blogs. Use this space to elaborate on your expertise (copy and paste your website blogs to save time) - **Carousel Posts:** These are attention-grabbing graphics that you load onto LinkedIn as a PDF. This is a newer feature so they tend to perform extremely well. ### **2. Post in Moderation** Like so many other pieces of the puzzle, there is a right and wrong way to do something. And posting whatever and whenever is not the way to approach your LinkedIn marketing strategy. All things in moderation… even your posts. With LinkedIn serving as an extension of your professional portfolio, it’s important that you’re selective with when and what you’re posting. By allowing yourself time to review your content before you post, you can ensure that everything you share has the right intention and contributes to maximizing your authority. Quality over quantity will always will in the long run. Posting once per day, 5 times a week is more than enough. Just make sure you’re utilizing all the different types of posts (Pulse blogs, native videos, carousel posts, etc.). This will help you discover what kind of content *your* specific audience enjoys. It’s going to be different for everyone. But don’t wait until you’re enjoying downtime on the couch to share your content. Posting at night will cheat you of your best chances of getting noticed. Just like knowing you get in a better workout early in the morning or that you’re most creative in the evenings, You should share LinkedIn content at certain times to see its full engagement potential. Unlike other social media apps, LinkedIn users are more likely to be online during work hours. It is work-related social networking, after all. Try to post your planned content during your standard office hours to see the engagement levels you’re aiming for. ### **3. Use the Sales Navigator** Knowing how to use LinkedIn marketing options will undoubtedly elevate your B2B leads. And using their [Sales Navigator](https://crankwheel.com/a-comprehensive-guide-to-using-linkedin-sales-navigator-in-2021/) can take your strategy to a whole new level. What’s Sales Navigator, you ask? ![Sales Navigator](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/Sales-Navigator.png "Sales Navigator - Claire Bahn") Toggling to the Sales Navigator tab on your LinkedIn homepage makes generating, saving, and connecting with leads a thousand times easier than any other platform out there. Before you jump into Sales Navigator, research who your ideal B2B client is. Decide what industry they’re in, how large their company is, and where they work. Use your findings to search for leads on Sales Navigator via the search bar and result filters at the top of the page. Like magic, it will show you a list of every LinkedIn user that matches your criteria. ![how to use linkedin marketing](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/3-1-1024x683.png "why linkedin is important for b2b - Claire Bahn") You can scroll through profiles and select the ones that are the best fit for your target audience. Then, save them to your Lead Lists and tag them for easier filtering across all of your saved profiles (more on that next). After you’ve done your research and are happy with the search criteria you used, you can save searches to refer back to and check for new results. If you’ve found a user that matches your ideal B2B client criteria to a T, click on the “View Similar” option to see a whole new list of profiles that share the same qualities. Sales Navigator is seriously a game-changer. ### **4. Create Lead Lists** After you’ve acquainted yourself with Sales Navigator, you’ll want to figure out how to best use it for your LinkedIn marketing strategy. Rather than typing random profiles into the search bar, you need to filter your lead search to discover the best potential clients for your brand. Filter your lead search by using keywords based on an industry, like “digital marketing” or “health and wellness.” Then, decide which country, region, or state your ideal client typically lives in. Doing a bit of research beforehand can tell you where in the world you may be most likely to find someone who matches your target audience. You can also filter results based on a user’s position in a company, how long they’ve been in that position, and how large a company’s staff is. For example, I work almost exclusively with founders and CEOs, so I filter my lead search results to people who have those titles in their LinkedIn Profiles. As you start finding potential leads, create a Lead List titled “Leads,” “Ideal Client,” or “Target Audience.” I recommend making additional lists as well: 1 for potential press connections and 1 for your competition so that you can keep track of what other people in your industry are doing. ### **Following Up** I use my Lead Lists to ensure I’m spending my time where it’s most beneficial. Instead of aimlessly scrolling through my feed every weekday, I engage with content posted by the people I’ve saved as an ideal client. By consistently visiting their profiles and leaving genuine comments on their content, I’m making sure that I’m getting noticed by the right people for my brand. I also use it to follow up with potential press opportunities by engaging with podcast and channel hosts, journalists, and authors. Maintaining and utilizing your Lead Lists helps you to take active control of your LinkedIn marketing strategy. No matter how skilled you are, being passive and waiting for B2B clients to come to you just isn’t going to happen when you’re only starting out. **[RELATED; 10 Habits of Successful People](https://clairebahn.com/10-habits-of-successful-people/)** ## **Conclusion** Whether you love everything about LinkedIn or you do your best to avoid it at all costs, it’s undoubtedly one of the most effective marketing tools available today. It serves as a one-stop shop for networking, industry news, and brand growth. All while remaining incredibly user-friendly and fun to use. Generating leads, creating content, and crafting a LinkedIn marketing strategy that promises a significant ROI isn’t as complex as some other successful people might make it seem. Don’t let them fool you. Be thoughtful about your content, know your niche, and make yourself known to the right audience. Soon enough, LinkedIn will be your best business asset yet. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. #### More Marketing Resources: - [How to Grow Your Business on Instagram in 2020](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-on-instagram/) - **[How To Use LinkedIn for Lead Generation](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-use-linkedin-for-lead-generation/)** - **[Twitter Marketing Tips for Personal Brands](https://clairebahn.com/marketing-on-twitter/)** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** how to use linkedin marketing, linkedin marketing strategy 2021, linkedin presence, why linkedin is important for b2b --- ### [The Future of Personal Branding and PR: What Every Leader Needs to Know in 2026](https://clairebahn.com/future-personal-branding-pr-2026/) **Published:** July 23, 2026 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *If someone researched you today, would they immediately understand why you’re the expert they should trust? In 2026, traditional PR isn’t dead, but it has fundamentally changed. Media coverage is no longer the starting point for building credibility—it’s the result of it. Before a journalist, podcast host, or conference organizer says yes, they’re evaluating your digital presence, thought leadership, and the value you’ve consistently shared. AI has made creating content easier than ever, but it has also made authentic expertise and trust more valuable than ever before.* *The leaders creating the biggest opportunities aren’t simply chasing media placements. They’re building a recognizable personal brand, managing every aspect of their online reputation, and using AI to amplify—not replace—their knowledge and experience. Those who invest in clarity, consistency, and demonstrated expertise today will be the ones attracting the biggest opportunities tomorrow.* --- There was a time when hiring a PR agency meant one thing. You hired them, they pitched reporters, you landed a feature in a major publication, and suddenly doors started opening. This was the strategy of choice for several years, but it’s no longer as effective. I’ve watched the PR and personal branding industries evolve dramatically over the past two decades. If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that the rules of the visibility and reputation game change must faster than most businesses and executives realize. In fact, one of the biggest mistakes I still see executives making is investing in yesterday’s strategy while they’re trying to compete in today’s market. Recently, I came across a story about a startup that reportedly spent nearly $200,000 on a traditional PR agency and walked away without a single meaningful media placement. Many people debated whether it was the wrong agency, the wrong budget, or the wrong timing. But if you ask me, I don’t think any of those are the right questions. The real issue wasn’t the agency. It was that they were trying to leverage strategies that no longer work, in a market that’s changed dramatically since the early days of traditional PR agency pitching. As we move through personal branding in 2026, brand management and strategic visibility are all becoming part of one integrated system. ## **Why Isn’t Traditional PR Enough Anymore?** **[Traditional PR](https://www.inc.com/sophie-meharenna/traditional-pr-isnt-dead-but-the-old-playbook-definitely-is/91348955)** isn’t disappearing. There will always be agencies and representatives out there trying to help get your company or expertise featured in print media, podcasts, and so on. But the field is absolutely evolving. There’s still incredible value in media coverage, TV interviews, podcasts, and space in publications both big and small, but none of those things exist in isolation anymore. Twenty years ago, journalists may have been gatekeepers. Today, they’re validators. No matter how great your PR agency’s pitch is, before they agree to interview you, they’ll Google you. They’ll visit your LinkedIn profile, watch your videos, read your thought leadership, look at your audience, and evaluate whether you’ve already demonstrated expertise before they decide whether to amplify it. That’s one of the biggest shifts I’ve seen. Journalists aren’t just looking for a single great story anymore, and at the same time, your relationships aren’t enough to continue opening doors for you. Today, even journalists you’ve known for years perform due diligence. They’re asking questions like: - Does this person consistently share valuable insights? - Can I see examples of their expertise? - Do they already have an engaged audience? - Will readers trust this source? - Will this interview generate interest? > ***“Even if they interviewed you six months ago, a journalist isn’t just going to look at your name on the pitch and immediately give you a call. They’re going to take a look at what you’ve been up to since you last spoke, which is why your digital footprint is so important.”*** In many ways, your online presence has become part of your media kit, so you need to make sure it’s telling the story you genuinely want it to. That’s why I tell clients that I can’t effectively pitch a story for them if there isn’t already a strong narrative supporting it. **[Agencies don’t invent stories](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zu4Bgv1Fw2o)**. We demonstrate them. PR used to create visibility, but these days it’s your visibility that helps create PR. The strongest media opportunities increasingly go to people who have already built credibility long before the pitch arrives. In some of the best cases, executives have visibility that’s strong enough that these media opportunities actually come to them, rather than being chased down by an agency. ## **How is Personal Branding Changing in 2026?** For years, many professionals viewed [**personal branding**](https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamarruda/2025/12/02/personal-branding-trends-for-2026--part-1/) as optional. It was either a to-do list item they’d continue pushing off for years and years, or something reserved exclusively for influencers, internet personalities, and people looking for some level of celebrity status. That mindset is disappearing, though. In 2026, your **[personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-in-2026/?_gl=1*19yi5cz*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjvfSBhDpARIsAEiOpSv42_js9V0RKAHFWO6cnl-IM5HXwSjGDQaKxMVtWLMFOZfFOvxkDREaAlwbEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADkE86-dx36-eho4paiLmGlx7bdc1)** isn’t competing against other personal brands. It’s competing against unlimited information, and, of course, AI is leading that charge. With countless AI tools at our fingertips, it’s become easier than ever for anyone to produce content. The barrier to publishing has essentially disappeared. However, the need for building trust hasn’t disappeared. If anything, as I’ve said many times before, it’s even more important now. > ***“People aren’t simply searching for information anymore. They’re searching for perspective, judgment, experience, and original thinking. Otherwise known as the very things AI can’t recreate.”*** That’s why the professionals who consistently communicate their expertise separate themselves from those who rely solely on credentials. All your résumé does is prove you’ve done the work. It’s your established personal brand, visibility, and thought leadership that demonstrates how you think. ## **Why Is Brand Management Becoming More Important Than Media Coverage?** Even though **[building a strong personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-app/?_gl=1*18rkr6m*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjvfSBhDpARIsAEiOpSv42_js9V0RKAHFWO6cnl-IM5HXwSjGDQaKxMVtWLMFOZfFOvxkDREaAlwbEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADkE86-dx36-eho4paiLmGlx7bdc1)** is one of the most important strategies for executives to grow their reputation and improve their visibility, there’s still a misconception that a great media feature automatically builds a great reputation. Unfortunately, it’s not that easy. Media placements just amplify what’s already there. If your online presence is inconsistent, outdated, or unclear, even the best interview has limited long-term value, if any at all. That’s why brand management has become far more strategic than just seeking media feature after media feature. And this goes far beyond just logos, messaging, or your visual identity. It’s about managing every touchpoint that shapes someone’s perception of you. That includes your website, social media profiles, existing media appearances, and what shows up when people search your name. Every one of those pieces contributes to the narrative people build about you before you ever enter the room, and more often, people, including your peers, employees, investors, and everyone in between, are thoroughly researching you across all these mediums. The companies and leaders who understand this are building complete ecosystems that showcase their expertise instead of chasing individual wins. ## **What Role Will AI Play in Building a Brand?** We all know by now just how impactful AI is, as it’s permeated just about every industry, completely transforming the market. Similarly, we’re all likely familiar with its capabilities. It can help generate ideas, organize information, improve efficiency by automating time-consuming tasks, and even accelerate content production. But despite these advantages, AI isn’t replacing anyone’s expertise. Just like trust, it’s making expertise more valuable. When everyone has access to similar technology, your authentic experience becomes the clear competitive advantage. You won’t stand out in this new [**age of AI**](https://www.vogue.com/article/how-brands-can-create-meaning-in-the-age-of-ai) and constant information by producing as much content as possible. Rather, what stands out is clear thinking and positioning. That’s an important difference to get familiar with. Just because AI can help you communicate faster doesn’t mean it’s more effective or impactful, and definitely doesn’t mean it replaces your judgment. > ***“The way I see the future of building a brand is that the professionals who understand how to strike the right balance between using technology and sharing their authentic expertise will be far more successful than those who rely solely on technology like AI.”*** There’s a degree of skill involved in understanding that there’s [**no hiding from AI** ](https://clairebahn.com/ai-thought-leadership-authenticity/?_gl=1*kmym59*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjvfSBhDpARIsAEiOpSv42_js9V0RKAHFWO6cnl-IM5HXwSjGDQaKxMVtWLMFOZfFOvxkDREaAlwbEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADkE86-dx36-eho4paiLmGlx7bdc1)anymore, but it’s also not a magic wand. You should leverage the technology to benefit and support you where applicable, but you shouldn’t lose yourself to it. ## **How Are Speaking Opportunities and Podcasts Changing?** The same shift we’re seeing in journalism and print media is happening across nearly every visibility channel. Conference organizers. Podcast hosts. Event producers. Bookers. They’re all doing the same thing: Research. Before extending an invitation, they want to understand who you are, how you communicate, and whether you’ve already demonstrated authority on the topic. For speaking opportunities, whether in person or on a podcast, I always tell clients they need to get on video. If you apply to speak at a conference but the event organizer can’t find a single video of you speaking, odds are they won’t consider you for the opportunity. Even if you have the credentials, experience, and thought leadership necessary to speak on the topic, without the social proof that shows you actually can speak clearly and articulate your thoughts, they don’t have any defendable reason to book you, especially if others competing for the spot have videos to share. Similarly, keeping up with your long-form thought leadership, whether through a monthly blog or Substack, is also valuable. It’s one more touch point beyond your socials and allows you to expand on ideas more than you can in a single LinkedIn post. When researching you before an interview, that’s exactly the kind of content a journalist is looking for. But not only is it important to share content at all, but it’s critical to share it consistently. You can’t post a monthly blog for three months, then disappear for months on end. You can’t be active on LinkedIn for a week and then disappear only to randomly show up again weeks later. And you can’t post randomly on your YouTube channel, with several months-long gaps between posts. None of that translates to making you seem like a consistent, reliable thought leader. The more visible you are, the more familiar you become. And the more familiar you become, the less uncertain people are about you. That reduced uncertainty is what helps direct those sought-after opportunities to your door. ## **What Does Successful Personal Branding Look Like in 2026?** I’ve been in the PR and personal branding spaces for several years, and I’ve seen these industries go through various changes over the years. As I look ahead to personal branding 2026 and start planning for 2027, it’s clear to me that the professionals who will win over the next several years won’t necessarily have the biggest audiences. They’ll have the clearest positioning, the strongest credibility, the most consistent messaging, and the best social proof. Those are exactly the “secret ingredients” we’ve been telling our clients to focus on for several years now. People often ask me what separates successful personal branding from everyone else. They’re usually surprised when I don’t mention their content at all. Of course, there’s value in quality content. You don’t want to flood the feed with any more noise than is already out there. But the reality is that better content alone isn’t the answer. It’s better strategy. The market rewards clarity, consistency, and demonstrated expertise. When people immediately understand what you stand for, why you’re credible, and how you create value, opportunities become much easier to attract. ## **How Should Leaders Think Differently About PR Going Forward?** This may be the biggest shift of all. For years, businesses viewed PR as the beginning of visibility. Instead, **[PR is becoming a visibility amplifier](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbescommunicationscouncil/2026/06/09/20-ways-pr-leaders-can-keep-brand-perception-grounded-in-reality/)**. Instead of asking: “How do we get featured?” Leaders should be asking: “Have we built something worth featuring?” Have you demonstrated expertise? Have you built an audience? Have you created thought leadership? Have you shown consistent value? Have you developed a recognizable point of view? Those are the questions that increasingly determine media success. Setting out just to chase quick wins and collect media features just for the sake of seeing yourself quoted is not a strategy that will last. ## **What Should You Focus on Before Chasing Your Next Media Opportunity?** If I could give one piece of advice to professionals in 2026, it would be this: Don’t build PR before you build your foundation. Focus on building a personal brand that people can immediately understand. Invest in your thought leadership. Clarify your positioning. Strengthen your online presence. Create content that demonstrates your expertise. Develop a reputation that exists long before someone sends the first pitch. > ***“The future, and even the current state, of PR isn’t about convincing journalists that you’re credible. It’s about making your credibility impossible to ignore.”*** That’s where the industry is heading, and honestly, we’re already there now. The professionals who recognize that shift today will be the ones creating the biggest opportunities for themselves tomorrow. --- ### **Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)** **1. Why is personal branding more important than traditional PR in 2026?** Personal branding has become a critical foundation for successful PR because journalists, podcast hosts, event organizers, and decision-makers now research your online presence before offering opportunities. A strong personal brand demonstrates your expertise, credibility, and thought leadership, making it easier for PR efforts to generate meaningful results instead of relying solely on media outreach. **2. What is the difference between personal branding and brand management?** Personal branding focuses on establishing your reputation, expertise, and professional identity, while brand management is the ongoing process of maintaining and strengthening how that brand is perceived across every touchpoint. Effective brand management includes your website, LinkedIn profile, media coverage, thought leadership, search results, and social media presence, ensuring they consistently reinforce your credibility. **3. How do you start building a brand that attracts media opportunities?** Building a brand starts with clearly defining your expertise, developing a consistent point of view, creating valuable thought leadership, and maintaining a strong digital presence. Before pitching journalists or applying for speaking opportunities, focus on demonstrating your expertise through content, videos, podcasts, and social media so your credibility is already established when people research you. **4. Can AI replace personal branding and thought leadership?** No. While AI can help streamline content creation, research, and productivity, it cannot replace authentic experience, professional judgment, or original insights. The most successful professionals use AI to support their marketing efforts while relying on their own expertise to build trust, strengthen their personal brand, and differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive market. **5. What are the biggest personal branding trends businesses and executives should prepare for?** The biggest personal branding trends include greater emphasis on thought leadership, consistent content creation, video as a credibility builder, AI-assisted marketing, integrated brand management, and building an audience before seeking media coverage. Rather than relying on one-time PR campaigns, [executives who consistently invest in building a brand](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-services/) and demonstrating expertise will be better positioned to attract long-term opportunities. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Executive Branding, Public Relations **Tags:** AI, executive branding, executive visibility, leadership, personal branding, PR strategy, Reputation Management, Thought leadership --- ### [Why CEOs Need Agents Now More Than Ever?](https://clairebahn.com/why-every-ceo-needs-a-personal-brand-strategy/) **Published:** June 30, 2026 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What if the biggest opportunity your company is missing is the visibility of its CEO? Today’s most influential executives understand that business success alone is no longer enough. Investors, employees, customers, and the media increasingly want to know the person behind the company. A strong CEO personal brand builds credibility, creates trust, attracts opportunities, and elevates the organization’s reputation. Just as entertainers rely on agents and politicians depend on advisors, modern CEOs benefit from strategic representation that helps shape their public image and position them as trusted industry voices. Executive visibility isn’t about becoming a social media celebrity—it’s about becoming a credible, recognizable leader whose expertise influences conversations, attracts talent, strengthens investor confidence, and differentiates the company in a competitive market.* *A thoughtful personal brand creates lasting value because people naturally connect with people before they connect with organizations. The most successful CEOs don’t leave their reputation to chance. They invest in consistent messaging, media readiness, thought leadership, and strategic communications long before they need them. In an era where credibility is one of the most valuable business assets, building an intentional executive brand isn’t a vanity project—it’s a long-term competitive advantage that benefits both the leader and the organization.* --- For decades, entertainers, athletes, and politicians have understood that visibility creates opportunity. The more you show up, the more you speak, the more recognizable you become, the more opportunities come your way. Whether that be speaking engagements, promotions, board seats, or connections with other high-profile executives in your industry. But the most successful public figures in the world don’t navigate influence alone. They rely on agents, managers, and entire teams who understand how to position them, protect their image, and ensure they stay relevant in an increasingly crowded marketplace. Yet many CEOs still operate under the assumption that exceptional business performance alone should be enough to earn them the attention they believe they deserve. It isn’t. We live in an era where visibility has become corporate currency. The executives who are consistently seen, quoted, recognized, and trusted are the ones shaping industries, attracting capital, recruiting top talent, and influencing markets. The CEO’s personal brand isn’t separate from the company brand. It’s a major, even critical, part of it. Today’s executives don’t just need communications support. They need strategic representation. In other words: CEOs need agents, too. ## **Why Do CEO’s Need a Personal Brand?** There was a time when [**corporate leaders**](https://clairebahn.com/industry-leader/) could remain largely invisible while their companies spoke for themselves. The idea was that if your product or service was good enough, and your employees worked diligently to push your message, you, as the leader, could sit back and operate from a 10,000-foot level. That model worked when information traveled slowly, media access was limited, and trust was built primarily through the [**company’s reputation**](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/12/26/how-every-ceo-can-embrace-the-power-of-reputation-metrics/). But, as we know, the digital economy transformed the playing field. Now, consumers, investors, employees, and media outlets want access to the real people behind the business. They want perspective. They want stories. They want to understand your “why” and what’s really driving the business. To simplify, they want informed and **[credible thought leadership](https://www.forbes.com/sites/rheawessel/2025/01/31/serving-as-a-thought-leader-what-it-really-means/).** Just look at the current press cycle. The question journalists increasingly ask isn’t just: “What does the company do?” In most cases, that can be answered with a simple Google search or by glancing at your company’s bio. Instead, they’re digging deeper, asking questions like: “Who’s the leader behind this business?” “What’s their point of view?” “Do they communicate it effectively?” The executives who consistently rise above the noise are rarely doing so by accident. Much like entertainers and politicians, they often have experienced teams shaping their positioning, visibility, opportunities, and public perception behind the scenes. Even when it looks candid or accidental, nearly every move is carefully coordinated. It’s like a perfectly choreographed dance. To outsiders, it might look effortless, but there are hours of practice and planning behind every step. That’s the role of modern executive representation and maintaining a personal brand. Let’s look to celebrities, for example. A talent agent in Hollywood understands the landscape. They know which opportunities matter, which platforms drive influence, which partnerships elevate visibility (both positively and negatively), and how to position someone so they get cast in lead roles. The same principle now applies to CEOs. When a CEO gains visibility, opportunities flow not only to them but also to the company itself. As the business leader, your positive profile in a well-known publication, or a feature about the business where you’re quoted talking about your new product, is just as good for the company’s image as it is for yours. As CEO, you’re essentially the business’s best spokesperson. So each time you show up, whether it’s on your own platforms, in a media feature, or another medium, you’re not just representing yourself, but the entire organization behind you. ## **The CEO Has Become a Media Asset. What Does That Mean?** In today’s marketplace, a founder or executive can significantly impact brand growth just by showing up in the public eye. We’ve seen this play out repeatedly across industries. Executives who establish themselves as recognizable thought leaders often create measurable downstream effects for their companies in the form of increased media attention, stronger recruitment, stronger investor confidence, higher trust, and greater market differentiation. Why? > **“Because people trust people more than logos.”** One of my favorite examples of this in real life comes from **[Steve Jobs](https://www.fastcompany.com/91322461/what-steve-jobs-can-teach-us-about-rebranding)**, co-founder and former CEO of Apple. Odds are, if you close your eyes, you can picture Steve Jobs, and the image that comes to mind is likely him in his signature black mock turtleneck, jeans, and sneakers, standing on stage, talking an audience through the latest Apple product launch. Jobs’ aesthetic and “uniform” were key parts of his personal brand, and, as a result, they became key parts of Apple. He was a successful tech executive. He could’ve dressed in the most elaborate designer suits like some other prominent figures do, but he didn’t. That choice is very intentional. The way he showed up and presented himself was a visual manifestation of his design philosophy, which also informed how each Apple product was created: simple, functional, and timeless. Because Jobs was so visible and consistent in his own brand and image, Apple’s branding followed suit. As a company, Apple became synonymous with sleek, forward-thinking design, seamless functionality, and intentional minimalism. It became one of the most aspirational brands, creating an entire community around itself that’s just as strong today as it was in the 2000s. A visible CEO humanizes a business. They give audiences someone to connect with. In crowded industries where products and services may appear similar, leadership visibility becomes a competitive advantage. And media outlets understand this, which is why the CEO has become the company’s biggest media asset. When journalists need commentary, they don’t look for anonymous executives hiding behind generic corporate statements. They look for credible voices who communicate clearly, confidently, and consistently. They’re looking for people who are already showing up, who have a presence and an online paper trail that provides social proof. Put simply, they want thought leaders. Not someone offering half-baked opinions with no media polish or strategic positioning. One of the biggest misconceptions in **[modern personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-with-social-media/)** is the belief that being “ultra casual” automatically translates to relatability and authenticity online. In reality, what often performs best is a balance between accessibility and executive presence. You can be contemporary without looking careless. You can be authentic while still understanding that your image matters. There’s a very specific balance to strike between the two. The strongest executive brands understand this distinction well and communicate with clarity, professionalism, and consistency while still maintaining their humanity, thanks to a team of agents guiding them in the background. ## **What Do CEOs Need To Say?** One of the most overlooked benefits of having an agent or executive branding team is the objectivity it provides. Traditional service-based relationships create an imbalanced dynamic. Vendors and even employees may hesitate to challenge a CEO directly because the relationship is transactional. The client dictates the direction, even when the strategy may not be working. This makes it very challenging for a CEO to get any real, useful insights from the people around them when everyone is just telling them what they want to hear, not necessarily what they need to hear. Working with agents is very different. A good agency isn’t there to simply “take orders.” They’re there to guide, advise, position, and sometimes even challenge. You don’t hire an agency to be your “yes people” and tell you things just to make you feel better. The best executive representatives tell leaders the hard truths. If the message is unclear or a CEO’s public image is inconsistent, they’re going to hear about it. If an executive isn’t good on camera and needs to practice before their next interview, they’ll hear about it. In this relationship, both parties, the executive and the agency, have things on the line, namely their reputation. That means being honest with the executive they’re working with, without sugarcoating reality, is in their best interest. That level of honesty is difficult to find internally, but it’s necessary. Because visibility without strategy can quickly become noise, and in some cases even damage the executive and the business’s credibility. > **“Strong representation helps CEOs understand not only how to be seen, but how to be seen *correctly*.”** ## **How Is Executive Credibility a Competitive Advantage?** As AI-generated content floods the internet and audiences become increasingly skeptical of faceless corporations, human credibility is more valuable than ever before. This is why **[executive personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-in-2026/)** is a strategic business function. Working with an agent has never been a vanity project. Especially not now. Investors research leadership online before meetings. Prospective hires evaluate executive presence before accepting job offers. Media outlets prioritize recognizable voices over random people with opinions. Consumers increasingly buy into people before products. All of the reasons to invest in building a personal brand are right there, clear as day. The executives who understand these facts sooner rather than later will have a significant advantage over those who continue treating visibility as optional, or something they can get to later. It’s never just been something you can put off for the next quarter. We’ve expressed this to executives ad nauseam. **[Building your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/why-proactive-ceo-reputation-management-is-a-strategic-necessity/)** is a proactive act. Not a reactive one. If you want the benefits that come from an intentional, well-positioned, credible brand, you have to build it. You have to consistently work on it. But when we talk about visibility, so many executives get scared. If they’ve never been public-facing before, they’re afraid of the unknown. Some are afraid of what people will think or say when they suddenly start showing up. Others are afraid that being more visible will make it seem like they’re suddenly trying to become influencers, and they don’t want to give the wrong idea. But visibility isn’t about fame for fame’s sake. Agencies aren’t trying to turn every CEO into a TikTok-ready influencer. The goal isn’t celebrity status. It’s achieving influence. > **“Influence creates access. Access creates opportunity. And opportunity drives business growth.”** That’s why entertainers have agents. That’s why politicians have advisors. And that’s why CEOs need representation, too. As a leader, getting ahead in the next decade takes more than a strong business strategy and operational competence. You also need to understand how to pair expertise with visibility to build trust at scale. And the most successful CEOs doing this will have a **[team of talent agents](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5R_WsqnOCM)** behind the scenes to support them at every step. Remember, the modern CEO no longer operates behind the company’s brand. In many ways, they *are* the brand. And brands require strategic representation. --- ### **Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)** **1. Why is a personal brand important for CEOs?** A personal brand helps CEOs establish credibility, build trust, and increase visibility with customers, investors, employees, and the media. In today’s digital landscape, people often connect with leaders before they connect with companies, making a strong personal brand a competitive advantage. **2. How do you build a personal brand as a CEO?** To build a personal brand, start by defining your expertise and unique perspective. Share consistent thought leadership through content, speaking engagements, media interviews, and social media while ensuring your messaging aligns with your company’s mission and values. Building a personal brand is a long-term investment that requires consistency. **3. Can a personal brand help grow a business?** Yes. A strong personal brand can attract media opportunities, strengthen customer trust, improve recruiting, increase investor confidence, and create new business partnerships. When a CEO becomes a recognized industry voice, that visibility often benefits the entire organization. **4. What role does an [executive branding agency play in building a personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-services/)?** An executive branding agency helps leaders develop a clear positioning strategy, identify high-impact visibility opportunities, refine messaging, secure media coverage, and provide honest feedback. Rather than simply promoting a CEO, the agency helps build a credible, authentic personal brand that supports long-term business goals. **5. When should you start building your personal brand?** The best time to build your personal brand is before you need it. Developing visibility and credibility takes time, so starting early allows you to establish trust, build authority, and create opportunities before you’re actively seeking media attention, board positions, investors, or your next leadership role. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** CEO Branding, Executive Branding **Tags:** CEO personal brand, corporate reputation, executive branding, executive leadership, executive visibility, leadership communication, media relations, Thought leadership --- ### [What Is Founder Branding and Why Is It Essential for Startup Success?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) **Published:** October 7, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How does founder branding shape the way investors, customers, and talent perceive an early-stage startup? Why is founder branding often more influential than company branding in the earliest phases of growth? What core elements make founder branding a long-term strategic advantage rather than a vanity exercise?* *This blog explores why founder branding has become a critical driver of early-stage startup success. Instead of relying solely on company branding or product features, founders today must lead with their story, values, and visibility. The article explains how founder branding creates trust long before traction exists—shaping investor confidence, attracting top talent, securing partnerships, and giving customers a human reason to care. By clarifying vision, crafting authentic narratives, and showing up consistently across platforms, founders create momentum that accelerates every other part of the business.* *The piece also breaks down the practical frameworks behind effective founder branding: choosing signature channels, developing thought leadership, aligning public communication with company strategy, and building credibility through consistency and proof. It highlights common challenges founders face—like balancing authenticity with strategy or avoiding overexposure—and provides actionable [steps for building a brand](https://clairebahn.com/developing-personal-brand/) that compounds over time. Ultimately, the blog shows that founder branding isn’t about performing online; it’s about creating clarity, trust, and velocity for both the founder and the company they’re building.* --- Let’s talk about something that quietly makes or breaks early-stage companies: personal branding. And more specifically, the flavor of it I live and breathe with clients every day: founder branding. If [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) is the foundation of how people understand your professional identity, founder branding is the blueprint that shapes how your startup is perceived, funded, covered in the press, and ultimately adopted by customers. It’s the difference between a “promising product” and a movement people want to join. Why does it matter so much right now? Because modern audiences reward authenticity and visibility. In a world of infinite options, people follow people—especially the people who are building the products they’re curious about. Investors bet on founders. Journalists source commentary from founders. Team members choose workplaces led by founders whose values they respect. When founders lean into their public presence, startup branding accelerates quickly. This isn’t about becoming internet famous or performing some glossy online persona. It’s about having a clear point of view, making it easy for people to understand what you stand for, and showing up consistently enough that they trust you. That’s founder branding in action. ## **Defining Founder Branding** So, what is founder branding? Founder branding is the [strategic cultivation of a founder’s reputation,](https://clairebahn.com/why-proactive-ceo-reputation-management-is-a-strategic-necessity/) presence, and values, and then using that clarity to create momentum for the company. Think of it as a living system that blends your story, leadership style, and public visibility into a coherent promise: “Here’s who I am, what I’m building, and why it matters.” ### **How Founder Branding Differs From Company Branding** Company branding answers, *“What does this startup do and why should anyone care?”* Founder branding answers, *“Who’s building it, and why should we believe in them?”* In the early stages, your company has little proof. You are the proof. Your convictions, credibility, and communication carry more weight than a new logo or tagline ever could. ### **The Trust Trifecta: Storytelling, Leadership, and Visibility** Great [founder brands](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jodiecook/2024/09/12/the-10-reasons-top-founders-are-building-personal-brands/) sit at the intersection of: - **Storytelling**: A narrative people can repeat about your “why,” your insight into the problem, and the road you’re taking to solve it. - **Leadership**: How you make decisions, hire, communicate, and live your values in public. - **Visibility**: A deliberate presence across content, social platforms, stages, and press that scales your message. That mix builds trust with investors, partners, media, and customers long before your product hits scale. ## **The Core Elements of a Strong Founder Brand** There are four key elements to keep in mind when establishing your founder brand: - Vision and Values - Authenticity and Storytelling - Visibility and Thought Leadership - Consistency and Credibility ### 1. Vision and Values Your vision is the world you’re trying to create; your values are the rules you refuse to break to get there. Together, they inform how you build, how you hire, and how you interact with your audience. I encourage every founder to write two short statements: - **Vision**: “In five years, if we do our jobs, what changes for our customers or industry?” - **Values**: “Which three principles will we protect even when it’s inconvenient?” When these are explicit, [startup branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-startups/) stops feeling like guesswork and starts feeling like direction. ### 2. Authenticity and Storytelling Let’s talk about why authenticity isn’t just a buzzword. If your origin story feels manufactured, people feel it. When you openly share the real questions you wrestle with, the hard calls you’ve made, and the lessons you keep learning, you earn something unbeatable: relatability. Your story doesn’t have to be dramatic; it just has to be specific. Why did this problem choose you? What did you see that others missed? How did your experience shape your approach? That’s the connective tissue between you and the stakeholders you want to attract. ### 3. Visibility and Thought Leadership Visibility is not about volume; it’s about placement and consistency. [Thought leadership](https://clairebahn.com/attracting-top-talent-through-strong-executive-thought-leadership/) is about packaging your insights so they travel without you. I like to pick a primary channel (often LinkedIn for B2B, Instagram or X for consumer, long-form blog or newsletter for depth) and one secondary channel (podcasts, webinars, or guest articles), and then show up with a cadence I can keep. > ***“***[***45% of decision-makers***](https://www.edelman.com/sites/g/files/aatuss191/files/2024-02/2017-2018%20B2B%20LinkedIn%20Study.pdf) ***vet organizations using thought leadership content.”*** Speaking, podcasting, panels, op-eds, technical deep-dives, newsletters—these all ladder up to executive branding and CEO branding. Your ideas become searchable. Your name becomes shorthand for a point of view. That’s when inbound opportunities start. ### 4. Consistency and Credibility Your [brand is the pattern people](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-sabotage/) can trust. If your message shifts weekly, or your behavior doesn’t match your claims, credibility evaporates. Align your words, actions, and image: - Say what you’ll do. - Do it visibly. - Keep receipts (case studies, testimonials, metrics, and milestones). Consistency compounds. Credibility is the interest you earn. ## **How Founder Branding Impacts Startup Success** There are a few ways to [develop impact for your founder brand](https://clairebahn.com/developing-personal-brand/), including: - Investor Confidence - Talent Attraction - Customer Loyalty - Partnerships and Media Opportunities ### **Investor Confidence** Investors back teams, not decks. A clear founder [brand telegraphs clarity of thought](https://clairebahn.com/branding-strategy-for-thought-leaders/), leadership maturity, and resilience. When your online footprint already answers, “Why this market? Why this wedge? Why you?” diligence feels less risky. Your narrative also gives them confidence to sell your story to their partners. ### **Talent Attraction** Mission-aligned team members self-select into companies where they respect the person at the helm. When your values and vision are visible, you shorten hiring cycles and increase cultural fit. Candidates arrive pre-sold because they’ve already engaged with your ideas. > ***“A strong personal brand of the founder can increase the positive result in finding and*** [***attracting talent to the team by 70%***](https://www.vestbee.com/insights/articles/why-founders-need-to-build-a-personal-brand-key-benefits-for-business-growth#:~:text=Direct%20impact%20on%20company%20reputation,can%20be%20well%20worth%20it.)***.”*** ### **Customer Loyalty** People love to support builders they relate to or admire. A strong founder brand humanizes your product, making it more relatable and approachable. It explains decisions, invites feedback, and turns customers into collaborators. That creates durable loyalty far beyond feature lists. ### **Partnerships and Media Opportunities** Visibility begets visibility. As your thought leadership circulates, doors open—co-marketing, distribution, integrations, and startup PR. Journalists and [podcast hosts seek credible voices; a well-shaped founder brand](https://clairebahn.com/how-being-a-podcast-guest-elevates-your-personal-brand/) makes you findable and quotable. This is where [founder public relations and brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-for-founders/) building feed off each other: your story earns you press, and press, in turn, strengthens your story’s reach. ## **The Ripple Effect: Beyond Startup Growth** A founder brand doesn’t end at Series A or a liquidity event. It compounds: - **Personal legacy**: Your body of work—talks, essays, interviews—becomes an asset that future teams and partners study. - **Industry influence**: As your audience grows, you can steer conversations, standards, and even policy in your domain. - **Future ventures**: A credible founder brand lowers friction for your next product, fund, or philanthropic initiative. People who trusted you once will trust you again. Your company can pivot, merge, or exit. Your founder brand, when built thoughtfully, outlasts a single startup and shapes your entire career trajectory. ## **Common Challenges in Building a Founder Brand** I’ve worked with countless [founders in various stages of developing their brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-for-founders/), and these are some of the most common challenges they face: ### 1. Balancing Authenticity with Strategy Honesty matters, and so does context. I’m pro-transparency, but I’m also protective of messaging. My rule: share the lesson quickly, share the details selectively, and share metrics responsibly. Authentic doesn’t mean unfiltered. ### 2. Managing Perception and Potential Backlash Being visible means being interpreted. Not everyone will agree with your decisions. That’s fine. I choose clarity over consensus. If I’ve communicated my values and rationale, I can accept disagreements without derailing the mission. ### 3. Avoiding Overexposure and Misalignment You don’t have to chime in on every trending topic. If a conversation doesn’t touch your lanes—your company’s purpose, your domain expertise, your core values—skip it. Misaligned commentary can muddle [startup branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-for-founders/) and confuse your audience. ## **Practical Steps to Develop a Founder Brand** Let’s make this tactical. Here’s the exact progression I use with founders, whether they’re at the pre-seed or post-revenue stage. ### **1. Define Your “Why” and Personal Story** - Write a one-page Founder Narrative: The problem you saw, the unique insight you bring, proof from your experience, and the future you’re building toward. - Highlight three pivotal moments—an ah-ha, a hard lesson, and a turning point. Those become your go-to anecdotes for talks and interviews. - Articulate your non-negotiables (values) in a sentence each. These anchor every decision and every public statement. ### **2. Identify Your Audience and Channels** Who needs to hear you first? Investors? Customers? Talent? Partners? Pick two. Then decide where they already spend attention: - **B2B**: LinkedIn posts and long-form articles or a monthly newsletter. - **Consumer**: Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and podcast guesting. - **Technical markets**: X threads, conference talks, and GitHub or developer blogs. Choose a primary channel to own and a secondary channel to extend. Depth beats omnipresence. ### **3. Build a Content Strategy That Mirrors Your Expertise and Values** Use a simple editorial matrix: - **Teach**: Playbooks, frameworks, teardown posts (“How we reduced CAC by 22% in 60 days”). - **Tell**: Founder journey updates, team milestones, behind-the-scenes decisions. - **Take**: Point-of-view commentary on industry shifts, with receipts (data, examples). - **Trust**: Proof—case studies, customer quotes, metrics, awards, technical demos. Cadence matters more than volume. I often recommend one to two meaningful posts per week, plus one more in-depth piece per month. ### **4. Leverage PR, Social, and Thought Leadership** This is where startup PR, founder public relations, and executive branding intersect. - **Earned media**: Build a short bio and three to five timely angles (product launch, new data, contrarian take). Offer reporters useful insight, not fluff. - **Speaking**: Start with niche events where your experience is rare; record the talk and clip it for social. - **Guest content**: Contribute to industry blogs or newsletters. Editors love tactical, specific contributions, not sales pitches. - **Owned media**: Your site’s founder page, an About video, and a resources hub (press kit, headshots, company boilerplate). ### **5. Design Your CEO Branding System** People ask me, “What is CEO branding?” I talk about this more in depth in other posts, but in short, it’s the tailored version of founder branding for leaders responsible for the entire organization’s narrative. Your CEO [brand packages your strategic](https://clairebahn.com/defining-your-target-audience/) perspective and leadership philosophy, so stakeholders know what to expect from the business. - **Message house**: One core thesis, three supporting pillars, proof points under each. - **Signature topics**: Three to five areas you’ll be known for (e.g., ethical AI in healthcare, climate fintech infrastructure). - **Signature formats**: Choose your medium (short video, long-form essays, or live AMAs) and stick with it. **How do you brand yourself as a CEO?** Start with your message house, show up where your stakeholders are, and deliver value consistently. Then layer in PR and speaking to scale your reach. ### **6. Operationalize the Work** Brand building shouldn’t rely on heroics. - **Calendar it**: Block 90 minutes weekly for ideation and drafting; batch record videos monthly. - **Template it**: Reusable LinkedIn post frames, email outreach templates for podcasts, speaker one-sheets. - **Delegate it**: A part-time comms partner or agency can repurpose content, manage your pipeline, and track results while you maintain the voice. ### 7. **Measure, Learn, Refine** Track signals that map to outcomes: - **Awareness**: Profile visits, impressions, podcast downloads. - **Trust**: Follower quality, newsletter reply rate, inbound speaking/press requests. - **Commercial impact**: Referral source on deals, time-to-close, hiring velocity, and candidate quality, partner introductions. Quarterly, prune what’s not working and double down on what is. Your founder brand should evolve as your company does. ## **Some Additional FAQs: People Also Ask** ### **What is startup branding?** Startup branding is the way your company conveys its mission, value proposition, and personality—encompassing name, positioning, design, messaging, and customer experience. In the early stages, it’s deeply shaped by the founder [brand because you’re](https://clairebahn.com/how-youre-self-sabotaging-your-personal-brand-and-how-to-stop-doing-it/) the most credible signal the market has. ### **How do I start branding?** Begin with clarity. Write your founder narrative, pick a primary channel, share one useful insight weekly, and collect proof (metrics, testimonials, milestones). Add PR and speaking once your message is tight. ## **Founder Branding in the Real World: A Simple Framework** When I [build a founder brand](https://clairebahn.com/brand-youtube-channel/) with clients, we use a tight, four-part framework: 1. **Position**: The single sentence that clarifies your role and promise. *“I’m a \[discipline\] who helps \[audience\] \[outcome\] by \[unique approach\].”* 2. **Prove**: Three proof pillars—experience, traction, and insight. - Experience: Prior roles, relevant expertise. - Traction: Users, revenue, partnerships, and awards. - Insight: Proprietary data or contrarian perspective. 3. **Publish**: A consistent content loop. - Short-form: Weekly posts that teach or tell. - Long-form: Monthly essays, case studies, or talks. - Social proof: Testimonials, screenshots, press clips. 4. **Promote**: Intentional distribution. - Newsletter swaps, podcast tours, partner channels, conferences. - Targeted outreach with value-first pitches. Notice how startup PR and founder public relations flow naturally from this. When your position is crisp and your proof is visible, editors and event organizers have what they need to say “yes.” ## **Avoiding the Three Biggest Founder-Brand Traps** 1. **Generic positioning** If your headline could belong to a hundred other founders, it won’t stick. Specificity is your edge. “AI founder” is wallpaper. “AI founder using edge inference to reduce radiology wait times by 60%” is a signal. 2. **Inconsistent cadence** A loud week followed by radio silence won’t build trust. Choose a cadence you can keep and let your audience learn your rhythm. 3. **Chasing trends outside your lane** Hot takes are tempting. But if a topic doesn’t serve your customers, investors, or team, skip it. Every post either sharpens your brand or dulls it. ## **Bringing It Together: Founder Branding vs. Executive Branding vs. Company Branding** Here’s a quick cheat sheet: - **Founder branding**: This is your story, values, and voice. It’s your ground-level momentum builder. - **Executive branding**: This is the scaled, boardroom-ready version of your brand, encompassing strategy, credibility, and influence. - **Company branding**: The startup’s market promise, covering positioning, design, and customer experience. Strong companies harmonize all three. In the earliest days, though, your founder brand pulls the heaviest load. It’s what convinces people to lean in before there’s a long track record to point to. ## **The Long Game: Why Founder Branding Is an Operating Advantage** Let’s talk about why this isn’t just “marketing.” Founder [branding is an operating advantage](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-app/) because it reduces friction everywhere: - **Fundraising**: Investors walk into meetings pre-educated on your thesis. - **Sales**: Prospects arrive warmer because they’ve consumed your ideas. - **Hiring**: Candidates already understand the mission and culture. - **Partnerships**: Allies know where you’re headed and how to align with you. When your founder brand is clear, your company moves faster because you spend less time explaining and more time executing. ## **Closing Thoughts (and a Gentle Nudge)** If you’ve made it this far, you can probably see the throughline: founder branding is not vanity; it’s velocity. It sharpens your [startup branding, strengthens your CEO branding,](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-for-founders/) and makes your startup PR more effective. It brings the right investors, partners, customers, and teammates into your orbit, and it gives them a story they’re proud to retell. You don’t need to shout. You need to show: your reasons, your receipts, and your rhythm. Pick your lane, speak plainly, publish consistently, and let your values be obvious. The compounding effect will take care of the rest. I’ll leave you with one final note: your product needs a champion, and the best one is already on payroll. #### If you want a partner to design and operationalize this with you, I’ve built a concierge program precisely for that. Sign up for a [strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) today! ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Founder Branding **Tags:** ceo branding, executive branding, Founder Branding, personal branding --- ### [Personal Brand Statement Examples + How to Write Yours](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) **Published:** May 11, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Before you scroll down to the bottom to see the personal brand statement examples, I should probably let you know that: > **You probably already *need* to rework your personal branding statement.** I know— how insulting, right? You could have a killer personal branding statement. One that has been working for you for the last five to ten years! Whether you already have a personal brand statement or are new to the game, honing a unique declaration is non-negotiable. The [success of your brand](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) hinges on the way you communicate your mission to others. So, your brand statement is the tool you need to get clients interested in what you have to offer. However, with the rise of work-from-home jobs and the congestion in the digital market as a whole, it’s important now more than ever for your [personal brand](https://web.archive.org/web/20210731214731/https:/personalbrand.com/definition/) to stand out. Most people think they have their business all figured out. But while you may know your ideal client and your area of expertise, you may be pitching your brand as too vague or even too niche. For example, there are plenty of personal branding strategists like me out there. If a potential client or an investor asked me about my business, I would never simply state my job title. In fact, I probably wouldn’t bring it up at all because what does a [personal branding strategist](https://clairebahn.com/) do anyway? Instead, I pitch myself by explaining what I do, whom I help, and how it solves a problem. This is the exact formula I will be showing you today so that you can curate and perfect your own brand statement. One that will perk up the ears of your target audience and one that will instantly pique the interest of [your potential investors](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-roi/). **RELATED:** [**Choosing A Personal Brand Logo & Examples of Personal Branding**](https://web.archive.org/web/20210731214731/https:/clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/) **Table of Contents** [Table of Contents](#_Toc135218176) [What is a Personal Brand Statement?](#_Toc135218177) [How Long Should a Brand Statement Be?](#_Toc135218178) [How to Craft Your Own Statement](#_Toc135218179) [Your Action](#_Toc135218180) [Your Target Client](#_Toc135218181) [Your Solution](#_Toc135218182) [Evoke Emotion with Practical Solutions That Leave Clients Wanting More](#_Toc135218183) [Mix It Up!](#_Toc135218184) [6 Personal Brand Statement Examples](#_Toc135218185) [Terrible Personal Brand Statement Examples](#_Toc135218186) [Excellent Personal Brand Statements Examples](#_Toc135218187) [Conclusion](#_Toc135218188) ## **What Makes a Great Personal Brand Statement?** You see personal brand statements all the time. Experts will place it *everywhere*— on their website, in their [social media](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-with-social-media/) bios, and even in some of their graphics. It’s their introduction, their greeting. If you are at a networking event and someone comes up to you to introduce themselves, this statement is what you will pull out while shaking their hand. A [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/the-3-as-of-personal-branding/) statement is short and sweet. It should be longer than a slogan but shorter than your elevator pitch. That happy medium should be able to spark your ideal clients’ interest. Your statement might not look like anyone else’s, but it probably shouldn’t. That’s because personal brand statements are excellent tools for conveying unique ideas to large audiences. That means you have to examine the alternatives to determine what works and doesn’t. The problem with establishing your brand statement is that it takes some serious consideration. The first sentence that comes to mind when you think of your personal brand probably shouldn’t be your final statement. > ***“You really need to narrow down what it is about your business and your brand that makes you completely different from your competition.”*** Don’t forget that your branding statement is a chance to take full advantage of every opportunity. And if your final product is too general, you will miss out on opportunities to connect with the people that can add momentum to your trajectory. Try to be as specific as possible for your target demographic. Then make them think about what they’ll miss if they ignore your invitation. ## How Long Should a Brand Statement Be? As a general rule, you want a [personal brand statement](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) to get stuck in people’s heads. Think of your favorite jingle and try to communicate the same energy. It might be intriguing for audiences to hear about the epic tale of your career. But your audience probably won’t remember much of the story. What they truly need is a reason to stop and smell the roses, with your brand as the garden. So, you can find personal brand statement examples of varying lengths. Most of us can sum up our favorite movies or novels in a few sentences. Meanwhile, it takes us several hours to watch a film and several days to read a book. So, it’s clear that impressions last a long time. And it demonstrates our ability to pick out the information we need and put down the facts we don’t. Moreover, people don’t always have the time to sit and listen to long-winded pitches from every enthusiastic businessperson. They’d much rather get Cliff’s Notes about your venture and make their decisions quickly. So, think of your brand statement as [a clever catchphrase](https://brandyourself.com/blog/how-tos/personal-brand-statement-7-winning-steps-to-creating-one/). It should embody what you want people to know, understand, or appreciate about you. ## How to Craft Your Own Statement A personal brand statement should focus on who you are and what you offer. Each word should represent your exclusive contribution to the market. So, start by identifying the triggering language in your niche. There are three aspects you want to address in your statement: ***“Your Action, Your Target Client, and Your Solution.”*** To put it simply, follow this equation to think of your personal brand. ***Your Action + Your Target Client = Your Solution*** It doesn’t necessarily have to be in that order. You can rearrange this equation to **Your Action + Your Solution = Your Target Client.** As long as **all three** are addressed in your statement, you are on the right track. Before we get into personal brand statement examples, let’s define what each of these factors needs to accomplish (it may seem tedious but trust me, it’s important). ### Your Action This portion *isn’t* going to address what you do in detail. In fact, this portion of your statement is going to be very, very vague. To give you an idea of how you can begin your statement, you can use superficial phrases such as: - **“I help…”** - **“I build…”** - **“I create…”** - **“I turn…”** > ***“What you want to do here is pinpoint the verb that truly encapsulates what it is you do.”*** Notice how all of these words are action verbs. This helps [your personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) statement become alive and energetic. It says that you are *actively* helping your clients solve their problems, and you’re doing it with passion and vitality. A personal brand statement deserves [more than vagueness or anonymity](https://theundercoverrecruiter.com/how-craft-your-personal-brand-statement/). So, you have to find the sweet spot between too much information and not enough. Stating the obvious or being too ambiguous can distract potential clients from your worth. And simply working in the industry doesn’t give you enough credit to survive. Once you have found the perfect verb to begin your statement, you need to dive right into your ideal client and their problem. ### Your Target Client Clients should immediately recognize your value when they hear or read your brand statement. It’s best to make them think about their involvement in your mission first. You don’t necessarily have to get specific on your target audience in your personal brand statement. You can simply refer to them as one of the following: - **Customers** - **Clients** - **Startups** - **CEOs** - **Entrepreneurs** If you really have a handle on your target client, then you can add in a few adjectives so that it appears that you are personally speaking to them. For example, you can say: - **Freelance Entrepreneurs** - **Large E-Commerce Companies** - **Tech Startup Founders** - **Women in LA** - **50 Small Business Owners** A great way to really grab your ideal client’s attention is to include some proof in your statement. Let your niche out of the bag. In other words, pay close attention to personal brand statement examples that help define your function. Simple sentences like “I help my clients build compelling personal brands” are great. But vague declarations will never set you apart in the industry. You must use words to build trust, establish a reputation, and make promises you can deliver. You want them to believe that you can provide the ultimate solution enough so that they are curious to know more. For example, you can use numbers to advertise just how many clients you’ve already helped. This proves your expertise while simultaneously giving the impression that you are in high demand. You can also add a location (i.e., “women in LA,” “men in New York,” etc.) if you have a brick-and-mortar business or a strong presence in your local community. **RELATED:** [**How To Stay On Top of Trends For Your Brand**](https://web.archive.org/web/20210731214731/https:/clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/) It’s completely fine if you use fewer words to describe your ideal client in your statement. If your business helps out a wide variety of people, then, by all means, keep it simple. If you’re a fitness coach, you don’t want to ostracize your potential male clients by saying that you “help females in LA.” So, so far, we have ***Your Action+ Your Target Client.*** Let’s use the fitness coach as an example. If a fitness coach’s ideal clients *are* women who live in Los Angeles, their [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/roi-of-personal-branding/) statement should begin to look something like this: ***“I help + women in LA…”*** ### Your Solution So, what is it that this fitness coach helps women in LA do? *This is the selling point*. This is what you do that nobody else offers. A personal brand statement example that is too vague would be something such as, “I help women in LA get into shape!” Well, of course, they do. They’re a fitness coach. It’s not a very strong selling point, right? No— you want to *really* drive the point home at the end of your branding statement. Your personal branding statement should make your ideal client *feel* something. They should feel excitement or a sense of relief because they have *finally* found an expert that can help them solve their problem. Your Solution should address their problem while simultaneously offering a solution. For example, this fitness coach’s personal branding statement could end with the following: > ***“I help women in LA commit to a healthier lifestyle in just 90 days!”*** Do you see the different parts of the personal brand statement equation? *“I help + women in LA + commit to a healthier lifestyle in just 90 days!”* ## Evoke Emotion with Practical Solutions That Leave Clients Wanting More Consider a time when you enlisted another professional to help complete a task. For this lesson, let’s say it was a website designer. You had hundreds of options to explore, so how did you settle on the person you hired? Most likely, their personal brand statement evoked a specific emotion that compelled you to say yes. While looking for a web designer, you likely compared several different options. However, you probably didn’t spend hours poring over lengthy documents and data. Instead, you used their branding statement as a [decision-making guide](https://clairebahn.com/your-ultimate-guide-to-reinventing-yourself/). You remained unconvinced of their worth until you knew they could offer solutions and provide preventative measures for the next debacle. Meanwhile, your potential clients are doing the same. And they’re waiting on you to answer the call. Here is a personal brand statement example that works: “Helping my clients build compelling personal brands to skyrocket their business and sales.” That’s my brand statement, and it works for multiple reasons. But mainly, the sentence tells my [story](https://clairebahn.com/visual-storytelling-and-personal-branding/) while assuring potential clients of my measurable results for their business. ### Mix It Up! Additionally, you can mix up your statement by using the equation **Your Action + Your Solution = Your Target Client**. An example of that might look like: > ***“I create + 90-day health plans for + women in LA who are looking to commit to a new lifestyle!”*** If we stopped this personal brand statement example at “Women in LA,” it would leave too much to the imagination. While the 90-day health plan might be enough to spark your ideal client’s curiosity, the last portion speaks solely to your target client. Plenty of online fitness coaches sell X-Day plans, but *yours* can help them commit. They’ll ask themselves, “What is it about this 90-day plan that will finally get me to commit to a healthier lifestyle?” And *that’s* when inquiries will start flying in. ## 6 Personal Brand Statement Examples As simple as this equation may be, there are still some entrepreneurs who don’t get it *quite* right. If you are too generic, people are going to roll their eyes. **“*Another* product that will help me with my diet. Sure, okay,”** they’ll think. On the other hand, if you’re too specific, you are going to cut out potential customers. Plus, it will be a mouthful to get a simple message across. Can you imagine introducing yourself by saying, “I’m a coach who helps men and women in LA find the perfect workout and diet routine so they can lose weight in just 90 days!”? Probably not, right? Not only does it make you sound like a used car salesman, but it’s way too long. You won’t leave them with any guesswork. Therefore, they won’t ask you more about your business. ## Terrible Personal Brand Statement Examples I’m not going to give you real-life [personal brand statement examples](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) that I’ve seen online (though there are quite a few). Instead, I’m going to create a few and point out one thing in each statement that has the potential to drive your customers (or investors) away. 1. **“I have a tech startup.”** If you asked someone what they did for a living and this was their answer, wouldn’t your immediate response be, “And?” People don’t want to have to dig for information. That’s why the equation I developed for you comes in handy. Tell them who you are, who you help, and why your solution isn’t like the rest. 2. **“I help entrepreneurs by producing their online content such as blogs, videos, and photography!”** While this *does* hit all the key points, this personal brand statement example doesn’t leave anything to the imagination. Plus, there are plenty of content creators out there— what makes your blogs, video, and photography so special? Likewise, if your personal branding statement can be used as a template for any other person in your field, you definitely need to consider a rewrite. No two personal brands should be the same, so your personal branding statement should be just as distinguishable. 3. **“I’m a real estate agent who helps people buy and sell homes in Santa Monica, California.”** In this example, the [personal brand](https://web.archive.org/web/20210731214731/https:/www.forbes.com/sites/goldiechan/2018/11/08/10-golden-rules-personal-branding/#31b47ce758a7) is too broad. There are plenty of real estate agents in Santa Monica. This statement also just *defines* what a real estate agent does. The statement should highlight why this personal real estate agent is different from Mr. Real Estate Agent next door. Do they specialize in foreclosures, first-time home buyers, or luxury properties over $500K? This personal brand needs a little more personality to get its target client to like, know, and trust them. ## Excellent Personal Brand Statement Examples I am going to use *real* personal branding statement examples for this section. These people have been in business long enough to know exactly who their target audience is and what solutions they are looking for. 1. **“Helping You Succeed Through Online Marketing! “** [Neil Patel’s personal branding statement](https://web.archive.org/web/20210731214731/https:/neilpatel.com/) is highlighted right in his homepage SEO. Google “Neil Patel,” and you’ll see exactly what I mean. While this may seem too broad, once you have notoriety on par with Neil Patel, you can afford to be a little more liberal. It still follows my Your Action + Your Target Client = Your Solution. While he negates the word “I” and his target audience are simply “you,” he still makes sure people know that he helps them find a solution (“success through online marketing”). He takes it a step further once you click on his website by immediately asking his viewers, “Do you want more traffic?” This hook on his website further specifies how he can help you succeed through online marketing. It makes people stop and analyze their business, thus encouraging them to work with him. 2. **“I help entrepreneurs grow social platforms.”** This comes directly from Jasmine Star’s Instagram bio (the perfect place to showcase your personal brand statement). With nearly half a million followers, it’s clear that her [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/brand-messaging/) statement works like a charm. She clarifies what she does a little bit more on her website by saying that she is “A Photographer & Business Strategist who empowers entrepreneurs to build a brand, market it on social media, and create a life they love.” 3. **“Helping my clients maximize authority & influence to accelerate business growth & gain recognition.”** Yes, this is my personal branding statement. Not to toot my own horn, but as a [personal branding strategist](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/), I know what it takes to get my ideal client’s attention. Because my business is digital, I’m not locked down by demographics like gender or location. > ***“I make sure I let people know that I help build their authority and influence.”*** I’m letting my potential clients know that their personal brand will break the mold. My personal brand statement then explains that by using my services, their business and recognition will skyrocket. So, I’ve ended my statement with a solution to their problem: getting recognition and business growth, which is what most of my clients are looking to do. **RELATED:** [**What is Personal Branding and Why You Should Care**](https://web.archive.org/web/20210731214731/https:/clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/) ## Conclusion Your personal brand statement is going to be plastered everywhere you present yourself and your business. That’s why it’s important to get it right; don’t get discouraged if you can’t find the correct words immediately. What’s best is that you fine-tune the message until it generates the momentum you desire. But remember that your sentence will appear on websites and social media. And that means your imagery should be as eye-catching as the terms you use. Granted, you can use my formula to create your statement in many different ways. If you’re not sure if you’ve got it right, you can always schedule a consultation with your favorite [personal branding strategist](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) (that’s me). Just make sure you know how to address these three fundamental sections so that we can build you the best statement that speaks to [your unique personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-building-in-2023/): 1. What do you do that no one else does? 2. Who is your ideal client? 3. What problems are you helping them solve? What you say can change the way people think about your company. But when you find something that resonates, you’ll know it, and so will your target demographic. **Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE** [**Personal Branding Masterclass**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) **today.** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Brand Strategist **Tags:** personal brand statement examples --- ### [Job Search Tips: Why Personal Branding is Essential Today](https://clairebahn.com/job-search-tips/) **Published:** February 9, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** ***Job search tips are critical in today’s competitive job market as they help you effectively showcase your skills, network with the right people, and find the job that aligns with your career goals.*** Are you looking for a better, higher-paying job? Or are you looking to move to a role with more responsibility? You’ve probably already brushed up that resume- listed your impressive credentials and your considerable experience and expertise. But here’s something you probably didn’t know. You may be the best candidate for a role- and still not get the job. Heck, you may not even get that interview! Why? According to CareerBuilder’s experts, almost [50% of employers](https://press.careerbuilder.com/2017-06-15-Number-of-Employers-Using-Social-Media-to-Screen-Candidates-at-All-Time-High-Finds-Latest-CareerBuilder-Study) are less likely to interview any candidate they can’t find online. In today’s fast-paced and super-connected world, where networking is king, and social media is queen, [job opportunities](https://clairebahn.com/job-opportunities-2/) are reserved for the select few willing to confidently showcase their professional personalities. *What do we mean by a professional personality?* Think of all the most successful people you know. What do they have in common? The answer is they aren’t building empires by waiting around, hoping they’ll win the lottery one day. They’re leveraging the power of building personal brands. So why can’t you? [Having a personal brand is essential](https://clairebahn.com/) for anyone looking for a job for a simple reason — it’s the best way to give employers an idea of what to expect from you. Far from being a buzzword, [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/brand-youtube-channel/) is now a must for budding entrepreneurs, freelancers, and any professional looking to improve their network. It’s what sets us apart from our competitors; it’s what makes employers connect with us on a personal level. But first, let’s get into the basics with these job search tips. **Table of Contents** [What is a Personal Brand?](#_Toc127124252) [Why is it Important?](#_Toc127124253) [The Job Market](#_Toc127124254) [Dealing With the Competition](#_Toc127124255) [Adapt to the Market](#_Toc127124256) [How to Build a Personal Brand](#_Toc127124257) [Step 1: Find Out What Makes You Unique](#_Toc127124258) [Step 2: Identify Your Strengths](#_Toc127124259) [Step 3: Leverage Social Media](#_Toc127124260) [Step 4: Be Authentic and Consistent](#_Toc127124261) [Benefits of Personal Branding](#_Toc127124262) [Increased Job Opportunities and Credibility](#_Toc127124263) [Better Salaries and Negotiations](#_Toc127124264) [Maintaining Your Personal Brand](#_Toc127124265) [Continue to Build Your Online Presence](#_Toc127124266) [Network and Widen Your Horizons](#_Toc127124267) [Continuously Update Your Personal Brand](#_Toc127124268) [Conclusion](#_Toc127124269) ## What is a Personal Brand? [Personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) is the process of creating a unique voice that separates you from other competitors in your field. It helps you define what you stand for as an individual. It’s a combination of your expertise and experience. It’s where your online and offline personalities meet to tell a professional story. As a job search tip to keep in mind, it’s the perception you would like employers to have of you. ### Why is it Important? **It builds credibility:** You’ll be amazed at how much importance employers, clients, and peers place on this simple word. Your experience or expertise rarely gets you rejected or accepted for a job; it’s a simple matter of determining whether you can deliver on your promise. **It helps you differentiate yourself:** We spend the first 15 years of our lives trying to fit in with the kids at school and the next 50 years trying to stand out to potential employers. What differentiates us from the hundreds of applicants vying for the same job? Our own unique stories or *personal brands.* **It helps make an impression:** Remember how we were advised to keep our CVs short and to the point? The advice was meant to help us make lasting impressions with very few words. Well, in 2023, we may rely more on social media to do the job for us, but the goal remains the same. A personal brand is a dynamic resume, perfect for our times. It helps build a connection. A[ personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/value-of-your-personal-brand/) is the best way to make employers and clients understand who you are. There’s no point harping on about what you stand for during interviews when you can show employers what you mean instead. It helps them connect with you personally, and they are much more likely to trust your expertise. ## The Job Market At the lowest point of your job search, it may seem like the job market has reached a point of saturation. That there are too many applicants for too few jobs. That everyone else’s skills and experience surpass our own. It’s a bitter pill to swallow, but it’s one that’s not backed by statistics. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, the unemployment rate as of January 2023 was at [an all-time low](https://www.chase.com/personal/investments/learning-and-insights/article/january-jobs-report-reveals-517000-new-jobs-and-a-drop-in-unemployment). More jobs are being introduced every single day, and once you follow the right job search tips — such as building a personal brand — nothing is stopping you from: ### Dealing With the Competition As its name suggests, a personal brand offers a unique insight into your life and experiences. It shows clearly what you bring to the table and helps you identify what value you can offer that other applicants don’t. As suggested earlier, it’s as essential for employers to know your ability to stand out as it is for them to know how many master’s degrees you’ve been successfully awarded. ### Adapt to the Market Social media has created a massive shift in the job market. What once seemed unprofessional and a waste of time is now considered an essential skill set that employers highly value. Job search tips are especially important to keep in mind when it comes to networking and using social media. Even if your job doesn’t involve social media, there’s a larger point being made here- it’s about the importance of adapting. Building your personal brand, creating your own niche, understanding the current market state, and positioning yourself as a master of the times can put you miles ahead of your competition. ## How to Build a Personal Brand ### Step 1: Find Out What Makes You Unique The first step to building a personal brand is understanding yourself. When figuring out ways to present yourself as a unique candidate, it’s only obvious to consider things that set you apart from the crowd. Think hard about your background, habits, hobbies, and experiences. Even if they seem irrelevant to [your professional career](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important/) at first, once you start seeing connections between these traits and your business goals, they’ll start falling into place. Use the insights you come up with to carve out a niche for yourself. ### Step 2: Identify Your Strengths Identifying strengths, in this regard, involve so much more than putting down a list of computer software that you’re well-versed with or a list of accomplishments from back in college. Thinking about your strengths in more abstract terms could be immensely beneficial. Have you always been good with people, for instance? Do you have a brain that’s able to compute large numbers easily? A little self-reflection goes a long way in identifying your expertise. A helpful exercise could be to take a piece of paper and write down five things you think you’re really good at and five areas where you could improve. Let your imagination take it from there. ### Step 3: Leverage Social Media Once you’ve landed on the story you want to tell, and what makes you, *you* [use social media to your advantage](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/). It’s a no-brainer that the easiest way to put yourself out there is through social media. As much as [90% of all employers](https://www.dreambox.id/blog/branding-strategi/15-statistics-that-proves-the-value-of-personal-branding/) say that they conduct extensive online research of potential candidates before moving ahead with the hire. And so, it’s highly beneficial to make sure what you post remains consistent with how you want your brand to be perceived. ### Step 4: Be Authentic and Consistent A personal brand isn’t just an online persona you can come up with on the fly. It mustn’t simply be a combination of buzzwords you think people want to hear. Nothing puts people off more than inauthenticity. One of the most underrated job search tips, in fact, is the ability to tell your own story, your own narrative. Once you’ve settled on that, live and breathe the values that you stand for. Authenticity and consistency, meanwhile, go hand-in-hand. On social media, for instance, people should be able to identify your brand the second they see your post. Even minor inconsistencies can be very jarring. If you aren’t authentic, then you can’t be consistent, and if you aren’t consistent, you’re simply hurting your own brand. ## Benefits of Personal Branding So, you’ve taken the first step to success and started thinking about your brand. Now it’s time for the fun part: Watching your hard work come to fruition. If you’ve diligently followed all the steps leading to this point, you should soon see the benefits of personal branding starting to shine through. Benefits such as: ### Increased Job Opportunities and Credibility With a personal brand in place, employers now have a handy list of all your strongest attributes and will start to see you as an authority in the subject. Your values and skills are no longer vague self-assessments but a proven track record for everyone to see. According to most job search tips, this increases your chances of being hired significantly. A recent survey suggests that [85% of freelance jobs](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/new-survey-reveals-85-all-jobs-filled-via-networking-lou-adler/) are filled through personal networking. This implies that building a solid network through your brand is statistically proven to increase your job opportunities. ### Better Salaries and Negotiations Once your personal [brand starts to see a certain amount of success](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/), you could soon find yourself with an extensive network of like-minded professionals who see you as an expert in your field. This, in human resources terms, is a gold mine. Employers will value the network you can bring to the table, as it means more profit for their company and better insights into what they can do to improve. This will put you in a position to negotiate better salaries and seek more relevant jobs. ## Maintaining Your Personal Brand By now, you’re probably high as a kite at the prospect of being able to fight off job offers and negotiate higher salaries. But, unfortunately, the hard work isn’t done yet. As mentioned earlier, consistency is a big part of creating your personal brand. And this doesn’t have to stop just because you’ve seen moderate success. The ability to maintain a personal brand is just as important as the ability to create one. Here are some ways you can do that: ### Continue to Build Your Online Presence Social media is ever-evolving. Posts that made waves on Facebook 10 years ago (or even two years ago, for that matter) can quickly seem dated and irrelevant. So don’t sit back once you’ve created your brand; continue to increase your social media reach. Use your online presence to reach more communities and network with your peers. Track data from your posts to see what’s working well with your followers and what isn’t. Make schedules to ensure you post at the correct times and to the right people. In a nutshell — keep building an online presence; you want your brand to reach as many people as possible, after all. ### Network Tips and Widen Your Horizons Maintaining a personal brand involves a lot of campaigning for yourself. While this could be done over platforms like social media, getting yourself out there in person is equally beneficial. Meet other professionals from your field, organize groups with like-minded people, stay in touch with former colleagues, and introduce yourself to potential business partners and investors. Put yourself out there, and make sure that people continue to remember your name. Once you’ve achieved a certain degree of relevance, it’s essential to keep it up, or all your hard work will have amounted to nothing. ### Continuously Update Your Personal Brand Think of where you were a few years ago and how much you’ve changed in the time since. Much like your personal journey, a personal brand must update itself over time. As your skills improve, experience doubles, and interests vary, don’t forget to let your personal brand evolve along with you. As already established, it’s an essential part of making your brand as authentic as possible. ## Conclusion It’s safe to say that of all the job search tips you’ve probably scoured through, and this one is possibly the most challenging- yet rewarding. A personal brand is the best way to stand out from the crowd, showcase your dazzling talent, and ensure that the job opportunities you get are the right fit for you. Even if you don’t manage to succeed in having the perfect personal brand as fast as you’d like, be patient. Even the individual skills you pick up from the process can go a long way in helping you get better job opportunities. Over a [third of all freelancers](https://explore.payoneer.com/freelancer-income-survey-2018/) in the USA are already seeing the benefits of maintaining an extensive network, for instance, and a massive [85% of freelancers](https://montereypremier.com/the-impact-of-social-media-on-freelance-small-business-success/) say they use social media to find work. It all adds up. And so, we’ll leave you now with a daunting yet fulfilling task. We’re sure you can’t wait to see the results, but first, you must do the work. Turn yourself into a brand people love, and you’ll soon be soaring to success. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding Strategist **Tags:** Job Search Tips --- ### [The Importance of Authenticity in Executive Reputation Management](https://clairebahn.com/the-importance-of-authenticity-in-executive-reputation-management/) **Published:** August 7, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Why is authenticity the cornerstone of effective executive reputation management in today’s business world? How can leaders ensure their executive reputation management strategies build both personal credibility and corporate trust? What long-term benefits can authenticity bring to executive reputation management efforts?* *Authenticity has become the defining factor in executive reputation management. In a hyper-connected world where trust and transparency drive influence, executives can no longer rely on polished statements or curated images alone. This blog explores how an authentic approach to leadership strengthens personal credibility, builds investor confidence, and fosters customer loyalty. From consistent brand voice to visible integrity, authenticity is positioned as the single most important driver of long-term reputation resilience.* *The piece also breaks down the tangible business value of investing in executive reputation management. Leaders who align personal values with company missions not only elevate their own career capital but also enhance organizational reputation. Real-world examples—both [successes and cautionary tales—illustrate how authenticity impacts brand](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) trust, media perception, and employee engagement. The message is clear: authenticity isn’t a marketing tactic; it’s a leadership strategy that protects reputations and fuels sustainable growth.* I’ve worked with enough leaders to know that building a powerful public presence isn’t about looking impressive; it’s about being believable. That’s why I want to talk about something that doesn’t just influence how the world sees you—it shapes how much trust, influence, and opportunity you actually have: authenticity in executive reputation management. In today’s hyper-connected, hyper-skeptical world, [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) is no longer an optional “side project” for senior leaders. How you show up online, in the media, and at events feeds directly into both your own career trajectory and your company’s overall brand reputation. Here’s the reality: your executive reputation and your CEO reputation are business assets. People invest in them, believe in them…or quietly decide not to engage with them at all. In this blog, we’ll explore why authenticity has become the single most important driver of a healthy, influential executive brand—and how to make sure it’s working for you, not against you. **Table of Contents:** [What is Executive Reputation Management?](#_Toc207276844) [The Connection Between Executive and Brand Reputation](#_Toc207276845) [Why Authenticity is the Foundation of Reputation Management](#_Toc207276846) [Core Elements of an Authentic Executive Reputation](#_Toc207276847) 1. [ Consistent Brand Voice](#_Toc207276848) 2. [ Visible Integrity](#_Toc207276849) 3. [ Audience-Centric Engagement](#_Toc207276850) 4. [ Long-Term Commitment](#_Toc207276851) [Benefits of Authentic Reputation Management for Executives and Businesses](#_Toc207276852) [Common Questions About Executive Reputation Management](#_Toc207276853) 1. [ What is CEO reputation management?](#_Toc207276854) 2. [ What does reputation management cost?](#_Toc207276855) 3. [ How long does reputation management take?](#_Toc207276856) 4. [ How do I choose a reputation management service?](#_Toc207276857) 5. [ What is a good reputation score?](#_Toc207276858) [Strategies for Maintaining Authenticity Over Time](#_Toc207276859) [Real-World Examples of Executive Reputation Management](#_Toc207276860) [Leaders Who Nail Authenticity](#_Toc207276861) [Cautionary Tales: When Authenticity Fails](#_Toc207276862) [Conclusion](#_Toc207276863) ## What is Executive Reputation Management? At the most basic level, executive [reputation management](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/) is the intentional process of shaping and protecting how you, as a leader, are perceived by the public, your peers, and your stakeholders. This isn’t just a defensive PR strategy for “when things go wrong.” When it’s done well, it’s a proactive discipline—a way to communicate your values, vision, and voice consistently so people know exactly who you are and what you stand for. I’ve been asked countless times why a company would bother spending resources on an executive who may not stay with the organization indefinitely. While the question is valid, they usually don’t consider that executives with a strong personal brand are 87% more likely to attract investors, see an 83% increase in positive media attention, and 77% new top talent compared to a company brand. Furthermore, a study by [Weber Shandwick](https://webershandwick.com/news/the-company-behind-the-brand-in-reputation-we-trust-ceo-spotlight) found that 60% of people believe that a CEO’s personal brand is more important than the company’s. Ultimately, the benefits are twofold: - You strengthen your personal brand, which builds your influence and career capital. - You enhance your company’s brand reputation, which drives trust, visibility, and growth. Your executive reputation is tied directly to your ability to lead effectively. And whether you like it or not, your personal credibility is inseparable from your organization’s credibility. Investing in it is more than worthwhile. > ***“Executives with a strong personal brand are 87% more likely to attract investors, see an 83% increase in positive media attention, and 77% new top talent.”*** ## The Connection Between Executive and Brand Reputation Here’s the thing: whether you’ve consciously cultivated it or not, you are the brand voice. The public perception of a CEO or executive doesn’t just affect stock prices or hiring pipelines—it influences brand trust on every level. [Weber Shandwick](https://cms.webershandwick.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ceo-reputation-premium-executive-summary-3.pdf) found that 59% of people believe a CEO’s personal brand is important in deciding whether to purchase a product or service. That means your executive brand could be the difference between acquiring a new loyal customer or being passed over for another brand. However, authenticity is the key here. Leaders who hide behind scripted statements or appear disconnected from reality experience a drop in credibility, erosion of trust, and the brand as a whole takes a hit. But when an executive shows up with clarity and authenticity, it creates a ripple effect: - Investors feel more confident. - The media pays attention. - Customers become loyal advocates. Modern audiences—whether they’re customers, employees, or potential investors—crave transparency. In fact, [Label Insight](https://nielseniq.com/global/en/insights/) found that 94% of customers are likely to show loyalty to a brand that offers complete transparency. People want leadership they can relate to, not just admire from a distance. And that means sharing enough of your perspective, process, and even imperfections to be seen as a human being, not just a corporate title. ## Why Authenticity is the Foundation of Reputation Management > ***“Reputation damage is the number one risk concern for business executives worldwide.”*** When I talk about authenticity in executive reputation management, I’m not talking about oversharing or posting every thought that crosses your mind. Authenticity here means: - Consistent values, not just situational talking points. - Genuine communication that reflects *you*, not just your marketing team. - A recognizable brand voice that people can trust and rely on. Authenticity builds trust. And trust is the currency that drives not only your reputation but also your company’s long-term viability. When people believe you’re real, they give you the benefit of the doubt in tough times, amplify your message in good times, and stick with you when the competition comes knocking. The flip side? Inauthentic positioning might get short-term attention, but it will cost you in the long run. Think damaged credibility, public skepticism, and even reputational backlash that’s hard (and expensive) to undo. ## Core Elements of an Authentic Executive Reputation There are four non-negotiables when it comes to developing an authentic executive reputation. Let’s break them down: ### 1. Consistent Brand Voice Your personal messaging needs to align with your company’s mission and values. This is imperative because if your public statements sound like they came from a different universe than your company’s marketing, people *will* notice, and they will stop believing in either one. ### 2. Visible Integrity This is about showing—not just saying—that you operate with ethics. That means your decisions, partnerships, and public commentary should reflect the same principles, regardless of whether you’re being praised or criticized. ### 3. Audience-Centric Engagement People don’t want to follow a copy-and-paste voice. They want to follow someone *real*. Authenticity isn’t a monologue on repeat or just regurgitating information. It means listening, responding, and adapting based on stakeholder feedback, which shows that you value connection over control. ### 4. Long-Term Commitment You can’t “do authenticity” as a quarterly initiative. This is a sustained practice that evolves with you, your company, and your audience. That means you must be willing to constantly show up, reflect, and adapt as needed. ## Benefits of Authentic Reputation Management for Executives and Businesses A [Deloitte study](https://djcs-prod.s3.amazonaws.com/public/blogs/deloitte/blogs.dir/7/files/2014/11/Reputation_Risk_survey.pdf) revealed that reputation damage is the number one risk concern for business executives worldwide, with 88% explicitly focusing on reputation risk as a key business challenge. Business reputation strategies have, in turn, paved the way for the importance of strong executive brands. Strong executive brands boost credibility, enhance professional networks, and create more business opportunities. When you get authenticity right in your executive reputation, a few things happen: - You strengthen trust and loyalty from customers, partners, and investors. - You gain a stronger positioning in the market because you stand out without shouting. - You have better crisis resilience, as authentic leaders get more grace during challenges. - Internal morale improves because your team feels proud to stand with you. In other words, authenticity in executive brand reputation isn’t just “nice to have.” It’s a business growth strategy. > ***“94% of customers are likely to show loyalty to a brand that offers complete transparency.”*** ## ![executive reputation management 1](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/executive-reputation-management-1-300x206.jpeg "executive reputation management 1 - Claire Bahn") ## Common Questions About Executive Reputation Management There are a few questions I get asked repeatedly about executive reputation management. I break them down here: ### 1. What is CEO reputation management? CEO reputation management is a specialized form of reputation management focused on shaping, monitoring, and protecting a CEO’s perception. It’s both a leadership development tool and a brand strategy. ### 2. What does reputation management cost? Costs for reputation management will vary widely based on the scope. A full-service engagement covering strategy, content, monitoring, and crisis response can range from a few thousand dollars a month to well into six figures annually, depending on scale and industry. ### 3. How long does reputation management take? There is no silver bullet when it comes to reputation management. It’s not a “one-and-done” project. Building, managing, and maintaining an executive reputation is an ongoing process—think in terms of years, not weeks. ### 4. How do I choose a reputation management service? When deciding on who to work with for reputation management services, look for a partner with a track record of working with executives, a clear strategic approach, and a deep understanding of brand voice, not just SEO or PR skills. ### 5. What is a good reputation score? There are a lot of [reputation management](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-3/) tools out there, and they all vary. A “good” score usually means high sentiment positivity, broad media reach, and strong alignment between how you want to be perceived and how you actually are perceived. ## Strategies for Maintaining Authenticity Over Time The leaders who sustain an authentic executive reputation don’t leave it up to chance. Instead, they create and follow a set brand strategy. Here are four elements that it includes: 1. **Set a clear personal brand framework that aligns with company values.** This ensures that every message, appearance, and decision reinforces both your leadership identity and the organization’s mission. Without this alignment, trust and credibility can quickly erode. 2. **Conduct regular content audits to keep messaging relevant and real.** Reviewing past communications helps identify inconsistencies, outdated narratives, or shifts in tone that could confuse or alienate audiences. 3. **Engage in thought leadership that reflects both personal and corporate perspectives.** By balancing individual insights with organizational priorities, leaders can position themselves as both visionary and team-oriented. 4. **Use feedback loops, from media monitoring to employee surveys, to stay attuned to audience perceptions.** These inputs allow leaders to course-correct early, reinforce what’s working, and address potential reputation risks before they grow. By consistently applying these strategies, leaders not only preserve their authenticity but also strengthen the trust, influence, and long-term impact of their executive brand. ## Real-World Examples of Executive Reputation Management Some leaders have encapsulated authentic [reputation management](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-2/), and others have fallen short. Let’s take a look: ### Leaders Who Nail Authenticity **1. Satya Nadella – Microsoft** Personal values can humanize a brand and inspire internal culture shifts. After becoming CEO, Nadella shifted Microsoft’s brand perception from a “legacy tech giant” to an innovation-driven, empathetic leader in AI and cloud. His openness about his son’s disability and his focus on empathy as a core leadership principle made him relatable, not just impressive. **2. Mary Barra – General Motors** Visible integrity under pressure strengthens both personal and corporate credibility. Barra’s transparent communication style, especially during the ignition switch crisis, helped GM rebuild trust. She took personal accountability in congressional hearings and committed to long-term safety reforms. **3. Ed Bastian – Delta Air Lines** Direct, human-to-human communication builds resilience in times of uncertainty. Bastian regularly shares personal notes to customers and employees, not just corporate statements. During pandemic travel chaos, he acknowledged frustrations, explained operational challenges, and outlined concrete solutions. ### Cautionary Tales: When Authenticity Fails **1. Elizabeth Holmes – Theranos** Over-curating your image while concealing reality is the fastest way to lose all credibility. While initially praised for her vision, Holmes’ reluctance to acknowledge technological failures and her tightly controlled public persona led to a catastrophic loss of trust once the truth emerged. **2. Travis Kalanick – Uber** A leader’s personal behavior directly influences company culture and public perception. Kalanick’s aggressive, win-at-all-costs persona reflected in Uber’s toxic internal culture, sparking multiple PR crises and ultimately his resignation. **3. Tony Hayward – BP** One careless, inauthentic remark can permanently damage an executive’s brand. During the Deepwater Horizon oil spill, Hayward’s “I’d like my life back” comment made him seem tone-deaf and self-focused in a moment requiring empathy. ## Conclusion Authenticity is not optional in a world where everyone’s watching (and screenshotted receipts last forever). It’s the single most effective way to build and protect a positive executive reputation that fuels both your personal career growth and your company’s long-term success. When you lead with a clear, consistent brand voice, visible integrity, and genuine connection, you don’t just manage your reputation; you expand it. And in doing so, you position yourself as the kind of leader people trust, follow, and champion. Because at the end of the day, executive reputation management isn’t about polishing an image—it’s about building a legacy. #### **Your reputation is too valuable to leave to chance. Let’s define it, protect it, and grow it. Book your personalized [strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call) today and start shaping the leadership presence you want to be known for.** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Executive Branding **Tags:** brand reputation, executive branding, executive reputation management, personal branding, Reputation Management --- ### [Why CEO Branding is Important for Startup Founders](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding-for-startups/) **Published:** November 29, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Most startup founders spend their time developing a viable product and bringing it to market, which means working long hours. Research, marketing strategy, and product development depend on funds. Startup founders must win investor support during this process, which is why CEO Branding for Startup founders matters. One of the biggest steps is the development of your startup founder CEO brand. You may feel stretched thin when you’re a business owner, making establishing a personal brand difficult but not impossible. Investing time and effort into your personal brand will help your start-up succeed: with investors, clients, and your team. **Table of Contents** [Developing your Startup CEO Branding Story](#_Toc124164874) [Your Position in the World](#_Toc124164875) [Your Purpose](#_Toc124164876) [Your Personality](#_Toc124164877) [Your Plan](#_Toc124164878) [Why Does CEO Branding Startups Matter?](#_Toc124164879) [What Can a Personal Branding Strategy Bring to Your Start-Up?](#_Toc124164880) [Credibility](#_Toc124164881) [Clients](#_Toc124164882) [Networking and Investment Opportunities](#_Toc124164883) [How do Investors Decide to Invest in Start-Ups?](#_Toc124164884) [Seven Factors Founders Should Consider When Raising Start-Up Money](#_Toc124164885) [Consider getting outside help for your startup CEO branding](#_Toc124164886) **Developing your Startup CEO Branding Story** As you launch your start-up, now is the time to take action on what you want your narrative to be. Below, we explore in more detail what investors are looking for. Having that insight will be key as you begin brainstorming, so more on that later. Storytelling is in high demand. Be able to clearly and concisely articulate why you do what you do. There are a few perspectives to consider when developing your approach: **Your Position in the World** Many CEOs envision leaving the world better than they found it. Lots of us are passionate about the environment, safety, and our fellow humans. That’s wonderful, so how can you take that love for the world and transform it into the story of your company’s mission? How would you like to improve the world from your position? **Your Purpose** To improve the world, you need to define your purpose. Many founders start their businesses with a clear vision. But do you know it deeply enough to recite it? Can your entire team articulate it as you do and with the same enthusiastic spirit? **Your Personality** It is important to define your purpose and positioning before you can identify your brand’s personality. A company’s personality is more about how you speak and sound in written copy. It’s about your personality too! It’s common for your [startup to have a direct reflection of the founders](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) at the beginning. A brand voice naturally develops when you are best friends grinding around your kids’ schedules or two college buddies who built from the ground up in a garage. As your company grows, it becomes a composite of others speaking or writing on your behalf: employees, managers, and contractors such as marketing firms or copywriters. Anyone you hire must reflect your voice and style the way you want. You must describe your company’s persona as part of the project parameters. How would you describe your company and why? Bottom line, knowing your company’s personality is as important as knowing your own. You must demonstrate this personality in everything you do and say, ensuring your staff and contractors reflect your vision. **Your Plan** Create frameworks for a ten-year business strategy, a market positioning plan for the next 24 months, and a brand personality. A founding team must establish a consistent company voice and workplace culture, in addition to all the forecasting and planning on the books. You can have a big impact with these simple, clear frameworks that are easy to follow. Make sure you do these early on and regularly. As a company’s brand evolves, so do its people. Over time, you will grow if you perform these exercises consistently. A company’s purpose, position, and personality are as important to revise as they were when they were first articulated. **Why Does CEO Branding Startups Matter?** Branding for start-up founders plays an important role in a company’s success. Investors and potential customers alike want to know who they are dealing with. Investors want to know that their money will go toward a company that is honest, accountable, and led by someone with integrity. Investors want to know that you’ll be level-headed in a crisis and make the right decisions when something goes sideways. Investors want to know who you are as a person and a leader, as they place their trust in your capable hands. **What Can a Personal Branding Strategy Bring to Your Start-Up?** **Credibility** Your start-up will automatically gain credibility if your industry peers recognize you as an expert. This is especially true early in the company’s development. Your personal brand and leadership style will automatically transfer credibility to your new venture if your name is already established in your industry. Credibility will automatically flow to your company when your personal brand is strong. This will allow you to build your brand faster. **Clients** When you build a strong personal brand, clients may seek you out rather than you and your team having to chase them down. This will save you time and make it easier to generate income. A start-up’s cash flow is crucial. Supporting existing clients is less expensive than seeking out new ones. Your first clients buy into your vision. They can become brand ambassadors and referral sources. Over time, building a strong brand will help you acquire higher-value clients. As you gain a reputation as an authority in your industry, your demand will increase, and you can charge higher rates. As a result, your company can grow faster and become more profitable. Don’t forget to take care of the ones who got you started. **Networking and Investment Opportunities** Business plans and numbers are important to investors, but in the end, investors invest in people. A personal brand will help you attract their attention and establish you as an authority. A strong business plan will also help you stand out to investors when you are approaching your next round of funding. You will be attractive to investors if you have a reputation for being a trusted and influential person in your industry. Creating a personal brand will broaden your sphere of influence even if you have a niche product or market. Initially, only a few people are likely aware of your expertise and skills. A strong [CEO branding](https://clairebahn.com/why-ceo-branding-is-good-for-your-company/) strategy will help you become more known. Growing your network will give you more opportunities for yourself and your start-up. Through your network, you will discover that your professional [CEO brand](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2018/05/18/use-ceo-branding-to-gain-more-visibility-for-your-company/) opens up a world of opportunities for you and your business. In the early stages of your start-up, CEO branding for startups and a [strategic communications](https://clairebahn.com/) plan will play a crucial role, even if it is not directly responsible for its success. **How do Investors Decide to Invest in Start-Ups?** Investing is not an altruistic activity. Investors are keenly observant of signals that trigger their investment decisions and indicators of deals to avoid. The road to the investment process is influenced by many factors, including the perceptions of the CEO. Let’s first dive into what investors look at when making their decisions: **Seven Factors Founders Should Consider When Raising Start-Up Money** 1. **Passion** Most entrepreneurs are passionate about their ventures. Investors look for evidence that the entrepreneur has made financial sacrifices and commitments for the project to succeed. They look at people who have staked their reputation and money on their project, people who have been repeatedly told ‘no’ and kept going, and those who have triumphed over problems along the way. 2. **Demonstration** An initial proof of concept is required to show investors that the idea is viable. This can be a crude MVP rather than a finished product. 3. **Sizeable market** To attract investors, a beautiful product with limited market appeal will not attract funding. 4. **Team** To convince investors that a team is complementary and efficient for delegating appropriate tasks, it’s important to show they aren’t concentrating risk on one individual. 5. **Competitive edge** If you wish to differentiate yourself from the competition, don’t say, “we will work harder.” Explain how your geographic, cultural, and strategic advantages will help you succeed. 6. **Plan of Action** Make plans for the future and balance empty assertions of IPO within three years with more pragmatic approaches to potential strategic partners. Be aware of unit economics, and ensure your projections are realistic. 7. **YOU** Intangibles like character, personality, and integrity are important to investors. Be yourself, do not try to be something you are not, and always act consistently. A CEO’s job requires all kinds of skills, including seeking feedback and advice. Think: DRAAFT: Decency, Reliability, Adaptability, Authenticity, Foresight, and Teamwork: **Decency** The ability to build strong relationships with shareholders, investors, employees, and the public can be a key trait of a CEO. For others to trust you enough to help you realize your vision, you must carry genuine decency and care toward them. And that doesn’t just mean being a good person. It’s about demonstrating compassion and understanding and being aware of how different factors impact your employees or the public. When showing your decency toward others, placing the human factor first is essential. Ask people what they think or how they perceive something and analyze their feedback briefly. **Reliability** The best employees must be reliable, regardless of their rank. However, we may promise something we cannot deliver or make the wrong decision when critical. CEOs lose the trust of important people like their employees if they exhibit these behaviors, even once. Reliability requires transparency. That’s the most important quality for a CEO. Those you rely on to ensure the success of your organization will scrutinize everything you say and do, so CEOs must be decisive in their statements and actions. **Adaptability** Being more adaptable involves changing your mindset. Every time you face a change, look at the positive aspects first. We should always keep an open mind and try to see challenges as opportunities. In addition to being naturally adaptable, some people possess structure and predictability. As a CEO, you’ll have to deal with change. If you don’t feel adaptable naturally, experiment. **Authenticity** Personal chemistry is sometimes unexplainable, but it can be beneficial if you click right away with investors. The best way to have this chemistry is to be authentic in your presentation. You don’t have to be overly formal and stiff. Be yourself. Listen to the ideas of investors who have socially or financially beneficial ideas. They’ll tell you what they value if you listen to their questions and comments. Listening will also help you identify the things that indicate whether or not there is a connection. Talk with the investors, not at them. Furthermore, watch your footing if you do find that magic. It can be going fantastically, only to fall apart if you tell a joke in poor taste or discuss sensitive topics. Additionally, if you act cocky or boastful, you could quickly hurt your chances of getting a deal. The bottom line: Be you, be humble, and listen more than you speak. **Foresight** Foresight is the ability to think critically about the future. It’s an invaluable quality for all of us, but it’s even more important for CEOs. One of the most invaluable characteristics of a CEO is the ability to forecast the future and prepare for it. One must practice thinking outside the box for better foresight. Each decision must be weighed carefully by the CEO. **Teamwork** Powerful people often display the characteristic of doing things autonomously, watching everyone else from a watchtower and making their own decisions. However, for a smart CEO, this is rarely the case – it takes the input of many people to make good strategic and people decisions in real life. Almost all CEOs recognize the importance of consulting with their staff. Taking better advantage of the CEO role requires active listening, asking for feedback, and often delegating work to colleagues. CEO should carefully choose the right team members. **Consider getting outside help for your startup CEO branding** Entrepreneurs are occupied with matters that seem more pressing than building their own startup CEO brand. Taking a start-up from an idea to a viable product to an exit is a lot of work. The success of your start-up depends on your ability to build your CEO brand. If you do not feel comfortable about promoting yourself, consider getting help from personal branding experts. A founder’s achievements are often easier to write about if someone else is writing about them. Many founders feel that it’s self-indulgent to promote themselves. Remember, though, that sharing your vision for your start-up and your industry is personal and takes a genuine investment of time. When you share your brand with those who build it, it is easier for them to do so. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** CEO Branding **Tags:** ceo branding, startup brand --- ### [Claire Bahn on This Week in Startups- What I Learned](https://clairebahn.com/this-week-in-startups/) **Published:** September 25, 2019 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Last year, I had the privilege of being a guest on Jason Calacanis’ Podcast and YouTube show, *This Week in Startups*. Jason Calacanis is a technology entrepreneur and angel investor who routinely interviews startup founders to discuss ideas and ways to expand their existing business. For those of you who don’t know, I run my own business called Online Profile Pros. We work with our clients to set up all of their online profiles, whether it’s LinkedIn, Tinder, or Instagram. Even with fifteen years of experience in branding, I knew that getting an outsider’s perspective could help my business take off. As I mentioned in the interview, OPP has serviced over 2,000 entrepreneurs and influencers with profit margins at 30%. Not bad, but I felt that it lacks the hype it needs to propel forward. Speaking with Jason Calacanis on *This Week in Startups* has been an eye-opener. We’ve learned to segment our target market with different sites and services to go up-market. Based on Jason’s feedback, I decided to expand our personal branding options through our new site [Stratus Branding](https://stratusbranding.com/), where we offer bespoke personal branding solutions for individuals like CEOs, real estate agents, entrepreneurs and influencers. So for any of my readers that are also looking for ways to dominate in their entrepreneurial endeavors, I’m going to bring you along on my new business venture so you can see how you can develop your brand and reach your goals even faster. ## **Recap of This Week in Startups** I was really excited to get some insight from someone like Jason. I feel like I already have a pretty good grasp on management and branding, but if I ever want to attract investors, it’s important to consider how my elevator pitch comes off to others. You can watch the entire episode of [This Week in Startups right here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK7HRwetqY0&feature=youtu.be&t=2306) (I’m on it from about 38:30-57:48). For now, here are the big takeaways I got from speaking with Jason. The first thing he said that really stuck with me is that “life isn’t fair.” This is the general consensus for most people, but if you think this on a regular basis, it can really hurt your business. You can’t compare yourself to others who are successful or keep asking yourself why some people are getting millions in investments for silly ideas. If you focus too much on what others are doing, you’re taking away valuable time from your own company. **RELATED:** [**10 Steps To Finding Work-Life Balance**](https://clairebahn.com/work-life-balance/) Instead of comparing yourself, Jason said that I have to prove that my business works. The reality is, not everyone is going to believe in your idea as much as you do. It’s one thing to sit there and pitch your ideas to investors to tell them why your idea will work, but when you can show them how your [startup is going to be a success](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/), they will be more willing to fund your business. ### **Jason’s Suggestions** After explaining my current company and the basics of what we do at Online Profile Pros, Jason suggested that I try to grow my business by 10-20% every month. Even if these margins seem too minuscule for you (most entrepreneurs are quick to think “go big or go home”), it’s the most realistic. It will make it easier to gauge what marketing tactics are working and what specific sales are bringing in the most profit so that you can use those margins to grow. The last thing that we discussed on This Week in Startups that really lit a fire under me was his concept of producing a product for “whales”. In other words, he suggested that I don’t limit myself to selling products or services at an affordable rate. There are more than enough “whales” out there who think nothing of dropping $20K on a trip to the Bahamas, so why not offer a high-end service for those who are willing to pay for it? And with that idea in mind, I came up with a brand new business concept. ## **Starting a New Business** In 2017, I started Online Profile Pros as a way to help people create and maintain their online profiles. OPP primarily offers photography services because people really do judge a book by its cover. Anyone who needs help solidifying their profile is welcome to a few tier options. For example, our Basic Studio includes two outfits, a 30-minute photoshoot, and headshots. Over the years we added more and more of what I like to call profile enhancement services. We now offer wardrobe styling, photography, profile writing, LinkedIn profile writing, and even dating and business coaching. Everything someone would need to build the fundaments of their personal brand through their online profiles on LinkedIn, dating, and social networks. We have our own team of photographers, wardrobe consultants, and even writers who can edit the text in our client’s profiles. #### **Key Takeaways** After going on This Week in Startups and attending Founder University (which I’ll get to next), my thoughts that OPP needed a few fixes were confirmed. Jason agreed that offering a subscription-based service was hindering my potential. Which is why we’re now diving into a subscription-based business. This simply gives us more room to up-sell or produce repeat clients. And the ability to do both of those gives my startup the opportunity to transition into a venture scale business. After mulling Jason’s “whale” strategy around for a bit, I decided to start a completely new business— one that isn’t limited to strictly online profile branding… and that’s when [Stratus Branding](https://www.linkedin.com/post/edit/6765345238002352128/stratusbranding.com) became a reality. **RELATED:** [**Top 5 Social Media Platforms Every Entrepreneur Needs To Invest In**](https://clairebahn.com/top-social-media-platforms/) The idea of Stratus Branding is to help create influencers and professionals of authority. Like it or not, professionals and business gurus have to make a name for themselves online and the best way to do that is by creating authority which in turn builds trust and results in influence. Those who don’t are missing out of the bulk of today’s marketing strategies after all we’ve transitioned to a “reputation economy” so we better learn to deal with it. However, not everyone is techy or social media savvy, which is what my new company sets out to do. We offer customized professional branding for CXOs, real estate agents, lawyers, and other trade professionals who want to be recognized as the best of the best in their field. ## **What I Learned From Founder University** Founder University teaches entrepreneurs the key to startup approaches. I attended Founder University in September with over 50 amazing founders. I learned to hone my pitch to investors, as well as other tips on funding and legal pitfalls to watch out for in the start-up world. This class was packed with basic, yet, need-to-know intel about startups that I’m forever grateful for. Here are just a few takeaways I got from Founder University. ## **How to Pitch to Investors** Before you even think about reaching out to the investors, you need to craft your presentation. There are plenty of obscure ideas out there on what to include in your investor pitch. However, Founder University explains what investors actually want to hear. I even had the chance to pitch my startup to Jason Calacanis. He worked with me on how to fine-tune my idea into a presentation that would pique the interest of an investor. ## **Legal Pitfalls for Startups** Another really important aspect you need to learn about before gearing up your business is the legal aspect. And more specifically, the legal pitfalls. The second day was pretty much a free-for-all Q&A with attorneys who answer your legal questions concerning startups. I highly recommend doing this on your own. Talk to an attorney about what to watch out for on the legal side of your startup. ## **Tips on Funding for Startups** Apart from pitching your startup to investors, Founder University dives into marketing aspects with other ways to fund your business. Their speakers educated us on syndicates, negotiations, and the overall funding process. We were also introduced to the LAUNCH Accelerator which is essentially an exclusive opportunity for startups to pitch to top Silicon Valley investors. **RELATED:** [**The Importance of Creating a Compelling Personal Brand**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand/) You wouldn’t believe the amount of useful information I was introduced to during this time with Jason Calacanis. I am absolutely honored to have had the chance to share my entrepreneurial ideas with a group of like-minded individuals. Without it, I don’t know if I would have had the idea for my next startup. Who knows if Stratus Branding would have ever come to be? This new business is still in the beginning stages, but I am ecstatic about this prospect and can’t wait to share what I learn with you along the way. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding **Tags:** startups --- ### [How To Create Your Own Business in 10 Steps](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-your-own-business/) **Published:** September 2, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Thanks to the trajectory that 2020 has taken, you have probably been extremely motivated to learn how to create your own business. And despite the hundreds or thousands of entrepreneurs out there telling you how *they* created their empire, the process is pretty straightforward. Today, I’m going to cut through all noise and give you a point-blank, step-by-step guide on what it takes to develop a successful business. This is for you if you’re an aspiring [startup founder](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/), digital coach, or you’re looking to become a 7-figure CEO. This is *not for you* if you’re not ready to take your side hustle seriously or if you’re not ready to market **yourself** alongside your business. There are 10 steps outlined in this guide, which I understand may seem a bit overwhelming. My suggestion? Tackle each of these steps one at a time— especially if you’re starting from scratch and you’re on your own. However, I’m going to tell you right now that the best thing you can do for your business is to: 1. Ask for help 2. Collect as much information as impossible 3. Outsource You’ll also find that some of these steps can be packaged into one. If you’re ready to catapult your business so that you can become an authority in your industry, there’s a way you can get through these steps quicker (but I’ll save that tip towards the end). **RELATED:** [**Choosing A Personal Brand Logo & Examples of Personal Branding**](https://clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/) ## **1. Outline your personal brand** Step one towards becoming *the* leader in your industry: your personal brand. On LinkedIn and Facebook groups, I’ve been noticing an upsurge of people asking the question, [“What is personal branding?”](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/) I think the reason this phrase has become so commonplace is because people are beginning to see how successful influencers and thought leaders like Rachel Hollis are by just being themselves. That’s what your personal brand is all about. In today’s world, it’s about who knows you, not who you know. If you want people to like, know, and trust your service company or product, it all starts with the CEO. Like it or not, people want and *need* to see your face on social media and alongside your business before they’ll buy from you. Don’t believe me? Well, [according to Oberlo](https://www.oberlo.com/blog/branding-statistics#:~:text=Summary:%20Top%20Branding%20Statistics%20You%20Need%20to%20Know%20in%202020,-86%20percent%20of&text=by%2080%20percent-,It%20takes%20about%2050%20milliseconds%20(0.05%20seconds)%20for%20people%20to,increase%20revenue%20by%2033%20percent.&text=77%20percent%20of%20consumers%20buy,same%20values%20as%20they%20do.), “86% of consumers say that authenticity is a key factor when deciding what brands they like and support.” So step one is to outline your personal brand. Figure out what it is you believe in, what you have to offer, and ultimately, what you want to be known for. My entire blog is full of resources for getting started with your personal brand. But if you need consistent help, you can join my free Personal Branding Masterclass for exclusive guidance on getting your personal brand to stand out. ## **2. How to create your own business based on market research** This is one of my favorite parts of my job. For my Fast Track clients, a part of their brand strategy is analyzing what their competitors are doing. This step helps us get a clearer picture of what is already being offered and how it’s being marketed. With that in mind, I’m able to give my personal brand clients a strategy to get ahead of the game. With this, we can determine what gaps need to be filled in your industry and what product or service your brand can offer to fit those needs. One thing I make sure to include in this research is information on the CEO’s personal brand. If I Google another founder and nothing comes up, that’s good news for you. Now we know that we can outline your personal brand to help get the word out about your business. So, instead of solely depending on one strategy to market your business, you now essentially have two channels driving consumers to your platforms. ## **3. Determine your business product or service** Now that you know what you have to offer and what your competition is already doing, you need to find the product or service that sets you apart. Your business needs to speak to your consumer’s hierarchy of needs. That’s to say that your product or service needs to help them survive and thrive. Are you helping them find shelter, food, or a relationship? Or are you offering them something that will help them thrive? This can be anything from finding the right financial path to providing your consumer with a community that fits their needs. If you can’t sell your product to your friends, family, or even yourself, then chances are nobody else is going to buy into it either. Use your sphere of influence to determine something that you, the expert, can offer to your industry to help your future customers find success. ## **4. Write a business plan** As I said earlier, some of these steps can be done in unison. Determining your product will naturally take you to the step of formulating a business plan. More often than not, you’ll want to do this in one sitting. A business plan is made up of a few moving parts. Typically, it will have: - Mission Statement - Business summary or elevator pitch - Market analysis - Product or service description - Marketing and sales path - Funding requests - Financial projections Without a working business plan, you won’t have the guidance you need to move forward with your idea. Your business plan helps you map out your plan for success, which is a major motivator in actually getting your company started. Keep in mind that while you are outlining this business plan, you should be actively promoting your personal brand. That way, when it comes time to sell your product or service or your pitch to an investor, they can Google your name to see why they should trust you. With a personal brand presence under your belt, customers and investors will be more inclined to buy into your idea because you have been actively giving advice (or entertainment) before you even launched your company. ## **5. Figure out your ideal client** The best way to determine your business product or service is by understanding who your ideal client is. Define what type of person is going to by from you, what struggles they have, and what guidance they need to thrive. Your brand is going to act as the guidance your ideal client needs to succeed. That’s why it’s so important to get in front of your customer’s with a personal brand first before you ask them to buy. Your brand gives consumers someone to relate with. By sharing your own experiences as a business owner (the good and the bad), you will build a loyal audience of potential buyers. Once they see your success, they will buy into the product or service you’re selling. If you believe in it, they’ll believe in it, too. However, before you begin pitching your business, you need to establish your expertise. This is where social media, blogs, and free downloads or webinars come into play. Give your ideal client a sneak peek at what you have to offer by giving it to them for free. Then, slowly nurture that relationship until they’re ready to buy. From there, your product or service will serve as the motivator to get them to take action, whether that’s hiring a CPA or buying the next high-end beauty product. **RELATED:** [**SIMPLE AND INGENIOUS WAYS TO BUILD BRAND AWARENESS**](https://clairebahn.com/brand-awareness/) ## **6. Build a website** I’m not sure why people don’t think it’s necessary to have a website in 2020. But I can’t tell you how many people have come to me asking for help with their brand and all they have is a messy Facebook account. While it’s possible to sell yourself on social media, your audience needs to have a place where they can’t get distracted by the other information or guidance being offered to them (i.e. your competitors). Your website should serve as your brand’s central hub for all things Your Brand. But should you showcase your[ business brand or your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) on your website? Here’s the best way to structure your website depending on your business: Product-based company: Showcase UGC (user-generated content) and your product. If you don’t have any testimonials yet, use your personal brand to tell people why they should buy your product! Your website should always have an About section which is the perfect place to display your origin story as an entrepreneur. From there, invite your potential buyers to follow you on social media, or to join your email list or Facebook group so they can get to know you *and* see you using your product. Service-Based business: You should be on full display on your website if your a services based company. When you’re going to be working one-on-one with clients, your clients are going to want to make sure they trust and ultimately like the person they’re going to be working closely with. And remember: The images, copy, and ease of your website all play a role in whether or not people like, know, and trust you. You [only have about](https://www.sweor.com/firstimpressions#:~:text=It%20takes%20about%2050%20milliseconds,they'll%20stay%20or%20leave.) 0.05 seconds before users to form an opinion about your **website and your business.** ## **7. Set up your social media** Again, you can do this simultaneously while building your website, but no mistake— your website should come first. There are a ton of nuances that come with making a name for yourself on social media. You need to have: - Professional photography - Branded graphics - A hashtag strategy - Video content - Willingness to show up every day to engage with potential customers Your social media is a major competent when you’re looking into how to create your own business. I bet you’ve spent hours, if not days, researching the different platforms and social media strategies you need to know. This is when having a team or a partner will come in handy for your business. Instead of wasting hours and time trying to figure out how to present your brand on social media, you can outsource so that someone else does that for you. If you’re not ready to take that step yet, here’s what you can do to set up your social media: 1. Pick 3 platforms 2. Write a content schedule 3. Create branded templates 4. Research hashtag strategies 5. Be consistent **RELATED:** [**HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST YOUR CAREER**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/) ## **8. Market your business** Just like social media, there are plenty of ways to market your business. Social media just happens to be the free version that everyone takes advantage of. From there, you can dig into paid advertising. You can utilize: - Google ads - Facebook/Instagram Ads - Influencer marketing - TV/YouTuber commercials The list goes on. One tip that can help you sort out the content and copy you use for your ads is to test it out organically on your social media channels. Come up with 3-5 marketing concepts and see which combination of graphics, video, and copy gets the most engagement. Then, pick a paid advertising stream and start collecting data. Pro Tip: You must collect emails when you run social media ads so that you can determine your ROI. Offer a freebie or a discount code in exchange for your viewers’ email so that you can stay in constant contact with them until they’re ready to buy. ## **9. Get to know your customers** We’ve already talked bout determining your ideal client, but that’s a pretty broad generalization. Getting to know your customers comes when you start cultivating your community. Your community can form on social media, in private Facebook Groups, or through your email system. By producing consistent content aline, your audience will be able to determine that you’re an expert in your industry. By engaging with them daily, you’ll begin to better understand who your customers are and what they want. Make sure you take the time to give to your community more than you’re willing to take. Give your online community opportunities to ask you questions, voice their concerns, or share in your triumphs and frustrations. As you get to know your customers, you’ll be able to slowly alter your business content, copy, and marketing strategies to more definitively pitch to your ideal client. ## **10. Scale your business with press and funding** The final stage of creating a successful business is to blast your name in the press and acquire funding. If you’ve done a well enough job with your personal brand (i.e. you’ve established your social presence, have a community, and show up consistently), then the press is going to come to you. You want press for your business because it’s the only way to get your business seen and heard outside of your current community. It also establishes you, the CEO, as a thought leader, which in time will present more opportunities for your career. You can also scale your business through funding. Keep in mind that investors look closely at the founders of a company to determine whether they like, know, and trust them the same way your customers do. This is why your personal brand is the first and continuous method for building a successful company. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding **Tags:** how can I start my own business with no money, How do I set up my own company, how to start a business in 2021, how to start your own business from home, how to start your own business online, list of things needed to start a business, steps to start a small business --- ### [Do CEOs need their own personal brand? 5 Tips for Executive Branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) **Published:** September 23, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Executive branding involves developing a personal brand for CEOs and established executives or business owners. The goal for this type of branding is to get the CEO of a company to the forefront in order to leverage more revenue under the owner’s image and online presence. This type of branding is a little bit more profound than your typical personal brand. When you’re just starting out with your business, you’ll want to define your brand messaging and aesthetic, but as a founder, your brand might already be established. And that could be a problem. A [founder of a startup](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) probably focused their marketing on the company product or service. Before, personal branding may have seemed tedious or unnecessary. But now that consumers are demanding the unfiltered presence of company CEOs, the concept of executive branding is more important now than ever before. ## **Why CEOs need to Consider Executive Branding** Ten years ago when I first help develop the branding for [Online Profile Pro](https://onlineprofilepros.com/)s, we focused on the customer wants rather than the benefits our business had to offer. We thrived on client testimonials, social proof, and our product before and after images to help drive revenue back into our business. Back then, this is all a company needed to do to see success. Nowadays, however, I’ve noticed a significant change in the value of the business’ brand and how our new customers are responding to it. **They’re not.** [This is probably because](https://www.flyingvgroup.com/blog/2019/05/29/9-reasons-personal-branding-matters-in-this-digital-age/) “82% of customers trust a company when their **senior management members are active** on social media.” This means that even with a decades’ worth of client reviews, it’s not enough for our new customers. They want reviews from real people that they know (influencers) or **they want to know the CEO well enough to trust in their business.** #### **Here’s How I Increased My Company’s Sales with Personal Branding** Thankfully, I had built up my social media presence as a lifestyle blogger and professional entrepreneur parallel to building OPP. That’s why now[ if you go look on Online Profile Pros’ website](https://onlineprofilepros.com/), you’ll see my image and my name. Because I’m an established authoritative figure in personal branding, I can lead my followers to my business, or newcomers will be able to Google my name and see that when it comes to branding —well— I know what I’m talking about. So now that business (along with my executive branding business, [Stratus Branding](https://stratusbranding.com/)) has a clear and personable CEO right up front and center. Someone who is continuously displaying their expertise on social media and through blogs and someone that new customers can grow to like, know, and trust without exclusive need to monitor influencer or client reviews. As a CEO, my personal brand holds value. When CEOs are willing to put their own image on the line in the name of their company, consumers are also willing to fork out their hard-earned dollars. So if you’re a CEO, an executive, or a startup founder—listen up. This is how you’re going to skyrocket your brand recognition. https://www.instagram.com/p/CEFAGhHpL7r/ ## **5 Tips for Executive Branding** Suffice to say that it’s time to get your name and face on the front of your business. Neil Patel, Gary Vaynerchuk, and Ali Brown are all great examples of entrepreneurs who have built multiple brands around their name and persona alone. Executive branding can help increase the revenue of your current business, but it also gives you leverage to increase profits with multiple brands and businesses. Once you’re built up your personal brand, you can use that to sell pretty much anything and everything that see fit to endorse. As I mentioned, I rejuvenated my existing 10-year brand by bringing my personal brand into marketing. It’s also how I market my bespoke branding business, Stratus Branding. In my recent[ rebrand blog](https://clairebahn.com/rebrand-yourself/), I divulged how doing this not only made landing clients easier but meant marketing takes less time. All of my businesses are centered on the same, unwavering values and beliefs— my own personal brand statement. If I wanted to, I could start an additional 3 more companies and I am confident they’ll see the same level of success as my other two companies. You don’t need to be a household name in order for this to happen. You just need to be present. So, here’s how you can do that. ## **5. Analyze Your Existing Brand** Do you have any form of social media? If so, it’s time to put everything on private until you work with an executive branding strategist. I offer brand analysis for my fast-track branding clients, but at Stratus Branding we go a little bit more in-depth for our executive clients. On top of helping you decide whether or not you need to start your personal brand from scratch, we also provide personal & AI analysis of the best imagery to use for your personal brand. From there, we’ll usually recommend a personal brand photoshoot. We’ll have a personalized wardrobe stylist at your disposal, and we offer full photoshoot coordination and strategy to make you feel comfortable. If your current social media is filled with hundreds of grainy photos that don’t speak to your professional goals and mindset, then we’ll recommend that you start your marketing from scratch. Your photos are an important part of maintaining that professional image, so we’ll make sure that we have regular photoshoots is (usually about once per quarter). **RELATED:** [**Choosing A Personal Brand Logo & Examples of Personal Branding**](https://clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/) ## **4. Know Your End Goal** When you’re the founder of a company, your initial goal is to see your company succeed. If your company progress has stalled or you’re looking to reach that next level of success, that’s where executive branding will need to be implemented. That’s why you need to consider what your ultimate end goal is. Are you looking to get more investors for your current startup? An [investor’s decision weighs heavily on their perception of the CEO](https://jonathanhung.com/your-personal-brand-attracts-investors/). So if they can’t find you through a quick Google search, they’re immediately going to be less interested. What if your goal is to start booking speaking engagements at industry conventions? If you expect to be invited to these,, then you need to be relatively well-known. And you won’t be if you’ve spent the last few years *only* marketing [your business brand. ](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) Paid speaking gigs are a whole other ball game. If you want the opportunity to step up to bat, you’re going to have to show up to practice. What I mean is— **you need to show up online.** As an executive, you’re going to be expected to showcase your industry knowledge before someone will pay you to talk about it. Going Live on social media, producing free YouTube videos, and hosting webinars online is going to do a lot to get your foot in the door. It doesn’t matter if you’re the CEO of a million-dollar company— if your personal brand isn’t visible, nobody is going to pay you to come to their event. What about book deals? If your end goal is to write your own autobiographical novel, publishers want to know it will sell. If you have an established presence, it will take a lot less work to sign with a literary agent and get that book deal. ## **3. Map Out a Content Marketing Strategy** Where can we go from here? It’s time to optimize your social media profiles. This is where I (and my two companies) really shine. We help you utilize platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter to get your name out there. We’ll decide on the best platforms for you to use based on your niche and your industry and we’ll map out your content marketing strategy from there. You’re a CEO— you don’t have time to be on social media. That’s why you need to hire someone to do it for you. You’ll need a company that can [provide consistent social media posting, content creation, and consumer engagement](https://stratusbranding.com/services/). Better still, you’ll want to be sure that the content that has your name attached to it aligns with your personal brand statement. In other words, you’ll want to know that the content that’s being implemented into your executive branding aligns with your beliefs and provides value for your audience. The more free information you put on social media, the more followers you’ll get, and the easier it will be to build your authority and influence. **RELATED:** [**What Is Social Media Branding?**](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) ## **2. Have a Website** Despite what online influencers may lead you to believe, you need more than just a social media presence. You need your own website. Your website will be able to strictly define your niche so that the press, investors, and customers can recognize you as the go-to expert. Our client, Jonathan Hung, for example, has steadily climbed to be a recognizable Los Angeles angel investor. *In just 6 months!* With his own social media content, website, and SEO blogs, he’s now getting [industry recognition with speaking and press opportunities.](https://clairebahn.com/testimonials/) Again, you’ll need to have monthly strategy calls with your executive branding strategist if you want to make sure your ideas are being presented in your website content. Your blogs should be a place where you can express your views as a thought leader. With SEO blogs, Google can passively build your brand name and recognition. If you’re a business coach, for example, what words of phrases do you think people type into Google to get answers about entrepreneurship? And who’s website shows up when people type their inquiries about business building into Google? Is it you— the expert business coach? Because it should be. Honestly, there’s really no point in having a blog without keyword research. That’s why I always do a monthly SEO Audit with continued improvements to your website to fix errors. I also optimize your personal brand and SEO through strategic monthly keyword research. **RELATED:** [**Top 5 Benefits of Outsourcing For Your Business**](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-outsourcing/) ## **1. Build Connections** If you’re an experienced executive, you probably know that it’s all about who you know. But with executive branding, it becomes who knows you. You may have built up your sphere of influence as a business owner, but you haven’t reached industry recognition quite yet. And that’s because your connections are limited to your current circle. You need to build connections outside of that circle. The only way to really do that is through full executive branding. Let’s say you’re chatting with a reporter on Twitter in hopes that they’ll feature you in an upcoming article. If the conversation is going well, that reporter will *probably* look you up. If that reporter can’t find a website that is *all about you* as a CEO or they only find one unimpressive Instagram account, they’re not going to put much stock into your conversation— no matter how well it may be going. But, if they find something in their search and see all the of the insight you’ve *already offered,* they’re going to pitch you their feature idea immediately. Besides having a PR strategy to get on journalists’ radar, you want to make sure the industry leaders, conference hosts, and even your customers know who you are. You can build connections with all of these people simply by engaging with them on social media. Then, you can point them to your videos and blog content to *really* cement your image as the go-to expert in your market. https://www.instagram.com/tv/CDwzUxpJVcx/ ## **Conclusion** Executive branding is meant to provide CEOs with opportunities beyond their startup or company. If this sounds like the next big move you want to make, great! #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** ceo branding, ceo social media best practices, ceo social media strategy, personal brand, personal brand consultant, personal brand ROI, personal branding for executives, personal branding services, social media for ceos --- ### [How a Connected Client Experience Can Boost Your Personal Branding Strategies](https://clairebahn.com/connected-client-experience/) **Published:** April 14, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *A connected client experience involves confidence, benevolence, and efficiency for maximum impact. Personal branding strategists must discover and deliver highly effective tactics to achieve specific goals. This four-step guide should help you [learn the benefits](http://clairebahn.com/about) and determine how to create a better connection with clients.* A connected client experience benefits everyone. Integrated teams built on knowledge and trust always function more efficiently. Personal branding is no exception, especially for those who require unique marketing strategies. Focusing on a specific audience or goal can be taxing without insights or assistance from experts. However, linking with a personal branding agency isn’t an automatic success story. You must also seek a connected client experience to maximize your brand’s potential. Intuitive connections can help teams share information and coordinate steps without oversights or delays. A better bond often denotes an improved social status and more[ significant brand recognition](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/). Meanwhile, it keeps your intentions pure while ensuring adherence to changing [industry standards](https://guides.libraries.psu.edu/c.php?g=311177&p=2080103#:~:text=Industry%20standards%20are%20voluntary%20agreements,occurs%20within%20the%20private%20sector.). What is a connected client experience, and how does it work? Are there any benefits, and how do you connect on a deeper level? Here is everything you need to know. **Table of Contents** [What Is a Connected Client Experience?](#_Toc101528650) [What Does a Solid Connection Look Like?](#_Toc101528651) [The Components of a Client Connection](#_Toc101528652) [The Three Primary Parts of a Connected Client Experience](#_Toc101528653) [\#1. Discovery](#_Toc101528654) [\#2. Engagement](#_Toc101528655) [\#3. Delivery](#_Toc101528656) [Connected Client Experience Benefits](#_Toc101528657) [\#1. Intuitive Case Management](#_Toc101528658) [\#2. Enhanced Productivity](#_Toc101528659) [\#3. Easier Self-Service](#_Toc101528660) [\#4. Comprehensive Customer Support](#_Toc101528661) [\#5. Effortless Trend Integration](#_Toc101528662) [\#6. Increased Conversions and Sales](#_Toc101528663) [\#7. Improved Brand Reputation](#_Toc101528664) [How to Connect with Clients](#_Toc101528665) [Step One: Respond Promptly to Client Concerns](#_Toc101528666) [Step Two: Manage Expectations](#_Toc101528667) [Step Three: Demonstrate Appreciation](#_Toc101528668) [Step Four: Increase Engagements with Clients](#_Toc101528669) [Step Five: Take Advantage of Face-to-Face Interactions](#_Toc101528670) [Conclusion](#_Toc101528671) ## What Is a Connected Client Experience? Clients can have three types of experiences that directly affect a company’s ROI. Ignore this, and you’ll attract consumers from one angle but lose them from another. A connected client experience requires attention to every aspect, including some that might not seem relevant. Let’s look at each experience type to determine how they can impact consumer connectivity: 1. **Micro Experiences** – Personal interactions 2. **Macro Experiences** – Industry comparisons 3. **Cultural Experiences** – Socioeconomic expectations Micro experiences involve the tiny details surrounding interactions with an organization. Customer service, accessibility, and equity are essential. Meanwhile, macro experiences consist of the differences between your brand and others. Your inventory and pricing play a significant role. Lastly, cultural backgrounds refer to how your company serves communities and solves problems for unique groups. Your job is to operate in real-time at a manageable scale while meeting the [ever-changing demands](https://www.forbes.com/sites/smartsheet/2019/02/15/3-steps-for-keeping-up-with-the-ever-changing-needs-of-customers/?sh=79a4086a76e4) of clients and potential customers. Creating a connected client experience is crucial to understanding those needs and delivering solutions better than your competitors. Brands compete to offer exclusivity and exceed customer expectations. However, that’s virtually impossible without honest and sincere interactions between the servers and the served. A disconnection means skewed feedback. It also generates inaccurate data, which further hinders your marketing strategies. ### What Does a Solid Connection Look Like? A connected customer is someone who interacts with your organization through various means. They might visit your store in person or buy items online. Some may also use social media, smartphone apps, or voice assistants (e.g., Siri, Alexa) to access your brand. Many people prefer virtual interfaces because of the convenience, but much is lost in translation. A solid connection harnesses the latest technologies while maintaining a personal touch. It is [essentially a relationship founded on trust and building brand](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) loyalty. Most customers prefer quick yet personalized services, but they also want businesses to offer relevant products at reasonable prices. That generally looks like streamlined inventories, open communication, and brand messaging aligned with audience expectations. Regardless of your industry, always collect data and track metrics to provide a connected client experience. [Data-informed decision-making](https://clairebahn.com/omnichannel-marketing/) can help you determine specific details and develop more intuitive marketing strategies as you go. ### The Components of a Client Connection A client’s encounter with your brand determines their likelihood of doing business with you again. You must develop [consumer-focused tactics](https://www.inc.com/young-entrepreneur-council/how-to-create-a-successful-customer-focused-business-strategy.html#:~:text=Building%20a%20customer%2Dfocused%20strategy,them%20and%20offers%20them%20value.) to optimize the micro, macro, and cultural experiences. Then you have to figure out your audience’s favorite communication method to find them in their natural habitats. Unfortunately, that’s not where the work ends. Create a solid client connection by ensuring consistency and quality despite market fluctuations and shifting expectations. Demonstrate proficiency in your area and provide value instead of chasing profits. Customers will likely notice your brand’s unique flavor and want another taste. Here are the most vital ingredients: 1. **Competence** – Demonstrate your understanding of roles by anticipating needs and respecting DEI policies. 2. **Benevolence** – Show that you care about clients by putting their needs above company objectives. 3. **Efficiency** – Streamline your approach to solve fundamental problems while reducing the client’s stress. Align your company’s objectives with your average customer’s needs to ensure a seamlessly connected client experience. Then [ask for feedback](https://hbr.org/2014/12/how-to-ask-for-feedback-that-will-actually-help-you) to keep up with industry trends. Excellent client relations begin when the buyer feels comfortable spending money on your goods and services. They frequently return for more business and might even tell others about their involvement. ## The Three Primary Parts of a Connected Client Experience A connected client experience goes further than attracting potential customers, spreading the word about products, and building brand loyalty. It also addresses individual concerns and gives people more distinguishable voices. Most people search for products via the internet using social platforms and sharing tools. While those tactics effectively [grow a loyal following](https://www.forbes.com/sites/shamahyder/2021/06/28/how-to-build-a-loyal-following-for-your-brand/), they can also create a communication void between the brand and its audience. Despite the disconnect, clients who feel linked through meaningful interactions thrive in a fast-paced digital world. Connecting with clients and consumers isn’t always easy, however. It requires a tailored approach that follows the [fundamentals of personal branding](https://www.businessinsider.com/fundamentals-of-personal-branding-2012-10). To create a more cohesive environment around your brand, pay attention to these three essential components: ### \#1. Discovery Learn how and where the average customers interact with your brand. Track where they make purchases and discuss your products with others. Then find out how your goods and services compare to determine the similarities and differences between competitors. Then provide platforms for continuous feedback through convenient touch-points. Use 24/7 call centers, mobile apps, and live chat features to discover hidden insights. However, employing data analysts is also essential. You can track metrics and create feasible logistics to help hone your audience even more. ### \#2. Engagement B2B customers are more sophisticated than ever, with elevated expectations for the products and services they buy. Many consumers also want new ways of interacting with brands and businesses. They often align their budgets with their values to purchase items they feel are conscientiously procured. In other words, customers want to know your story and learn the history behind your inventory. Much of the subsequent sales come through generating organic interest. Developing new sales models can also enhance client connections. However, providers must determine the best ways to cross-sell or upsell without seeming too pushy. A connected client experience always involves quality engagements with relevant information and comprehensive [customer journey mapping](https://hbr.org/2010/11/using-customer-journey-maps-to#:~:text=your%20customer%20journey.-,A%20customer%20journey%20map%20is%20a%20very%20simple%20idea%3A%20a,a%20service%2C%20or%20any%20combination.). ### \#3. Delivery The goal is to provide excellence in your industry while staying abreast of the latest trends. You must also solve problems for your target audience using accurate data and convenient delivery methods. The easier it is for clients to access your inventory, the better your reputation in the industry will be. Optimize your chain of command to make delivery cost-effective and speedy. Then gather real-time feedback to ensure the highest-quality experience for everyone involved. A connected client experience means countless benefits for the consumer and the brand. ## Connected Client Experience Benefits The client’s experience improves with each new connection to the brand. When consumers identify with your organization’s values, they’re encouraged to interact, support, and share their encounters. Otherwise, your company becomes just another name in an already saturated industry. Better brand management involves discovering new ways of intermingling with audiences, vendors, investors, and partners. It also brings with it the following seven benefits: ### \#1. Intuitive Case Management The connected client experience results in more competent management of requests and complaints. This helps customers feel more understood, supported, and served by your brand. **HOW TO:** - Use targeted keywords to classify audiences and create actionable posts with relevant language. - Spread posts across multiple channels to keep conversations free-flowing for clients. - Provide access through social media platforms, email, phone, chat, and groups. ### \#2. Enhanced Productivity Anticipate clients’ needs and get ahead of potential problems. Then enjoy increased productivity without sacrificing quality, efficiency, or your reputation. **HOW TO:** - Use data-driven analytics to determine your audience’s primary concerns. - Escalate priority cases to various experts for more meaningful transactions. - Integrate [customer service tools](https://www.salesforce.com/blog/12-customer-service-tools-that-will-make-your-customers-lives-easier-3/) to help expedite critical solutions. ### \#3. Easier Self-Service Get to know your audience better, then empower them with user-friendly amenities and online features. Help them search for and find relevant facts that answer their questions. **HOW TO:** - Create a straightforward smartphone app that offers instant access to tools. - Design a simple guide for troubleshooting common issues. - Develop a library of information focused on your brand, products, or services. ### \#4. Comprehensive Customer Support Pay attention to your clients, even when they’re not singing your praises. Offer friendly customer service that ensures fast and efficient problem-solving regardless of the circumstances. **HOW TO:** - Gather client feedback across various platforms, such as Facebook and Twitter. - Use Salesforce tools to manage requests and track progress. - Send priority cases to on-staff social service teams to address issues in real-time. ### \#5. Effortless Trend Integration Make the most of your marketing efforts by getting a 360-degree view of your industry. Then integrate relevant trends without damaging your reputation or changing your [brand statement](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/personal-brand-statement-examples-tips-create-your-own-claire-bahn/?trk=articles_directory). **HOW TO:** - Combine your CRM with existing infrastructure to build data-dense legacy systems. - Study your target audience to determine needs before responding. - Encourage interactions and involvement from clients through various social outlets. ### \#6. Increased Conversions and Sales Drive traffic to your websites and online stores through targeted marketing strategies. Demonstrate value with updated metrics and competitive price comparisons. **HOW TO:** - Keep track of how your goods and services compare to the competitors. - Make your information easily accessible regardless of the platform or search method. - Create infographics to illustrate the differences between your products and others. ### \#7. Improved Brand Reputation Generate a loyal following of repeat customers with consistent quality and transparency. Give people a reason to trust your brand and return for more in the future. **HOW TO:** - Offer incentives for newcomers and people who share information. - Develop a membership program with special offers and personalized discounts. - Remember, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to [serving diverse markets](https://www.businessinsider.com/sc/how-brands-can-market-to-a-diverse-global-audience). The connected client experience is multi-faceted and complex. It requires keen attention to detail, accurate data, and constant revision. For many, it also needs the support of a personal branding agency or client connection specialist. ## How to Connect with Clients How do you create a connected client experience to earn trust and reap the other benefits? Here are five steps that businesses can take for their customers: ### Step One: Respond Promptly to Client Concerns Connect with clients through timely responses and thoughtful engagements. Don’t use scripted replies, but tailor each answer to the customer instead. ### Step Two: Manage Expectations Understand your average client and respect their wishes. Satisfy their requirements and anticipate needs while being realistic about what’s possible. ### Step Three: Demonstrate Appreciation Show your customers how much they mean to you. Give back to your community, support various social groups, and write new policies to ensure adherence to evolving DEI standards. ### Step Four: Increase Engagements with Clients [Stay in touch with your clients](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-management/) regardless of the date or time. Use automated marketing tools to send confirmations, receipts, and other everyday correspondence. ### Step Five: Take Advantage of Face-to-Face Interactions Maintain a recognizable image and provide customers convenient access to it. Encourage in-person collaboration during development and while improving product quality. ## Conclusion A connected client experience involves customized strategies to solve problems for specific audiences. It requires confidence, benevolence, and efficiency for maximum impact. Personal branding strategists must discover and deliver highly effective tactics to achieve particular goals and maintain company reputations. Meanwhile, successful brands always find, engage, and provide high-quality goods and services based on accurate data. They collect and analyze metrics to understand audiences better and create intuitive marketing tactics. Consult a branding strategist for more information on establishing a better connection with clients. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding, Tips **Tags:** Connected Client Experience, personal branding --- ### [How Your Work Wardrobe Affects Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/work-wardrobe-affects-personal-brand/) **Published:** September 13, 2019 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** First impressions are, and always will be, important. Especially when it comes to building your personal brand. Your work wardrobe is a direct representation of who you are, whether you want to believe it or not, it reflects how you run your business…..To an extent, anyway. It’s always important to dress appropriately for work or business meetings. Whether you work from home, work at an office, or attend regular networking gatherings, your work wardrobe plays a role in the success of your encounters. Dress for success is true to its word. If you’re debating on whether or not you should wear your loafers to the next marketing meetup, check these signs of how your work wardrobe affects your personal brand. ## Determine Your Audience It would be hard to address all the individual niches out there. Each niche has its own set of rules that dictate what is and isn’t acceptable when it comes to work wardrobe. While the idea of not having to wear a uniform is encouraging for most entrepreneurs, don’t forget that what you wear is very important for successful [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/). Here the corresponding video on YouTube with even more tips: This is why most places of business have either a uniform or wardrobe guidelines; uniforms give a sense of responsibility and authority. And while an Avengers T-Shirt and blazer might be okay for a comic book artist, it may not be right for someone running a software company. There are certain unspoken rules about work wardrobe within each line of work. If you’re unsure where your industry fits, a good place to start is to determine your audience. This includes customers as well as potential clients or allies. - **Professional:** Do you attend regular business meetings where people opt to wear suits? The key is to follow along. While you want to stand out, you also don’t want to represent your personal brand in a negative way. T-shirts are cool and all, but if everyone is sporting pencil skirts or suits and ties then you would probably come across as lazy. - **Business Casual**: It’s less buttoned-up than professional attire but not too casual. If you don’t know where your audience fits, I would say go with business casual work attire. You will have the greatest chance of fitting in without being too underdressed. - **Casual:** An example of a casual environment might be a brick and mortar boutique or hairstylist. In these cases, cool-casual would be appropriate, as you typically won’t see professional attire in these locations. If you own a clothing company, be sure to wear your own designs to business meetings and networking groups. If you’re not wearing your own brand, how are you going to persuade others to wear it? - **Age/Demographics:** Know your audience and know what appeals to them. However, make sure that [you also feel comfortable in your work wardrobe](https://www.themuse.com/advice/secrets-for-building-a-fab-work-wardrobe-from-scratch) You don’t want to be the 40-year-old who’s trying to feel at home in Forever 21 crop tops and denim skirts (unless you rock Forever 21, then more power to you)! Determine your audience and that will help you delegate the appropriate work wardrobe. ## Color and Fit Is Important While a loose-fitting suit may have been trendy back in the ‘90s, today people expect a different approach. Slim fitted, two-button suits are the most contemporary for men. Or even women, as pantsuits never seem to go out of style. [The perfect blazer ](https://clairebahn.com/5-tips-for-finding-the-perfect-blazer/)will be lightweight, neutral, and classic. Finding the right fit also means that you show attention to detail. And knowing your way around your accessories is important. Your choice of color also says something about your personal brand. Don’t be afraid to go for the bright yellow top or the red blazer. If you’re willing to play up your look with tasteful colors and fashion, it shows your confidence. Brightening up your work wardrobe with a simple pink purse to go with a black dress is also a fun way to reflect your personality. But keep in mind that bold colors are not always seen as confidence. You want to attract attention, but in a positive way. If you do tend to go for the more brazen colors, make sure your accessories are subtle and undershirts are a neutral color to balance the look. ## A Few More Tips for Your Work Wardrobe Overall, you shouldn’t be worrying about your wardrobe once you are in your work environment. If you are second-guessing your choice of a blouse, then you probably shouldn’t have it in your closet. The key is to be comfortable in your work wardrobe. Plus, if you’re not great with style, you can always [rent a wardrobe](https://clairebahn.com/rent-the-runway-options/). Here are a few more tips to consider: **Tops:** Don’t wear anything wrinkled. I’ve seen too many people at business meetings with wrinkled attire and it instantly puts out a bad impression. If you can’t be bothered to take the time to look presentable, then people might get the impression that this attitude flows into your worth ethic. Ladies, be sure to keep it classy when it comes to cleavage and gentlemen, tucking in your shirts is still fashionable. **Bottoms:** I know some ladies are going to hate to hear this, but leave the leggings at home. Yes, they can be stylish when paired with the right top, but ultimately leggings don’t really scream business. **Shoes:** Sneakers are usually a no-go in business environments, but I have seen it work in technical and creative industries, so use your best judgment. I would say that Flip-flops are definitely for your off-duty time only. If you do opt to wear sandals, please get a pedicure…again it says something about your brand. Just like with the fit of your clothes, make sure that your shoes are clean and polished. I always believe that you can’t go wrong with a pair of pumps. Again, this small attention to detail plays a major role in the way you present your personal brand. Also, take your environment into consideration when choosing shoes. High heels can get uncomfortable very quickly. So if you plan on walking a mile or two, consider popping on some flats for the day. **Accessories:** [Accessories ](https://www.businessinsider.com/15-accessories-wall-street-woman-must-have-2011-11)should be subtle and tasteful, no matter the occasion. Crazy necklaces, rings, or earrings draw attention away from you as a person. When it comes to your work wardrobe, people will simply remember that you are well put-together. Your accessories should accentuate your overall wardrobe, not be an eyesore of your entire ensemble. **If all else fails, have a signature look:** If you aren’t fashion savvy, then sticking to a flattering uniform of sorts that can easily be mixed and matched could actually be your best bet. Fashion is an unspoken language and communicates more than we realize. It allows you to stand out without being extroverted and it reflects your personality in just a matter of minutes. [If you present yourself well](https://clairebahn.com/creating-a-professional-wardrobe/), people will notice— and that’s a good thing. And while your work wardrobe should only give an indication of your personal brand, it sets the stage for what you have to offer. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal branding, style --- ### [How Startup Founders Can Step Up Their Personal Branding in 6 Steps](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-for-founders/) **Published:** December 1, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Personal branding for founders is no longer optional. It’s a key strategic advantage. This blog breaks down how a strong founder brand can elevate your visibility, attract investors, and build lasting trust. Here’s what you’ll learn: - Why founder branding is essential to standing out in a saturated startup market - The 5 key questions to answer before building your personal brand - A 6-step blueprint to build influence through a website, social media, and consistent content - How personal branding and startup brand strategy should work in tandem - Tips for becoming more discoverable and desirable to investors and media If you’re ready to be seen, trusted, and recognized as the expert behind your business, this guide is your starting point. Startup success isn’t just about innovative ideas or polished pitch decks. It often hinges largely on one often-overlooked asset: the founder’s personal brand. In today’s economy, people often become invested in people rather than ideas (or even products!). That’s why personal branding for founders has become a non-negotiable strategy. It’s pivotal to startup growth, funding, and long-term influence. Iconic leaders like Jeff Bezos and Pierre Omidyar didn’t just found household-name companies. They built visibility, trust, and thought leadership around themselves. You can do the same. Here’s how to get started. ## Why Founder Branding Is the New Competitive Edge In a saturated market, founder branding is what makes your startup stand out. Consumers, investors, and journalists want to know the person behind the business. When people can Google you and find a consistent, credible presence, it helps build essential trust. Unlike traditional startup [brand strategy, founder branding focuses on the person](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) leading the company. Key elements include your mission, values, expertise, and personality. It’s what helps you build media attention, attract aligned investors, and convert curious browsers into loyal customers. ## Before You Begin: Ask Yourself These 5 Foundational Questions ![A startup founder checking her phone for personal branding updates.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Why-Startup-Founders-Should-Care-1-1024x768.jpg "Why Startup Founders Should Care - Claire Bahn") Strong [startup branding](https://clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/) begins with clarity. Ask yourself: ### 1. Who are you? What skills, values, and experiences define your professional identity? This is your chance to talk about the attributes that make you unique as a founder. Are you a visionary strategist? A tech-savvy builder? A resilient problem-solver? Your personal brand starts with a clear understanding of what makes you truly stand out. ### 2. What do you want to be known for? This becomes the foundation of your thought leadership platform. Think about the themes you want people to associate with your name. Are you leading the charge in sustainable e-commerce? Championing inclusive design in tech? Your core message should anchor everything from your LinkedIn bio to your speaking topics. ### 3. Who is your target audience? Are you speaking to investors, early adopters, or niche consumers? Narrowing down your audience ensures your messaging hits the mark. Define their demographics, values, and pain points. The clearer you are about who you’re serving, the easier it is to build a brand that resonates and converts. ### 4. What problem does your startup solve? Tie your personal narrative to the bigger purpose behind your product. Are you solving inefficiencies in remote team collaboration? Making financial literacy more accessible? Frame your solution as a mission-driven effort that reflects your values. Further, explain why you’re the best person to lead that effort. ### 5. Why did you start this business? Share a clear, emotionally resonant origin story that builds connections with your target audience. This isn’t just about your qualifications. It’s also about your *why*. What moment sparked the idea? What personal experience drove you to act? A compelling origin story builds credibility and inspires trust. Get these steps right, and your founder branding system will feel authentic and aligned. ## 6 Steps to Build a Powerful Personal Brand as a Founder Here’s your playbook to build a magnetic personal brand and elevate your startup’s visibility. ### Step 1 — Launch Your Personal Website Your personal site is your digital headquarters. It tells your story, showcases your credibility, and builds authority. Include your mission, startup journey, press features, speaking engagements, and a blog that highlights your expertise. Think of it as your startup founder portfolio. Bonus: A strong personal site also boosts SEO for both your name and your startup. ### Step 2 — Build a Smart Social Media Presence ![An image of a person clicking on the Facebook icon on their smartphone.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Get-Your-Own-Social-Media-scaled-1-1024x690.jpg "Get Your Own Social Media - Claire Bahn") Your LinkedIn, Instagram, or X (the rebranded Twitter) profiles serve a valuable purpose. They should be robust channels for startup [thought leadership and brand storytelling](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/). Avoid being overly promotional. Instead, share: - Behind-the-scenes startup updates - Lessons learned and industry insights - Your “why” as a founder (what motivates you above all) - Wins and challenges (addressed with honesty and humility) Pro tip: Don’t hide behind a private account. Visibility is trust. ### Step 3 — Write a Personal Mission Statement ![A woman writing a mission statement for her business.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Write-a-Mission-Statement-1-1024x683.jpg "Write a Mission Statement - Claire Bahn") A compelling [founder mission statement](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) helps you attract the right partners and talent while reinforcing consistency across platforms. Formula: *I help \[audience\] achieve \[result\] by \[how you do it\].* Example: “I help early-stage [founders build investable brands by sharing transparent startup](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) stories and marketing insights.” ### Step 4 — Build Your Network and Visibility Startup thought leadership doesn’t happen in a vacuum. Expand your reach by: - Engaging with other founders and influencers - Commenting on relevant industry posts - Contributing to niche communities and forums - Pitching podcasts, panels, and guest blogs This visibility helps make you top of mind in your category. It can also increase opportunities for press coverage and brand partnerships. ### Step 5 — Become Irresistible to Investors Venture capitalists and angel investors don’t just bet on products. They bet on people. A consistent, professional founder brand builds credibility and intrigue. Your personal brand must clearly communicate what you do, who you serve, and why it matters. Taking this approach means investors are more likely to come to you. Think about it: Would you rather fund a founder you’ve never heard of? Or would you prefer someone who has a robust public presence and a clear, compelling narrative? ### Step 6 — Create Consistent, High-Quality Content The backbone of any strong branding system is content. This is where you demonstrate expertise and establish yourself as a go-to voice in your niche. Post regularly. Be real. Focus on value. And always aim to spark conversation. This is how you build trust and influence at scale. ## Startup Branding and Founder Branding Should Work Together Your personal brand and your startup brand strategy should be aligned but not identical. The startup brand focuses on your product and company. Your personal brand showcases *you* as the founder—a visionary, a problem-solver, a thought leader. When these two work in harmony, you become not just a company to buy from, but a leader to believe in. ## Ready to Elevate Your Visibility and Influence? Personal branding for founders is by no means a vanity project. It’s a growth strategy. When executed adroitly, it can: - Attract aligned investors - Build customer trust - Open doors to press and partnerships - Position you as a go-to expert in your industry At Claire Bahn Group, we help high-achieving founders build powerful personal brands. This elevates the startups they run and unlocks new levels of authority. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program is designed for leaders who are ready to be seen, known, and trusted. [**Learn more about our Personal Brand Concierge Program today**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-services/)**.** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Founder Branding, Personal Branding, Social Media **Tags:** Branding, Founder Branding, personal branding, Personal Branding for Founders, social media --- ### [Strategic Communications: What It Is and Why It Matters](https://clairebahn.com/strategic-communication/) **Published:** August 13, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How can strategic communication strengthen executive branding and protect your reputation in a crowded digital marketplace? Why is strategic communication essential for aligning your message, values, and audience expectations in real time? What role does strategic communication play in building trust, authority, and long-term brand resilience?* ***Personal Branding Insights*** *In today’s fast-moving digital landscape, strategic communication is no longer optional—it’s a defining factor in personal and executive branding success. This blog explores how intentional messaging, precise timing, and the right channels can shape public perception, strengthen credibility, and ensure your brand’s purpose and values are clearly understood. From understanding the fundamentals to leveraging expert reputation management, the post breaks down how a digital-first approach helps leaders avoid missteps while staying relevant and visible.* *The article also dives into the broader impact of strategic communication, from ethical considerations and audience trust to internal culture and market authority. Readers will learn about the top benefits of a well-executed strategy, real-world examples of success, and a step-by-step framework for refining, deploying, and measuring communications. Whether you’re refining a personal brand or leading an organization, this guide shows how strategic communication can drive meaningful engagement, adaptability, and long-term influence.* Strategic communications are [essential to personal or executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/). Audiences want to know your purpose and values without guessing. A targeted [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com) can help impact the right people at the best times. Here’s how to make the most of it. --- Strategic communications are essential to executive branding and performance. The right message can make or break your personal brand and shape public perception of your business. Say the wrong things at the wrong times and reap the negative consequences. Instead, use a comprehensive digital communications strategy. A digital communications strategy has multiple benefits regardless of your audience or platform. Strategic communication requires attention to countless factors, including some you might forget to consider. Work with a reputation manager to streamline your approach and ensure optimal messaging. Understanding the benefits of strategic communication is as crucial as knowing how it works. You can use a specific technique to draw attention, rewrite your brand values, or do an about-face in the market. Experts can also determine your goals and [deliver digital content](https://www.businessinsider.com/digital-transformation-revolutionizes-entertainment-content-distribution-2021-1) to align with various campaigns. It’s faster than traditional communication, and you can tailor each word in real time. What facts about strategic communication do you need to know, and why does it matter? Which elements do the experts handle, and what are your responsibilities? Here are the answers you’ve been looking for. ## What is Strategic Communications? What is strategic communication, and how does it work? A [personal branding expert](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-consultant/) can explain the nitty-gritty, but here are the fundamentals. As with anything that requires a customized strategy, this approach focuses on the factors that drive meaningful interactions. > ***“It’s about more than just sending a message. Strategic communication is about sending the right message.”*** Tactical transmissions also require deliberate timing and intuitive management. Some entities rely on data collection and analysis to determine their target audience’s preferences and requirements. However, intentional interactions aren’t always dependent on data. Much of it centers on public opinion, trends, tradition, and intuition. You don’t make it to the top of the heap by throwing out casual statements and [ignoring the feedback](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/371454#:~:text=Offering%20feedback%20takes%20effort%20for,even%20discover%20new%20market%20opportunities.). A digital communications strategy can help busy executives monitor their output while streamlining their efforts. Use strategic communication to develop a calculated approach to saturated industries and oversold consumers. Forbes calls it the “[new corporate superpower](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/12/03/the-new-corporate-superpower-strategic-communication/?sh=7ee0f9671c02),” while many experts consider it a mainstay for modern businesses. Strategic communication helps companies remain relevant and maintain an online presence. Meanwhile, it supports startups, encourages innovation, and elevates entrepreneurs with valuable methodologies. **DID YOU KNOW**: *Adding hashtags to social media posts to increase traffic is an example of an effective digital communication strategy.* ### How Does It Work? Strategic communication works based on specific objectives, timelines, and audiences. Each company or brand can use a unique approach to accomplish short-term or long-term goals. Executives can also separate themselves from corporate activities and values by branding themselves or their talents with a [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/). Reputation managers use keywords, phrases, and slogans to describe their clients’ goods, services, and affiliations. Experts will also help develop and deliver consistent messages with scheduled content across the targeted channels. They will focus on refining your image and creating an ecosystem around your brand. Also, expect assistance with SEO, publishing, podcasting, and more. Their timing and verbiage will depend on the industry’s expectations and norms. However, your digital communications strategy will likely determine whether consumers or investors will ever find your website. Therefore, most executive branding teams use the four Ds of strategic communication to begin: 1. **Determine** What You Want to Say. 2. **Discover** Who You Want to Say It To. 3. **Decide** Where You Want to Say It. 4. **Deliver** on Your Brand Promises. > ***“A digital communications strategy involves zooming in on your target audience to develop a message that will capture their attention and keep their respect.”*** It is a deliberate call to action that requires a strategic and intuitive approach. Throwing words and images around without considering the consequences can be catastrophic. ### Why It Matters Strategic communication is critical. The reason is that it helps ensure you never do or say anything that will jeopardize your brand. They say [bad publicity](https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/when-bad-publicity-good) is still publicity, but some companies can fall victim to that terrible advice. Negative feedback could increase sales by stimulating product awareness. However, it could remove you from the top of the market mountain in the meantime. > ***“Maintain a good reputation and increase brand recognition for all the right reasons.”*** A diligent approach to communicating with your target audience is always the best answer. Consumers, suppliers, investors, and stakeholders will grow to trust you more readily if you’re transparent, predictable, and fair. Today’s consumers want to know more about the brands they do business with. They look for background stories, influences, value statements, and purpose. Some studies suggest people prefer companies that seem to [care about them](https://business.adobe.com/nz/resources/people-more-loyal-to-brands-that-care-about-them.html) personally. Other groups say consumers want their businesses to [behave like citizens](https://www.adweek.com/brand-marketing/consumers-want-brands-to-behave-like-citizens/)—equitable, hardworking, and involved in the community. **FACT**: *A strategic communication plan can help you assimilate into your local environment without seeming like a rookie.* ### Ethics: The Foundation of Trust Overlooking ethics can unravel even the most well-crafted strategy. It’s all too easy to be tempted by campaigns that bend the truth, play on fear, or manipulate perception for short-term gain. But while those tactics might grab headlines or a momentary spotlight, they risk corroding the very trust you’ve worked so hard to build. Your reputation isn’t just an asset—it’s your compass. Operating with integrity doesn’t just keep your stakeholders happy; it shapes your organization from the inside out. Employees take cues from leadership, and ethical lapses at the top can quickly ripple through company culture. At the end of the day, principled, thoughtful communication paves the way for lasting relationships with consumers, partners, and your own team. When faced with a crossroads, consistently choosing honesty and fairness doesn’t just set you apart; it signals a brand that stands for something. In a world of fleeting impressions, that’s the kind of message that truly endures. ## Choosing the Right Communication Channels Selecting the best channels for your message depends entirely on where your audience spends their time and how they prefer to receive information. A one-size-fits-all approach simply doesn’t work here. Instead, consider your target demographic’s habits and media consumption patterns. For example, if you’re reaching out to seasoned industry professionals, traditional routes like press releases, interviews on NPR, or detailed white papers published in reputable journals can work wonders. However, if your goal is to engage younger audiences, platforms like Instagram, TikTok, or even podcasts may be far more effective, since these groups often interact primarily through their devices and social feeds. Take the time to research your audience’s preferences. Are they scrolling through LinkedIn during their commute? Do they listen to motivational podcasts on Spotify? Do they still subscribe to print editions of The Wall Street Journal, or are they getting their news from X (formerly known as Twitter)? Matching your communication channel to your audience’s habits ensures your efforts actually land where they’ll be seen, heard, and remembered. Ultimately, effective executive branding demands flexibility. What works for Gen Z creative talent won’t necessarily reach Boomer board members—and vice versa. The key is to meet your audience where they are, speaking their language in the places they already trust. ![An illustration of two men and a woman creating a strategic communication roadmap on a large sheet of paper.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/182946831_l-300x200.jpg "strategic communication - Claire Bahn") ## The Top 5 Benefits of Strategic Communication You only get one chance to make a first impression. Still, you can use a digital communications strategy to rewrite public perception and fix a broken reputation. Begin your executive branding campaign with expert guidance to avoid a lengthy cleanup process later. With a personal branding specialist who understands the fickle fabric of society, you can carefully manage what you say, where you say it, and who hears it. They’ll use a digital communications strategy to develop individualized content that matches broad prospects. With a dedicated strategic communication team, you can get bios, blogs, videos, photo shoots, and more. [Personalize at scale](https://hbr.org/2015/11/how-marketers-can-personalize-at-scale), and reap the following benefits: ### 1. Increased Industry Authority A digital communications strategy helps make your messaging clearer, more concise, and more conscientious. It can also ensure you make sense to the appropriate audiences, regardless of the subject matter. Content written by professional writers and imagery designed by expert reputation managers contribute to brand potency and potential. Strategic communication typically involves using links to and from other authoritative sources. This technique can help affiliate your brand with industry leaders and think tanks. It also improves traffic to your site while encouraging conversions on primary pages. ### 2. Better Company Transparency Help people learn more about you and your company. However, don’t give away crucial trade secrets or reveal plans to your competitors. Let an[ executive branding team](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-startups/) determine the best digital communications strategy to avoid mishaps and oversights. This method also ensures you remain transparent without giving too much away. Consumers will likely start to see your brand as a trusted figure in the marketplace. Some might not like the things they hear, see, or read when you’re being authentic. Still, many will choose your brand despite the differences of opinion because they appreciate your honesty. ### 3. Enhanced Control of the Market > ***“Strategic communication helps you control the conversation around specific topics.”*** You can also become the go-to advisor for certain goods and services. As an established industry authority, your stamp of approval becomes the standard with which other brands compare themselves and others. Consistent messaging can make this happen faster. You’ll also remain a source of continual support and knowledge when trends shift. A digital communications strategy strengthens your command by keeping your slogans, logos, and content in the public eye for conversation and consideration. ### 4. More Meaningful Interactions Strategic communication specialists never forget to focus on consumer and investor relationships. They understand that your [interactions impact public perceptions](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2019/05/01/how-public-perception-can-make-or-break-a-brand-and-what-it-means-for-employees/?sh=29cc856d118f), sales, profitability, and opportunities. Meanwhile, most people want businesses to reply quickly with meaningful messages, but that’s not always possible for a busy executive. Personal branding experts can talk to your followers directly through social media and other messaging platforms. They can also answer inquiries and address concerns in real time. This advantage helps improve [word-of-mouth advertising](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/word-of-mouth-marketing.asp) and reduces future inquiries by creating a log of potential answers. ### 5. Streamlined Pivoting Change your trajectory or redefine your perspectives in an evolving market without sacrificing your core values. > ***“Strategic communication helps you send updated messaging to align with societal trends and equitable philosophies.”*** Don’t let your brand go out of style because of habits, behaviors, and campaigns that no longer work. When your brand is strong, the economy grows stronger. Your elevated approach to the industry forces the competition to play ball. If you lower the standard, your target audience will know. Then they could change their mind about doing business with you or contribute to the negative publicity you don’t want. ## How to Use Strategic Communication for Maximum Impact Strategic communication can only take you so far without hitting a glass ceiling. The reason is that there’s more to a digital communications strategy than choosing the right words. You also can’t get by with excellent timing or an established reputation. Experts must monitor and manage those factors to ensure positive momentum and continued success. Each brand requires a customized approach, and most specialists understand that. Here is what you can expect during the typical strategic communication process: ### Step One: Refine Your Personal Brand The first step is to figure out who you are and what you want to say. Most executives have multiple talents and loads of experience. Even individuals building a personal brand might find it challenging to narrow down their competencies. However, you must refine or risk confusing the audience. **TIP**: *Pick the abilities and experiences most closely aligned with your brand. Highlight specific talents based on how they affect your company’s goals.* ### Step Two: Compare Tactics with Competitors Use this next step to determine what your competition is doing to attract traffic and increase conversions. Then develop a methodology that satisfies similar requirements while filling in the gaps. You can also turn your competitor’s shortcomings into why people should choose you. **TIP**: *Apply* [*data analytics*](https://www.imd.org/blog/marketing/marketing-analytics/#:~:text=Improved%20decision%2Dmaking.,spend%20and%20improving%20campaign%20effectiveness.) *to define audience preferences and get quantitative metrics. The feedback can help you develop better marketing campaigns.* ### Step Three: Develop a Digital Communications Strategy Work with a personal or executive [branding strategist](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-strategy/) to create a plan. Reputation managers can help hit the mark at the best time for maximum impact. You can also ask them for advice on specific[ marketing](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-branding/) campaigns to maintain alignment with consumer and industry expectations. **TIP**: *Let the experts lead when developing a strategic communication agenda. They can show you why some actions have unexpected consequences.* ### Step Four: Audit and Set a Realistic Timeline Before diving into action, stock your resources and existing efforts. Begin by reviewing past investments in your communications or branding plans—what has already been spent, when, and in which areas. This helps you spot places that might need more attention, areas where you can trim, or spots that would benefit from reallocating your budget. Next, put together a comprehensive budget for your upcoming strategy. Be meticulous: account for creation, execution, and ongoing monitoring. Once you’ve mapped out your financials, get the necessary approvals and discipline yourself (and your team) to stick to that plan. A clear, step-by-step timeline should be paired with your budget. Outline each phase of the strategy, assigning key milestones and deadlines along the way. This dual focus—knowing the numbers and the schedule—ensures you’re on track, transparent, and ready for any pivots as your strategy unfolds. ### Step Five: Monitor, Measure, and Adjust Your Communications Implementing your communications strategy is just the beginning—the real magic happens when you keep a close eye on how it’s performing and make adjustments as needed. Start by setting clear goals and key performance indicators (KPIs) for your plan. Track metrics like engagement rates, reach, website traffic, and leads generated. For social media, keep an eye on comments, shares, and meaningful follower growth (not just numbers for numbers’ sake). Tools like Google Analytics, Sprout Social, or even simple surveys can help you gather actionable feedback. Regularly review your data with your team. Are you seeing the kind of awareness, trust, or conversion that you set out for? If not, dig into the numbers and conversations—maybe your message needs tweaking, or your timing is off. Be willing to adapt quickly if something isn’t landing as expected. **TIP**: *Schedule routine check-ins to discuss campaign results and gather team feedback. Staying nimble ensures you don’t just hit your targets, but stay ahead of industry shifts.* ## Spotting Trouble: What to Look for in Your Communications Process Before you can overhaul your strategic communications, it’s crucial to get honest about where things might be falling short. Start by looking for misalignments—are messages getting muddled as they make their way out to your audience? Is there feedback that’s routinely ignored, misunderstood, or, worse, never collected? Other red flags can include unclear objectives, inconsistent branding across channels (think X sounding like a tech conference and LinkedIn reading like a bedtime storybook), or bottlenecks that delay timely responses. Perhaps your content calendar looks like Swiss cheese, with big gaps and last-minute scrambles. Don’t forget to check for gaps in understanding your audience’s needs, overlooked stakeholder interests, or a lack of measurable goals in your campaigns. Pinpointing these problem spots sets the stage for a sharper, more resilient plan—one that’s proactive instead of just reactive. Identifying these weak links gives your strategy a fighting chance at becoming more than just another set of talking points. ## Real-World Examples of Strategic Communication Success So, what does effective strategic communication look like in action? One standout is P&G’s [\#LikeAGirl campaign](https://us.pg.com/blogs/international-day-of-the-girl-2023/), which managed to flip a tired stereotype on its head and spark global conversations about female empowerment. Another inspiring case is a simple [“life-saving lollipop” campaign](https://www.oneclub.org/awards/theoneshow/-award/37297/life-lolli-a-lollipop-designed-to-save-lives/#:~:text=About%20the%20Work,View%20Jury) that used creative messaging and visual storytelling to raise awareness—and rally millions—for a vital cause. These initiatives prove that when brands get their messaging right, they can connect with audiences on deeper levels, inspire change, and leave a lasting impression. ## The Power of Strategic Communication in Shaping Workplace Culture A well-crafted communication strategy benefits not only your external brand image but also acts as a powerful catalyst within your organization. When your employees are actively engaged through open and strategic communication, everyone reaps the rewards. Employees who feel informed and appreciated are far more likely to invest themselves in your mission. Engaged teams don’t just punch in and out; they solve problems, contribute fresh ideas, and lift each other up. This creates a workspace where people genuinely want to stick around—a rare commodity in today’s job market. Consider this: When employees are looped into company goals and understand both the “what” and the “why,” they become powerful ambassadors for your brand. You’ll see measurable gains, like: - **Enhanced Productivity**: Engaged employees tend to be more motivated and committed, leading to higher productivity and better results. Open lines of communication mean less confusion, more clarity, and faster problem-solving. - **Stronger Retention:** When people feel heard and part of the conversation, they’re more likely to stick around. Employees stay with organizations where their voices matter and their contributions are recognized. - **Alignment with Company Goals:** Consistent communication keeps everyone rowing in the same direction. Innovation and collaboration flourish as team members understand and embody the brand’s mission and values. - **Positive Company Culture:** A transparent environment where information flows freely builds trust, makes people feel valued, and creates a secure space for creativity to thrive. And there’s a ripple effect. Positive, open communication internally means your people treat clients and customers with the same care and clarity, reinforcing your business’s reputation at every touchpoint. In essence, strategic communication is the quiet catalyst behind thriving cultures and sustainable success. ### Harnessing Intranets and Digital Platforms for Internal Strategic Communication But what about communicating inside your four walls, even if those “walls” are now scattered across continents and Zoom calls? Intranets and modern digital platforms step in here, acting as the unsung heroes of cohesive communication. Gone are the days of old-school company memos or pinning important updates to an overcrowded corkboard. These platforms give every team member—whether they’re coding in Silicon Valley or selling in Singapore—a front-row seat to your brand’s latest moves. Digital tools transform scattered messages into a unified, interactive experience. You foster genuine two-way communication through features like forums, quick polls, interactive videos, or even good old-fashioned contests. No more sending announcements into the void—now, employees can react, respond, and contribute just as easily as they scroll. Tailored feeds and personalized updates ensure that the right information lands with the right people, boosting clarity and preventing message fatigue. You’re not just checking boxes when your strategic communication plan taps into these digital ecosystems. You’re fostering a culture where everyone’s engaged, up-to-date, and invested in the company’s mission. Ultimately, that kind of internal alignment trickles out, powering external brand success and growth. ## Strategic Communication from a Personal Branding Perspective Personal branding is unique because it focuses more on your personality and private life than your professional competencies. You might experience some [pushback from consumers](https://medium.com/@zbignevgecis/8-tips-how-to-handle-negative-customer-feedback-3014811c0aec) who don’t understand your goals and values. Fortunately, reputation managers can help soften the blow of negative feedback in these three ways: 1. Publishing information to the contrary—Squash false claims with evidence. 2. Demonstrating excellence on your behalf—Show off your accomplishments and credentials. 3. Generating positive in-person and digital feedback—Encourage profound interactions. Don’t let the big picture scare you. Parce out the perfect strategic communication plan to enjoy progress one step at a time. ## Conclusion Strategic communication is essential, even if you don’t have a personal brand to manage. Saying the right things to the right people at the right time can make or break your reputation. However, working on every detail of public perception is too challenging for most busy professionals. A digital communications strategy can help streamline interactions and ensure maximum impact. Be aware of your competitors and develop a technique that outshines them. Make the most of the consumer’s attention span with thought-provoking content, copy, and advertising. You can also use strategic communication methods to improve your image, rewrite your company story, or market innovations. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** digital communications strategy, Tips **Tags:** digital communications strategy, strategic communication --- ### [The Key To a Successful Career? It's All About Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/successful-career-personal-brand/) **Published:** June 16, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Would you say that you have a successful career? Or have you simply accomplished a few things? Terina Allen makes a great point in [her article](https://www.forbes.com/sites/terinaallen/2020/08/31/a-definition-of-career-success-and-why-so-few-people-ever-experience-it/?sh=39de9754dd2f) when it comes to career success. Many confuse accomplishments like financial stability and titles with being successful. However, if you don’t feel fulfilled or satisfied in your career, you can’t be considered a “success.” Work, for many of us, is a massive part of our identity. When you don’t enjoy what you do for a living, you have less overall life satisfaction. Think about it. Even Jim Carrey said, “I think everybody should get rich and famous so they can see that it’s not the answer.” He’s right. Because, [according to research](https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/JMP-09-2017-0326/full/html), your career satisfaction should only *enhance* your overall life satisfaction. And if you’re miserable at work, you’re going to be (at least slightly) miserable in life. You can test how satisfied you are with your current career path using the PERMA formula: - **P**ositive emotion – feeling happy day-to-day. - **E**ngagement – challenging, absorbing tasks. - **R**elationships – connecting with others. - **M**eaning – having a purpose higher than yourself. - **A**chievement – being good at something. If you miss *any* of these in your daily work life, it sounds like you’re not happy with what you do. But according to research (yes, there’s more of it), there is one simple switch you can make to fix it: Develop your personal brand. **RELATED: [The Ultimate Personal Brand Messaging Guide For CEOs and Founders](https://clairebahn.com/brand-messaging/)** ## **What is Personal Branding?** ## **![highest career satisfaction](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/career-success.png "career success - Claire Bahn")** [Personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/) is using your intimate experiences to tell relatable stories directed toward a target audience. Storytelling has always been a staple marketing tactic, but there’s always been a wall between the message and the audience. That’s because it was never personal. As much as Jeff Bezos’ rags to riches story motivated the entrepreneur in all of us, it’s not his story that made Amazon the billion-dollar company it is today. It was actually the product and the service. Unfortunately for CEOs today, it’s not as easy to do what Bezos has done behind closed doors. Today’s market wants (and honestly… *demands*) personal, relatable, and transparent faces instead of company brands. Let’s look at some of my favorite statistics that [prove this](https://www.oberlo.com/blog/branding-statistics#:~:text=Summary:%20Top%20Branding%20Statistics%20You%20Need%20to%20Know%20in%202020,-86%20percent%20of&text=by%2080%20percent-,It%20takes%20about%2050%20milliseconds%20(0.05%20seconds)%20for%20people%20to,increase%20revenue%20by%2033%20percent.&text=77%20percent%20of%20consumers%20buy,same%20values%20as%20they%20do.): - [66% of consumers think transparency](https://www.accenture.com/t20181205t121039z__w__/us-en/_acnmedia/thought-leadership-assets/pdf/accenture-competitiveagility-gcpr-pov.pdf#zoom=50) is one of the most attractive qualities in a brand (Accenture Strategy, 2018) - [77% of consumers buy from brands](https://www.vivendi.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/Meaningful-Brands-PR.pdf) that share the same values as they do (HavasGroup, 2019). - 86% of consumers say authenticity is important when deciding what brands they like and support. That’s why people like Kylie Jenner can make $1 million from a single sponsored Instagram post, and Jane Smith’s boutique company can’t even hit that mark on an annual basis. That’s why you’re reading this article, isn’t it? You’ve hit a roadblock. You’re unsatisfied with your career, or nobody knows who you are. The answer is simple: quit waiting for the company, product, or service to land you new opportunities. ***You*** are the only one who can convince people you’re worth paying attention to in the 21st-century market. **RELATED: [PERSONAL BRANDING FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/)** ## **Proof Personal Brands Build Successful Careers** ![career success](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/how-to-achieve-career-success.png "how to achieve career success - Claire Bahn") The concept of personal branding is relatively new. I’ll give you that. Although I’ve been [working with CEOs to highlight their personal brands for a decade now](https://clairebahn.com/rebrand-yourself/), the phrasing is undoubtedly different from what it used to be. Back then, personal branding was referred to as reputation management or public relations. While these phrases are still used, I would say that they are merely fragments that fall under the umbrella of personal branding. Still, I was a little surprised to find a 2019 [study on personal branding by Frontiers in Psychology. ](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6913621/#ref17)Here’s what they aimed to find out: ***Hypothesis 1a*: Personal branding is positively related to career satisfaction.** ***Hypothesis 1b*: Personal branding is positively related to perceived employability.** This research says that personal branding is marked as “differentiating yourself with perceived value and unique characteristics.” They admit that it’s becoming unclear what drives workers to long and fulfilling careers in today’s digital workforce. As they point out, “individuals move from firm to firm and from job to a job frequently, and they also find themselves in novel employment relationships, such as [freelancing](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6913621/#ref52), [temporary and contract ](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6913621/#ref25)working conditions, and *recareering* or [mid- and late-career changes.](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6913621/#ref82)“ Clearly, something is wrong with the workforce, or else we would *all* have a successful career. Instead, what we’re seeing is people jumping through hoops, never settling on one job unless they find that highest level of career satisfaction. Frontiers in Psychology focuses on personal branding because it’s a new concept in today’s job market. But can this one tactic alone help define and even shape success in your chosen career? ### **The Results** The short answer is: yes! [They conclude](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6913621/#ref65), “In both studies, personal branding was positively related to perceived employability and career satisfaction, both of which are measures of career success.” In fact, when a group of 195 people employed self-promotion behaviors, they *all* showed greater career satisfaction than those who didn’t promote themselves. When you work on your personal brand, you’re working on *yourself*. It’s almost a form of self-care, except you’re working on your career health, not your physical or mental health. [They go on to say](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6913621/#ref93), “personal branding implies taking proactive career-enhancing steps and clarifying the desired professional future self in the future. This is positively related to perceived employability, which, in turn, has been proven to lead to greater career satisfaction.” I don’t know about you, but having a strategy that [future-proofs your career](https://clairebahn.com/your-personal-brand-future-proof-your-career/) sounds pretty satisfying. ### **The Key To a Successful Career? It’s All About Your Personal Brand** The reason personal branding helps you find your successful career is twofold: it helps **you**, and it helps your **target audience.** Personal branding is strategic. It’s choreographed. [Similar marketing concepts like PR](https://clairebahn.com/future-of-pr/) can help subconsciously boost your perceived worth, but it’s all a mind game with your target audience. When you share intimate stories about your failures and success, when you share positive feedback and results from clients or customers— it really sells an audience. On top of that, you don’t have to convince people that you’re worth hiring. The proof is in the pudding, as they say. If you’ve read any of my blogs, you know that personal branding is all about sharing your expert knowledge via social media, blogs, and videos. Just teach people what you know, and doors will start opening up. **RELATED: [10 Steps to Finding Work-Life Balance](https://clairebahn.com/work-life-balance/)** ## **How To Achieve Career Success in 3 Steps** ![career success](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/highest-career-satisfaction.png "highest career satisfaction - Claire Bahn") If you want to put your success *and* satisfaction into your own hands, you need to work on your personal brand. By actively promoting yourself online, you will draw attention from potential clients, employers, and even investors. I’m not going to branch out into a complete content marketing strategy today (that’s what my [free Personal Brand Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) is for). So instead, I’m going to tell you the three things you need to start with and keep in mind as you further your brand and career. Are you ready to launch a successful career? One that can last you a lifetime (*finally*)? Here’s how to use your personal brand to achieve career success in just three steps! **RELATED: [10 Habits of Successful People](https://clairebahn.com/10-habits-of-successful-people/)** ## **Step #1: Set Your Dream Goals** If you want a successful career, you need to work towards something your passionate about. If you’re not sure what that is, think about what you talk about the most. Maybe you’re the owner of that boutique shop. What do you talk to your friends and family about? Is it the pieces you get in, the marketing, or handling the finances? Whatever it is, that’s the niche you need to focus on for your personal brand. Once you know your niche, you can set tangible goals to market yourself (and, coincidently, your business). Make it a goal to cover your bases such as: - [Create your own personal brand website](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/) - [Develop a content strategy](https://clairebahn.com/self-promotion/) - [Define your personal brand message ](https://clairebahn.com/brand-messaging/) But what if you’re not already a savvy business owner? What goals should you set? I believe people don’t have long-lasting successful careers because they’re not passionate about working for someone else. So again, work on what makes you happy and showcase that to an audience. Once you build your personal brand up enough, you can turn it into some sort of business. [Here’s a great place where you can start](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass). Then again, not everyone is cut out to be an entrepreneur. In this case, I recommend defining your “dream goals.” - Where do you want to work? - What type of people do you want to work with? - How much money do you want to make? Once you know these goals, you can start taking steps in the right direction. When it comes to personal branding, I highly recommend committing to increasing your education. Employers will always be impressed by those willing to think outside the box and showcase their expertise. ## **Step #2: Show, Don’t Tell** Another useful tip? Give stuff away. For free. The most aggravating [mistake that almost all influencers make](https://clairebahn.com/influencer-strategy/) is bragging too much. It’s also probably the reason people don’t like the idea of personal branding. You don’t want to boast. That’s why giving away your knowledge for free is so smart— and so powerful. Free education (blogs, eBooks, YouTube videos) allows you to prove yourself. You don’t have to keep t*elling* people how awesome you are. You just *show* them. In retrospect, if people like what you preach, they’ll buy your product or service. You might even land a press feature or get an award from your company. All of this is an asset to your personal brand because it passively gives you social proof. It’s modest, tasteful, and it doesn’t feel like you’re shoving your success down people’s throats. The best way to achieve career success? Post often. [And on multiple platforms.](https://clairebahn.com/omnichannel-marketing/) Trust me, you’ll feel satisfied in your career if you’re investing in yourself. So give [a free masterclasses](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass), sign up for speaking engagements, or even write a guest post for *Forbes*. This earns you trust with your colleagues and consumers. But ultimately, all of this will make you feel like you’ve built that successful career you’ve been searching for. ## **Step #3: Be Ahead of The Game** We know that personal branding heightens your employability. The study says as much. However, if you want to take “proactive career-enhancing steps,” you need to be ahead of the game. This means [staying on top of industry trends](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/) and posting your opinions on them. It means anticipating client or customer needs by providing proactive customer service and all-inclusive packages. If you’re wanting to become the next famous thought leader or influencer in your industry, then you need to work on building relationships with followers, higher-ups, and industry leaders. You can do this very easily through community and [social media engagement](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/). And finally, to really get ahead of the game and boost your personal brand, you need to learn to maintain a positive impression of yourself. [After all](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6913621/), “*personal branding… is* a strategic process of creating, positioning, and maintaining a positive impression of oneself.” Get ahead of any harmful posts and negative reviews. Then, if you screw up and word gets out, own your mistakes. If you don’t think you have the bandwidth to run your company, take on new clients, post online, and manage your online reputation, then you need me! As a personal branding strategist, it’s my job to [handle your content, PR, and image. ](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/) ## **Conclusion** Everyone wants to be seen. If you’re intentional with your personal brand, the sky is the limit to finally obtaining a successful career. Whether that’s becoming [social media famous](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/) or being invited to TED Talks, a personal brand in today’s digital market is what you need to succeed. I’ll leave you with the final conclusion from the study we talked about today. The ultimate icing on the cake when it comes to personal branding: “In these new forms of employment, personal [branding is an important factor of career success](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) as an adaptable career behavior aimed at packaging and presenting one’s professional identity to meet the needs of the target audience.” #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** career success, highest career satisfaction, how to achieve career success --- ### [Personal Branding 101: How to Start Building Your Brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-101-how-to-start-building-your-brand/) **Published:** July 21, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** You have a personal brand, even though you might not know it, and even if you haven’t already started to cultivate it to work in your favor. [Taking control of your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/) (through personal branding 101) and building it can help you to achieve your goals and dreams in the business world. Letting it languish and not taking control could be holding you back. My point? You need to understand personal branding 101. Of course, many people are still somewhat confused by the concept of personal branding. What is it and why is it so important? Let’s get the basics out of the way up front, so you can then start learning *how* you can build a strong [personal brand](https://www.forbes.com/sites/goldiechan/2018/11/08/10-golden-rules-personal-branding/?sh=68749d8858a7). ## ![personal brand = representation](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Claire-Bahn-Blog-Template-3.png "Claire Bahn Blog Template (3) - Claire Bahn") ## What Is a Personal Brand? A personal brand is essentially how you promote and present yourself to the rest of the world. However, building your personal brand (or, as I like to call it, personal branding 101) requires more than just setting up an account on Twitter or LinkedIn and posting once in a while. It’s about more than having a website and a logo of your own. Those things are all just components, parts of the whole. Think of it like building a rocket. You can’t just have your logo on the side of a hunk of metal, can you? It wouldn’t work very well. You need to have controls, guidance, thrusters, fuel, etc. This simply means that you need to take all of the parts of personal branding and combine them to create and follow through with your plan to build your brand. Not only do you need to employ all of the right tools and techniques, but you need to know how to do it right. You can’t use a slapdash approach and hope to have a strong personal brand that does you any favors. You can’t do things halfway. Fortunately, with the tips for personal branding 101 that you will find below, it becomes much easier to get your personal brand in shape. ## What’s Your Current Brand Reputation? Have you taken the time to look at your current brand reputation online? As mentioned earlier, even if you haven’t done anything to build your brand yet, it doesn’t mean that you don’t already have a brand. Simply existing and being online begins to build elements of what people will start to view as your personal brand. So, whether you like it or not, you already have some brand reputation. Let’s take a closer look at how this works in practice. Let’s say that you are hoping to get hired by a company that you admire and would like to work for. The hiring managers and HR at the company will do more than look at your resume and have an interview. Today, they are going to head online to learn more about you and what you bring to the table. If you have a lot of pictures of you being drunk at parties or if you have said things you regret in posts online, they are going to see those things. All of the regrettable things that you have done and posted online are there for the world to see. This could be a problem. You might be thinking that since you are starting your own business, this won’t matter. After all, you are the one in charge. However, that’s not entirely true, is it? If you have your own business, you still need to have clients and customers. Today, you can be sure that they will search for you on the web, as well. They want to know who they are working with and buying from. If you have a sullied personal brand, they might just skip over you and head to one of your competitors. You might find that you need to do some cleanup work. Remove old photos, posts, and anything that might paint you in a negative light. As you can see, it’s not just a good idea that you get control of your [personal brand](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/363527) and build it. It’s essential. Go ahead and search for your name or your business on Google. Make a list of everything that you find both good and bad. How does your personal brand stack up? ## What Makes You Unique? Before you can start to reclaim and [build your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/), though, you need to know what it is that makes you or your business unique – the center of personal branding 101. What is it that sets you apart from others and makes you stand out from the crowd? This is true whether you are building your brand so you can get hired or if you have your own business and you are trying to build your number of customers and followers. You need to know what your key message will be and what you want people to think about you when they see your name and branding. Having the right messaging will tie into all of the other aspects of building your brand, and it’s one of the first things that you need to consider. As before, you can make a list of the unique offerings and traits that you have. ## Define Your Personal Brand Strategy: Personal Branding 101 ![Creating your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Claire-Bahn-Blog-Template-4.png "Claire Bahn Blog Template (4) - Claire Bahn") It is essential to define your [personal brand strategy](https://clairebahn.com/), and you can do this in three relatively simple steps. Each of these is [essential for branding and business success](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/). ### Business Goals First, identify your business goals. These goals will naturally vary from one business to the next. You might find that you want to bring in more revenue for your business. This is one of the most common goals, of course. Another goal might be to become recognized for a certain skill or area of expertise. Some might have the goal of becoming a paid speaker on certain subjects. There are many goals possible. Figure out what you want and have *at least* one goal you are working toward. ### Target Audience You have to know who your ideal audience is so you can build your brand to target them specifically. You will want to have an idea of the demographics of your audience, for example. This will include things like their age range, gender, geographic location, language, salary range, and interests. You might also want to start to define pain points that your potential audience might have and how what you offer can make those pain points vanish. Create a list of the characteristics and demographics of the perfect target audience. Once you start to create avatars of the perfect client, you will find that it becomes much easier to build your personal brand that will appeal to that audience. ### Know the Competition You will have competitors whether you are aiming to get the same job as someone else or you have a business that is after the same customers. Take the time to look at the competitors you have in your field and get a better sense of who they are and what they are offering. What is it that makes them unique? How can you differentiate yourself from the competition so that you and your [personal brand stands out](https://clairebahn.com/why-personal-branding-is-the-key-to-success-in-2021/)? Even if you do not find competitors who are offering the exact same things that you are offering, you will still want to identify competitors that are close to what you do or that target the same audience. Learn from what they are doing and improve your own brand from what you discover. ## Brand Identity and Bringing in the Audience Another part of building a strong brand is developing a [brand identity](https://blog.marketo.com/2018/05/brand-colors-can-reveal-business.html). This is what many people imagine when they think about branding, but it’s only part of it. Your brand identity will include things like your logo, color scheme, and overall online look. You need to have a logo that you can use on your website, social media, business cards, etc. If you have the skills, you can create a logo of your own with something like Canva or Adobe Illustrator. You could also pay someone to create the logo for you on Fiverr or a similar site. The logo does not have to be complicated. It could simply be a stylized rendition of your initials or your company’s initials. Just make sure that your logo does not look too similar to other brands, especially if they are in the same field. In addition to the design of the logo, you also have to think about the best colors for your brand. Learn a bit about [basic color psychology](https://www.oberlo.com/blog/color-psychology-color-meanings) to figure out what colors will work best for your needs. The right colors can help your audience to connect with your brand. You can also check out [Adobe Color](https://color.adobe.com/create). Check out the fonts that you are using for the logo, as well. You want to make sure that they are easy to understand and read. Your brand identity elements should put forth a professional appearance. ## Own Your Brand You need to buy your domain name, even if you aren’t going to put up your website right away. Having a registered domain is the cornerstone of your personal brand. Once you have a registered domain, it’s yours. This makes it even more important than your social media accounts. The domain name will be the basis for all of the profile names you use across your existing online platforms and any new platforms that are developed. Having a cohesive name on your site and across all of your other online channels will make it easier for people to find you. If possible, buy your first and last name to register as your domain name. For example, my website is clairebahn.com. If you can’t get your first and last name, try adding your middle initial or your full middle name. If you are buying a domain for your business, try to get your business name. This is why it’s important to come up with a business name that is unique and easy to remember. ### Build the Website Now that you have your domain, it’s time that you put up your website. It doesn’t need to be too elaborate, especially when you are first getting started. You can build your site using WordPress, which is what more than 60% of sites are using today. Some web hosting sites will even offer free WordPress when you host with them. It’s easy to keep these sites updated, and you can even add a blog. Having a blog that you update regularly is a good way to help you climb in the rankings on search engine pages, and it makes it easier for people to find you. Always make sure that your website features your logo and colors, and that all of the content does a good job of perpetuating your brand’s focus. The site should be easy to navigate and use for visitors, as well. Since many people are accessing the web through their phones, you should make sure that your site is mobile-friendly. Check out how your site looks on multiple types of devices. ## ![social media platforms](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/social-media-on-smartphone_t20_V7m3Gw.jpg "social-media-on-smartphone_t20_V7m3Gw - Claire Bahn") ## Amplify Your Social Profiles Another part of personal branding 101 is to [take control of your social media](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/). Make sure that you register the domain name you purchased with all of the major social media sites. This includes Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, LinkedIn, and Instagram, at least. You might also want to set up a TikTok, Tumblr, and YouTube. If you don’t have all of these social media accounts, go ahead and set them up as soon as possible. Build out your profiles and add a link to your website, a bit about you or your business, your logo, etc. You want your brand identity to match across all of the sites that you use. Make sure the social media accounts make it easier for people to [learn about you](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/) and contact you. You should also have an updated clear picture on your accounts. Allow people to put a picture to the name. ## Keep Building Your Knowledge Developing and building your personal brand takes some time and effort, and you may find that you could use a bit more guidance along the way. Now that you have a better understanding of personal branding 101, consider taking this [free masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass), which will help you to learn more about building a powerful online presence. I’ve been featured on Forbes, Entrepreneur, MarketWatch, and more, and have the knowledge and experience to help you grow your personal brand. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding, Podcast **Tags:** build a personal brand, personal brand, personal brand for beginners --- ### [Why CEO Branding is Good for your Company](https://clairebahn.com/why-ceo-branding-is-good-for-your-company/) **Published:** September 15, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** **TL;DR** CEO branding is essential for business growth, visibility, and trust. By building a strong personal brand, CEOs and founders position themselves as thought leaders. Then, and only then, can they connect with their audience and create long-term value for their company. It’s cost-effective, authentic, and a key strategy in today’s human-centered marketplace. - CEO branding builds trust and enhances visibility. - It aligns personal values with company values. - A strong personal brand helps attract clients, talent, and investors. - It positions CEOs as respected thought leaders in their industry. - CEO branding drives long-term growth and customer loyalty. CEO branding is now one of the most effective ways to increase visibility and drive growth for your company. Consumers are increasingly drawn to real people over faceless brands. In fact, [71% of consumers](https://smallbiztrends.com/brand-values-alignment/#:~:text=71%25%20of%20Consumers%20Prefer%20Buying%20from%20Companies%20Aligned%20with%20Their%20Values&text=Seventy%20one%20percent%20of%20consumers,Relations'%202020%20Consumer%20Culture%20Report.) say they prefer to do business with companies that align with their values. And remember, the face of those values is often the CEO. This is why having a strong CEO branding strategy is essential. Whether you’re leading a corporation or a startup, a personal CEO brand reflecting your mission and values is critical. It can help grow your authority, attract opportunities, and build trust with your audience. Founder branding isn’t just for big companies. Startup founders are discovering how vital it is to create visibility and credibility early on. By building an executive brand, leaders don’t simply connect with their target market. They also demonstrate their expertise to investors. This, in turn, makes it easier to [build confidence and secure funding](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ceo/2025/09/08/how-confidence-bolsters-ceos/). [Executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) can also be more cost-effective than traditional advertising. Your CEO brand allows you to connect directly with your audience and grow your business authentically. All organically and all without a major ad spend. ## ## What is CEO Branding? As the Chief Executive Officer of your company, you are the face of the business. People associate your company with you—your decisions, your voice, your leadership. CEO branding is the process of shaping that perception by sharing your values, expertise, and unique perspective. Whether you’re in retail, tech, or any other industry, your CEO brand plays a critical role. It sets the tone for your company culture, helps your audience understand your mission, and allows you to stand out in a crowded market. Your CEO branding strategy should be aligned with your core message and what your target audience cares about. For instance, if you’re an eco-conscious packaging CEO, your brand should highlight sustainability, innovation, and transparency. When you build your CEO brand intentionally, you create meaningful connections and amplify your company’s visibility. ## 4 Tips for Building Your CEO Brand ### 1. Define your personal brand To start, sit down with your team and get clear on your executive brand. Think about your personality, leadership style, values, and long-term goals. Consider: - What are your strengths? - What causes or missions do you care deeply about? - What awards or achievements highlight your expertise? - What do you want to be known for? Having these answers will guide your messaging and shape how others see you. ### 2. Think forward Great CEO brands are built on vision. Your audience wants to follow a leader who’s always thinking about what’s next. By staying ahead of trends and constantly learning, you position yourself as a future-focused authority in your space. ### 3. Focus on your delivery How and where you show up matters. Your target audience may live on LinkedIn, Instagram, or podcasts—so meet them there. Speak in a way that resonates and builds trust. Great CEO brand strategy includes not only what you say but how you say it. ### 4. Don’t be afraid to fail Putting yourself out there is part of building your CEO brand. Yes, there’s risk—but without visibility, no one knows who you are or what you stand for. Remember: not everyone will align with you—and that’s okay. Authenticity attracts the right audience. > ## ## What are the Benefits of CEO Branding? You may already have a packed schedule, but building your CEO brand has powerful benefits that can’t be overlooked. ### 1. Show off your uniqueness Your CEO brand is your opportunity to highlight what makes you and your business different. Sharing your unique traits helps people connect with your business on a personal level. Consumers are inundated with content, brands, and products every day. What makes someone stop and pay attention is something—or someone—who stands out. ***Your unique story is a differentiator. It can’t be duplicated.*** When you lean into your individuality, you make it easier for your audience to remember and relate to you. ### 2. Attract new clients/customers & create loyal ones A strong CEO brand attracts your ideal audience and turns them into loyal supporters. Studies show 71% of consumers prefer companies that align with their values. When they resonate with your beliefs, they’re more likely to stay with your brand. Trust is a huge factor in purchasing decisions. Long-term loyalty is built when people believe in who you are and what you represent. CEO branding allows you to build that emotional connection and convert one-time buyers into lifelong brand advocates. ### 3. Become a thought leader CEO branding helps establish your place as a thought leader in your field. It’s not just about having good ideas. It’s also about being visible, consistent, and offering valuable insight that positions you as a trusted authority. As a thought leader, you’ll be invited to speak at events, featured in the press, and recognized as someone worth listening to. Thought leadership opens doors to collaborations, media opportunities, and even strategic partnerships. With a solid executive branding strategy, you become the go-to expert in your space. ### 4. Show off your beliefs and values Your beliefs and values are central to your executive brand. They influence your decisions, your leadership, and how people perceive your business. When you share these openly, you build trust and foster genuine relationships with your audience. People want to know what you stand for. Are you committed to sustainability? Innovation? Inclusion? Your CEO brand should reflect these values clearly and consistently across every platform. The more transparent you are about what you care about, the more likely you are to attract people who believe in the same things. ### 5. Less negative, more positive You can’t control everything people say about you—but with a solid CEO branding strategy, you can shape the narrative. Share positive stories, show appreciation for your team, and highlight your wins. A consistent, authentic brand helps drown out negativity. When you are actively shaping your public image, you gain the power to lead conversations. Your visibility also gives you the opportunity to take ownership when mistakes happen—something audiences value more than perfection. Being proactive with your CEO brand not only builds goodwill, it helps you maintain a positive reputation over time. ## ## Conclusion So, how does CEO branding boost your business? Simple—it helps humanize your company, builds meaningful connections, and drives long-term growth. Today’s business landscape has shifted. It’s no longer just about selling products or services—it’s about creating human connections. And that starts with you, the CEO. When you lead with transparency, clarity, and consistency, you invite connections with your business in a deeper way. A well-defined CEO and founder branding strategy can: - Attract investors who believe in your mission - Drive higher engagement across marketing channels - Strengthen company culture and employee alignment - Create media and partnership opportunities - Set you apart in a crowded marketplace Whether you’re new to the role or an experienced executive, now is the time to start building your legacy. Your CEO brand strategy is a long-term asset that grows with you. It’s a reflection of who you are, what you stand for, and how you want to be remembered. And the best part? It costs nothing but time, effort, and authenticity. It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-services/). ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What exactly is CEO branding? CEO branding is the intentional development of your personal brand as the face of your company. It’s how you communicate your values, leadership style, and vision to the world. By sharing your expertise and story, you humanize your business, build trust with your audience, and differentiate yourself in a competitive market. It’s not about self-promotion—it’s about creating meaningful connections that drive business growth. ### Why is CEO branding important for my company’s growth? A strong CEO brand boosts visibility, builds credibility, and attracts aligned customers, talent, and investors. When your personal values and mission align with your business, it creates a cohesive brand experience that resonates with audiences. CEO branding positions you as a thought leader and gives your company a trusted, recognizable face—something no ad campaign can replicate. ### I’m a startup founder. Is CEO branding still relevant for me? Absolutely. In the early stages of a company, your personal brand is your brand. It sets the tone for your company culture, helps attract investors, and builds initial credibility in the market. Startup [founders who invest in their CEO brand](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) early on create faster visibility and long-term traction. Your personal story, vision, and values become your competitive edge. ### How do I start building my CEO brand? Start by defining who you are and what you stand for. Ask yourself: - What are your strengths? - What causes or missions do you support? - What do you want to be known for? Then, align your messaging across the platforms where your audience is most active—whether that’s LinkedIn, podcasts, interviews, or otherwise. Consistency, clarity, and authenticity are key. And don’t be afraid to show vulnerability; it makes your brand more relatable and human. ### What are the benefits of CEO branding beyond visibility? CEO branding delivers long-term benefits including: - Increased trust and customer loyalty - Greater media and partnership opportunities - Stronger employee alignment and company culture - Higher investor confidence - A stronger leadership presence in your industry Most importantly, it empowers you to shape your narrative, build authority, and lead with purpose. ### Can CEO branding help during a crisis or negative press? Yes. A well-established CEO brand provides a foundation of trust and transparency that can help weather a crisis. When you’ve already built a reputation for authenticity and integrity, your audience is more likely to support you during challenging times. Proactively shaping your brand narrative gives you more control—and more grace—when unexpected issues arise. ### Is CEO branding actually more effective than traditional advertising? In many ways, yes. Traditional advertising requires constant spending to maintain visibility. CEO branding, on the other hand, is an organic and cost-effective way to build long-term brand equity. By showing up consistently and authentically, you create a connection that paid ads often can’t match. People follow people, not logos—and your CEO brand is what makes your company truly memorable. ### What’s the next step if I want to build my CEO brand? If you’re ready to elevate your visibility, build lasting authority, and position yourself as the go-to expert in your industry, the next step is simple: explore our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-services/). This program was designed specifically for high-achieving CEOs, founders, and executives who are serious about building a powerful personal brand. We’ll work with you one-on-one to refine your message, increase your influence, and unlock new growth opportunities. Your CEO brand isn’t just about you—it’s about the legacy you’re building. Let us help you make it unforgettable. ![Claire Bahn, personal brand strategist](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/1-1-150x150.jpeg "1 (1) - Claire Bahn")**About the Author** Claire Bahn is a 4-time serial entrepreneur who currently is the CEO and Founder of Claire Bahn Group. She has been helping high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives create their best personal brand for over 10 years. As an entrepreneur and influencer with over 70k+ followers on social media, she has learned the importance of creating and maintaining your personal brand. She helps everyone from entrepreneurs to business executives leverage their personal brand to develop the authority, influence, and trust they need to exceed their business goals. She’s been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, This Week in Startups with Jason Calacanis, MarketWatch, and Ticker Australia to name a few. Claire is also a former model and actress with major national commercials and feature-length film credits. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her boyfriend and two adorable miniature pinschers named Beau and Trixie. The Claire Bahn Group is a registered Delaware holding company that includes Stratus Branding, Online Profile Pros, Biz with Claire and Claire Bahn Personal Brand Consulting It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, CEO Branding **Tags:** personal branding for executives --- ### [How to build your personal brand in 2023 - Part 2](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-in-2023/) **Published:** July 27, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Personal branding in 2023 can seem daunting, but it’s really not. In Part 1 of this blog series, we delved into the primary aspects of personal branding. This important task includes things like: - Assessing your current brand, - Identifying your unique strengths, - Choosing a brand personality and voice, - Constructing a solid online presence through a personal website or blog and, - Measuring the success of your brand. And this is not a ‘set and forget’ kind of task either. We stressed the importance of ongoing learning, keeping on top of industry trends, and investing in personal and professional development. As we transition to Part 2, we’ll focus on initiating your journey toward personal branding today to evolve into the thought leaders of tomorrow. This part will unravel the strategic approach required to build a robust online [reputation and personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-2/) in 2023. It entails: - Managing and monitoring your online presence, - Interacting with your audience, - Showcasing positive feedback, - Resolving issues, collaborating with others, and more. **Table of Contents** [Building a Strong Online Reputation](#_Toc140494478) [Managing and Monitoring Your Online Presence](#_Toc140494479) [Using Professional Tools for Monitoring Your Personal Branding in 2023](#_Toc140494480) [Implementing Traffic Generation Strategies](#_Toc140494481) [Responding to Feedback and Engaging with Your Audience](#_Toc140494482) [Resolving Negative Feedback or Reputation Issues](#_Toc140494483) [Collaborating and Partnering with Others](#_Toc140494484) [Continual Learning and Growth with Your Personal Branding in 2023](#_Toc140494485) [Staying Up to Date with Industry Trends and Advancements](#_Toc140494486) [Investing in Personal and Professional Development](#_Toc140494487) [Seeking Mentorship or Coaching Opportunities](#_Toc140494488) [Embracing Feedback and Adapting Your Brand Strategy](#_Toc140494489) [Measuring Your Brand’s Success](#_Toc140494490) [Conclusion](#_Toc140494491) ## Building a Strong Online Reputation Merely existing online isn’t sufficient. In 2023 personal branding hinges on the reputation you’ve nurtured through this presence, the magnitude of people you impact, and the audience you consistently grow. Your reputation effectively translates into your personal brand. > ***“If you put in the work to construct your personal brand correctly, it will swiftly reward you with a potent online reputation that attracts an audience and opportunities.”*** A compelling statistic states that [77% of consumers](https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/case-studies/5-trends-every-cmo-should-know#:~:text=82%25%20of%20consumers%20are%20more,buy%20from%20such%20a%20company.) are more likely to purchase when the CEO of the business is active on social media. This figure highlights the immense potential of personal branding and the leverage it can offer. ## Managing and Monitoring Your Online Presence Managing your online presence is no small task. But it’s a crucial endeavor akin to nurturing a garden. This comparison may seem unusual. But just consider the diligence, consistency, and foresight needed in both contexts. A gardener carefully tends to their garden. A professional must attentively manage their online presence. This involves shaping your personal brand and refining your reputation with a steadfast commitment, a lot like a gardener meticulously nurturing each sapling into a fruit-bearing tree. The analogy extends further to include the act of planting seeds and persistently monitoring and analyzing all mentions of your brand online. A gardener needs to do more than plant a seed and walk away. They also need to ensure the health of the plant by regularly watering it, checking for pests, and ensuring it receives enough sunlight. Similarly, maintaining an active online presence involves continuously scanning the digital landscape to assess how your brand is perceived. You can glean valuable insights about your audience’s sentiments and preferences by keeping tabs on brand mentions, comments, reviews, and social media engagement. This understanding helps you effectively shape your brand’s growth and reputation, ensuring it flourishes online. Just as a thriving garden is the result of ongoing care, a strong online presence is the culmination of constant monitoring and insightful analysis. ## Using Professional Tools for Monitoring Your Personal Branding in 2023 There are valuable professional tools that compile all your brand mentions into a single dashboard. These tools offer a comprehensive view of your brand’s digital footprint, helping you gauge the overall sentiment and conversations around your brand. They can also alert you to any sudden changes, such as a surge in mentions that could signify a PR crisis or a viral content piece. Monitoring isn’t limited to these tools alone. Each social media platform provides analytics, which can provide invaluable insights into your audience’s demographics, behavior, and preferences. For example, Google Analytics for your website can provide detailed information about your site visitors, their activities, and their engagement levels. That level of insight is incredibly valuable when it comes to strategic decision-making. ## Implementing Traffic Generation Strategies How do you generate traffic when it comes to personal branding in 2023? Generating traffic to your profiles and websites involves a strategic blend of SEO, web design, and content creation. You can think of these three elements as attract, retain, and belong. - SEO, or search engine optimization, is a critical component of this strategy. It involves optimizing your website’s content and structure to achieve higher rankings on search engines, thereby increasing your site’s visibility and organic traffic. - Web design plays a crucial role in retaining this traffic. A well-designed, user-friendly website can significantly improve your audience’s experience, reducing bounce rates and encouraging visitors to explore your site more deeply. - Meanwhile, content creation is the soul of your online presence. It is what you offer to your audience, and it’s what can turn a casual visitor into a dedicated follower. If a person gains value from your content, they feel like they belong to your audience or as part of your community. That content can be interest-based or professional Quality, relevant, valuable, and engaging content can significantly enhance your brand’s online reputation and attract more traffic. ## Responding to Feedback and Engaging with Your Audience In online presence management, feedback is a goldmine of insights. It offers a direct window into your audience’s thoughts and feelings about your brand. Ignoring this feedback can be a grave mistake. Engaging with your audience means more than just publishing and hoping they like it. It involves actively participating in the conversation around your brand. Respond to comments, ask for opinions, and show genuine interest in what your audience has to say. This will make your audience feel valued and provide insights into what they desire and what resonates with them. This kind of engagement can also help identify areas of improvement. If certain content doesn’t seem to be resonating, use this as an opportunity to refine your strategy. On the other hand, if certain content generates high levels of positive engagement, consider how you can offer more of that. Double down on what works! Remember, a successful personal brand is not static but continuously evolves to meet its audience’s changing needs and preferences. ## Showcasing Positive Testimonials and Endorsements Positive [feedback is a valuable asset](https://clairebahn.com/constructive-feedback/) that can significantly enhance a personal brand’s reputation and credibility. When you display positive testimonials on your website or social media, it lends authenticity to your brand and positively influences potential clients or followers. Keep this in mind when working on your personal branding in 2023. ## Resolving Negative Feedback or Reputation Issues Ignoring valid constructive criticism can damage your brand reputation, hinder growth, and negatively affect your credibility. There is a best practice way to engage with negative feedback. When you encounter it: - Accept the criticism gracefully, - Empathize with the commenter, and, - Demonstrate a willingness to rectify your flaws. A respectful and responsive approach to criticism can boost [your online reputation](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-3/) and foster respect amongst your audience. ## Collaborating and Partnering with Others One of the most effective strategies to reach a wider audience is partnering with other influencers, creators, and brands offering similar services. In 2023, collaboration is critical. Engaging with like-minded individuals bolsters your reputation and introduces you to a fresh audience. Collaborations can offer new skills, unexpected insights, and resources, thus enriching your personal brand. There are several avenues to explore when seeking collaboration opportunities. Participation in joint ventures, podcasts, or interviews with industry experts can boost your reputation. The average podcast listener in 2023 consumed up to eight episodes a week, indicating the potential reach of this medium. Writing guest blogs or appearing for interviews allows you to showcase your expertise, enhancing your brand’s visibility and credibility. Platforms like LinkedIn or Meetup offer a myriad of networking opportunities. They connect you with other professionals in your field, fostering long-lasting business connections. Similarly, joining professional associations related to your field can yield similar real-life results. The ultimate aim of collaboration is to develop mutually beneficial relationships. To achieve this, approach interactions with openness and an eagerness to learn from other experts in your field. Concurrently, you can offer value to these individuals by sharing your audience and assisting in their growth. This process improves your reputation and fortifies your personal brand over time. ### Staying Up to Date with Industry Trends and Advancements Keeping abreast of industry trends and advancements is key to remaining competitive and relevant in today’s rapidly evolving digital landscape. - **Monitoring Trends and Technologies**: Regularly track and evaluate emerging trends and technologies in your industry. Stay updated through reputable industry reports, webinars, conferences, and online forums. Utilize these trends to create new products or adapt your content. - **Leveraging AI Tools:** AI tools such as ChatGPT can assist with ideation and content generation, but remember the importance of preserving your unique human touch. AI should enhance your output, not replace it. Balancing AI tools with personalized content can help ensure your brand remains authentic and relatable. - **Avoiding Impersonalization:** While AI tools can help with specific tasks, outsourcing your entire work to AI can result in an impersonal brand image. Therefore, striking a balance between AI assistance and personal input is vital for maintaining authenticity. ### Investing in Personal and Professional Development Continuous learning and self-improvement are essential in the ever-changing professional landscape. It’s not just about keeping up but also about setting the pace. - **Upskilling and Reskilling:** The skills, tools, and content strategies that worked yesterday may not work tomorrow. Therefore, continual investment in learning – be it through online courses, workshops, or certifications – is crucial. This helps you stay ahead of the curve, ensuring your brand and its offerings remain relevant and appealing. - **Staying Abreast of Communication Tools**: New communication tools are introduced frequently. Stay updated on these tools and learn to utilize them effectively to reach your audience and communicate your brand message. This could mean mastering the latest social media platform, getting comfortable with new project management software, or learning to use a new content creation tool. - **Adapting to Changing Content Preferences**: As consumer preferences evolve, so should your content. Stay informed about changing trends in content consumption – whether it’s the shift from text to video, the rise of short-form content, or the growing importance of interactive experiences. - **Maintaining a Growth Mindset**: Embrace a growth mindset that welcomes challenges, sees the effort as a path to mastery, and views feedback as a means to improve. This will help you in personal and professional growth and reflect positively on your personal brand. ## Seeking Mentorship or Coaching Opportunities In the competitive and dynamic world of personal branding, the guidance of experienced professionals can serve as a beacon, illuminating the path toward becoming a recognized thought leader. A good coach or mentor can deliver personal insights based on their own experience and shape your personal branding journey. They can help set viable and ambitious goals, provide objective feedback, and share tried-and-tested strategies for success, all tailored to your personal strengths and industry circumstances. But their influence extends beyond that. A study by Weber Shandwick revealed an intriguing trend that underscores the importance of personal branding: 60% of consumers find a CEO’s personal brand to be more significant than the company’s brand. This indicates the incredible value consumers place on the person behind the company, the face that embodies the values and drives the vision of the enterprise. In such a scenario, a coach or mentor can help polish your personal brand, making it a magnetic force that draws your target audience and garners their trust. However, the effectiveness of coaching or mentoring hinges on finding the right fit. The coach or mentor you choose should understand your industry and its unique challenges and align with your values and ethos. They should have a track record of success in personal branding and a reputation for empowering others to achieve their goals. With the right mentor or coach, you can navigate the choppy waters of personal branding with confidence and direction, paving the way for a powerful online presence. ## Embracing Feedback and Adapting Your Brand Strategy [A successful brand strategy](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) is always dynamic. It is a living, evolving entity that must adapt to feedback and changing market trends to remain relevant and impactful. Feedback is the lifeblood of this transformation process. Regardless of whether it’s positive or negative, feedback offers a mirror to your performance. It reflects your audience’s perceptions, giving you a glimpse into their minds. It allows you to understand what’s hitting the mark and missing the target, which parts of your personal brand resonate with your audience, and which parts need a bit of fine-tuning. As an influencer or thought leader, using this feedback to adapt and refine your brand strategy is essential. If a particular piece of content isn’t connecting with your audience or a specific tactic of marketing needs to deliver the expected results, keep revising your approach. The ability to adapt, to pivot when necessary is a hallmark of successful personal branding. Moreover, remember that [your brand strategy](https://clairebahn.com/) isn’t etched in stone. It’s a dynamic blueprint designed to continuously update and improve based on new insights, feedback, and personal experiences. Embrace the process of continuous improvement, for it’s through this iterative process that your personal brand will grow, evolve, and eventually thrive. ## Measuring Your Brand’s Success Measuring [success is an essential part of personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/). It enables you to gauge your progress, identify areas of improvement, and celebrate achievements. - **Identifying Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):** KPIs provide a quantitative measure of your success. Common KPIs for personal branding include social media engagement rates, website traffic, and lead generation figures. - **Tracking Metrics and Analytics:** Use tools like social media and website analytics to monitor these KPIs. These platforms offer detailed insights to help you better understand your audience and fine-tune your brand strategy. - **Adjusting Your Strategy Based on Data:** Once you’ve collected this data, analyze it to identify trends and patterns. This analysis will provide concrete evidence of what’s working and what isn’t, allowing you to adjust your brand strategy. - **Celebrating Milestones and Achievements:** While diligently working towards your larger goals, remember to mark your minor victories along the way. Recognizing these milestones can boost your morale and keep you motivated on your personal branding journey. Set the milestones you’d like to hit ahead of time. Write them down. Then also write down the ways you are going to celebrate each one. This serves the purpose of making you accountable while also ensuring the journey is punctuated with moments to celebrate and reflect. Using analytical tools that track these metrics can provide valuable insights to fine-tune your brand strategy. Analysis of this data can guide you to adjust your system based on what works best, facilitating continuous improvement. Throughout this process, it’s crucial to celebrate both minor and significant milestones to boost morale and maintain motivation. ## Continual Learning and Growth with Your Personal Branding in 2023 Personal branding in 2023 is a long-term investment. Even if you don’t see immediate returns, don’t let it dishearten you. Instead, perceive it as an opportunity for continual growth. Your brand will compound over time, much like an IRA. It requires consistent investment and patience. It’s not magic but a result of hard work and commitment. ## Conclusion In Part 1 of this blog series, we emphasized the significance of personal branding in 2023. Part 2 focused on the critical strategies for [building a robust personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/brand-awareness/). The major trends of personal branding in 2023 involve navigating immense competition and establishing a unique niche. As we continue the exploration of personal branding in 2023, it’s clear that building a robust personal brand requires strategic planning, continuous learning, authentic engagement, collaboration, and the ability to adapt. By [cultivating a strong online reputation](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-strategy/), effective use of feedback, strategic partnerships, and dedication to ongoing growth, you can transform your online presence into a compelling personal brand that stands out amidst the digital crowd. With the dominance of digital reputation in the world we live and work in, personal branding is no longer an option but a necessity. It’s about curating an authentic narrative that amplifies your unique strengths and value. It’s about harnessing the power of digital tools and platforms to connect, engage, and influence. It’s about stepping forward into a leadership role and becoming a thought leader in your domain. It’s about leaving a digital footprint that’s uniquely and unapologetically you. So, begin your personal branding journey today, and be prepared to learn, grow, and inspire. The world is waiting to hear your story. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding Strategist **Tags:** Personal branding in 2023 --- ### [21 Big Mistakes You’re Making When Building Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-mistakes/) **Published:** October 9, 2024 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Are you struggling with common personal brand mistakes? Is your brand failing to gain traction despite your efforts? Not sure why personal branding is important? Building a personal brand requires more than just posting content—it requires strategy, consistency, and avoiding key pitfalls. This blog highlights 21 mistakes that people often make when trying to stand out, including relying too much on viral content, ignoring key platforms, and focusing too much on perfection. Learn how to avoid these personal brand strategy errors, such as letting others control your narrative, underestimating the power of video, or relying solely on AI for your content. If you’re serious about building your personal brand, this guide is essential for making sure your efforts lead to real success.* Some people I run into think, “If you post it, they will follow!” They imagine that with a few “viral” posts or a video or two, their brand will take off, and everyone will know and love them! I particularly love branding and PR gurus and coaches who will sell you a simple course that will “make you famous in 30 days.” I wish you could do one or two things: maybe perfect your “brand statement,” and your personal brand would take off, and a million important people would want to interview and learn from you. Unfortunately, this is not anywhere near the reality of modern-day thought leadership or social media. The truth is lots of people make mistakes when trying to build a powerful personal brand. Many of these mistakes can be avoided outright. Others might take a little finesse or, in some cases, therapy, but if you look at these common personal branding mistakes, I think you’ll recognize the ones holding you back or the ones you can avoid outright. **Table of Contents:** [21 Common Mistakes People Make When Building a Powerful Personal Brand](#_Toc179886675) 1. [ Letting Others Control or Kill Your Personal Brand](#_Toc179886676) 2. [ Focusing Too Much on Brand Statements](#_Toc179886677) 3. [ Ignoring the Gatekeepers Between You and Your Audience](#_Toc179886678) 4. [ Expecting Instant Success](#_Toc179886679) 5. [ Perfection Paralysis](#_Toc179886680) 6. [ Pretending to Be an Expert](#_Toc179886681) 7. [ Being Overly Sensitive](#_Toc179886682) 8. [ Underestimating the Power of Video](#_Toc179886683) 9. [ Relying on AI to Build Your Brand](#_Toc179886684) 10. [ Telling Instead of Listening](#_Toc179886685) 11. [ Poor Design Choices](#_Toc179886686) 12. [ Relying on Past Accomplishments](#_Toc179886687) 13. [ Relying on a Single Platform](#_Toc179886688) 14. [ Ignoring Your ROI](#_Toc179886689) 15. [ Underestimating Google’s Algorithm](#_Toc179886690) 16. [ Missing Key Asset: Your Website](#_Toc179886691) 17. [ Failing to Engage on Social Media](#_Toc179886692) 18. [ Ignoring Data and Analytics](#_Toc179886693) 19. [ Using Your Brand to Sell, Not Help](#_Toc179886694) 20. [ Not Defining Your Target Market](#_Toc179886695) 21. [ Chasing Trends](#_Toc179886696) [Conclusion](#_Toc179886697) ## 21 Common Mistakes People Make When Building a Powerful Personal Brand Building a [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/) is critical to standing out in today’s competitive world. However, many people fall into traps that prevent them from achieving their desired visibility and authority, limiting growth and visibility. Below are 21 of the most common mistakes we see and how to avoid them. ### 1. Letting Others Control or Kill Your Personal Brand Whether you like it or not, you already have a personal brand. With just a few keystrokes, anyone can search for your name and learn about you—or worse, learn nothing at all. One of the most significant mistakes people make is allowing others to control their narrative. For example, if you’ve been featured on podcasts, interviews, or public speaking engagements, all that content resides outside your control unless you actively promote it yourself. By taking ownership, you ensure that the right stories are being told. Additionally, never let someone else dictate when or if you should build your personal brand. I often see this dynamic in companies with co-founders. One [founder recognizes the importance of establishing their brand](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) to enhance credibility. At the same time, the other resists out of fear or competition. This resistance is counterproductive—your personal brand is an asset to both you and your company. ### 2. Focusing Too Much on Brand Statements Many people obsess over crafting the perfect [brand statement](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/), thinking it will magically build their brand. While a brand statement is important, it’s just a 30-second elevator pitch. The real work lies in consistently building your brand through actions, content, and engagement. ### 3. Ignoring the Gatekeepers Between You and Your Audience You can’t ignore the algorithms that control what your audience sees. On social media, not everyone who follows you will see your posts. In fact, studies show that as little as 6% of your audience may be exposed to your content organically. Understanding how each platform works and tailoring your content to trigger those algorithms is critical for expanding your reach. One of the initial key metrics for you to pay close attention to is your social media reach. The more reach you have, the more people can follow you and start building your audience momentum. ### 4. Expecting Instant Success Brand building takes time. I often hear people say, “I want to be just like Mel Robbins or Gary Vee,” but they don’t understand that those individuals didn’t reach the top overnight. It took them years of consistent effort to build their brands. Don’t expect instant results—commit to the process. ### 5. Perfection Paralysis Many people delay launching their personal brand because they feel everything must be perfect first. Here’s the truth: your brand will evolve over time, and waiting for perfection will only delay your progress. ### 6. Pretending to Be an Expert Positioning yourself as an expert in an area where you have no real experience is a recipe for failure. Your audience can tell when you’re not authentic. It’s far better to showcase your genuine expertise and build from there than to pretend to be something you’re not. ### 7. Being Overly Sensitive Social media can be brutal, and some people will always have something negative to say. If you’re too sensitive or overly concerned with how you look to others, you may be tempted to over-edit your photos or present an inauthentic version of yourself. Authenticity is key; the occasional critic is just part of the territory. If some Internet troll wants to say something nasty about your hair or clothes––or anything for that matter––just realize that it comes from a place of jealousy. They either don’t have the determination or wherewithal to build their brand, so they want to cut you down to prevent you from getting ahead. You’ve got to learn to let it go. I’ve had clients who completely implode and self-sabotage their personal brands and PR just because someone said something disparaging. Sometimes, it’s their friends that can be the most hurtful. But again, this is due to jealousy and nothing more. Don’t give up on your brand! ### 8. Underestimating the Power of Video Video is the quickest way for people to know, like, and trust you. People want to see and hear you answer their questions or share insights. If you’re not leveraging [video content](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/), you’re missing a major opportunity to build a connection with your audience. ### 9. Relying on AI to Build Your Brand While AI can help with content creation, relying solely on AI-generated material can damage your brand’s authenticity. Algorithms are already detecting AI-generated content and downgrading it. Your audience values authenticity, and that’s something AI can’t replicate. ### 10. Telling Instead of Listening Building a personal brand isn’t just about telling people what you want them to know. You also need to listen to your audience’s questions and pain points. By addressing their needs, you’ll earn their engagement and loyalty. If you’re only broadcasting, you’re missing valuable feedback and opportunities to grow and evolve with your audience’s needs. ### 11. Poor Design Choices Your brand’s visual presentation is crucial. Inconsistent design elements or a lack of visual appeal can make your brand look unprofessional. People are visual creatures, and a well-designed brand fosters trust and recognition. ### 12. Relying on Past Accomplishments As Janet Jackson said, “What have you done for me lately?” Past accomplishments are great, but your audience is more interested in what you’re doing right now. Don’t rely solely on outdated achievements—stay relevant and continue delivering value. ### 13. Relying on a Single Platform Your audience likely spans multiple platforms, and so should you. Algorithms change, platforms evolve, and social networks rise and fall. Don’t put all your eggs in one basket. Diversify your online presence so that you can reach people wherever they spend their time. ### 14. Ignoring Your ROI Your personal brand is an investment; like any investment, you should track its return. Whether it’s increased engagement, new clients, or monetization opportunities, pay attention to how your brand impacts your bottom line. ### 15. Underestimating Google’s Algorithm Underestimating the power that Google has over the content you create is a sure recipe for disaster. Google has its own algorithms that determine if content is displayed or not. Outwardly, they promote the idea that they are protecting people from unscrupulous individuals putting out false information. That may or may not be accurate, but the fact is Google can decide to squash all your hard-earned efforts to build your brand. The two major algorithms that impact you are the YMYL and the EAT. Both of these are designed to protect people by only letting individuals with the proper credentials be able to speak to topics loosely included under “Your Money or Your Life” or, to go a step further, “Expertise, Authority, and Trustworthiness.” So, if you write about health, wealth, or happiness, Google’s YMYL (Your Money or Your Life) guidelines will subject your content to stricter scrutiny. Google will look for credentials and authority to verify the information you provide. So, how do you demonstrate you have the proper credentials? Without a personal website or proof of your expertise, your content may be downgraded or even hidden. ### 16. Missing Key Asset: Your Website A [personal website](https://neilpatel.com/blog/build-personal-brand-blogging/) is your fortress online. It’s the one place where you have complete control over your brand, free from the constraints of social media algorithms. If you don’t have your own website, you’re missing out on a critical element of your personal branding strategy. ### 17. Failing to Engage on Social Media Posting content isn’t enough. You must engage directly with your audience. Respond to comments, ask questions, and foster conversations. Engagement builds community, and community builds loyalty. Make sure you do it in a timely manner to build trust and rapport. People will quickly lose interest if you’re hard to reach or connect with. ### 18. Ignoring Data and Analytics Many people fail to use data to inform their personal branding efforts. Analytics on social media, website performance, and content engagement can provide valuable insights into what works and what doesn’t. Without this information, you’re making blind guesses. Regularly reviewing your performance metrics allows you to refine your strategy and focus on the most effective tactics. ### 19. Using Your Brand to Sell, Not Help The most successful personal brands focus on helping their audience, not just selling to them. People don’t want to be constantly bombarded with sales pitches—they want valuable insights and assistance. By offering help first, sales will naturally follow. ### 20. Not Defining Your Target Market Without understanding your target audience, you’re flying blind. Research who they are, their challenges, and how you can offer solutions. Knowing your audience is the foundation of any successful personal brand. Don’t try to appeal to everyone, either. If your focus is too broad, your message runs the risk of becoming diluted and less impactful. The best personal brands are laser-focused on their niche, where their messaging is specific, relatable, and engaging. ### 21. Chasing Trends It’s tempting to follow every trend or hashtag that’s popular at the moment, but doing so can make your brand feel scattered and unfocused. While staying current and relevant is important, you should only engage with trends that align with your brand’s mission, values, and audience. Chasing trends for the sake of visibility can erode your authenticity and make your brand seem disingenuous. ## Conclusion Building a personal brand requires dedication, authenticity, and strategic planning. It’s a process that evolves over time and involves far more than posting content and hoping for viral success. Avoiding these common mistakes can help you build a personal brand that resonates with your audience, establishes your authority, and drives long-term success. Perhaps the most important takeaway is that your personal brand is a reflection of you—your values, experiences, and expertise. Authenticity should always be at the core of your strategy. The more genuine you are, the more likely people will resonate with your message and engage with your content. And remember, building a personal brand is a marathon, not a sprint. Be patient, stay consistent, and focus on creating meaningful connections with your audience. If you do this, you’ll find that your brand doesn’t just grow—it thrives. In today’s fast-paced digital world, your personal brand can be the key to opening doors of opportunity and establishing yourself as a thought leader. With the right strategy and mindset, you’ll not only build a brand that gets attention but one that lasts. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding **Tags:** building your personal brand, Personal Brand Mistakes, personal brand strategy, personal branding --- ### [Crafting a Compelling Brand Story: The Heart of Executive Branding](https://clairebahn.com/crafting-a-compelling-brand-story/) **Published:** July 14, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What role does your personal story play in executive branding? How can executive branding help you build influence beyond the boardroom? Are you intentionally shaping your executive branding—or letting others define it for you?* *In today’s visibility-driven business world, executive branding is no longer optional—it’s essential. This blog unpacks why your personal brand story is the beating heart of executive branding and how it can transform you from just another leader into a memorable, trusted, and influential voice in your industry. From building emotional connections to reinforcing company culture, your story is the engine that powers reputation and reach.* *The article also explores the key differences between personal branding and CEO branding, the core pillars of brand building, and actionable strategies to align your leadership identity with your business goals. Whether you’re an emerging executive or an established leader, this deep dive into executive branding shows you how to lead with intention, authenticity, and lasting impact.* Let me tell you something that took me a while to realize: my story mattered. No, I’m not talking about the company’s founding date or the year we hit seven figures in revenue. I’m talking about my personal journey: the experiences, values, and moments that shaped me as a leader. That story, my brand story, is the single most powerful tool I’ve used to build trust, open doors, and grow influence. Why does this matter? Because in today’s business landscape, the most successful executives are no longer hidden behind corporate walls. They are front-facing, story-driven, and deeply human. That’s where executive branding comes into play. A compelling [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) strategy is the foundation for building trust, shaping perception, and accelerating influence. But the core of it? Your brand story. It’s not just about being visible—it’s about being *memorable* and *meaningful*. That’s what executive branding is all about. So if you’re an executive, entrepreneur, or leader wondering how to stand out, connect, and leave a legacy, it starts right here. Let’s break down what makes [executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-startups/) so critical—and how your story becomes the engine that drives it all forward. **Table of Contents:** [Why Executive Branding Matters](#_Toc204868134) [What is an Executive Brand?](#_Toc204868135) [CEO Branding vs. Personal Branding](#_Toc204868136) [What Is a CEO Branding Strategy?](#_Toc204868137) [Core Elements of Brand Building](#_Toc204868138) [What Are the Pillars of Brand Building?](#_Toc204868139) [What Is the Foundation of Brand Building?](#_Toc204868140) 1. [ Self-Awareness](#_Toc204868141) 2. [ Audience Insight](#_Toc204868142) 3. [ Core Messaging](#_Toc204868143) 4. [ Visual and Verbal Identity](#_Toc204868144) [Your Story Is the Engine](#_Toc204868145) [Conclusion: Bringing It All Together](#_Toc204868146) ## Why Executive Branding Matters These days, having “CEO” in your title doesn’t automatically make you influential or respected. People want more. They want to know what you believe, why you lead the way you do, and where you’re going. You need more than credentials—you need connection. That’s why I intentionally built my personal brand—not just to get attention. I wanted to create alignment between who I am as a leader and the impact I want to make. That’s [executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-success/) in action: intentionally shaping your reputation so people understand not just *what* you do but *why* you do it—and why it matters. ### What is an Executive Brand? Your executive brand is your leadership identity in the public arena. It reflects how you think, speak, and lead. Your values, your voice, and your vision shape it. And trust me—if you don’t define it, others will do it for you, whether you like it or not. I’ve seen firsthand how this concept plays out in the real world. When my personal brand began to mature, I noticed that my leadership style wasn’t just confined to internal meetings—it began to influence how people perceived our organizational culture, how our strategic goals were interpreted, and how our success was framed. It also played a major role in attracting and retaining top talent. The alignment between my personal reputation and the company’s values made the business feel more human and purpose-driven. So, in many ways, my brand didn’t just reflect me—it became a vehicle for shaping the entire company’s public identity and internal culture. Your executive brand acts as a bridge between your leadership and the outside world. If that bridge is unstable—or worse, invisible—you’re limiting your reach. ## CEO Branding vs. Personal Branding Let’s clear up a common confusion: What is the difference between CEO branding and personal branding? The terms are closely related, but they aren’t interchangeable. Personal branding is broader and applies to anyone. It focuses on your identity as an individual—your values, passions, lifestyle, and personality. It’s about how you show up in the world, what you care about, and how you connect with others on a human level. CEO branding, on the other hand, is a more strategic extension of personal branding. It’s specifically designed for leaders whose personal reputation is tightly linked to the success and perception of their company. Why is this important? A [Weber Shandwick](https://webershandwick.com/news/the-company-behind-the-brand-in-reputation-we-trust-ceo-spotlight) study found that 49% of a company’s reputation was attributed to the CEO’s reputation. While personal branding speaks to a broader audience (i.e., fans, followers, and peers), CEO branding is shaped to key stakeholders like investors, board members, employees, and the media. The tone is more authoritative, the messaging is more aligned with business objectives, and the goal is to reinforce leadership credibility while reflecting the values and mission of the company. In other words, personal branding is about *connection*, while CEO branding is about *credibility and influence* at the highest levels. ## What Is a CEO Branding Strategy? When I began intentionally building my CEO brand, I realized I needed more than just a few good LinkedIn posts. I needed structure. A CEO branding strategy is exactly that—a structure that outlines how to present your values, brand voice, and vision with intention, across every platform and interaction. Here are five key components to keep in mind when developing your strategy: 1. **Positioning Statement:** Who are you, and why do you matter? This is your elevator pitch, rooted in your unique point of view as a leader. 2. **Consistency Across Platforms:** Your tone and presence should feel cohesive across all touchpoints, including LinkedIn, speaking engagements, podcasts, and board meetings. 3. **Thought Leadership Content Strategy**: Think blog posts, LinkedIn articles, podcast interviews, and op-eds. Sharing insights elevates your credibility and shapes industry conversations. 4. **Reputation and Credibility Management:** Media training, public relations, and executive coaching aren’t just perks; they’re essential tools for brand alignment and damage control. 5. **Alignment with the Company Brand:** The strongest CEO brands reinforce the company’s brand story. When you speak, people should immediately feel the heartbeat of your business. Done right, your CEO brand becomes a strategic asset, amplifying your company’s value while growing your personal influence. ## Core Elements of Brand Building Whether you’re a startup founder or a Fortune 500 exec, brand building is never random. As I refined my executive brand, I realized that all [successful personal and CEO brands](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) rest on five key pillars. Each one plays a unique role in reinforcing trust and influence. ### What Are the Pillars of Brand Building? #### 1. Authenticity Authenticity was my starting point. I had to get comfortable with showing up as myself, not as some idealized version of what I thought a CEO should sound like. I stopped using generic language and started talking about what truly moved me: people, purpose, and leadership with empathy. I stopped hiding behind polished titles and started sharing personal insights and lessons I learned the hard way. That vulnerability created a kind of connection no resume ever could. **Pro Tip:** Don’t fake “leadership.” Your audience will sniff it out immediately. Take 30 minutes to write down three personal stories that shaped who you are as a leader, such as failures, turning points, or moments of clarity. Use one of those stories in your next LinkedIn post, podcast, or public speaking engagement. Don’t sanitize it—share what you felt, what you learned, and how it changed you. The more real you are, the more relatable you become. #### 2. Clarity Make sure your brand story leaves no room for confusion. I quickly realized that if people didn’t know what I stood for, they’d make assumptions—and not always in my favor. I made the conscious choice to define my values and communicate them clearly. I talked openly about my leadership style, my vision for the future, and the kind of culture I wanted to build—no fluff, no jargon, just clarity. **Pro Tip:** Choose five words or short phrases that define what you stand for as a leader (e.g., “people-first leadership,” “scaling culture,” “radical transparency”). Use these as filters for all your messaging—if a piece of content, introduction, or bio doesn’t reflect one or more of them, rewrite it. This helps eliminate ambiguity and ensures your audience always knows what you’re about. #### 3. Consistency Consistency was non-negotiable. I ensured that every touchpoint—from social media to conference keynotes—communicated the same themes. It wasn’t about being repetitive; it was about being reliable. That reliability helped build trust over time, and eventually, recognition. **Pro Tip:** Audit your brand presence across every major touchpoint—LinkedIn profile, social bios, keynote intros, website bio, and recent interviews. Create a simple checklist of your core themes and values, then review each platform to see if they’re reflected consistently. Wherever you find gaps or off-brand messaging, update them to align with your current brand story. This one-hour exercise can drastically improve brand clarity and boost credibility. #### 4. Credibility Credibility was—and is—vital. I had to back up what I said with real-world results. I didn’t just talk about impact, I showed it. Through media coverage, case studies, and testimonials, I presented tangible proof that my values translated into action. I made sure that people knew I wasn’t just a voice; I was a builder, a strategist, and a leader who had walked the walk. Why is this so important? A study by [Brunswick Group](https://www.brunswickgroup.com/app/uploads/Digital-Investor-Survey-Two-Page-Summary.pdf) found that 88% of investors reference an executive’s digital presence to make recommendations or decisions, and 91% decide whether to invest after sourcing digital media. **Pro Tip:** Show your receipts. Create a “credibility stack” document—a running list of your key accomplishments, media features, case studies, client wins, board roles, and speaking engagements. Make sure at least three of these appear prominently across your website, LinkedIn profile, and speaker bio. Then, look for ways to weave these into your storytelling to back up your authority with real proof. #### 5. Relevance Leadership evolves, and so should your narrative. I made a habit of tying my messaging to cultural moments, industry shifts, and timely conversations. By staying in tune with the world around me, I kept my content fresh and impactful. Relevance helped me stay visible and positioned me as someone who leads in real time. **Pro Tip:** Set a recurring 15-minute calendar reminder once a week to scan headlines in your industry or on LinkedIn. Ask yourself: “What do I have to say about this?” Then turn that thought into a short-form post, comment, or article. Regularly reacting to current events not only keeps your brand fresh, but it also positions you as a leader with a point of view that matters right now. ## What Is the Foundation of Brand Building? Before I ever posted my first [thought leadership](https://clairebahn.com/attracting-top-talent-through-strong-executive-thought-leadership/) piece or accepted my first speaking invitation, I had to do some serious self-work. Building a brand that actually sticks starts with internal clarity. Here’s how I built the foundation: ### 1. Self-Awareness This was the soul-searching part. I spent time reflecting on what I really value—beyond profit and status. What impact did I want to make in the world? What leadership strengths came naturally to me? And what kind of legacy did I want to leave? These weren’t easy questions, but they were necessary. Without this self-awareness, everything else would have felt hollow or performative. **Pro Tip:** Block 60 minutes this week to complete a “brand clarity journal.” Start by answering these four prompts: - What are my top 3 core values? - What legacy do I want to leave? - What do people consistently come to me for? - What impact am I uniquely positioned to make? Write freely—this isn’t for public eyes. Once complete, highlight themes that show up more than once. Those are your brand’s foundational truths. Revisit them quarterly to check alignment as you grow. ### 2. Audience Insight Once I knew who I was, I had to get clear on who I was speaking to. I wasn’t creating content just for the sake of visibility. I was speaking to aspiring leaders who needed guidance and peers looking for perspective. Knowing who I was serving helped me shape messages that actually landed. **Pro Tip:** Create a quick audience map. List your top three audience segments (e.g., “emerging leaders,” “investors,” “industry peers”) and under each, write down: - What do they care about most? - What challenges are they trying to solve? - What tone or format do they prefer (inspirational, analytical, direct)? Use this map to tailor your messaging. Before your next post, ask yourself: “Who is this for, and does it speak directly to them?” The sharper your audience awareness, the more resonance your content will have. ### 3. Core Messaging I condensed my brand voice down into three core themes: purpose-driven leadership, people-first growth, and scaling culture. These themes anchored every story I told, article I wrote, and keynote I gave. They became my signature. People began to recognize me, not just by name but by message. **Pro Tip:** Choose 3–5 brand pillars representing your key leadership themes (e.g., transparency, culture, innovation, resilience). Then write 1–2 short stories or insights that support each one. These become your go-to content foundation. Rotate through them when planning LinkedIn posts, talks, or interviews to stay consistent while keeping your content fresh and mission-aligned. ### 4. Visual and Verbal Identity Finally, I worked on how I *looked* and *sounded*. I invested in new headshots aligned with how I wanted to be perceived. I refined the way I spoke in public and online, making sure my words reflected both who I was and what I stood for. This visual storytelling was a way to make sure my digital presence matched the tone of my leadership—bold, clear, and people-centered. **Pro Tip:** Conduct a mini brand audit by reviewing your LinkedIn profile, speaker bios, headshots, and public content side-by-side. Ask: - Do my visuals match the tone of my leadership? - Does my language sound like me, or like a generic corporate voice? - Are my colors, fonts, or visuals consistent across platforms? If you answered “no” to any of these questions, update one platform this week to better reflect your leadership voice. Then create a brand style guide—even a simple one-page reference—to keep everything aligned as you scale your visibility. ## Your Story Is the Engine The turning point in my brand journey came when I stopped focusing on accomplishments and started focusing on narratives. The truth is, numbers impress—but stories connect. I started telling people about my early failures, what it felt like to walk away from “safe” career paths, and what I learned from them. Those stories didn’t just humanize me. They moved people to act, to trust, to believe. I saw employees speak up in meetings because they felt empowered by my transparency. I received DMs from strangers who said my words gave them clarity or courage. That’s the power of a well-told brand story. It becomes the emotional glue that ties your leadership to your audience’s hopes, fears, and dreams. ## Conclusion: Bringing It All Together If there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: your executive brand doesn’t form by accident. It is formed by intention. You don’t need to be loud. You don’t need to have all the answers. But you do need to show up—consistently, authentically, and with a clear story that reflects who you are and where you’re headed. Executive branding isn’t a vanity project. It’s a strategic leadership asset. It’s not about being everywhere—it’s about being known for something that matters. So, if you’re a CEO or executive wondering how to increase your influence, attract aligned opportunities, and shape the future of your industry, don’t just look outward—start by telling your story intentionally, authentically, and strategically. Because the right story, told well, is your most valuable leadership asset. Are you ready to build your executive brand? Sign up for a [strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) today and let’s create your brand—on purpose. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Executive Branding **Tags:** ceo branding, executive branding, executive branding for success, personal branding --- ### [Twitter Marketing Tips for Personal Brands](https://clairebahn.com/marketing-on-twitter/) **Published:** May 12, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** A year ago, I never would have thought I would be writing this blog. I [*hated* ](https://twitter.com/ClaireBahn)marketing on Twitter. Instagram has always been my safe haven, and it makes [social media marketing](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/) look easy. For anyone with a personal brand, [Instagram seems like the best place to start](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-on-instagram/). Stories help you create more intimate conversations with your followers, you can curate your feed posts to make you *appear* flawless and successful, and it’s by far the best platform to say, “Hey, look at me!” [After my rebrand](https://clairebahn.com/rebrand-yourself/) from a lifestyle blogger to a personal branding strategist, I found that [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/clairebahn/) is the *worst* platform for a small business owner. Especially one targeting Fortune 500 company CEOs. But I just didn’t *get* Twitter. Every time I signed in, I was overwhelmed. People were arguing about everything, from politics to the latest celebrity drama. Not to mention the formatting makes it next to impossible to keep up with accounts you follow. So what changed? After some careful research on Twitter marketing tips, I *finally* found an easy strategy that makes Twitter work for personal brands. **RELATED: [What Is Social Media Branding?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/)** ## **Who Should Be Marketing On Twitter?** ![marketing-on-twitter](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Claire-Bahn-Personal-Branding-Strategist-1024x683.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") From time to time, you’ll see Twitter users promoting a product or service. But by and large, Twitter serves one purpose: to share news and ideas. I’ll dive into the details about the type of *content* you should be sharing on Twitter in the strategy section of this blog. But before we dive into that, I want to make sure you understand what type of *person* it takes to succeed on this social platform. ### **1. People who want to build a strong brand voice** One of the keys to having a successful [personal brand is having a strong brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) voice. Think back to [my last blog about identifying your brand voice.](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-personal-brand-voice/) What three words do you want people to use to describe you? Tweet frequently, and you’ll start to discover how your audience perceives you. ### **2. People who have a blog, podcast, or video content** Twitter is excellent for people who create long-form content because it’s one of the only platforms where you can share outside links without hindering your reach. You can use Twitter to break up your long-form videos or blogs for endless Tweets about your area of expertise. ### **3. People who want aren’t afraid to express their opinion** You cannot be scared to share your opinion if you’re marketing on Twitter. Twitter is not for the faint of heart, and it’s not for people who shy away from controversy. In fact, this platform is for people who thrive off of it. If you want to become a thought leader, you have to be willing to have your voice heard. And that’s typically done by sharing a unique perspective on how to do (or not do) something in your industry. **RELATED: [HOW STARTUP FOUNDERS CAN STEP UP THEIR PERSONAL BRANDING IN 5 STEPS](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/)** ## **Marketing on Twitter: Getting Started** I’m not going to pretend to understand all the nuances of the Twitter algorithm. This is simply because all social media platforms constantly undergo algorithmic changes*,* and it’s difficult for any one person to keep up. Instead, I’m going to share with you the basics of how to use Twitter. Having these bases covered will help you passively keep up with the algorithms so that you’ll never have to wonder if marketing on Twitter will work for you. ### **Profile Etiquette** If you want people to follow you for your expertise, your profile has to be captivating. **Handle:** Your handle is the name that follows the @ sign on Twitter. This is what people will use to mention you in a Tweet. As I say with any social media platform, you should use your first and last name for this. **Name:** Your Twitter name is what people will see above or next to your profile picture. This can be the same as your handle. **Bio:** Your bio should be snappy and to the point. You can use your [personal brand statement](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) to make it easy. If you work or a large corporation, you may also need to include “Opinions are my own.” Your bio also displays your location, which I recommend having if you’re local or trying to appeal to a local audience. For example, I include LA in my bio because I work with investors, many of whom are in the Los Angeles or Silicon Valley area. **Link:** Always have your website or landing page link in your bio. I recommend staying away from apps such as LinkTree simply because they aren’t very customizable, and it takes traffic away from your website. ### **Crafting a Tweet** To create your Tweets, click on the blue feather button on the bottom right of the mobile app. It will say “What’s happening” in light gray, where you can start your tweet. Here are some basic etiquettes for a well-crafted tweet: - Don’t overuse hashtags. None or 1-2 is perfectly fine. - Images do reasonably well, so try to use these in conjunction with your thoughts or tips. - Original thoughts do best. - Retweet industry information occasionally. However, you should *always* “Quote Retweet” so that you can share your own opinions on whatever video, blog, or Tweet you’re sharing. - Video content is booming on all social media platforms,[ including Twitter](https://blog.hootsuite.com/twitter-statistics/). I recommend sharing short clips to your longer-form videos, along with a 2-sentence synopsis, and the link to the original video. **RELATED: [HOW TO BUILD A REPUTATION WITH YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/)** ## **Step-By-Step Twitter Marketing Strategy** ![marketing-on-twitter](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/twitter-marketing-strategy-1024x683.png "twitter marketing strategy - Claire Bahn") Considering that [59% of Twitter users](https://www.journalism.org/2021/01/12/news-use-across-social-media-platforms-in-2020/) regularly get news from this app, you *need* to be active here more than any other social media platform. By consistently adding your two cents to trending news, you give yourself more opportunity to be discovered through the trending tab. Plus, Twitter the best place to explore what’s happening in your industry. By tweeting your thoughts and opinions often, you can further define your brand voice until you become a recognized authority. It’s all about finding what sticks. With that being said, here’s my step by step strategy for marketing on Twitter to grow your personal brand: ### **1. Automate Content** I know I said that you need to be active on Twitter, but that doesn’t mean you can’t automate *some* Tweets to fill in the gaps. This is a little more difficult to do on Twitter since your Tweets should line up with current industry news. However, you should always factor evergreen topics into your content (whether that’s blogs, videos, or your podcast). This is the type of content you can automate on Twitter. **Here are three easy, evergreen Twitter marketing ideas you can automate to be a resourceful thought leader in your niche:** - **Images:** Use these in conjunction with your tips to help drive people to your website or email sign-up. If you have a blog you want to promote, use graphics from the blog in your tweet along with a few lines of information. If you have a freebie offer, share screenshots of testimonials about the freebie to encourage your Twitter audience to sign up. - **Original thoughts:** Automate these sparingly to project your brand voice. As I mentioned, you should primarily do this in real-time so you can [edge your way into trending conversations](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/) and get your name discovered. However, taking snippets from your podcast or blog is an easy way to get discussions going. I recommend sharing thoughts that go against the standard rule of thumb in your respective industry. - **Retweets:** Yes, you can automate retweets. However, it’s much easier to do this while you’re actively engaging on the app. You want to routinely share other perspectives and information from industry leaders because you *can’t* be the only one with all the answers. **RELATED: [WHAT IS OMNICHANNEL MARKETING?](https://clairebahn.com/omnichannel-marketing/)** ### **2. Micro-Blog** Numerous big-name brands like Nike use Twitter, but you’ll rarely see them pushing a product or even something on their website. That’s because Twitter is, first and foremost, a news source to start a conversation around your brand or tie your brand into the more prominent news. Only sharing blog links, Retweets, and links outside of the Twitterverse are not going to cut it if you’re looking to grow your Twitter audience. Leaders such as [Tim Ferris](https://twitter.com/tferriss?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor) can get away with posting this type of content because he has a pre-built audience. But if you’re just now looking to boost your personal brand via social media (in this case, Twitter), you’re going to have to do the leg work first— not just share bits of your blog and YouTube video. Tim Ferris found fame from his book *The 4-hour Work* Week. So think of your Tweets as micro-blogs (that’s what Twitter is) that can lead you to build your personal brand towards your book, company, or product. Why do you need to microblog first? After all, this isn’t what Ferris did back in 2007 before he saw success. In all fairness, some of his success is simply luck. However, Ferris *always* has a strategy in mind, and in today’s world, that includes s Twitter marketing. [As he confirms in this interview](https://www.businessinsider.com/tim-ferriss-explains-how-he-built-a-fanbase-of-millions-2017-11#:~:text=Tim%20Ferriss%20first%20found%20fame%20with%20his%202007%20book%20%22The,self%2Ddescribed%20human%20guinea%20pig.), he’s all about “dabbling in a bunch of different things and seeing what works and then sharing that with an audience.” Microblogging on Twitter is how you will figure out what works with your audience. ### **3. Get Vocal** You need to engage on every social media platform, but Twitter is the one place where your voice has the potential to be the loudest. You should be engaging on Twitter by commenting on industry leader posts— especially the verified people. This can help you get retweeted by users with bigger platforms, exposing your profile to a much larger audience. Commenting on the “for you” or “trending pages” daily also helps you grow your network. Even if it doesn’t have to do with your industry, being a part of meaningful conversations is a proven strategy to grow your audience. Let’s look at it from a Twitter user’s point of view. Maybe you’re a startup founder who decides to comment on trending news about stocks. You throw in your two cents by saying something informative, humorous, or helpful. People who appreciate your perspective might like your Tweet, or they might retweet it. Chances are, some of the people who see your engagement will want to see your other Tweets. Even if you primarily Tweet about your experience as a startup founder, you never know who you might reach. As long as your engagement *and* your Tweets are inspiring, you’ll start to get more followers. This is the best way to grow your audience organically. So make sure you’re contributing to trending hashtags or news on a daily basis. **Disclaimer:** There is a *lot* of pronounced political opinions going on on Twitter. If you don’t want people to know your political affiliation, or it has nothing to do with your industry, my recommendation is to steer clear of that type of controversy. ### **4. Create Lists** As with any marketing technique, you want to make sure you follow up with the right people. You shouldn’t ***only*** be throwing content and Tweets out there to see what sticks. Twitter has a unique feature called Lists that can help you keep in touch with people such as **journalists, industry leaders, investors, and your ideal client.** For example, if you want a Forbes feature, find a journalist who covers your industry. They usually have their Twitter handle tied to their profile, so make sure you follow them on the platform. Once you have a handful of journalists you want to rub elbows with, you can do this digitally by engaging with them on Twitter. To remember which journalists you want to keep tabs on, you can create a private list and label it “Journalists.” On the Twitter desktop, you can create these lists by choosing “Lists” on the left-hand side of your screen. Give it a title and a description (I just leave myself a note, so I know how often to engage). From there, add the names of the journalists you want to communicate with and add them to your private list. And no— t[hey won’t be able to see if they’re on your list](https://mashable.com/2009/11/02/twitter-lists-guide/#:~:text=Private%20Lists%20%2D%20When%20Twitter%20says,them%20being%20any%20the%20wiser.). This takes away the guesswork of who you should be engaging with and makes sure you’re routinely following up with the right people on Twitter. **RELATED: [HOW BEING A PODCAST GUEST ELEVATES YOUR PERSONAL BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/how-being-a-podcast-guest-elevates-your-personal-brand/)** ![twitter-lists-private](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Screen-Shot-2021-05-10-at-1.55.25-PM-1022x1024.png "twitter marketing tips - Claire Bahn") ## Conclusion Marketing on Twitter is perfect for entrepreneurs looking to become thought leaders. If you want people to know your name, Twitter is probably the best place to be recognized as a personal [brand rather than a company CEO or startup founder](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/). #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** Twitter marketing, Twitter marketing tips --- ### [How To Use LinkedIn for Lead Generation](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-use-linkedin-for-lead-generation/) **Published:** May 5, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Last month, we went over the [basics of lead generation.](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-lead-generation/) You need it for your personal brand as much as you need it for a business-facing company. Social media is a big part of that strategy, which is why today we’re talking *specifically* about how to use LinkedIn for lead generation. When you’re targeting consumers with a product, platforms like Instagram and Tik Tok are the heavy hitters. That’s because you can easily share or even tag the products you’re selling. Plus, they’re the best platform to get product reviews and accessible user-generated content. When it comes to business-to-business marketing, you need to know which platforms will generate the most leads. And[ as much as I love Instagram](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-on-instagram/), if you’re looking for *clients,* it’s not the best (or easiest) place to be. After a few years of heavy [content marketing trial and error,](https://clairebahn.com/top-social-media-platforms/) I’ve realized that LinkedIn and Twitter are the best platforms for obtaining leads. Here’s why: Not only is the organic reach monumentally superior to pay-to-play areas like Instagram and Facebook, but it’s simply the most likely place you’ll find your ideal client. Even if you’re a [startup founder](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-founder-branding/) looking to find an investor to help launch your product, where do you think you’re going to find investors in the digital world? Not on Instagram. Trust me, I’ve looked. [Linkedin](https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebahn/) is where you find other people who understand the business world. You’ll spend a lot less time *convincing* these people to pay for your services. This makes your lead generation strategy a lot more passive— and a lot more successful. ## **Why Personal Brands Use LinkedIn For Lead Generation** Now, I’m not going to be one of those “trust me” strategists. I spend most of my time (maybe too much time) researching marketing possibilities for my clients and me. So you better believe that I have that statistics to back up my reasoning for turning to LinkedIn. First, let’s consider buying power. Again, selling $15 up to $100 products can be done quickly through simple content marketing on Instagram. You might repetitively share reviews, user-generated content, or videos of people using your product before they finally make that impulse buy. However, when you’re asking someone to part with $500 or thousands of dollars on your service, you need to be asking people with enough capital to logically part with that money. [According to Linkedin](https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/generate-leads), their audience has twice the buying power of the average web audience. That’s likely because LinkedIn’s demographic is college-educated workers who are typically higher-salaried earners. [Half of all US adults with college degrees](https://www.pewinternet.org/2018/03/01/social-media-use-2018-appendix-a-detailed-table/) use LinkedIn (Pew Research Center, 2018), whereas less than 40% of high-earners use platforms like Instagram and Pinterest. On top of being high-earners, it’s also where you’ll find the “big dogs.” Think CEOs, investors, and founders of Fortune 500 companies. Nearly 25% of their total user base are senior-level influencers [(LinkedIn, 2021](https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/ad-targeting)). ### **Quality Over Quantity** These people might not think twice about spending $1,000 a month on a copywriter, whereas someone you’re trying to cold-DM through Instagram has to convince herself a million times over that she needs to outsource your expertise. The more people pay for your services, the fewer clients you’ll need. As long as you’re marketing the right freebies and solutions to your LinkedIn audience, you’ll spend less time worrying about where to find your next client. From there, you’ll have the freedom to spend more time on your own [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) and *really* scale your profits. [Social Media Examiner even did a study](https://www.mojoweb.com/downloads/social/social-media-report-19.pdf) to point out that LinkedIn is the second most popular business-to-business social platform, just behind Facebook. Considering that Facebook’s organic reach is all but nonexistent these days, I think it’s safe to assume that LinkedIn is the best place to be for B2B brands. **RELATED: [HOW TO BECOME AN INDUSTRY LEADER](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-an-industry-leader/)** ## **4 Ways To use Linkedin for Lead Generation** Before we get you to the level of passively generating top-dollar leads (without spending a penny), you need to be making sure that people *see* you on LinkedIn. This means doing the upfront work to niche down your target audience, content, [and strategy](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-strategy/). Truth be told, there’s plenty of ways to generate leads for your brand. I’ve already covered the basics of lead generation, and if you want to get leads from other social media platforms, you can find more information [on this page.](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-lead-generation/) But if you’re as convinced as I am that you can use LinkedIn for some easy lead generation, then read on. Below are four things I do every month to make sure my ideal clients are connecting with *me*. ## **1. Have an amazing profile** [![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/4-Ways-To-use-Linkedin-for-Lead-Generation.png "4 Ways To use Linkedin for Lead Generation - Claire Bahn")](https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebahn/) How predictable of me! Just so I don’t lose you here, let me break down a few things you should never do, but are (unfortunately) seen all too often on LinkedIn: ### **1. Don’t brag** [Here’s a video on that](https://youtu.be/-pdkllWUg5c). Nobody who will spend money on your product wants to hear you brag about your success. Success is never linear, so stop trying to sell people that your way is the *only* way. ### **2.** **Don’t have crappy photography** Your headshot can make or break you on LinkedIn. [There’s a whole science about it. I wrote about this for Online Profile Pros](https://onlineprofilepros.com/psychology-behind-perfect-linkedin-profile-picture/), but basically, “Photos that look too posed, or have you in a high powered suit, might look like you’re trying a little too hard to look professional and polished. But photos in a tank top with heavy makeup would best be reserved for a more casual platform, like Facebook or online dating.” ### **3. Don’t have a banner that says nothing** It’s time to get rid of those gradient backgrounds or the picture of you hiking the Grand Canyon. We get it. You’re relatable. You have a life outside of the office. But on LinkedIn, recruiters and potential clients want a quick snapshot of your work ethic. By now, you should know that your LinkedIn profile is like a mini resume or an enlarged business card. Make sure your banner highlights what you do. (Hint: if you want more speaking opportunities, use *that* as your banner image). ### **4. Don’t have a confusing title** Use your personal brand statement or simply your title and who your ideal client is. I have an[ entire blog on how you can come up with your own in about 10 seconds](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/)! ### **5. Don’t forget your ‘About Me’** This is where you can use your [personal brand voice](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-personal-brand-voice/) to highlight your personality. Remember, this isn’t Instagram. Nobody is looking for curated photos to judge you by. Use your wit, humor, and intelligence to tell people about your journey in your industry. Keep it short and simple, and make sure to break up the text for easy reading. [![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/About-Me-on-LinkedIn-for-lead-generating.png "About Me on LinkedIn for lead generating - Claire Bahn")**RELATED:** ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebahn/)**[HOW STARTUP FOUNDERS CAN STEP UP THEIR PERSONAL BRANDING IN 5 STEPS](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/)** ### **6. Don’t have irrelevant job history** If you’re starting in a new industry, then you may need to have your complete work history. However, don’t try to be modest. List anything and everything related to your experience, from your freelance work to your internship. [![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/work-history-How-To-Use-LinkedIn-for-Lead-Generation.png "work history- How To Use LinkedIn for Lead Generation - Claire Bahn")](https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebahn/) Why is your LinkedIn profile important for lead generation? Because if you can’t even make *that* look put together, people aren’t going to trust that you’re actually an expert in your industry. ## **2. Share content strategically** Yep, that’s right. You can’t just have a fully configured profile and think people will be coming to you. It’s time to prove yourself with consistent content. But it’s not enough to post what you’re thinking about that day and move on— this isn’t Twitter. First, you need to figure out which type of content performs the best. There is: - **Simple captions** - **Captions with photos of you** - **Carousel/PDF posts** - **Videos** - **Testimonials** - **Graphics** - **LinkedIn Pulse blogs** - **Native videos** And a lot more. Personally, I’ve seen the most success with videos and swappable content. From there, it’s a manner of figuring out when to post and how often. [![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/linkedin-lead-generaton-strategy.png "linkedin lead generaton strategy - Claire Bahn")](https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebahn/) Think about when your ideal client is likely to take a scroll break. Is it while they’re drinking their morning coffee or during lunch? Or is it late at night after the kids are asleep? Consider what your ideal client does daily and test out different types of posts at different times. Pay attention to your analytics. After a few months, you’ll know the perfect time for *you* to post for your ideal client to potentially become a lead. Here’s a tip [directly from LinkedIn’s blog](https://business.linkedin.com/marketing-solutions/blog/best-practices--social-media-marketing0/2019/how-to-grow-your-organic-following-on-linkedin-) about your posting cadence: *“Let the 4-1-1 rule guide your content shares: For every content asset, you share about your brand, share an update from another source and four pieces of content published by others. This keeps your feed focused on your audience’s needs, rather than on your organization.”* **RELATED: [HOW TO BE MORE CONFIDENT ON VIDEO](https://clairebahn.com/video-confidence/)** ## **3. Be Social** LinkedIn is a social media platform, which means you need to say something if you want people to notice you. I’m not particularly eager to interact with others with the same title as me to avoid competition, but you can always look over their content to see what conversations are being had. Some of my personal strategies on LinkedIn involve searching relevant groups for conversations… and then putting my two cents in! Leave comments that express your perspective, even if you disagree with the original poster. Ask questions, too! From time to time, I’ll look at posts made by industry leaders (like Tony Robbins or Gary V) and read through their comments. If I see an insightful post from someone who looks like they might be my ideal client, I’ll respond to them specifically. [![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/engage-on-linkedin-for-linkedin-lead-generation-1.png "engage on linkedin for linkedin lead generation - Claire Bahn")](https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebahn/) A better way to be social is to start the conversation yourself. That’s why it’s so important to have a variety of content circulating. Try to grab your follower’s attention with a video with emojis, scroll-stopping graphics, and post polls to get feedback (and engagement). [![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/polls-lead-generation-with-linkedin.png "polls-lead generation with linkedin - Claire Bahn")](https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebahn/) ## **4. Know LinkedIn Loopholes** You might be wondering how all of this LinkedIn activity translates into lead generation. Naturally, the more you market yourself, the more people will know about you. And the more people know about you, the higher potential you have to attract your ideal client. Unfortunately, it’s not as straightforward as it sounds. Even if you are showing up daily and posting informative content that displays your expertise, you need to be privy to LinkedIn’s algorithm and its loopholes. The first need to know about Linkedin is that links hinder your reach. It’s the same on Facebook. These social media giants make money through ads, so when you keep sending people off their platform and onto *yours* (aka your landing page or website), LinkedIn doesn’t like that. As a loophole to this, anytime you need to post a link, put it in the comment section. So make sure your captions are punchy and make sure your graphics can stop people mid-scroll. Those two devices need to do all the convincing to get people to your lead generation freebie (a free eBook, a webinar, a blog, etc.) because *now* they have to take that extra step of going to the comments to get said free thing. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/link-in-comments-lead-generation-in-linkedin-e1620137447464.png "link in comments- lead generation in linkedin - Claire Bahn") **RELATED: [WHAT IS OMNICHANNEL MARKETING?](https://clairebahn.com/omnichannel-marketing/)** ### **LinkedIn Tips and Tricks** To sum it up, there’s a lot you need to know about LinkedIn marketing and lead generation before you can expertly tie two together to make it work. That’s why many top executives choose to get their personal brand heard with the help of [personal brand strategists like me.](https://clairebahn.com/concierge/) But just so you’re in the know of what it is I do, **here are a few more tricks I use to get myself and my clients more passive leads on LinkedIn:** 1. I use the Sales Navigator to keep track of leads. 2. On top of engaging and being social, I constantly look at my ideal client’s profiles. Not only will they get a notification that I commented on their post, but they’ll see my profile again in their “Who’s Viewed Your Profile” notification. This shows that I take an active interest in their line of work can work. Or it might just make them curious enough to see who I am— and find my freebie! 3. We only send short and relevant connection request messages. Now is not the time to sell. It’s done too much on LinkedIn, and people are starting to ignore and *block* all these marketers. Keep it 1-2 sentences, let them know what type of information they’ll see by connecting, and leave it at that. #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** lead generation in linkedin, lead generation with linkedin, linkedin lead generation service --- ### [Why a Strong Personal Brand is Critical for Fundraising](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-for-fundraising/) **Published:** June 22, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Personal branding for fundraising can seem like a daunting task. To secure funding from a potential investor, you must have a solid pitch, communicate clearly and concisely, have traction, and differentiate yourself from the competition. This is, of course, easier said than done. There is no shortcut to raising money, after all, besides winning the lottery. In my experience, I’ve found that a solid personal brand goes a long way in overcoming all the challenges and helping you achieve your fundraising goals. Investors invest in the founder, not the company. So, you want to stand out from your competition by being the one with the strongest brand. But before we get ahead of ourselves, let’s first understand the concept of a [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-strategy-2/) for startup founders. [A personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/powerful-personal-brand/) isn’t a résumé or simply a list of all your achievements on paper. It’s more comprehensive than that. It is a collection of the values you, as an individual, stand for. It’s an amalgamation of your experience, expertise, and competency, which form an image of how you want the business world to perceive you. It’s not about bragging; it’s about demonstrating and sharing your expertise to be recognized as an industry leader. A personal brand answers the question: What makes you stand out? Building a personal brand requires great patience, research, and introspection. But I guarantee you that there is a solid ROI from building your brand the right way that goes beyond your fundraising efforts. Ask any [personal brand strategist](https://clairebahn.com/). In this blog, I will outline some tips on building a unique personal brand and the various ways you can use personal branding for fundraising. **Table of Contents** [The Role of Personal Branding in Fundraising](#_Toc138447925) [The Importance of Building Trust with Investors](#_Toc138447926) [How a Strong Personal Brand Can Help Establish Trust](#_Toc138447927) [How to Build a Strong Personal Brand for Fundraising](#_Toc138447928) [Identify Your Unique Value Proposition](#_Toc138447929) [Creating a Brand Message that Aligns with Your Goals](#_Toc138447930) [Consistently Deliver Your Brand Message Across Multiple Channels](#_Toc138447931) [Leveraging Social Media to Build Your Personal Brand](#_Toc138447932) [Maintaining Your Personal Brand](#_Toc138447933) [Staying Authentic and True to Your Brand](#_Toc138447934) [Adapting Your Personal Brand as Your Fundraising Goals Evolve](#_Toc138447935) [7 Ways a Startup Founder’s Personal Brand Impacts Fundraising](#_Toc138447936) [Conclusion](#_Toc138447937) ## The Role of Personal Branding in Fundraising To give you an idea of the importance of personal branding for fundraising, let’s look at the three main benefits a solid personal brand offers. - It helps expand your network. - It establishes you as an expert. - It attracts more visibility. All three aspects are crucial to anyone starting a fundraising journey. It’s a no-brainer — by increasing the number of people aware of your expertise and who have a positive impression of your brand, you are increasing the likelihood that your campaign will succeed. Don’t just take my word for it, though — around [three-quarters of organizations](https://www.nonprofitpro.com/article/new-data-quantifies-impact-of-visual-branding-for-nonprofits/) agree that a strong brand identity increases recurring funding. Let’s see how! ### The Importance of Building Trust with Investors In the past, investors have been most likely to invest in founders they firmly believe in; those they have confidence will have an impact on the market. In the past, investors tended to focus on concepts like the founder’s “mission,” “impact,” or even “the startup’s ease of use.” However, according to [research](https://www.onecause.com/blog/motivating-social-donors-trust/) from 2022, a new factor has toppled these investing concepts to take the top spot — Founder’s “trustworthiness and expertise.” ## How a Strong Personal Brand Can Help Establish Trust So where does a personal brand fit into these statistics? It’s simple, a strong personal brand is one of the best ways to boost credibility. By demonstrating your expertise, skills, and knowledge through your personal brand, you are proving to investors that you have the skills, industry knowledge, and visibility to give their investment in your startup the highest probability of success. ## How to Build a Strong Personal Brand for Fundraising Now that we’ve established the importance of personal branding for fundraising, we’re left with a more pressing question: Where do we start? Building a personal brand, as I already mentioned, is not an easy task. It takes time, patience, and a whole lot of strategy. The payoff is powerful and will have long-lasting positive implications for you and your company. The following points are an excellent place to start: ### Identify Your Unique Value Proposition To have a successful personal brand and get the most out of your fundraising journey, there are some questions you must ask yourself. - What separates you from the competition? - How do you want to be perceived by your investors? - What problem or challenge do you want to solve that made you want to start your company? - How will you and your company make an impact on your target market? The answers will bring you closer to identifying what makes your value proposition unique. It will help you stand out from the crowded field of other startups vying for investor’s funds by creating a unique and compelling “story” for investors to get behind and support. ### Creating a Brand Message that Aligns with Your Goals The next step involves refining your messaging and communication. An important question to ask at this point is: What do you want to convey to potential investors? To arrive at an answer, it’s essential to ascertain what your ideal investor looks like. Do your research into investors that have invested in similar companies at the same fundraising stage, talk to other founders, look at who’s invested in your competition, and check out online sites like Pitchbook and Crunchbase to find investors interested in your startup’s niche. With this research, you should be able to build a list and craft an elevator pitch of your message that will align with your goals and have a strong call to action that will urge investors to sit up and take notice. ### Consistently Deliver Your Brand Message Across Multiple Channels Once you’ve crafted your message and value proposition, the next step would be to make your personal brand known across multiple channels — consistently. This means you need to have a consistent “Look & Feel “and consistent messaging. All of your online profiles and your personal website should have consistent colors, logos, and visual aesthetics so that when anyone sees your posts on social media or visits your website, they immediately recognize that it is you. Nothing puts an investor off more than inconsistency in messaging. Poor communication can harm your credibility and create confusion about your mission goals. Focusing on having a consistent tone and learning to leverage various communication channels can have a significant impact on an investor. For an idea of how much of a difference it can make, take an example from the corporate world, where consistent brand messaging across all platforms leads to a [23% increase in revenue](https://www.forbes.com/sites/gabrielshaoolian/2018/08/10/10-marketing-web-design-branding-statistics-to-help-you-prioritize-business-growth-initiatives/). ### Leveraging Social Media to Build Your Personal Brand If you aren’t already harnessing the power of social media, it’s time to move out from that rock you’ve been living under. Social media is the best way to increase the impact of a personal brand. It can help you identify your audience, engage with a community, increase visibility, and control the image you want potential investors to have when they see your messaging. An estimated [4.9 billion people](https://www.demandsage.com/social-media-users/) worldwide use some form of social media. Trust me when I say there is no better place to build an audience of dedicated followers and investors. Building a large audience means that your authority and visibility also rise. When you have authority and visibility, you tend to gain people’s trust. When you have authority and trust, then you can positively impact your target audience. This is not just for possible clients/consumers but also for investors. For example, if you have two founders and both are looking for funding, if Founder “A” has 50,000 followers across multiple platforms and Founder “B” has 1,000 followers, then who do you think is going to be viewed as an industry leader and an authority in that space? Which one is going to have a much easier time connecting with investors and ultimately securing funding for their startup? If you said Founder “A,” then you win! ## Maintaining Your Personal Brand Once you’ve gone through the hard work of establishing a solid personal brand, it’s important to avoid sitting back and resting on your laurels. Your personal brand is an investment in your future, just like an IRA. Nobody invests in their IRA the day before they retire and believes that it’s going to have any meaningful impact on their future. The same is true for your personal brand. The sooner you start, the better, and the bigger the ROI on your personal brand will be. I’ll be honest — it’s highly unlikely that your personal brand will be perfect right from the get-go and immediately achieve all your fundraising goals. To really get an effective [personal brand, it’s essential to build your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) over time, not just when you’re fundraising. This involves: ### Staying Authentic and True to Your Brand For a personal brand to gain the reputation of being “authentic,” it needs time and consistency to grow. By following the strategies outlined below, you can go a long way in ensuring that you stay true to the brand you set out to create. - Remember the values on which you built your brand - Remember the importance of personality - Be honest, open, and transparent in your communication - Stay consistent in your messaging - Share your expertise and answer the “burning questions” of your audience By keeping these steps in mind, you’re reinforcing that you have a unique story to tell your audience. This will help you differentiate yourself from the competition and remind your audience why they resonated with you in the first place. ### Adapting Your Personal Brand as Your Fundraising Goals Evolve It’s highly unlikely that your fundraising goals will stay stagnant throughout a campaign. Neither should your personal brand. In fact, in my experience, too many personal brands and fundraising campaigns have been completely ruined by complacency and an unwillingness to pivot. To stay on top of your goals, you must develop strategies to adapt your personal brand and give your audience what they are asking for. Test many different types of messaging/posting to see what works best for your audience. Explore video as an additional channel to reach your audience, for instance. Keep your messaging fresh and to the point. Be flexible and open to altering your communication and brand messaging, look out for untapped potential and new networks, and adapt to technological innovations to ensure your branding isn’t stale. This will remind investors why they were so interested in your mission in the first place and allow you to stay up to date with new goals in your fundraising campaigns. ## 7 Ways a Startup Founder’s Personal Brand Impacts Fundraising [A startup founder’s personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-startups/) can have a significant impact on fundraising for their startup. Here are some examples of how a strong personal brand can positively influence the fundraising process: 1. **Credibility and Trust:** A founder with a well-established personal brand, built through expertise, achievements, and thought leadership, can instill confidence in potential investors. Their credibility and track record can create trust and increase the likelihood of attracting investment. 2. **Network and Connections:** A founder with a strong personal brand often has an extensive network of industry contacts, influencers, and mentors. These connections can be invaluable when seeking introductions to potential investors or accessing funding opportunities. Investors may be more inclined to invest if they see that the founder has a robust network of supporters and industry relationships. 3. **Thought Leadership:** A founder who consistently shares valuable insights, trends, and perspectives in their industry can position themselves as a thought leader. This can attract attention from investors who are actively looking for founders who understand the market, have a deep understanding of the problem they’re solving, and have unique insights that set them apart from competitors. 4. **Public Speaking Engagements:** Speaking at conferences, industry events, or webinars can help a founder build their personal brand and increase visibility. A founder who is recognized as a knowledgeable and engaging speaker can attract investor interest. Additionally, speaking engagements provide opportunities to network with potential investors directly. 5. **Media Presence:** Founders who have a strong media presence, such as being featured in reputable publications, participating in interviews, or writing guest articles, can significantly enhance their personal brand. Media exposure can generate awareness about the startup and increase its perceived value, leading to more interest from investors. 6. **Strong Online Presence:** A founder with an active and engaged online presence, particularly on platforms like LinkedIn, Twitter, or industry-specific forums, can build a community around their personal brand. By consistently sharing valuable content, engaging in discussions, and building relationships, they can attract attention from investors who are actively monitoring industry trends and looking [for promising startups](https://clairebahn.com/this-week-in-startups/) to invest in. 7. **Track Record of Success:** A founder with a successful track record, such as having built and exited previous startups or having a history of delivering exceptional results, can significantly influence the fundraising process. Investors often look for founders who have a proven ability to execute and deliver on their promises. ## Conclusion It’s important to note that while a strong personal brand can positively impact fundraising, it should be supported by a strong business model, a compelling product or service, and a solid team. Investors ultimately assess the startup’s potential for success based on these fundamental factors. Still, a founder’s personal brand can serve as a valuable complement that helps differentiate the startup and increase investor confidence. Whether it’s through building up credibility, gaining the trust of investors, or increasing the visibility of your solution, I hope this blog has helped you see the impact [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) can have on a fundraising campaign. As you build your personal brand, remember to follow the above-mentioned strategies, such as identifying your unique value proposition and creating strong brand messaging that aligns with your goals. Once that’s done, don’t forget to maintain your personal brand by staying authentic and adapting to the times. Provided you follow all these tips and spend enough time on research and self-reflection, I guarantee that you will begin to see the impact [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important/) can have not only on a fundraising campaign but on every aspect of your professional life. What are you waiting for? There’s no better time to start than now. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding **Tags:** Personal Branding for Fundraising --- ### [The 4 Stages of Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-stages/) **Published:** September 10, 2024 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What are the key stages involved in personal branding? What are the branding strategies? How fast can I monetize my personal brand?* *Building a personal brand isn’t an overnight success story. In this blog post, we explore the personal brand stages that are essential to creating a monetizable personal brand. From building trust and authority to pitching yourself, you’ll discover how patience and strategic planning can unlock opportunities such as speaking engagements, consulting offers, and more.* *We’ll also delve into the best personal branding strategies for maximizing visibility and connecting with your target audience. By mastering these stages, you can start seeing returns before jumping into full-fledged personal brand monetization.* *Finally, we explore several monetization options, such as paid board seats, webinars, and e-books, each requiring different levels of audience engagement and expertise.* I get it…everyone wants to start at the top. Many times, I’m asked, “How fast can I monetize my personal brand?” Coming from a background as an actress and a model, I know that EVERY new actor who arrives in Hollywood thinks they’d be the perfect leading man/woman for an upcoming blockbuster film or TV show. Does it happen? Sure, but so very rarely, it’s the thing of myths and legend. Most careers in entertainment start by building a presence or reputation in small incremental steps, usually guided by an agent or manager to get you “known” in the industry and to the right casting directors. Why am I telling you this? Because your professional and personal brands operate exactly the same way. There are various [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/) stages your brand will go through when building your brand and deriving an ROI from that brand as you progress to the stage where you can successfully monetize your brand. The goal is to gain the industry recognition and audience that will propel you forward as time goes on. It’s not a magic trick; it takes time, effort, and investment, like everything else worthwhile. I can’t count how many times I’ve started a conversation with a potential client, and they say, “I want to be like Mel Robbins or Gary Vaynerchuk!” Then I say, “You mean Mel or Gary now or when they started 15 years ago?” Invariably, they want to start where Mel and Gary are now. That’s when the real conversation starts! **Table of Contents:** [The ROI of your Personal Brand](#_Toc176525340) [The 4 Personal Brand Stages](#_Toc176525341) [Stage 1: Building Trust and Authority](#_Toc176525342) [Stage 2: Incorporating Personal Details](#_Toc176525343) [Stage 3: Take Stock of Competitors](#_Toc176525344) [Stage 4: Pitching Yourself](#_Toc176525345) [6 types of Personal Brands](#_Toc176525346) 1. [ The Reporter Brand](#_Toc176525347) 2. [ The Educator Brand](#_Toc176525348) 3. [ The Journey Brand](#_Toc176525349) 4. [ Thought Leader Brand](#_Toc176525350) 5. [ Dr. Feel Good Brand](#_Toc176525351) 6. [ The Entertainer Brand](#_Toc176525352) [The GateKeepers: Who’s your Audience](#_Toc176525353) [Monetizing your Brand](#_Toc176525354) [Paid Board Seats](#_Toc176525355) [Paid Speaking Engagements](#_Toc176525356) [Consulting/Advisory Services Offer](#_Toc176525357) [Short Form Books](#_Toc176525358) [Webinar or Workshop](#_Toc176525359) [YouTube Monetization](#_Toc176525360) [Book Authorship](#_Toc176525361) [Conclusion](#_Toc176525362) ## The ROI of your Personal Brand > ***“Visibility is the currency you get from your personal brand.”*** With that currency, a world of opportunities opens as you build your authority and trust with your audience. You can derive an ROI from your brand in several ways, even before you start [monetizing your brand](https://clairebahn.com/monetizing-your-personal-brand/). Your brand will move in stages. I’ve seen firsthand how our clients see different ROIs from their brands until they get to the point where we are actively monetizing them. You must be patient and open to the offers and opportunities that will come to you as you build your brand, visibility, and authority…assuming you build your brand correctly. The first step to getting your personal brand moving is to give your audience what it wants! The fastest way to gain trust is to offer constructive help by answering your target audience’s “burning questions” and leveraging your expertise and experience to try and help your target audience. This is a big difference from “self-promotion” or only talking about your accomplishments and your company’s. Here are just a sample of the ROI of a successful personal brand I’ve seen firsthand: 1. Career advancement and promotion 2. Industry recognition 3. Visibility to a broad global audience 4. Networking and relationship-building 5. Job offers 6. Leads generation and sales for your company 7. Business opportunities 8. Journalist interviews 9. Podcast Interviews There may be even more as your visibility and authority grow. You might be invited to take part in other opportunities. The point is that there are benefits and payoffs to your [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-strategy-2/) far before you can start to monetize it. You need to be open to the possibilities and recognize when an opportunity will help you accelerate your personal brand. ## The 4 Personal Brand Stages So, how do you measure the stages of your brand? You measure this by the size and engagement of your audience. This will be different for everyone and depend on the industry as well. The main point is that you want to work to progress into the public eye by offering useful information in a compelling manner. Your style will develop over time. Don’t focus on being perfect; just focus on being authentic and helping others. All you need to do is keep at it and not quit when you find out you don’t have 100,000 followers after 30 days of posting. You must stay realistic and realize that others have been in your shoes. The ones that made it did not quit. They focused on helping others, which eventually broke through for them. Some brands, especially ones in crowded markets, take longer to get going because they need to break through to the audience and start to steal audience share from competitors. While you break through, you need to maintain the frequency and quality of your posts, not just to the actual audience but also to trigger the platform algorithm so that it shows your content to a wider audience. So, let’s take a look at the several personal brand stages over time: ### Personal Brand Stage 1: Building Trust and Authority Start by building trust and authority by helping others. What questions did you or others have about your industry or topic of expertise? Even if you think the answer is simple or “everyone” knows, you’d be surprised. Just take your knowledge and experience and answer the questions. You can say something like, “Hey, when I was starting, I didn’t understand “x” about our industry.” If people give you grief about talking about basic topics, tell them you’re helping people who are just starting out or that people recently asked you the same question, so you thought you’d answered it for others. **Initial ROI:** Social media reach. Reach is the number of people the platform shows your content to. You need a lot of reach to build a lot of followers, so this is the first ROI of your new brand-building journey. Remember you need to maintain an effective frequency of 3 times a week and post across multiple social media platforms. ### Personal Brand Stage 2: Incorporating Personal Details The next step is to start incorporating [personal details to humanize your brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/). In addition, start an outreach or engagement with others in your industry. Another step is to look at what your competition is doing, how people react to them, and what subject matter resonates with the competition’s audience. How can you take this research and build upon it without being a copycat? In fact, you can actively target individuals or companies you want to get in front of and raise awareness. This is when you need to start watching the metrics: reach, engagement, DMs, and initial followers. **Initial ROI:** Increased reach, audience momentum, and greater engagement. Direct outreach for jobs or business opportunities, networking offers, and lead generation. ### Personal Brand Stage 3: Take Stock of Competitors I’m not suggesting that you be overly confrontational or inflammatory, but if you’ve reached this stage, it’s time to push into the competitors in your industry or brand. You can begin to engage others constructively, maybe even disagree or question their conclusions based on your own expertise and experience. This is an excellent time to invite discussion with others/competitors on a YouTube interview. Remember, seeing and hearing you is much more powerful than just reading your words and seeing your picture. At this stage, I would expect you to have a YouTube channel where you discuss major topics or your thoughts so others can see them. Remember, the fastest way to build “Know-Like-Trust” is for others to see and hear you answer their burning questions. Expanding this to include others in the industry for a lively discussion is good for both brands. **Initial ROI:** Accelerated visibility, increased industry recognition, job offers, and consulting offers. ### Personal Brand Stage 4: Pitching Yourself While pitching to journalists and podcasts is a whole other world, at this stage, with the number of followers and the audience you have, it’s time to get on the radar of influential podcasts and journalists that cover your industry or topic of expertise. While I won’t go into pitching for earned media here, know that the acceleration factor for placing you on the right podcasts or the right article can be a huge boost, and it adds ‘social proof” to your brand as it can be touted and demonstrate on your social media and website. In addition, you might find that there is enough interest to pitch yourself to be a speaker at an industry event. Initially, I would expect these to be free speaking engagements, but they still have a ton of value to your brand. This is especially true if you can get someone to film you giving the speech or panel discussion. **Initial ROI:** Rapid audience growth, accessing multiple audiences, and increased reputation. ## 6 types of Personal Brands The type of brand you want will determine its speed of visibility. There are roughly six types of brands, and only a few are right for the executive brand. ### 1. The Reporter Brand In this type of brand, the individual leverages other people’s expertise to try to gain notoriety and become the curator of great information. They don’t steal others’ expertise; they try summarizing and reporting on it, maybe giving their spin or thoughts. They may even interview others and share the interview with their audience. This type of brand can be challenging to monetize, but you can get an ROI by making a name for yourself, and if you focus on a particular industry or topic, you can grow an audience. ### 2. The Educator Brand This type of brand usually revolves around a particular skill or trade that an individual has, like a cook, makeup artist, car mechanic, or even a fitness trainer. They want to offer tutorials to show off their particular skill. They can grow a wide and diverse audience interested in their skills or wants to learn how to do it themselves. Depending on the individual’s charisma, they can build a global audience fairly quickly and have the opportunity to monetize their brand through business opportunities and sponsorships. ### 3. The Journey Brand Similar to the “Educator Brand” is the journey brand. You have an end goal, and, like a diary, you have people follow along on your journey, kind of like watching over your shoulder as you do things. Maybe it’s a weight loss journey, building a house in the woods, or traveling someplace exotic. Anything that will take time and you’re learning or experiencing it as you go along is an example of the Journey Brand. This is usually a long-term, almost step-by-step, exploration of a process the individual went on or is currently going through. Nearly anything that is a long-term process can become a journey brand. You might see critiques of products you found along the way, reviews of books you found helpful or not, and individuals you can interview who impact your journey. Think of it as a multi-episode TV show where your audience watches and follows along as you progress. Depending on the story and the brand’s charisma, the ROI could easily be an increase in visibility, which could be monetized through sponsorship or product reviews. ### 4. Thought Leader Brand Most business professionals and executives are likely drawn to this particular type of [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-an-industry-leader/) since it allows them to gain industry recognition, business opportunities, career advancement, leads, and sales. The look and feel of this brand need to be very well presented and inspire trust and authority. The whole goal of this brand is to leverage your expertise to help people by answering the most prominent questions they might have about your topic of expertise. In this case, your opinions, experience, and anecdotes mean a great deal because it is your take on the topics and challenges. It’s not a “textbook” answer but rather your spin on the topic. The opportunities for this type of brand can be great, both from an ROI standpoint and a monetization aspect. This is not about self-promotion, which is building an audience you’ve helped; the reward is that they view you as the authority they trust in the industry or topic. ### 5. Dr. Feel Good Brand This type of brand tends to be more aspirational or even religious in nature. The individual “helps” others by sharing feel-good quotes and stories of puppy dogs and cute cats. Maybe a daily or hourly affirmation. Many people need/want this, and it can bring audiences to you, but rarely much in terms of ROI and monetization. There does not tend to be a particular target market except for people who crave or need their Dr. Feel Good, so it’s hard to really tap into the ROI of this brand unless it’s simply visibility with the possibility of evolving it into something more like a sponsored podcast or interview show. There is a lot of competition, and finding material is as simple as spending 5 minutes on ChatGPT, so the barrier to entry is very low. ### 6. The Entertainer Brand The most successful brands in this space (and I’m looking at you, OnlyFans) are cute, sassy, or nearly naked. They are the evolution of the original Influencers from years ago and usually focus on sex or just being sexy while lamenting about pop culture, music, or other entertainers. This brand takes a certain type of individual who is not afraid to “let it all hang out” and self-promote the heck out of themselves and their “show.” Depending on the individual and how far they are willing to go, they can build visibility very quickly. This visibility can sometimes be turned into sponsorship or monetized in other ways, including but not limited to breaking into the entertainment industry in general. #### Micro-Influencers One note: we call a group within this brand micro-influencers. They tend to focus on a few key topics and want to help a narrow audience. They might offer advice or product reviews or provide space for others to discuss or share their experiences. These tend to be less “cute and sassy or nearly naked.” While there are examples of micro-influencers growing to the point where they command a large audience, it very much depends on the topic, the size of the market, and the individual’s charisma to build a massive audience. Hence, it is far more difficult than the young, pretty, and nearly naked influencer’s roadmap. ## The GateKeepers: Who’s your Audience Here is something that most people do not think about. The social media platforms and Google, or more precisely, their algorithms, are the gatekeepers standing between you and your audience. If the algorithms don’t understand who your target audience is, they tend to “spray and pray” your content, trying to track who engages with your content to define your target audience. It can sometimes take up to a year or more to go this route, depending on the industry, topic of expertise, and even the number of competitors trying to access that audience. If you take the time to package yourself in a way that the algorithms can understand and can clearly associate you with an audience, then you make the whole process much easier. Hence, you need to create indexable content that the machines can use to understand the topics to associate with you. The easiest way to do this is to create SEOed content/blogs and publish them on your own website with direct links to your social media profiles. Secondly, depending on your topic of expertise, you might trigger Google’s last three protective algorithmic updates, like YMYL and EATT. Does this mean that you should write like a robot? No! You still have a human audience that you will need to entice and engage with your content to help them. Don’t forget that you are creating content for at least two audiences, the machines and people, especially at the outset of working on your brand. The reason is that you need to ensure you are “indexed” or essentially packaged so that the machines understand which keywords or topics to associate with you. A lot of this is based on how the content you create is SEOed correctly–machines are the gatekeepers between you and your audience. So, if you don’t figure out what your audience wants and only create content about what you want to talk about, your personal brand is pretty much doomed. ## Monetizing your Brand The next question becomes, “How do you know when you’re ready to monetize your brand?” The answer is different for every person’s brand. When you reach a tipping point, you will know that your audience is large enough and engaged with you to the point that when you make an “ask,” like “read my blog,” “follow me,” “watch my video,” etc., the majority of your audience will follow your request. So, once you’ve spent some time and effort building a decent-sized audience and you’ve seen the ROI of your brand, whether it is more industry recognition, career opportunities, business opportunities, or even leads for your business, it is time to start thinking about how to add a strategy to monetize your brand and move to the next level. The first question you might ask is how big an audience you need. The answer depends on the overall size of your target audience and how much of that audience you attract. This can take some time, but with the right strategy and effort, you should start seeing the ROI within 3 to 6 months. As your followers/audience continues to build, you can start thinking about how to monetize your personal brand. Some of the typical ways people might monetize their brand are the following: 1. **Paid Board Seats** 2. **Write a Short E-Book** 3. **Paid Speaking Engagements** 4. **Become a Paid Industry Influencer** 5. **Leverage Your Podcast for Sponsorship** 6. **Webinars** 7. **YouTube Channel Monetization** 8. **Secure Startup Funding** 9. **Consulting Opportunities** 10. **Investment Opportunities** 11. **Book Promotion / Book Deals** Not all of these are created equal; some can be harder to implement. These can be broken down into three categories of monetization: easy, intermediate, and advanced. 1: Easy - Paid board or advisory seats - Paid speaking engagements 2: Intermediate - Consulting or advisory services - Amazon e-books or Self-publishing - Webinar or Workshop 3: Advanced - YouTube monetization - Authorship: write a book on your expertise and experience - Create a podcast and sell sponsorship - Become an industry Influencer Here are some more details about the different monetization options and what you can expect. ### Paid Board Seats Create board profiles and engage with networks and board recruiters to find suitable board positions. We will substitute efforts directed at securing your podcast guesting in favor of pitching and working to secure board seats. **Revenue:** The median salary for board members in the United States is $74,121, but compensation ranges between $57,137 and $91,538. ### Paid Speaking Engagements Recently, we’ve found that the bookers are pressing for even more information to secure speaking engagements. To increase the probability of securing a larger speaking engagement to meet your goals, you will need to produce additional materials beyond just your “pitch. We find that retooling your personal website to highlight your speaking engagements is beneficial. In addition, you will want to create a speakers’ reel for yourself. Choose the top five topics you wish to speak on; then, create five videos of 3 to 5 minutes on each topic to create an interesting montage of your speeches. Of course, if you have a video of you speaking on stage, you should incorporate it. Other things that need to be a part of your pitch and your speaker’s package are: 1. The title of your speech 2. The major points of your speech 3. The run time of your speech 4. If you need any presentation tools (screens, laptops, handouts, etc.) 5. Will you allow Q&A after you complete the talk? 6. Will the speech be recorded, and do you have rights to the recording? (This is important, and people forget it all the time!) **Revenue:** Initially, it makes sense to offer to do a few talks without compensation. It’s just the reality as you prove you can handle a speech on stage. This is especially true if you can get the recording of you speaking to add to your speaker’s package or reel. Once you’ve completed a few free speaking engagements, you are in the perfect position to ask for a speaker fee. Brand-new speakers might earn $500–$5000 for a talk, and experts who have written a book or are already well-known in their field can make $20,000+ per event. ### Consulting/Advisory Services Offer **Estimated Fees:** $150 to $500/HR Create a landing page on your website and promote your services directly and via social media. Be willing to tweak your offer and offer free initial consultations to get things rolling. In addition, you will need to create specific landing pages on your personal website promoting your benefits and skills. ### Short Form Books Leveraging Amazon e-books is very profitable and allows you to add “Author” to your resume. The sweet spot is under 30 pages, with a price point below $10. You should leverage your most popular blogs already written with additional content and design. This will need additional ghostwriting, editing, and design work to prepare the book for self-publishing. In addition, you will need to promote the book through social media before launch and coordinate testimonials to leverage the Amazon algorithm within the first 24 hours of launch. **Revenue:** 30% or 70% royalty rate for eBook authors ### Webinar or Workshop Another option is to create an independent webinar or workshop and then promote it across multiple channels. You can create your webinar and invite a select group to participate. Of course, you’ll record this and do a bit of post-production for the webinar. Now, you can offer the webinar regularly and collect the fees. Yes, there will be an additional promotional/ad fee unless your audience is very large, so factor that into your plan. The good news is that these prerecorded webinars can run virtually by themselves, and you can tweak and expand upon them when you like. We suggest creating a 1-hour webinar to begin with and gauge the audience’s reaction. **Revenue:** $40 to $250/attendee. The average revenue of webinars in 2023 was $1,000 to $3000+. A webinar can be distributed multiple times. ### YouTube Monetization You’ll see that one of the options involves exploiting or leveraging your videos. Videos have an immense impact; as shown in the graph below, these are extremely powerful. Therefore, you can take advantage of your growing video subscribers and monetize your viewership. Please see the graphic below. Be prepared to record 3 to 5 videos per month to provide enough content for you to promote. **Revenue:** It varies. To be eligible to monetize your YouTube channel, you need 4,000 hours of watch time and 1,000 subscribers. [![content engagement graph](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Picture1-300x253.png "content engagement graph - Claire Bahn")](https://x.com/neilpatel/status/1742577533097574870) ### Book Authorship While you can leverage your content through blogs and articles, sometimes you want to create a complete book and then shop the book towards literary agents. This will require more significant input and time from you, but utilizing the ghostwriters and copy editors could minimize the impact on you. You already have a good deal of data on what your audience wants and reacts to based on social media and blog syndication. Utilize that to decide the topic of your first book. **Revenue:** Advance + 5% to 18% of royalties While this is not an exhaustive list, the above options give you some idea of how to monetize your brand and the potential revenue you can receive. ## Conclusion If done correctly, you will move through the various personal brand stages over time, providing growing benefits as you progress through different levels until you feel you can monetize your brand. Brands build momentum as they grow, gaining greater audience share and attracting different audiences. The greatest mistake you can make when building your brand is assuming you can jump in and engage your audience just as the top dogs do. So, take a look at the influencers and “known” people in your industry or market and realize that they spent time, effort, and money building a personal brand that they could start monetizing and elevate even further. There is no magic bullet for reaching that level. The last thing to remember is that you will be judged on your brand as business and technology progress. It’s not whether or not you have a brand; you do. It’s whether that brand is helping you or hurting you. So, before you even start thinking about how you’re going to monetize your brand, it might be a good idea to consider where you’ll be if you don’t improve your brand at all. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding **Tags:** personal brand monetization, Personal Brand Stages, personal branding, personal branding strategies --- ### [How to CORRECTLY Use Generative AI for Personal Branding](https://clairebahn.com/generative-ai/) **Published:** February 27, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How can generative AI enhance personal branding without compromising authenticity? What are the best ways to use generative AI for content creation while maintaining a unique voice? Why should generative AI be an assistant rather than the face of your personal brand?* *Generative AI is transforming content creation, making it easier to generate ideas, optimize SEO, and streamline research. However, personal branding is all about authenticity, and over-relying on AI can dilute your unique voice. While AI can be a powerful tool, it should enhance your content rather than replace the [personal insights and storytelling that make your brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) stand out.* *To use generative AI effectively, treat it like an assistant—helping with brainstorming, organization, and data analysis—while ensuring your original voice remains front and center. Thought leaders don’t rely on AI to define their brand; they use it to amplify their expertise. The key is balance: AI can boost efficiency, but real credibility comes from human experience and authenticity.* AI is changing the game in content creation, making it easier than ever to generate blog posts, social media captions, and even entire marketing strategies within minutes. In fact, utilizing AI-based systems has shown an increase in efficiency and [productivity by 30%](https://www.synthesia.io/post/ai-statistics#:~:text=Semrush%2C%20HBR%2C%20Forbes-,Small%20businesses%20&%20AI%20marketing%20tools,AI%20would%20like%20to%20start.). But here’s the thing: personal branding is *personal*. If you’re not careful, AI can dilute your brand rather than elevate it. Over-reliance on AI-generated content can strip away your unique voice, leaving behind a generic, robotic presence that fails to connect with your audience. That’s why AI should assist—not replace—your personal branding efforts. When used strategically, AI can help streamline research, enhance content quality, and optimize distribution. But when misused, it can weaken your authority, credibility, and influence. Let’s talk about how to use generative AI the right way for [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) so it supports your expertise rather than overshadowing it. **Table of Contents:** [The Right Way to Use AI for Personal Branding](#_Toc193381037) 1. [ Keyword Research & SEO Strategy](#_Toc193381038) 2. [ Topic and Content Pillar Generation](#_Toc193381039) 3. [ Competitor and Industry Research](#_Toc193381040) 4. [ General Idea Generation](#_Toc193381041) [The Wrong Way to Use AI for Personal Branding](#_Toc193381042) 1. [ AI Should NOT Write Your Social Media Posts](#_Toc193381043) 2. [ AI Should NOT Write Your Blogs, Video Scripts, or Thought Leadership Content](#_Toc193381044) 3. [ AI Should NOT Generate Your Headshots, Audio, or Video Avatars](#_Toc193381045) [The Moral of the Story: AI is a Tool, Not a Replacement](#_Toc193381046) [The AI Balance: How to Integrate It Wisely](#_Toc193381047) [If AI Could Fully Replace Your Content, What Does That Say About Your Expertise?](#_Toc193381048) [Conclusion](#_Toc193381049) ## The Right Way to Use AI for Personal Branding People connect with stories and emotions—elements that AI can never fully emulate. Think of AI as your behind-the-scenes assistant, not the face of your brand. It should help with tasks like research, organization, and content optimization, but it shouldn’t replace your authentic voice. > ***“Over-reliance on AI-generated content can strip away your unique voice, leaving behind a generic, robotic presence that fails to connect with your audience.”*** If you want to use AI in your personal brand strategy, there are some ways that it can actually work for your brand instead of against it: - Keyword Research & SEO Strategy - Topic and Content Pillar Generation - Competitor and Industry Research - General Idea Generation ### 1. Keyword Research & SEO Strategy In the ever-evolving digital landscape, understanding what your audience is searching for is crucial to driving organic traffic. Utilizing AI-powered tools can make targeting your ideal audience that much easier, giving your content a competitive edge. AI-powered tools like SEMrush, Ahrefs, and ChatGPT can help identify: - High-impact keywords related to your niche - Trending topics your audience is searching for - SEO-optimized blog titles and descriptions However, effective SEO goes beyond just inserting keywords. It’s about crafting valuable, engaging content that resonates with real people. Remember, search engines favor authenticity, so always balance AI-driven insights with a human touch. **Pro Tip:** Use AI to refine your SEO strategy, but always humanize your content. If your blog post is stuffed with keywords but lacks personality, your audience (and Google’s algorithm) will notice—and not in a good way. ### 2. Topic and Content Pillar Generation Are you feeling stuck on what to post or having trouble coming up with fresh content? AI can help you brainstorm content ideas that align with your brand messaging. - AI can suggest themes that support your personal brand (e.g., leadership, entrepreneurship, industry trends). - AI can map out subtopics to create cohesive, engaging content. - AI can generate multiple headline ideas, so you can choose the one that resonates best. While AI can streamline the ideation process, the magic happens when you infuse your unique perspective and personal experiences into the content. **Pro Tip:** AI can help you brainstorm, but it shouldn’t be your final draft. Use AI to spark ideas, then add your own insights and experiences to make it uniquely yours. ### 3. Competitor and Industry Research Keeping an eye on competitors and industry trends is essential for staying ahead, and AI makes this process faster and more data-driven. AI provides valuable insights into what’s working and what opportunities exist for differentiation. Want to know what’s working (and what’s not) in your industry? AI can analyze: - Competitor content strategies (what’s trending, what’s engaging) - Gaps in the market (opportunities to stand out) - Audience sentiment (how people react to industry trends) However, the key to success isn’t just mimicking others—it’s using these insights to refine your own unique voice within your industry. **Pro Tip:** AI is great for collecting data, but your perspective is what makes it valuable. Don’t just copy competitor strategies—use AI insights to carve out your own niche. ### 4. General Idea Generation Sometimes, the hardest part of content creation is transforming a vague idea into a compelling narrative. AI can help you refine raw ideas into engaging content. For example: - If you have a broad topic in mind, AI can suggest angles or structures. - If you need help crafting a hook, AI can generate engaging openers. - If you want a different perspective, AI can reframe your ideas creatively. Whether you’re looking for structure or creative inspiration, AI provides a strong starting point. But remember, AI-generated content is just the foundation. Your personal voice, storytelling, and lived experience are what truly bring your ideas to life. **Pro Tip:** AI doesn’t know your lived experience. Use it for structure, but inject your own personality, voice, and storytelling to make your content stand out. ## The Wrong Way to Use AI for Personal Branding While generative AI has its perks, it also has its limits. The moment you start relying on it too much, your personal brand loses authenticity and credibility, and the tone of your content can sound mechanical and, quite frankly, boring. > ***“Many platforms will downgrade AI-generated content because it’s seen as duplicate or low-quality.”*** You should not be using AI to: - Write your social media posts - Write your blogs, video scripts, or thought leadership content - Generate your headshots, audio, or video avatars ### 1. AI Should NOT Write Your Social Media Posts People follow you for your insights and perspective—not a machine’s generic, templated advice. AI-generated social media posts often: - Lack emotion and storytelling - Sound overly polished and robotic - Miss the nuances of your personal brand voice Why does this matter? Personal branding is about connection. If your audience senses a lack of authenticity, they’ll disengage. Instead, use AI for ideas or outlines, but always add your personal touch. Your real stories, emotions, and insights are what make your content memorable. ### 2. AI Should NOT Write Your Blogs, Video Scripts, or Thought Leadership Content Want to be seen as an expert? Your content needs to showcase your expertise, not AI’s recycled information. Why AI-generated content falls short: - It lacks real-world experience and unique insights. - It often pulls from crowd-sourced, generic information. - It doesn’t contribute new perspectives, which is key to thought leadership. Many platforms will downgrade AI-generated content because it’s seen as duplicate or low-quality. [Google](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/truth-googles-ai-content-penalties-2024-lorenz-esposito-dn1pe), for example, doesn’t have guidelines against AI content, but it does prioritize access to high-quality, original work. If you’re relying on AI to churn out content, most of it might be getting buried in the algorithm. Instead, focus on using AI to help with research, but make sure your voice and expertise shine through. [Thought leaders](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-an-industry-leader/) don’t copy-paste generic, unoriginal content. They create. ### 3. AI Should NOT Generate Your Headshots, Audio, or Video Avatars AI-generated headshots and images have made waves across nearly every platform in the last year or so. I get it—not everyone has the time or means to schedule photoshoots for professional headshots, images, and videos. The allure of using AI for these mediums is that they [are often easier to access](https://www.newportbeachindy.com/why-ai-headshots-are-the-future-of-professional-portraits/) and can usually be received on the same day. But, using AI for headshots, avatars, and [video content](https://clairebahn.com/video-content/) can end up hurting you in the end. Here’s why AI visuals are a branding disaster: - AI-generated images feel impersonal and inauthentic. - If your audience realizes your “face” is AI-generated, it damages trust. - People connect with real people, not avatars. Instead, just show up as yourself. Whether it’s a LinkedIn profile pic, a podcast voiceover, or a video post, your presence builds credibility and displays your authenticity. Don’t obsess over perfection. ## The Moral of the Story: AI is a Tool, Not a Replacement Generative AI is a great asset for content creation, but it should never replace the personal touch that makes your brand unique. AI excels at behind-the-scenes tasks like research, organization, and brainstorming, helping you work smarter and faster. However, your audience expects authenticity when it comes to the content that represents you—whether it’s blog posts, social media updates, or thought leadership articles. - **DO:** use AI to streamline workflows, generate topic ideas, and structure your thoughts. - **DON’T:** let AI dictate the final product, especially when your reputation is on the line. If your content feels robotic, overly polished, or lacks genuine insight, your audience will notice—and worse, they’ll disengage. AI can help shape your ideas, but only you can infuse them with the personal experiences, emotions, and perspectives that make them truly compelling. ## The AI Balance: How to Integrate It Wisely Finding the right balance between leveraging AI and maintaining authenticity is vital to successful content creation. AI should be a supportive tool, not the driving force behind your brand’s voice and identity. So, how do you find the balance? Here’s how to integrate it wisely: DO Use AI To… - **Brainstorm and refine content ideas.** AI can help you overcome creative blocks by suggesting relevant topics and angles. - **Organize and structure your content.** Use AI to create outlines that ensure logical flow and clarity. - **Conduct research and identify trends.** AI can analyze competitor content, search trends, and audience sentiment to inform your strategy. - **Optimize for SEO and distribution**. AI-powered tools can refine your keyword strategy, enhance metadata, and improve content visibility. DON’T Let AI… - **Replace your unique voice**. Your blog posts, social media updates, and thought leadership pieces should reflect your personality and expertise and not sound like a generic AI script. - **Define your brand’s identity.** AI can generate visuals and copy, but your brand should be a reflection of you—not a mass-produced, algorithm-driven entity. - **Dilute your authenticity.** Content that lacks originality and depth can turn your personal brand into just another voice in the crowd. Remember, AI is a fantastic assistant, but it’s not a substitute for real expertise. The best content comes from a blend of AI’s efficiency and your originality. ## If AI Could Fully Replace Your Content, What Does That Say About Your Expertise? Thought leaders and industry experts don’t build authority by outsourcing their insights to machines. They establish credibility through real-life experiences, personal storytelling, and meaningful engagement with their audience. If AI could generate content that feels indistinguishable from your own, it might be time to rethink how you’re showcasing your expertise. Your voice, experiences, and authenticity make up a strong personal brand. Generative AI should enhance your content, not erase what makes it unique. The best strategy? Use AI to handle the mechanics of content creation—like research, structure, and optimization—while ensuring that you remain the heart and soul of everything you publish. ## Conclusion Generative AI is here to stay, and when used effectively, it can level up your content creation. It can save time, provide insights, and improve efficiency. But it does not replace human creativity, perspective, or storytelling. The most successful brands and thought leaders understand that while AI can enhance their work, the real value comes from their own experiences, insights, and ability to connect with people on a deeper level. The future of content isn’t about choosing between AI and authenticity. It’s about knowing how to blend the two in a way that elevates your message without compromising your unique voice. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding **Tags:** Generative AI, personal brand, personal brand strategy, personal branding, tips for personal branding --- ### [Attracting Top Talent Through Strong Executive Thought Leadership](https://clairebahn.com/attracting-top-talent-through-strong-executive-thought-leadership/) **Published:** May 12, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How does executive thought leadership directly impact your ability to attract and retain top talent? What are the core pillars of thought leadership every executive must embrace to lead with credibility? Why is thought leadership the new competitive edge in both recruitment and business growth?* *In a talent market that values authenticity over authority, executive thought leadership has become essential—not optional—for companies aiming to attract high-performing professionals. This blog explores how leadership visibility and voice have shifted from [personal brand-building to a powerful driver of employer brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/), making executives the face of trust, purpose, and vision for job seekers. When leaders show up with clarity and conviction, they don’t just fill roles—they build reputations.* *More than a recruitment tool, thought leadership creates ripple effects across sales, marketing, and strategic growth. Executives influence perception far beyond their titles through consistent visibility, original insight, and human-first storytelling. This post breaks down the pillars of effective thought leadership, offers actionable examples, and makes the case that in a future led by trust, the most magnetic brands will be built by the leaders who dare to be seen.* Talent is more discerning—and more digitally savvy—than ever before. High performers aren’t just looking for a paycheck; they’re looking for purpose, alignment, and leadership they can believe in. And increasingly, their first impression of your company doesn’t come from a recruiter—it comes from your [executives](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-companies/). Executive thought leadership has become a powerful, non-negotiable component in the competition for attracting top talent. It’s not just about elevating personal brands; it’s about shaping the perception of your company from the top down. From defining what thought leadership really means to unpacking how it builds trust and attracts aligned professionals, we’ll dive deep into why now is the time for leaders to speak up, show up, and stand out. **Table of Contents:** [What is the Meaning of Thought Leadership?](#_Toc201658103) [The Business Case for Thought Leadership in Talent Acquisition](#_Toc201658104) [Why Top Talent Cares About Executive Presence](#_Toc201658105) [What Are the Pillars of Thought Leadership?](#_Toc201658106) 1. [ Authenticity](#_Toc201658107) 2. [ Expertise](#_Toc201658108) 3. [ Consistent Visibility](#_Toc201658109) 4. [ Strategic Storytelling](#_Toc201658110) 5. [ Thought-Provoking Insights](#_Toc201658111) [What Are Examples of Thought Leadership in Action?](#_Toc201658112) [How Thought Leadership Attracts Top Talent](#_Toc201658113) [From Executive Branding to Employer Branding](#_Toc201658114) [How Do You Demonstrate Thought Leadership?](#_Toc201658115) [How Do You Identify a Thought Leader?](#_Toc201658116) [Additional Organizational Benefits of Executive Thought Leadership](#_Toc201658117) [It’s Not Just Talent—It’s Trust That Sells](#_Toc201658118) [Final Thoughts: The Future Is Human-Led](#_Toc201658119) ## What is the Meaning of Thought Leadership? Thought leadership is more than just having expertise in your field—it’s about turning that expertise into influence. A thought leader is someone whose opinions shape industry conversations, who consistently brings new ideas to the table, and who fosters trust and credibility with their audience. In the context of executive leadership, thought leadership isn’t a nice-to-have; it’s a business growth accelerator. As business becomes more transparent and personality-driven, executives who build trust and visibility through thought leadership have an outsized impact, not just on their brand, but on company culture, team morale, and industry perception. In today’s attention economy, [executive presence online](https://clairebahn.com/executive-brand-building/) and offline is no longer optional. Leaders must show up consistently with insight, authenticity, and clarity. When they do, they don’t just influence markets, they shape movements. ## The Business Case for Thought Leadership in Talent Acquisition Recruiting top talent has shifted from a transactional process to a relational one. Today’s candidates aren’t just evaluating job descriptions; they’re evaluating leadership. In an era where authenticity and alignment matter more than ever, a company’s ability to attract high performers increasingly depends on its executive team’s visibility, credibility, and voice. Executive thought leadership isn’t just a marketing asset—it’s a critical differentiator in talent acquisition. > ***“45% of a company’s reputation is attributed to the reputation of their CEO.”*** ### Why Top Talent Cares About Executive Presence The crusade for talent isn’t just about offering better salaries or perks anymore. It’s about trust, vision, and alignment. More than ever, attracting top talent hinges on a company’s leaders’ public presence and credibility. When executives use their platforms to share values, business philosophies, and future-forward thinking, it humanizes the brand. Talented professionals want to work for visionaries, not figureheads. Survey data supports this: According to global executives, [45% of a company’s reputation](https://www.webershandwick.asia/wp-content/uploads/2019/02/WS-CEO-Reputation-infographicAPAC-FINAL.pdf) is attributed to the reputation of their CEO, and 50% of executives expect that [CEO reputation](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding-vs-personal-branding/) will matter more than the company’s reputation within the next few years. That stat is more than a headline—it’s a blueprint. Strong executive voices serve as beacons for top candidates who align with the mission and want to be part of a culture that resonates from the top down. In fact, [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) at the executive level becomes a form of corporate magnetism. When your leaders are seen as credible, authentic, and forward-thinking, you reduce friction in recruiting and build natural momentum in your talent pipeline. ## What Are the Pillars of Thought Leadership? Executives must anchor themselves in several core pillars to become thought leaders. - Authenticity - Expertise - Consistent Visibility - Strategic Storytelling - Thought-Provoking Insights These aren’t optional. They’re the foundation of a sustainable, respected leadership brand. > ***“50% of executives expect that [CEO reputation](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding-vs-personal-branding/) will matter more than the company’s reputation.”*** ### 1. Authenticity No one trusts a copy-paste voice. Real influence starts with being unapologetically, authentically yourself. Executives who share personal experiences, admit mistakes, and reflect openly create deep connections with their audience. ### 2. Expertise Being a thought leader means bringing real knowledge and know-how to the table. It’s not about regurgitating trends—it’s about analyzing them, contextualizing them, and offering unique perspectives that guide others. ### 3. Consistent Visibility Leadership isn’t just a one-time post. Executives need regular touchpoints on platforms like LinkedIn, company blogs, media interviews, and industry events to stay at the top of their minds. ### 4. Strategic Storytelling Sure, facts tell. But stories? That’s what really sells. Leaders who master narratives about company growth, customer success, or market disruption drive emotional engagement and deeper loyalty with their audience. ### 5. Thought-Provoking Insights Followers are looking for clarity and direction. Leaders who align their messaging with industry shifts and business trends shape opinion and earn trust. ## What Are Examples of Thought Leadership in Action? Let’s get tactical. Thought leadership content isn’t just about posting thought pieces—it’s about showing up in ways that influence perception. Here are some proven content formats that signal executive authority: - **LinkedIn Posts:** Share behind-the-scenes reflections, industry takes, leadership lessons, or commentary on breaking trends. - **Articles & Blogs:** Long-form pieces that explore complex topics show depth and clarity of thought. - **Podcasts:** Hosting or guesting on podcasts brings voice, nuance, and personality to your thought leadership. - **Keynote Speeches & Panels:** Live events provide credibility and positioning among your peers. - **Video Interviews:** These are high-impact, shareable, and often more personal. They humanize your message and add transparency. Each of these formats isn’t about volume—it’s about resonance. When content reflects authentic leadership, sharp insight, and clear vision, it becomes magnetic. ![Thought Leadership 1](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Thought-leadership-2-300x200.jpeg "Thought Leadership 1 - Claire Bahn") ## How Thought Leadership Attracts Top Talent > ***“86% of employees and job seekers research a company, assessing reviews and ratings before applying.”*** In today’s job market, candidates aren’t just evaluating roles—they’re evaluating the people behind them. Leadership visibility has become a central pillar of employer branding, especially for a new generation of talent that values transparency, purpose, and connection. Executive thought leadership directly influences a company’s ability to attract and retain top-tier professionals. When leaders communicate openly and authentically, they don’t just represent the brand—[they become the brand](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-success/). In doing so, they turn their presence into a powerful magnet for the kind of talent that drives lasting impact. ### From Executive Branding to Employer Branding Your employer brand is only as strong as your leadership brand. Executives who share their purpose, direction, and beliefs [act as talent magnets](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-startups/). They send a message: We are a company led by humans, not hierarchies. That message matters, especially to Gen Z and Millennial talent. Consider this: [86% of employees](https://www.glassdoor.com/blog/most-important-employer-branding-statistics/) and job seekers research a company, assessing reviews and ratings before applying. In addition, 68% of Millennials, 54% of Gen-Xers, and 48% of Boomers will visit an employer’s social media properties to evaluate the employer’s brand before applying. When they find a leader with vision, values, and authenticity, they reinforce confidence in the company’s future and their potential role in it. This is where thought leadership becomes an asset in recruitment. Executives who engage in real-time conversations, celebrate team wins, and speak to [industry futures](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-an-industry-leader/) attract aligned and inspired talent. And let’s be clear—attracting top talent is about more than hiring. It’s about building a community of advocates, applicants, and followers who want to be part of what you’re creating. ## How Do You Demonstrate Thought Leadership? Executives don’t need to go viral—they need to be visible. To demonstrate thought leadership, here are a few elements to consider: 1. **Share original perspectives regularly**: Don’t wait for perfect moments. Share what you’re learning, where you’re heading, and why it matters. 2. **Join industry conversations**: Comment on peer posts, contribute to discussions in forums, and show your face at relevant events. 3. **Be transparent about vision and values**: What are your non-negotiables? What change are you trying to drive? Be open about the big picture and don’t be afraid to share it. 4. **Publish forward-thinking insights**: Talk about trends before they become mainstream. Use your vantage point to inform and lead the conversation. When these steps are taken consistently, leadership transforms from positional authority to influential presence. ## How Do You Identify a Thought Leader? Not all executives are thought leaders. But those who have leadership influence tend to share a few common traits: 1. **They’re recognized in and outside the company:** Their name carries weight beyond internal org charts—they’re quoted in the press, invited to speak, and referenced in conversations that matter. 2. **They’re frequently cited or shared:** Their ideas travel. Not because they’re loud, but because they’re resonant. 3. **They’re invited to the table:** Whether it’s an industry roundtable or a high-level podcast, they’re seen as contributors to the larger dialogue. 4. **They create ripple effects:** Their posts generate engagement. Their speeches spark articles. Their ideas influence behavior. In short, a thought leader isn’t just known—they’re trusted. If you want to become a thought leader in your organization, incorporate the above traits into your branding strategy. ## Additional Organizational Benefits of Executive Thought Leadership > ***“61% of decision-makers are willing to pay a premium for businesses that deliver thought leadership.”*** While the impact of executive thought leadership on talent acquisition is clear, its influence stretches far beyond recruiting. A well-positioned leader doesn’t just attract people—they attract opportunities. From sales to strategic partnerships, the credibility and visibility of executive voices create a ripple effect across the entire business. When executives show up with clarity, consistency, and conviction, they don’t just elevate their personal brand—they raise the perceived value of the company itself. In a trust-driven marketplace, that edge can be the difference between being considered and being chosen. ### It’s Not Just Talent—It’s Trust That Sells The benefits of executive thought leadership extend well beyond HR. The authority that a visible, respected leader brings lifts sales, marketing, and partnerships. This is what we call the halo effect. When a leader is seen as insightful and credible, their company inherits that credibility. Don’t take my word for it: [55% of decision-makers](https://nytlicensing.com/latest/trends/b2b-content-marketing-2021/#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20study%20by%20Edelman%20and,for%20a%20company%20that%20delivers%20thought%20leadership.) say thought leadership led them to award business to a company. On top of that, 61% are willing to pay a premium for businesses that deliver thought leadership. In the world of B2B, especially, people do business with people. When executives lead with insight and integrity, trust is already half-won before the first pitch is even made. So, whether you’re attracting top talent or ideal clients, executive thought leadership becomes your brand’s differentiator. ## Final Thoughts: The Future Is Human-Led We’re in a business environment where personality, clarity, and authenticity matter more than ever. Executives who choose to lead publicly—and do so with intention—set themselves and their companies apart. Here’s the truth: Attracting top talent isn’t about hiring faster. It’s about inspiring belief. And belief starts with leadership. If you want to future-proof your business, invest in building visible, credible, and deeply human executive leadership brands. When leaders speak with vision, the right people will follow. Is your executive presence helping or hurting your employer brand? Book a [strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) today and discover how we help high-level leaders turn ideas into influence—and influence into impact. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Executive Branding **Tags:** executive branding, executive personal brand, personal brand, personal brand strategy, personal branding, Thought leadership --- ### [LinkedIn Branding vs. Personal Branding: Understanding the Connection](https://clairebahn.com/linkedin-branding-vs-personal-branding/) **Published:** July 30, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How can you align your personal brand with your LinkedIn branding to maximize impact? Why is LinkedIn branding such a powerful tool for building professional credibility and visibility? What are the key differences between personal branding and LinkedIn branding, and how can you leverage both strategically?* *This blog post unpacks the relationship between personal branding and LinkedIn branding, clarifying how the two concepts intersect yet serve distinct purposes. While personal branding is your overall reputation, voice, and values across all platforms and interactions, LinkedIn branding is the tailored, professional expression of that brand within LinkedIn’s business-focused environment. The article explores how LinkedIn branding goes beyond profile polish to include authority-building content, strategic networking, and storytelling that resonates with industry audiences. Readers will learn why LinkedIn is one of the most influential platforms for professionals seeking credibility, visibility, and business opportunities.* *The post also delivers practical strategies for optimizing your LinkedIn branding, from creating a keyword-rich profile to engaging with meaningful content and conversations. It emphasizes the importance of consistency between your personal brand and LinkedIn presence, showing how visual identity, messaging, and tone should align for maximum recognition. With data-driven insights, tips on content formats, and advice for building authority, the article positions LinkedIn branding not as a separate effort, but as an amplifier for your personal brand, making it a career catalyst when used intentionally and strategically.* Nowadays, everyone is talking about [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com)—what it is, why it matters, and how to build one that actually gets you noticed. But when the conversation shifts to LinkedIn, things get a little murky. People ask: “Is LinkedIn good for [personal branding?” or “Why use LinkedIn for branding](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) at all?” I’m here to help answer those questions for you. In our digital-focused world, where professional credibility is increasingly established online, personal branding is no longer a luxury—it’s a necessity. And LinkedIn branding? Well, that’s one of the sharpest tools in your branding toolbox. But here’s the catch: while the two are deeply connected, they are not the same thing. So, let’s dive into what sets LinkedIn and personal branding apart, how they overlap, and how to use both strategically to amplify your influence, visibility, business growth, and overall branding strategies. **Table of Contents:** [Personal Branding vs. LinkedIn Branding](#_Toc205817355) [What Is Personal Branding?](#_Toc205817356) [What Is LinkedIn Branding?](#_Toc205817357) [Is LinkedIn Good for Personal Branding?](#_Toc205817358) 1. [ Profile Optimization](#_Toc205817359) 2. [ Content Sharing & Thought Leadership](#_Toc205817360) 3. [ Professional Audience & Algorithm](#_Toc205817361) 4. [ Real-World ROI](#_Toc205817362) [Why Use LinkedIn for Branding?](#_Toc205817363) 1. [ SEO Visibility](#_Toc205817364) 2. [ B2B Impact](#_Toc205817365) 3. [ Industry Authority](#_Toc205817366) 4. [ Data-Driven Branding](#_Toc205817367) 5. [ Platform Features](#_Toc205817368) [How Often Should You Post on LinkedIn for Personal Branding?](#_Toc205817369) [How Do I Increase Brand Awareness on LinkedIn?](#_Toc205817370) 1. [ Nail Your Profile](#_Toc205817371) 2. [ Use Strategic Keywords](#_Toc205817372) 3. [ Publish High-Value Content](#_Toc205817373) 4. [ Engage, Don’t Just Post](#_Toc205817374) [How Do You Gain Popularity on LinkedIn?](#_Toc205817375) 1. [ Build a Strategic Network](#_Toc205817376) 2. [ Join the Conversation](#_Toc205817377) 3. [ Be Human](#_Toc205817378) 4. [ Leverage Content Formats](#_Toc205817379) [Bridging the Gap: Aligning LinkedIn Branding with Your Personal Brand](#_Toc205817380) 1. [ Audit Your Presence](#_Toc205817381) 2. [ Use Storytelling](#_Toc205817382) 3. [ Maintain Visual and Messaging Consistency](#_Toc205817383) [Conclusion](#_Toc205817384) ## Personal Branding vs. LinkedIn Branding If you’ve ever Googled someone before doing business with them, you already understand the power of personal branding. In the digital age, your personal brand is often someone’s first impression of you, sometimes even before you speak a word. LinkedIn, on the other hand, is where your personal brand goes to work. It’s one of the most high-impact platforms for professionals looking to gain credibility, create visibility, and build authority. But here’s the thing: LinkedIn branding isn’t just about having a polished profile or occasionally resharing company content. Instead, it’s about strategic positioning, storytelling, and connection. And with [46% of social media traffic](https://blog.hubspot.com/blog/tabid/6307/bid/23865/13-mind-bending-social-media-marketing-statistics.aspx#:~:text=Over%2046%25%20of%20all%20social,engagement%20levels.(Sprout%20Social)) visiting B2B company sites coming from LinkedIn, it’s clear this is not just another platform—it’s a career catalyst. Let’s break down the distinction—and the collaboration—between LinkedIn branding and personal branding. > ***“You can’t treat LinkedIn branding and personal branding like two separate identities. They need to work together.”*** ### What Is Personal Branding? At its core, personal branding is about how people perceive you. It’s your reputation, voice, values, and the story you’re telling—whether intentionally or not. And while it can include logos, taglines, and visuals, it’s far more than a polished aesthetic. Let’s talk about what makes up a personal brand: - **Tone**: Are you casual and conversational or formal and academic? - **Expertise**: What topics are you known for? - **Values**: What do you stand for, and what do you *never* compromise on? - **Visual Identity**: Colors, photography, design choices—all of these create consistency across platforms. Personal branding extends well beyond LinkedIn. It’s expressed in your website, your email signature, how you show up at events, and how you treat people offline. In short, your personal brand is the consistent thread tying together your presence, no matter the platform. > ***“91% of marketing executives go to LinkedIn to find quality content.”*** ### What Is LinkedIn Branding? Now, let’s narrow the lens. LinkedIn branding is the way your personal brand comes to life, specifically on LinkedIn. It includes your profile, your content, your interactions, and the perception you build in this professional community. The biggest difference? Context and audience. LinkedIn is a *professional* space where [91% of marketing executives](https://business.linkedin.com/content/dam/me/business/en-us/marketing-solutions/cx/2017/pdfs/Sophisticated-Marketers-Guide-to-LinkedIn-v03.12.pdf) go to find quality content. Which means your tone, visuals, and messaging need to reflect that. While your personal brand may show up differently on Instagram or YouTube, LinkedIn demands content that is insightful, informative, and relevant to your industry. Here’s what LinkedIn branding zeroes in on: - **Professional tone** that aligns with your industry - **Authority-building content** (think: case studies, opinion pieces, thought leadership) - **Strategic networking** with peers, clients, and decision-makers Yes, it’s still *you*—but it’s you wearing a blazer, not a hoodie. ## Is LinkedIn Good for Personal Branding? Absolutely, yes. In fact, it’s one of the *best* platforms for personal branding if your goals include professional credibility, industry recognition, or business growth. These components are why it works: ### 1. Profile Optimization A strong LinkedIn profile isn’t just an online resume—it’s your brand’s homepage. With over [66% of LinkedIn’s traffic being direct](https://www.similarweb.com/website/linkedin.com/#competitors), people are coming specifically to learn about you. Every element on your LinkedIn profile communicates who you are and what you offer, from your headline and banner to your summary and featured content. That’s why it’s so important to make every element count. ### 2. Content Sharing & Thought Leadership LinkedIn allows you to position yourself as a go-to expert in your space. The platform favors value-added content, whether you’re writing posts or articles or starting conversations in comments. Despite being a content-rich platform, less than [1% of LinkedIn users](https://kinsta.com/blog/linkedin-statistics/) share content weekly. That means there’s a huge opportunity for your voice to stand out, especially with high-performing content types like “how-to” posts, listicles, and carousels. ### 3. Professional Audience & Algorithm LinkedIn’s algorithm is designed to amplify expertise and prioritizes professional value. Thoughtful content from credible sources gets far more reach than it would on platforms saturated with personal or entertainment-focused posts. Unlike other platforms, your insights won’t get lost between cat videos and dance trends. And with video content being shared [20x more than other types](https://www.linkedin.com/business/marketing/blog/linkedin-pages/10-content-ideas-for-your-linkedin-page#:~:text=Types%20of%20Posts%20You%20Should,Quick%20primers%20(with%20links!)), gaining traction is easier than ever. ### 4. Real-World ROI > ***“44% of hiring managers use LinkedIn skills data to fill roles.”*** This is where things get real. Personal branding on LinkedIn can result in speaking gigs, press opportunities, partnerships, and even [job offers](https://clairebahn.com/job-opportunities/). I’ve seen it happen countless times, sometimes from just one great post. The numbers don’t lie, either. [44% of hiring managers use LinkedIn skills data](https://www.kean.edu/career-services/career-services-students-and-alumni/career-readiness-resources/how-leverage#:~:text=Over%20the%20last%2020%20years,skills%20and%20so%20much%20more.) to fill roles, proving the platform’s direct impact on real opportunities. A strong LinkedIn presence can open doors. ## Why Use LinkedIn for Branding? Okay, so why utilize LinkedIn, specifically for branding? There are a few factors that can really enhance your brand: ### 1. SEO Visibility Google indexes your LinkedIn profile. That means a fully optimized profile often ranks on the first page of search results, especially for your name. Take advantage of this powerful asset when it comes to your branding strategies. ### 2. B2B Impact LinkedIn is *the* go-to for B2B [marketing](https://clairebahn.com/linkedin-marketing-strategy/). In fact, LinkedIn is the top-rated platform for B2B marketers, and 93% of them prefer it for content distribution. If your business targets other businesses, this platform is a goldmine. ### 3. Industry Authority Do you want to be seen as a thought leader? LinkedIn is where industry conversations are happening. Pages that post weekly get 5.6x more followers compared to those that don’t. Jump in and don’t lose this authority advantage. ### 4. Data-Driven Branding LinkedIn’s analytics allow you to see not only what content is resonating but also who’s viewing your profile. This combined insight is something you can (and should!) act on. Use this data to your advantage. ### 5. Platform Features Features like Creator Mode, Newsletters, and hashtags aren’t just bells and whistles—they’re powerful tools to grow your reach and clarify your message. Studies have also shown that posts with large images can boost click-through rates by 38%, while images in general drive 650% more engagement than text-only posts. Utilize these features to enhance your content. ## How Often Should You Post on LinkedIn for Personal Branding? Now, let’s talk frequency. One of the most common questions I get is: “How often should I post on LinkedIn for personal branding*?*” This can vary depending on your overall goals. Here’s my take: - **Minimum Effective Dose**: 1–3 times per week - **Momentum Builder**: 3–5 times per week - **Sustainable Sweet Spot**: Whatever you can do *consistently* This strategy isn’t about flooding the feed but about showing up purposefully. Remember, posts with titles between [40 and 49 characters perform best](https://learn.g2.com/linkedin-statistics#:~:text=Articles%20with%20titles%20between%2040,times%20more%20likely%20to%20convert.), and those with five distinct headings get more views. But what matters more than volume is *consistency* and *clarity*. These two elements are what keep you top of mind. ## How Do I Increase Brand Awareness on LinkedIn? You don’t need to go viral to become visible. Instead, focus on building awareness intentionally. This can be done by: ### 1. Nail Your Profile Fully optimize your LinkedIn profile. Make your headline keyword-rich and value-driven. Your banner image should reinforce your brand. And your About section? It’s your elevator pitch. Make sure you use strategic keywords. Remember: only 10% of LinkedIn users have over 3,000 connections, so don’t confuse popularity with presence. ### 2. Use Strategic Keywords Don’t keyword stuff (that’s a branding red flag!). Instead, use them strategically. Sprinkle relevant terms like “executive branding,” “social media branding,” or “corporate branding” into your profile and content. This increases discoverability both on LinkedIn and Google. ### 3. Publish High-Value Content Alternate between publishing short posts and long-form articles. Long-form content with around 2,000 words and at least eight images performs best. And don’t underestimate the power of repurposing. What works on LinkedIn can become part of your broader branding strategies on other platforms. ### 4. Engage, Don’t Just Post This one is critical. Make sure you respond to comments and join in on conversations. Comment on others’ posts within your niche. Tag people and engage like a real human. Only 27% of users have between 500 and 999 first-level connections, so intentional engagement really matters. ## How Do You Gain Popularity on LinkedIn? Let’s get honest. Popularity on LinkedIn isn’t about having the flashiest graphics or viral dance videos; it’s about value, visibility, and relationships. There are a few key components to making this happen: ### 1. Build a Strategic Network Connect intentionally to grow your network; don’t just add random people. Seek out peers, clients, collaborators, and thought leaders in your space. And don’t stray from international connections. [LinkedIn](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-use-linkedin-for-lead-generation/) has over 77% of its users located outside the U.S., with the second-largest user base in India. Expand globally by connecting across industries and borders. ### 2. Join the Conversation Engage, engage, engage. Find trending topics in your industry and share your take. Use hashtags to join relevant and timely discussions. 59.1% of LinkedIn’s users are 25–34, making it a hub for rising professionals and future leaders. ### 3. Be Human Authenticity is the cream of the crop when it comes to LinkedIn branding. Share your personal experiences; your wins, struggles, lessons learned, breakthroughs, and roadblocks. This is the kind of content that builds trust and drives connection. ### 4. Leverage Content Formats If you want even more reach, try sharing these high-performing content formats: - Short, insightful posts - LinkedIn polls - Carousel-style documents (they’re gold for visibility) - Videos (even short ones from your phone) - Collaborating with others via interviews or guest content - Behind-the-scenes lessons or insights - Personal stories with professional relevance - Industry commentary or predictions ## Bridging the Gap: Aligning LinkedIn Branding with Your Personal Brand > ***“59.1% of LinkedIn’s users are 25–34, making it a hub for rising professionals and future leaders.”*** This is where the magic happens. You can’t treat LinkedIn branding and personal branding like two separate identities. They need to *work together*. Do this through: ### 1. Audit Your Presence Does your LinkedIn profile reflect your personal brand voice? Is your tone consistent with what people see on your website or other platforms? Do a full audit of your profiles and make sure everything aligns. ### 2. Use Storytelling Don’t underestimate the power of storytelling when it comes to your brand. Share stories that reflect your values, struggles, and transformation. Show people not just *what* you do, but *why* it matters. ### 3. Maintain Visual and Messaging Consistency Consistency is key. Your headshot, color palette, and messaging should align across LinkedIn, your personal website, and your other social profiles. That’s what builds recognition. ## Conclusion Here’s the bottom line: LinkedIn branding and personal branding aren’t competing forces—they’re collaborators. LinkedIn is where your personal brand gets a professional stage. And your personal brand is what makes your LinkedIn presence powerful, memorable, and magnetic. Use LinkedIn as an amplifier, not a silo. Bring your whole self to the platform—your values, your insights, your expertise. Let people like, know, and trust *you*, not just your job title. LinkedIn is one of the smartest platforms you can invest in if you’re building a personal brand to gain influence, grow your business, or attract opportunities. So, no, you don’t need to choose between LinkedIn branding and personal branding. But you do need to master both and align them intentionally. That’s the secret sauce for authority, impact, and recognition. Are you ready to make LinkedIn your brand’s power player? Let’s get to work. **P.S.** If you’re wondering how to get started or feel stuck aligning your messaging, sign up for a [strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) today. I help entrepreneurs, executives, and creators like you refine their personal brand and make LinkedIn actually work for them. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** LinkedIn **Tags:** linkedin brand strategy, linkedin branding, personal brand, personal brand strategy, personal branding --- ### [Why Proactive CEO Reputation Management is a Strategic Necessity](https://clairebahn.com/why-proactive-ceo-reputation-management-is-a-strategic-necessity/) **Published:** September 10, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What is CEO reputation management, and why does it matter more than ever in today’s leadership landscape? How can proactive CEO reputation management help leaders build credibility and trust before challenges arise? What role does CEO reputation management play in driving long-term business growth and resilience?* *In an era where every decision and statement is visible, CEO reputation management has evolved into a strategic necessity. This blog explores how modern leaders can shape perception intentionally, aligning personal values with corporate mission to build credibility that lasts. By focusing on proactive strategies—rather than reactive fixes—CEOs can strengthen stakeholder trust, amplify thought leadership, and ensure their reputation becomes a business asset, not a vulnerability.* *Through consistent personal branding, media engagement, and authentic communication, CEO reputation management enables leaders to influence how they’re perceived across every channel. Investing early in reputation not only protects against crises but also fuels long-term growth, cultural alignment, and brand resilience—proving that credibility is the ultimate competitive advantage.* The world of leadership has changed. Being “the face of the company” used to mean appearing in the annual report or giving the occasional media interview. Today, CEOs live in a spotlight that never dims. Every comment, every post, every decision can ripple across markets, influence employees, and shape public perception in real time. And unlike the past, when visibility was often treated as a kind of “CEO celebrity,” the modern standard is different: visibility now comes with the expectation of credibility. Stakeholders want leaders who not only show up but also embody the values they represent. That’s why I want to talk about something I see too many leaders misunderstand: CEO reputation management. For many, the phrase brings crisis communications to mind—scrambling to protect brand reputation after something has already gone wrong. But in my experience, the most effective leaders don’t wait for a crisis. They see reputation as a business asset that they can build and protect proactively. They lean into [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) not just as a career booster, but as a way to strengthen their company’s long-term resilience. So, let’s unpack what CEO reputation management really looks like today, why proactive strategies matter, and how you can approach it as a cornerstone of sustainable growth. **Table of Contents:** [Defining CEO Reputation Management in the Modern Era](#_Toc210142633) [Why a CEO’s Reputation Directly Impacts Brand Reputation](#_Toc210142634) [The Strategic Benefits of Proactive Reputation Management](#_Toc210142635) [Key Elements of a Proactive CEO Reputation Strategy](#_Toc210142636) 1. [ Consistent Personal Branding Efforts](#_Toc210142637) 2. [ Leveraging Media and PR to Amplify Authority](#_Toc210142638) 3. [ Active Engagement on Social Media](#_Toc210142639) 4. [ Crisis Preparedness as Part of Reputation Strategy](#_Toc210142640) [Long-Term Impact on Business Growth and Resilience](#_Toc210142641) 1. [ Trust through volatility](#_Toc210142642) 2. [ Ripple effects across the brand](#_Toc210142643) 3. [ Resilience that outlasts competitors](#_Toc210142644) [Conclusion](#_Toc210142645) ## Defining CEO Reputation Management in the Modern Era When I talk about CEO reputation management, I’m referring to the intentional shaping, monitoring, and protecting of how a CEO is perceived by employees, customers, investors, media, and the public. It’s not a one-time campaign—it’s a continuous discipline. Here’s where the misunderstanding happens: most people assume it’s about cleaning up messes. That’s reactive PR—damage control after a crisis. Yes, it’s necessary, but if that’s your only approach, you’re always on the defensive. Proactive PR, on the other hand, is about building a strong, credible narrative before challenges arise. It’s about aligning your personal values, your company’s mission, and your visible behavior so people know exactly who you are and what you stand for. That way, when the storm comes (and it will), you’re already seen as trustworthy. This is where it connects to broader terms like corporate reputation management. But what does that term really mean in practice? ### **What is Corporate Reputation Management?** Corporate reputation management is the ongoing practice of shaping, protecting, and improving how a company is perceived by stakeholders, customers, employees, investors, regulators, and the public. It goes beyond marketing to include company values, governance, culture, and leadership actions. While it focuses on the organization as a whole, it cannot be separated from the CEO’s reputation, since the leader’s visibility often becomes the lens through which people judge the business. At its best, corporate reputation management creates trust, resilience, and long-term competitive advantage. Corporate reputation is about how the company is perceived as a whole, but the CEO is inseparable from it. Similarly, CEO executive branding is simply the process of giving the company a relatable face through the CEO’s leadership and voice. At its core, CEO reputation management is both personal and organizational. You can’t separate the two. That’s where another term often comes into play: [executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-brand-building/). ### **What is CEO Executive Branding?** CEO executive branding is the process of shaping how a leader presents themselves to the world, both inside and outside of their company. It’s about intentionally developing a professional identity that highlights the CEO’s values, leadership style, and vision, while aligning with the company’s mission and culture. Done well, executive branding doesn’t just elevate the individual—it humanizes the organization and gives stakeholders a relatable figure to trust. It’s the bridge between personal credibility and corporate reputation. ## Why a CEO’s Reputation Directly Impacts Brand Reputation > ***“Visibility in today’s market isn’t about cultivating fame, it’s about proving trustworthiness.”*** Now let’s address the big question: How important is a CEO’s reputation to the reputation of the business itself? The short answer: inseparable. Research consistently shows that customers, employees, and investors evaluate a company based on the credibility and behavior of its leader. In fact, nearly [two-thirds of consumers report](https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/2018/majority-of-consumers-buying-from-companies-that-take-a-stand-on-issues-they-care-about-and-ditching-those-that-dont-accenture-study-finds) that the way a company’s leaders act—and the values they stand for—directly shapes whether or not they buy from that brand. A respected CEO enhances brand authenticity, strengthens customer loyalty, and attracts top talent. Conversely, a damaged executive reputation can quickly erode trust, create internal uncertainty, and even affect financial performance. In short, the CEO’s personal brand sets the tone for the company’s overall reputation. Investors look at CEOs as signals of trust. Employees look at CEOs as cultural anchors. The media frames the company through the CEO’s lens. Think about it this way: a company’s brand voice can’t feel authentic if the CEO contradicts it. If the brand positions itself as innovative, but the CEO is silent on industry change, people notice. If the company claims to value transparency but the CEO avoids visibility, credibility erodes. A strong CEO reputation doesn’t just add to brand reputation—it multiplies it. And the opposite is true as well: a misstep in the CEO’s public image can instantly undermine customer loyalty, employee morale, and stock performance. That’s why I see executive reputation as a business asset, not just a personal one. It directly impacts everything from hiring pipelines to investor confidence. Findings from Weber Shandwick’s [The CEO Reputation Premium Study](https://cms.webershandwick.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ceo-reputation-premium-executive-summary-3.pdf) highlight this shift clearly: visibility in today’s market isn’t about cultivating fame, it’s about proving trustworthiness. In other words, a CEO’s reputation is less about celebrity status and more about demonstrating credibility that reinforces the company’s values. ## The Strategic Benefits of Proactive Reputation Management > ***“Nearly nine out of ten executives now consider reputation risk to be a more pressing concern than any other strategic threat.”*** Let’s talk about why going proactive makes such a difference. A global survey by Deloitte and [Forbes Insights](https://www.fastcompany.com/91221543/digital-reputation-in-the-c-suite-4-strategies-for-effective-ceo-reputation-management) shows that nearly nine out of ten executives now consider reputation risk to be a more pressing concern than any other strategic threat—a clear sign that reputation is firmly on the C-suite’s agenda. But what does “going proactive” actually look like in practice? It comes down to a set of intentional actions that build credibility, strengthen trust, and ensure the CEO’s voice consistently supports the company’s mission. Here are some of the most powerful benefits leaders gain by taking a proactive approach: 1. **Building credibility before challenges arise** Credibility isn’t created in a press release during a crisis—it’s accumulated over time. When you proactively show consistency, thought leadership, and integrity, stakeholders give you the benefit of the doubt when things get tough. 2. **Shaping executive reputation through thought leadership** A visible, credible CEO shapes conversations in their industry. By sharing insights, contributing to media, and taking a stance on important issues, you establish not just authority but also influence. 3. **Creating consistency in brand voice** A proactive strategy ensures your [personal brand and your company’s brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) align. The public shouldn’t feel like they’re hearing two different stories. Alignment builds trust. 4. **Positioning the CEO as cultural driver** Whether you like it or not, the CEO becomes the cultural spokesperson for the company. Proactive reputation management allows you to define that role rather than letting the media or critics define it for you. In short, proactive reputation management isn’t just about protecting the downside. It’s about actively driving upside—credibility, visibility, and long-term trust. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/ceo-reputation-management-1-300x200.jpeg "ceo reputation management 1 - Claire Bahn") ## Key Elements of a Proactive CEO Reputation Strategy So, how do you actually do this? Here are the pillars I guide leaders through when building proactive reputation strategies: ### 1. Consistent Personal Branding Efforts Personal branding for CEOs isn’t about vanity; it’s about clarity. It answers the question: *Who are you as a leader, and why should people trust you?* **What is an example of a CEO personal brand?** Think of [Satya Nadella at Microsoft](https://news.microsoft.com/source/exec/satya-nadella/). His brand is rooted in empathy and innovation, which has reshaped both Microsoft’s image and culture. Or [Mary Barra at GM](https://www.gm.com/company/leadership.detail.html/Pages/bios/global/en/corporate-officers/Mary-Barra), whose transparency during crisis built credibility for both her and the company. Consistency here means that your values, voice, and vision show up the same way in interviews, social posts, and internal communications. ### 2. Leveraging Media and PR to Amplify Authority Proactive CEO reputation management means not waiting for the media to come knocking. It’s about strategically seeking opportunities: op-eds, interviews, podcasts, and conferences that position you as an authority. When people see you in respected outlets, your credibility rises. And importantly, it’s harder for negative narratives to stick if a strong, positive narrative already exists. ### 3. Active Engagement on Social Media Social media isn’t optional anymore. It’s where people expect to hear from leaders directly. A proactive CEO doesn’t just broadcast polished updates; they engage. They comment, share perspectives, and even show some personal moments that humanize them. This transparency builds relatability and strengthens [executive reputation](https://clairebahn.com/the-importance-of-authenticity-in-executive-reputation-management/). ### 4. Crisis Preparedness as Part of Reputation Strategy Here’s the irony: proactive CEO reputation management doesn’t ignore crisis—it makes you better prepared for it. By having a clear framework for how you’ll respond, and by building goodwill in advance, you’re more resilient when the unexpected happens. **How do you brand yourself as a CEO?** I talk about [CEO branding](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding-vs-company-branding/) extensively, but here are some brief pointers: start by clarifying your values, aligning them with your company’s mission, and consistently presenting them in every channel that matters to your stakeholders. ## Long-Term Impact on Business Growth and Resilience > ***“More than nine in ten leaders believe their ability to earn and sustain trust is the single most critical factor in their company’s future success.”*** Here’s what I see time and time again: CEOs who invest in proactive [reputation management](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-2/) don’t just protect themselves; they set their companies up for long-term growth. ### 1. Trust through volatility In times of crisis, trusted leaders hold onto investors, employees, and customers longer than those who lack credibility. This isn’t just theory. PwC’s [Global CEO Survey](https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/issues/c-suite-insights/ceo-survey.html) found that more than nine in ten leaders believe their ability to earn and sustain trust is the single most critical factor in their company’s future success. It’s proof that trust isn’t a soft metric—it’s a measurable driver of resilience and growth. ### 2. Ripple effects across the brand A strong CEO reputation strengthens employee advocacy. People are proud to work for a leader they respect. It boosts investor confidence because leadership is seen as steady and visionary. And it drives customer loyalty because the CEO embodies the values they care about. ### 3. Resilience that outlasts competitors A reputation built proactively is harder to damage than one cobbled together reactively. When people already believe in your integrity, missteps don’t hit as hard. Competitors who only pay attention to reputation when they’re in crisis are left scrambling to patch holes, while leaders who have invested in credibility weather challenges with greater stability. Proactive reputation management creates a buffer of goodwill—stakeholders are more forgiving, the media is less quick to assume the worst, and employees remain confident in leadership. Over time, this resilience becomes a strategic advantage, enabling companies not just to survive disruption but to emerge stronger while competitors struggle to recover. That’s the real ROI of proactive CEO reputation management: business resilience. ## Conclusion If there’s one message I want you to take away, it’s this: CEO reputation management is not an optional PR function—it’s a strategic necessity. We live in a world where leadership visibility is constant, stakeholders crave authenticity, and a single headline can ripple across entire markets. Waiting until you “need” reputation management is already too late. Proactive efforts—through personal branding, media engagement, consistent brand voice, and transparent leadership—fuel not just credibility, but influence and stability. They shape how you’re perceived long before a crisis, making you more resilient when challenges arise. In the end, reputation isn’t about spotlight or celebrity—it’s about credibility. It’s about showing up consistently, building trust, and leading in a way that strengthens both you and your company. That’s what makes proactive CEO reputation management one of the smartest and most urgent strategic investments any leader can make. #### Ready to strengthen your CEO reputation? Sign up for a [strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/Strategy-Call/) today and take the first step toward building a reputation that drives trust, influence, and long-term growth. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** CEO Branding **Tags:** ceo branding, ceo reputation management, executive branding, personal brand, personal branding, Reputation Management --- ### [What Is Brand Activation and What Does It Mean for Your Personal Brand?](https://clairebahn.com/brand-activation/) **Published:** June 16, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Brand activation is valuable for any personal brand. It helps create awareness and establish authority in your industry. Target your audience and give them more access to branded products for a longer-lasting impact. Here is how.* Brand activation can help [boost your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/captivate-podcast/5-tips-to-help-your-personal-brand-today/) in several ways. Entrepreneurs and established businesses use it to generate awareness of specific goods, services, or events. They often combine it with other marketing strategies to foster a meaningful connection with their target audiences. Most consumers want to feel heard and seen by their favorite brands. Many people shop by emotion, seeking companies that understand their struggles and offer innovative services. However, customer loyalty requires definitive information about how brands differ from the competition. Suitable solutions can go unnoticed without savvy brand activation. Build your personal brand and perfect your image to drive interactions with specific consumer groups. Then inspire them to action with effective marketing strategies centered on your goals. Brand activation involves a multifaceted approach with numerous benefits. Here is what you should know. **Table of Contents** [What Is Brand Activation?](#_Toc106995767) [Brand Activation Benefits](#_Toc106995768) [5 Types of Brand Activation](#_Toc106995769) [\#1. Experiential Marketing](#_Toc106995770) [\#2. Influencer Marketing](#_Toc106995771) [\#3. Social Media Marketing](#_Toc106995772) [\#4. Digital Marketing](#_Toc106995773) [\#5. In-Person or Virtual Events](#_Toc106995774) [How Brand Activation Helps Your Personal Brand](#_Toc106995775) [Tips for Making the Most of Your Personal Brand Activation](#_Toc106995776) [Tip #1. Show Respect to Your Audience](#_Toc106995777) [Tip #2. Offer a Surprise](#_Toc106995778) [Tip #3. Pay Attention to the Feedback](#_Toc106995779) [Tip #4. Express Your Human Side](#_Toc106995780) [Conclusion](#_Toc106995781) ## What Is Brand Activation? Brand activation is a relatively new marketing concept. Personal brand strategists and reputation managers use it to inspire conversations and sales or enhance public perception. > ***“The primary tactics involve bringing a brand to life in oversaturated economies by building consumer connections and industry authority.”*** Interact with consumers on a personal level with targeted marketing techniques. Then think about this: - Old-school branding methods considered consumer connections a bonus, not a priority. - Out-of-touch brands often lose credibility as intuitive brands enter the market. - Modern business success depends on making a meaningful [impact on the individual](https://www.ana.net/brand-activation#:~:text=Brand%20Activation%20is%20marketing%20that,consumer%20on%20a%20personal%20level.). Personal value plays a significant role in how clients view you. Thus, sensible marketers constantly search for insightful ways to cultivate deeper ties with their target audience. Here is where brand activation becomes essential. Many brand activations are interactive and public. They focus on a specific group and drive a primary goal. Activating a personal brand means organizing and hosting events and marketing campaigns to create a business-based bond. However, an effective strategy doesn’t have to include fanfare. > ***“The idea is to engage directly with consumers to support company objectives and provide transparency.”*** The brand activation definition can be confusing. The reason is that it consists of many disciplines that overlap [personal branding strategies](https://clairebahn.com/contact-claire/). Yet, brand activation is a different animal. While building awareness is the goal of both, brand activation refers to a specific isolated campaign with a definitive purpose. Unfortunately, brand activation isn’t just about showing your best face to consumers. You must be exceptional at consistently providing top-notch goods and services to your target audience. Meanwhile, you have to [offer tremendous value](https://hbr.org/1998/11/business-marketing-understand-what-customers-value) at the right time and before your competitors. **DID YOU KNOW:** *Personal branding is an ongoing process to maintain your reputation. Brand activation is a singular event to help elevate your brand.* ## Brand Activation Benefits Think of the most successful companies in your industry. Most likely, their achievements began with diligent brand activation. They became memorable names because they understood the benefits before the competition. Here are the advantages they enjoy: - Reinforce Market Positioning - Promote Brand Loyalty - Get Attention from New Audiences - Invite Impactful Engagements - Collect Informative Data and Opt-Ins - Generate Candid Feedback - Enhance Brand Relevance Targeted brand activation helps you cut through the clutter of traditional marketing strategies. It’s also suitable for rebranding existing businesses or [shifting industry goals](https://hbr.org/2009/07/the-big-shift-measuring-the-forces-of-change). Eliminate the hype and maintain your significance with customized personal branding methods that include well-timed brand activation. These are the perfect candidates: - Entrepreneurs struggling with industry identity - Companies with poor or sparse customer feedback - Businesses failing to connect with consumers - Startups trying to increase brand awareness - Brands wanting to introduce new products or partnerships Create an emotional attachment to your campaign through data-informed marketing and reputation management. Then levy your good graces for more authority in your industry. ## 5 Types of Brand Activation With several brand activation types, not all of them will work for every business. Depending on your audience, challenges, and goals, particular strategies could be counterproductive. [Reputation management experts](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-3/) can help you determine your customers’ Wishlist to deliver more meaningful solutions. > ***“Brand activation helps you become the go-to supplier for a specific demand.”*** Activating a brand requires many hours of prep work and planning. However, modern businesses can choose several brand activation options to customize their approach and maximize their efforts. Here are the five most effective personal brand activation types to consider in the meantime: ### \#1. Experiential Marketing This tactic involves offering customers a unique experience with their purchases. Many retailers use it to demonstrate new products or services. It provides an interactive, engaging, and informative session that often increases conversions. Experiential learning requires an immersive, real-world conversation between the consumer and the brand. It’s an opportunity to display flagship products or reiterate company policies, personalities, and programs. **EXAMPLE**: *A fun, interactive pop-up booth where potential customers can test your products before buying* ### \#2. Influencer Marketing Enhance your brand activation strategy with well-executed [influencer marketing campaigns](https://influencermarketinghub.com/influencer-marketing-statistics/). Influential guests can help increase awareness and drive organic sales through word-of-mouth advertising. You can also tailor their message to communicate a specific goal or concern. Influencers help inspire audiences to trust your brand through promotions, endorsements, and hacks. Their work can also provide crucial metrics for measuring your marketing impact. Don’t forget to request feedback as often as possible. **EXAMPLE**: *A specific social media account for product reviews, inventory highlights, and giveaways* ### \#3. Social Media Marketing Social media engagements offer incredible insight into your target audience and their economic influences—Post relevant information to boost authority and generate a buzz around your brand. Ensure your company gets the exposure it needs to thrive in your industry. [Personal branding means interacting](https://clairebahn.com/networking-tips/) with clients to address concerns and streamline business objectives. Brand activation through social media marketing helps businesses mitigate issues before becoming dealbreakers. **EXAMPLE**: *A moderated social media account to answer questions and assist would-be online customers* ### \#4. Digital Marketing Use digital marketing during brand activation to go beyond the physical world. Reach new audiences through virtual reality and online engagements. Give your audience access to branded materials with the convenience of technology. Your personal brand also requires comprehensive data to manage industry changes. Most likely, your competitors are already collecting the data. Digital marketing provides the metrics needed to create new campaigns or refocus existing ones. **EXAMPLE**: *An interactive website with* [*helpful content*](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinessdevelopmentcouncil/2022/06/22/why-content-is-the-key-to-brand-activation/?sh=571c7e0a7da4) *about topics related to your brand* ### \#5. In-Person or Virtual Events In-store events play a significant role in effective brand activation. These campaigns typically involve an experiential element but focus on meaningful interactions. Before committing money, customers can see, touch, and experience your business firsthand. They’re also more likely to share their opinions after an in-person or virtual exchange. Live brand activation strategies must align with business goals and accommodate audience requests in real-time. Ideally, your customers will leave with a newfound appreciation for your brand and how you treat shoppers. Work with a reputation management firm to ensure conformity among franchises. **EXAMPLE**: *A product sampling campaign or industry meet-and-greet at headquarters* ## How Brand Activation Helps Your Personal Brand Let’s assume your business just launched last week. You already know who your target audience is and can satisfy demands. Your personal brand has all the essential elements for industry success. However, you can’t establish a connection with potential buyers and investors. Getting your company off the ground just became more challenging. > ***“Brand activation helps close the gap between your personal brand and those who want to do business with you.”*** People who don’t know who you are or what you bring to the table are less likely to trust your claims. Meanwhile, generating profound exchanges with meaningful engagement can prove your worth to target audiences and everyone they contact. Get consumers excited about your personal brand with a savvy brand activation strategy. Use several tactics to demonstrate value and gather relevant metrics. Brand activation might be a one-off event to elevate your brand, but that doesn’t mean it can’t make a lasting impact. Activating your personal brand can become an overachiever in your field. **DID YOU KNOW:** *Studies show that 98% of people feel more* [*comfortable spending money*](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jiawertz/2019/09/30/experiential-marketing-is-the-future-of-retail/?sh=1512b2053101) *after attending an interactive brand activation.* ## Tips for Making the Most of Your Personal Brand Activation Spend your money and time wisely with well-informed brand activation methods. Use data and feedback to determine the best strategies, then hire a reputation management firm to handle the details. Ask them to help you choose which brand activation types are best for your personal brand. Regardless of your preferred brand activation techniques, use these four crucial tips to create a rewarding experience for those involved: ### Tip #1. Show Respect to Your Audience Some people consider brand activation a publicity stunt because many companies use over-the-top attempts to capture attention. They’ll do whatever it takes to shine the spotlight on their business, even at the expense of potential customers. However, brands with staying power understand the importance of respecting audiences. Extravagant brand activation can look ridiculous and feel invasive. Unscrupulous tactics can also cross personal boundaries and negatively impact your brand. Consumers will start going out of their way to avoid doing business with you, causing profits and market relevance to plummet. **TIP**: *Keep brand activation events lighthearted, fun, and appropriate for your target audience.* ### Tip #2. Offer a Surprise Successfully elevating your brand requires a figurative tightrope walk. You want to provide something new to your audience without shocking them. Also, your surprise must be on-brand and aligned with company goals. It can’t be appalling or offensive to anyone, even your competitors. Offer delights that include solutions for more engaging experiences. Then let your brand speak for itself as consumers test and talk. Get creative about your tactics; don’t be afraid to take chances. It’s okay to color outside the lines if you remain on the same page as your customers. **TIP**: *Ask some of your investors or most loyal customers about different ideas before deciding.* ### Tip #3. Pay Attention to the Feedback Audience [feedback is critical](https://clairebahn.com/constructive-feedback/) to brand activation because strategies should focus on generating a positive customer experience. However, interactions are a two-way street. While you gather metrics about client behavior, those same clients formulate opinions about your brand. Ensure a mutual understanding and appreciation by paying attention to what they say. Collect relevant data before, during, and after your brand activation. Then create and maintain detailed documentation to track the success of various campaigns. Use the metrics to decide which brand activation strategies work best and which have a counterproductive impact. **TIP**: *Leverage* [*social listening*](https://www.techtarget.com/searchcustomerexperience/definition/social-media-listening#:~:text=Social%20listening%2C%20also%20referred%20to,massive%20amounts%20of%20unstructured%20data.) *to determine the tone of consumer conversions surrounding your personal brand.* ### Tip #4. Express Your Human Side Humanizing your [brand means inviting consumers to have a personal](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) relationship with your company. You want them to trust your claims and seek your advice over the advice of others. Human interactions help kickstart business bonds and demonstrate your willingness to address concerns head-on. Put a face to your enterprise and make it a friendly one. You can still pay for giant billboards to capture attention, but traditional marketing strategies won’t make a positive impression. Express the humanity of your personal brand with intuitive tactics focused on meaningful experiences. **TIP**: *Present yourself in a way that makes you more relatable to your target audience.* Contact a reputation management expert for more information on maximizing your brand activation efforts to enhance your personal brand. ## Conclusion Brand activation is a gradual process with a multifaceted approach. Most businesses don’t expect immediate results or overnight success. However, they still understand the importance of connecting with existing and potential customers. These tactics help establish trust, build authority, and prepare your company for increased traffic. Personal branding is an ongoing initiative that helps maintain the fruits of your labor. Brand activation is a bonus to your already effective marketing campaigns. Increase exposure while endearing your audience and reshaping your industry reputation one technique at a time. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** entrepreneur Branding, Personal Branding **Tags:** brand activation, personal branding --- ### [10 Ways Your Personal Brand Leads to Paid Speaking Engagements](https://clairebahn.com/get-speaking-engagements/) **Published:** September 15, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Use your personal brand to get speaking engagements and enhance your industry presence. Motivate meaningful interactions and plant the seeds of change. These ten tips can improve your [digital communications strategy](http://clairebahn.com) to elevate your message.* Get speaking engagements using your personal brand. Then enjoy better brand recognition, increased traffic, improved interactions, and enhanced profitability. Your [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) is as essential as your goods and services. You can’t neglect this puzzle piece if you want to gain momentum. Audiences crave compelling content and a relatable personality. However, they also require relevance to the times, trends, and societal norms. Your brand should communicate practical solutions to crucial issues, but it can’t if no one ever hears your message. Get speaking engagements to share perspectives with diverse communities. Using your personal brand to book speaking engagements adds value to your company. It also helps make your business more transparent and accountable. Give your listeners something fascinating to consider for maximum impact. Then leverage your personal brand to support those claims. This guide will show you how. **Table of Contents** [Benefits of a Personal Brand for Speaking Engagements](#_Toc114431541) [10 Ways Your Personal Brand Helps You Get Speaking Engagements](#_Toc114431542) [\#1. It Helps Explain Who You Really Are](#_Toc114431543) [\#2. Your Personal Brand Makes You Visible](#_Toc114431544) [\#3. Personal Branding Highlights Your Best Features](#_Toc114431545) [\#4. Your Digital Communications Strategy Sparks Conversation](#_Toc114431546) [\#5. It Establishes You as an Industry Authority](#_Toc114431547) [\#6. You Gain and Maintain an Organic Following](#_Toc114431548) [\#7. Your Goods and Services Are Well-Known](#_Toc114431549) [\#8. The Chosen Topic Is Evident](#_Toc114431550) [\#9. You Have a Story to Tell](#_Toc114431551) [\#10. People Want to Hear What You Have to Say](#_Toc114431552) [Leveraging Your Personal Brand for More Speaking Engagements](#_Toc114431553) [Conclusion](#_Toc114431554) ## Benefits of a Personal Brand for Speaking Engagements Your personal brand says much about who you are and why you’re in business. It communicates your core values and emphasizes your purpose. Personal branding also ensures [messaging consistency](https://www.bccpa.ca/news-events/latest-news/2020/clear-concise-consistent-the-three-cs-of-effective-communication/) across multiple platforms. > ***“The key to a successful marketing campaign depends on a comprehensive digital communications strategy and relevant material.”*** Personal or executive branding promotes the most significant company characteristics and assets. In other words, it helps highlight talent and encourages trust while establishing the business as an industry authority. When you get speaking engagements, you fortify the public perception and catapult your career. Build a personal brand with expert opinions and a proven digital communications strategy. The combination can help you [develop powerful messages](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/5-tips-for-creating-power_b_9775472) and distribute them to the right people. Make your mark and then enjoy more invites to participate in exciting events. Get speaking engagements that actually matter. ## 10 Ways Your Personal Brand Helps You Get Speaking Engagements Get speaking engagements the easy way. > ***“Use your personal brand as a springboard for audience interest and approval.”*** They will already know who you are, what you believe, and which goods or services you provide. If they don’t, now is the best time to offer an in-depth look in the best possible light. Your personal brand speaks volumes about your work as an [entrepreneur or executive](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/). It can generate sales, encourage traffic, and instigate significant industry change. However, branding yourself can also make you appear more appealing to public speaking groups and marketers. You also become extra attractive to those who hear you talk. How else can your personal brand help you get speaking engagements at important events? Check out these ten ways: ### \#1. It Helps Explain Who You Really Are [Executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-startups/) involves communicating various messages through multiple channels. Marketing teams can sometimes adjust your words to appeal to specific audiences. Through adaptation, much is lost in translation. However, your personal brand is also the source of all information about your company. Excellent branding means demonstrating your authenticity with honesty, transparency, and knowledge. Those three things are fundamental for any [public speaker](https://professional.dce.harvard.edu/blog/10-tips-for-improving-your-public-speaking-skills/). Your [branding strategy helps explain different aspects of your personality](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) and performance, making your business more relatable and authoritative despite who’s listening. **TIP**: *Be vulnerable for your audiences to motivate an emotional response.* ### \#2. Your Personal Brand Makes You Visible Step into the limelight with an efficient digital communications strategy and intuitive personal branding. Both techniques work in tandem to catapult your career and help you get speaking engagements on the schedule. Your personal brand can also put you in the running for future bookings because you will be an established icon. Who wants to listen to a speech from someone without credentials? Conversely, who has time to prove their worth when there’s an important message to share? > ***“Harness the power of personal branding to get the technicalities out of the way.”*** Then move to capturing your audience and instigating action in your industry as a thought leader. **TIP**: *Find a way to inject your brand or logo into different arenas for maximum exposure.* ### \#3. Personal Branding Highlights Your Best Features You hire a professional branding agency to ensure a positive public image, so use their services wisely. Leverage your personal brand and digital communications strategy to show off and promote various company activities. Don’t let your investment go to waste. Get speaking engagements because of your talents and wisdom. [Branding yourself](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/what-is-personal-branding-why-important/327367/) doesn’t mean denying your flaws. It means making your strengths more critical and using your weaknesses to learn and grow. Effective personal branding should highlight the good and subtly mask the bad. This helps you look like a well-rounded person with exciting things to share. **TIP**: *Pinpoint specific talents or competencies to help streamline your brand and presentation.* ### \#4. Your Digital Communications Strategy Sparks Conversation A digital communications strategy is vital to your personal brand, and it can impact your ability to get speaking engagements. If you’re already active on [social media](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-a-strong-social-media-content-strategy/) or other public forums, talking to a broader audience is the natural evolution. However, inactivity can repulse your demographic. Develop a technique that supports meaningful interactions and be present as much as possible. Hire experts to help [respond to messages](https://www.zendesk.com/blog/5-ways-customer-interaction-can-improve-business/) and comments or use polls to inspire communication. Your personal brand should offer practical solutions, so let everyone know about them to increase your invitations to events. **TIP**: *Give people something to discuss by providing talking points and asking questions.* ### \#5. It Establishes You as an Industry Authority > ***“Get speaking engagements just by becoming an authority in your niche.”*** Audiences crave new information but don’t always enjoy change. Your guidance through various upheavals can make a tremendous impact. Use data-driven branding to lead the pack and put you behind more microphones. Excellent personal branding consists of diligent research to ensure relevance and accuracy. The best digital communications strategy also involves informing audiences of exciting developments. Still, anyone can share gossip and make predictions. Your brand establishes you as the go-to person for specifics. **TIP**: *Perform data collection and analysis to determine your audience’s primary concerns.* ### \#6. You Gain and Maintain an Organic Following The people who interact with your brand will likely spread positive messages about it. However, they won’t mention your company if it doesn’t seem well put together. Personal branding elevates your style and makes you more appealing to newcomers. This helps [generate an organic following](https://www.businessinsider.com/organic-search-still-drives-the-most-online-orders-2016-6) to view online publications, interact with others, and attend the speaking engagements you get. Event coordinators and executives who witness your increasing popularity might feel more encouraged to invite you to speak. They could also discuss future opportunities if you demonstrate consistency and continual growth. Clear your schedule. **TIP**: *Share your successes on social media and other platforms to drive cohesion in your audience.* ### \#7. Your Goods and Services Are Well-Known Personal branding helps make your goods and services household names. People begin to trust the quality of your inventory and appreciate your [excellent customer service](https://clairebahn.com/connected-client-experience/). Those attributes are fundamental when you want to get speaking engagements. Few audiences want to hear from a company they don’t know or can’t trust. > ***“Your branding strategy makes the most crucial introductions on your behalf.”*** It saves you time, reduces the effort you must put in, and softens the audience before stepping on stage. In fact, you could get speaking engagements just by being a familiar name within the industry you represent. **TIP**: *Let people know about your unique insights to make them more interested in booking you.* ### \#8. The Chosen Topic Is Evident When your personal brand is intact, people will instinctively understand your side of the story. Many will ask questions related to your primary objectives and stated core values. Meanwhile, attendees will sign up for a seat because they already know what you’ll discuss. This can be good or bad, depending on the situation. Always present new information and try to keep the audience interested. However, understand event organizers usually coordinate speeches based on a theme. You can’t deviate too far off base, but your personal brand should help guide your words. Ask a PR expert how to best address audiences when [discussing something controversial](https://crlt.umich.edu/publinks/generalguidelines). **TIP:** *Make an outline of your speech and practice presenting it to arrive polished and prepared.* ### \#9. You Have a Story to Tell Did you launch a personal brand to stay quiet? Probably not. You have a fascinating life story and exciting opportunities for consumers, investors, and stakeholders. Entertain your target audience with a digital communications strategy, and then borrow elements from it to present an impactful speech. Get speaking engagements based on your personality or unique path. Share the facts online or through a social media profile dedicated to your persona. You can include or omit whichever details you like. **TIP:** *Consult a personal branding agency to determine what you should tell the audience.* ### \#10. People Want to Hear What You Have to Say Your popularity as a company isn’t the most essential factor. Many want to hear your words because you seem sensational or demonstrate unique knowledge. Let your personal brand speak for itself, and then support those words when you get speaking engagements. Understand that you get invited to speak because you have something to say. Ensure clear messaging with personal branding and professional PR services. **TIP:** *Poll audiences from different platforms to measure their interest in various topics.* ## Leveraging Your Personal Brand for More Speaking Engagements Your personal brand and [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-strategic-communications/) are crucial to effective marketing and advertising. However, personal branding can also help you get speaking engagements in front of enthusiastic audiences. It’s an effective tool you can leverage to capture and keep attention. Branded companies are generally welcome before unknown startups or individuals. [Being a new business](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/s/startup.asp) doesn’t automatically disqualify you from getting speaking engagements. You can leverage your newness to encourage various responses and outcomes. Still, event organizers and attendees want to know who you are and what you have to say. They’re less likely to invite individuals or businesses that haven’t demonstrated excellence, experience, or empathy. Do you think you have what it takes to get speaking engagements with your personal brand? Here are some tips to ensure a successful presentation: - **Develop a Digital Communications Strategy.** Inform people about your knowledge and offer valuable insights. Then tell followers about upcoming speaking engagements so they can share the news with others. - **Make Your Message Consistent.** Use your personal brand’s core values and voice as the standard for every speech. This will provide consistency while motivating the audience to think, feel, or act. Hire a speechwriter for help. - **Show Your Confidence.** Let the audience see that you believe what you say. Exude confidence to convince audiences of your unique prowess and trustworthiness. They might even ask you to return for more. - **Plug Your Personal Brand Into the Message.** The more people know about your company, the more often your name enters the conversation. Increased brand recognition can mean additional opportunities to speak at future public events. ## Conclusion Get speaking engagements using your personal brand and communicate effectively with the target audience. Establish your public persona to control perception and motivate action. Personal branding ensures a consistent style and clarifies your objectives. Meanwhile, speaking engagements can help support your company’s core values through meaningful messaging. The primary purpose of attending speaking engagements is to share your story, create transparency, and encourage interactions. However, that’s challenging to accomplish when nobody knows who you are. Leverage your personal brand to establish a positive rapport with consumers, investors, and stakeholders. Then tell your story to the people who want to hear it most. Personal branding can help you get more speaking engagements by making you more relatable to the target audience. A comprehensive digital communications strategy can also increase visibility among diverse groups. Maximize your potential with a personal brand that aligns with your speaking style. Hire an expert PR firm for help. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** digital communications strategy, Tips **Tags:** get speaking engagements --- ### [How You’re Self-Sabotaging Your Personal Brand (And How to Stop Doing It)](https://clairebahn.com/how-youre-self-sabotaging-your-personal-brand-and-how-to-stop-doing-it/) **Published:** September 29, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Here is how to brand yourself with a customized digital communications strategy. These tips can help you avoid self-sabotage while [elevating your reputation](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-2/). Build brand awareness like a pro and stop damaging public perceptions.* “How to brand yourself” is one of the most popular online searches for entrepreneurs and executives. It shows much gumption and initiative, but the one-sided research doesn’t paint a complete picture. You must know how to brand yourself without sabotaging all your efforts. Unfortunately, that’s easier said than done. People mess up with their [personal brands](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) all the time. They spend thousands of dollars trying to attract an audience’s attention, only to say or do the wrong things while folks are watching**.** > ***“It makes no sense to invest in branding when you don’t know how to maintain it.”*** A tailored [digital communications strategy](http://clairebahn.com) is a step in the right direction. Knowing how to brand yourself and learning ways to avoid messy situations is crucial. It can take years to build a name for yourself but only moments to ruin your reputation. Most markets are fickle, and consumers have high expectations for their favorite businesses. Are you sure you’re up to snuff? This article will ensure that your personal brand has a fighting chance. It will also help prevent you from doing something counterproductive without realizing it. Branding isn’t supposed to be easy. If it were, everyone would do it. Your market is saturated enough, so discover how to brand yourself and stand out like a pro. **Table of Contents** [The Importance of Your Personal Brand](#_Toc115163528) [Personal Branding Benefits (If You Do It Right)](#_Toc115163529) [10 Ways to Brand Yourself with an Excellent Reputation](#_Toc115163530) [\#1. Don’t Overshare](#_Toc115163531) [\#2. Stop Being a Troll](#_Toc115163532) [\#3. Call the Grammar Police](#_Toc115163533) [\#4. Be Careful in Conversation](#_Toc115163534) [\#5. Know Your Niche](#_Toc115163535) [\#6. Shield the Skin You’re In](#_Toc115163536) [\#7. Don’t Be a Copycat](#_Toc115163537) [\#8. No Begging Allowed](#_Toc115163538) [\#9. Get Off Your Soapbox](#_Toc115163539) [\#10. Keep It Consistent](#_Toc115163540) [Developing a Digital Communications Strategy for Your Personal Brand](#_Toc115163541) [How to Heal a Troubled Brand](#_Toc115163542) [Conclusion](#_Toc115163543) ## The Importance of Your Personal Brand Don’t know how to brand yourself because you don’t think it’s important? Think again. Your personal brand helps send a definitive message to your target audience. It can help clear any confusion about who you are, what you do, or why you do it. Branding yourself is one of the wisest things you can do as an entrepreneur or executive. Every business has a story to tell, and its leadership always claims to be unique. While that’s likely true, your offerings are no less remarkable than theirs. > ***“Learning how to brand yourself means pulling out all the talents and characteristics that make you extraordinary.”*** Brand managers can help differentiate your company while running interference for things that could [compromise your reputation](https://hbr.org/2007/02/reputation-and-its-risks). Personal or executive branding benefits your company and financial future in multiple ways. A solid digital marketing strategy can help establish your business as an industry authority. It can also ensure consistent messaging, prevent public disasters, improve brand awareness, and increase profitability. However, you can’t self-sabotage, even by accident. ### Personal Branding Benefits (If You Do It Right) Learning how to brand yourself means enjoying countless competitive advantages. First, you can turn your most fervent passions into a full-fledged business. Personal branding also provides [cost-effective advertising](https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveolenski/2015/11/23/7-cost-effective-marketing-strategies-for-growing-a-new-brand/) for your company and makes you an industry expert. Here are some other benefits to consider: - Establish Credibility - Build Relationships - Grow Your Network - Start Conversations - Ensure Compliance - Inspire Change - Lead the Industry - Control the Narrative - Troubleshoot Issues - Prevent Mishaps - Mentor Others - Increase Traffic - Motivate Staff - Highlight Talent Your reputation is a primary piece of the personal branding puzzle. You can’t cut corners and expect a good fit. > ***“Put yourself out there but prove there is a likeable person behind your brand.”*** Demonstrate your personality while showing people they can trust you. Learning how to brand yourself is relatively straightforward after that. ## 10 Ways to Brand Yourself with an Excellent Reputation You don’t know how to brand yourself until you know how NOT to brand yourself. An effective marketing campaign and [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) will only get you so far. [Build a brand](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/7-steps-to-building-a-recognized-personal-brand_b_9889186) with excellent logos, merchandise, and photo shoots, but watch consumers reject you because of specific habits. It can happen to the best of us. **Here is how to brand yourself without looking foolish in pursuit of fame and fortune:** ### \#1. Don’t Overshare You don’t have to tell your target audience every minute detail about your life or career path to earn their respect. Only share the most compelling facts about your personal brand so they can make quick and efficient decisions. They’ll likely appreciate your gentle, intuitive approach to self-promotion. Leave something to the mystery so consumers, investors, and stakeholders will explore your portfolio. Most won’t search for additional information on web pages, blogs, or vlogs if you share everything at once. Create a trail of facts, figures, and incentives to keep them interested. ### \#2. Stop Being a Troll Did you know that the average consumer doesn’t respond well to constant criticisms of other companies? They expect you to focus on what makes your brand outstanding, not what makes another business less attractive. Not only does it insult their intelligence, but it makes you look like a jerk. Don’t be a troll or attack brands relentlessly. Let your excellent goods and services speak for themselves without trashing your competitors. Their shortcomings will eventually become evident when compared to your brand anyway. ### \#3. Call the Grammar Police One of the most counterproductive things you can do to your personal brand is ignore [spelling and grammar](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jaysondemers/2014/07/15/is-bad-grammar-killing-your-brand/?sh=7cd07a0527e1). People will pay attention to that and likely attribute the mistakes to a lack of experience or knowledge. That’s the last thing you want when trying to [protect your reputation](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/) or boost your business. Hire professional writers, proofreaders, and editors to ensure proper grammar and syntax. You can jot down your ideas and then have the experts craft a compelling message. Don’t post on social media without checking for mistakes, or your audience will do it for you. That’s not a good thing. ### \#4. Be Careful in Conversation What you say aloud is just as important as what you write on social media and other platforms. Conversation skills are crucial components of developing and maintaining your personal brand. Few want to play guessing games or get offended when interacting with you. Be clear but be courteous. Avoid bringing up [controversial topics](https://libguides.umflint.edu/topics/current), and mind how you respond when others do. Understand that the words you speak can be directly tied to your personal brand, even if you’re discussing something unrelated. Share encouraging sentiments only and save the negative comments for your private life. ### \#5. Know Your Niche People naturally assume you know about your particular topic as someone with a personal brand. They don’t expect you to stumble on words, become confused, or dole out inaccurate information. Establish relevance and become an authority in your industry by acting like one. Prove you’re worthy of being “known” for something. Study your specific niche and determine what the competitors are and aren’t doing. Collect data from targeted metrics to perform an analysis. Then implement new strategies to demonstrate experience and expertise. This also helps you stay ahead of the curve and become a state-of-the-art brand. ### \#6. Shield the Skin You’re In Of course, you’re a beautiful person. You’re also photogenic and in the public spotlight many days. However, overexposure can present some nasty consequences. Show too much skin, [dress inappropriately](https://central.edu/writing-anthology/2019/06/04/dress-codes-in-the-workplace-effects-on-organizational-culture/) for your industry, or wear conflicting logos for an instant demotion. Be comfortable in your skin, but don’t leverage your looks for more attention. It could make you appear desperate, vapid, or unauthentic. Knowing how to brand yourself means highlighting the subtle, non-physical qualities that make you unique. ### \#7. Don’t Be a Copycat Imitation is not the sincerest form of flattery. In fact, copying other people’s work can land you in hot water. Some companies will investigate your business plan, revealing valuable trade secrets or preventing you from developing the company. Many competitors view imitation as a threat, not a compliment. Develop a tailored approach to your market with exclusive logos, special promotions, and professionally branded materials. You can also create a digital communications strategy to streamline productivity without conflicts of interest. ### \#8. No Begging Allowed Stop pleading for people to engage with you or your company. It can make you or your business appear to be struggling for legitimacy. [Begging](https://www.wvcba.org/news/begging-for-business-could-work-against-you) also tells consumers you can’t get people to take you seriously, so they likely won’t consider your brand among the best. Meanwhile, don’t be so “sales-y” that consumers feel pressured to try your goods or services. Let them independently size up your brand through precise information and compelling statistics. Cyberstalking is one of the quickest ways to ruin your personal brand’s reputation and get rejected as spam. ### \#9. Get Off Your Soapbox Your personal brand is an opportunity to share crucial information about yourself and your business. It is not a chance to push extreme views or change the world. You can transform an industry from the inside without ostracizing yourself as an outrageous outcast. Learn how to brand yourself as a progressive thinker but eliminate negative feedback. Use accessibility, diversity, equity, and inclusion to communicate openness, not prejudice. Or work with a [reputation management](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-3/) team to spread your message while respecting social norms. ### \#10. Keep It Consistent Implement the nine techniques in this list consistently for the best results. You shouldn’t be on you’re a-game one week and then off the rails another. [Consumers, investors, and hopeful customers](https://clairebahn.com/networking-tips/) want to see the same things each time they approach your business. This is rule #1 in the book of how to brand yourself. A digital communications strategy can help you create and [schedule social media posts](https://www.ignitesearch.com.au/social-media-scheduling-the-benefits-of-social-media-scheduling-and-why-you-should-start-scheduling-today/), podcasts, and other online content. Use it to preview, edit, and analyze before involving the public. **TIP**: *Discuss your options to troubleshoot aspects of your personal brand that aren’t contributing to a positive outcome.* ## Developing a Digital Communications Strategy for Your Personal Brand > ***“Learning how to brand yourself is incomplete until you develop a digital communications strategy.”*** This puzzle piece is essential because it provides cohesion and gives more control over your brand’s ecosystem. Here are the five Ds to getting started: - **Determine** which social media platforms are best for brand awareness. - **Decide** how and when you want to approach your target audience. - **Demonstrate** your intuitive understanding of relevant content. - **Drop** the bad habits holding back your personal brand. - **Deliver** quality posts and accurate information across all platforms. These techniques should help prevent damage to your personal brand’s reputation. They could also help elevate your authority and keep your company’s name in the minds of consumers and competitors. ## How to Heal a Troubled Brand Didn’t discover how to brand yourself correctly until it was too late? Is your company’s reputation damaged because of it? Fortunately, there is a way to save face and recover your audience’s good graces. 1. **Get a Reputation Manager –** Hire a personal or executive branding agency to handle the nitty-gritty details and rewrite public perception. 2. **Use a Digital Communications Strategy –** Create an interactive and informative environment around your personal brand and its claims. 3. **Collect Data for Analysis –** Study consumer and competitor behaviors to learn preferences and shift your focus accordingly. A personal brand in turmoil doesn’t have to stay that way. Expert branding firms can remove the stain from the fabric of your business, revealing your true purpose and positive input. ## Conclusion Do you know how to brand yourself without self-sabotaging? Anyone can tell you how to build a personal brand, but not everyone knows how to prevent public disasters. Accidents can happen, but the little things make the most significant difference. Use pro tips to avoid mishaps and elevate your business to new heights. Consumers don’t expect perfection; they want authenticity, transparency, and consistency. Many also enjoy watching your personal brand develop into an industry authority. Make it possible using a digital [communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/strategic-communication/) with your name written all over it. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** digital communications strategy, Personal Branding **Tags:** how to brand yourself --- ### [How to Build Your Personal Brand in 2023](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-building-in-2023/) **Published:** March 2, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Personal brand building in 2023 sounds like a big undertaking, but it doesn’t have to be. The misconceptions surrounding personal branding will be addressed, as well as the importance of likability and the significance of small actions. We will also explore the concept of imperfect action and the compounding effect of [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/the-3-as-of-personal-branding/). **Table of Contents** [What to Know](#_Toc131407302) [3 Common Misconceptions about Building Your Personal Brand in 2023](#_Toc131407303) [Essentials to Keep in Mind When Personal Brand Building in 2023](#_Toc131407304) [Taking Action for Personal Brand Building in 2023](#_Toc131407305) [Steps You Can Take to Build Your Personal Brand](#_Toc131407306) [Five Small Steps You Can Take This Year](#_Toc131407307) [Creating an Online Presence](#_Toc131407308) [Networking and Your Personal Brand](#_Toc131407309) [Maintaining Your Personal Brand](#_Toc131407310) [2 Ways to Maintain Your Personal Brand](#_Toc131407311) [Conclusion](#_Toc131407312) ## What to Know One of the biggest misconceptions of personal brand building in 2023 is that it is a static thing comprised of logos and websites. However, [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) is much more than that. People care about what you care about, what you stand for, and who you are as a person. Do you align with their morals and values? The concept of know, like, and trust is essential for your personal brand, and your logo has nothing to do with it. While having a good-looking website and logo is essential, people tend to fixate on the small stuff rather than focusing on the more critical aspects of their brand. Therefore, it is essential to take imperfect action and move forward. Commit to not sweating the small stuff and recognizing that these things can always be changed. ### 3 Common Misconceptions about Building Your Personal Brand in 2023 - **Personal branding is only for entrepreneurs or influencers:** Many people believe that personal branding is only necessary for those who run their own businesses or have a significant online following. However, personal branding is relevant for anyone who wants to establish themselves as a thought leader, build their reputation, or stand out in their industry. Personal branding is not just for the self-employed but for anyone who wants to take control of their professional identity. - **Personal branding is just about having a strong social media presence:** While social media is undoubtedly an essential aspect of personal branding, it is not the only factor. Personal branding is about establishing your unique identity, values, and expertise in your industry. It includes your offline reputation, your network, your communication skills, and how you present yourself in all aspects of your professional life. Social media can be a helpful tool to support your personal brand, but it is not the be-all and end-all. - **Personal branding is static and cannot change:** One of the most significant misconceptions about personal branding is that it is a fixed concept that cannot evolve over time. In reality, personal branding is an ongoing process that should adapt to your career goals, changing industries, or evolving passions. Your personal brand should also reflect these changes as you grow and develop professionally. Your [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/) should be dynamic and flexible to [reflect your unique journey](https://www.gwi.com/connecting-the-dots-pm-global?utm_source=google&utm_medium=paid+search&utm_campaign=211109+CTD23+report|&utm_content=CTD23+search&bcndyn=d2lkOjQ2MnxjaWQ6NTU5&gad_id=634449679180&utm_source=ppc&utm_medium=ppc&utm_term=2023%20branding%20trends&utm_campaign=GWI+-+UK+-+EN+-+Trends+2018+-+Marketing+Trends+-+BMM&hsa_cam=14410651672&hsa_mt=b&hsa_ver=3&hsa_src=g&hsa_ad=634449679180&hsa_net=adwords&hsa_tgt=kwd-1903809139841&hsa_acc=9903771596&hsa_grp=125196532534&hsa_kw=2023%20branding%20trends&gad=1&gclid=CjwKCAjwov6hBhBsEiwAvrvN6PLMbMLeUlpknPxpLuZaIc16NRi3BuxaxGD0IMqgsXOfyZI66hwHqRoCZscQAvD_BwE). ## Essentials to Keep in Mind When Personal Brand Building in 2023 It is also essential to recognize that [building a personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-strategy-2/) is psychological. Marketing and putting yourself out there require dealing with issues such as limiting beliefs and the fear of judgment. It can be scary to put yourself out there, but it is crucial to do so. Being well-spoken and eloquent is one of many things that matter. Likability and connecting with people are essential, even for athletes. The most successful athletes are not always the best but are often the ones that people connect with the most. It is crucial to realize that there is no perfect person to compare yourself to. You are you, and you need to attract the opportunities you deserve. ## Taking Action for Personal Brand Building in 2023 Taking imperfect action is essential when building your personal brand. Building your personal brand takes time and is a compounding effect regardless of the economy’s state. Committing to a certain amount of effort per day, week, or month and not letting up is critical. Even during economic downturns, building your [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) can provide opportunities. You can think of your personal brand as the stock market, where prices go down, and people freak out. However, it would be best if you jumped into the market when prices are low, as this is the best time to buy. ## Steps You Can Take to Build Your Personal Brand There are specific steps that you can take to build your personal brand. The first step is to define your brand. Start by answering the following questions: What are your values? What motivates you? What do you stand for? What sets you apart from others? What are your unique skills? Once you have answered these questions, you can move on to the second step, which is to build your brand story. Your brand story should be authentic and unique to you. It should honestly represent who you are and what you stand for. Your brand story should include your values, personality, and passions. ### Five Small Steps You Can Take This Year 1. **Define your brand:** Start by defining what sets you apart from others. Identify your values, motivations, and unique skills. 2. **Build your brand story:** Your brand story should be an honest representation of who you are and what you stand for. It should include your values, personality, and passions. 3. **Create your online presence:** Develop a professional website and strong social media presence. Be active on social media, engage with your followers, and share relevant content. 4. **Network:** Attend networking events and engage with other professionals in your industry. Join online groups and communities where you can connect with like-minded individuals. 5. **Maintain your brand:** Consistently monitor and update your personal brand. Be sure that your online presence and messaging are aligned with your brand story, values, and goals. ## Creating an Online Presence The third step is to [create your online presence](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/). Your online presence is crucial as it is often the first place people will go to learn more about you. It is essential to have a professional website that represents your brand story accurately. It would be best if you also had [a strong social media presence](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/). Being active on social media, engaging with your followers, and sharing relevant content is important. ## Networking and Your Personal Brand The fourth step is to network. Networking is essential for building your personal brand. Attend networking events and engage with other professionals in your industry. Join online groups and communities, such as LinkedIn groups, where you can engage with like-minded professionals. Building relationships with others can help you develop your personal brand and provide new opportunities. ## Maintaining Your Personal Brand The fifth and final step is to maintain your brand. Once you have built your personal brand, it is important to maintain it continually ### 2 Ways to Maintain Your Personal Brand - **Regularly update your online profiles:** It’s essential to keep your online profiles up to date, including your professional website, LinkedIn profile, and other social media accounts. This means updating your profile picture, bio, and any other relevant information to reflect any changes in your career, skills, or interests. - **Monitor your online presence:** It’s crucial to monitor your online presence regularly to ensure that nothing negative is being said or associated with your personal brand. This means performing a Google search on your name and regularly checking your social media accounts for any negative comments or reviews. If you come across any negative content, take immediate action to address it and respond professionally. ## Conclusion Personal brand building in 2023 involves recognizing the misconceptions and understanding the psychological process involved in the process. Personal branding is not static, and it involves aligning with others’ values and connecting with people, regardless of being well-spoken or not. Imperfect action and consistency are critical; small actions can compound over time, creating more opportunities. Defining your brand, building your brand story, creating an online presence, networking, and maintaining your brand are the specific steps that can help build a solid personal brand. By following these steps and committing to continuous growth and improvement, anyone can build a successful personal brand in 2023 and beyond. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Brand Strategist **Tags:** Personal Brand Building in 2023 --- ### [How to Build an Executive Brand](https://clairebahn.com/executive-brand-building/) **Published:** June 30, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** [Executive brand building](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-success/) is essential to your company’s success. Having a strong online presence is **no longer optional.** Building an online presence is the key to success. That’s true whether you’re a freelancer looking for lucrative job prospects or a C-suite employee looking to promote a product. This social media presence goes a long way in defining what is called [a personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) — a collection of ideas, philosophies, and values that professionals live and work by. For senior employees, this is called an executive brand. A strong executive brand helps senior employees accelerate their career trajectories while simultaneously promoting the company. This is not just speculation — it’s a fact. A study by eMarketer, for instance, suggests that three-quarters of all consumers are more likely to buy a product when the company’s CEO uses social media. Furthermore, a survey by CEO Hangout indicates that [82% are more](https://www.business.com/articles/personal-branding-boosts-marketing/) likely to trust a company when senior execs are active on social media. Given that, it’s surprising to see that all C-suite employees haven’t already crafted an executive brand. It takes time. Executive brand building requires a great deal of introspection and consistency. But the long-term benefits are well worth the investment. So, where do you begin? In this blog, I’ll give you a better understanding of what an executive brand can offer you, as well as some tips on creating one of your own. **Table of Contents** [How a Company Benefits from Executive Branding](#_Toc144366171) [How a Senior Employee Benefits from Executive Branding](#_Toc144366172) [Boosting Credibility](#_Toc144366173) [Enhancing Networks](#_Toc144366174) [Ensuring Job Security](#_Toc144366175) [Building More Career Prospects](#_Toc144366176) [Building an Executive Brand](#_Toc144366177) [Step 1: Assessing Your Personal Brand](#_Toc144366178) [Step 2: Identifying Goals](#_Toc144366179) [Step 3: Creating a Plan](#_Toc144366180) [Maintaining an Executive Brand](#_Toc144366181) [Step 1: Understanding Platforms](#_Toc144366182) [Step 2: Stay Ahead of the Trends](#_Toc144366183) [Step 3: Network and Collaborate](#_Toc144366184) [Measuring an Executive Brand](#_Toc144366185) [Step 1: Identifying KPIs](#_Toc144366186) [Step 2: Tracking Metrics](#_Toc144366187) [Step 3: Adapting and Learning](#_Toc144366188) [Conclusion](#_Toc144366189) ## How a Company Benefits from Executive Branding Services Many companies have approached me in the past, asking for assistance in building the personal branding for executives. At the same time, several others have questioned the importance of executive branding, wondering why a company would spend its resources on an executive who may not stay with them forever. There is some validity to these concerns. However, what the second group of people doesn’t consider is the fact that executives with [strong personal brands](https://clairebahn.com/value-of-your-personal-brand/) draw in more customers, attracting top talent, and investors much more effectively than a generic company brand. In fact, trends show that consumers are getting more skeptical of nameless and faceless organizations and are increasingly drawn to personalities. People like to buy from people. Research [by Accenture](https://www.accenture.com/cz-en/insights/strategy/brand-purpose), for example, has found that 60% of consumers in the United States base their purchasing decisions on the company’s executives’ values, words, and actions. In light of this, several companies have been reviewing their return on ad spend (ROAS) and turning their attention toward their CXO’s branding. They have found that a powerful executive brand has a “halo effect” that drives business and can benefit the whole company. ## How a Senior Employee Benefits from Executive Branding CEOs and other top-level executives also stand to personally gain from executive brand building. In fact, the concept of a “business reputation” has slowly made way for that of an executive brand. Working on building this brand can go a long way towards: ### Boosting Credibility During executive brand building, executives are encouraged to share insights and expertise on industry topics most relevant to them. The net result is that they will be seen as thought leaders and experts in their fields. They could use this influence to shape trends, sway opinions, or create new markets. ### Enhancing Networks C-suite employees can better communicate their expertise and showcase their work within a more extensive professional network. This not only gives individual employees clarity on their strengths and weaknesses but also enables them to gain a steady following among like-minded peers and expand their professional networks through speaking engagements and thought leadership. ### Ensuring Job Security All these benefits eventually come together to ensure that a C-suite employee with a strong personal brand becomes more valuable to a company. This puts them in a position to negotiate better salaries, attract top talent, and bolster job security. ### Building More Career Prospects Executives who leverage their own brand will also be able to use their online presence to generate more business opportunities and influence opinion on a larger scale. This, in turn, will help them find more lucrative job opportunities. ## Building an Executive Brand As more executives recognize the impact of a robust executive brand, we’re left with an important question: What is the most effective way to build a brand? A clear executive brand should technically be able to raise your messaging above the noise of social media — and the internet in general — and put you front and center in the awareness of your target audience. Here’s how you can begin. ### Step 1: Assessing Your Personal Brand Most CEOs already have an executive brand. They may not necessarily realize it, but every decision that’s made, or every employee that’s hired, tells an audience a story. One of the best ways to assess your pre-existing personal brand is by evaluating what already is known about you. Google yourself, read articles about your company, and apply some course correction methods based on what you find. During your research, consider points like: - What is the first headline that pops up? - Do you have an online presence at all? - Do you like what you see? The focus of your executive brand could be tailored accordingly. If you’re known for showcasing exceptional expertise in a particular field, double down — you can improve your brand presence on the topic by appearing on podcasts and speaking engagements about the subject or writing thought leadership content in relevant publications. During this process, don’t forget to check in with your industry peers — their advice can go a long way in helping you understand how to assess your executive brand better. ### Step 2: Identifying Goals What is the purpose of the brand you want to build? What is your unique value proposition? As we’ve discussed, there are several benefits to executive brand building. Depending on which is most important to you, the goal of an executive brand can be tweaked. - Do you, for instance, want to build a brand that draws media attention and gets you invited to a podcast? - Do you want your brand to increase sales revenue for a company? - Do you want your brand to land you promotions? - Or do you want to simply be known as the go-to person in your industry? Answering these questions is a crucial step on your journey as it helps you focus on your brand mission and identify differentiators to help you stand out from the crowd. ### Step 3: Creating a Plan - Who is the target audience you want to cater to? - What media will you leverage to share insights and expertise? - How will you make the most of these platforms and your content? These are just some of the questions that you must consider when you begin crafting a statement for your executive brand. One of the biggest mistakes executives make at this phase is being too vague in their messaging or not fully understanding their target audience’s pain points. One important point to note here is that [executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-2/) isn’t just a form of self-promotion. The goal here is not to build a “celebrity CEO” persona. Instead, it’s about using multiple channels to share expertise and experience with your target audience. Help your followers overcome challenges, and provide answers you wish you had when you first started out in your career. Making this distinction during the early planning stage will help you build a powerful executive brand that will enhance your and your company’s prospects. ## Maintaining an Executive Brand Once the groundwork has been laid, it’s time to maintain and promote your new executive brand across platforms. Apart from maintaining consistency, it’s essential that your brand is bringing actual value to your target audience. Take note that in the current climate, negative sentiment spreads quickly. This could have a serious impact on a CEO’s credibility. Executive brand services are thus more important than ever. Meanwhile, the benefits of consistently keeping a positive CEO reputation, as per a survey by Weber Shandwick, include attracting investors (87%), positive media attention (83%), and positive employee attraction (77%). So here are some ways you can keep your reputation up and maintain your brand. ### Step 1: Understanding Platforms You may realize during brand building that your potential audience frequents more than one platform at a time. This is why trying your hand at several platforms is essential to reach a more diverse audience. This doesn’t just refer to social media platforms but also includes increasing your offline visibility by writing books, for instance, or speaking at events. When you limit yourself to a particular platform, you’re not making the most of all the tools at your disposal. Evaluating your success on these platforms is also crucial. That begins with measurement. More on that below. Suppose you’re not gaining followers on platforms like Facebook, for instance, but are generating a lot of interest on LinkedIn profiles. In that case, it may be better to switch focus to getting the most out of one platform rather than having minimal impact on all. By studying audience insights and engagement levels, you can avoid investing time in perfecting content on platforms that offer you nothing in return. Double down on what works. Cull what doesn’t. ### Step 2: Stay Ahead of the Trends More than half the world uses social media in some form or the other. As a result, the platforms are constantly changing and updating themselves to meet the demand. Similarly, your executive brand must keep up with these changes — whether they may be specific to an industry or a particular platform. To analyze the former, keep up with your field’s latest research and trend reports and tweak your content and offerings accordingly. This will help you match the interests of potential clients and show your audience that you are an expert in your field. It could also involve broadening the scope of your executive statement. To properly keep up with the latter, pay attention to the latest viral trends and conversations on social media and adjust your content accordingly. Take, for example, YouTube’s Shorts. It’s a relatively new feature and one that hasn’t fully been explored by content creators. Meanwhile, those who have leveraged the format are managing to stay ahead of the game — within their specific niche, at least. ### Step 3: Network and Collaborate One of the biggest mistakes you can make when executive brand building is trying to work in a vacuum. Sure, your ideas are often great, but that doesn’t mean your peers have nothing to offer. If you want to establish yourself as an authoritative source, you need to borrow insights from fellow industry leaders and build on them. Share quotes and statistics that influence your company’s vision. Collaborate with like-minded peers to offer your audience more valuable resources. This kind of collaboration is the best way to establish yourself as not just a social media influencer but a thought leader. While connecting with peers online is beneficial, you could also look beyond. Take networking a step further and physically attend conferences, events, and seminars. Most t[op-level executives](https://goodmanlantern.com/blog/why-top-level-executives-attend-conferences-survey/) agree, after all, that corporate events give them a “wealth of networking opportunities.” ## Measuring an Executive Brand At this point, you’ll find it hard to maintain an executive brand if you aren’t properly measuring the impact of all the hard work you’re putting in. Keeping up with the trends and building a brand that stands the test of time requires a lot of reflection — and the support of cold, complex data. So, how do you correctly measure the success of an executive brand? You could begin by: ### Step 1: Identifying KPIs Factors like engagement, reach, and conversions are vital to understanding the effectiveness of your brand. There’s no point investing this much time and effort if your content is falling on deaf ears, after all. This is why, I argue, it’s crucial to set a few key performance indicators at the outset and continually track your brand’s effectiveness. These goals should be realistic and align with your larger vision as a CEO. ### Step 2: Tracking Metrics Tracking your online presence has become almost too easy these days. Several tools let you look into web analytics and social media metrics and collect information on your executive brand. While tracking likes and comments is straightforward, deeper analysis can be carried out with the assistance of certain [third-party software](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/12-of-the-best-tools-to-monitor-your-online-reputation/390646/#close). By monitoring what is said about you and your brand online, you can tweak your strategies and deal with any negative sentiments before they get a chance to grow. ### Step 3: Adapting and Learning Armed with all this data, it’s time to return to the planning table to reflect, refine, and repeat. Use this research and analysis to identify strengths and weaknesses and alter your strategy based on feedback and market trends. When you allow yourself to relearn, you can go a long way in building [an efficient executive brand](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-companies/) that will stand the test of time. ## Conclusion [An executive brand](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-startups/) has so much more potential than a CV. It increases your visibility, allows you to network more effectively, and gives you a platform from which you can showcase your skill set and builds trust. It’s no wonder that most of the world’s most well-known CEOs — such as Elon Musk or Richard Branson — work so hard on CEO branding. It’s also no surprise that these executives are highly successful at what they do and that their businesses benefit as a result. Once you follow all the tips outlined in this blog, you’ll only be limited by your creativity and how much time you’re willing to invest in the process. If doing it on your own seems intimidating, a [personal branding agency or executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) agency is a great alternative! So, what are you waiting for? Claim your seat at the table of the world’s leading executives by building your own brand today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Executive Branding, Personal Brand Strategist **Tags:** executive brand building --- ### [Social Media Marketing Strategy to Improve Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/) **Published:** November 26, 2019 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** As an entrepreneur, your online presence is everything these days. In lieu of bus bench ads and billboards, the new wave of advertising lies within your online representation. There is a ton of information you will need to become acquainted with in order to come up with a great **social media marketing strategy**—and it can be intimidating. I have been reworking my own online presence since I started my endeavors in [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) almost 10 years ago. It definitely revolves around trial and error, and with today’s fast-changing methods, it’s imperative to keep up with modern tactics. Thankfully, there are a few strategies that I use that have proven to be fruitful, despite changing social media algorithms. It’s all about knowing the in’s and out’s of your personal brand and who your target audience is. Once you’ve narrowed down the basics you can incorporate an easy **social media marketing strategy** and a content blueprint that will help you expand your online presence. ## Step 1: Engage [As of 2019](https://www.statista.com/statistics/278414/number-of-worldwide-social-network-users/), there are 2.77 billion people using social media. With such a large pool of users, how can anyone expect to stand out? The best and most consistent method that I have found is to engage— all the time. Think about it: if you had a brick and mortar business, wouldn’t you always have employees present to help their potential customers? It needs to be the same way online. Let people know you’re out there by consistently engaging with others who are partial to your niche. For example, I built my business as a personal branding expert and lifestyle blogger. In order to stay relevant, I continuously look for online material that focuses on these two niches and I engage. There are two specific methods that I use that are irreplaceable in the pursuits of a great social media marketing strategy. RELATED: [The Importance of Creating a Compelling Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/2019/02/personal-brand-2/) ### Gary V’s 1.80 Method Instagram is by far the most popular platform for entrepreneurs and influencers. Gary Vaynerchuk (also known as “Gary V”) capitalized on this platform and continuously praises its use for entrepreneurs. Gary V has been at the digital and social media marketing game since 2006. And his net worth is now in the millions. He strives to provide easy social media strategies for hustling entrepreneurs like me and you. One such strategy is [Gary V’s $1.80 method](https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/instagram-for-business-180-strategy-grow-business-brand/). Essentially, it revolves around the idea that you are putting in your “two cents” or comments under a certain number of posts related to your niche. The steps look a little something like this: 1\. Pick 10 hashtags in your niche 2\. Comment (or leave your “two cents”) on the top nine trending photos in those hashtags “By the end, you haven’t just left your .02, but a full $1.80 of thoughts online in the specific category, niche, or industry you want to become a part of.” If you do this social media marketing strategy every day, Gary V estimates that you can expand your online presence by a least 100 new followers a month, if not more. The key to expanding your online presence when it comes to social media is to be, well… social. ### Share Others’ Work Another way to expand your online presence is by sharing other people’s work. Whether it’s offering a backlink on one of your blog posts, sharing a snazzy photo in your Instagram stories, or retweeting a well-thought-out perception— be a part of the conversation is a great social media marketing strategy. Of course, you don’t want to do this incessantly. That would just come off as spammy and annoying. There are already easy social media strategies like this established for all niches. Hashtags like #womancrushwednesday or #followfriday work as the perfect excuse to share your favorite entrepreneurs or influencers— and hopefully have them share your work, too. You can take it a step further by creating your own hashtags for other people to use or put together a Facebook group where like-minded individuals can come to discuss ideas and topics in your niche. ## Step 2: Consistency Will Expand Your Online Presence When it comes to social media and online perseverance, consistency is everything. If you want to be known as an expert in your category, people need to see that you are actively practicing what you preach. Some may argue that online audiences favor quality over quantity, but statistics beg to differ. ### Quality vs. Quantity Argument Quality and quantity are both important factors to consider when it comes to putting out content online. However, marketers will have you believe that your online content quality goes down the more that you post. The idea of putting out quality content encourages entrepreneurs to only publish near-perfect content in order to get the engagement you need to sell whatever it is that you are selling. ### The Reality Quality is subjective. Something you might find appealing or attractive might not be true for your audience. And while the quality of your posts shouldn’t be taken for granted, upping the quantity of your content is proven to help expand your online presence more so than quality. [HubSpot researchers](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/blogging-frequency-benchmarks?&_ga=2.113987591.1473717075.1518034456-737940664.1517514171&__hstc=240018588.6c325a8ab02266788a1b056bfa1f809b.1559078972942.1559078972942.1559081149613.2&__hssc=240018588.1.1559081149613&__hsfp=3062615811#sm.001o6d3zv162ceoascb2o9l50lh3z) found that websites that post consistently led to higher inbound traffic. In a pool of 13,500 sites, those that published more often had up to four times the amount of traffic. Likewise, posts that had more than 1,000 words tended to perform better than those with fewer words in their blogs. It can be hard to come up with consistent content if you’re a one-woman team. But as long as you are showing up once a day on one of your online platforms, you can expand your online presence in no time. RELATED: [Top 5 Ways to Stay Productive When Working From Home](https://clairebahn.com/2019/05/top-5-ways-to-stay-productive-when-working-from-home/) ## Step 3: Stop. Collaborate and Listen Collaborating is not only a practical way to expand your online presence, but it’s a fun one. Collaborating with well-respected influencers or entrepreneurs helps to introduce you to a new pool of potential customers. Collaborating efforts are typically beneficial for all parties involved and doesn’t involve any exchange in money. ### How To Propose A Collaboration As I mentioned earlier, you want to get in cahoots with influencers in your own niche. Whether that’s photography, fashion, or travel, working with other people in the same category as your personal brand is guaranteed to make an impact on your business. That’s why it’s important to really hone in on your niche so that you know you are partnering with the right people. It can be intimidating reaching out to someone that you admire to ask them to collaborate. The best method for proposing a collaboration with another like-minded creative it to simply ask. The worst they can say is no. Preferably, you’ll want to reach out to them via email. Make the proposal brief and professional. Let them know what your idea is, who you are, and how the collaboration will be beneficial for them. ### Digital and Physical Collabs Physical collaboration is an easy social media marketing strategy. Once you and your collaborative partner settle on an idea, you will want to plan a date and time to get together to bring your idea to life. This can be done with a quick Instagram photo, a YouTube video, or some other form of content that represents both of your personal brands. Collaborative efforts to expand your online presence don’t always have to be done in person. In fact, most of them happen digitally. A digital collab can be done by tagging other influencers in a post or mentioning them in a blog or video that focuses on a specific topic. Ideally, your partner will post similar content on the same day, thus pushing a broader audience onto your platform. ### B2B Collaborations Business to business collaborations can work in your favor if you offer to review or promote a company product. While you can absolutely ask for compensation for this type of advertising, you can also form a collaboration in exchange for a product. These easy social media strategies are often used by businesses to promote products through trusted influencers. B2B collaborations can help expand your personal brand since the company is likely to share the work you did for them, and it also helps to show other businesses that you can supply viable content. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding, Tips **Tags:** biz tips, social media --- ### [How To Select a Personal Branding Photographer](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-select-personal-branding-photographer/) **Published:** January 29, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** If you read my last blog on **[social media branding](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/)**, then you’ll know that hiring a personal branding photographer is going to be a ***huge asset*** for your business. Whether you need photos of yourself or your product, a photographer who works specifically for entrepreneurs is what you want to look into. When I started Stratus Branding, I knew that I wanted to offer photography services to my clients. While finding your voice and your niche within your industry is Step 1 in Building Your Own Business, having content for social media is going to be your next hurdle. It’s not something most entrepreneurs think about, either. When you hit the ground running with your business, you have your eyes set on leads, advertising, and the end goal (making money). Fortunately, social media provides us with a *free* marketing platform in which we can get those leads and (later) those sales. The problem is the competition. And there is a **ton of competition.** What will help sell your business is your personal brand and the content that goes with it. And in this new age of technology, most consumers aren’t willing to accept content that isn’t polished and produced with thought and care. That’s when a personal branding photographer will become your greatest investment. And it’s why I offer a premium [**personal branding photoshoot**](https://stratusbranding.com/blog/foundations-schedule-consultation) for my Stratus clients that are customized for your goals and strategy. You can always vet branding photographers for yourself. Here’s the strategy I [personally use in selecting branding](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) photographers for my business. This is what I recommend for anyone who is on their way to work with a professional photographer. ## **10. Gather Reference Photos** If you already have your personal brand down pat, then you probably have an idea of the type of aesthetic and content you will be advertising. Before working with your photographer, make sure you know what style of photography you like best and what works with your type of business. Gathering reference photos in the style of photography you like or are expecting will be a huge help in the overall process. You will want to decide ahead of time what poses you think will look best and what angles you want to hit. Some examples of photography angels are: - [Half Body](https://www.instagram.com/p/B687F8IDcdH/) - [Over the shoulder shot](https://www.instagram.com/p/B6tjQLTDOtg/) - [Full Body](https://www.instagram.com/p/B7CCg8yDySI/) - [Close up](https://www.instagram.com/p/B710cJrjVCq/) - [Low angle](https://www.instagram.com/p/B7cES96jOwu/) - [High angle](https://www.instagram.com/p/B6_OldlDMW4/) ## **9. Research Local Branding Photographers** The next thing I do after finding reference photos is research local branding photographers. There’s a slight difference between a portrait photographer and a personal branding photographer. A portrait photographer will usually try to capture your essence or personality through close up shots, typically in a studio session with lights. A personal branding photographer, on the other hand, will try to capture more organic photos of you. These sessions are a bit more care-free and less formal than portrait photography. However, a personal branding photographer should still get some portrait shots that you can use across your social media profiles. When researching local photographers, I do what comes naturally for everyone — I read the reviews. I always take these with a grain of salt, though. People are more inclined to leave reviews when they’re upset, rather than when they have a great experience. The thing that matters the most to me in my research of photographers is their portfolio. Do they only have portrait photographs? Do they have experience working outdoor photoshoots? If their portfolio is limited or **not what I have in mind for a personal branding photoshoot**, I simply move on to the next one. ## **8. Evaluate Their Social Media Presence** Like any business, a personal branding photographer’s social media presence will say a lot about their work ethic. If they are willing to take the time to increase their social presence, I’m willing to bet that they will not only be professional, but knowledgeable about their craft as well. I try to vet my photographers by evaluating their social media. It usually showcases their portfolio, and it also gives me an idea of what their personality is like. If they provide tips on how to pose or how they edit, **they get bonus points**. I love working with photographers who are willing to share their expertise. Also, if you send them a DM and they’re quick to respond to inquiries/prices without giving you the runaround, it’s a pretty good sign that they’re a professional. ## **7. Interview Your Personal Branding Photographer** In order to ensure that my business only works with the best (and most experienced) personal branding photographers, an interview is **vital.** Once I have a list of photographers lined up, I invite them for an interview. Even if you’re not hiring a photographer for a business like mine, it’s still important that you interview them like you would any job position. Especially since your goal should be to find a photographer that you can keep using. You’ll probably have to meet at least once a quarter in order to keep generating new content. I recommend interviewing at least 3 to 5 photographers when you’re first getting started. Trust me when I say that their portfolio should *not* be the only deciding factor in working with a professional photographer. An in-person or phone interview will help you get a feel for your potential photographer’s personality and whether or not you will mesh well together. After all, you want to feel comfortable with the person taking photos of you! Here is a list of essential starter questions that I ask during the interview: - How long have you been a photographer? - What’s your rate? - What’s your favorite type of photo to shoot? - What’s your ideal shooting location? - Do you prefer reference photos ahead of time? - What’s your availability like? - Can you commit to 1 photoshoot per quarter/month? - Do you have a website or any place I can go to for references or reviews? RELATED: **[WHAT IS REAL ESTATE MARKETING?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-real-estate-marketing-personal-branding/)** ## **6. Ask About Their Process** If the interviewee answers favorably to the above questions, I usually go on to my next set of inquiries. This is where I learn all about the **photographers’ personal process** (they’re all different). I always ask if they can give my clients tips on how to pose. I’m a trained model/actress, but I know most people are not comfortable in front of the camera. My photographers have to be willing to guide the subject in order to make them feel comfortable *and* to ensure the shoot goes down without a hitch. Another aspect you want to think about is how they handle working in public. My company favors outdoor photoshoots, which means my photographers have to know how to work around crowded LA streets. I also make sure I ask how long their photoshoots take (and if they charge by the hour!). Typically a photoshoot will be around 2 hours, but depending on how many photos you need, it can take an entire day. In general, you just want to make sure you ask them what their overall process is. Will they pick the first location? Do they like to get portrait shots done first and then outdoor shots? Do they work with natural light, and if so, do they like to shoot at a specific time of day? The most *minute* details can be of importance later on in your relationship with this photographer. ## **5. Ask About Equipment** Anyone can claim to be a photographer these days. Even with a detailed social media presence and a professional portfolio, you still want to make sure that you are working with the real deal— and not just an expert iPhone user! Don’t be afraid to ask your photographer what type one equipment they use. Even if you don’t know a thing about photography, their answers can be very telling. You want to be sure that your personal branding photographer will, at the very least, bring some type of DSLR. You can even ask if they will be using multiple cameras, and then do your own research on them later. This will help you get a feel on their level of expertise as well as the photo quality for your personal branding photos. Lighting equipment and editing software will also help you get a feel for how your photographer works. Most photos get a light edit, so you want to make sure they are as **fluent in editing** as they are in taking photos. ## **4. Will Your Personal Branding Photographer Edit Your Photos?** Speaking of editing, you need to ask your photographer if and how they will be editing your photos. Some photographers ask for additional compensation for editing, while others include it in their packaged price. For my **[Stratus Branding clients](https://stratusbranding.com/services/)**, we have it worked out so that our clients get photoshoot styling, coordination, and strategy along with professional retouching on 6 of their photos. You should expect nothing less from any premium personal branding photoshoot. If they do offer to edit, ask about their process, and again, what type of software these use. Photoshop is the staple that most photographers use, so make sure to do your research if they use alternative systems. If you have special editing requests, communicate this to your photographer right away. Ask them if these requests are subject to additional pricing and make sure you get these numbers in writing prior to your photoshoot. RELATED: **[THE BENEFITS OF MENTORING FOR ENTREPRENEURS](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-mentoring/)** ## **3. Talk About Your Budget** Another tip on selecting a personal branding photographer is to talk about your budget. You should be candid about how much you are willing to spend. You should also be candid about what you expect from your session. You will need to decide how many **final photos you need**. This will help you dictate how often you will be working with your photographer, too. If you don’t have time for a monthly photoshoot, make it so that you meet once per quarter. Quarterly photoshoots work best if you plan on getting multiple shots in different locations and in different outfits. This works well if you want a steady flow of unique photographs. However, keep in mind that the cost will increase if you plan on meeting less but still need a decent chunk of photos. If this is the case, try asking your photographer about payment options or plans. ## **2. The Final Product** I know this sounds like a long process, but it **only needs to be done once** if you find the right person to work with. If all seems well with your selected photographer, the last thing you need to ask is about the final product. You should always ask how many final photos you will be receiving after your photoshoot. You can negotiate to receive a set amount of edited photos and purchase the rest in raw format. I personally recommend having all of your photos edited by the same person, but if you’re handy in PhotoShop, then purchasing the raw images may be beneficial for you. You also need to decide whether you only need photos in digital format or if you need the photos formatted for printing (the files should be different based on how you plan on using your photos). One final aspect that most don’t consider is whether or not your photographer retains the rights to the photos. If they do, they are free to use your photos for their own marketing or social media accounts. Typically, the photographer maintains the rights to their work, but you can always discuss this prior to hiring them. ## **1. Make Sure You Set a Deadline** And finally, the main thing I make clear with my personal branding photographers is the deadline. Many photographers work freelance, which means they probably have a streamline of clients they have to tend to. You also want to make them aware of **any deadlines that *you* have**. Your photographer should be able to give you an estimated completion date based on how many photos you have purchased and how many you need edited. Once you are both on the same page, make sure to include a deadline date in your contract (yes, you should have a contract)! If you’ve followed all of my advice thus far, then chances are, you’ve chosen your ideal photographer. If you’ve done your research, asked enough questions, and have a contract in place, you can trust that you’ve selected the right personal branding photographer who will stick to your agreed-upon deadline. #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). RELATED: **[SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY TO IMPROVE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/)** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal branding photographer --- ### [How To Stay On Top of Trends For Your Brand](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/) **Published:** February 12, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** It seems that just about every other day there is a new trend happening on social media. Most of us discover these fun posts while casually scrolling through social posts. But did you know that it’s actually **imperative** to pay attention to these branding trends for your business? Social trends are a great way to get your small business discovered. However, staying on top of branding trends takes a little bit more effort than most people realize. It’s more than just randomly coming across the #dollypartonchallenge or a spontaneous Tik Tok video. **You should be pre-actively searching for these trends** in order to get their first. Ultimately, this will help your content be seen sooner and by a larger audience. Is it really *that* important to stay on top of trends? The answer is yes. Whether you’re a real estate agent, an investor, or an influencer, getting in on the trends will help boost your content while simultaneously providing a fun way to engage with your audience. Don’t think of trend surfing as yet another chore you have to do in order to keep your [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) relevant. These are meant to be fun and inspiring! So, in order to help you stay on top of your brand, I’ve written down a few methods that will help you be alert to your industry’s trends. I also included some free tools that essentially bring this information directly to your screen! RELATED: [WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA BRANDING?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) ## **Customize Your Notifications** Step number one in staying on top of trends is customizing your notifications. You can see what is trending on social media by customizing your notification preferences. Twitter is always the best place to be if you want to hear breaking news. You can easily search the “trending” tab to see if anything is relevant enough for you to jump in on. ### **Set Up Twitter Alerts** Twitter is also pretty good at picking up what you’re interested in based on your retweets, likes, overall engagement. On the desktop version on the right-hand side of your homepage, there will be a section that says “Trends For You.” Pretty convenient, right? On your mobile Twitter app, you can click on the gear button on the top right-hand corner. If you press the arrow button, it will take you back to your Twitter settings. From there, you can tap on notifications and select when you want to have custom push notifications. Make sure that the tabs for “Popular in Your Network” and “News” are turned on. By customizing your Twitter notifications, it will be that much easier to see what’s new! ### **How To Turn On Instagram Notifications** You can set up the same notifications on Instagram. I suggest turning on post notifications from popular influencers in your industry. You can also do this with popular news outlets. For example, if you are a real estate agent, you may want to see what posts are being made by realtor.com or Realtor Magazine. These are the types of accounts that will probably be **even more alert** to what is trending in your industry. By setting up notifications for their Instagram feed, you can be sure that you will be quick to hop on trends for your brand. To do this, all you have to do is go to the account you want alerts for. Tap on the button that says “Following” and click on “Notifications”. From there, you can choose to receive notifications every time this account makes a feed post, Instagram story, IGTV video, or any time the user goes live. You definitely want to do this in moderation— especially for those accounts that are posting every day, multiple times a day. Trust me, I know that too many notifications can be overwhelming and annoying. So be sure to do your research and only **set notifications for accounts that are staying on top of trends.** ![Trends For Your Brand](http://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/AdobeStock_91182510-1024x683.jpeg "trending now - Claire Bahn") ## **Read the Latest News For Branding Trends** This one may seem obvious but reading the latest news in your industry can help you stay on top of trends. Make sure you subscribe to a handful of industry-related emails and newsletters in order to get this pertinent information. Again, well-known publications within your industry would be a good start. You can also subscribe to your colleagues’ newsletter. However, I think a better method would be for you to **create your own email newsletters or blogs** to send out to your clients with important market information. This content helps your clients, while simultaneously keeping you informed on your niche trends! Eventually, your consistent information will lead people to come to *you* for branding trends. Understandably, setting up these emails might take too much time out of your day. Instead, what I suggest is reading at least 1-2 news articles per day. This will be really easy if you already have your social media alerts set up or you’re subscribed to newsletters. Reading up on your industry’s latest market information will be beneficial to you in more ways than one. RELATED: **[WHAT IS PERSONAL BRANDING AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/)** ## **Engage on Social Media** Social media engagement is crucial for entrepreneurs nowadays. However, most people don’t realize the personal benefits that come with engaging with others. Social media engagement takes time, but it’s well worth it. The act of engaging on social media means scrolling through the Explore Page to see what posts are “popular”. Like Twitter, Instagram will be able to pick up on what your interests are or what your niche is. That’s why your Explore page is custom-tailored to your personal preferences. You can start by engaging in these popular posts to drive up a conversation with the original poster or with the other commentators. This will *truly* help you get a feel for the type of content and information people like. ### **Pay Attention to the Comments and the Content** You should already have engagement worked in your social marketing strategy. Leaving comments is a way to elicit a natural conversation with colleagues or potential clients. By doing this every day, you can see what others are talking about in your industry. Likewise, by actively communicating with influencers in your niche, you will be able to analyze what type of content gets the most response out of your target audience. It’s just a great way to get ideas for things you can post. Keep in mind that you should *never steal ideas.* But gauging other groundbreakers that inspire you can be a springboard for your creativity. You can practice social engagement on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and even LinkedIn. Besides paying attention to the Explore page, influencers, and consumer comments, you can always search for relevant hashtags to see branding trends. Using a real state agent again as an example, you should occasionally sift through #realestatelife or #realtor. The top posts will be able to show you what’s going on in your market. You can customize this even further by including your location in the hashtag (i.e. #larealtor). Make sure you are “Following” these hashtags on Instagram, as well. I know it sounds like a lot of work, but being on top of important information within your industry helps to establish your authority. If you’re always on top of groundbreaking news, it shows your audience that you’re knowledgeable and trustworthy. This will ultimately persuade them to go to you when they have a question, thus, creating a warm lead for your business! This is why I offer engagement as a part of Stratus Branding’s personal branding services. Depending on which platforms you want to utilize, we **[stay active on your social media](https://stratusbranding.com/)** so that we’re also staying on top of your industry’s market information and trends. That way, all you have to do is read a few articles from time to time and network! ## **Discover Branding Trends by Networking** Networking is *big*, especially if you’re looking for niche market information. That’s why giants like Apple have their Worldwide Developer Conference every year. It helps developers, tech startups, and even your every day social media user to stay up-to-date with the latest technology. Attending large industry events like this will keep you one step ahead of the game. This can help earn you leverage to create your own content that can land on the Trending page. The fresh advice and news that comes out of these conferences are unparalleled in comparison to staying on top of trends on social media. If you want the inside scoop on your industry’s latest developments, find tickets to the next big event. I promise you that it’s worth the investment. In fact, this is one of the reasons I’m going to the [Alt Summit in Palm Springs](https://altitudesummit.com/) this March! Well, besides the fact that **I’m one of the speakers.** However, I think my history of attending these types of events in conjunction with speaking at local industry meetups is what helped me **land this speaking gig**. I’m now in a position to deliver branding trends to large conference audiences because I’ve networked in the past (and because I have my Instagram alerts turned on)! ### **Where You Can Network** If these big networking events seem too daunting for you, start by attending local meetups. You can find these on Facebook or on websites like [meetup.com](http://meetup.com). I recommend going to at least one networking event every month in order to share ideas and trends with your colleagues. Once you familiarize yourself with the local groups, you may even want to start hosting your own networking groups! Being a host gives you the unique opportunity to alert your colleagues or potential clients to the latest trends. Plus, it establishes you as a leader in your niche. Who knows, one day you might be a keynote speaker at one of your industry’s nationwide conferences. Groups on social media is another way in which you can network. I would do some heavy research before joining in on these groups. Anyone can put together a Facebook group, and not all of them are heavily moderated. You want to join groups that have experienced professionals within your trade. Use these groups to ask questions, give advice, and essentially as a way to assert yourself into the trending conversation. RELATED: **[SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY TO IMPROVE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/)** ## **Free Tools You Can Use To Easily View Branding Trends** Lucky for you, the internet offers a **ton of free tools** that you can use to stay on top of trends. Going to local networking groups, reading industry blogs, and engaging on social media are all active ways to make yourself aware of branding trends. However, these tools will send relevant market information to you so that you don’t have to do any more digging. Here are your options: ### **TweetDeck** TweetDeck is a desktop feature that takes all the chaos out of using Twitter. Twitter is notorious for its lack of direction and organization. That’s why it’s easy to miss tweets by your favorite influencers or publications. However, TweetDeck not only lets you schedule your tweets, but they make it easy to search and retweet trending topics. You can also make sure your trending tab is open at all times so you can see what people are buzzing about worldwide. ### [**Google Trends**](https://trends.google.com/trends/?geo=US) This sector of Google *literally* shows you what is trending. For example, if I look up “personal branding” on Google Trends right now, it tells me that this is what people have been recently typing into Google: 1. What is personal branding? 2. Personal branding photography 3. Examples of a personal branding statement 4. Personal branding examples Now I know to make content such as blogs, Instagram posts, or newsletters based around these topics because this is what my target audience wants to know *right now*. You can search for branding trends by region, time, YouTube search, and more. It also tells you how the interest has ebbs and flows over time. It even gives you an idea of the interest by subregion! ### **SEM Rush** And finally, we have SEM Rush. SEM Rush allows you to connect your website and social media channels to their database which works to analyze your content. Their on-page SEO checker gauges which of your blogs perform the best. They’ll be able to give you future content suggestions based on this. They also suggest keywords for you to optimize (on your website or on social) based on the current volume (i.e. what’s trending). This, in turn, should get you more web traffic and more leads for your business. #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding **Tags:** stay on top of trends --- ### [Alt Summit — Is It Worth It?](https://clairebahn.com/is-the-alt-summit-worth-it/) **Published:** March 17, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** The annual spring [**Alt Summit conference**](https://altitudesummit.com/) was held earlier this month and all of my entrepreneur friends have reached out to me with the same question— Is the Alt Summit ***worth it?*** 2020 is my second year attending this conference. Like most things in life, I think it takes more than one try to really get the *full* experience. However, this year the conference was going to be significantly different for me. I was invited to be a **speaker at the Alt Summit.** If you follow me on Instagram, you already heard me mention this about 20 times. I just couldn’t contain my excitement. Being a source of authority at one of the biggest conferences for creative entrepreneurs is kind of a big deal. Plus, being a speaker on [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) at these types of events has been on my Goal List since last year, and I’m thrilled I was able to check it off my list. Don’t let my over-enthusiasm for this opportunity make you doubt my opinion about the Alt Summit. The following information is laid out from a typical attendees’ point of view. I’ll go over what the conference is all about, where to stay during the Alt Summit, and even what food options you’ll have. In the end, do I think the Alt Summit is worth it for *all creative entrepreneurs?* Let’s find out! ***Check out my video for more details:*** ## **What Is The Alt Summit?** From March 1st to March 6th, 2020 Palm Springs became the bedrock for aspiring (and successful) women entrepreneurs everywhere. The Alt Summit’s tagline is “elevating women’s voices” which they do through their endless week of panels, workshops, and keynote speakers. The Alt Summit has been around since 2009 and it’s only getting bigger. Their claim-to-fame success story is that this summit is what drove Pinterest into its billion-dollar success. And some of their most notorious keynote speakers have included Martha Stewart, Jessica Alba, and even Sarah Michelle Gellar. #### **Who Is The Alt Summit For?** Because Alt has grown so significantly over the years, their target audience has been redefined. The good news is, there is no *real* niche that this summit appeals to. On their website, they say, “We now draw creative, design-appreciative entrepreneurs across all sorts of platforms — artists, photographers, pinners, Instagrammers, vloggers, shop owners, content creators, designers, and yes, still bloggers.” Last year when I was still doing my lifestyle blog, I had meetings with companies like Alaska Airlines at the conference. I was able to meet a lot of great sponsors and things like that, making it a great opportunity even as a casual blogger. This year as a personal branding strategist, my goal was to educate, learn, and connect. I loved having the opportunity to meet up with creatives who were stuck in their branding process so that I could give them tips for success. Likewise, there were lots of women who were more than willing to share their own expert knowledge over a cup of coffee or a cocktail. So I think from both sides of it, as a creative entrepreneur or a blogger, I think you’ll get something out of it. Alt Summit is definitely geared more towards creative female entrepreneurs, but creative men will still find important connections at this conference. The overall atmosphere at this convention is ***community over competition***. So, if you’re looking to grow your network and your sphere of influencers and maybe get sponsorship or client out of the deal, the Alt Summit is for you. #### **How Much Is The Alt Summit?** The main reason my creative friends ask me if the Alt Summit is worth it is because of the prices. As of writing this blog, this is what they have listed on their website for 2021 Alt Summit prices: **July 23rd:** Individual Ticket – $699 Business Ticket – $1800 **October 1st:** Individual Ticket – $799 Business Ticket – $2000 **December 1st:** Individual Ticket – $899 Business Ticket – $2200 **January 1st:** Individual Ticket – $999 Business Ticket – $2300 **February 1st:** Individual Ticket – $1099 Business Ticket – $2500 As you can see, the price goes up the longer you wait. They did have an early bird special for $450, but it’s already completely sold out. So it seems that at least those early-bird people think the Alt Summit is worth it! **RELATED: [SEO on Social Media – Claire Bahn Explains Social Media Marketing](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/)** ## **How To Get There and Where To Stay During the Alt Summit** I stayed at an Air BnB for the conference. My husband came with me so it was like a little vacation for him, plus we brought our dogs, so an Air BnB just made more sense for us. We also live in LA so we just drove. We found an Airbnb that was nice and had a pool so that I could go back and kind of clear my head from the chaos of the conference. And if you are driving, there are places to park (but I would recommend getting there early)! #### **Where to Stay** This year, the Alt Summit was divided into three Palm Springs properties: The Riviera, The Saguaro, and Ace Hotel & Swim Club. I think that if you were here by yourself, you should definitely stay in one of the hotels. For the friends that I know that stayed at one of the hotels, they were able to **meet more people** at the hotel who were there for the convention. Since the Alt Summit is all about networking, this is definitely a plus when staying at the hotels. I will say though, that staying at the hotels means you are *fully immersed* in the conference atmosphere for five full days— which can be overwhelming. Sometimes I can be kind of introverted and I will start to feel like I’m not out there networking enough. So if you’re like me, I recommend pushing yourself to be hanging out where the bulk of the conference is. The Riviera was that place both this year and last year. Trying to get to different workshops at each hotel is a little hard to manage, especially if you’re not staying on-site. One workshop might be at the Riviera, but your next one might be at Saguaro, so it was kind of hard bouncing from hotel to hotel. But it’s not bad enough to make me the question is the Alt Summit worth it. #### **Transportation** As I said, I drove to the conference. If you’re coming from The Palm Springs Airport or even LAX and you don’t have a car, there are shuttles that you can take (although, I heard people complain about them not being very fast and apparently they were few and far between). But again, the silver lining in taking the official Alt transportation is that it gives you *another* opportunity to network with creative entrepreneurs. I heard many people formed relationships just by taking the shuttle together. **RELATED: [Top 5 Social Media Platforms Every Entrepreneur Needs To Invest In](https://clairebahn.com/top-social-media-platforms/)** ## **What To Eat – Gluten-Free Options?** Okay, let’s talk about the important stuff— food options. I have to maintain a gluten-free diet, so knowing what food is available is extremely important to me. The first day I was there, I met somebody in line who was super sweet and showed me that in the Alt Summit app, they outlined where all the food is going to be! They even had it all broken down by what was going to be served and it said gluten-free next to foods that were gluten-free, but I later found out that not all the menus had this feature. However, there still weren’t *that* many options and also not all the locations offered food I could eat each day. One day, in particular, I was at the Saguaro during lunchtime and found out they were only offering fried chicken according to the menu. So I will say the food was a teeny bit disappointing if you have either a food allergy or you’re a vegetarian or vegan. That was another reason for staying at the Air BnB. I could just go back to the room and decompress and make my own food without having to worry about finding something that would agree with my stomach. **RELATED: [Claire Bahn Q&A on Building a Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/building-a-personal-brand/)** ## **Is the Alt Summit Worth it?** Overall, is the Alt Summit worth it? As a two-time Alt Summit vet and a first-time speaker, I would say ***yes.*** Absolutely, yes. I know that the ticket prices are what is going to make most entrepreneurs hesitate, but if you leave that *giant* conference with just one client or sponsorship deal, then you’ve made your money back two-fold (or more)! The Alt Summit is a great place to learn about marketing, branding, and essentially, just how you can be the most creative and productive entrepreneur you can be. More importantly, the Alt Summit serves as the *conference of all conferences* for networking. I gave [networking tips](http://clairebahn.com/networking-tips/) in one of my blogs, but honestly, I’m still not really great at it. This event pushes me to get out there and get that experience, which works better than just hearing or reading tips on how to network. The best thing that came out of this experience for me this year (besides being a speaker) is meeting people from LA. I formed local relationships that I know will last. Plus, it’s just a **great place to learn.** There are more than enough classes and panels to go to for meaty talks and round table discussions about your business. #### **Would I go again?** Yes. My favorite part this year was Keynote speaker, Alison Faulker’s, presentation. It was just *fabulous*. Being a part of this conference gives you motivation and hearing from speakers makes your struggles seem more relatable and everything just *clicks.* You will leave this conference feeling empowered. You will get to meet women entrepreneurs who are *killing it*. It is truly inspirational and leaves you the feeling that **you can do this, too.** As soon as we started heading back to LA, I was ready to hit the ground running. That’s the type of impact this conference will have on you. Throughout the event, you will begin to feel the uplifting energy of other creative entrepreneurs so much that you can’t *wait* to get started. As long as you take what you learn and put it into practice, I think female entrepreneurs will feel full-filled after leaving the summit; as I said, people have already pre-purchased tickets for a *year* from now! And according to their website, 85% of attendees come back for more. If that doesn’t tell you what an impact this event has, I don’t know what will. #### **Caution** Before you run off to buy your ticket, I want to warn you of one thing. If you aren’t going to go and put yourself out there and **network**, it might not be worth it. *You* have to make the most of it. One of the biggest things you will get out of this conference is the networking and meeting people. Most of the conversations you have will center around what you’ve all learned from the Alt Summit workshops. Entrepreneurs are more than willing to share their tips, and you need to be ready to share them, too. The atmosphere at this convention isn’t your standard, stuffy local networking event. It is full of positivity, energy, and just an overall inspirational motivation to make you better at your business. ## **What To Bring To The Alt Summit** So whether you’re a new Instagram influencer, a 6-figure CEO, or a mid-level website designer, the Alt Summit has plenty of opportunities to chase your dreams. To send you off, here is a shortlist of things that I recommend you pack for the Alt Summit: - Business cards — 100-200 should be enough - Pitches — again, the Alt is a great place for getting clients and sponsorships - Your elevator pitch — Know how to sell your product or service without sounding like a salesperson - Professional attire — check out my **[work wardrobe blogs for suggestions](https://clairebahn.com/category/style/)** - A bathing suit (you can network at the pools!) **RELATED: [How I Started My Business From Scratch ](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/)** #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** alt summit conference, alt summit prices, what is the Alt Summit --- ### [Personal Branding For Small Business Owners](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) **Published:** April 15, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** If I had a dollar for every time people wanted to know the difference between a personal brand vs a business brand, that could just be my entire business! But really— I understand why these two concepts give people pause. ***Aren’t they the same thing?*** One of the main reasons this question comes up a lot more now than it used to is because of influencers. You may have noticed that these mini-internet celebrities will refer to their YouTube channel or blog as their “brand.” Compared to well-known brands like Starbucks or Marvel, it’s no wonder that the term can be a bit jarring. As a personal branding strategist, my job is to work with individuals on their business. I don’t work with big (or small) branded companies who aren’t associated with any one individual. While it may seem that being a strategist for big corporations would present more opportunities for me as an entrepreneur, it’s actually quite the opposite. Today, people are gravitating toward personal brands over business brands which means more clients for me and more room for my own businesses to grow. If you are a small business owner, you may be struggling with the decision to make your business a personal or business brand. I’ve also had to ask myself this question over and over again throughout my years as a branding expert. If you’re still stuck on how you want to move forward and present your brand, it will be important to know the differences between a **personal brand vs a business brand.** So let’s dive in. **RELATED:** [**What Is Social Media Branding?**](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) ## **What is Your Personal Brand?** Let’s start by understanding what a brand is. According to the Dictionary of Brand, a brand is: > “a person’s perception of a product, service, experience, or organization.” Now, extrapolate that to your personal brand and your personal brand is **“how you are perceived by others.”** Essentially what this means is that a personal brand is who *you* are and what *you represent* as a person. This means that your opinions, perception, and advice are **detrimental to how your brand operates**. It also means that those opinions, perceptions, and advice will be evaluated by your audience under a very large magnifying glass. That seems like a lot of pressure, right? So why do some small business owners choose to go with a personal brand vs a business brand? [Gary V’s answer is one of my favorites](https://www.garyvaynerchuk.com/should-you-self-brand-or-establish-a-company-brand/). He talks about how a personal brand doesn’t limit how far you can stretch as an entrepreneur. You may start your business off as a lifestyle blogger (like I did), but if your passions change, *so can your personal brand.* That’s actually what I did. After my fire for sharing gluten-free recipes died down, I turned to my life-long passion: branding. Now I write and teach entrepreneurs about building their personal brand. And while that may have caused some people to drop off in the process, my core audience has stuck around because they want to see *my* journey and because they simply like what I have to say. Besides the fact that your personal brand can evolve as you yourself grow, the reason people choose to become a personal brand is because of the like, know, and trust factors. **RELATED: [How to Grow Your Business on Instagram in 2020](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-on-instagram/)** ## **Like, Know, and Trust of Personal Branding** What do I mean by like, know, and trust? These are the **emotions wrapped around a personal brand the make it valuable.** If you have built an audience that succumbs to each of these factors, your personal brand is undoubtedly successful. People need to **like** you as a person before they will be willing to buy from you. How can you make them like you? By letting them get to **know** you. Once you have opened up and expressed a vague sense of vulnerability, people will be able to **trust** you. And all of that will turn your audience into loyal followers, clients, or customers. #### **Like** It’s no secret that consumers are more willing to make purchases based on reviews and recommendations. That’s why many corporate business brands are turning to online influencers to promote their product or service. These influencers have that sense of likability, so they are able to leverage their separate personal brand to make sales. Building your own likable personal brand makes it so that you don’t have to rely on others to promote your product, #### **Know** You don’t have to be a celebrity or a well-known social media star in order to check off that “know” aspect of your personal brand. What you *do* need to do, is **show up for your audience**. That means sharing your expertise, being present online, and providing value to your ideal client so that they can get to know you enough that they begin to trust you. #### **Trust** Another way to look at your personal brand is by determining what the underlying factor is that makes someone ultimately trust you enough to work with you (or buy whatever you’re selling). Therefore, a [personal brand is not a logo, a brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) identity, a mission statement, a website or even your social media channel. Those add to your personal brand, but by themselves, they are not the personal brand. If you can generate a product, a service, *and a persona* that proves to be helpful again and again, *that’s* when you know that you’ve built a personal brand that people can trust. #### **Examples of Personal Brands** It’s important not to confuse personal brands with just online influencers. You can be the CEO of a corporate company and still have your own personal brand. For example, Elon Musk has his own personal brand. But what came first, Musk or Tesla? Musk propelled his endeavors by advertising himself as an entrepreneur out to change the world. Therefore, all of his businesses — from Tesla to SpaceX — are tied to his personal ideology which has helped these companies succeed. People began to like, know, and trust Musk enough that the press started to write about him and investors became more than willing to invest in him. ***That’s the power of a personal brand.*** Some of my favorite examples of successful personal brands are Rachel Hollis and Amy Landino. Both of these female entrepreneurs have built a strong community around their niche. Enough so that not only are they widely recognizable, but their business has grown past their own viral recognition to the point where they have multiple streams of revenue, their own team, and limitless opportunities. ## **The Story Behind My Personal Brand – Claire Bahn** I explained **[How I Started my Business From Scratch](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/)** in another blog. In short, the website you are reading from now used to be littered with all the traits of a professional lifestyle blogger. I wrote reviews on 5-star California hotels, I doled out recipes for my favorite cocktails, and I built an online personal brand as me, Claire Bahn, so that I could share each of these passions with my audience. Over the past year or two, however, those passions began to change. At first, this seemed terrifying. My entire social presence was built on my lifestyle brand and transitioning into being a personal branding strategist (despite the fact that it has been my day job for years) seemed like an easy way to ostracize my readers. But that is the **beauty of having a personal brand.** As Gary Vaynerchuk said, he used to talk non-stop about wine on his social channels. Now, he gives daily advice on entrepreneurship because he stuck with his personal brand (@[garyvee](https://www.instagram.com/garyvee/)) from start to finish. He was able to bring in his loyal followers on each step of his entrepreneurial journey, and that was possible because his audience likes, knows, and trusts him. That’s what happened to me. I have built my brand around myself, Claire Bahn, which has not only allowed me to experiment with my different interests, but it has led me to other business opportunities like building **[Stratus Branding.](https://stratusbranding.com/)** ## **Personal Brand Vs. Business Brand – Which One Should You Choose?** If you are still debating on whether your company should be personal brand vs a business brand, here’s a simple answer for you: There’s more room to *grow* with your personal brand and there are more *opportunities* within a personal brand. In short, **go with the personal brand.** You can always do a combination of the two, but you need to make sure you are present in some way. If you’re the CEO of a corporate brand, you can still pivot and become a personal brand. Entrepreneur Magazine says, “One report from the [Impact Learning Center](https://www.impactbnd.com/blog/18-statistics-to-help-convince-your-ceo-to-engage-on-social-media) found that consumers are 82 percent more likely to trust a company if the CEO is active on social media.” Personal brands are heavily scrutinized by others because they want to know that they can trust the person behind the brand. This puts an immense amount of pressure on you as a business owner, and I’ll admit, it’s not for the faint of heart. How you are perceived by others is going to be the catalyst behind the success of your company. What will someone find when they research your personal brand? Do you have an online presence, press coverage, or free advice that you lovingly give to those in need? Or are you charging blatantly upfront without enough of a persona out there to get people to know you or what your business has to offer? #### **Why A Business Brand Didn’t Work For Me** My first company was **[Online Profile Pros](https://onlineprofilepros.com/)**. I have been on the leadership team for this company for nearly a decade. We did everything you’re supposed to when you build a company: we defined our mission statement, we developed a logo and a website, and we built a marketing plan that became profitable for us and our clients. *But here’s the thing.* The corporate business brand model that OPP has held for all these years **hasn’t been working.** Not as well as it used to, at least. I know that the reason for this is because there is no identifiable persona behind Online Profile Pros. Who is the person giving profile and dating advice? One person? A team of people? How can you trust this company without knowing anything about them? That’s why my team and I recently decided to give this company a personal brand— me. I use my long-term relationship with OPP and my Claire Bahn personal brand to put a face to the name. Online Profile Pros is recognized as its own entity with its own logo, website, and mission statement. The same has been done with my company, Stratus Branding. Each of my companies can stand on their own, but I bring in a touch of personal branding by being the face behind the names of these companies. And it’s okay if your personal brand is tethered to more than one entity. In fact, as your personal brand grows, it *should* give you that leverage to dip your toes into multiple business ventures. Just look at Gary V with Wine Library and VaynerMedia, and Elon Musk with Tesla and SpaceX. **RELATED:** [**What Is Social Media Branding?**](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) ## **Why People Trust Personal Brands More** A business brand is defined by its logos, colors, and products. You can build a recognizable business brand with a faceless identity, but this is steadily becoming an old hat tactic. The reason people trust personal brands vs business brands is simple: it’s just more personable. Claire Bahn giving advice as a seasoned personal branding strategist is going to reside with potential clients a lot more than the Stratus Branding website doing the same thing. Any advertising done for Online Profile Pros or Stratus Branding is done with my face, my voice, and my personal brand. The dating coach sessions we offer on OPP come directly from me. The personal branding coach you get with Stratus Branding is me. And you know that because I am **largely present** on each of these companies’ entities. Trusting a personal brand is similar to getting advice from a friend. The way most personal brands present their ideas is in a natural and organic manner. It doesn’t feel forced, it doesn’t feel sales-y. The content a personal brand produces speaks directly to the customer, and the customer actually *listens* because you are the authority. Credibility and relevance are the basis of many purchasing decisions. And that, to me, is what makes a personal brand the obvious choice. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal branding, small business owners --- ### [How Coronavirus has Highlighted the Need for a Strong Personal Brand Strategy](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-strategy/) **Published:** August 12, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Well, here we are. Who could have predicted that this year we would all be forced out of the office and into our homes because of a novel coronavirus? As someone who was already working from home, I know that I’m fortunate that my life didn’t *completely* turn upside down. For my fellow entrepreneurs— I know some of you may not have been so lucky. But here’s the good news: now is the perfect time to strengthen your [personal brand strategy.](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) I’m willing to bet that in the last 5 months, you’ve been racking your brain trying to figure out how to keep your business afloat. For some of you, this pandemic might mean temporarily closing your brick and mortar locations. For others, the stay at home order might mean missing out on networking opportunities. Or maybe your service business thrives on in-person meetings (I’m looking at you, my photographer friends). Thankfully, we’re all fortunate enough to have the internet on our side to keep our businesses top-of-mind. By being present, consistent, and engaging in the digital realm, you can work towards boosting your personal brand and your business to new heights. If you’re thinking that a strong online presence and a revamped personal brand strategy can’t save *your* business— well, I’m here to show you how it *can.* **[RELATED: 10 WAYS TO INCREASE PRODUCTIVITY WHEN WORKING FROM HOME](https://clairebahn.com/productivity-when-working-from-home/ "10 Ways to Increase Productivity When Working From Home")** ### **Why is personal branding vital in the post-coronavirus era?** If you’ve been paying attention to businesses online, you’ve probably noticed that more people are concerned with their personal brand more than ever. *Why?* You no longer have the option of in-person networking events and speaking engagements— so you have to have a substantial presence online to get through the noise. In-person events will become less common. Virtual events and working from home is not going anywhere. So we have to learn how to make it work. ## **How to Use a Personal Brand Strategy to Boost Your Business** [We all have our own personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/) anyway, so why not put it to good use? Your personal brand is how others perceive you. If you’re not sure what others think of you or your business, that’s a pretty good indicator that you’re in need of a[ strategy session.](https://clairebahn.com/private-coaching/) Your personal brand should work passively *and* actively to promote your business. For example, I write these blogs to give tips to my audience. And because I use SEO, I might be awarded a spot on Google’s front page. If that happens, I could be getting sales from a blog I wrote *months ago.* My online presence also says a lot about who I am as a person and an entrepreneur. I can leverage this online persona to get featured in the press or to land a speaking gig for an online networking event. Not convinced? Even retailers depend on the word of social media to get sales for their business. Take a look at these statistics from a 2019 Facebook survey ([provided by Tailwind](https://blog.tailwindapp.com/selling-on-instagram/)): - **83%** of users say Instagram helps them discover brand new products and services - **81%** say they research products or services on Instagram - **80%** ultimately decide whether to buy a product or service with Instagram’s help That’s roughly 80% of (free) marketing that you’re missing out on by not promoting your brand on Instagram alone. **Here are a few other ways you can use your personal brand to boost your sales (and reputation) in the post-coronavirus era.** ## **It’s Time to Network Online** If you had plans to go to networking events to boost your brand name, you’re going to have to replace those with digital events. Platforms like Zoom have made it easy to partake in live conferences around the world. And it’s no secret that Zoom has become the go-to method for companies to host at-home meetings and even interviews. The video communication platform rose 50% in daily uses shortly after the coronavirus shut down regular operations. In April, they “[surpassed 300 million daily Zoom meeting participants](https://www.theverge.com/2020/4/23/21232401/zoom-300-million-users-growth-coronavirus-pandemic-security-privacy-concerns-response)” You’ve probably even noticed how huge corporations like Progressive are using web calls as a backdrop for their commercials. It’s clear that these types of online communication systems have eased into our new “normal” and they’re not going anywhere. So, how do these online networking systems work into your personal brand strategy? After all, it’s not like you can walk up to someone, introduce yourself, and work on building that instant in-person relationship. Here are a few ways online networking can work to your advantage: **RELATED: [10 STEPS TO FINDING WORK-LIFE BALANCE](https://clairebahn.com/work-life-balance/ "10 Steps to Finding Work-Life Balance")** #### **1. Attend a large online conference** Online conferences aren’t in any way new. Apple hosts its conference every year with free replays available shortly after. Companies like Later are now offering their [social media conference](https://later.com/latercon/) in a virtual structure, and it’s entirely free. While these types of conferences are largely a learning opportunity, online conferences still[ open doorways](https://www.inc.com/dave-kerpen/5-ways-to-benefit-from-an-online-conference.html) to network. Most of these events will offer a hub for communicating and sharing ideas after keynote events. You can join in the chatter by using relevant Twitter hashtags or by joining the conference Facebook Groups. So don’t be shy— share your opinions and ideas. It’s also great practice to look for opportunities to add other attendees on LinkedIn. Some conferences will even allow you to chime in during Q&A sessions, which presents the perfect time for your brand to be ***heard and seen by thousands.*** #### **2. Join a digital networking memberships** These types of memberships are springing up left and right. You can join local or national digital memberships such as Rising Tide Society (which has local chapters), BNI, or The Société. These groups usually range around $30 per month and include access to private Facebook networking groups, small digital conferences, and monthly workshops. These smaller, local memberships are on par with in-person events. As opposed to fighting to have your voice heard at the big online conferences, these small groups usually hold Zoom meetings of less than 20 people. Just do a quick Google search or ask around and you’ll probably be able to find these digital membership groups in your area. #### **3. Host your own live webinar** You’ve probably seen these live webinars being promoted all over Facebook. These live webinars are usually a precursor selling a product or service, but when they’re done right, they can be ***insanely valuable to your brand.*** Personally, I like to host [FREE online personal branding masterclasses ](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass)every month for my private Facebook group. Each month, I dive into a new topic about building your brand to attract the press and your ideal client. Not only do these serve as valuable sessions for my audience, but it positions me as an expert in my industry. **RELATED: [HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST YOUR CAREER](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/ "How To Use Social Media To Boost Your Career")** ## **A Personal Brand Strategy Means Being *Present*** [Let’s talk about social media.](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-a-strong-social-media-content-strategy/) Listen, I get it; social media is *insanely* time-consuming. Plus, with the ever-changing rules and algorithms, it’s can be difficult to grow your following. However, the point of your social media presence is not to boast about the number of followers and likes you have— it’s about being *available* to your current and future clients A personal brand strategy means being present. And the only *real* way we can do that right now is by being active on social media. The way to do this consistently is to have a strict posting schedule. If you don’t think you can handle posting 7 days a week, that’s fine! Set yourself up for just 3, high-quality posts on your platform of choice. #### **Go Live on Social Media** An even better (and easier) way for your brand to stand out on social media is to go Live or to utilize Stories. This allows your clients to see you in real-time. This automatically gives them a feel of who you are and what your brand represents. Plus, if you’re used to making that in-person connection with your vibrant personality or endearing stories, going Live and utilizing Instagram Stories is the next best thing! Being present means you need to be actively engaging with your ideal client. That means commenting, liking, and sharing other posts on a daily basis. This not only keeps your brand top-of-mind, but it’s the only social media strategy that will ***actually grow your brand’s recognition***. You also need to make sure you’re not coming across as tone-deaf when posting on social media. There has been a lot of turbulence in 2020– on the economic *and* the social front. I don’t necessarily encourage you to shove your personal opinions in your audiences’ face, but try to come across as present and empathetic to any situation that arises. ## **Stay On Top Of Your Industry’s Trends** Speaking of your brand’s digital presence, if you really *do* want to boost your online sales, then you need to be on top of the trends. This will change based on your industry, but there are a few recent trends that seem to be universal for any social media user. For example, because of the coronavirus, more people are showing their everyday lives using the #workfromhome hashtag. It seems to act as a method of bonding within our collective quarantine status. It also serves a great weekly posting topic! Show your audience what your new at-home area looks like, give tips on how to stay productive, or use it as a way to sell a new at-home product or service. One of my favorite resources to stay on top of trends is the [National Today](https://nationaltoday.com/) calendar. It might seem redundant, but speaking on topics like National Ice Cream Day is a great way to bond with your online audience. It also plays into your personal brand strategy because it effortlessly evokes that sense of realism and relatability. You’re not just a faceless [brand with *no personality,*](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) after all. I have plenty of resources and tips on how to stay on top of trends for your brand in this blog right here: **RELATED: [HOW TO STAY ON TOP OF TRENDS FOR YOUR BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/ "How To Stay On Top of Trends For Your Brand")** ## **Start Selling Online** ## If you’re really struggling with your business because of the coronavirus, then utilizing your personal brand can ***truly be your saving grace.*** If you’ve always relied on word-of-mouth or your physical location to earn your sales— now is a good time to revamp your brand’s social media presence. A brick and mortar business can easily set up shop online to make sales. And **being present online is the equivalent of greeting your customers at the front door.** You can utilize the power of social media, influencer marketing, and your personal brand to boost your sales higher than you ever did as a brick and mortar. And remember those statistics from earlier? People are *already* researching your business online before they even step foot into your store. And if you’re seeing a decrease in foot traffic because of the coronavirus, then it’s *really* time to show up on places like Instagram. In fact,[ Instagram Shops](https://later.com/blog/instagram-shop/) became available in just the last couple of weeks. Now, you can literally make your entire shop available for purchase on Instagram. You can *absolutely* transition from a small local boutique shop owner into a thriving Instagram guru and *double* your online revenue selling the exact same products. A strong personal brand is *especially* valuable if you’re a service-based business. You will be able to sell services with your online persona ***faster*** than a brand with no online presence. ## **Position Yourself as *the* Expert** If you had planned on networking or applying for speaking gigs, you can still do that! As I mentioned earlier, there are plenty of digital conferences and memberships available at your disposal. However, you’re going to need to know how to position yourself as *the* expert. And you’re going to have to do that by implementing a personal brand strategy into your website and social media content. Once people see the value you provide to your audience (videos, graphics, free masterclasses, blogs, etc), **you won’t have to wait in line** for your chance to lead one of these conferences. How can you get your foot in the door to be a keynote speaker or a workshop leader? It’s simple: you need to provide valuable, authentic, and *memorable* content. Video is going to be your best friend when it comes to your personal brand content strategy— especially these days. Those self-hosted webinars and masterclasses are *all the rage* right now, so that’s your next best bet for marketing your expertise. If you can prove that you know how to teach or present your brand on your *own* platform, then landing speaking gigs online is going to be a piece of cake. This type of content is also going to speak volumes to journalists. They’re looking for sources who are reliable and upfront about their expertise. Getting invited to speak at online conferences or getting featured in relevant, industry-leading publications should be a goal for any business owner. They help spread your brand recognition. And that leads to authority, trust, and ultimately, more sales. However, it’s hard to hit these **business benchmarks without a standout personal brand.** ## Conclusion A personal brand strategy is going to open a lot of doors for your small business. Besides transitioning sales to the online format, it can help you land speaking gigs and press opportunities; both of which can **skyrocket your business goals faster than you anticipated.** #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** creating a personal brand identity, personal brand basics, personal brand strategy examples, personal branding definition, personal branding framework, personal branding tips --- ### [6 ​Strategies for Brand Awareness](https://clairebahn.com/strategies-for-brand-awareness/) **Published:** October 14, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** You’ve heard about strategies for content, social media ads, and email funnels— but why isn’t anyone talking about **strategies for brand awareness?** When you initially think about “getting your name out there,” you probably think of [marketing and content strategies.](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/) But ultimately, the only thing that will scale your business is your personal brand. If you’re here trying to learn how to get your business brand off the ground, you’ve come to the wrong place. That’s the slow route. Today, we’re taking fast, practical — and honestly — *free* methods to fast track the success of your personal brand. **RELATED:** [**DO CEOS NEED THEIR OWN PERSONAL BRAND? 5 TIPS FOR EXECUTIVE BRANDING**](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) ## **What is Brand Awareness?** Brand awareness is the process of not only *streamlining* your content schedule but ***how*** you present your information. Anyone can post to social media. In fact, plenty of people do this consistently, and they use all of the widely professed “best” marketing methods. And yet, their business **never takes off** the way they thought it would. The problem in these cases lies in the personal brand. Your personal brand is the heart of your business, whether [you’re a tech startup founder](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/), a real estate agent, an author, or a CPA. It **fuels** the energy, personality, confidence, and content you need to run your business effectively. Your personal brand is all about how you present yourself as a person. Not *just* the way you present yourself as a business coach or a coffee shop owner. The way you act on camera, how consistent you are, the tone of voice in your blogs and social media captions— all of that plays a part in building your awareness around your company. So, what does this all mean? It means that your personal brand is what makes your business (and breaks it if you ever get caught up in a scandal). That’s why *you —* the business owner, the entrepreneur, the founder — needs to work spreading brand awareness about *yourself* before your business. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/​Strategies-for-Brand-Awareness--300x300.png "​Strategies for Brand Awareness - Claire Bahn") ## **Strategies for Brand Awareness** For a lot of us, spreading your brand awareness is tough. Maybe you’re not good on camera, maybe you’re a terrible copywriter, or maybe you don’t like the idea of putting yourself on a pedestal. Believe it or not, you can use a decent amount of inexpensive strategies for brand awareness. And *none* of it is going to focus on you. Wait, didn’t I *just* say that you need to “work spreading brand awareness about *yourself”?* I did— but hear me out. Donald Miller’s [*StoryBrand*](https://storybrand.com/) explains this perfectly. While your [brand needs to tell your personal](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) story, you’re not the *hero* of this story. ***Your client is***. You simply act as the **guide** who leads the hero to their happy ending (buying a house, ironing out their financial woes, etc.) If you can focus on making your videos, content, and brand about your client, your brand awareness will **spread like wildfire**. And you’ll be able to present yourself more authentically because now you don’t have that feeling of being a gross salesman— you’re *genuinely* promoting your brand to help *others* survive and thrive. But you have to be open to new concepts, and you need to recognize that everyone is *not* your competition. To help you get started, here are my 6 inexpensive strategies for brand awareness. ## **6. Guest Content** Everyone is not your competition. If you’ve been burned before, trust me, I get it. It’s happened to me, too. And for a while, I let that distrust run my business. It wasn’t until recently that I saw how much my distrust in other business owners **hurt** my brand and my business. When you change your mindset to the community over competition, you open up a giant doorway to success. **Guest content is the backbone of all successful personal brands.** That’s why music artists will collaborate on a song together, it’s why authors will write book reviews for their peers, and it’s why bloggers will guest write for other websites. Here’s what you can do to implement these strategies for brand awareness: **1. Guest write for other business owners** A lot of people don’t take advantage of a useful blog. If blogging is a part of your content marketing strategies, offer to write a blog for someone in your network. You’ll want to choose someone whose line of work *intersects* with yours. For example, if you’re a CPA who works with small business owners, you might want to write a blog post for a social media manager who also works with small business owners. You have the same clientele, but you’re not risking losing your business to them. **2. Pitch to podcasts** Podcasts are a great way to share your knowledge and get your name out there. Take a look at these [podcast insights](https://www.podcastinsights.com/podcast-statistics/): - 50% of all US homes are podcast fans - 32% of podcasts listeners are ages 35-54 - 51% of podcast listeners are male If these demographics line up with your ideal client, you need to be pitching your expertise to small (and large) podcast hosts. ## **5. Utilize Long-Form Video Features** As I mentioned, everyone posts to social media for their business. The people who are thriving are the ones who utilize social media video features. Once people know who you are, it will be ***easy*** to sell your product or service. People can’t get to know you *just* by reading your Instagram captions or watching your 10 second Tik Tok videos. You need **long-form video content.** Short videos *do* work as viable strategies for brand awareness *if* you’re consistent. It takes [5-7 interactions before a customer recognizes a brand.](https://www.markinblog.com/branding-statistics/) But you’ll notice that the more loyal followers you have on Instagram, Tik Tok, or LinkedIn, the more your ideal client will be asking you for long-form content. Instagram Stories or Reels, small video segments for LinkedIn, and Tik Tok videos are a great place to start building your brand awareness. It’s easy to do, free, and doesn’t demand that your audience take a lot of time out of there day to get to know you. If you continuously provide these short snippets of information, your brand will start to gain traction, and then you’ll have your audience asking you to answer more of their questions. Now you’re their guide. There are a few ways you can utilize long-form video features. You can: - Go live once a week on Instagram, Facebook, or Tik Tok (or be a *guest* on someone else’s live!) - Create weekly IGTV videos for FAQs - Produce weekly 10-20 minute YouTube videos ## **4. Create Freebies** Would you buy a pair of pants if you couldn’t try them on first? When you’re in the market for a new car, don’t you test drive it before signing on the dotted line? Dressing rooms and test drives or vital to a successful sale because the business wants to make sure that you actually *like* what you’re paying for. If we as customers didn’t have these options or worse, we had to *pay* to utilize them— we would be far less inclined to buy. You might have plenty of reviews and impressive social media content, but you need to have something your potential clients can take with them. This is especially true if you’re a service provider. It would help if you had a pdf or a webinar that people can pull up any time they need some direction. That way, you’re passively spreading your brand awareness. Now, you don’t have to hope your audience sees your next blog, video, or social media post. They’ll have something on their computer or not heir phone that they’ll need to reference from time to time. **One of two things will happen as a result of this freebie:** 1. **They’ll send it to their colleagues, effectively introducing others to your brand** 2. **They’ll call (and possibly hire) you for your services** Freebies serve as a tangible guide for your clients—something like an eBook acts as the starting point in your client’s story to success. You don’t need to give away all of your expert advice for free, but it should help them get started in some way. Just make sure you’re either capturing their email or providing them an incentive (i.e., a discount for your services) within your freebie. **RELATED:** [**WHAT IS THE VALUE OF YOUR PERSONAL BRAND?**](https://clairebahn.com/value-of-your-personal-brand/) ## **3. Repurpose and Cross-Promote Your Content** I’ve said this in some of my other blogs, but one of the best [brand awareness](https://clairebahn.com/brand-awareness/) strategies is making sure you are ***everywhere.*** I know that sounds intimidating. Who has time to run their business, work with clients, and effectively produce all of their marketing content? The good news is, you don’t have to create 100 pieces of unique content *every single day.* You just need to produce one long-form content once a week and repurpose that content across your marketing channels. Let’s take this blog, for example. I’ve written 2,000 words of copy here. I write these blogs once a week, so about 8-10,000 words per month. While the primary purpose of this blog is to drive traffic to my website with SEO keywords, here’s where all of this copy *actually ends up:* - **Across several Instagram captions** - **In IGTV, YouTube, and video scripts** - **On [LinkedIn’s Publish Platform](https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebahn) and [Medium ](https://medium.com/@clairebahn)** - **In my emails** - **On graphics for social media, blogs, and ads** Repurposing your content makes it easy for you to be anywhere and everywhere to spread your brand awareness. All you really need to do is decide which platforms you want to cross-promote on and then break down your long-form content into smaller pieces. This also helps you stay consistent without having to think of new ideas. You can always auto-publish your Instagram post to Facebook, but that’s a less effective strategy. This also works for long-form video content. Your Youtube videos can easily be condensed into an Instagram story, a short LinkedIn video, an IGTV, and even Tik Toks or Reels. ## **2. Local Networking** Despite the current state of 2020, [networking is still possible](https://clairebahn.com/networking-tips/). Digital networking groups are on the rise, and they usually only call a small membership fee (anywhere from $20-$80 per month seems to be the average). BNI and [meetup.com](http://meetup.com) have always been the go-to platforms for local networking, but it is essential to take note of your options. If you can find a local networking group like [Los Angeles’ Six Degrees Society](https://sixdegreessociety.com/), you’ll see a more significant ROI. These groups focus on building up the reputation of your fellow business owners. It’s an organic way to get word of mouth going about your business, and it’s a great way to support your fellow local business owners. Local networking groups like Six Degrees will typically offer digital and in-person meetings. These meetings are meant to provide intense value to help you learn the different facets of running your business. You’ll have the change to rub elbows with entrepreneurs from various industries, giving you endless opportunities to collaborate and build brand awareness. **RELATED:** [**THE FIRST 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHEN BUILDING YOUR BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) ## **1. Build a Referral Network** Despite your brand appearing across social media channels, collaborating, and providing free value, referrals are ultimately what convinces people to buy from you. Building a referral network is cost-effective, and it can be done in various ways. If you join a local networking group, you can usually team up with other business owners within that group to refer each other to your clients. For example, a real estate agent will refer their most trusted home inspector, and a public relations representative is likely to refer their client to a social media manager within their network. You can always invest in affiliate programs or influencer marketing for product-based brands to get the message out about your brand. These two options elicit other personal brands’ help to spread the message about your brand’s products. ## **Conclusion** When you build brand awareness, you’re putting yourself out there in every way imaginable. Not only are these strategies universally cost-effective, but they’re the easiest way to get your brand name out there. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** brand awareness examples, brand awareness strategy, how to build brand awareness, social media brand awareness strategy --- ### [4 Reasons You NEED Video Content Marketing For Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) **Published:** November 11, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** You knew this day was coming— video content marketing. You can’t escape it, and once you read the statistics, **you’ll want to dive right in**. The problem is, video content seems to be universally accepted as the **most intimidating** type of content to create. It puts you in a vulnerable position, doesn’t it? There are lights, you’re being recorded, and you get tongue-tied trying to read a script. I get it— it’s hard to accurately portray your true self in video form. Especially when you carefully craft every line that you want to say. However, I can tell you from personal experience that, not only does it get easier to film yourself, but it’s actually pretty *fun.* So how can you go from a nervous, stumbling mess on video to a confident, leading expert who regularly produces video content? Honestly, that’s an entire blog on its own. But maybe these numbers about video content marketing will be enough to persuade you to get started. ## **4 Reasons You Need Video Content Marketing** Before I help you out with the steps to getting *started* with video content, let’s take a look at why everyone keeps talking about it. I did a lot of research so that I could put this blog together for you. It was a little overwhelming— not going to lie! If anything, however, all this information is empowering. Even though I’ve had my[ YouTube channel](https://www.youtube.com/c/clairebahn/) for years and I’m actively posting IGTVs, this information is really what **lit a fire under me.** So much so that I’m currently revamping my *entire channel* so that I go full force with my **video content strategy by 2021.** Here’s why you should join me: ### **1. It’s in demand** In recent years, YouTube has become an entertainment hub, and for more than just silly cat videos. YouTubers are blogging their everyday lives and turning into self-made millionaires, and brands are reaping just as many benefits. **Let’s let these numbers speak for themselves:** - **[54%](https://blog.hubspot.com/news-trends/content-trends-preferences) of consumers want to see more video content from a brand or business they support (HubSpot, 2018).** - **Mobile video consumption rises by 100% every year** - **Videos are a [consumers’ favorite type of content](https://animoto.com/blog/business/2018-social-video-consumer-trends/) to see from a brand on social media (Animoto, 2018)** Needless to say, your audience has spoken. They *want* to see you on video, even if you haven’t opened your Instagram Stories yet. ### **2. It promotes your influence** I talk about this all the time when it comes to your personal brand: Personal works better than[ business branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) because **people buy from other people.** We’re in the age of girl/boy next door influencers, and the expectation to be “relatable” is climbing. Viewers aren’t interested in your company outings, your employee birthdays, or the charity you recently donated to. They want to see a startup founder’s “day in the life” routine, your weekly setbacks, and your exciting new brand deal or investor funding. Besides the [personal part of your brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/), your audience has a lot to gain from the educational videos you produce. For example, I make videos about ways you can market your personal brand. Sure, it enables people to do it themselves, but those who want a true ROI will want to hire a professional: [someone like me](https://clairebahn.com/private-coaching/) who can save them the time and guesswork of putting their personal brand together. These types of videos are the ones that actively promote your influence. Social media video generates as much as [1200% more shares](https://www.oberlo.com/blog/video-marketing-statistics) than text and image content combined. This means that your educational video content marketing is being seen *outside your sphere of influence.* ### **3. The ROI is insane** Traditionally, content marketing is playing a slow game. SEO, social media, and even YouTube videos take a while to work up to mass audiences. And they aren’t technically lead generators. They simply **raise brand awareness.** However, video content has proven to have an effective return on investment even without sales associates or paid ads. And all it takes is jotting down some of your expertise, pressing the record button on your iPhone, and the nerve to actually post it online. **Let’s take a look at the statistics for video content marketing ROI:** - **[83% of video marketers say video has helped them generate leads](https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics)). (Wyzowl, 2020)** - **[93% of brands got a new customer because of a video on social media](https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics) (Hubspot, 2020)** - **Video marketers get [66%](https://optinmonster.com/video-marketing-statistics-what-you-must-know/) more qualified leads per year *and* video marketers achieve a [54%](https://optinmonster.com/video-marketing-statistics-what-you-must-know/) increase in [brand awareness](https://optinmonster.com/awareness-stage-content-strategy-and-examples/). (Optinmonster, 2019)** ### **4. It gives buyers confidence in your product or service** There are a couple of ways that videos can help online “window shoppers” become buyers. And it all has to do with the way you use your video content. If you’re positioning yourself as an expert in your industry, video can do a lot to portray your personality and your excitement about your product or service. [Think with Google](https://www.thinkwithgoogle.com/consumer-insights/at-home-social-distance-behavior/) determined that, “more than 65% of YouTube viewers say video content on the platform feels like real life.” When a real person (aka your personal brand) displays your product in a video, consumers can get an accurate perception of what they’re about to buy. This helps potential buyers **feel more confident** about their purchase because someone they like, know, and trust is genuinely recommending it. If you aren’t utilizing your own personal brand to promote your company, you can turn to bloggers and influencers who are willing to put themselves front and center. If you can garner a review or endorsement by one (or better yet— *multiple)* content creator who is already creating video content, you’ll see your sales or app downloads go through the roof. Even if it’s a review of your service, people will be able to tell if someone’s video endorsement is genuine or scripted. The music you use also [plays a role in how people respond emotionally](https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5705548/) to your video’s message. So make sure you’re picking the right type of background sound! **RELATED:** [**PERSONAL BRANDING FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) ## ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Reasons-You-NEED-Video-Marketing-Content-683x1024.jpg "Reasons You NEED Video Marketing Content - Claire Bahn") ## **How To Get Started** As I said, video content marketing can seem intimidating. But I promise that it’s not as difficult as it looks! In fact, you can get away with creating videos right from your phone. Unfortunately, there aren’t that many free video editing services that I recommend other than iMovie, but if you have an iPhone, you can have editing software in the palm of your hand. Just so you know your options, here are my steps to getting started with video content. ### **Step 1: Decide which type of video marketing you want to use** Did you know that you can post videos on virtually any social media platform? You can choose from: 1. **YouTube** 2. **Facebook** 3. **Instagram** 4. **LinkedIn** 5. **Twitter** 6. **Tik Tok** And that’s barely scratching the surface. Within each social media platform, you have even more video posting options. For example, on Instagram, you can stick to 1-minute IGTV videos or 15 second Instagram Stories. **How often should you post your video content?** Once a week is plenty enough. If you create long videos on YouTube (10 minutes or more), you can usually break those down into bite-size pieces and repurpose them on platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Instagram! **RELATED:** [**HOW TO CREATE A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT STRATEGY**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-a-strong-social-media-content-strategy/) ### **Step 2: Get the appropriate equipment** There are *so many* ways you can film videos these days. Have you seen the latest iPhone commercials? People are actually shooting entire movie-grade quality videos straight from the HD phone cameras. It really doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’re filming indoors, the best (and cheapest) lighting system is simply natural light. Sit down in front of an open window, have a decent backdrop, and turn the camera on! Another go-to option is the ring light. You can get the small $15 iPhone lights that clip to your phone, or you can go big and get [these dimmable $75 lights](https://www.amazon.com/Neewer-Ring-Light-Kit-Self-Portrait/dp/B01LXDNNBW/ref=sxin_10?ascsubtag=amzn1.osa.5447f262-3cc0-45ba-aa5d-d36a4ef9637e.ATVPDKIKX0DER.en_US&creativeASIN=B01LXDNNBW&cv_ct_cx=ring+light&cv_ct_id=amzn1.osa.5447f262-3cc0-45ba-aa5d-d36a4ef9637e.ATVPDKIKX0DER.en_US&cv_ct_pg=search&cv_ct_we=asin&cv_ct_wn=osp-single-source-gl-ranking&dchild=1&keywords=ring+light&linkCode=oas&pd_rd_i=B01LXDNNBW&pd_rd_r=1f8390b0-73aa-4ed2-9169-7a6f6ae968b6&pd_rd_w=7PQJB&pd_rd_wg=8ljW9&pf_rd_p=1b5385f9-d346-4036-a001-2825aafbec41&pf_rd_r=4MFQ3FZGXGKDWFV4EJT8&qid=1604443593&sr=1-1-d9dc7690-f7e1-44eb-ad06-aebbef559a37&tag=tgl0a3-20) for your DSLR camera. From there, you need to decide on a video editing service. I personally use Final Cut Pro, but Adobe Premiere is another highly reputable editing software. Or you can hire someone to do that part for you. I always find that editing is the hardest part of video content marketing so I make my husband take care of all of that! **To break it down, here’s what you’ll need:** 1. **Your phone or a DSLR camera (think Canon)** 2. **Lighting equipment or a window source for natural light** 3. **Video editing software** **RELATED:** [**HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN BUSINESS IN 10 STEPS**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-your-own-business/) ### **Step 3: Write down all of your video ideas** Here’s the great thing about video content marketing: your videos can be as long or short as you want them to be. If you’re not quite ready to dive into the editing aspect of videos, stick to Instagram Stories. That way, anytime you have a piece of advice to give to your audience, you can pop on and speak freely— the same way you would speak face-to-face with a client or customer. Once you start doing that, the video ideas will start flowing daily. Keep a list of ideas on your phone. That way, if you decide to create long-form content down the road, you’ll have a bank of ideas that you can elaborate on. If you have a blog, *you have it made*. A blog can double as a script for your YouTube videos. Likewise, your Instagram captions can usually be turned into Tik Tok or Reels. So make sure you save *everything* and keep your list of video ideas all in one place. ### **Step 4: Learn to edit** Again, this is the hard part. When it comes to editing, you have a lot to learn: how to trim your video clips (and you’ll really start to notice how often you say *um*!), figure out how to pick the perfect background music, and learn how to add texts or graphics. The background music is tricky as well because you have to make sure it’s not copyrighted. You can’t just throw the latest Beyonce song on your video and call it a day. Your video will immediately get flagged and usually taken down. Thankfully, YouTube and other platforms offer a bank of Fair Use music. When it comes to adding text, video transitions, or graphics to your video, most of the professional software (like Final Cut) has template options for you. I recommend watching a few YouTube videos on how to properly edit videos. Like everything else, practice makes perfect! **RELATED:** [**HOW TO MAKE YOUR BRAND GO VIRAL**](https://clairebahn.com/your-brand-obsessed-viral/) ## **Video Content Marketing Tips For Your Personal Brand** Hubspot determines that [73% of consumers want to see videos ](https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing?utm_campaign=2020%20State%20of%20Marketing%20&utm_source=Blog%20CTA&hsCtaTracking=3d0bc27a-898d-40d5-aa46-8696ed81c4ee%7Caf5b3705-d3dd-4659-bdd1-de774dbcf009)on social media that are “entertaining.” Before you go running off, remember that entertainment is *subjective.* An educational video about how to use Instagram hashtags can be just as enticing to one person as an influencer vlog is to another. That being said, there are certain expectations people have when they’re watching videos. **Viewer retention means everything** if you want your video to perform well. If you start off your video slow by rambling, people are going to jump to the next video in about 3 seconds. **Thankfully, there are a few tricks that can make your video seem more entertaining:** 1. **Use animations [like this one](https://youtu.be/mvUPsgzgjbw)** 2. **[Incorporate short and snappy jump cuts](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfpzTCbNqmk) to keep your viewer’s attention** 3. **Change up the background from one shot to another** 4. **Use graphics and text** 5. **Tell your viewer they’ll get a bonus if they watch until the end of your video** It’s not a matter of being an extrovert to make video content more appealing. All you have to do is look for strategies to make your videos easier to watch. If anything, start by making your videos short. This is why Tik Toks and Reels are so popular right now. They get straight to the point. Once people starting asking you to elaborate (and they will), you can look into ways to make your long-form video content entertaining. ## **Conclusion** If you have a personal brand, you need to invest in video content marketing. Plain and simple. It’s one of the most assured ways to kick your business off the ground. There’s nothing more compelling than seeing a business owner put their *own* image online to advocate for their own product or service. #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** how to start a youtube channel, personal brand youtube channels, video marketing strategy 2021, what is video content, youtube, youtube tips --- ### [How To Build a Personal Brand YouTube Channel](https://clairebahn.com/brand-youtube-channel/) **Published:** December 9, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** I started a brand YouTube channel in 2015 called [Gluten-Free Avenger. ](https://youtu.be/n-VWSmwuCkU) This was before gluten became mainstream, but it was also around the time that Marvel’s *Avengers* films were at their peak. So I was preemptively setting myself up for success. Or so I thought. I was in on a trend before it was “cool,” and I had chosen a name that had the ability to go *extremely* viral— even if it was to talk about how to make the best [Banana Buckwheat Pancakes](https://youtu.be/LVg36vfM_VY) you’ve ever had. In effect, I had done everything right. I reviewed products, I interviewed other gluten-free “avengers,” and I uploaded pretty consistently for a while. Unfortunately, my YouTube stardom never came to be. And while I’m glad for that *now*, I know that there are even **greater opportunities on YouTube for people who want to thrive as an industry leader or influencer.** Why am I *glad* that this channel never took off? For the same reason, many YouTubers and influencers **regret their claim to fame.** It wasn’t my personal brand. **RELATED:** [**5 STEPS TO DEVELOPING A PERSONAL BRAND FOR BEGINNERS**](https://clairebahn.com/developing-personal-brand/) ## **How To Build a Personal Brand YouTube Channel** The names you hear the most about regarding successful YouTubers are the ones with an ***actual name:*** Casey Neistat, Liza Koshy, and Lily Singh, to name a few. And where are these acclaimed YouTubers now? Liza Koshy is an Emmy Award nominee, TV host, and appeared in *Forbes* 30 Under 30 Hollywood & Entertainment list and the *Time* 2019 list of the 25 Most Influential People on the Internet. Casey Neistat has a reported net worth of $16 million after selling his video-sharing app called Beme to CNN. Lily Singh (who recently rebranded after nearly a decade of being known as “Superwoman”) became the[ first-ever female late-night talk show host for NBC. ](https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/how-lilly-singh-is-making-late-night-tv-history) In 2015, [personal brands](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) weren’t recognized by YouTube by the proper definition. But it’s precisely what **YouTube banked on to earn them (and their creators) millions and billions of dollars.** YouTuber, Creator, Influencer, Thought Leader— it doesn’t matter what you call it because they’re all the same thing: a personal brand. ### **Building a Name for Yourself** When you choose to brand your YouTube channel as yourself instead of something gimmicky like The Gluten-Free Avengers, you have the chance to explore what topics you have a passion for and where you can stand out in a particular niche. This is why influencers like Lily Singh choose to rebrand to a name/personal brand: to not only form a more intimate connection with their audience (they’re on a first-name basis now), but to open doorways for opportunities without the confusion of branding products, TV shows, or apps under their original pen name. It took me a couple of tries to figure out my path, but having a personal brand has saved me time and energy from having to[ rebrand over and over again. ](https://clairebahn.com/rebrand-yourself/) After helping numerous thought leaders and CEOs solidify their personal brand for growth, I think that it’s about time that I give you a glimpse at what I teach my clients. **Below are the 5 steps I walk my clients through to build a brand YouTube channel that can boost their careers.** > YouTuber, Creator, Influencer, Thought Leader— it doesn’t matter what you call it because they’re all the same thing: a personal brand. ## **1. Set Up Your Personal Brand YouTube Account** Setting up a brand YouTube channel is relatively easy. However, if you’re new to this platform, I have a step-by-step guide on a beginners’ YouTube channel setup. As tedious as it may seem, each step in this process plays a [critical role in your brand awareness](https://clairebahn.com/brand-awareness/). Everything from your profile picture to the tags you use helps secure audience retention and grow your subscriber base. A part of setting up your brand YouTube account (the right way) is figuring out your image. Color psychology is a real thing, which means that your color pattern should remain consistent across your thumbnails, your banner image, and even the colors you use in your videos. [93% of buyers focus on brand color when purchasing a product](https://www.markinblog.com/branding-statistics/), so if you choose a color like pink, you’re probably going to appeal more towards the female demographic. If your target audience is male and you use colors like orange, yellow, or brown, you’re going to have a hard time retaining their attention since [studies show these are three colors that appeal to men the least](https://coschedule.com/blog/color-psychology-marketing/). If you’re looking to appeal to both men and women, using the color blue across your YouTube channel will be your safest bet. But before you even begin the physical branding of your channel, we need to make sure you know what type of videos you’ll be creating. In order to do that, we need to do some research and brainstorming. **RELATED:** [**THE FIRST 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHEN BUILDING YOUR BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) ## **2. Figure Out Your Niche Topics** The key to coming up with endless video ideas to start by identifying a problem you want to solve. Don’t try to appeal to everyone. Figure out who your ideal client is and a handful of problems they struggle with daily. For me, my ideal client struggles with maintaining brand consistency, knowing how to boost their brand recognition, and content creation. From those topics, I can branch out into more niche and specific content ideas such as[ 5 Ways To Boost Productivity](https://youtu.be/I3zbN0hd9Lo), [10 Self-Care Tips For Entrepreneurs,](https://youtu.be/CDABD6PZUTE) and [Do You Really Need a Blog for Business Marketing](https://youtu.be/UFk4-qZIFRo)? I’ve successfully defined my core topics and was subsequently able to break down each one to solve a ***very specific problem*** that my target audience is having. ### **SEO Keywords** It’s not enough to know what topics you’re going to talk about, even if they are pretty specific. YouTube is a search engine just like Google, which means you need to know how SEO works. SEO keywords are words that people type into the YouTube search bar to find answers to their problems. So if I wanted to show up under search results for someone who types in “How To Build a Personal Brand YouTube Channel,” I need to make sure those keywords (specifically “brand YouTube channel”) appear in my title, description, tags, and my YouTube thumbnail. You may be wondering how I know that people are searching for those topics on YouTube. That all ties into SEO research, which **[I do for my clients before pitching them YouTube video topics. ](https://clairebahn.com/testimonials/)** You can use resources like [Ubersuggest](https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/) and [SEMrush](https://www.semrush.com/) to type in niche topics you want to create videos around and see what comes up. If the results show that zero (0!) people type these keywords in search bars, you might want to rethink how you phrase the keywords (or look for a different topic entirely). **RELATED:** [**HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN BUSINESS IN 10 STEPS**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-your-own-business/) ## **3. Research Your Competition** The last thing you want to do is spend hours on end creating YouTube content to find out there are already 50 videos on the same topic. With that much competition, your brand YouTube channel is going to be a needle in a haystack that your target audience will *never* find. As I start writing down video ideas for myself (or my clients), I’ll do some keyword research on my own to see what’s already out there. If I type in “How To Build a Personal Brand YouTube Channel” on YouTube, here’s what shows up: ![brand YouTube](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/How-To-Build-a-Personal-Brand-YouTube-Channel-1024x693.png "How To Build a Personal Brand YouTube Channel - Claire Bahn") There are only two videos that show up that I would consider my competition: the top two. The rest of the videos that show up under this search are videos about setting up a brand YouTube account, which is a different topic altogether. The first two were both made in the last year, with Sunny’s video being the most recent (March 2020). Sunny and Erin on Demand both have pretty significant views (100K-300K+), but the numbers are not outrageously high to make me think that I can’t earn a spot in the top search results. All you really need to do is your SEO research and share your video routinely on social media. **You should be doing this before you hit the record button.** If the results showed me that there were already ten videos made within the last year on my chosen topic, and each video had over a million views, I *would not* have created a video on it. Instead, I would have found a more niche video idea that had the chance of being seen by more of my target audience. ### **Take It a Step Further** If you want to take it a step further, you can click on the YouTube video results that pop up and watch them. For instance, I watched Sunny and Erin’s videos before writing this blog. I wanted to make sure that this blog (and video) hit key points that their videos don’t cover. And if I *really* want to dive into my competitor research, I would go to each of their brand YouTube channels and make a note of what type of videos they’ve already created. This will help me figure out **what our shared audience might be interested in,** and it prevents me from replicating the same content as someone in my industry. **RELATED:** [**HOW STARTUP FOUNDERS CAN STEP UP THEIR PERSONAL BRANDING IN 5 STEPS**](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/) ## **4. YouTube Favors Consistency** We see it all the time: strange (and seemingly pointless) YouTube channels with ***millions of followers***. And we have to ask ourselves, *“How did they do that? How did someone create a million-dollar company by posting videos of them living daily lives?” The answer is consistency. When I started my first YouTube channel, I was consistent. I posted every single week beginning in February 2015. But I stopped being consistent in less than a year. So what happened? As entrepreneurs, we tend to be creative thinkers. This usually means that we have numerous interests, and they tend to change frequently over time. When they do change, **we become inconsistent**, and that puts a bad mark on your brand. This is exactly what happened to me. Over the last 15 years, my brand YouTube channel went from being a gluten-free cooking channel to a fashion lifestyle channel (Living with Claire) and finally to Claire Bahn. If I could give any advice to 2015 Claire, I would tell her just to keep showing up. And to **switch to a personal brand** because then maybe my YouTube channel would have taken off back in 2015. With a personal brand, people invest their time in *me* as a person, so I could easily pivot my channel to align with my interests without losing subscribers. And while some brand YouTube channels have taken off in the span of a couple of months**, it is not the majority, and it should not be your expectation.** Consistency is the only ingredient in the YouTube algorithm that will lead to a dedicated fan base that is willing to buy products and services from a video content creator. ### **You Can’t Depend On Viral Videos** A lot of people decide to start creating YouTube videos based on the appeal of becoming well-known and monetarily successful. This is Mistake #1. We can all understand the thrill of going viral and becoming an influencer, but it shouldn’t be the end all-be all of having a YouTube channel. Simply showing up in video content is enough to bring you a **wealth of opportunities**; be it new clients, new customers, investors, or press coverage. You don’t need YouTube fame for these things to take place— you need to be consistent with your video content. **RELATED:** [**10 YOUTUBE TIPS FOR PERSONAL BRANDS**](https://clairebahn.com/youtube-tips/) ## **5. Collaborations with YouTubers** Earlier I mentioned researching and watching my competitors’ video content to see what I’m up against. If you want your personal brand YouTube channel to *thrive*, one of the best-proven methods is to collaborate with other video content creators. I noticed this tactic when I first created my YouTube channel. That’s why I went out of my way to interview other people for my channel. However, I made the mistake of depending on the interviewees for my content instead of *finding other content creators to work with* to develop a video campaign idea together. So in my case now, reaching out to someone like Erin or Sunny to do a video collaboration would be a significant step in the right direction. Instead of looking at someone like Sunny as my competitor, I’m looking at her as a collaborator. The goal of collaborating is to create videos that will **help both of our audiences.** However, it is standard practice to first collaborate with video creators who have roughly the same subscriber count as you. People like Sunny, who have nearly half a million subscribers, have to ask themselves, *“What’s in it for me?”* On my end, the collaboration would expose me to a new audience. While it’s not impossible for this collaboration to happen, I would need to pitch her the idea of working together with an incentive to make her time working with me worthwhile. Introducing her to investors or journalists in my sphere of influence, or an exchange of services are all great options to work with. Remember, there’s no harm if you want to go big and pitch to well-known thought leaders or brands in your industry. **The worst they can say is no.** **RELATED:** [**4 REASONS YOU NEED VIDEO CONTENT MARKETING FOR YOUR PERSONAL BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) ## **Conclusion** Over the last decade as I’ve built up numerous businesses like Online Profile Pros and my own personal brand, Claire Bahn. And do you want to know which one has brought in the most press features, investors, and the most overall ROI? I’ll let you guess. There’s a lot of work that goes into your personal brand, the most intimidating of which includes creating video content. That’s why I decided to include this in my ***Personal Brand Concierge Service.*** #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** building your personal brand youtube, how to brand your youtube channel, how to brand yourself on youtube --- ### [How Do People Make Money On Youtube? 2021 Edition](https://clairebahn.com/how-do-people-make-money-on-youtube/) **Published:** December 23, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** How do people make money on YouTube in 2020, and is anything going to change next year? With the way the world is right now, I’m willing to bet that YouTube will roll out some *huge* features in 2021. With Tik Tok hitting[ 800 million downloads](https://www.oberlo.com/blog/tiktok-statistics) since last year and Instagram’s smorgasbord of new features (Reels, Guides, and SEO in half a *year*), YouTube has its work cut out for them. However, this social platform has a lot more to offer than its competitors, and it has a way of doing things that I personally don’t see changing. The way people make money on this platform, for instance, isn’t going to change. **RELATED:** [**4 REASONS YOU NEED VIDEO CONTENT MARKETING FOR YOUR PERSONAL BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) There was a phenomenal increase in content consumption in 2020, likely due to the worldwide quarantine. According to a study [reported by Forbes,](https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnkoetsier/2020/09/26/global-online-content-consumption-doubled-in-2020/#:~:text=Global%20online%20content%20consumption%20is,people%20in%20five%20countries%20says.&text=Average%20daily%20time%20spent%20consuming,other%20forms%20of%20digital%20media.) “Average daily time spent consuming **content** is now six hours and 59 minutes, which includes phone, TV, and other forms of digital **media.”** With more and more people consuming content, you have a better chance of finding your niche audience. As you’ll come to learn, your audience is going to be the catalyst that decides what your income can become, therefore giving you new streams of revenue for your personal brand. ## **How Do People Make Money On Youtube?** You don’t need to be famous on YouTube to make money. In fact, the most significant portion of video creators makes their money elsewhere. Just like most business owners, our stream of revenue comes from a variety of sources. So it’s not a matter of becoming an influencer YouTuber to make some cash; it’s really just about using YouTube ***as that extra income source*** for your [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) and your business. In the blog, I’m going to walk you through the steps in a chronological way, starting with the easiest and most immediate way to make some extra money through your YouTube videos and ending with the most common (and most difficult) means of making money on this platform. ## **1. Affiliate Links** People don’t seem to talk about affiliate links these days, and maybe that’s because some brands consider it an old tactic. But that would be like telling your clients not to send you referrals for your products or services. These were all the rage when people first started blogging because they made people excessive amounts of passive income. They still do, but people don’t use them as much anymore. Affiliate marketing is when you take links from other companies to promote their product or service. In exchange for using their coded links, you’ll earn a small commission from any sales. Amazon affiliate program, Amazon Associates, is the most significant and easiest place to obtain affiliate links. Once you sign up (and are approved) for the affiliate program, you can link anything from makeup products to your $5,000 camera lens. You’ll make, on average, about [5% commission](https://www.inc.com/sonya-mann/amazon-gutting-affiliate-program.html) for the total cost of the product. Even if you have a YouTube channel that promotes low-cost affiliate links, an easy workaround is to include your entire YouTube setup (camera, lens, lighting, etc.) with affiliate links for anyone who is inspired by you to start their own channel. All you have to do is have the products and your links listed in your video descriptions. Be sure to mention the products in your video! ## **2. Sponsored Posts** The next step on how people make money on YouTube is through sponsored posts. This is when another company will pay you cash to promote their product or service. That’s why it’s ideal to get started with affiliate marketing first. If you produce engaging and professional videos that receive a decent number of views *and* you can provide proof of your success with affiliate marketing, a company would be foolish to pass up an opportunity to work with you. Generally, how this works is that a company will reach out to you. However, there’s no shame in reaching out to your favorite companies to ask if they’re interested in a collaboration. You’ll want to provide your demographics, statistics, and a list of services to the company for them to consider. This is usually put together in a Media Kit to make things simple. If they seem interested, tell them your prices. You can also have this listed in your Media Kit, but it might be best to wait to pitch your sponsored video prices in a video conference call or over email. It leaves room for negotiations. As for what to charge, the best place to get industry standard prices is through Social Bluebook. They’ll request access to your YouTube channel analytics and give you a realistic price you can charge per video. **87% of people** admit they’ve made a purchase because an influencer prompted them to,[ according to Review 42](https://review42.com/influencer-marketing-statistics/), which means your YouTube channel needs to a personal brand. You need to show up in your videos to let me see, like, know, and trust you. At least if you want to make money from your YouTube channel. ## **3. Fan Funding** This step might seem a bit off-putting if you’re just a small business owner or a CEO, but let me explain what I mean by fan-funding. When you think of fan funding, your mind might immediately go to platforms like Patreon. Patreon is primarily a membership platform where the creator offers different tiers and pricing points for the audience. Each level will offer a service, product, or simply some behind the scenes “members only” content. Most people will start at a $1-$5 tier, giving them access to the Patreon-only content and sometimes a Discord (a private chat community). From there, you can charge upwards of hundreds of dollars for your top-level tiers. It’s up to you what you provide in those tiers, but exclusive products, signed books, one-on-one feedback/consultations are popular choices. What’s more popular in the business sector is crowdsourcing on platforms such as Kickstarter, Indiegogo, or Crowd Supply. This type of fan funding can be donation-only, or you can use it to earn capital for your business. [As Hubspot points out, Kickstarter](https://blog.hubspot.com/sales/crowdfunding-sites) “has helped 15 million people pledge $3.7 billion to successfully fund more than 143,000 projects. Funding is all or nothing, so you must meet the goal you set within the allotted time, or everyone gets their money back. It’s also important to remember that each platform takes a fee (typically starting at 3%), so price accordingly. **RELATED:** [**10 THINGS YOU NEED ON YOUR PERSONAL BRAND WEBSITE**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/) ## **4. Ads** YouTube ads are instantly what you think of when you consider how people make money on YouTube. As of 2017, YouTube imposed restrictions on who is and isn’t eligible to have ads on their channel. Some of their requirements include: 1. **At least 1,000 subscribers** 2. **4,000 minutes average watch time within the last 365 days** 3. **Your channel and videos comply with all of YouTube’s policies and guidelines.** YouTube will notify you via email when your YouTube channel is eligible for monetization. You will also need to create a Google Adsense account to start earning. On average, YouTube Creators make around $4 per 1,000 views. Some channels can make up to $15 per 1,000 views, but the prices vary depending on your niche and your industry. As you can tell, it’s going to take a lot of time and video content creation just to become eligible for YouTube monetization. And even then, a video with 10,000 views will garner you only about $40 on average. You need to start earning in the hundreds of thousands before YouTube ads can be your primary or sole income source. The good news is, [YouTube now offers multiple ways for you to earn money on their platforms](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/94522?hl=en). From exclusive channel memberships to YouTube Premium revenue, you have plenty of options to choose from. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/How-Do-People-Make-Money-On-Youtube-1024x576.png "How Do People Make Money On Youtube - Claire Bahn") ## **Extra Ways To Build a Profit with a YouTube Channel** The goal for building your YouTube channel shouldn’t stop and end and how much money you can make. If you’re here, chances are you’re looking for a way to boost your personal brand so that you can have the career of your dreams. Simply having a YouTube presence will open doorways for you. If paid speaking gigs are on your career bucket list, a YouTube channel demonstrates how you present yourself to an audience. And while your subscriber and view count can be an extra incentive for events looking for professional speakers, the content within the video is all that matters. YouTube content is also likely to pique investor interest. In fact, [“82% of investors want a company that has a strong brand.”](https://www.markinblog.com/branding-statistics/) If you’re a founder, having personal brand video content works to display your expertise in your industry— something investors are dying to see before your pitch meeting. **RELATED:** [**10 YOUTUBE TIPS FOR PERSONAL BRANDS**](https://clairebahn.com/youtube-tips/) When you’re just starting on YouTube, however, the most profitable way you will make money with these videos is through your own products and services. As a personal branding strategist, I make video content to share my expertise with those actively seeking it. With a little keyword research and search engine optimization (SEO), I can get my videos seen by people outside of my current audience. My videos have around 127,000 views. So, an average of 2k views per video. Google says the average CTR (click-through rate) for YouTube videos is between 2-10%. Even if we played it safe and said 4% of my viewers clicked on my website services (because I mention them in a video), 80 extra people came to my website every time I post a video. Even if I just covert 1 of those people into a client, that’s one new potential client per week if I’m consistent. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/How-do-you-make-money-off-YouTube-683x1024.jpg "How do you make money off YouTube? - Claire Bahn") ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/make-money-on-youtube-in-2021-1024x576.png "make money on youtube in 2021 - Claire Bahn") ## **How Do People Make Money On Youtube – With a Personal Brand** Ultimately, when you consider how people make money on YouTube, it all boils down to the same thing: They have a personal brand. Yes, you can start a Youtube business brand and use your employees to record scripted videos— but that’s not where the money is. A personal brand YouTube channel is the reason why we have so many multi-million-dollar “YouTubers.” It’s their unscripted, vulnerable, and ultimately relatable video content that earned them millions of subscribers. And those millions of subscribers make it possible for these people to create any type of business. And many of the business ventures see a profit simply because of their fan base. Again, you don’t have to have millions of subscribers to earn income from YouTube. You can have a couple of hundred subscribers and still sell your service or product, land well-paying conference gigs, and garner investor interest. Here’s the takeaway if you’re ready to start making money with your videos: **RELATED:** [**HOW TO BUILD A REPUTATION WITH YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE**](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/) ### **1. Know what you’re an expert in** This might be easy for you if you have a designated title, such as a CPA. But the work of a CPA isn’t linear, and I’m willing to bet there’s *one* topic every CPA can claim they know best. That one thing will be their ultimate niche and the basis of their first series of video content. Not sure where your area of expertise lies? Ask your friends, your family, or even your current audience. ### **2. Know your audience** If your audience isn’t interested in learning about How To Start a Business from their CPA, then don’t make videos around those topics. Even if you *know* and even like talking about this topic, chances are, your audience wants to know about your financial expertise when it comes to building their business. ### **3. Work your way up** Start from step #1 (affiliate ads) and work your way up my list. Ideally, you want to make money from each of these steps. This will only be possible if you create your video posting schedule and stick to it. What it takes to make *all* of these things happen is your personal brand. And okay, you’re videos probably need to look and sound professional. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** building your personal brand youtube, how to brand your youtube channel, how to brand yourself on youtube, youtube --- ### [The Importance of Creating a Compelling Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand/) **Published:** April 22, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** We all have a personal brand, whether you want to believe it or not. Some of you may not know this, but my background is in marketing and branding. I am the co-founder and CEO of [Online Profile Pros](https://onlineprofilepros.com/), where we help people create their personal brands for their dating, career, and social life. I have been asked numerous times to go into greater detail about personal branding and **why it’s important for *everyone.*** That’s actually part of the reason why my own personal brand transitioned from lifestyle content to a more business-minded concept. Here’s the thing about creating a compelling personal brand: if you do a good job, you can create multiple businesses around a variety of niches *whenever you want*. And chances are, they will all be successful. ***How?*** Because your core audience is going to stick around for *you*. A personal brand is an expression of your lifestyle: what you’re about, what your goals are, and where your journey is headed. People are following along because they *like* and *know* you. It doesn’t matter what type of content or business you’re producing— if your brand is authentic, you will be able to cultivate an audience. And if you are able to pull *that* off, then the sky is the limit. ### **Change Within Your Personal Brand** When I came face-to-face with the dilemma over “changing” my personal brand, it stressed me out. Although I kept *wanting* to talk to my audience about building a personal brand, it wasn’t what my audience came to me for. While I still love talking about style, beauty, and travel, my everyday life is consumed by marketing, personal branding, and business. What used to be a platform to express my thoughts suddenly became a hindrance to my creative and entrepreneurial goals. Making the decision to completely change the topics you see here and on my @clairebahn Instagram account was difficult, to say the least. Would I lose my audience who came to me for wardrobe advice and travel pictures? Would anyone even be *interested* in learning how I run my businesses? I knew that I had the experience to give out this information, it was just a matter of who would stick around to listen. What if this rebranding completely alienated the audience I’ve worked for *years* to build? Once I realized I had more passion to discuss personal branding than travel blogging, I knew it was time to make the switch. Part of maintaining your personal brand is being honest about your journey. If I lost followers or readers during that transition, it was a risk I was willing to take. It’s only been a short time since I went from a lifestyle blogger to a personal branding strategist, but it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. **It really tested the strength of my personal brand.** Overall, I learned that my own brand was powerful enough to hold onto a majority of my audience because they still wanted to *learn from me.* **RELATED:** [**What Is Social Media Branding?**](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) ## A great personal brand is the foundation of a successful career. People who excel at [personal branding stand for their brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) while at work *and* at home. A brand is a lifestyle that you are selling. If you want to be known for traveling the world but you have never left the country that you were born in, no one is going to take you seriously. ***You have to be authentic.*** When people see that you really believe in your brand, they will have more confidence in you. When that happens, you will have more people looking to you more frequently for advice in your industry. Creating a compelling personal brand will elevate your career and create *bigger and better* opportunities for you. I was able to transition my personal brand as Claire Bahn *and* I was able to capitalize on that brand to market my other businesses. The fact that my brand can be harnessed and used for multiple opportunities means that I have built something authentic, persuasive, and in demand. Whether you are a business that sells a product or service, your personal brand is the device that leads to sales. Once you have solidified the foundation of your brand, you can look for ways to grow. One way to expand beyond just selling on your website is to become a voice (an “influencer”) within your industry. If you can market yourself as an expert in your field (through social media, blogs, and press features), there is no telling where your career might lead. You can book speaking engagements, teach courses, or become a consultant for others in your industry. New possibilities will present themselves as you fine-tune and live out your personal brand. ### ![creating a compelling personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/CB-Pinterest-Templates-3-683x1024.png "CB Pinterest Templates-3 - Claire Bahn") ### **Examples of powerful personal branding** By creating a memorable personal brand, you establish yourself as an expert. You create a space for yourself that no one else can occupy. Some champions of personal branding include people like Beyoncé, Michael Jordan, and Ellen DeGeneres. These are household names in America *and* throughout the world. When you think of these people, you think of specific markets, products, and sometimes lifestyles. The worth of an industry leader is no longer limited to one job. [Dr. Dre](https://www.inc.com/marla-tabaka/5-success-secrets-that-made-dr-dre-a-hip-hop-billionaire.html), for instance, is not just a rapper anymore. He owns a billion-dollar business, he started his own record label, and he is one of the most wealthy musicians in the world. His career continues to change and grow. And that’s because he has a powerful personal brand. I know I bring him up a lot, but Gary V is the epitome of a successful personal brand. And he didn’t build his success off the backbone of his celebrity status. Gary V was just your Everyday Joe who used the power of social media to sell wine. Today, however, he is known as an expert in social media marketing. So how did this man go from selling bottles of wine on YouTube to becoming the nation’s go-to hero for building a business from scratch? It was his constant presence on social media, his eagerness to learn about successful marketing, *combined* with his no-BS attitude that made him into the millionaire he is today. It doesn’t matter if he’s talking about wine, Instagram, basketball or Vayner Media— people stop and pay attention when he speaks because Gary V *is* his personal brand. And people love him no matter what he happens to represent at the moment. ## **What Should You Consider When Cultivating Your Personal Brand** In order to create a brand that you can really feel comfortable living out, you have to first consider your own values and priorities. If you are going to be an example of this brand day in and day out, online and offline, it needs to be something that you **really believe in**. Every decision you make, publicly or privately, needs to be evaluated through the scope of your personal brand. So, choose wisely. Take time to consider: #### **What are your strengths and weaknesses?** And yes, it’s vital that you know *both* of these. Make a list of characteristics that highlight what you’re really good at, and then make note of some of your weaknesses. For example, you don’t want to try to brand yourself as someone who is all about consistency if you’re really a procrastinator. Instead, you need to *own* the fact that you’re a procrastinator because there is going to be a group of people out there that can relate. **You will be able to build a stronger personal brand if you can be honest about things you’re insecure about**. When you’re honest about your weaknesses, people are more willing to trust you. #### **Your past experiences** Know when to share and when to hold back. How can you use your past experiences to connect with your audience or ideal client? Use your past experiences to teach them what you’ve already learned— just be careful about how much you’re willing to share. #### **Personal talents** What are they? Do they have anything to do with your brand? It’s okay if they don’t—people enjoy a variety. Don’t be afraid to show people that you’re a wiz at writing, a gaming pro, or even that you once won a chicken wing eating contest one time. #### **What are you passionate about?** A part of having a trustworthy personal brand is your willingness to open up to others. Some people believe in the power of manifestation— in other words, putting out there what you hope to achieve. Expressing your goals and ambitions is a way to get your audience to look to you with respect, inspiration, and guidance. #### **What are your core beliefs and values?** You will be tested on your beliefs and values, so again, analyze what is worth divulging. You never want your personal brand to be overtly political or religious, though there is nothing wrong with mentioning these things in moderation. However, I recommend doing this only *after* your brand is built. There’s a reason Taylor Swift didn’t open up about her political views the first decade of her career. **RELATED:** [**10 Steps to Finding Work-Life Balance**](https://clairebahn.com/work-life-balance/) #### **What do you do for fun?** Share your weird talents, your nerdy hobbies, or simply what you do on an average weekday night. People like to feel that the person on the internet they’re buying from is a close friend. In fact, if you do it right, that’s exactly how you *want* them to feel. #### **[![personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/personal-brand-1.png "personal brand - Claire Bahn")](https://visual.ly/community/Infographics/business/tips-build-your-personal-brand)** #### **What makes you unique?** This is one concept that is difficult for people to define. It involves really evaluating yourself and seeing what it is you have that no one else does. Sure, there are lots of personal branding strategists like me out there, but how many of them have 3 corporations? How many of them can give first-hand experience about working with (and even being denied by) investors? Take what you know and what you’ve experienced and figure out how those situations can help others so that they can look to you and your unique perspective. #### **What niche can you serve?** Try to find areas that overlap or support each other. Imagine yourself being a champion for this cause or becoming an expert in this area. Is that a lifestyle that you could exhibit every day? What would stand in the way of your success? What could you do to remove any obstacles? Take a look at other influencers with a similar personal brand. Are there areas that they are neglecting? How can you make yourself stand out next to these people? What have they done that inspires you, and what have they done that you disagreed with? Take notice of all of these components so that you can create the most successful personal brand possible. ## **How to Create a Compelling Personal Brand** Once you know the personal brand that you want to pursue, the next step is to build it up and use it to promote yourself. There are a lot of different things you can do to make yourself stand out. Some of them may come easily for you and some of them may take extra work. Do not be afraid to fail. Just get started, learn which things you are good at, and work on the things that you are bad at. Ultimately, your personal brand should compel someone to do something whether that is to get you in for an interview, give you that promotion you’re up for or accepting your application that social club that you want to be in. It takes time to build a personal brand, so here’s where to start. > “All of us need to understand the importance of branding. We are CEOs of our own companies: Me Inc. To be in business today, our most important job is to be head marketer for the brand called You.” -Tom Peters in Fast Company ## Here are a few ways key ideas to get you started creating your personal brand: ### **Know Your Worth** When you are first starting out, you may want to jump at any opportunity that comes your way. However, if you are not aware of your worth, people will take advantage of you. Do not be so eager that you lose sight of what your services are worth and what you provide to your audience. Remember what makes you unique and what it is worth. Most people who set a price for their services without researching will underpay themselves. What may seem reasonable to you may be way too low. That will lead to being underpaid and will also tell people that your service or talent is cheap. The “get what you pay for” mentality works both ways. People will think that your low price admits that you are inexperienced and your skills are not worth much. You will make yourself look less qualified by valuing yourself too low. If you are not sure what your brand is worth, look up other new influencers with a similar personal brand and see what they working for. Also, consider what problems you are solving or what services you are offering to your audience and buyers. What would they do without you? What should it be worth to them for you to fulfill their needs? Base your sense of worth around those ideas. ### **Show, Don’t Tell** Rather than verbally stating your accomplishments, display your value through your work. Your audience is much more likely to trust the evidence of your personal brand than they are to take your word for it. Create a platform to show your accomplishments, like a blog or a social media account. Show your abilities on this platform and share any recognition you receive. It’s important to include any reviews or special mentions that you are awarded as a result of your skills. Use your platform to build your story. Your followers like to have a peek inside of your life. They want to understand why you do what you do. It can help them better relate to you and will create more loyalty with your audience. Receive good word of mouth advertising from others by delivering above and beyond what people expect from you. Keep a clean and professional image by delivering on time and being polite. Try to over-deliver when possible to really build the loyalty of your buyers. They will be more likely to give you shoutouts and good reviews in this scenario. ### **Be Genuine** In order to have a successful personal brand, you need to be as genuine and consistent as possible. You are not going to be perfect. Sometimes you might have to backtrack or make some changes. But, as much as you can, be consistent with your brand. The more evidence you have of living out your personal brand, the more people will trust you and feel confident in you as an industry leader. If you are constantly changing your opinions or priorities, your audience will not think that you are being genuine. ### **Stay Focused** Choosing a specific niche and specific demographic, you will be more memorable. Finding an underserved market will boost your popularity more quickly than trying to compete with hundreds of others all working towards one market. It is also important that you master your niche before trying to widen your scope to new projects or new markets. If you do not stay focused, you may find yourself bouncing from one idea to the next without ever really building a name for yourself in any one market. Zero in on the market that you think you can serve the best and work on only that market until you have achieved some level of recognition. Once you have mastered that market, then maybe consider adding on additional, intersecting ones. > Personal branding is about managing your name—even if you don’t own a business—in a world of misinformation, disinformation, and semi-permanent Google records. Going on a date? Chances are that your “blind” date has Googled your name. Going to a job interview? – Tim Ferriss ### **Let Others Brag for You** With more varied testimonials, you will build a larger audience of people who believe in you and your personal brand. Telling people your worth or posting about it on your own platform is a good idea but will not be as trusted as the good opinions of others. Your audience knows that you are going to work hard to make a good image for yourself. They know that you benefit from your good image. The testimonials of others will appear less biased. ### **Keep Growing** Industries change every day. New trends and technologies emerge, and if you do not adapt, you will not succeed. Stay educated on the latest happenings in your industries with courses and webinars. Let your audience know what you are learning about and what you find interesting or confusing. Including your audience in the learning process will engage them while also letting them know that you are continuing to grow. **RELATED:** [**SEO on Social Media – Claire Bahn Explains Social Media Marketing**](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/) ## **Conclusion** Building a strong personal brand will work wonders for your career. Before you make any big moves, take time to consider what you want your brand to be and which market you want to serve. You may not have the perfect brand all figured out at the beginning. There will be a lot of adjustments to make along the way. But, as long as you keep your core values in mind, stay true to yourself, and work hard, you will eventually build a brand for yourself that you can be really proud of. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal branding --- ### [Top 5 Social Media Platforms Every Entrepreneur Needs To Invest In](https://clairebahn.com/top-social-media-platforms/) **Published:** October 23, 2024 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What are the top social media platforms? Are you leveraging the top social media platforms where your audience actually spends time? Do certain platforms feel like a dead end for engagement and growth? *As we enter 2025, it’s crucial to align your business goals with platforms that work best for your brand. In this blog, we explore the evolving landscape of social media and how shifting trends impact the way entrepreneurs connect with their audiences. From algorithm changes and AI-driven tools to platform demographics, this post explores why certain platforms may underperform and how to identify the ones worth your time.* *This updated guide provides insights on each platform’s demographics, benefits, and limitations to help you determine where your brand can thrive. You’ll find tips for crafting a social media strategy tailored to your unique goals and learn the common pitfalls that can hold back even the most seasoned users. Get ready to master the top social media platforms for building brand recognition, fostering community, and achieving business success in 2025. **Table of Contents:** [Top Social Media Platforms in 2025](#_Toc181034769) [Here’s what’s *really* going on when a social media platform isn’t working for you](#_Toc181034770) [The Basic Social Media Platforms](#_Toc181034771) [Snapchat](#_Toc181034772) [**Snapchat Demographics:**](#_Toc181034773) [Tik Tok](#_Toc181034774) [**Tik Tok Demographics:**](#_Toc181034775) [Pinterest](#_Toc181034776) [**Pinterest Demographics:**](#_Toc181034777) [Top 5 Social Media Platforms Every Entrepreneur Needs To Invest In](#_Toc181034778) 5. [ Facebook](#_Toc181034779) [**Facebook Demographics:**](#_Toc181034780) 4. [ Instagram](#_Toc181034781) [**Why Instagram didn’t work for me**](#_Toc181034782) [**Instagram Demographics:**](#_Toc181034783) 3. [ X (Formerly Twitter)](#_Toc181034784) [**Twitter Demographics:**](#_Toc181034785) 2. [ YouTube](#_Toc181034786) [**YouTube Demographics:**](#_Toc181034787) 1. [ LinkedIn](#_Toc181034788) [**LinkedIn Demographics:**](#_Toc181034789) [Conclusion](#_Toc181034790) ## Top Social Media Platforms in 2025 It’s been a few years since I wrote this blog on my recommendations for the top social media platforms, but I’m back with a 2025 update. **A *lot* has changed.** Are these changes the[ result of the post-pandemic era](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-strategy/) and the major shift to working from home? Or perhaps it’s the rise of AI-powered tools and the use of social media management software? Maybe it’s a combination of all the above. But realistically, social media algorithms are constantly changing; sometimes, it’s for the worse. Trends have a huge impact on these platforms, too. In the last year or so, there has been a shift towards more personalized experiences on social media sites like Instagram and TikTok. AI tools have played a significant part in this. The emergence of [ChatGPT has influenced content](https://pcsocial.medium.com/unleashing-the-power-8-ways-chatgpt-transforms-social-media-intelligence-with-ai-d573c3b8f1f4) creation and how audiences interact with posts on social media. Before I really dive in, it’s important to note that everyone will have their own social media experience. How much time you dedicate to your brand’s [social media marketing](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/) plays a *huge* factor in what works and what doesn’t. I’ve spent years posting daily on Instagram for my [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) business. I’ve researched and tweaked my hashtags, posted weekly IGTVs, and engaged for *hours* each week with my community. And none of it worked for me. This experience is really what led me to take another look at this blog. I *love* Instagram. It’s been my favorite platform for years. The fact that it didn’t seem to be working for me anymore led me to jump to all kinds of conclusions. So much so that I rebranded my entire account, created a second one, and boosted posts to see those coveted “likes” and follows. If you’ve also felt the sting of Instagram’s unbalanced wrath and algorithm changes, I’m sure you can emphasize with these sentiments: *It’s not working.* *Why is it working for them but not for me?* *Maybe I’m doing something wrong.* *I’m failing.* This is why social media can be so damaging (and why you need your **own** platform to thrive on). Not only does it undervalue all the work we put behind our business and our marketing, but it also poses a threat to our mental health. **RELATED:** [**10 SELF CARE TIPS FOR ENTREPRENEURS & SELF EMPLOYED**](https://clairebahn.com/self-care-tips/) ## **Here’s what’s *really* going on when a social media platform isn’t working for you** Trying to reconcile *why* your favorite social media platform isn’t working will not get you anywhere. Instead, you need to do some research, reanalyze your content strategy, and ***take action.*** Before you outline your 2025 social media strategy, I want you to answer these questions: - **Which platforms do you post to consistently?** - **Which content performs the best?** - **What are the top social media platforms that your ideal client is using?** - **How much time each day are you dedicating to being *social*/engaging?** The truth is, if you can’t answer these questions, you’re going to be blindly reaching for new clients without success. Here’s why a social media platform isn’t working for you: - **You haven’t found the right content that resonates with your ideal customer.** - **You’re *not* spending enough time engaging without your ideal client.** - **You’re on the wrong platform.** As it turns out, the third one was the culprit behind my marketing demise. While I still love Instagram and will continue to use it casually, I’m not going to focus my efforts there. I have to go where my ideal client is, and it’s not on Instagram. I’ve updated this blog to not only reflect my own experiences and epiphanies but also to give insight into each platform’s changing algorithms. I included the primary demographics for each one so you can accurately determine if you’re on the right social media platform (and you don’t end up wasting your time like I did). Are you ready to boost your personal brand recognition for 2025? **RELATED:** [**HOW TO REBRAND YOURSELF – MY EXPERIENCE**](https://clairebahn.com/rebrand-yourself/) ## **The Basic Social Media Platforms** Social media is vital for entrepreneurs. **There is** **no getting away from it if you want to be** **successful.** But every month, a new platform seems to emerge, demanding to be used by anyone who wants to run a business. From LinkedIn to Tik Tok, which ones are *really* the top five? Before we get into that, I’m going to lay out all of your options and tell you why I think some platforms don’t work for entrepreneurs. ## **Snapchat** I’m going to be honest; I don’t think anyone recommends Snapchat for business endeavors. I personally never got into Snapchat, especially once Instagram introduced Stories as a direct competitor. Why space out your 24-hour content through multiple platforms if you’re already using Instagram? I wanted to include Snapchat because it’s still one of the top 15 social media platforms as of 2024, with [750 million active monthly users](https://www.highperformr.ai/blog/social-media-platforms). While it’s not dominant among social media platforms, the app has embraced augmented reality (AR) for shopping experiences and virtual events, which can make it a valuable tool for niche businesses that are focused on immersive marketing. Hootsuite offers a [full guide on how you can use Snapchat](https://blog.hootsuite.com/snapchat-for-business-guide/) for your business if you are interested. **But here’s why I don’t recommend it for aspiring CEOs:** - It’s mainly for personal use (similar to using your personal Facebook account only with friends and family). - [60% of US teens](https://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2019/05/16/facts-about-americans-and-facebook/) say they use Snapchat, which means most users don’t have purchasing power. - It’s challenging to cross-promote your products and services. ### [**Snapchat Demographics:** ](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/new-social-media-demographics/#SC-demos) - **39% of 18–24 year olds use Snapchat** - **27% of those making less than $30k use Snapchat** - **29% of those with some college education use Snapchat** ## **Tik Tok** Trust me, I fought with myself on where to place TikTok for business. There’s no denying that this social media app is on the rise, and there are even opportunities to monetize your efforts. TikTok has now surpassed more than 1 billion active monthly users. You have probably heard a million reasons why you should start using TikTok for your business. People are eagerly jumping on the bandwagon because you can earn 10K followers overnight with one viral video. And the fact that there aren’t many entrepreneurs using this platform makes your chances of going “viral” pretty high. *However.* Tik Tok’s growing popularity is mainly due to the ease with which these vanity metrics come to its users. This app is banking off its demographics ([67 percent of TikTok users are between 18 and 19](https://www.omnicoreagency.com/tiktok-statistics/#:~:text=TikTok%20Demographics,26%25%20between%2018%20and%2024.)). Its young users are still easily drawn in because of these coveted vanity metrics that make it appear as though you’ve “made it.” As business owners, we know that these metrics mean next to nothing. We know that 10K TikTok followers and 5 million views on a video ***do not guarantee our business revenue.*** And while there are certainly success stories out there, I don’t think that there is enough strategy, intel, or features on TikTok to dedicate time and money to this app as a way to grow your business. That being said, TikTok has evolved since its inception and is becoming a major player for businesses. The platform now offers more sophisticated advertising options, in-app shopping integrations, and significantly better analytical tools for creators and brands. TikTok’s user base has also expanded and now includes older demographics. In 2022, [56 percent of users](https://www.omnicoreagency.com/tiktok-statistics/#:~:text=TikTok%20Demographics,26%25%20between%2018%20and%2024.) were between the ages of 20 and 29, and 45 percent were aged 30 to 39. Additionally, TikTok now offers businesses the ability to have sponsored videos and use eCommerce features to sell products directly from the platform. While this platform wasn’t a key platform in 2020, the app has significantly evolved over the last few years. ### [**Tik Tok Demographics:** ](https://www.omnicoreagency.com/tiktok-statistics/#:~:text=TikTok%20Demographics,spent%20using%20TikTok%20in%202019.) - [67 percent of TikTok users](https://blog.globalwebindex.com/trends/tiktok-music-social-media/) are aged between 18 and 19. - 46% of TikTok [users are male](https://en.lab.appa.pe/2018-07/addicted-to-tiktok.html) and 54% are female. - [1 million](https://www.statista.com/statistics/1100836/number-of-us-tiktok-users/) monthly active users are from the USA ## **Pinterest** Pinterest was initially included in my top social media platforms to use in 2019. You might be confused by this one, but [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/clairebahn/) can be a great way to promote your business—if you’re in the right industry. Thanks to its product recommendations and direct shopping capabilities, Pinterest will be an effective platform for content creators in 2025, particularly for eCommerce. Pinterest is an asset because it works more as a search engine (like Google) than a social media platform. People come here daily to get answers to questions and guidance on life events. I often turn to Pinterest to find recipes, as well as style and home decor inspiration. You’ve probably used it to pin pictures of outfits that you like or home renovation ideas. But that’s where Pinterest creates a problem for business owners. If you don’t have a regular blog or YouTube channel that you can lead Pinterest users to, you’re wasting your time. It wouldn’t even be worth creating Pinterest posts for your home decor or business coaching tips if all you’re going to do is lead them to your Instagram account. At that point, you’re just making your ideal client go in circles. Sure, they might follow you, but ***where’s the incentive to buy?*** Pinterest can work if you’re an influencer, blogger, or YouTuber. But if you’re a CPA, a business coach, or an app developer looking to sell your product or service, you need to *first* invest in blog or video content before Pinterest works for you. ### [**Pinterest Demographics:** ](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/new-social-media-demographics/#PIN-demos) - 39% of 18–24 year olds use Pinterest - 38% of those with more than college education use Pinterest - 41% of those making more than $75k use Pinterest # **Top 5 Social Media Platforms Every Entrepreneur Needs To Invest In** We are finally here. We’re talking about the big ones— the ***best* social media platforms**. As an entrepreneur, I invest in multiple social apps because it’s the bread and butter for most business owners. The fact that social media influencers are making an *entire living* off of these social media accounts is telling. There’s some debate about which are really the top social media platforms, but I think I’ve figured it out. I want to reiterate this: **Your target demographic will positively determine which social media platform works best for you.** Keep this in mind as you consider these recommendations! **RELATED:** [**WORKING FROM HOME? HERE ARE MY TOP 5 TECH SOLUTIONS**](https://clairebahn.com/top-5-tech-solutions/) ## **5. Facebook** Facebook is the site that these other top 5 social media platforms looked to define success. Besides Myspace (RIP), Facebook is the first platform whose primary usage is to connect friends and family socially. It ultimately changed the way we use the internet. Facebook is still the number one performing social platform in terms of monthly use. Over 2.23 billion monthly active users open their Facebook app regularly. For some reason, Facebook holds the power of addiction, and people aren’t ashamed to admit it. That said, after significant [algorithm changes](https://www.facebook.com/business/news/news-feed-fyi-bringing-people-closer-together) favoring more posts from friends and family over public content (including videos and other posts from publishers or businesses), Facebook only holds the 5th spot. This means that Facebook users are less likely to see your business account posts. Younger demographics usage has also continued to decline. Advertising on Facebook, on the other hand, is a valuable tool for an entrepreneur to raise awareness. I have not found a better way to get in front of an interested audience than using Facebook marketing with its targeting abilities. That’s why I included Facebook in the top social media platforms for entrepreneurs. **Facebook ads are a guaranteed way to generate leads.** In terms of Facebook Business pages and groups, I don’t think it’s going to be worth investing your time. The organic reach on Facebook is all but nonexistent and continues to steadily decline. If you’re using Instagram, I suggest pushing your posts to your Facebook account. You can schedule your weekly blogs or YouTube videos, but I would mostly focus your investment on Facebook ads. ### [**Facebook Demographics:**](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/new-social-media-demographics/#FB-demos) - 29% of 25–30-year-olds use Facebook - 74% of those making more than $75k use Facebook - 269 million users are in India, 183 million users in the US, and 123 million users in Indonesia. ## **4. Instagram** Everyone is familiar with Instagram. Instagram has become the pinnacle when it comes to social media platforms for entrepreneurs and influencers. The app has pivoted to a creator-first platform with new features like AI-assisted content creation, interactive shopping experiences, and Reels monetization. These are key features for micro-influencers and those looking to utilize paid advertising. Niche communities can use these new features to engage with smaller, more loyal audiences. And yet, *I still couldn’t seem to find my ideal client on Instagram.* By all measures, I was doing everything right: Regular posting, creating video content, promoting my blogs on Stories, daily engagement, engaging captions, and using Story stickers. So why wasn’t it working for me? There’s a couple of reasons. The first is that Instagram has become **overly saturated in the entrepreneur industry**. Coaches like me are a dime a dozen, which means that my competition is fierce. Unfortunately, this also means that it’s become difficult for users to determine who is genuine. Anyone can brand themselves as an “expert” on Instagram. But it’s hard to *prove* your expertise on this photo-heavy platform. Aside from a few screenshots to use as social proof and fleeting captions or videos, you have to be on here *constantly* if you want to see a dent in your growth. And with [169 million users in the US in 2024](https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-statistics/#Instagram_usage_s), it’s become near impossible to stand out. Even with blogs and a YouTube channel, Instagram’s design is more for aesthetics than a learning experience. And that’s what I’m there to do—teach business owners how to use their personal brand to make an impact (and to make sales). Despite added features like Stories, IGTV, and Reels that have helped Instagram earn one of the top social media platforms’ spots, **I still had one major factor holding me back.** Instagram demographics. ### **Why Instagram didn’t work for me** While the general salary and location of Instagram users matched my ideal client, the age bracket did not. I primarily work with established CEOs who are looking to branch out from their initial company. These people tend to be 28 years old and up. That’s less than half of Instagram’s daily users, with only 41% of 30–49 year-olds using Instagram. **This is why you need to continually pay attention to social media demographics *and* the algorithm changes.** The first five years I was using Instagram was a lot like how TikTok is now—easy to grow on and even easier to stand out as a business owner. However, keeping in mind the ever-growing competition and the type of content people expect to see on this platform, it’s not the platform for my type of business anymore. If *your* primary content is to educate, you might be better off on somewhere like Twitter, YouTube, LinkedIn, or your own platform. ### [**Instagram Demographics:**](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/new-social-media-demographics/#FB-demos) - 75% of 18–24-year-olds use Instagram - 43% of those with more than college education use Instagram - 42% of those making more than $75k use Instagram **RELATED:** [**DEALING WITH IMPOSTER SYNDROME – PRACTICAL ADVICE FROM SOMEONE WHO’S BEEN THERE**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-overcome-imposter-syndrome/) ## **3. X (Formerly Twitter)** Here’s another truth bomb—I’ve never liked Twitter. So how did it end up on my list of top social media platforms? Like most people, I initially favored social media apps depending on how well *I* performed on them. The more followers I have, the more successful the platform is, right? As I said before, I’ve come a long way in realizing what “success” means on social media—and it isn’t follower count. The platform that provides you with the most engaged community and the most opportunities should be the platform you invest in the most. Twitter is a bedrock of opportunities. Not only does it give you an easy place to share YouTube videos and blogs, but it’s the most accessible place to form a community of like-minded people. Twitter users do not shy away from their opinions, making it easy to determine if someone is an ideal client. Twitter is also the go-to platform for journalists, giving you an easy “in.” [If you want your name to show up in a high authority publication like](https://www.forbes.com/sites/julianmitchell/2017/11/30/this-on-demand-platform-has-the-secret-to-building-the-perfect-social-profile/#14fb51d84234)[ *Forbes*](https://www.forbes.com/sites/julianmitchell/2017/11/30/this-on-demand-platform-has-the-secret-to-building-the-perfect-social-profile/#14fb51d84234), try finding one of their writers on Twitter and pitch them an idea about your industry. Chances are, if you’ve already been engaging with their content, they’ll be more willing to feature you in their next article. ### [**Twitter Demographics:**](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/new-social-media-demographics/#FB-demos) - 39% of 25–34-year-olds use Twitter - 31% of those making more than $75k use Twitter - 32% of those with more than college education use Twitter **RELATED:** [**HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST YOUR CAREER**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/) ## **2. YouTube** You hear it all the time: [video content is king](https://theascent.pub/8-reasons-why-video-content-is-king-7083cb5627ad). YouTube is a mammoth of a platform for anyone digging into social media for entrepreneurs. YouTube is a video-sharing website that requires a basic knowledge of video editing to use it successfully. I have [my own YouTube channel ](https://www.youtube.com/clairebahn)where I cover topics on how to fix your personal brand to scale your authority, influence, and trust. Let me tell you firsthand that there is a bit of a learning curve when it comes to creating video content. Not only did I have to learn basic editing, but it’s also important to learn how to make “clickable” thumbnails, incorporate tags, and add graphics to the video. All of this took some time to learn, but honestly, **it’s worth it.** Videos are becoming the norm for anyone producing content—and YouTube is the place to do it. It’s more personable than a written blog post, and your audience is more likely to pay attention to a video. And unlike short-form videos like Reels or Tik Toks, your audience can easily remember you and your expert advice. And it’s *searchable content.* That being said, YouTube introduced Shorts, embracing the short-form video content in competition with TikTok and Instagram Reels. This means that YouTube users need to understand SEO. Content that is search engine optimized helps users who type keywords into Google or YouTube find their answers. With the right keywords, your YouTube video can show up on Google’s front page and *stay* there. This eliminates the need to depend on ever-changing algorithms like Instagram and enables you to *passively* entice future ideal clients. YouTube has proven to be an effective marketing tactic for anyone who wants to flourish as an expert and connect with their audience. There’s no question as to why YouTube is one of the top social media platforms for entrepreneurs. If there’s any place to prove your expertise and your stance as a thought leader, YouTube is the place to do it. ### [**YouTube Demographics:**](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/new-social-media-demographics/#FB-demos) - 93% of 25–30-year-olds use YouTube - 80% of those with more than college education use YouTube - 83% of those making more than $75k use YouTube ## **1. LinkedIn** LinkedIn is known as the least social of all social networking sites. In fact, it wasn’t even meant to *be* a social platform. So why is it my top social media platform for entrepreneurs? LinkedIn is the number one place for business owners to find clients, investors, and professional connections. If you’re an entrepreneur and you’re not on LinkedIn, where have you been? LinkedIn is a hunting ground for corporate businesses and small entrepreneurs alike to share ideologies and to network. As of 2024, LinkedIn has 310 million monthly users and is the [6th most popular social media platform for Americans](https://www.highperformr.ai/blog/social-media-platforms). That’s a lot of opportunities just waiting to be discovered. If you’re looking for professional connections or looking for business funding, this is the platform you want. The organic reach for LinkedIn in 2024 has also significantly improved compared to other platforms (probably because [only 3 million LinkedIn users share content every week](https://99firms.com/blog/linkedin-statistics/#gref)). LinkedIn also hosts a bevy of features that most other social media platforms don’t possess. For example, you can type original blog posts that can be shared with any of your connections on the platform using LinkedIn Pulse. They also recently introduced native video posting, business profiles, and groups. Users on this platform are there for the sole purpose of making connections for their business. If you’re looking to become a leading authority in your space, LinkedIn is undoubtedly the best social media platform for you and your business. ### [**LinkedIn Demographics:**](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/new-social-media-demographics/#FB-demos) - 49% of those making more than $75k use LinkedIn - 44% of 25–30 year olds use LinkedIn - 51% of those with more than college education use LinkedIn ## **Conclusion** The top social media platforms for entrepreneurs are going to be different based on your industry. The top social apps for a brick and mortar coffee shop will be different from an established lawyer or author. **Here’s my advice to help you determine where you’ll thrive on social media:** 1. Figure out your ideal client 2. List the social media platforms you’re currently using or are willing to use 3. Look at their demographics 4. Determine the type of content you want to post (educational, personal, inspirational, entertaining, user-generated content) 5. Determine which platforms intersect with your ideal client demographics and the type of content you want to post So if you’re a CPA who wants to educate people on Profit and Loss sheets and simultaneously pick up clients, then you probably want to invest in LinkedIn and YouTube over Instagram. But if you own an online shop that sells beauty products, Instagram and Pinterest’s aesthetics are going to boost your sales significantly more than YouTube or Facebook. On the other hand, if you’re looking to franchise, expand, or get investment for your beauty shop, then you, as the CEO, need to be on platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to form connections to help you succeed. #### **It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our** [**Personal Brand Concierge Program**](https://clairebahn.com/concierge)**.** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips **Tags:** 2025 social media platforms, best social media platforms, most popular social media platforms 2021, personal brand social media strategy, What are the top 5 social media sites for business --- ### [Why is Personal Branding Important for Your Business and Career?](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important/) **Published:** June 17, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** I’ve run into a ton of entrepreneurs who bring up the question, “Why is [personal branding important](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/)? My business already has a brand— isn’t that enough?” Well… no. Imagine you’re sitting at home watching Hulu ( or Netflix— whatever your preference). A commercial breaks up the show you’ve been watching and gives you a preview for an upcoming film. It looks all right: an interesting point of view, a good plot point. But then, the star pops on the screen— Morgan Freeman. Name the last time Morgan Freeman was in a *bad* film. I’ll wait. All of a sudden, your ears perk. You move closer to the edge of your seat to watch Freeman’s new character. And before you know it, you’ve already mentally made plans to see this movie. Even if it isn’t coming to theaters for 6 more months. When you think about it, how often do you watch a show or go see a movie because you like the *actors in the film?* As a former actress, I was taught that your character should capture the audiences’ attention more than the plot. In the end, you want the audience to *care* about your character. The same concept applies to your personal brand. **RELATED:** [**What Is Social Media Branding?**](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) #### **You are the *star* of your brand.** People will come to your business because they see that *you* are behind it. If you have a separate business with its own logo and website— great! But that’s the plot. Not the character. How are people going to care about your business if they don’t have a compelling character behind the brand? That’s where your personal brand comes in. And *that’s* why it’s so important. Without a headlining star for your brand, people are going to be less inclined to come to your business. They’ll be less likely to buy from you, and ultimately, it will be harder for them to trust the brand because you ***aren’t showing it.*** What other roles does your personal brand play for your business and career? Let’s dig into the details. ## **5. You’re Being Judged** Did you know that you *technically* already have a personal brand? Yeah— and you’re being judged on it. Take a minute right now to Google your name. What shows up? Take inventory of which links and images pop up on Google’s front page. Does *anything* show up? Not having a presence online is just as damaging to your business as associations with controversial topics. It’s not enough these days to have your business name on Google. People will immediately flock to the About section on your business website to see who owns it and why they should trust them as the “expert.” If people can’t find your story tied to your business, they’re going to be judging you for it. On the other hand, what does your current brand show? If you already have a public Instagram page filled with stream-of-consciousness captions and bad photography, you can do one of two things. #### **The Power of Social Media** **1.** Take control of your personal brand and use your platform to showcase your knowledge. Invest in a good [personal branding photographer](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-select-personal-branding-photographer/) so that your images show that ***you mean business,*** even for something as seemingly “trivial” as your Instagram page. I can’t completely understand why people still scoff at the idea of utilizing their social media presence. It’s been over 10 years since these platforms have proven their power for businesses. Plus, it’s *free* advertising— you’re taking so much for granted by *not* utilizing these platforms. You need to be parading your brand across social media outlets such as Instagram because [**1 billion people are logging in every month.**](https://blog.hootsuite.com/instagram-statistics/) According to [Sprout Social](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/instagram-stats/#ig-user), users browse Instagram for about 53 minutes per day as of 2020 and Facebook users usually scroll for about an hour each day. That is *so much leverage* for your personal brand. It’s time to start using it. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/why-is-personal-branding-important-spoutsocial-graphic-990x1024.png "why-is-personal-branding-important- spoutsocial-graphic - Claire Bahn")Credit Sprout Social**2.** If you have too many personal images and thoughts on your public profiles, turn them private and start from scratch. Make personal brand accounts that showcase you as the expert, the founder, the author, the businesswoman. Take pride in your personal brand so that when people *do* eventually Google you, they’ll be impressed by what they see. You’re being judged anyway. Might as well leave a good, lasting impression. ## **4. You Can Build Your Reputation as an Industry Expert** Jumping off that discussion, your [personal brand is your space to brandish](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) yourself as an industry expert. If you keep asking, “why is personal branding important” this will be able to shed the most light on the matter. #### Example: Author If you’re an author who is trying to sell a book, a great route to take would be to capitalize on your social presence to teach others how to write, how to develop characters, or maybe even the business side of publishing a book. Without even reading your books, you can build an audience that trusts you as an expert. This, in turn, can generate sales for your book (aka your business). A great example of this is[ YouTuber and author, Jenna Moreci](https://www.jennamoreci.com/about-me). With 200K YouTube subscribers, she teaches aspiring authors what it takes to write a good book and how to self-publish. This, along with her killer writing skills, is probably what helped her become a best-selling (*self-published*) author. #### Example: Startup Founder Let’s look at another example. Say you’re a[ startup founder.](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-on-instagram/) You’ve created the next great service app that will put ideas like Uber and Doordash to shame. How are you going to convince people that this new app is the next best thing? ***Spoiler alert:*** you won’t be able to do it through your business brand. When you’re promoting your business brand and talking about its key features and usefulness, that’s all you’re doing— promoting. And that’s not what your consumers will initially respond to. Now, if you as the founder, have your own space — your own *brand —* to display your expertise in the tech industry, that’s the story people will easily consume. Your personal brand eliminates tedious business promotional material in exchange for real, heartfelt experiences. Not only can you use your personal brand platforms to teach others in your industry how you “made it,” but you can share your struggles and turn them into “teachable moments” for your consumers. In return, those same people will be eager for the launch date of your book or your app. They’ve been watching you layout your journey from the very beginning. Now they t*rust* you as the expert *and* they’re excited to help make sure that your hard work pays off. **RELATED:** [**10 Steps to Finding Work-Life Balance**](https://clairebahn.com/work-life-balance/) ## **3. Your Personal Brand is Indicative of How You Do Business** https://www.instagram.com/p/CBUOIPIAr6V/ Your business plan always includes a fleshed-out marketing strategy. If you’re launching a book or an app, your strategies might include creating an email list, hiring a social media manager, or creating monetary campaigns to get the word out about your product. This is a necessary step, but it’s theoretical in the eyes of investors, press, and clients. If you’re an author looking to get a book deal, you’ll have more leverage to obtain that deal if you can prove that you’re already knowledgable on how to market effectively to an audience. #### **What Happens When You’re Professional** Using your personal brand to pre-build interested consumers is indicative of how you do business. If you have your own author platform already (and preferably if you have a large and engaged audience), a book publisher will see that as almost guaranteed sales. Thus, they’ll be more willing to invest in your novel because you’ve proven that you know how to handle yourself as a business owner. They can count on you to market your brand and your business. Being loyal to your personal brand shows that you know and respect the steps associated with launching and maintaining a business. People will see that you’re open to criticism and you’re willing to take the risk of putting yourself out there. Likewise, it shows you know the ropes when it comes to marketing your business because you have taken the time to market yourself as an industry voice. #### **What Happens When You Neglect** Why is personal branding important? When you neglect your personal brand, it can put you in a negative spotlight. Remember, people are already judging you on it. If you don’t provide any free value (i.e. industry advice in the form of blogs, videos, emails, or social media captions), if you don’t have any press features, or if you’re inconsistent with your content strategy, it’s going to take away that **imperative trust** people need to have before they buy from you. ## **2. It Peaks the Interest of Press, Clients, Investors, and Employers** I’ve gone over this a little in the previous section, but let me explain the full scope of how your personal brand affects your business and overall career. Let’s go back to that startup founder example. Let’s say that you and your team have made a terrific prototype for your product. You’ve laid out your business plan and marketing strategies, and now you’re ready to pitch your idea to investors. Investors will look into the founder of this business concept or product idea before they ever agree to a meeting. If they can’t find anything about your experience or your pre-marketing ethics, they will be *exceedingly* less interested. The same goes for journalists. You probably have a PR strategy to tie into your startup launch, but a journalist is going to research the founder in order to validate your credibility. If they can’t find anything about you, they might not be willing to feature your business— no matter how carefully crafted your business’ digital footprint may be. Think about your clients or even potential employers. They *all* look into the person behind the business. When people can’t get a clear picture of who is pulling the strings, it detaches them from the product. Again, people aren’t interested in the plot (your product), they’re interested in the characters (your personal brand). When you tell your story through your own brand, it elicits that like, know, and trust that people subconsciously need before they make a purchase from you. And that’s simply not something that can be done through a business brand model. ## **1. 82 Percent of Consumers Conduct Online Research Before Making a Purchase Online** Whether you plan on launching an app as a founder, publishing a book as an author, or opening up a brick-and-mortar business, this is a simple truth that applies to all entrepreneurs. According to a 2018 report, 82% of consumers conduct online research before making a purchase online or at a brick and mortar. [Forbes revealed](https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnellett/2018/02/08/new-research-shows-growing-impact-of-online-research-on-in-store-purchases/#3da2f76a16a0) that “The report, [The ROBO Economy ](http://www.bazaarvoice.com/research-and-insight/infographics/The_ROBO_Economy_How_online_reviews_influence_offline_sales.html)(Research Online Buy Offline), showed that [82% of smartphone users consult their phones on purchases they are about to make in-store](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.forbes.com%2Fsites%2Fjohnellett%2F2018%2F02%2F08%2Fnew-research-shows-growing-impact-of-online-research-on-in-store-purchases%2F%3FsubId3%3Dxid%3Afr1592250275165fac&text=82%25%20of%20smart%20phone%20users%20consult%20their%20phones%20on%20purchases%20they%20are%20about%20to%20make%20in-store&xid=fr1592250275165fac) and 45% read reviews before making a purchase.” So why is personal branding important in regards to this online research? Isn’t that a direct affiliation with the business brand itself? Yes and no. #### **How Your Personal Brand Effects Reviews** Online reviews are going to reflect the product you are selling, that’s true. And that’s your business brand. However, people will (and should) be fed information about your personal brand in relation to that business. After all, your personal brand is what can make your business expand beyond your industry’s influence. In retrospect, if you have been caught in some kind of “scandal”, that can have a negative impact on how your product sells. People might even leave negative reviews simply on the basis of what you, the founder, have to say on a subject. This is why I always recommend that entrepreneurs proceed with caution when it comes to sensitive matters (i.e. politics, religion, etc). This is extremely relevant in 2020 when it seems like every other month there is a new travesty being featured on the news. While I don’t condemn vocalizing your support on certain matters, these waters are hard to navigate for anyone’s personal brand because, like it or not, it ties into your business. This shouldn’t dismay you from creating a personal brand. If anything, I just wanted to bring attention to just how powerful your personal brand can be. It can make you— but it can also break you. **RELATED:** [**How I Started My Business From Scratch**](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/) ## **Conclusion: Why is personal branding important for your business and career?** Having no personal brand means you lack the opportunity to interest the press and investors. Without it, you’re determinately cutting your potential audience, and therefore, sales. A lack of a personal brand means you lack showcasing your expertise and that can make it nearly impossible for consumers to like, know, and trust you. But if you take the opportunity to flesh out your personal brand, it’s indicative of how you do business. Press, consumers, and investors will look at the hard work you put into — not only your business — but your personal brand. This will make them more willing to funnel money into your efforts. #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). **NEXT:** [**SEO on Social Media – Claire Bahn Explains Social Media Marketing**](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/) ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal branding, who needs personal branding, why personal branding is more important than ever --- ### [How to Create a Strong Social Media Content Strategy](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-a-strong-social-media-content-strategy/) **Published:** July 29, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** For those that are new to the entrepreneurial scene, your social media content strategy is going to be one of your first steps towards [building your brand. ](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) Keep in mind that ***this is not the first thing*** that you should do. You won’t be able to clearly define your social media content and strategy until you have figured out your ideal client, set up your website, and decided on an overall aesthetic for your business. **RELATED:** [**5 STEPS TO DEVELOPING A PERSONAL BRAND FOR BEGINNERS**](https://clairebahn.com/developing-personal-brand/) It’s no secret that social media is a necessity. If Wendy’s knows that they need a lively Twitter account to sell their burgers, then it goes without saying that any *new* business also needs to formulate social media into their marketing. The thing that most people get stuck on is **where to begin their social media journey.** There are *so many* platforms, and the ones you decide on are *imperative to your business.* And that’s because there are actually *better* social media platforms to use depending on your industry. For example, if you’re an author and decide to use Facebook over Twitter, that could really hurt your career. Twitter is a *gold mine* for aspiring writers because it’s a great place to connect with readers, fellow writers, and even industry professionals. And that brings up the question: ***How many social media platforms should I be on?*** I’ve talked about this before, but in my opinion, 3 is more than enough. And you should make ***one*** of your social media accounts your main priority. So how do you choose? And once you do, what do you post? And how can you grow your social media audience? ## **Social Media Content Strategy For Beginners** I know that social media can seem intimidating. And I know there is a ton of conflicting information out there so it’s hard to know who to trust. I have been consistently researching social media strategies for a decade now. And let me tell you— if you’re not actively keeping up with the algorithm changes and what content is “in” this year, you run the risk of falling behind. And that makes it difficult for your social accounts and your brand to grow. Just three years ago, posting every day was a must for your social media content strategy. Today? Not so much. Video ten years ago was not nearly as popular as it is today. And don’t even get me started on hashtags! Should you use them? Should you not use them? How many should you use? I’ll try to answer as many of these questions as possible in these next 5 steps. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST YOUR CAREER**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/) ## ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/CB-Pinterest-Templates-3-683x1024.png "CB Pinterest Templates-3 - Claire Bahn") ## **5. Narrow Down Your Social Presence** You can’t and shouldn’t be on *every* platform. You’ll spread yourself too thin, and you won’t be able to learn how each platform works in its entirety. And that means you won’t know how to grow. So, choose 1-3 platforms to be active on. Pick one as your main hub. If you’re a B2B company or you’re looking for investors, LinkedIn should be your focus. If you’re looking to be an influencer in your industry, then you need to make YouTube or Instagram your priority. According to Search Engine Journal,[ The 7 Biggest Social Media Sites in 2020](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/social-media/biggest-social-media-sites/#close) are: - Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Instagram - Snapchat - Pinterest - Reddit So I recommend creating handles for 3 of these. Once you narrow down where you want to be, it’s time to research those platforms to see how they work. Here are some things you should know: **Instagram:** Rewards users who use video content like IGTV and Instagram Stories. Hashtags are very important and you should use 10-30 per post. You can start using less as your account grows but honestly, the more you use, the faster your account will grow. **Facebook:** In recent years, the use of hashtags on Facebook has been diminished. However, as of June 2020, Facebook is encouraging its users to start using them again like you would on Instagram. Facebook is also a little weird about links (external links to places like your blog, YouTube, etc), so try posting your links in the comments instead. **Pinterest:** This is a search engine, just like Google. However, you can use it to “engage” by repining other users’ pins. Pinterest, like these social media platforms, rewards users who are active and social. Try Pinning ten times a day. You also need to use SEO keywords in your title, description, and on your Pinterest boards. Pinterest is also great for increasing traffic to your blogs and YouTube videos. https://www.instagram.com/p/CBUSs0Pjo1M/ ## **4. Map Out Your Posting Schedule** Do you have your social media platforms picked out? Great! Now, sign up for each one and make sure you’re using the same handle (i.e. [@clairebahnbranding](https://www.instagram.com/clairebahnbranding/)). This will make it easier for people to find you across different social outlets. Once you’re signed up, it’s time to create your posting schedule. Your social media content strategy hinges on ***how consistent you are*** on each of these platforms. And I can tell you based on my own experiences and those of my clients, that lack of consistency can really take a toll on your personal brand. I know you’re probably wondering, ***“How often should I post on social media?”*** This depends on which platforms you’re on. As I said, it’s no longer vital to post daily on social media. Instead, you want to ***engage*** daily (more on that in a minute). Posting daily may actually be hurting your social media accounts. Think about it: wouldn’t it be a bit annoying if your customers called you every single day? You want to show up for people, but showing up *multiple times a day* can be tiring. And, honestly, your content can even become a little boring. According to[ Ballantine](https://www.ballantine.com/how-often-to-post-on-social-media-for-business-in-2020/), “[Hubspot](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/facebook-post-frequency-benchmarks#sm.00001gh1dtvg64ejiu25spzw936rk) tested Facebook data from over 13,500 customers and found that brands who posted on social media 1-5 times per month saw their engagement almost ***double***!” Obviously, this will be different depending on which platforms you’re using, but it’s something to keep in mind. And like it or not, your posting schedule should be different for each platform. #### **Pro Tip:** Make your posting schedule realistic. Don’t commit to posting on each platform every day if it’s not something you can keep up with long-term. Once you know your posting schedule, it’s time to learn about SEO keywords and hashtags. I have an entire blog on [SEO on social media](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/) that can help you understand how and why monthly hashtag research needs to be a part of your social media content strategy. ## **3. Create Branded Social Media Templates** Now that you know ***when and where*** you’re going to be on social media, it’s time to come up with content that will get your [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) ***noticed.*** Incorporating branded social media templates like[ this one](https://www.instagram.com/p/CCjqvesJ2Je/) will help your business in two ways: **1. It will make your brand recognizable.** At this point, you should have chosen your brand logo, fonts, and color scheme. These types of branded social media posts should incorporate your brand aesthetic, making it instantly clear that your business made this post (without your audience having to read the fine print). **2, It makes your content shareable** I use these type of posts to give tips or inspirational quotes. Because your social media presence is heavily reliant on how often your content is saved or shared, it’s important that you create content that resonates with your ideal client. When it does, they will feel inspired to share your tips or words of wisdom, thus exposing you to new audiences. ***This is how content goes viral.*** I create my [branded social media templates using Canva.](https://www.canva.com/) It’s extremely easy to use and it will really decrease the time you spend on curating your monthly social media content strategy. Once your template is made, you just need to change the text for each new post. How often you use these templates in your posting schedule is up to you. Just to give you an example, I post this type of content every other day on my Instagram, but only once or twice a week on Facebook. **RELATED:** [**How To Stay On Top of Trends For Your Brand**](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/) ## **2. Automate Your Posts** Congratulations, you’re almost to the finish line! If you’re at this step, your **social media content strategy from here on out will be a breeze.** Once you have your key social platforms picked out, your posting schedule in place, and your branded templates are made, all you have to do every month is create and automate your posts. I only spend about half a day ***every month*** brainstorming, creating, and scheduling *all* of my social media content. There’s been some debate as to whether or not automation for social media posts hinders your reach. As long as the app you’re using is approved by the social media platform, you’re good to go! For example, [Later.com](https://later.com/blog/later-instagram-partner-program/#:~:text=Today%20we%20are%20excited%20to,features%20like%20auto%20publish%20scheduling.) is a Partner with Instagram, which means they have permission to use their API. The API, to put it simply, is access to Instagram’s algorithm. Later and all its users are allowed by Instagram to auto-post to their platform, meaning your posts will not be “punished” in any way! Here are a few third-party apps that are approved by the major social media platforms: - **Later:** Instagram and Facebook partner. You can also safely schedule your Pinterest pins since Later officially became a part of the [Pinterest Marketing Partner Program.](https://later.com/blog/later-pinterest-marketing-partner/#:~:text=Today%20we%20are%20happy%20to,with%20Pinterest%20scheduling%20and%20tracking.) - **Hootsuite:** This [**scheduling app has alliances**](https://hootsuite.com/partners/alliance#) with Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, Microsoft, Pinterest, and Google+. This means Hootsuite is a safe and reliable tool for you to schedule all of your social media content in one sitting. - **Creator Studio:** This is the in-house social media scheduler for Facebook and Instagram. You can use this to automate your social media content on both platforms by day, week, or even for a full month. ## **1. Utilize The Majority of Your Time For Engagement** The number one question all new business owners have about social media is how to grow their following. I get it— I used to ask the same questions. First, it’s important to remember that your follower count is considered a vanity metric. An account with 20,000 followers does not equate sales. Likewise, an account with 20K followers and 100 likes, no comments, and essentially no interaction is a ***huge red flag*** for brands and investors. This makes it appear as though your business has purchased followers or used some other black hat marketing technique (follow-for-follow) just for the sake of looking important. This will instantly label you as untrustworthy to your customers and to companies. This will hurt your sales, your credibility, and even opportunities such as speaking engagements. https://www.instagram.com/p/CB\_cvcTJd81/ #### **How to Grow Your Brand on Social Media** Okay, now that we have that out of the way, there are still plenty of authentic ways you can build your following. Besides having a branded social media content strategy, you want to **spend most of your time on social media engagement.** Social media was built to connect you to like-minded individuals. If you’re not taking the time to talk to your audience, why would they take the time to read your captions, watch your videos, read your blog, or buy your product or service? And if you’re considering buying bots to do this engagement, just know that most people can spot a bot comment from a mile away. Again, you’re hurting your reputation. Just don’t do it. What you need to be doing is set aside **15-30 minutes per day** engaging with your followers, relevant hashtags, and other industry leaders. This will boost your following more than posting every day or having a piece of content go viral. Not only that, but by consistently engaging with your ideal client, you’re creating a community of people who will **like, know, and trust you.** This strategy usually guarantees that your audience will reciprocate the engagement by watching your IG Stories, comments on your posts, and liking your content. ***I’ve always said that it’s better to have 200 real fans than 20,000 non-fans.*** 200 engaged followers are more likely to boost your sales (and your brand) than 20,000 fakes followers. **RELATED: [How to Grow Your Business on Instagram in 2020](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-on-instagram/)** ## **Conclusion** If you’ve come this far, then your social media content strategy from now on will be a **seamless process.** With these standard steps in place, you’ll be able to spend just a few hours a month creating and scheduling your brand’s social content. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** creating social media content strategy, social media content creation, social media content creation tips, social media content strategy template --- ### [What Is Reputation Management and Reasons You Might Need It](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/) **Published:** January 15, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** I’m at my computer scrolling through my favorite LinkedIn groups when the term ***reputation management*** pops up on my feed. Something about the phrase makes me stop immediately. Over the years, I have been writing consistently about personal branding. And while the term is not new, there’s something about the phrase that continues to confuse people. I see it *all* the time. When people think of branding, they think of logos, brand colors, and their company’s vanity aesthetics. So when the phrase *“reputation management”* came across my feed, it felt like the perfect time to explain why your personal brand can be so influential — or detrimental — to your business and career. As a personal branding strategist, my job is to help you define your personal brand. Your brand— especially these days— is how “Google-able” your name is. If your reputation precedes you, then you’ll probably find links to your website, book, social media accounts, and press on the first page of Google. If *nothing* shows up, then you might need someone to help you manage your reputation and your personal brand. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO BUILD A REPUTATION WITH YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE**](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/) ## **What Is Reputation Management?** Before social media, Public Relations (PR) companies held the title for reputation management. However, in the current digital landscape, social media managers, content creators, and personal brand strategists are now offering this service as a part of a holistic way to manage their client’s online presence. Managing someone’s online persona means not only creating professional and memorable content, but also involves coaching them on the proper way to receive criticism. A couple of years ago, I wrote a blog on [“How To Take Constructive Feedback To Improve Your Bottom Line.”](https://clairebahn.com/constructive-feedback/) I talk to you about an encounter I had with someone who *refused* to accept criticism and how their adverse reaction spoke volumes to their reputation. Between social media comments, Google, and Yelp reviews people will always find a way to let people know what they think about you or your business. The way you handle this criticism is just one aspect of managing your reputation, but one that we often overlook. Suppose your instinct is to go on the defense when someone sparks negative comments about your personal brand. In that case, you’re going to create a snowball effect that can, ultimately, tarnish your reputation altogether. ![what-is-reputation-management](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Claire-Bahn-Personal-Branding-Strategist-2-1024x576.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist (2) - Claire Bahn") ## **4 Reasons You Need Reputation Management For Your Personal Brand** Do you even need someone else to help with your personal brand’s reputation? You can outsource reputation management really at any stage of your entrepreneurial journey. However, you don’t want to wait until it’s too late. You are in full control of what appears on your brand’s social platform. Besides the content you put out, however, your comments also play a role in how others perceive you. That’s why I *always* recommend that my clients remain mostly neutral when it comes to their online presence. For example, in today’s political climate, it can be hard to know when to speak up and when to stay silent. My rule of thumb is to be overly cautious about what you say. The goal is to avoid controversial topics that can potentially harm the way people perceive your brand. Here’s the catch: Sometimes saying nothing can do more harm than good. Before giving you specific examples of online reputation management, let’s discuss the four reasons you need it for your personal brand. **RELATED:** [**10 THINGS YOU NEED ON YOUR PERSONAL BRAND WEBSITE**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/) ### **1. Your name doesn’t appear in search results**. Maybe you’ve been putting out content for years, and you’re still not where you want to be in terms of having a recognizable personal brand. Is it going to be too late to save it? Are people bored with your brand after all these years? A personal branding strategist like me will help determine what we can do to salvage your brand. However, the best way to prevent this from ever happening is to get someone who understands reputation management to evaluate your content early on to see how we can make your brand thrive. ### **2. Your name is being pulled through the mud** You also don’t want to wait until your online presence receives scolding remarks to bring on a brand reputation manager. Granted, these things can happen literally overnight. The best plan of action is to get in front of it while the feedback is still positive. By teaming up with a reputation management coach the *minute* you start gaining traction, you’ll be equipped with an immediate plan of action to protect your brand. ### ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/4-Reasons-You-Need-Reputation-Management-For-Your-Personal-Brand-410x1024.jpg "4 Reasons You Need Reputation Management For Your Personal Brand - Claire Bahn") ### **3. You’re looking to elevate your personal brand** Your brand maybe somewhere in the middle. It’s surviving, but it’s not *thriving.* This is when someone like me can come in and do a dive into your personal brand to see what we can do to elevate your voice. A large part of this is looking at how your audience is currently perceiving your brand. This means reading comments, analyzing press rejections, and doing some competitive research to see how others elevate their digital space reputation. ### **4. You need to rebrand** Rebranding is not a dirty word. Many people look at this as a sign of failure in their business or career, but it’s really the opposite. A rebrand is a sign you’re ready for growth. Whether the rebrand is a direct response to a reputation crisis or because you want to boost your brand doesn’t matter here. What matters is that it’s time to change your reputation, and you’re ready to take that step in the right direction. **RELATED:** [**PERSONAL BRANDING FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) ## ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Do-you-need-reputation-management-683x1024.jpg "Do you need reputation management? - Claire Bahn") ## **How Your Reputation Can Survive and Thrive** So what can you do to manage your reputation so that it survives *and* thrives? Here’s how I recommend you start: 1. **Create Consistent Content:** If you’re starting with your brand, the first thing you need to do is to get people to notice you. You won’t be able to do this without engaging content. Consistency is arguably even more important than the quality of your content. The fact that people can rely on you to show up when you say you will (even if it’s just once a week) is a great way to build your online reputation. 2. **Engage with Your Audience:** You can boost your social media presence by being social on social media. This means leaving comments on posts related to your industry, answering Direct Messages, and doing your due diligence to answer comments on your content as soon as possible. 3. **Get Your Name in the Press:** If you have an active audience and consumable content, podcast hosts and journalists are likely more than willing to take a quote in your area of expertise for 4. **Keep Track of Your Online Reputation:** The more your personal brand grows, the more susceptible your brand is to negative comments. Once you have consistent content, a growing audience, and regular press appearances, you need to keep track of the public’s reaction. Your brand may be thriving, but is it going to survive? It all depends on the way you react. If you respond negatively or you simply don’t have time to keep track of it all, that’s when you need to hire someone for reputation management. ## **What Is An Example of Online Reputation Management?** 2020 is a perfect example of why people need online reputation management. Personal brands received harsh feedback from the public throughout the entire year. I mean, a lot was going on in 2020: a pandemic, a civil rights movement, the Great Mask Debate, and one of the most controversial political elections in our history. In June 2020, Buzzfeed released this article called “[12 People and Brands That Finally Realized Black Lives Matter This Week](https://www.buzzfeed.com/terrycarter/people-brands-called-out-for-racism).” Vogue, NASCAR, Lady Antebellum, and even the Band-Aid brand spoke on BLM’s matters. Whether this was to “save face” or their genuine beliefs on the subject doesn’t matter in this situation. I’m just pointing out that these types of articles are precisely why you need to manage your reputation. If your brand is big enough, you might even be pulled into these matters whether you like it or not. **RELATED:** [**PERSONAL BRAND STATEMENT EXAMPLES & TIPS TO CREATE YOUR OWN**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) ### **Examples of Bad Reactions** Two examples come to mind of audiences calling personal brands out to respond to these situations. Jenna Kutcher made[ this post stating, “I have been called out” ](https://www.instagram.com/p/CBJk0UGDY4P/?utm_source=ig_embed)on June 7th, 2020. This is a shining example of managing your online reputation. Except that this “apology” created even more backlash. I won’t get into all the specifics of this situation, but ultimately the public had received Jenna’s apology poorly, and she lost thousands of followers because of it. It was eventually a Catch-22. Saying something the *wrong* way incited a significant reputation crisis, whereas saying nothing would have made her seem dismissive (and worse, defensive) over her past actions. And that’s another aspect of brand management that people don’t consider. People called Jenna out for statements she made towards a fellow creator *years ago.* So that’s another thing to keep in mind: what you say *today* can wreck your reputation years from now. Marie Forelo is another example. She [wrote a blog apology](https://www.marieforleo.com/2020/06/how-to-support/) that opens up with, *“Last week, I messed up. I disappointed people I care deeply about, and people who look up to me as a role model. I made the mistake of silencing the voices of the Black B-Schoolers in my FB group that needed to be heard during this time of deep pain….* *Instead of creating a safe space for them to express their hurt and pain, I chose to temporarily close commenting without attempting to understand their point of view.”* I don’t have any doubt that this post was written after deep introspection and with careful thought of how to address the situation. However, it’s that knee-jerk reaction— the way she deleted comments in her Facebook group— that ultimately landed her in this situation in the first place. ![why you need reputation-management](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Claire-Bahn-Personal-Branding-Strategist-1-1024x576.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist (1) - Claire Bahn") ## **Quick Tips For Managing Your Digital Reputation** It’s stressful, isn’t it? Feeling like you have to tiptoe around what you say for fear of future backlash? Unfortunately, this is what comes with having a public [persona and a personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/). Your brand is active *at all times.* The minute you start creating content, your personal brand is in play. So the sooner you hire someone for reputation management, the better prepared you will be to address the public should any criticism be aimed at your brand. To be honest, this is **likely to happen at some point in your career.** In case you need to quickly manage negative feedback without a brand representative on your team, here are some quick tips for managing your digital reputation: 1. **Answer all reviews and comments:** Especially the negative ones. Try to see their perspective and address it with calm and candor. 2. **Make a public statement:** It’s better to make a public apology than to defend your actions. Know that you will never please everyone, but people are more likely to forgive your personal brand if you recognize your words or actions have affected a person or group of people negatively. Apologize, promise to do better, and move on. Do. Not. Get. Defensive. 3. **Request removal:** There are laws in place under The Universal Declaration of Human Rights, stating boundaries for those who wish to express their opinions about a company or personal brand. You can request negative removal of reviews or comments if they report false information or use defamatory language because of these laws. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST YOUR CAREER**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/) ## **Conclusion** Reputation management requires constant attention to your online presence. You need to keep track of which pieces of content perform the best, you need to communicate with your audience via comments consistently, you need press coverage, and you need to respond to negative feedback. #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** brand reputation, brand reputation examples, how do you build brand reputation, personal brand reputation, personal brand statement examples --- ### [What are Limiting Beliefs?](https://clairebahn.com/limiting-beliefs/) **Published:** February 17, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** [Limiting beliefs](https://www.forbes.com/sites/joyburnford/2019/01/30/limiting-beliefs-what-are-they-and-how-can-you-overcome-them/?sh=6b4317116303) are the ultimate antagonist to any entrepreneur’s success story. If you let them take the reins of your life, you may never reach your full potential as a business owner. As an entrepreneur who has taken multiple leaps of faith in my business ventures, I’m no stranger to self-doubt. Once my business Online Profile Pros began taking off, ***[imposter syndrome hit me hard. ](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-overcome-imposter-syndrome/)*** I found myself questioning if I deserved all of the opportunities, successes, and rewards that came with the hard work I put in. Even though it was my business, I struggled with believing that I was the most qualified person to be crafting an elevator pitch. In the end, I overcame those feelings. And I’ve been relishing in my work ever since. Now, it’s my goal to help other entrepreneurs do the same. ##### **RELATED: [How I Started My Business From Scratch](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/)** ### **Tell me if this sounds like you:** *“I would leave if I could, but I just don’t have the time or the money to start my own business.”* *“I’m already so tired with work, how could I ever do what she does?”* *“Their branding is so consistent, but I don’t know enough about marketing to make mine look like that.”* Ahh… yes. So many excuses, so little time, right? We’ve all had these thoughts, and, obviously, they do more harm than good. That’s because ***limiting beliefs are dream killers.*** Before I found myself pitching my business to a room of investors, I made the jump from a lifestyle blogger to a [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) strategist. I knew that this was the right move to make for my career and that it would take me countless steps closer to achieving my goals. However, my confidence wasn’t always rock solid. But if I had let those doubts keep me from transforming my brand, I would never have made it to where I am today. We’re not immune to ideas that start with “I don’t,” “I can’t,” and “I’ll never,” but if we let them consume us, **we may never feel fully satisfied in either our professional or personal lives.** ## ![limiting belief motivation](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CB-Pinterest-Template-683x1024.png "CB Pinterest Template - Claire Bahn") ## **What are limiting beliefs?** We reserve these sorts of ideas for the unmotivated and the unsuccessful, right? *Wrong.* Even the minds of the [most successful CEOs are not impervious to limiting beliefs. ](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) A single limiting belief is a state of mind or an idea you tell yourself that constricts you in some way. Once you’ve convinced yourself these faulty ideas hold any truth, they [prevent you](https://www.inc.com/amy-morin/3-types-of-unhealthy-beliefs-that-will-drain-your-mental-strength-make-you-less-effective.html) from reaching your full potential— professionally and emotionally. Feelings of fear, endless excuses, and notions of self-doubt are all side effects of limiting beliefs. It’s not abnormal to have these experiences, but **they could be damaging to your business goals** *and* your health if left unchecked. So, where do we learn these toxic thoughts and why do they come up so often? **RELATED: [10 Steps to Finding Work-Life Balance](https://clairebahn.com/work-life-balance/)** Mostly through our upbringing and life experiences. Education impacts the ways we think and what we choose to adopt as truth. In school, teachers give us one way to do something. They tell us that everyone has to have a specialized degree, and then we get to look forward to climbing the corporate ladder. Familial beliefs also play a significant role by acting as a catalyst for our morals and values. When your instinct is to never question authority, the idea of wandering off the path of least resistance can be scary. If you grew up in a family of accountants, it might feel like you’re betraying them when you start to imagine a different career for yourself. Beyond our structural upbringing, negative experiences leave a bad taste in our mouths. This is also what kickstarts toxic thoughts. For example, if a relationship ends in heartbreak (or if a business venture ends in failure), we may develop adversity to putting ourselves in similar situations. Now, there’s no shame in identifying with any of these factors. No one is perfect. But a part of being successful is recognizing these unhealthy thought patterns before they wreak havoc on your life. **RELATED: [Why Is Personal Branding Important to Your Business and Your Career?](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important/)** ## **Top 10 Most Common Limiting Beliefs** ![limiting-beliefs](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/11-1024x683.png "What are limiting beliefs? - Claire Bahn") Everyone’s doubts stem from our unique memories, experiences, and upbringing. But there are some things that we all find ourselves worrying about at some point. Here are some of the most common limiting beliefs that plague the bright and motivated minds of all entrepreneurs: ### **1. I don’t have time** We all know there’s nothing more valuable than time. If you find yourself envying people for appearing to have more hours in their day, then you need to take a hard look at how you’re prioritizing your schedule. With a bit of rearranging, time will be on your side. ### **2. It’s too expensive.** Some believe dreams require a financial investment. However, the idea that it takes money to make money isn’t necessarily true. Investing your time and effort into your brand can be just as fruitful as writing a check. ### **3. I’m not creative enough.** Being a left-brained, academic person doesn’t mean that you’re incapable of realizing your creative identity. Find what works for you and your brand rather than constantly trying to mirror someone else’s branding model. And if things just aren’t clicking, don’t be afraid to do research and [seek help from other creative minds. ](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-mentoring/) ### **4. I don’t want to fail.** Fear of failure is the most damaging limited belief that keeps people from achieving success. Change your mindset, and you’ll realize that there’s no such thing as failure, ***only results***. We’re human, so that fear is there to keep us out of risky situations. However, if you let it rule you and your business decisions, you’re bound for disappointment. ### **5. I don’t have what it takes.** You shouldn’t write your dreams off because you think you don’t have the right education, skillset, or determination. Use the sources available to you to help you get started. Then, [set attainable goals](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/) for yourself to keep you on a path of positive growth. ### **6. I don’t deserve it.** Nobody has the right to succeed more than anyone else. You deserve to reach your full potential, find success, live a happy life, and – most importantly – live without limiting beliefs. ***Show up for yourself,*** and your business goals will become much less intimidating. ### **7. I’m too old.** Your dreams don’t have an expiration date, so why should you? It’s never too late to [rethink your career](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important/) or to reimagine your future. With the right support and determination, I promise you *anything* is possible, no matter where you are in life. ### **8. I don’t understand.** It’s easy to dismiss things that come off as confusing or unachievable. But before you cut yourself short of success, take a deep breath, and **make time to do a little homework**. There are many people out there who are willing to share their knowledge with you for free (that’s why I write these blogs for you!). ### **9. I’ll never be able to retire.** Let’s be real – nowadays, just about any job comes with questionable retirement security. No matter what you’re doing, retirement comes down to your personal investments and savings. So, why not spend your time in the workforce doing what you love? ### **10. I’ll never make enough money.** Money is one of the most significant stressors in modern life. The good news? It doesn’t have to be. Before you settle for less than your business goals, take the time to reevaluate your money management. A[ structured business and branding model](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/) will have you sleeping peacefully at night. **RELATED: [What Is Social Media Branding?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/)** Are any of these sounding familiar? Don’t stress – you can prove yourself wrong. Failure and doubt are never permanent. Challenging? *Yes.* But challenges can lead you to an entirely new approach to your personal brand. These challenges help reveal the key to the doors you *never* thought would open. ## **How do limiting beliefs harm us?** ![limiting-beliefs](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/10-1024x683.png "How do you get rid of limiting beliefs? - Claire Bahn") Limiting beliefs do precisely what they promise they’ll do – they limit us. These damaging thoughts can quickly creep into your professional life. The last thing an entrepreneur needs is for these fears to manifest themselves into[ irreversible business mistakes and missed opportunities. ](https://clairebahn.com/your-personal-brand-future-proof-your-career/) When you always doubt yourself, you’ll never become a thought leader. And when you’re not a leader in your industry, your brand will inevitably suffer. Successful brands aren’t afraid to break down barriers by **consistently doing more than what they expect from themselves**. These people have zero to few limiting beliefs anchoring them down. How can we tell? Because they’ll do almost *anything* to thrive as a business. **RELATED: [Copywriting Secrets That Will Improve Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/copywriting-secrets/)** ### **Success Stories** Take Amazon, for example. Back in the mid-90s, Amazon was an online bookstore. A few years later, the company added the third-party marketplace to its site. This is what helped Amazon dominate the online retail business. Now, the company is [all about innovation](https://chiefexecutive.net/jeff-bezos-innovation-five-big-takeaways/) Who would trust “Earth’s biggest bookstore” to sell them anything other than a bestselling hardcover? Everyone, apparently. Jeff Bezos’s refusal to give into limiting beliefs and failure is also probably why [he’s worth $182 billion dollars today. ](https://www.npr.org/2020/12/10/944620768/theres-rich-and-theres-jeff-bezos-rich-meet-the-members-of-the-100-billion-club) Even more notable might be Apple’s release of the iPhone. Blackberry ruled the workaholic class with its revolutionary keyboard and email access. But Apple swooped in and took the modern world by storm with its futuristic touchscreen and clean marketing. Would you believe that back then, tech leaders *mocked* Apple’s ideas? This is what you can achieve when you don’t others’ opinions get in your way. I’m not promising that you’ll be the next Steve Jobs or Jeff Bezos, but **challenging the norm is the common denominator here.** So, while it’s important to share doubts (like imposter syndrome), you can’t let those doubts consume you – or else they’ll consume your business, too. And you’ll fail. Ever notice how no one has a Blackberry anymore? That’s because it went out of business after losing to the underdog. Everyone’s business journey is different. But I promise that checking your doubts at the door will result in unbelievable growth *and* confidence in your abilities as an entrepreneur. **RELATED: [How To Build a Reputation with Your Online Presence](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/)** ## **How do you get rid of limiting beliefs?** ![limiting-beliefs](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Claire-Bahn-Personal-Branding-Strategist-2-1024x683.png "- Claire Bahn")Jeff Bezos first Amazon officeFrankly, no one is entirely immune to limiting beliefs. But with a shift in mindset and a few additions to your toolkit, you and your brand can thrive. We must keep limiting beliefs in-check as a means of self-preservation and maintaining a happy life. A little guidance can go a long way to helping restore your confidence as an entrepreneur. [Start by finding a mentor](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-mentoring/) who understands and supports your goals. A mentor could be a previous boss, professor, coworker, or family friend. It’s their job to provide impartial advice on how to meet your goals. If they’re someone you admire and think you could work well with, then reach out and discuss what you want to achieve together. **RELATED: [How To Stay On Top of Trends For Your Brand](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/)** With a strong support team behind you, it’s time for you to dig a little deeper into your business and what you want out of it. Educate yourself on trends, business management, and the inner workings of successful leaders in your industry. If you have the means, I highly suggest workshops, lectures, and other how-to classes like my [personal branding masterclass,](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) And no matter what happens, ***keep publishing content.*** Many people tend to feel despair when their content doesn’t perform well. For some reason, we all inherited this limiting belief that [vanity metrics equal success.](https://clairebahn.com/vanity-metrics-personal-brand/) **They don’t.** So don’t back down. An ill-performing post isn’t the death of your brand by any means. Instead, take what you’ve learned and go back to the drawing board to try again tomorrow. In the age of instant gratification, it’s vital to remember that success doesn’t happen overnight. Keep putting yourself out there. Make sure you’re talking about what’s important to you. Eventually, you’ll see that you have just as much potential as anyone else. And my biggest suggestion? **Unfollow people who make your feel inferior** or people you constantly compare yourself to. Stop subjecting yourself to these unhelpful comparisons. A little competition is healthy, but if it’s killing your confidence, then it’s doing more harm than good. Remember, what you’re seeing on other accounts (such as followers, likes, and comments) are purely vanity metrics. Just because they have thousands of followers doesn’t mean their business is thriving. **RELATED:** [Top 5 Social Media Platforms Every Entrepreneur Need To Invest In](https://clairebahn.com/top-social-media-platforms/) So do whatever it takes; write this down, commit it to memory, and take a step back before you succumb to liming beliefs. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips **Tags:** How do limiting beliefs harm us, How do you get rid of limiting beliefs, limiting beliefs, top 10 Most Common Limiting Beliefs, What are limiting beliefs --- ### [Why Personal Branding is the Key To Success in 2021](https://clairebahn.com/why-personal-branding-is-the-key-to-success-in-2021/) **Published:** February 24, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Do you want to know why your industry colleagues always have press interviews and amazing opportunities coming directly to them and you don’t? **It’s because they’ve harnessed their personal branding, and they’re consistent with it.** It takes a lot of work to be a business owner these days. Between developing your product or service, launching a website, keeping up with social media, creating blogs and video content, financials, employees, and marketing to an audience— I’m getting tired just thinking about it all. The people you see who seem to have it all figured out only rely on one aspect of their business to cover everything their business needs— their personal brand. Those same people who are “overnight” successes, the ones who go viral on social media? It’s not the product, the how-to tips, or even the creativity that gets people to follow them. It’s their personality. Masquerading your brilliant ideas behind a company brand is, honestly, thoughtless. It’s 2021, and nobody will look twice at a social media page if there’s no face behind it. You could be a CPA giving *golden* money-saving tips, but if you’re not present on your platforms**, people will forget about you.** Your personal brand is what makes you stand out. And while you will eventually need to develop a brand aesthetic to make your platforms recognizable, it’s, ultimately, not what matters. Your expertise and your personality are exponentially more valuable than your brand fonts and colors. But where should you start if you’re ready to develop your personal brand? I’m glad you asked. **RELATED: [WHY IS PERSONAL BRANDING IMPORTANT FOR YOUR BUSINESS AND CAREER?](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important/ "Why is Personal Branding Important for Your Business and Career?")** ## [**What’s Personal Branding?**](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/) Before diving into my Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding below, I need you to understand what this is and why it works. [Your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/), put simply, is you. It’s a combination of your expertise, attitude, values, and how you present all of this to an audience. As such, your personal brand is also how others perceive you. They say not to judge a book by its cover, but we all do it. As a business owner with a personal brand, your income depends on your “cover” appearance. You can always make a second first impression, but those who succeed *quickly* make an impactful impression the first time around. The reason people are finding such monumental success with personal branding is because no one else has their unique perspectives or personal experiences. As long as you’re willing to put yourself and your stories on display, **you’ll find success comes easy with your personal brand.** For example, let’s say I’m working with two business coaches. They’re both using Instagram to attract their ideal client. Business Coach #1 who is creating video content telling their audience how to grow from $0 to $10K months in 90 days will establish themselves faster than Coach #2, who is only posting carousel graphics with step-by-step instructions on the same topic. The reason Business Coach #1 is going to be more successful is simple: **they’re showing their face.** Business coaching is a profitable, but competitive, market. If you want to stand out, you need to be doing more than posting “How-To Build a Business” graphics. You need to ***personally show up.*** ![whats-personal-branding](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/9.png "- Claire Bahn") ### **Why It Works** You have always had a personal brand— you just didn’t know it. Every job interview you’ve had, every admission essay you wrote: it all hinges on the way you present yourself and the information you possess. Now, you and your career tie into one brand— hence personal branding. However, maintaining your brand isn’t easy. It requires you to show up and market yourself continuously. [According to statistics](https://www.markinblog.com/branding-statistics/), “61% of customers are likely to buy from companies with unique content.” The easiest way to create unique content is to be ***in*** it because nobody else can be you. On top of that, “54% of consumers would like to see video content from the brands they support.” The first business coach is doubling their chances of becoming a recognized authority in their industry simply because they choose to show up in a video. While you can always produce animated videos with plenty of valuable information, statistics aren’t memorable— **people are.** ### ![ultimate guide personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/CB-Pinterest-Templates-2-683x1024.png "CB Pinterest Templates-2 - Claire Bahn") ### **Common Personal Branding Problems** The problem I see with most of my [clients’ personal brands boils](https://clairebahn.com/testimonials/) down to one of two things: 1. **Their personal brand isn’t growing;** 2. **They went viral, and they have no control of their image** I’ve found if your personal brand isn’t growing, it has to do with consistency and the willingness to be vulnerable. If you’re not ready to get up and speak to an audience about your experiences and your skillset, then you’re not prepared to have a successful personal brand. On the other hand, I’ve had successful authors, CEOs, and influencers come to me to help manage their personal brands after they went viral on social media. This can be exciting at first, but in the chaos of it all, people realize pretty quickly that it’s possible to lose control over your narrative. And when that happens, **you’ll either sink or swim.** That’s[ typically where I come in](https://clairebahn.com/concierge) because I’ll help them outline a content strategy and use the momentum to keep the success of their personal brand going. **We don’t want your viral post to be your 15 minutes of fame.** **RELATED: [WHY IS PERSONAL BRANDING IMPORTANT FOR YOU AND YOUR BUSINESS?](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important-for-your-business/ "Why is Personal Branding Important for You and Your Business?")** ### **The [Value of Personal Branding](https://clairebahn.com/value-of-your-personal-brand/)** ![personal-branding-examples](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/10-1.png "- Claire Bahn") Every year, Forbes publishes a piece on the[ top paid YouTubers](https://www.forbes.com/sites/maddieberg/2020/12/18/the-highest-paid-youtube-stars-of-2020/?sh=2cd7bfef6e50) of the year. In 2020, the *lowest* top earner made $15 million. The highest-paid YouTuber, Ryan Kaji (a nine-year-old), made almost 30 million in 2020. Every single [person on this list is considered a personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/). And YouTubers were just the beginning: Tik Tokers, Instagram influencers, and bloggers fall under the personal branding umbrella. However, it’s not the social media algorithms that make these people insanely rich. While at least a small fraction of their success tie is tied to pure luck, their uniqueness plays a significant factor. **Influencers are not the only ones profiting from having a personal brand.** Think about it: where would Elon Musk be if he hadn’t developed his own personal brand? He probably wouldn’t be working with NASA on his own spacecraft, that’s for sure. The fact of the matter is, people invest in other people. If you only work behind the scenes, investors are less likely to take stock in your company, and customers aren’t as willing to buy. ### **Investing in Stories** Have you ever watched *The Profit?* The reality show follows CEO and angel investor Marcus Lemonis. He travels the U.S. to invest in what he perceives as valuable companies. A large portion of the show’s success attributes to its storytelling factor. Lemonis finds and interviews [small business owners](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-tips/) who almost *always* have a tale of hardship. These stories are what bring in nearly half a million viewers for each episode. These personal anecdotes are also why Lemonis eventually writes them a check for hundreds of thousands (sometimes millions) of dollars in working capital. Yes, he asks for their financials and evaluates their business model, but Lemonis ultimately invests because of their stories. Your personal brand should tell your story. But do you know it? ### **Where You Should Start** The key to any successful personal brand is having a story to tell. It should be present in every piece of content you produce, whether it’s a social media post, a billboard, or your website copy. If you’re serious about making your business work, you need to know your personal brand inside and out. So before you start working on your social accounts, the first thing you need to do is get to know yourself a little better. **RELATED: [HOW STARTUP FOUNDERS CAN STEP UP THEIR PERSONAL BRANDING IN 5 STEPS](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/ "How Startup Founders Can Step Up Their Personal Branding in 5 Steps")** ## **The Ultimate Guide to Personal Branding in 2021** ![personal-branding-quotes](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/14.png "- Claire Bahn") Okay, now you have the inside scope into personal branding. So how can you start building a profitable brand? As I’ve said, personal branding is just as important as your marketing efforts. The more you put into it, the more you’ll get out of it. But I don’t want you to overthink it. While it’s crucial to maintain and build your brand strategy, the bulk of it should be easy. If you’re ready to have a recognizable name in your industry, here is exactly what you need to do: ### **Step #1: Own Your Name** Press features and social media platforms are great, but it means your building your reputation on someone else’s platform. ***Right now,*** head to a domain name provider and claim your .com. Go Daddy, Blue Host, and Host Gator are a few places where you can claim a domain for less than $20 a year. Don’t stress what your domain name should be; you *should* use your first and last name. If you have a common name, I recommend utilizing your middle initial or your full middle name. You can also use your first and last name along with your area of expertise. If [clairebahn.com](http://clairebahn.com) was already taken, I might have opted to buy the domain name [clairebahnpersonalbranding.com](http://clairebahnpersonalbranding.com). Once you have your domain paid for, grab the ***same exact name*** on all the social media platforms. I’ll get into which ones you should be using in a bit; for now, claim your name on *every* channel. This means getting your @handle on: - Instagram - Facebook - Twitter - LinkedIn - Clubhouse - Tik Tok And maybe even Snapchat. It might not always be possible, but try to have the same name across every social media platform. If your name is already taken, try adding your industry title to your handle. At least this way, people will immediately recognize what type of content you’ll provide for them. All of this should take you less than two hours. If you’re already at this stage, then **here is where you might be screwing up your personal branding:** #### **Make a Website** Yes, you need a website if you want people to recognize you as an authoritative figure. **Unless your goal is to be a social media influencer, there’s no reason not to have your own platform.** Having a[ personal brand website](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/) shows people that you’re willing to go that extra step. These days, there are too many entrepreneurs enamored with the idea of becoming [social media famous](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/) instead of focusing on what really matters. Now, if you’re worried about building your website, that’s understandable. While platforms like Squarespace make designing a modern website relatively easy, it’s usually worth it to hire an expert to handle this for you. You have [approximately 1 second to make your first impression with your website.](https://www.8ways.ch/en/digital-news/visual-design-why-first-impressions-matter) If your site loads too slowly or looks messy at first glance, your website will be doing you more harm than good in terms of your reputation. What should people see when they land on your website? Here are just a few critical aspects of a profitable website: 1. **Professional photos of you** 2. **Your personal brand statement** 3. **About, Contact, and Press options in your Menu navigation** 4. **Free resources (a downloadable checklist, a short eBook, a webinar)** 5. **A website pop up for email opt-ins** 6. **SEO blogs and website copy** Chances are, you’re going to get to #3 and then get stuck. This is where [outsourcing for blogs, email marketing, and graphic design](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-outsourcing/) can save you time. If you don’t have the resources for that, you’ll just have to learn to do it yourself. This will take more time, but as long as you can add all of these within the first three months of your personal brand launch, you’re on your way towards elevating your brand. **RELATED: [9 PERSONAL BRANDING TIPS TO UP YOUR PERSONAL BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-tips/ "9 Personal Branding Tips to Up Your Personal Brand")** ### **Step #2: Be Yourself** Your website and social media channels are primed and ready to go but ***don’t post anything just yet.*** Remember, personal branding is all about living up to your own potential. The problem is, most people will try to mimic what they see other personal brands doing because they want to see the same success. Trust me. If you do this, you won’t see that success! You have to be *your* brand. Your business is to present the life that you *actually* live. I don’t mean that you need to show everyone every aspect of your life, day in and day out. I just mean that you can’t pretend to be something that you’re not. If you try this, you’ll eventually feel burnt out, unmotivated, and uninspired. And more than likely, your audience will see right through your fake persona. ***Being someone else isn’t sustainable.*** So here’s what I want you to do. Ask your friends and family to describe your key personality traits. See if they line up with what you think of yourself and your core values. These will be your personal brand “words,” and they should be present from your audience’s first interaction, all the way to the final transaction. Here’s a couple of adjectives to get you started: - Funny - Creative - Passionate - Smart - Inspiring - Tough - Honest - Quiet - Loud - Committed - Laidback - Outgoing Use those words to establish the tone you want your personal brand to present. It’ll help you to bring your unique attitude onto your platforms. #### **Play To Your Strengths** Another part of being true to yourself is playing to your strengths. Are you terrible at numbers but great at writing? *Both* of those should be a part of your brand but don’t try to give out financial advice to your audience (even if you do deal with numbers). Only create educational content in your qualified field. This brings me to my final point: what should you be posting to create buzz around your personal brand? There are at least two ways you should be presenting yourself: 1. **Be Educational:** Provide how-to tips for your target in hopes of turning them into paying customers 2. **Be Entertaining:** Tell personal stories about yourself to get audiences to like, know, and trust you You need to incorporate a little bit of both if you want people to begin to recognize you. For most, the educational part is the easiest. It’s the entertainment aspect that usually turns people off to personal branding. The good news is, entertainment is *different for everyone.* To one person, entertainment can be watching hours of comedy sketches, while another person can feel intrigued just by reading about personal experiences. You don’t have to be loud, aggressive, or funny to be entertaining. You just have to have stories to tell over and over again to your audience. It can be a story about your dog running away on their leash to chase a squirrel, or it can be a solemn story about how your business almost failed. As long as it’s emotional, relatable, and *authentic,* these experiences are what immediately make your brand unique. So use these stories, and use them often. **RELATED: [Free Personal Brand Rating Quiz](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-rating)** #### **Look the Part** ![personal-brand-style](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/15.png "- Claire Bahn") When I say you need to look the part, I just mean you need to look like you. You can be a professional CEO and make YouTube videos in your pajamas. It might make some people take you less seriously, but those people aren’t going to be your target audience, are they? If you spend most of your day in sweats, then there’s no shame in showing up that way on social media. This is something that will help set you apart from your peers. However, I recommend being cautious here. Use your judgment and your industry knowledge to determine what’s acceptable in your circle. Wearing P.J.’s can come across as playful and relatable, but it’s all about how you deliver it. If you choose not to acknowledge it at all, then people are more likely to look down on your style (especially if you’re in the business sector). One thing you can do to set your personal presentation apart from the rest is to figure out what’s unique about your look— and *highlight it.* This is another area where your friends and family come in handy. Ask them what they notice first about your appearance. Whether it’s your smile, hair, height, or even your nose, accentuate those features and let them work passively to make you recognizable. Simply having a[ work wardrobe](https://clairebahn.com/work-wardrobe-affects-personal-brand/) can help establish your presence. Maybe you’ll be known for wearing a certain color, monochrome pantsuits, or distinctive heels. It all plays a role in your personal brand, and can even have a [major effect on how you succeed.](https://clairebahn.com/work-wardrobe-affects-personal-brand/) **RELATED: [6 AMAZING PERSONAL BRANDING EXAMPLES TO INSPIRE YOU](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-examples/ "6 Amazing Personal Branding Examples to Inspire You")** ### **Step #3: Find Your Audience** Personal branding is about being true to yourself *first* to attract the right audience. The people who go viral are the ones who post content being their 100% unique selves**. That’s all there is to it.** But again, viral content is not the end all be all. I know there are people out there who show you how their viral video or blog post earned them some quick cash, but you only see half of it. With those viral videos come hateful comments, dips in sales, and sometimes even bad press. The only way to maintain a viral video’s success is to know your audience. Let’s say that your branding is picking up traction, and you want to ride that momentum to further your reputation and income. What’s your next move? ***Find your target audience.*** This is true whether you’re starting slow or your business is moving faster than you anticipated. If you know who your audience is from the beginning, you’ll have a better chance of going viral, *or* you’ll be better at managing your personal brand *after* you’ve gone viral. Let’s say that you’re a fashion designer. You know your target audience is 25-35 year-olds in the U.S. How can you speak directly to these people through your personal brand? The trick is to not look at your target audience as a whole but instead think of them as an individual person. Don’t craft content for a 25-35 audience; build content that speaks to a 35-year-old American male who makes 200K as a lawyer in New York. Give him a name, dreams, fears, and even write down what hobbies he might have. Instead of speaking to a general audience, you’re talking to Adam, the NYC lawyer who is worried he won’t be able to land more prominent clients because of his wardrobe. As a fashion designer, it’s up to you to show Adam how you can solve his problem. If you want Adam to remember you, all it takes is bringing your personal experiences with other NYC lawyers and how those stories played out. ### **Step #4: Create Your Personal Branding Niche** Own your name? Check. Have a website and social media platforms? Check. Know your ideal client? Check. Now it’s time to niche down. You want to tap into a niche that’s profitable and isn’t overly saturated. For example, I could have easily developed a personal brand as a digital marketing strategist. However, there are *tons* of these types of experts (i.e., Gary Vaynerchuk, Neil Patel, etc.). It would take a lot of time and effort for my name to become recognizable next to these giants. Because my expertise is in marketing, however, I decided to fill a gap in this industry. Plenty of people talk about social media marketing, blogging, and creating YouTube videos, but not many people talk about the personal branding aspect of it all. Enter Claire Bahn: Personal Branding Strategist. Before I made the call to niche down into this particular subset of marketing, I wanted to make sure it had market value. So one of the first things I did was search Google Trends to see how many people searched this particular field over the last decade. As you can see, personal branding has been trending upwards over the years. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/pesonal-branding-niche-trends.png "pesonal-branding-niche-trends - Claire Bahn") This not only ensures that I have a unique selling position in a profitable market, but it shows that I’m getting my skin in the game well ahead of most other marketers. Now I know that I can set an example for future personal brand strategists, *and* I’ll be the go-to expert in the personal brand coaching industry. Finding an underdeveloped but necessary niche instantly boosts your personal brand, making clients *and* press want to come to you. #### **Brand Aesthetics** When most people think of branding, they think of fonts, colors, and aesthetics. This part is important at some point in your career, but it’s not imperative in the beginning. Colors and branding can easily bleed into one another (like how Amazon and Etsy both use orange), but nobody can duplicate your personal experiences. But now that you have a good grasp of your personal brand, you should have time to solidify your overall aesthetic. All you need to do for this is create a brand “Mood Board.” Mine looks something like this: ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/personal-branding-niche-aesthetics-examples.png "personal-branding-niche-aesthetics-examples - Claire Bahn") These are the colors and fonts that show up on my social media graphics, emails, website, and other marketing materials. Even your brand photography can help set the stage for a recognizable personal brand. I try to wear purples and grays to match my brand aesthetic, and I almost exclusively use professional images instead of selfies. Decide what colors you want to show up in your brand, try to stick to one [personal brand photographer](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-select-personal-branding-photographer/), and always use the same 1-3 fonts! **RELATED: [WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA BRANDING?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/ "What Is Social Media Branding?")** ### **Step #5: Produce Consistent Content** All that’s left to do from this point forward is to maintain consistency with your content! You get to decide which content you want and can realistically maintain. You may choose to stick with the[ top social media platforms](https://clairebahn.com/top-social-media-platforms/) to boost your chances of being seen, but **remember to pick the platforms where your ideal client hangs out.** That fashion designer will have more success on Instagram and Tik Tok, whereas the business coach should consider using LinkedIn and Twitter to connect with professionals. **I recommend picking 1-2 social media platforms.** You should spend the rest of your time creating long-form content on YouTube or your blog. I recommend blogging or vlogging over casual social media posting because you have more control over how often people consume your content. [SEO plays a significant role](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/) in how fast your personal brand can thrive, so make sure you choose a platform that can harness these benefits, so you’re not playing the waiting game with social media algorithms. Here are a few platforms that use SEO: - Your website - YouTube - Pinterest - Instagram (new as of 2021) **RELATED: [SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY TO IMPROVE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/ "Social Media Marketing Strategy to Improve Your Personal Brand")** #### **Showing Up** How often should you present yourself online? Almost every day. Your blogs and YouTube videos don’t have to have a rigorous schedule because you have SEO on your side. SEO works for you passively to get discovered to new audiences, so once a week is enough. When it comes to social media, you need to be posting daily if you want a fighting chance to be seen and heard. Every platform is different, but as a rule of thumb: - **Facebook: 1-2 times per day** - **Instagram: 3-5 times per week; daily on Stories** - **Linkedin: 1-3 times per day** - **Twitter: 4+ times per day** - **Tik Tok: 1-3 times per day** It’s nearly impossible to be on every platform, and you don’t need to be on them all. The best way you can [build a reputation with your online presence](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/) is to be consistent and committed to one or two platforms. **RELATED: [PERSONAL BRAND STATEMENT EXAMPLES & TIPS TO CREATE YOUR OWN](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/ "Personal Brand Statement Examples & Tips to Create Your Own")** ## **Conclusion** ![personal-branding-strategy](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Claire-Bahn-Personal-Branding-Strategist.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") It may seem like a lot of work, but the beauty of personal branding is that it works when you don’t overthink it. As long as you know your area of expertise, you have a niche and ideal client, and you’re ready to post consistent content, the rest is just about being yourself— because nobody else can be you. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal branding consultant, personal branding strategy, personal branding tips, ultimate guide to personal branding --- ### [How To Find Your Personal Brand Voice](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-personal-brand-voice/) **Published:** March 24, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** If you’ve spent time, money, and an immense amount of effort into cultivating your brand without first defining your personal brand voice, then you’ll find yourself running in circles wondering why nothing’s working. Finding your brand’s voice is as crucial as your brand itself. Some people may argue that the two are entirely different concepts that cannot be thought of as a whole. I disagree. Without knowing your personal brand voice, you’re less likely to create and manage a consistent business that appeals to your ideal clientele. Relying on your branding alone results in passive impressions from potential clients. Sure, you’ve got an impeccable fashion sense and a ton of social media followers, but ultimately… you’re forgettable. Sorry, but it’s the truth. And I’m not here to waste your time. Tapping into your brand’s voice urges those potential clients to take action instead of just scrolling through your content for a few seconds then moving on to the next trending post. ### **Why It’s Important** Now, there’s no shame in hiring stylists or spending hours agonizing over your logos. As I said, branding and voice go hand-in-hand and I highly encourage having a polished, professional look. But unlike flashy household brands that market the crap out of products like toothpaste and window cleaner, your brand should be marketing you as an individual – not just a surface-level attempt at landing new clients. It’s the same reason some of us prefer to grab a coffee at a locally owned café than heading to an international chain. Or, why we prefer to shop brands that advocate for sustainability efforts than those that push cheaply-made products with little human interest. Transparency has quickly become one of the biggest defining factors of a business’s success. Unsurprisingly, [86% of Americans](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/data/social-media-transparency/#key-findings) believe that a brand’s transparency is more important to them than ever before. Building your personal brand’s voice will help your business reach a state of transparency that encourages clients to take action the next time they come across your profiles. ## **What Is Your Brand Voice?** ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/brand-voice.png "brand voice - Claire Bahn") So, what do I mean by building your “voice”? Your brand voice is your own distinct personality that is reflected in your brand’s digital communications. In fact, your personal brand’s content should echo the way you naturally talk in real life. Well, most of the time. Your brand’s voice can be as colloquial and humorous, or as brash and serious as you’d like it to be. This may sound like a risky idea to some, but I promise you that it will take your personal brand to an entirely new level. A level that refined branding just can’t accomplish on its own. Here’s a validating reminder: There is no one else like you. And that’s exactly what you need to keep in mind when determining what sort of message you want your personal brand to push outside of the services and products you offer. **RELATED: [PERSONAL BRANDING FOR SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/)** ## **How To Find Your Personal Brand Voice** ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/building-a-voice-for-your-brand.png "building a voice for your brand - Claire Bahn") Finding your personal brand voice may seem as daunting as learning how to find your purpose in life. It’s what helps to define the mission, purpose, and ultimate success of your brand. That’s a lot of pressure – I know. While I may not have the answers to all of life’s biggest questions for you, I can tell you that learning your brand’s voice isn’t as daunting as it sounds. Doing a bit of research, business analysis, and a refresher on adjectives will help you determine your brand’s voice. No matter what, you need to ensure that your voice resonates with your values and who you are as a person. Even though a certain amount of technical work goes into it, remember your brand’s voice should feel like an honest reflection of yourself. Whether this means taking a few hours to yourself during the weekend or taking a week-long meditative retreat to figure it out, make sure your personal brand’s voice is something that you can speak on for years to come (that’s not to say that you can’t [morph your business into something new in the future](https://clairebahn.com/rebrand-yourself/), though). My personal entrepreneurial journey has taken me through travel blogging, managing online profiles, and now, being a personal branding expert. There’s no shame in the evolution of your business ventures or your brand’s voice. Your personal brand voice is just as crucial as your business’s ROI, funding, and social proof. Finding it takes more than just scribbling ideas down on a notepad. But like anything else, the more effort you put into it, the better your results will be. ### **Step 1. Describing Your Brand** The best place to start searching for your personal brand voice is to brainstorm adjectives that best describe you.. Your personal brand is not just any other cheap marketing scheme. It’s your accomplishments, goals, and passions. Treat it as if it’s an extension of yourself. Humans are far more complex than a colorful logo or a meticulously styled photoshoot. Your brand’s voice is the opportunity to prove to your audience that you are, in fact, a human. Start by finding 3 words that describe *you*. Yes, just you. Not what solely defines your business and the products or services it provides. Imagine being in an interview and they ask you the same question. What would you say? What do you value? What have been your go-to descriptors in past interviews? I suggest listing every word that comes to mind before narrowing the list down to just 3. It’s not the easiest task to name yourself in just 3 adjectives, which is why it’s a common interview question. Words like curious, driven, optimistic, passionate, intelligible, open-minded, creative, determined, self-reliant, humble, and focused may come to mind. These are all admirable qualities to have, so take pride in the 3 words you choose. Now, I want you to find 3 words that describe your *business*. Marketing, technology, culture, people, finance, management, and development may help to describe aspects of your business. Once you’ve chosen 3 words for both yourself and your business respectively, determine where those 6 words overlap. It’s in these overlapping descriptions that you’ll find your brand’s words. Whatever words you choose, make sure that those words can be used to describe the content you’re producing and aligns with the way you plan to present yourself online. **RELATED: [HOW TO BECOME AN INDUSTRY LEADER](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-an-industry-leader/)** ### **Step 2. Do Your Research** Guaranteeing that your personal brand voice stands out among the rest requires some sleuthing around your industry. I normally advise against comparing yourself to other businesses. It can quickly lead to [limiting beliefs](https://clairebahn.com/limiting-beliefs/) that do more harm than good to your brand. So please be mindful of why you’re investigating your competitors in the first place. In this case, you’ll need to analyze your competitors to better understand how they present themselves to their audiences. Start by perusing around LinkedIn, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube to find some of your competitors’ most recent content. Do they come across personable and humorous? Or do they seem intense and brash? Are they vocal about their political opinions? Or are they accepting of everyone in their audience? Maybe, some of them don’t have a brand voice at all? After you’ve got a strong grasp on what it is other people are doing in your industry, it’s time for you to figure out how you can be different. Sometimes taking a second look at your brand’s model and [niching down your target audience](https://thriveglobal.com/stories/5-ways-to-stand-out-in-your-industry/) can make finding your unique voice a bit easier. Honing in on a niche will help you to stand out more quickly than attempting to cover a broad audience. If you’ve got your ideal audience nailed down, start thinking about the brand characteristics that you enjoyed. Find a way to incorporate similar, but different, qualities into your personal brand voice. **RELATED: [WHY PERSONAL BRANDING IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN 2021](https://clairebahn.com/why-personal-branding-is-the-key-to-success-in-2021/)** ### **Step 3. Write It All Down** I’ve said this before, but [consistency is key](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-in-6-months/) to anything you do for your businesses, and it’s especially important in maintaining your personal brand voice. To think being consistent with your voice and your content doesn’t really matter would be poor judgment. To make sure you’re hitting the consistency mark, write down your definition of your brand’s voice. All of that brainstorming and research should culminate onto a single page that you can easily refer back to. List your brand “words” or adjectives and devise a list of topics you can speak on that will accurately display your unique voice. If you want to make your [brand appear personable,](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) you could discuss some of the challenges you faced while establishing your career. If you’d prefer to keep it serious, sharing your thoughts on common mistakes of the industry could be helpful for your audience and prove to them that you know what you’re talking about. Your ultimate goal here is to figure out how you *don’t* want to be seen. **RELATED: [WHAT IS REPUTATION MANAGEMENT AND REASONS YOU MIGHT NEED IT](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/)** ### **Step 4. Know Your Audience** It’s unrealistic to think that every human on earth will like you. So why would you hold your personal brand to the same standard? You want to make sure that you’re attracting the right audience for the right reasons. You don’t want to appeal to anyone and everyone just to grow your social media following. If your follower count is all that matters, then you’ll be disappointed when your thousands of followers don’t interact with your content or don’t purchase from your brand. This is also why [focusing on vanity metrics](https://clairebahn.com/vanity-metrics-personal-brand/) can be so damaging to a business. Your voice has to resonate with your audience in order for it to be effective. First, you need to figure out who you want to speak to. Do you want to speak to women, men, or both? What is their age group? Then, it’s important to determine the wants, needs, and likes of your target audience. Once you outline this, you’ll know how to formulate your content and speak to them in a way that sells your services (or products) organically. When you’re planning content, be sure to address these things in your posts so that your ideal client knows you’re speaking directly to them. If your brand voice is strong, this is what will make people remember you and more importantly: like, know, and trust you. ## **Conclusion** Using your brand’s voice is what helps you to truly stand out from the crowd. No one else on earth should have the same tone to their branding that yours does. Before setting out on your entrepreneurial journey, you likely had an idea of your personal brand statement crafted in your head. For me, this equated to several renditions jotted down, crossed out, and rewritten before I landed on the statement that felt like the truest version of my aspirations. Your[ personal brand statement](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) is essentially your elevator pitch. It should explain who you are, what you do, and why you’re different from the competitors. **NEXT: [PERSONAL BRAND STATEMENT EXAMPLES & TIPS TO CREATE YOUR OWN](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/)** Adding a human element by using your brand’s voice helps you to share and to elevate that personal brand statement you worked so hard to craft. Now, it’s time to learn how to mix branding and personal voice together allows for your business aspirations to turn into successful executions. You need to own it. And don’t be afraid to use your voice. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** business voice, personal brand tips, personal brand voice --- ### [What is Omnichannel Marketing?](https://clairebahn.com/omnichannel-marketing/) **Published:** April 7, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** When I first transitioned this blog from lifestyle to a coaching platform, I knew marketing myself would be my biggest challenge. Little did I know that the omnichannel marketing approach would save me *years* of guesswork. Starting a personal brand platform means deciding where you want to present yourself. There’s no denying that[ your online presence means everything these days. ](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/)But there are *so many options.* Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, Clubhouse, Tik Tok, Facebook Groups, blogging, emails, and the list goes on. Usually, you’ll start with one. When it stops working, you’ll hop to the next. Or you’ll get started on *all* of them and then feel overwhelmed at the amount of content you have to produce. This leads to a lack of brand recognition and even fewer client sales. When you put all your eggs in one marketing basket, you’re beholden to that specific algorithm. And, as we all know, algorithms can change at any moment. While I recommend the multichannel marketing approach (more on that in a minute), you have to do it the *right* way for it to be effective. This is where the omnichannel experience becomes your saving grace. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO REBRAND YOURSELF – MY EXPERIENCE**](https://clairebahn.com/rebrand-yourself/) ## **What is Omnichannel Marketing?** ![omnichannel marekting definition](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/omnichannel-marketing-definition.png "omnichannel marketing definition - Claire Bahn") Omnichannel marketing is when you create a seamless customer experience through every platform you’re utilizing. As John Bowden, Senior VP of Customer Care at Time Warner Cable, puts it. “Simply put, [omnichannel](https://blog.marketo.com/) is multichannel done right!” When you think [of marketing for a company brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/), you want to create an omnichannel approach from the brick-and-mortar store through the product website and social media channels. But with your personal brand, it’s going to be noticeably different. Your omnichannel presence needs to be consistent and defined through *everything —*from your personal brand website and your YouTube channel to your Tik Tok account and podcast appearances. Each of these works well on their own, but they should be working *together.* That’s the beauty of the omnichannel approach. ### **Omnichannel Marketing Examples** For example, if a potential client finds you through a Google search and lands on your blog, there should be an easy transition to get them to your email list or follow you on social media. Or maybe vice versa, where someone finds you on social media, and you tell them to read your blog to learn more information. If you’re successful in getting that closer connection to your ideal client, the *one* aspect of your personal brand that will help them remember you is the consistency in your brand voice. Omnichannel means [having a blended brand voice across all of your accounts.](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-personal-brand-voice/) However, each social media platform should be distinguishable because you *should* have a unique [social media marketing strategy](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-a-strong-social-media-content-strategy/) for each platform. But you should blend your brand voice. Your YouTube video content should have the same tone as your blogs, and your blogs should have the same voice as your Instagram captions. Besides showing up on multiple channels and having a consistent personal branding USP, you need to make sure that the experience is seamless across each channel. That means making sure you have the same LinkTree or landing page in each social media bio, having a specific call-to-action in every caption, and providing the same level of customer support no matter where your audience finds you. See how it’s all coming together? **RELATED:** [**HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST YOUR CAREER**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/) ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CB-Pinterest-Templates-4-1-683x1024.png "CB Pinterest Templates-4 - Claire Bahn") ### **Benefits of Omnichannel** Omnichannel campaigns usually involve a team of people. So you can start by hiring *and* training your own group of people to handle your personal brand. Or you can hire someone like me! A [personal brand strategist who already has a trained team](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). Our marketing team of gurus develops all of your content to give your audience that limitless omnichannel marketing experience. This multi-level effort makes it so that you have a team working on broadcasting your personal brand across multiple platforms. This is how you’ll grow your [brand recognition *and* a synchronized personal](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) brand experience, which leads people to like, know, and trust you. When you build better systems for your audience, you’ll know where and where, and when to follow up or change strategies to create more sales. Creating this seamless transition from one platform to another helps because it makes it easy for a potential client to keep up with all of your content. When they’re doing that, that’s when you can create a multichannel marketing plan to turn that follower into a lead and that lead into a paying customer. **RELATED:** [**HOW STARTUP FOUNDERS CAN STEP UP THEIR PERSONAL BRANDING IN 5 STEPS**](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/) ## **Multichannel vs. Omnichannel Marketing: What’s the Difference?** ![multichannel marketing vs omnichannel marketing](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Multichannel-vs.-Omnichannel-Marketing.png "Multichannel vs. Omnichannel Marketing - Claire Bahn") I should also mention that there’s a slight difference between multichannel marketing and the omnichannel experience. You’ll probably *start* with multichannel marketing, which simply means posting content across multiple channels. But it takes some work (and usually a team) to get your omnichannel marketing working like a well-oiled machine. Omnichannel marketing is one step above multichannel marketing. This is when you’re ready to have a team of people manage your personal brand. You’ll need to hire a team who can effectively clone your brand voice. But why would you decide to take this approach? Aren’t there plenty of “solopreneurs” who only use *one* platform to maintain their personal brand? Yes… and no. The big industry leaders you see online might have blown up on a single social media platform. But the smart ones are the ones who start creating content on a different platform. They may have gone viral on LinkedIn, but now you see that they’ve [created a brand new YouTube channel for their personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/youtube-channel-setup/). That’s multiple channel marketing. What these people don’t tell you is that they eventually get so big that they can’t manage it all on their own. [They have to outsource](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-outsourcing/) if they want to keep up with multichannel marketing. The ones you don’t see thriving after their temporary fame are the ones who didn’t branch out of their favorite social media bubble (RIP Vine stars) to build a sustainable business. The thought leaders that you see thriving are the ones who have built a personal brand that can make sales on *any platform—* and that’s why you need omnichannel marketing. **RELATED:** [**4 REASONS YOU NEED VIDEO CONTENT MARKETING FOR YOUR PERSONAL BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) ## **5 Steps For a Seamless Omnichannel Marketing Strategy** ![benefits of omnichannel marketing](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/omnichannel-marketing-strategy.png "omnichannel marketing strategy - Claire Bahn") Whether or not you’re ready for this holistic approach doesn’t really matter. Be prepared to take this route if you want to [build a career that lasts you a lifetime](https://clairebahn.com/your-personal-brand-future-proof-your-career/). I know these steps can seem intimidating. Especially for entrepreneurs who haven’t taken that step to build their team. Nevertheless, I can guarantee you that if you’ve already taken at least some of these steps, then training (or outsourcing) your omnichannel marketing team will go much more smoothly. Need a blueprint on where to begin? Here’s my personal omnichannel marketing strategy: ### **1. Start with MultiChannel Marketing** Right now, you might have a preferred social media platform. But as I mentioned before, a savvy and successful business owner doesn’t put all their eggs in one basket. Naturally, that means making sure you’re on multiple social media platforms. I also highly encourage you to get your [personal brand website](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/) so that you aren’t beholden to social algorithms. If you’re a product-based business owner, you may start on websites like Etsy or Amazon. However, eventually, you’ll want your own website if you want to take this omnichannel direction (and double your sales). My go-to advice for all personal brands is to grab your handle on every single social media platform. Once you get to posting consistently, you’ll figure out which one you like best. Fom there, you can fine-tune your marketing strategies. ### **2. Create Unique Content** **For Each Platform** What you never want to do is repost the same graphic, link, and caption across every single channel. Cross-posting seems like the best way to stay consistent on every social media platform. Still, you r[un the risk](https://blog.hootsuite.com/cross-promote-social-media/) of missing sales opportunities or completely eliminating that social media account as a reliable marketing platform. So stop posting the same message on social media. Your Facebook audience demographic and content expectations will be monumentally different from your blog or YouTube audience. You need to be crafting content for each channel based on audience. This means creating different graphics, captions, and hashtags for each account you manage. Don’t feel exhausted just yet. Here are some hacks for you: 1. Format your video content to fit the[ specific dimensions](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-video-specs-guide/) for LinkedIn, YouTube, and IGTV. 2. Repurpose your blogs for video scripts, emails, and social media captions. 3. Use [Canva ](https://www.canva.com/)to find the appropriate dimensions for each platform and create a template for each. ![omnichannel marketing strategy](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/what-is-omnichannel-marketing.png "what-is-omnichannel-marketing - Claire Bahn") ### **3. Create a Better Customer Journey** The major difference when it comes to omnichannel marketing vs. multichannel marketing is the customer experience. At this point, if you’re a service-based entrepreneur (like me), you’ll be posting content consistently on multiple platforms. I, for example, post blogs and YouTube channels once a week, and I posted snippets of those videos and blogs on Instagram, Linked In, and Twitter at least three times a week. The point in posting content is to generate leads and build brand awareness. I can only generate more leads and build a bigger audience if my customer’s journey is relatively uncomplicated. So what I want to do is make sure my social media posts effortlessly lead consumers to my blog, which leads them to my freebie. That freebie (in this case, a free masterclass) brings that person to my email list, which puts me in constant communication with them to further my sales approach. Or, for a shorter customer journey, your social media can lead people to your free masterclass, which (hopefully) leads to a one-on-one client. The only way you’ll get people to that pay level is if their journey is uncomplicated at every step. You need to go through each customer experience on each platform to ensure your target audience isn’t hitting any roadblocks. Are your blog links as easily accessible on LinkedIn as they are on Instagram? Is your website load time just as fast on mobile as it is on desktop? By being aware of any errors, your omnichannel marketing experience becomes that much more in-tune with your target audience, making them that much more willing to become a loyal fan or customer. ### **4. Engage with Your Audience** Now, even if you’re posting consistently across multiple platforms, you probably only have the availability to nurture your audience on one of these accounts. With your omnichannel marketing team, you’ll be able to engage with people on every single platform for a holistic customer experience that people will appreciate. Think about it: people like Jasmine Star aren’t on social media 24/7, but you *always* see her responding to people. This is most likely someone on her social media team, which is likely only one branch of her marketing tree. ### **5. Measure Your Analytics** And finally, once you have a seamless customer experience throughout your personal brand platforms, you need to figure out what’s working. Use tools like Google Analytics to evaluate when potential clients bounce from your website. Is there a specific blog that’s underperforming? Figure out why that is (it may be a broken link, a lack of SEO, or even a missing call-to-action). Keeping track of your analytics on social media helps you figure out where to *personally* spend most of your time. If you’re thriving on LinkedIn, you might want to go Live on that platform once a week instead of Instagram. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO BECOME AN INDUSTRY LEADER**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-an-industry-leader/) You won’t have to stress over which social media channel brings in more brand awareness. With an omnichannel approach, your marketing efforts can bring in an (almost) equal ROI. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** Multichannel vs. Omnichannel Marketing, omnichannel marketing definition, omnichannel marketing strategy, what is omnichannel marketing --- ### [The Influencer Strategy Mistake That Is Ruining Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/influencer-strategy/) **Published:** April 14, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** We see them in our feeds all day long: People bragging about their high follower counts and (admittedly) impressive sponsorship deals. But in reality, their influencer strategy is all wrong. Creating and maintaining your digital empire as an influencer is so much more than just relying on your favorite platforms and a high follower count. As a professional [brand strategist and someone with my own personal](https://clairebahn.com/boost-your-brand-increase-visibility-online/) brand, I can say that I see tons of people making these same mistakes all day long. Sure, they know how to make themselves *look* impressive by posting about their LinkedIn following. But are they actually successful? And by that, I mean, are they influencing sales for those brand deals, are they maintaining a stream of clients or customers, and ultimately, are they growing a business? You might be surprised to learn that most of these “influencers” are only getting small snippets of that fame and fortune. No matter what your business goals are, understanding how to execute and maintain a successful influencer strategy for your personal brand is crucial to marketing your business for growth. So, before you fall into the same trap, let’s get into what you should and shouldn’t be doing for your brand. **RELATED: [HOW TO FIND YOUR PERSONAL BRAND VOICE](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-personal-brand-voice/)** ## **Personal Brand vs Influencers** Before we get into influencer mistakes, let’s talk semantics. If you follow me for my personal branding advice, then you might not be too interested in becoming an “influencer.” But what’s the difference, really? If you’ve spent any amount of time searching for the defining factors of having a personal brand and becoming an influencer, you’ve probably noticed that the line between the two is a bit blurry. That’s because they’re *sort of* the same thing. Every influencer has a personal brand, but not every personal brand considers themselves an influencer. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/influencer-strategy-and-1-mistake.png "influencer strategy and #1 mistake - Claire Bahn") A personal brand doesn’t mean having a logo and an aesthetic. It’s a curated, professional online presence. It helps establish you as an expert based on your experiences, thoughts, and advice. And an influencer isn’t going door-to-door to sell products. An influencer typically uses charm and relatability to get their audience to like, know, and trust them enough to follow or make a purchase. To put it simply: both rely on a personal touch to be successful. But if you want to **become influential in your industry**, it all *starts* with your personal brand. If you’re questioning whether or not you’ve already established a personal brand, look back at the content you’ve produced. If the types of content you’re posting is consistent, then you’ve got a good start. **RELATED: [HOW TO BECOME AN INDUSTRY LEADER](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-an-industry-leader/)** ## **How Do You Become An Influencer?** Becoming an influencer is simpler than what most people think. Yes, it requires a ton of planning and commitment, but it shouldn’t confuse you or cost you a lot of money. So, how do you become an influencer? Personal branding is a crucial piece of the influencer strategy puzzle. You can read the [beginning steps to building your brand here. ](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/)The basic formula for [being a successful influencer](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/) is as follows: 1. Know your stuff 2. Post helpful content 3. Be consistent Ultimately, the key to getting started as an influencer is to post – a lot. You should be regularly utilizing stories, feeds, and blogs to help get your name into the digital space. Before you start posting consistently, you need to know what the heck you’re talking about. People are constantly bombarded with marketing and ads, so show them that you’re a trustworthy source for advice, testimonials, and product recommendations. That being said, not all of your content should be pushing a product. Let your followers have a peek into your real life by sharing routines, hosting Q&As, or revealing an embarrassing moment. Transparency is the secret ingredient to a successful influencer strategy. So what if you have your niche, you’re posting consistency and you *still* don’t have the [authority and recognition you deserve?](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/) **RELATED: [10 TIPS TO CREATE A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/)** ## **The #1 Influencer Strategy Mistake** Even though influencer strategy can be relatively simple, there are still some common and easily made mistakes. And I see them *all the time.* 1. You’re not being your authentic self 2. You [don’t come across as confident](https://clairebahn.com/video-confidence/) or trustworthy 3. You’re trying to be an expert in too many niches Of those, there’s one that proves to be the most damaging. The worst mistake you could make as an influencer is to depend on ***one*** social media platform for all of your digital engagement. The absolute last thing you want to do as an influencer is put all of your eggs in one social media basket. Unfortunately, you’ll see a lot of people falling into this trap. They’ll go viral on one of their social media accounts and then put their other efforts on the back burner. The people you see bragging about how many followers they have on LinkedIn or Instagram are likely headed for trouble. Don’t feel bad about yourself or your business when you see these people because chances are, most of them aren’t going to “make it” in the long run. When you’re reliant on a single platform, you’re beholden to that [social media algorithm](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-algorithms/) and all its many (many) unpredictable changes. If you can’t adapt to these inevitable changes, how are you going to grow your personal brand? How will your followers find you? How will new people find you if you can’t count on social algorithms? ### The Truth The harsh truth is that social media platforms aren’t designed to be your friend; as an influencer, they actually sort of mess with you. Like millions of other users, you’ve probably caught your mind racing with thoughts like… *“I don’t post enough; I’m posting too much; I used the wrong hashtags; Oops, I forgot to put my link in the comment instead of the caption because Facebook and LinkedIn don’t want you to leave the platform.”* You could dedicate every algorithm “hack” to memory, but these algorithms change all the time (yes, even Google). All these things you’re supposed to be on top of can be a full job in itself. And it takes the fun out of building your personal brand and sharing content for your audience. While some of the stress of managing social media algorithms is inevitable as an influencer, ensuring that your livelihood isn’t completely reliant on one platform is just as important as the content you’re posting. ## **7 Strategies That Actually Work For Your Personal Brand** ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/influencer-mistakes.png "influencer-mistakes - Claire Bahn") Now, that I told you what *not* to do with your influencer strategy, let’s get to what tactics actually work. If you’re serious about growing your personal brand and building an influencer status, I suggest that you incorporate all of these methods into your marketing efforts. When used together, you’ll see your metrics skyrocket. With enough planning and focused research, you should be able to craft a plan of action for reaching your brand’s goals and avoid becoming “that guy” on your social media feeds. **RELATED: [4 REASONS YOU NEED VIDEO CONTENT MARKETING FOR YOUR PERSONAL BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/)** ### **1. Use Multiple Social Media Channels** First and foremost, tap into multichannel marketing. This is exactly what it sounds like. You and your personal brand need to be on multiple social media platforms. Focusing on just one is a recipe for disaster. Think about when you search for one product on Google and all of a sudden ads for that product start popping up across every website you visit. Don’t get me wrong, you don’t want your content to be spammy. But you do want people to notice your presence in several different digital spaces. It’s not enough for your content to be consistent across all channels – you also have to post regularly. Schedule your content for every platform on a weekly to monthly basis. Platforms like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and LinkedIn should be updated every day. YouTube, Pinterest, and blog posts should be updated at least once a week. ### **2. Work Smarter, Not Harder** If the idea of creating original content for multiple digital platforms seems daunting, here’s a tip: Refashion your previously created content for your new posts. A single YouTube video can be reposted as an Instagram IGTV, native LinkedIn video, or a small preview on your Twitter feed. You can even pull audio from your video if you’ve been thinking of starting a podcast! The list goes on, but you get it. Frankly, there’s no excuse not to be posting regularly when managing your influencer content strategy. If you’re on top of your scheduled content, you’ll always have things to pull from. ### **3. Know Your Platforms** No social media platform is created equal. Each has a different algorithm that requires individual attention. But this is only a bad thing if you don’t have a strong understanding of the role each one can play for your personal brand. Facebook and Instagram are the two heavy hitters, but both are more pay-to-play. This makes it more difficult to grow an organic following. However, LinkedIn and Twitter have a much better potential for organic reach. YouTube and Pinterest allow for a bit more user control by incorporating SEO into their algorithms. Both platforms use a keyword search, making it easier for you to ensure that your content will show up in the first few results. Essentially, they’re search engines like Google. You should also consider your target audience when choosing your platforms. If your target demographic is over the age of 35, then you’ll be wasting your time posting on Tik Tok. ### **4. Have a Backup Plan** Every successful industry leader has a Plan B in case things go haywire. For influencers, your backup plan rests entirely on your influencer website. There’s no arguing this: You need to have a personal brand website with your own domain. This makes it so that no single social media algorithm controls you. You’ll *always* have a fallback plan for your business. By including a website in your influencer strategy, you’re able to manage and maintain a digital presence through Google and SEO, which are far more reliable than other finicky algorithms. ### **5. Use SEO On Your Website** Now, it’s not always enough to have a website with a few flashy landing pages. You must also learn how to utilize Search Engine Optimization on your site. After you’ve grasped SEO, you should consider using blog posts on your site to help guarantee that your name will show on the first page of Google’s search results. Optimized blog posts (like the one you’re reading right now) can be the bread and butter of your influencer strategy. Yes, the word “blog” feels a bit outdated, but the reality is that people still use Google to search for relevant, reliable content. And blogs might be the best way to prove yourself. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/influencer-website.png "influencer-website - Claire Bahn") ### **6. Engage With Your Audience** Properly engaging with your audience is where all of your strategy efforts can pay off. There’s no point in devising a marketing strategy if you’re only looking to up your [vanity metrics](https://neilpatel.com/blog/vainest-metrics/). Engagement is what sets successful personal brands and influencers apart from the people who brag about their follower counts. Social media engagement means strategically liking, commenting, and sharing content from your target audience. Not only will you get more eyes on your carefully crafted accounts, but you’ll also start seeing DMs from potential future clients. The best part is that other users who are also serious about building their personal brand will be willing and excited to engage with your content, too. Hopefully, you’ll see that smart, successful influencers and industry leaders make up your supportive digital community. ### **7. Build Your Digital Empire** Creating and successfully utilizing multiple accounts in your influencer strategy requires you to think about [omnichannel marketing. ](https://clairebahn.com/omnichannel-marketing/) This means that all of your platforms offer a seamless customer experience. Ultimately, it should be a culmination of all of your efforts. Think of this as your personal brand’s empire. Every account and webpage should be a place where your audience can expect to go to see content specific to your brand. The catch is that every piece of content looks different from one platform to the next. Remember, every social media platform caters to different audiences who want different types of content. As long as you can provide the same experience when someone is consuming your content, you’ll start to build that loyal community — and finally — that influencer status. **RELATED: [THE GUIDE ON HOW TO BECOME FAMOUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/)** ## Conclusion Defining your personal brand is the only way to fast-track your success as an influencer in your industry. But if you go viral on one social media platform, don’t make the mistake of thinking that account can [carry your career](https://clairebahn.com/your-personal-brand-future-proof-your-career/). #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding **Tags:** how do you become an influencer, Influencer content strategy, influencer mistakes, influencer website --- ### [5 Steps to Rebrand Yourself Successfully](https://clairebahn.com/rebrand-yourself/) **Published:** March 10, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Is it time to rebrand yourself to align with your evolving goals? What does it really take to rebrand yourself without losing your audience—or your sense of identity? And how do you know when the moment is right to rebrand yourself for success?* *Rebranding yourself isn’t a sign of failure—it’s a powerful move toward clarity, alignment, and growth. In this blog, I share my personal journey of shifting from a successful lifestyle influencer to a personal branding expert. Through my story, I uncover why choosing to rebrand yourself can reignite your business, restore your passion, and help you attract the right audience. *Whether you’re outgrowing your current content or stepping into a new industry, this post outlines five actionable ways to rebrand yourself with confidence. From adjusting your aesthetic and refining your niche to updating your content strategy and letting go of what’s no longer serving you, this guide will show you how to rebrand yourself with intention—and make it stick.* A few years ago, I made the difficult decision to rebrand. When you are confronted with the notion that it might be time to rebrand yourself, you’re going to instantly associate that decision with **failure.** But that’s not ***at all*** what a rebrand means. The fact is, we all change over time. Our looks change, our passions change, and our goals change. It would be ridiculous to expect our personal brand to remain the same throughout its existence. That would be *boring.* And it would be a bad business move. You should always be looking for ways to reinvent, scale, and reimagine your business. Most people associate a new brand to mean changing up the brand styling (i.e. your logo). While this is what most companies do in order to keep up with modern aesthetics, sometimes it’s worth changing a companies overall mission statement. In fact, Apple’s 1995 “Think Different” rebrand is exactly what made it the success that it is today. As the former[ creative director puts it,](https://www.forbes.com/sites/onmarketing/2011/12/14/the-real-story-behind-apples-think-different-campaign/#6329febd62ab) this campaign alone “play a pivotal role in helping Apple achieve one of the **greatest corporate turnarounds in business history.”** But here’s what most people don’t point out: you can also *rebrand your personal brand.* When your passions change, your business model might change, your ideal client might change, and your [personal brand statement](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) might change. That’s what happened to me. And I had **nearly 100K followers** across my platforms. Four years later, and I *still* think a rebrand was the right call. **Table of Contents:** [Here’s What Happens When You Rebrand Yourself: My Experience](#_Toc193974828) [3 Reasons Why You Might Need to Rebrand Yourself](#_Toc193974829) 1. [ **You want to scale up**](#_Toc193974830) 2. [ **Your ideal client has changed**](#_Toc193974831) 3. [ **To move away from an old persona**](#_Toc193974833) [**Some Advice**](#_Toc193974834) [How Can Predictability in Your Personal Brand Be Risky?](#_Toc193974835) [Understanding Authenticity vs. Growth in Personal Branding](#_Toc193974836) [**Natural Fresh Start Moments for Rebranding**](#_Toc193974837) [How to Justify a Rebrand](#_Toc193974838) 1. [ Look at your content](#_Toc193974839) 2. [ Look at your numbers](#_Toc193974840) [How a Consultant’s Advice Can Shape Personal Growth and Branding](#_Toc193974841) [Embracing Change for Personal Development](#_Toc193974842) [Building a Dynamic Personal Brand](#_Toc193974843) [Practical Steps to Leverage Advice](#_Toc193974844) [How Fear Can Impact Your Personal Brand Rebranding Efforts](#_Toc193974845) [**Fear of Criticism and Rejection**](#_Toc193974846) [**Comfort Zone Constraints**](#_Toc193974847) [**Impact on Decision-Making**](#_Toc193974848) [**Overcoming Fear for a Successful Rebrand**](#_Toc193974849) [How Research Powers Your Personal Brand Rebrand Success](#_Toc193974850) [Fueling Creativity and Exploration](#_Toc193974851) [Strategic and Intentional Consumption](#_Toc193974852) [Crafting a Brand Identity That Resonates](#_Toc193974853) [What Are Some Creative Resources Available for Personal Brand Rebranding?](#_Toc193974854) [Visual Inspiration](#_Toc193974855) [Educational Resources](#_Toc193974856) [Written Content](#_Toc193974857) [Integrate Leisure with Learning](#_Toc193974858) [When You Shouldn’t Rebrand](#_Toc193974859) 1. [ **When you’re brand new**](#_Toc193974860) 2. [ **Before addressing problematic issues**](#_Toc193974861) 3. [ **When you have nothing to bring to the table**](#_Toc193974862) [5 Ways to Rebrand Yourself for Success](#_Toc193974863) 1. [ Change Your Aesthetic to Demolish the Competition](#_Toc193974864) 2. [ Cut Ties with the Toxic](#_Toc193974865) 3. [ Expand and Bump Your Prices](#_Toc193974866) 4. [ Know Your Niche](#_Toc193974867) 5. [ Improve Your Content Strategies](#_Toc193974868) [How Defining a Tone of Voice Aids in Personal Brand Rebranding](#_Toc193974869) [**Establishing a Distinctive Identity**](#_Toc193974870) [**Staying Consistent and On-Brand**](#_Toc193974871) [**Practical Application**](#_Toc193974872) [**Monitoring Progress**](#_Toc193974873) [How to Approach a Name Change in Personal Branding](#_Toc193974874) 1. [ **Embrace Major Life Events**](#_Toc193974875) 2. [ **Use Your Middle Name or Nickname**](#_Toc193974876) 3. [ **Experiment with Last Names**](#_Toc193974877) 4. [ **Add a Unique Twist**](#_Toc193974878) 5. [ **Go Bold with a Single Name**](#_Toc193974879) 6. [ **Reinvent or Completely Recreate**](#_Toc193974880) 7. [ **Invent Something New**](#_Toc193974881) ## **Here’s What Happens When You Rebrand Yourself: My Experience** ![rebrand yourself](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Picture1-300x110.png "rebrand yourself - Claire Bahn") I started blogging around 2015. Back then, I was known as the Gluten-Free Avenger. And because this was prime time for both *Avengers* and the gluten-free movement, my blog took off. For the next four years, I steadily built my following as an influencer. It was fun to work with brands, get free hotel stays, and cultivate a community of lifestyle fans who devoured my cooking recipes and travel hacks. Until I wasn’t happy. Being a social media influencer wasn’t my job. In fact, at the same time, I had built my own company, [Online Profile Pros](https://onlineprofilepros.com/) (formerly Dating Headshots, Inc.) Our goal is to help people with their personal brand messaging and digital footprint across various platforms. We retouch bios, take lifestyle images, and coach individuals on their online profiles. And anything goes; we help people get dates on Tinder and we help people land their dream jobs on LinkedIn. The more successful OPP became, the more detached I felt from Gluten Free Avengers. So in 2021, I changed everything to, simply, Claire Bahn. But Claire Bahn was tired of talking about [How to Plan the Perfect Beach Picnic](https://clairebahn.com/beach-picnic-essentials/). I wanted to talk about branding, social media marketing, and *how* I was able to build that 100K personal brand. So I tried to mix in some of my business talk every other week alongside my lifestyle content— **until I just couldn’t do it anymore.** **RELATED:** [**DEALING WITH IMPOSTER SYNDROME – PRACTICAL ADVICE FROM SOMEONE WHO’S BEEN THERE**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-overcome-imposter-syndrome/) #### **Here’s What Happened When I Rebranded** Because Online Profile Pros was doing so well, my husband and I launched another branding business designated for seven-figure personalities: [Stratus Branding](https://stratusbranding.com/). At the same time, I wanted to leverage my existing personal brand to talk about all things business. So, I made the full switch in my social media and blog content. **And *nobody* was listening.** Despite SEOing my blogs, using the right hashtags, and showing up consistently, my followers who originally came to me for lifestyle content seemed to drop off the face of the earth. The numbers were still there, but the engagement was…disappointing, to say the least. So, I went for the *full* rebrand. I wrote nearly 50 blogs on personal branding and created an entirely new Instagram account. #### **Here’s what happened:** In just a few months after the full rebrand, it’s was a lifesaver. My ***engagement was at a steady 29%*** and I was getting dedicated followers *and* potential clients. This is why I’ve always said **it’s better to have 200 real fans than 2,000 non-fans** (aka people who don’t care what you’re doing). In just a year, I scaled my business and onboarded my own team. Everything moved a *lot* quicker. I even booked a speaking gig at one of the [largest entrepreneur conventions](https://clairebahn.com/is-the-alt-summit-worth-it/) in the country. More than just financial success, my work-life balance became 1,000 times more manageable. Starting fresh with my personal brand opened me up to more possibilities because **my message actually resonates with me.** It makes creating content easier, it makes landing clients easier, and I feel more secure with my business than ever before. So, should you rebrand yourself? If your message no longer resonates with you, I think it’s not a matter of *if* you should—but when. **RELATED:** [**THE FIRST 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHEN BUILDING YOUR BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) ## **3 Reasons Why You Might Need to Rebrand Yourself** ![rebrand yourself 1](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Picture2-300x200.png "rebrand yourself 1 - Claire Bahn") My reasons for rebranding might align with yours—but is it still the right move? Rebranding yourself can be as simple as slowly adding new content pillars to your brand. This is what I did until I slowly pushed my lifestyle content out of the mix. Depending on your situation, you might need to make a swift rebrand. Maybe your business is failing, or perhaps you found yourself in some hot water. In these cases, it’s best to rip the band-aid right off and get moving *fast.* However, take into account how much work this rebrand is going to take. You’re going to need ***a lot of help*** to restructure your [personal brand’s statement](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/), not to mention the content overhaul you’ll have to do. So, which boat are you in? Take a look at these three reasons why you may need to rebrand yourself. **RELATED:** [**DEALING WITH IMPOSTER SYNDROME – PRACTICAL ADVICE FROM SOMEONE WHO’S BEEN THERE**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-overcome-imposter-syndrome/) ### **1. You want to scale up** Your personal brand is present whether you’re an entrepreneur, a CEO, or you work for a company. And it’s a *significant* selling point to both investors *and* your boss. So whether you’re looking to impress an investor or you’re trying to convince your boss that you’re ready for that new role, taking a more in-depth look into your personal mission is going to help. Think about what you want people to say when they introduce you to their colleagues. Without blatantly telling people who you are and what you do, you can help people develop this definition of your personal brand through the content you post. Is the work you’re putting out there accurately displaying your expertise? Believe it or not, that investor (and even those higher-ups in the company you work for) **will go for the personal brand that is active on social media,** no matter how big or small your [online presence](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/) may be. Providing information on your personal platforms says a lot about you; it says you’re selfless and confident*, and* you look like an expert in your field. Make sure you’re representing yourself the way you want people to see you. To be seen as a thought leader, you should be bold in your blogs and videos and talk about unpopular opinions. More importantly, you should be actively answering questions in your community to really boost your brand’s like, know, and trust factors. **RELATED:** [**THE FIRST 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHEN BUILDING YOUR BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) ### **2. Your ideal client has changed** So, what if you’re already in your ideal industry? What’s making you think that rebranding yourself is necessary at this point in your career? **If it’s because you’re not growing on social media, you’re already in it for the wrong reasons.** You can use [social media to boost your career](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/) without completely changing your brand. It might be time for a minor facelift—but not a full rebrand. However, if your social media following isn’t growing, it could be because you haven’t solidified your ideal client. Any time you create a piece of content for your personal brand, you should have a clear image of the person you’re speaking to as if they were right in from of you. If you’ve been posting consistently, but you don’t have this person in mind, I can ***guarantee you that’s why your brand isn’t growing.*** On the other hand, a rebrand is typically necessary any time you switch industries *or* you’re looking to target a different audience. For example, let’s say you’re a real estate agent who targets first-time family home buyers. What happens if your personal brand starts attracting high-income individuals who are looking at luxury properties? Then, it’s time to improve your personal brand’s aesthetic, [from the clothes you wear](https://clairebahn.com/work-wardrobe-affects-personal-brand/) to the content you produce. **RELATED:** [**5 STEPS TO DEVELOPING A PERSONAL BRAND FOR BEGINNERS**](https://clairebahn.com/developing-personal-brand/) ### ![rebrand yourself 2](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Picture3-200x300.jpg "rebrand yourself 2 - Claire Bahn") ### **3. To move away from an old persona** Perhaps the most common reason people look into changing their online brand is because they’re looking to move away from an old persona. As I said before, we’re always changing. It doesn’t matter if it’s a switch in your appearance, your interests, or your career—any one of these is reason enough to rebrand yourself. I personally think that this is the most ***fun*** type of rebrand. You get to completely reinvent yourself from top to bottom. Usually, this adjustment starts because you’ve realized a new skillset or your mindset is entirely different from what it used to be. ### **How to Rebrand Yourself Successfully?** Before making any changes, take a step back and evaluate where your personal brand stands today. A successful rebrand isn’t about changing everything overnight. It’s about understanding why your current brand no longer fits, deciding what you want to be known for next, and making intentional updates that support that new direction. The next five steps will help you determine whether a rebrand is right for you and how to approach it with confidence. **RELATED:** [**DO CEOS NEED THEIR OWN PERSONAL BRAND? 5 TIPS FOR EXECUTIVE BRANDING**](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) ### **Some Advice** My advice for anyone looking to move away from an old persona is to take a social break—online and offline. Go “dark” for a while and dig into what you want your personal brand to be. Your social hiatus can be as long as you want; just make sure you let your current audience know that you’ll be taking a break. Once you’re ready to come back (with your new personal brand in tow), you’re going to ***tell your audience*** about this change. Hype it up and get people to be excited *for you*. That way, you have the potential to carry your new audience into this new era, whether or not they’ll be interested in your new content. You’ll be going through the transformational journey, and *everyone* likes to stick around to see if it works out. So, you need to create suspense and excitement around your rebrand. This way, your audience will be excited, too, and they’ll be rooting for you to succeed. ### **How to Rebrand Yourself on Social Media?** Your social media profiles should reflect the same direction as your business. Update your bio, profile photo, messaging, and content so they all communicate what you want to be known for today. If you’re making a significant change, tell your audience why. Bringing people along on the journey builds trust and helps attract followers who connect with your new direction. ### How Can Predictability in Your Personal Brand Be Risky? Being consistent can establish you as dependable, but there’s a flip side to being overly predictable. Even when your work is successful, the risk of becoming too predictable can be detrimental. While reliability is valuable, being stagnant can leave you vulnerable in the competitive market. New and dynamic competitors might capture the attention of your audience. Therefore, rebranding is crucial to stay relevant and engaged with your audience, regardless of the context. 1. **Stagnation**: When your personal brand becomes too predictable, it risks stagnation. Audiences quickly adapt to routine messages, leading to apathy rather than engagement. Over time, this can cause an erosion of interest and a dwindling follower base. 2. **Competition**: In the ever-evolving marketplace, new competitors are constantly introducing fresh, innovative ideas. If your brand lacks variety or surprise, you might find your audience gravitating toward these novel alternatives, leaving your message lost in the noise. 3. **Perception of Relevance**: Predictability can create a perception that your brand is out of touch with current trends. Staying relevant requires a balance of consistency and innovation, ensuring your audience feels both comforted by your reliability and excited by your evolution. 4. **Missed Opportunities**: Flexibility is key to seizing new opportunities. If your brand is known for sticking rigidly to the same old patterns, you might miss out on collaborations and initiatives that could expand your reach and influence. While consistency is undeniably valuable, remaining adaptable and injecting curiosity into your brand strategy can help ensure you stay ahead and continue to captivate your audience. ### Understanding Authenticity vs. Growth in Personal Branding When we talk about personal branding, ***authenticity**,* and ***growth*** often come up as key concepts. However, they aren’t the same thing, and understanding their differences can greatly impact how you cultivate your brand. #### **Authenticity: Staying True to Yourself** Authenticity in personal branding is about being genuine. It means presenting yourself in a way that aligns with your true values, beliefs, and unique personality. When you embrace authenticity: - **Your message resonates**: Audiences can sense when you’re being genuine, which builds trust. - **Connection deepens**: Authentic sharing fosters deeper connections as people are drawn to sincerity. - **Consistency is key**: Being true to yourself consistently strengthens your brand identity. In contrast, *not feeling authentic* usually stems from trying to mimic others or conform to external expectations. This can lead to a disconnect between your personal values and your public persona. #### **Growth: Evolving Your Brand** On the other hand, ***growth*** in personal branding refers to expanding, adapting, and enhancing your existing brand. It’s about: - **Trying new things**: Experimenting with different strategies, exploring new platforms, or changing your focus to better serve your audience. - **Building a moat**: A [Warren Buffet](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/warren-buffetts-best-advice-investing-build-moat-david-brier-gceve/) metaphor that speaks to creating a strong, resilient brand that can withstand competition. - **Always learning**: Embracing continuous learning to keep your brand relevant and up-to-date. *Not growing* implies stagnation—remaining static can cause your brand to become outdated or irrelevant in a rapidly changing landscape. #### **Balancing Authenticity and Growth** Balancing authenticity with growth requires a careful approach. Here’s how: 1. **Self-Reflection**: Regularly assess your values and ensure your brand reflects them. 2. **Adapt Strategically**: Make changes that align with your core values while still pushing boundaries. 3. **Engage With Feedback**: Listen to your audience to understand where opportunities for growth lie without compromising your authenticity. Ultimately, by understanding and balancing these two elements, you can build a personal brand that is both authentic and dynamic. ### **Natural Fresh Start Moments for Rebranding** Rebranding often benefits from aligning with natural fresh start moments throughout the year. These moments offer both businesses and individuals a psychological boost, making transitions smoother and more impactful. #### **Regular Milestones** 1. **Beginning of a Month:** The first day of a new month is universally seen as a clean slate, a chance to initiate new marketing strategies or launch refreshed brand identities. 2. **Weekly Resets on Mondays:** Mondays symbolize a new week, perfect for rolling out new content or campaigns that aim to capture the attention of a refreshed audience. 3. **Seasonal Changes:** The start of a season can convey thematic shifts within a brand, aligning products or services with seasonal demand. 4. **Personal Celebrations:** - **Birthday:** Use personal milestones like birthdays for brand anniversaries, offering promotions that signify new beginnings. - **Work Anniversaries:** Executives can celebrate and reflect on past years by announcing new goals or rebranding efforts that redefine their mission. 1. **Post-Vacation Returns:** The return to routine after a vacation offers a great opportunity to reignite enthusiasm with refreshed concepts, both personally and professionally. #### **Life Transformations** 1. ****Major Life Events:**** - **Marriage or Divorce:** Life transitions, such as getting married or experiencing a breakup, can trigger new personal branding efforts or shifts in lifestyle-related services. - **Career Changes:** Starting a new job or stepping away from an old one presents a ripe opportunity to reposition one’s professional brand or career-focused business angles. 1. ****Relocation:**** - **New Cities or Countries:** Moving to a new location opens doors for place-based branding strategies that highlight local cultures or markets. - **Returning Home:** Re-entering familiar environments can spark a return-to-roots rebranding, highlighting authenticity and personal growth. 1. ****Educational Milestones:**** - **Graduation:** This transition marks a significant point to launch new personal brands or educational services targeting recent graduates eager for professional development. Incorporating these moments into your rebranding strategy can harness natural momentum, ensuring your audience connects with the changes on both emotional and practical levels. ## **How to Justify a Rebrand** ![rebrand yourself 3](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Picture4-300x200.png "rebrand yourself 3 - Claire Bahn") If you’re still reading this, good for you! You know this decision does not (and should not) come easy. It will take *so much time* to put together an entirely new persona**. And it’s potentially wasted time if you’re doing it for all the wrong reasons.** So how can you justify a rebrand? Is it really worth taking time off to reinvent yourself? First, let’s decide whether or not a rebrand is necessary. **RELATED:** [**HOW YOUR PERSONAL BRAND CAN FUTURE-PROOF YOUR CAREER**](https://clairebahn.com/your-personal-brand-future-proof-your-career/) ## 1. Look at your content When you look back at the content you’ve made in the last year, do you feel detached? If you feel uninterested or unmotivated to create new content in your niche, then you might want to rebrand yourself. Sometimes we decide to switch gears because we feel like we’ve already put everything we have into our dedicated area of expertise. Let’s say you’re an accomplished CPA. You’ve built up your clientele because you’re *extremely* good at marketing. So, maybe now, you’re more interested in helping other CPA’s market themselves. Your content will shift from expense write-off tips to explaining *how* other CPAs can share this information themselves. In this case, you’re taking on an entirely new direction. Your content is shifting from financial education to marketing education. Your ideal client is changing from everyday taxpayers to your fellow CPAs. This is when a rebrand is justifiable. **If this is the type of content that excites you**, **this is what you should be creating**. It opens new doorways for you as well. You can hold on to your current clientele as a CPA, but now you can also create digital products and CPA courses to *grow your revenue.* **RELATED:** [**10 TIPS TO CREATE A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/) ## 2. Look at your numbers As I mentioned earlier, y**ou’re setting yourself up for failure if you’re justifying a rebrand because of social media numbers.** These are not the numbers you want to be looking at because they don’t indicate whether your business is successful or not. If you read my blog on [vanity metrics](https://clairebahn.com/vanity-metrics-personal-brand/), you’ll start getting into the habit of looking at numbers that *matter* to your business. If your engagement has been steadily decreasing over the years, something is turning your audience off to what you have to offer. In this case, a rebrand is justifiable because you want to think about creating content and a business structure that resonates with your ideal client. Use your social media Insights to see which content received the most attention in the last year. If you have a [personal brand website](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/) (you should), then go through your Google Analytics to interpret user behavior. Where does your audience fall off? Once you determine where you’re lacking, you can start to format a strategy to get people interested again. **If *you’re* not interested in the content or the products you’re creating, your audience isn’t going to be, either.** If you *love* what you’re putting out, you probably need a [personal brand strategist](https://clairebahn.com/why-do-you-need-a-personal-branding-consultant/) to give you a second opinion. While it’s important to love what you’re producing, you also have to create something your target audience will enjoy. A personal brand strategist can give you direction by analyzing your competitor’s content and numbers to determine where you can improve. **RELATED:** [**WHAT IS A PERSONAL BRAND CONSULTANT?**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-consultant/) ## How a Consultant’s Advice Can Shape Personal Growth and Branding Seeking guidance from a [branding consultant](https://clairebahn.com/) (or mentor) before embarking on a transformative journey can be beneficial. The counsel given is not just a gentle nudge but a profound challenge: return from your voyage so changed that you become a new version of yourself, not only to others but to your own eyes. This transformative advice can significantly impact personal growth and branding in several ways: ### Embracing Change for Personal Development One of the most powerful effects of a branding consultant’s advice is the encouragement to embrace transformation. This can lead to greater self-awareness and the courage to shed limitations. By embracing change, you open doors to new skills and perspectives, bolstering your personal growth journey. ### Building a Dynamic Personal Brand A branding consultant’s advice to radically transform can also redefine your personal brand. By evolving continuously and aligning your brand with your authentic self, your narrative remains fresh and inspiring. Just as businesses rebrand to stay relevant, personal branding thrives on adaptation and growth. Challenge yourself to consistently redefine your personal brand, making it a living, breathing reflection of your ongoing journey. ### Practical Steps to Leverage Advice - **Set Clear Intentions**: Define what transformation means for you. What aspects of yourself or your life do you want to evolve? - **Seek Diverse Experiences**: Broaden your horizons through varied experiences that challenge your current mindset. - **Reflect and Reassess**: Regularly evaluate your progress and brand alignment. This will ensure you remain true to your evolving self. By heeding a consultant’s advice to undergo deep transformation, you open up opportunities for personal growth and a dynamic personal brand that resonates with continuous evolution. ## How Fear Can Impact Your Personal Brand Rebranding Efforts Fear is a powerful emotion that can significantly influence your decisions, particularly when it comes to rebranding your personal identity. While it’s a natural response meant to protect us from danger, fear can also act as a barrier to growth, especially in personal branding. ### **Fear of Criticism and Rejection** When considering a rebrand, many are haunted by the fear of criticism and rejection. This fear can stem from concerns about how current and potential audiences will perceive the new direction. The thought of facing negative feedback, or even worse, indifference can be paralyzing. However, allowing this fear to dominate can hinder you from exploring new and innovative ways to represent your brand. ### **Comfort Zone Constraints** Fear tends to keep us within the confines of our comfort zone. In personal branding, this means sticking with what feels safe or customary, avoiding experimentation or deviation from established practices. While staying in your comfort zone may feel secure, it often prevents you from capitalizing on new opportunities and reaching your full potential. ### **Impact on Decision-Making** Fear can cloud judgment, leading to decisions that favor short-term comfort over long-term success. For instance, you may choose a path of least resistance, aligning with popular trends instead of crafting a unique brand identity that genuinely represents you. This conformity stifles creativity and reduces the chances of distinguishing yourself in a crowded market. ### **Overcoming Fear for a Successful Rebrand** 1. **Acknowledge Your Fears**: Recognize what specifically scares you about rebranding. Is it fear of losing your audience or uncertainty about how to execute a new vision? 2. **Research and Preparation**: Understanding your market and audience can mitigate fear. This knowledge gives confidence and direction, making the rebranding process more manageable. 3. **Embrace Risks**: Accept that some level of risk is inherent in any growth process. Challenge yourself to embrace change as an opportunity for growth rather than a threat. 4. **Seek Support**: Engage with mentors or professionals who have successfully navigated a personal rebrand. Their insights can provide valuable reassurance and guidance. Breaking free from fear can be the catalyst for revitalizing your personal brand and unlocking potential you never knew existed. ## How Research Powers Your Personal Brand Rebrand Success Embarking on a personal brand rebrand is like wearing the hat of a Creative Director for your very own brand. Every successful endeavor begins with a thoughtful exploration phase, setting the foundation for future triumphs. But why is research so vital in this journey, and how can it be anything but dull? ### Fueling Creativity and Exploration Research is not just about gathering data; it’s about immersing yourself in creative influences that can inspire and drive your rebranding efforts. This initial phase allows you to dive deep into a world of possibilities, exploring a rich tapestry of resources from various platforms: - **Video Platforms:** Discover engaging content that reflects the tone and style you aspire to. - **Written Content:** Dive into articles and blogs that provide insights and spark new ideas. - **Audio Content:** Listen to industry leaders share their stories and strategies. - **Visual Inspiration:** Pin or save visuals that capture the essence of your new brand image. - **Social Media:** Observe trends and gather ideas from vibrant online communities. ### Strategic and Intentional Consumption Approach this research phase with purpose. While scrolling through social feeds or watching videos, ask yourself what elements resonate with you. Is it the visual aesthetic, the message, or the overall vibe? This is your opportunity to consume content that aligns not just with your goals but with your authentic self. ### Crafting a Brand Identity That Resonates By understanding what appeals to you and why, you’ll be better equipped to craft a brand identity that is both unique and relatable. Consider this your playground—one where exploration leads to genuine insights, shaping a personal brand that truly stands out. Research is your gateway to innovation in personal branding. It not only informs but also inspires, laying the groundwork for a rebrand that speaks volumes. ## What Are Some Creative Resources Available for Personal Brand Rebranding? Rebranding your personal brand is an exciting opportunity to redefine how you are perceived. Luckily, there’s a wealth of creative resources at your disposal to help guide and inspire your journey. ### Visual Inspiration Visual platforms offer a rich tapestry of ideas and trends: - **Pinterest**: Dive into boards showcasing brand aesthetics and design trends. It’s a great place to curate ideas for logos, color schemes, and overall brand identity. - **Instagram**: Follow influencers and brands that resonate with your new direction. Explore how they present their stories visually and engage their audiences. ### Educational Resources Enhance your skills and strategic outlook with educational content: - **YouTube**: Find channels dedicated to branding strategies, offering tutorials and success stories that can provide both inspiration and practical advice. - **Podcasts**: Tune into podcasts that discuss brand development, marketing techniques, and personal storytelling. Listening on-the-go makes it easy to fit learning into your day. ### Written Content Engage with in-depth analyses and personal experiences: - **Blogs**: Seek out [articles from branding experts](https://clairebahn.com/blog) who share their insights and tips on transforming personal brands. Blogs often delve into nuanced strategies and provide step-by-step guides. ### Integrate Leisure with Learning In your downtime, consume content that aligns with and enhances your rebranding vision. This not only sparks creativity but also keeps you attuned to emerging trends and fresh ideas. ## **When You Shouldn’t Rebrand** ![rebrand yourself 4](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Picture5-300x200.png "rebrand yourself 4 - Claire Bahn") Alright, so far, we’ve covered: - My personal rebranding experience - Reasons why you should rebrand yourself - How to justify spending time on a rebrand If you’re still not convinced a rebrand should be in your future, then **let’s discuss when you *shouldn’t* waste your time.** ### **1. When you’re brand new** Many people are [ready to start from scratch](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/) because they aren’t hitting their goals and their numbers fast enough. This is why patience is a virtue. **A slow start doesn’t mean a failing brand.** It probably just means you need a facelift—something a [personal brand strategist can help you achieve.](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/) So don’t pull the rebrand trigger just yet. Instead, get the opinion of an expert. We’ll be able to tell you whether or not your personal brand is set up for success. ### **2. Before addressing problematic issues** If you’ve been hit with a nasty lawsuit or someone trashed your brand on social media, ***do not*** turn everything off and start creating new accounts. Trust me; people will still find it and continue to tarnish your reputation. By refusing to address a problem associated with your personal brand, **you risk destroying your new persona before it even launches.** Address any problems with a sincere apology, and then tell your audience you’re going to take a break to reevaluate. After taking some time off to work with a personal brand coach, that’s when you can come back to let them know you’ve decided to rebrand yourself. Make it seem like ***their words*** helped you see past your errors and that you’re ready to move forward with your new personal brand statement. ### **3. When you have nothing to bring to the table** And finally, **don’t switch niches because the old one didn’t work out or because you got bored**. You still need to have tangible skills to bring to the table. If you’re still learning, ***now is not the time to rebrand.*** Instead, use this time to build your skillset quietly. Once you think you have the knowledge to push yourself into a new industry, start creating a plan to build up this new business. - **Which content will you post on social media?** - **What will be your specialty?** - **Do you have social proof to convince others of your newfound expertise?** Sometimes, it’s worth taking a few part-time jobs to get these testimonials. You can also apply for internships (they’re not just for college students) or [elicit](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-mentoring/) the help of a mentor to get your foot in the door. **RELATED:** [**WHAT IS THE VALUE OF YOUR PERSONAL BRAND?**](https://clairebahn.com/value-of-your-personal-brand/) ## 5 Ways to Rebrand Yourself for Success ![rebrand yourself 5](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/02/Picture6-300x200.png "rebrand yourself 5 - Claire Bahn") There are various reasons why a rebrand may be on your mind. Maybe you’re losing sales, or maybe you went viral, and you haven’t figured out how to scale your brand from that opportunity. Another reason to rebrand is simply a change in the times. Household brands like [Dunkin Donuts](https://www.businessinsider.com/dunkin-donuts-rebranding-stores-photos-details-2018-8#this-particular-location-had-a-lot-of-similarities-to-the-older-dunkin-stores-including-the-menu-and-food-displays-4) have rebranded to make a mark on their new products, while brands like Uber changed their logo for a more [contemporary look.](https://www.fastcompany.com/90235065/uber-has-a-new-brand-again) Now that we’ve covered just about everything let’s get into strategy. You *know* you need to rebrand. How can you make sure it’s a success? As your unofficial personal brand strategist, here are my five ways to ensure your rebrand produces ***success:*** ### 1. Change Your Aesthetic to Demolish the Competition While style branding is just one tier of your personal branding strategy, changing your brand’s logo, colors, and overall look can work wonders to set you apart. [According to Oberlo](https://www.oberlo.com/blog/branding-statistics#:~:text=Summary%3A%20Top%20Branding%20Statistics%20You%20Need%20to%20Know%20in%202020,-86%20percent%20of&text=by%2080%20percent-,It%20takes%20about%2050%20milliseconds%20(0.05%20seconds)%20for%20people%20to,increase%20revenue%20by%2033%20percent.&text=77%20percent%20of%20consumers%20buy,same%20values%20as%20they%20do.), using a signature color can increase brand recognition by 80%. If you’re not seeing the traction you would like, it could be an issue with your branding. Maybe it doesn’t stand out enough, or maybe your font is too hard to read. That’s where a branding designer comes into play. They’re the experts when it comes to differentiating brands from their competition. This is why I use purple instead of the traditional pink that you see in most female entrepreneur brands. I easily stand out without having to do much else (plus, it’s my favorite color). ***Pro-Tip:*** In order to figure out which colors or fonts are unique in your industry, search your industry hashtags on Instagram. Visit the accounts in the top 9 posts (if they’re a personal brand) and make note of their colors and fonts. You’ll probably start to notice a theme. Those are the colors and fonts you’re *not* going to use in your personal brand marketing. ### 2. Cut Ties with the Toxic Let’s face it: there have been hundreds of cases where celebrities or influencers have been shamed for associating themselves with toxic people. But it’s actually much bigger than that. CEOs and even actors are known for their personal brand. This is why they have to be *really* careful about how they act and what they say. Toxic behaviors or outbursts can **damage your reputation** (and your brand) in an instant. That’s the reason why Mike Jeffries is [no longer the CEO of Abercrombie & Fitch](https://www.businessinsider.com/abercrombie-wants-thin-customers-2013-5), and it’s the reason why you never see people like Charlie Sheen in films or TV anymore. If you have been heavily scrutinized because of someone within your inner circle, it’s probably time to cut ties and rethink your message. When it comes to your personal brand, what you believe in is what gets people to **like, know, and trust you**. If you’re close with someone who is widely perceived as someone with a negative message, you’ll fall on that sword right along with them. So—it’s time to cut ties. This strategy works even if we’re talking about a business partner, a colleague, or just a friend. If they’re causing chaos and destruction to your business or they’re simply *not supporting your business goals*, it’s time to change up your inner circle. Find people who truly value your mission statement. Then, use this opportunity to **showcase your brand in a more authentic and admiral light.** ### 3. Expand and Bump Your Prices Did you know that PBR sells for $44 a bottle in China? PBR, the same beer you can buy for a *dollar* at happy hour at *any* given bar here in the States. That’s because Pabst Blue Ribbon knew that they could leverage their 176-year-old brand as a classic commodity in China (where they know about PBR’s low price tag). You can do the same thing with your personal brand. If you’ve been given the chance to pursue opportunities in a different field or you’ve been invited to work with an international brand, raise your prices. Even if you’re simply branching into a new local market, use this opportunity to rebrand as something unique—something that stands *slightly* apart from your personal brand. This is kind of what I did. My influencer brand wasn’t really doing much for me except inflating my social media numbers. But, instead of letting that all go to waste, I rebranded myself and carried over my expertise so that I could bump up my prices and scale my business to the point that I never could with *just* a lifestyle blog. ### 4. Know Your Niche When you’re just getting started with your own company, you instantly know your market and your industry. Social media managers want to be seen as experts within the marketing industry, writers may want to “make it” within the journalism circle, and makeup bloggers want to be seen in the beauty community. Take a moment to really think about which industry you’re in, and write it down. Now, write down three different categories within your industry that people are known for. For example, in branding, I could be known for website design, style design (i.e. logos and graphics), or I could be a branding coach. Clearly, I choose a branding coach. However, I niched down even further to brand myself as a ***personal*** branding strategist. In order to know your niche for when you rebrand yourself, you need to **map out a web of possibilities.** Start with your industry, list three potential sub-categories, and then niche down each of those categories even further. Out of all of those options, which section do you know the *most* about? Which one can you see yourself **being *the* expert** in? **RELATED:** [**Top 5 Benefits of Outsourcing For Your Business**](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-outsourcing/) #### **How To Be Seen as an Expert** Let’s look at another example. You’re in marketing. You could be an SEO expert, a social media manager, or an advertising mastermind. Maybe you’re better at social media management than you are at Facebook ads. So, you’ve chosen the SMM niche. As a social media manager, which platform do you enjoy managing the most? Which platform analytics are you the most in tune with? Are you always on top of Instagram’s newest features, or do you know all the tips and tricks that can be seen on LinkedIn? From there, choose which one suits you best. Let’s assume you’re really good at Instagram. Just like that, you’ve rebranded yourself from a marketing expert to a social media manager to an Instagram strategist. Now, you can create an even more refined message and detailed content around your new image (and maybe choose new colors and fonts to go along with it!) ### 5. Improve Your Content Strategies One of the first things I wanted to do for my rebrand was to get out as much content as possible. If you go back far enough, you’ll see that my blog was saturated with traveling and cooking content. This means that it took a while for Google to see my website as an entrepreneur website because my website was **ranking for all the wrong keywords.** So, I set out to get as many blogs on personal branding published as I could with the right SEO keywords. Slowly but surely, my website was bumped up in categories like “[personal brand statement example](https://clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/).” In just 90 days after publishing, I was about three links away from being on the front page of Google for that keyword. So when you’re rebranding, figure out what your keywords are (this goes for [SEO on social media](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/), too) and use them strategically. Build content around those niche keywords and put out as much content as possible. ## **How Defining a Tone of Voice Aids in Personal Brand Rebranding** ### **Establishing a Distinctive Identity** Defining your tone of voice is like crafting an auditory logo—**it sets you apart**. This isn’t merely about how you speak; it’s a strategic decision about how you wish to be perceived. Outline 4–5 core characteristics that best represent the essence you want your brand to embody. Whether it’s adopting a more refined language or embracing authenticity, these elements are foundational in building a recognizable personal brand. ### **Staying Consistent and On-Brand** Once your tone of voice is outlined, **it acts as a blueprint for consistency across all your communications**. Decide what aligns or clashes with your brand personality. Is it crucial to communicate with elegance? Or perhaps maintaining a genuine conversational style is more your speed? These guidelines help maintain uniformity in every interaction, from emails to social media posts. ### **Practical Application** To anchor your verbal identity, update existing communications to reflect this new persona. **Consistency is key**—apply your refined tone across every touchpoint. Practice integrating this voice into daily interactions, which often requires mindfulness, such as consciously choosing your words or cautiously listening before responding. ### **Monitoring Progress** To ensure alignment with your desired tone, tools like [Grammarly](https://app.grammarly.com/) offer valuable insights by analyzing your writing style metrics. They highlight key characteristics, allowing you to compare them with your target tone of voice. Regular feedback from such tools can guide adjustments and keep your brand communication on track. **A well-defined tone of voice is pivotal for rebranding** as it carves out a unique space, ensures consistency, and provides a roadmap to monitor and refine your brand’s auditory aspect. ## How to Approach a Name Change in Personal Branding Thinking about giving your personal brand a fresh identity? From legal changes to social media tweaks, renaming can play a pivotal role in your personal and professional evolution. Here’s how you can approach a name change strategically: ### **1. Embrace Major Life Events** Consider if a name change aligns with significant life transitions like marriage or divorce. These moments often provide a natural point for rebranding. ### **2. Use Your Middle Name or Nickname** - Swap in your middle name to create a distinctive brand identity. - Adopt a quirky nickname that sets you apart. ### **3. Experiment with Last Names** - Combine surnames for a double-barreled effect for elegance and impact. - Use just the initials of your names to create a mysterious allure. ### **4. Add a Unique Twist** - Alter spellings of common names for a touch of creativity. - Simplify complicated names for a sleek, easy-to-remember option. ### **5. Go Bold with a Single Name** Consider using just one name, making it synonymous with your brand—a technique used by many icons. ### **6. Reinvent or Completely Recreate** - Add flair by modifying your name’s pronunciation or spelling to reflect cultural roots. - Embrace and amplify any unique or “quirky” aspects of your name that can make it memorable. ### **7. Invent Something New** If none of the existing options work, don’t hesitate to come up with something entirely new that resonates with your personal brand vision. Thinking creatively about your name can reflect your personality and professional goals, making it a powerful component of your individual brand. #### **Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE** [**Personal Branding Masterclass**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) **today.** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding **Tags:** how to rebrand, personal branding strategy, rebranding your personal image, rebranding yourself, when should you rebrand --- ### [How to Become Famous on Social Media: A Practical Guide](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/) **Published:** September 3, 2024 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Ever wonder how to become famous on social media? What does it take to capture attention and get famous on the internet?* *Whether you’re aiming to make a difference or simply achieve that coveted follower milestone, becoming social media famous requires strategy and consistency.* *In this blog, we dive into the steps needed to develop your personal brand, create engaging content, and grow your audience across platforms. Learn how to select the right social media platforms, leverage collaborations, and build authentic connections with your followers. You’ll also discover how to handle the pressures of online fame while maintaining a healthy balance between your digital and real-life presence. Ready to master social media and make your mark? Start building your path to fame now!* These days, almost everyone is trying to figure out how to become famous on social media. Some people pursue this for noble reasons, such as wanting to “make a difference” in the world. Others do it for vanity purposes, such as hitting that 100K follower milestone. Social media is an unparalleled force in the age of digital connectivity. It transcends geographical boundaries and revolutionizes communication, information-sharing, and [personal brand-building](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-stages/). However, learning how to become famous on social media can be daunting. If you’re starting from nothing or lack a large team at your disposal, the task can be even more challenging. Whether it’s leveraging TikTok, Facebook, LinkedIn, or X, social media fame means amplifying voices, connecting communities, and influencing global conversations. Each platform has tremendous potential, but how do you harness it? Make your mark on the digital landscape by capturing attention, inspiring innovation, and spreading meaningful messages. Almost anyone can be “famous” on social media. How quickly a follower can recognize the face of a personal brand is what makes someone well-known. That can happen whether you have 10K followers or 1 million followers. > ***“Your personal brand is the aspect of your business that people will grow to like, know, and trust. Not your [personal brand logo](https://clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/) and not even the useful tips you hand out.”*** Your personal brand can showcase your personality, ambition, and resilience. When people can relate to you in these aspects, you become someone they **like**, **know**, and **trust**. I’ve repeated these three words in my content numerous times. That’s because they are the only three steps in your audience’s journey that will ultimately lead you to become famous as an influencer or thought leader in your industry. People become famous on social media because they know what their brand stands for. You must know your core values and beliefs to communicate them to your [social media](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-with-social-media/) audience. Are you all about having a consistent strategy? Talk about it. Are you about helping others first and yourself last? Own that mindset. Is your core belief that everyone should have equal parts of business and pleasure? Tell people how they can achieve that. In this blog, I will outline every aspect of becoming famous on social media, from following the right [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/) to engaging with your audience and developing your social media presence. Let’s start with the basics: **Table of Contents:** 1. [ Understanding Social Media Platforms](#_Toc176351535) [Brief Introduction to Popular Social Media Platforms](#_Toc176351536) [Identifying Platforms That Align with Your Goals and Target Audience](#_Toc176351537) [Researching Platform-specific Trends, Features, and Best Practices](#_Toc176351538) 2. [ Become Famous by Developing Your Brand Identity](#_Toc176351539) [Identifying Your Strengths and Values](#_Toc176351540) [Defining Your Target Audience](#_Toc176351541) [Identifying Your Niche or Passion](#_Toc176351542) [Creating a Unique and Compelling Personal Brand](#_Toc176351543) [Crafting a Consistent and Authentic Online Persona to Become Famous Online](#_Toc176351544) 3. [ Creating Engaging Content](#_Toc176351545) [Understanding Content that Resonates with Your Target Audience](#_Toc176351546) [Tips for High-quality Content Creation for Social Media Fame](#_Toc176351547) [Collaborations, Partnerships, and Persistence: Keys to Social Media Success](#_Toc176351548) [Utilizing Content Planning and Scheduling Tools](#_Toc176351549) 4. [ Growing Your Social Media Presence to Become Famous on the Internet](#_Toc176351550) [Building a Strong and Supportive Network](#_Toc176351551) [Leveraging Hashtags and Trends to Increase Visibility](#_Toc176351552) [Collaborating with Other Creators](#_Toc176351553) 5. [ Engaging with Your Audience](#_Toc176351554) [Responding to Comments and Messages](#_Toc176351555) [Going Beyond Likes: Monetization and Opportunities](#_Toc176351556) [Developing a Genuine Connection with Your Followers](#_Toc176351557) [Hosting Live Streams, Q&A Sessions, or Giveaways](#_Toc176351558) 6. [ Monitoring Performance and Adjusting Strategies to Become Famous and Stay That Way](#_Toc176351559) [Understanding Social Media Analytics and Metrics](#_Toc176351560) [Utilizing Data-driven Decision-making for Personal Brand Growth and Fame](#_Toc176351561) [Networking and Collaborations](#_Toc176351562) 1. [ Finding and Connecting with Individuals in Your Industry](#_Toc176351563) 2. [ Exploring Opportunities for Collaboration or Sponsored Content](#_Toc176351564) 3. [ Building Relationships with Brands and Publications](#_Toc176351565) [Dealing with the Dark Side of Fame: Things Nobody Tells You When You Become Famous on Social Media](#_Toc176351566) [Mitigating Challenges and Maintaining Mental Health](#_Toc176351567) [Managing Online Criticism and Negativity](#_Toc176351568) [Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Self-care](#_Toc176351569) [Recognizing the Difference Between Online and Offline Life](#_Toc176351570) [Keeping up With Social Media Trends and Platform Updates](#_Toc176351571) [Experimenting with New Features and Formats](#_Toc176351572) [Conclusion](#_Toc176351573) ## **How to Become Famous on Social Media?** ## 1. Understanding Social Media Platforms Unless you were born with an iPad and had your first Instagram account at age 10, chances are you don’t understand social media as well as you should. As you embark on your journey toward social media stardom, understand what makes each social media platform unique. Choosing the best platform is paramount to your success. Each option has different expectations and audiences, making your rise to online fame multifaceted. Consider your content, viewer demographic, and [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/future-personal-branding-pr-2026/) when creating profiles and planning posts. For example, Instagram is primarily visually driven, meaning people should showcase creativity through images and videos. Similarly, TikTok works for audiences wanting quick, engaging video clips, making it perfect for trendsetting, influencing, and rapid follower growth. Meanwhile, platforms like Facebook, LinkedIn, and X (Twitter) require a more strategic communication approach. Users must create thoughtful and appealing content, interact with others to develop networks, and inject their names into conversations. ### Brief Introduction to Popular Social Media Platforms Not all social media platforms are the same. They can be further broken down into several sub-categories: - **Networking platforms:** Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn - **Image sharing platforms:** Instagram and Pinterest - **Video-sharing platforms:** YouTube, Vimeo, Instagram, and TikTok - **Interactive platforms:** TikTok and Snapchat While there is some overlap among these broad categories, this breakdown should give you an idea of which platform best suits your needs and how to leverage them. Here’s a breakdown: 1. **Instagram** – Visual storytelling and lifestyle content 2. **TikTok** – Short, snappy videos and emerging trends 3. **Facebook** – Social networking and multi-content sharing 4. **LinkedIn** – Professional networking and authority building 5. **Twitter (X)** – Concise updates and real-time interactions 6. **YouTube** – In-depth tutorials, interviews, and vlogs ### Identifying Platforms That Align with Your Goals and Target Audience Each social media platform also differs in the audience it targets. For instance, TikTok and Snapchat are the most popular among Gen Z, while millennials are more likely to flock to Instagram and X (formerly Twitter). > ***“A post about your career aspirations isn’t going to make you a Facebook star, while a video of you dancing isn’t likely to go viral on LinkedIn.”*** To determine which platform to use, you need to find the platform that most aligns with your target audience. ### Researching Platform-specific Trends, Features, and Best Practices [Social media](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-with-social-media/) has the power to make or break your reputation. It is essential to becoming famous because it determines your content’s resonance with intended audiences. Meanwhile, no two platforms are the same, and misusing one can impact your performance on the others. Aligning content with the platform ensures your message reaches the right people. It increases visibility, encourages engagement, and makes you look like a pro. Every social media platform rewards different behaviors, but the goal is the same. Consistently creating content that resonates with your audience while building a recognizable [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-app/). But you can’t use each media platform the same way. Each one values different things, so you should approach using these platforms based on what you want to achieve. **Instagram: Building a Visual Brand** Instagram rewards consistency. Sharing Reels, Stories, or carousel posts, your profile should communicate who you are and what followers can expect. Clear visual style and messaging make it easier for new visitors to remember you and encourage them to follow your journey. **TikTok: Capture Attention Quickly** TikTok gives creators the opportunity to reach large audiences without an established following. Strong openings, authentic storytelling, and content that encourages interaction typically outperform highly polished videos. Focus on creating content that feels natural while giving viewers a reason to watch until the end. **YouTube: Create Long-Term Value** YouTube rewards helpful content that continues attracting viewers over time. Tutorials, educational videos, interviews, and discussions can continue generating traffic to your channel months after they’re published. **LinkedIn: Establish Professional Credibility** If your goal is to grow your professional reputation, LinkedIn offers opportunities to share industry knowledge and build connections. Publishing thoughtful insights, engaging in professional conversations, and consistently demonstrating expertise help establish credibility. Leverage the strengths of each social media stage to captivate audiences, cultivate a distinct online presence, and capitalize on your unique characteristics. Staying on top of social media trends is important because it can create a viral piece of content. That’s why many people see such high returns on platforms like TikTok. Those who downloaded the app early were able to leverage the app’s trends, which ultimately led to many people becoming [famous on TikTok.](https://influencermarketinghub.com/how-to-become-tiktok-famous-in-4-easy-steps/) This is still possible on other platforms such as Instagram and YouTube, but knowing when you’ve hit the right mark requires a content strategy. By experimenting with different types of posts, hashtags, and collaboration methods, you can experience that rise in social media fame sooner than you think. The tricky part here is identifying your goals and target audience. Start exploring your interests, hobbies, expertise, and experiences. Identify a niche aligned with your passion that sustains motivation and attracts like-minded people. Then, analyze the content landscape within your niche and chosen social media platform. What are people talking about, and how can you contribute? Research what works well, look for gaps in the conversation or market, and find a unique angle that helps your voice rise above the noise. It also helps to know the age, location, economic status, and other details about your potential followers to help tailor the content, make it relatable, and inspire sharing. Build a loyal following through consistent messaging and “keeping it real.” Regardless of the platform, people on social media want to follow those whose messages resonate with them. Authenticity fosters a genuine connection and helps establish your name as a topical authority. ## 2. Become Famous by Developing Your Brand Identity Personal branding on social media is a strategic process crucial for achieving fame. It involves building a [reputation](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-3/) for something you love doing and want to be known for, including sharing your personality, passion, and expertise in a way that brings value to people. It helps define or refine your core values, beliefs, and motivations to guide content creation and distribution. Thus, building a personal brand starts with finding your uniqueness and conveying your unique message to a particular audience. Every personal brand is unique because every person has their own [story](https://clairebahn.com/visual-storytelling-and-personal-branding/). However, it takes knowing which stories to tell if you want to boost the credibility and likability of your personal brand. This is where a unique brand identity comes into play. How do you go about doing it? Whether through humor, expertise, or a particular perspective, your unique personality sets you apart in the crowded social media landscape. Brand strategists develop a distinctive persona that mirrors and enhances your authentic self. They help attract the right audiences and position you for success with memorable and recognizable features, content, and imagery. A [personal brand strategy](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-strategy-2/) also ensures consistency, authenticity, and transparency while sharing stories, experiences, and advice. You can earn audience trust and create a digital legacy through well-timed engagement and meaningful brand building that amplifies your voice and elevates your name. Leverage personal branding with a polished and professional online presence to make a [lasting impression](https://clairebahn.com/visual-storytelling-and-personal-branding/). Then, utilize multiple social media platforms to develop a tailored omnichannel approach that maximizes exposure and gets your content in front of the most eyes. ### Identifying Your Strengths and Values > ***“At the core of it, your personal brand is something you love to do that can bring value to people. So, the first step to building a personal brand online is to identify your strengths and values.”*** *Personal brand = something you love to do + something that brings value to people* The first part of the equation is identifying “*something you love to do.*” To do this, think deeply and ask yourself some reflective questions. These might include: - What activities do you find satisfying? - What things are most important to you in how you live and work? - What are you really good at? - What would you do if you had all the money in the world? Your strength would be that thing that you love doing and are really good at. Know that you may come up with multiple answers, including things that you may be good at but do not find satisfying or things that you love doing but are not very good at. If you do not get that sweet nexus of what you love doing and are very good at, it’s best to settle for something you may not have [expertise](https://clairebahn.com/grow-your-personal-brand/) in but genuinely love. This is because you can acquire expertise. But you may burn out quickly if you settle for something you do not love, even if you are good at it. The second part of the “personal brand” equation is “*something that brings value to people.*” To succeed in [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-examples/), your uniqueness must bring value to people. For example, after identifying that you love wildlife photography and are really good at it, you need to ask yourself whether people are interested in it. ### Defining Your Target Audience > ***“If you try to appeal to everyone, you risk appealing to no one. Thus, after identifying your unique strengths and values to build a reputation around, you need to target your message to a particular audience.”*** It’s not enough to say that you are a photographer. What area of photography are you passionate about (and will want to be known for)? Portrait photography, wildlife photography, event photography? You [target a specific group of people by niching down to one thing](https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2019/06/14/how-to-define-a-niche-for-your-personal-brand/?sh=2d0c503d1ebf). Contrary to some beliefs, niching down is not limiting. Instead, it helps you stand out in a crowded market. Know that it’s not possible or practical to be an expert on everything. So, you have a better chance of being known as the best when you niche down to a relatively smaller field. ### Identifying Your Niche or Passion Tell stories your ideal client or follower will relate to to carve out your niche. If you’re a marketing guru who wants to be known as a thought leader, maybe you’ll tell the story about how you worked your 9-5 just to come home and create content for your side hustle. This type of story does two things: - It shows people where you came from; - It shows people you have the tenacity to build a successful business. > ***“It’s important that your audience sees where you came from. Nobody puts many stalks on people who have things handed to them. It’s not relatable. And it’s definitely not likable.”*** On social media, people are looking for inspiration. If you can tell your story in such a way that shows people how you achieved success, those stories will earn you the right to be called an influencer or thought leader. Whether you’re encouraging others to follow in your footsteps or trying to sell a product or service, tell stories that will resonate with people enough so that they stick around. ### Creating a Unique and Compelling Personal Brand Stories relating to your struggles, passions, and failures are also crucial to branding yourself for success. That’s why a [personal brand works so much better than a business brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) in today’s society. To learn how to become famous on social media, you have to learn how to tell the stories that matter. The ones that show you’re a real human being who can relate to their followers. You have to be willing to be open. Be vulnerable; you must be prepared to have a unique voice. So, think of three stories you have that lead you to where you are today. I recommend telling stories about: - How do you get started - A time when you failed, and - A story that made you question everything Write them down, and tell them repeatedly to your social media audience. ### Crafting a Consistent and Authentic Online Persona to Become Famous Online Knowing your end goal is the best way to create an authentic online persona and consistently adhere to it. There’s no point in [building a personal brand ](https://clairebahn.com/brand-awareness/)if you don’t have an end goal in mind. > ***“Goals shape your behavior, guide your focus, and help you mobilize energy for persistent effort. So, setting personal branding goals shapes how you will brand yourself. It also mobilizes and sustains the personal branding efforts required for success.”*** Here are a couple of options to get you thinking. Do you want to: - Build up your clientele? - Reach a sales milestone? - Land speaking opportunities? - Become known as a thought leader? - Improve your resume? - Build passive income? - Sell your line of products? - Work with brands? - Get verified on social media? - Reach a particular follower count? If the last two appeal to you the most, you’re headed for 15 minutes of fame and risk being labeled as inauthentic in the long run. Plenty of people have capitalized off of a blue checkmark and a high follower count, and they have since disappeared from the face of social media. Or worse — they’ve tarnished their brand reputation beyond repair. Your goal should be to earn sustainable and consistent success with your personal brand. It’s not a matter of choosing one over the other. You can get speaking opportunities after building your clientele and working with brands. However, you need to decide which goal you want to hit first versus what can be done by building your brand on social media. Then, leverage these as stepping stones toward your end goal. > ***“The idea that becoming famous equates to opportunities and fortune is a theory that doesn’t ring quite true. There are plenty of [celebrities who have lost all their money](https://www.businessinsider.com/rich-famous-celebrities-who-lost-all-their-money-2018-5) and who don’t get offered jobs in their field anymore.”*** Don’t let that be you. Know where you want to end up and use that end goal to formulate a plan. This will help develop[ your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/developing-personal-brand/) into one that is instantly recognizable—a.k.a. famous. **Get your name out there and make it unforgettable.** > ***“Being easily identifiable and perceived as trustworthy is key to having a strong online presence. A defined persona via a consistent and professional profile ensures you’re memorable and trustworthy to your followers.”*** Start by building a professional profile. It should be complete, as a partially completed profile may discourage people from trusting you. It should include your name, a good-quality photo clearly showing your face, and an appealing headline that summarizes your personal brand. Visual consistency is essential if you use more than one social media platform. You should use the same profile photo and solo scheme across your various accounts. Visual consistency builds brand recognition, making it easy for people to identify and follow you across your multiple platforms. ## 3. Creating Engaging Content > ***“Personal branding is about building a reputation and making an impact by sharing your thoughts, experiences, expertise, etc. Thus, creating and publishing high-quality content people enjoy is key to building a strong personal branding.”*** Content creation is a dynamic and ever-evolving process involving comprehensive strategies focused on personal brand development and digital communication. Those seeking social media fame must identify trending topics and leverage branded assets to influence the online ecosystem. Consistently producing viral content helps you capitalize on subject matter relevant to your niche. Monitor pop culture, current events, and industry trends to stay ahead of the curve. Then, develop high-quality content featuring your thoughts, opinions, and experiences to encourage sharing and cross-platform exposure. Pay close attention to the comments and messages on your social media profiles and engage as much as possible. Cultivate a genuine connection and build a sense of community among followers. People directly interacting with your brand are likelier to remember, recommend, or repeat content. **TIP:** *Approach criticism constructively and respond gracefully to negative comments or feedback to demonstrate maturity, resilience, and confidence without damaging your reputation.* ### Understanding Content that Resonates with Your Target Audience Engaging content will help you stand out from the crowd and build up a dedicated following. But this is, of course, easier said than done. There’s no magic formula to creating content guaranteed to be received with a flurry of likes and comments. To understand what content your target audience will respond to, creating a blueprint of what this customer looks like is essential. Through research and analysis, gain insight into your audience’s demographics, interests, and preferences. At the same time, pay attention to feedback on your posts and those of your peers. ### Tips for High-quality Content Creation for Social Media Fame With so much noise on social media, it takes something special to stand out. Gone are the days of unoriginal, half-baked posts — if you want to make it big today, you have to pay special attention to the following: - **Storytelling:** Anyone can tell a story. How you present your story makes the difference between content that sticks and content that disappears. - **Video Production:** Some videos posted on TikTok, Snapchat, and Instagram these days have the same production value as high-budget TV shows from 10 years ago. Focus on the right equipment and tools to match the standard. - **Photography:** A slightly blurry image is okay if you post only for friends and family. But if you want to be famous on social media, pay extra attention to the quality of the images you post — it can make a huge difference. ### Collaborations, Partnerships, and Persistence: Keys to Social Media Success Partnerships and collaborations are essential when learning to become famous on social media. Seek connections with people and businesses within your niche or industry. Then, use the network to expose your content to new audiences, expanding your reach and reinforcing your reputation as an authority. Strategic collaboration provides valuable networking opportunities while offering support and mentorship. Develop a predictable and practical posting schedule and stick with it. Align calendars with audience habits on social media, finding the best timing and frequency to ensure your content doesn’t get lost in the shuffle. Consistency is the key to algorithm success on social media. Many algorithms prefer regular posting because it signals you are an active participant in the online community. Some platforms may boost visibility if you remain consistent while adapting to changes, updates, and trends. **TIP:** *Use analytics to learn which content clicks with your audience, then make more.* ### Utilizing Content Planning and Scheduling Tools Sometimes, it isn’t just about what you post but when you post it. Understanding social media peak hours, when your target audience is most likely to be online, and scheduling your posts for a special occasion are all essential steps to creating engaging content. I understand it’s hard to always be glued to the screen and wait for the perfect time to post content. But social media never sleeps. If following a schedule proves difficult, there are many social media automation tools that you can use to schedule your posts ahead of time. These include Hootsuite, Buffer, and Sprout Social. **Why is it so important?** > ***“I wholeheartedly believe there can’t be success without a strategy.”*** So many aspiring entrepreneurs don’t “make it” on social media because they don’t plan. Quit waiting for inspiration to strike— plan a [social media content strategy](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/) that works for you and serves a purpose for your audience. Having a schedule of when and where to post will help you develop the consistency you need to reach that famous level on social media. ## 4. Growing Your Social Media Presence to Become Famous on the Internet The biggest mistake you can make on your quest to social media fame is creating one viral post and sitting back to rest on your laurels. Stardom only comes to those who are willing to put in the work. Once you’ve established your niche, identified your target audience, and begun crafting creative content, it’s time to grow your online presence. ### Building a Strong and Supportive Network One of the best ways to build a strong social media network is to follow the accounts of people you admire and want to emulate. Engage with posts that strike a chord, comment on the content you enjoy, and join communities of like-minded people. This will help you build a solid online support system, which, much like an offline community, is essential to ensuring success. ### Leveraging Hashtags and Trends to Increase Visibility When misused, hashtags can be cheesy and ineffective. But when you do your research, understand the value of a particular trend, and use a hashtag at the right time and place, it can do wonders to increase the visibility of your posts. Hashtags can broadly be divided into the following categories: - Branded hashtags - Campaign hashtags - Community hashtags - Trending hashtags Depending on the content you post and the flavor of the season, any of these hashtags could work for your cause. As long as they’re relevant to your post, they can help you target the right groups, increase your visibility, and build engagement. ### Collaborating with Other Creators Social media collaborations appear to have fallen by the wayside in recent years. This was the recipe for becoming famous on social media only a few years ago. Now that social media has become such a competitive space for notoriety, people have eliminated this strategy for fear of being overshadowed by their peers. And honestly — it’s a huge mistake. [Social media collaborations](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-media-collaboration/), first and foremost, show your audience that you’re not in it for the fame. Ironically, this will help you reach that well-known status faster than people who are clearly posting for their egos. ## 5. Engaging with Your Audience Some of the most popular Instagrammers forget that they’re not simply building a following but a community when aiming for social media fame. Whenever you post, you should ask yourself: Are you having a one-sided conversation with your audience or taking them on a journey with you? When you engage with your audience and make them feel important, wanted, and a part of the conversation, they’re more likely to respect you and return for more. ### Responding to Comments and Messages > ***“To succeed online, show your followers that they are in a relationship with you by engaging them. You can do this by replying to comments, answering questions, and even respectfully responding to criticisms.”*** Even some of the biggest celebrities take time to respond to fans who regularly comment on their posts. Why shouldn’t you? Social media platforms are all about communication and networking. If you aren’t responding to comments and messages and taking valuable feedback on board, you’re wasting the potential these platforms offer. [80% of your audience expects you to respond to their inquiries within 24 hours](https://wowdigital.com/blog/social-media-response-time/), while 5% expect a response in 5 hours. As a general rule, try to respond within 5 hours and never wait till it’s over 24 hours before you respond. ### Going Beyond Likes: Monetization and Opportunities Did you know there’s more to becoming famous on social media than getting likes, follows, and shares? Going beyond the clickbait means building a digital presence that garners financial benefits. You can call it tangible bragging rights. Monetization opportunities can include sponsorships, brand collaborations, promotions, and more. Avoid chasing mentions and instead lean toward avenues for influencers to partner with companies in their niche. Develop sustainable notoriety that transcends social media platforms to bolster credibility. Personal branding helps you become famous on social media and in the real world. A cohesive brand identity and narrative enhance your marketability, attracting potential sponsors, collaborators, and creatives. Many leverage their personal brand’s [unique value proposition](https://clairebahn.com/unique-value-proposition/) (UVP) to get paid speaking engagements as experts in their field. Your expertise becomes a magnet for event organizers seeking knowledgeable and influential speakers. Combine it with a consistent online persona and engaging content to build a digital tribe that recognizes and recommends your brand to a ready-made audience. **Social media fame depends on your ability to captivate and retain followers without being “salesy” or inauthentic.** ### Developing a Genuine Connection with Your Followers When we spend so much of our lives online, it’s easy to forget that behind every account is a person — with feelings, ambitions, and struggles that we’ll never know about. I suggest you approach social media with empathy, like offline social interaction. To build a genuine connection, it’s essential to engage with your followers on an emotional level and not simply spam them with your goals and ambitions. ### Hosting Live Streams, Q&A Sessions, or Giveaways This blog is about building an effective [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/), and there’s no better way to do that than by exploring social media’s various communication formats. Hosting live streams and Q&A sessions is an excellent way for you to learn more about your audience and for them to find out about you. Gift giveaways show that you’re willing to use your social media popularity for more than just personal gain — it shows that you care about the people who are catapulting you to social media stardom. ## 6. Monitoring Performance and Adjusting Strategies to Become Famous and Stay That Way Once all this analysis is in place, monitor it consistently to get the most out of this information. This will help you adjust your [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/) for the future. > ***“Don’t sleep on the data behind your content— this is how you’re going to know exactly how to use social media to boost your career.”*** Social media is, after all, a numbers game. ### Understanding Social Media Analytics and Metrics You can answer important questions about your social media presence using analytical and metric tools. For instance, is consistently posting on Pinterest worth your while? Do your tweets promote the personal brand you’ve worked so hard to create? Using particular tools gives you valuable insight into what posts are getting the most engagement, the posts that have the most impressions, and the links that see success in the form of conversion. These tools allow you to manage your time better, help you keep track of what people in your network are posting, and offer insight into growing your audience. They also help you answer three very pressing questions: 1. What’s working well? 2. Where can I improve? 3. What should I focus my time on? ### Utilizing Data-driven Decision-making for Personal Brand Growth and Fame By adjusting your strategies based on this analysis, you can streamline your decision-making process and focus on growing your personal brand. To understand what I mean by this, look at my step-by-step plan [to grow your business on Instagram](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-on-instagram/). The blog focuses on implementing your brand into your content strategy and determining which bits of content appeal to your audience based on analytics. ## Networking and Collaborations As I mentioned briefly, networking with like-minded people is an effective strategy for growing your brand. Don’t allow your ego to get in the way — individuals who have seen more success than you have much to offer. Make the most of this insight by: ### 1. Finding and Connecting with Individuals in Your Industry Don’t use social media to promote your brand; use it to engage with peers in your industry. Attend community meetups, join groups of like-minded individuals, and engage with high-quality posts that you find informative. Trust me; building a successful social media brand without a robust and supportive network is impossible. ### 2. Exploring Opportunities for Collaboration or Sponsored Content Collaborations make you look good because you’re willing to open your platform up to others who might know more than you. Not only that, but you’re eager to share space for your followers coming to you for clarity in their entrepreneurial journeys. And on the vanity side, collaborating with others exposes you to a wealth of new audiences. Collaborating or interviewing other influencers passively opens up your sphere of influence and invites strangers into your community. It also opens you up to getting more sponsored content, which should be the goal at the end of the day, considering how much time you’re [investing](https://clairebahn.com/roi-of-personal-branding/) in building your brand. ### 3. Building Relationships with Brands and Publications Getting featured in high-authority publications purely based on your social media content says a lot about your personal brand. Many methods can be utilized to achieve brand recognition, such as SEO blog writing, email campaigns, and even paid ads. But if you can get recognized by journalists because of a unique piece of content, you’re truly on the path to becoming famous on social media. Social media posts can be forgotten instantly, but your audience will notice if you have a continued presence that provides visible and valuable content. And that means, eventually, journalists will notice, too. Like anything else on your path to becoming famous, don’t wait for these opportunities to come. Use platforms like HARO to pitch to reporters looking for a reliable source for their next article. Don’t worry about how your numbers look on social media. If you have an impressive engagement rate and a steady flow of content, a journalist will see that value— even if you only have 200 followers. ## Dealing with the Dark Side of Fame: Things Nobody Tells You When You Become Famous on Social Media Learning how to become famous on social media isn’t all fun and games, nor is there an easy button, magic elixir, or instant solution. Online fame takes time, strategic communication, and consistent effort. Many disappointments, unpleasant surprises, and unexpected events accompany the social media spotlight. You will face criticism, judgment, and negativity as your audience grows. The dark side of being famous requires introspection, collaboration, compassion, and positive reinforcement. The constant pressure to maintain a curated online presence can tax an influencer’s mental health and create a work/life imbalance. Meanwhile, constant comparison, fear of missing out, and the demand for perfection can cause anxiety and stress. Prioritize holistic wellness when entering the spotlight, then use your experiences to create richer, more relatable content. Set boundaries without compromising your unique brand voice or bending core values. Here’s how: 1. Delineate personal and professional spheres, separating aspects of your private life from your online persona. 2. Manage screen time by allowing a reputation manager to handle digital communications. 3. Establish a self-care routine involving check-ins, follow-ups, and collaboration with mentors, colleagues, and personal branding strategists. 4. Disconnect and recharge while letting professionals juggle the finer details of strategic collaborations, planned exposure, online engagement, and brand recognition. 5. Develop criteria for coping with public scrutiny and criticism. Remember, it’s okay not to be universally liked. The point is to get your message to as many of the right people at the right time as possible. Navigate the fine line between authenticity and public perception to weather the storms and create sustainable online fame. This quote sums it up: > ***“It’s not that you aren’t saying the right thing or even the truth. It’s that you’re trying to share it with an audience that doesn’t want to see, respect, or accept it.”* – Morgan Richard Olivier** ### Mitigating Challenges and Maintaining Mental Health Social media can be advantageous, but at the same time, it is a hotbed of toxicity. The relative anonymity it offers people and the fact that you must constantly put yourself up for scrutiny creates a high-pressure environment. This could lead to the development of several mental health issues. Several social media stars have fallen prey to this and have been left feeling stressed, envious, or with low self-esteem and social anxiety. As you trudge on in your quest for social media stardom, take extra care not to fall into this trap. The way you deal with this criticism is what makes all the difference. ### Managing Online Criticism and Negativity For every supportive follower you have, there are bound to be at least a couple who will criticize you. The critical thing to remember is that you’re not alone in this. Everyone who uses social media has to deal with negativity thrown their way. You must never act in haste and engage with abusive profiles or social media bullies. Instead, use your platform to spread a positive message, offer support, and promote mental health (remember: don’t be afraid to use the block function). If you must respond to criticism, do so calmly and graciously. Your more supportive followers, who make up the majority, will appreciate you for it. ### Setting Boundaries and Prioritizing Self-care Too often, people forget to prioritize their health in the quest for social media stardom. If you notice the criticism and negativity are becoming too much to handle, don’t hesitate to step back and switch off for a few days. Don’t be afraid to set boundaries, either. For instance, try not to use social media for at least two hours before bed or while eating dinner with the family. It may seem restrictive initially, but it goes a long way in protecting yourself. ### Recognizing the Difference Between Online and Offline Life How do you become famous on social media but keep it real? If ever you find that social media is getting in the way of your living life or interfering with spending quality time with the people you love, you should consider taking a break. Prioritize activities like walking, meditating, or taking a long bath. Don’t forget that apart from being an influencer, you are a person with needs and desires. ## Keeping up With Social Media Trends and Platform Updates Social media is in a constant state of flux. The executives who own and operate these platforms realize change is inevitable, and so should you. The viral content from ten years ago would probably not receive the same engagement if posted today. That is why performing research and staying updated are precious steps. Take Instagram, for example. It started as a platform for sharing photographs in square format with friends and family. Today, it’s known more for viral reels and is considered a video-sharing platform. Meanwhile, the original video-sharing platform, YouTube, introduced short format videos. YouTube Shorts are very similar to the content we see on TikTok, blurring the lines between what each social media offers. Keeping up to date with such platform updates can dictate your social media strategy and ensure you stay ahead of the curve. This isn’t to say that your approach should be purely reactive. ### Experimenting with New Features and Formats Most of these platform changes have occurred because social media users dared to experiment with formats and push boundaries. If you have an idea of what your followers would like but are afraid it won’t “fit the popular format,” don’t hesitate to try it out anyway. Constant experimentation will ensure your content doesn’t become stale and help you stand out from the crowd. Social media is an ever-evolving landscape that presents exhilarating and challenging hurdles for online influencers. Learning to become famous on social media means leveraging the best platform and digital communication strategy while remaining authentic, consistent, and cohesive. However, juggling multiple tasks can be overwhelming, even for someone with an already established following. Building a tailored personal brand is the linchpin of success on social media. It creates a distinctive identity, produces high-quality, relevant content, and gives you a voice loud enough to get noticed in crowded spaces. Go beyond getting likes, shares, and mentions by leveraging your personal brand for sponsorships and speaking engagements. Build a network that prioritizes growth and positive feedback. Then, inspire other influencers with your resilience to complete the circle. The climb from obscurity to social media fame is steep, so prepare for hurdles. Learn from your failures, celebrate your achievements, and share your journey with followers to develop genuine connections through authenticity. Although the digital landscape is vast and noisy, personal branding can help you leave an unforgettable impression. ## Conclusion If your question is still how to become famous on social media, here’s the secret. You have to plan for it to happen. You have to strategize how to get people to like, know, and trust you as a person first and a business second. And yes, some people get lucky and garner a following overnight. However, if they don’t have a plan, that overnight success quickly dwindles. Using social media to make your personal brand well-known is not an overnight process. But if you’re willing to follow the strategy outlined above, I promise you that you will be looking at well over 15 minutes of fame. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** digital communications strategy, Personal Brand Strategist, Personal Branding **Tags:** How To Become Famous on Social Media, social media famous --- ### [How to Build a Personal Brand: Why I Created the Personal Brand Advantage App](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-app/) **Published:** July 16, 2026 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How do you build a personal brand that creates real career opportunities? It starts with more than posting on social media. A strong personal brand is built on clear positioning, consistent messaging, credibility, and a reputation that reflects your expertise.* *This article introduces the Personal Brand Advantage app, a guided, step-by-step program designed to help professionals build a personal brand with confidence. Through practical exercises, personalized feedback, AI-powered guidance, and actionable frameworks, the app helps users clarify their message, strengthen their online presence, create valuable content, and develop a professional reputation that attracts opportunities.* *Whether you’re pursuing executive leadership, growing a business, launching a consulting practice, or expanding your influence, the Personal Brand Advantage app provides the structure and support to stop guessing and start building a personal brand with purpose.* --- You can be exceptional at what you do and still be overlooked. I see it happen every day. Professionals with decades of experience struggle to earn promotions. Founders with incredible products lose business to competitors who aren’t necessarily better, just more visible. Subject matter experts with valuable insights never get invited to speak because the right people don’t know they exist. For years, we’ve been told that hard work speaks for itself. But I’m here to tell you that’s not necessarily true any longer. Hard work creates expertise, and a powerful personal brand communicates that expertise to the people who need to see it. These days, people often discover you online before they ever meet you. They search your name before an interview. They review your social media profiles before scheduling a meeting. They read your content before deciding whether you’re someone worth listening to. Whether you’re looking for your next job, building a company, growing a consulting business, or positioning yourself as an industry expert, your reputation is working around the clock. The question is whether it’s working *for* you. After spending years helping professionals at every stage of their careers strengthen their visibility and credibility, I kept hearing the same challenge: “I know personal branding matters. I just don’t know where to start.” That’s exactly why I created the **[Personal Brand Advantage app](https://studio.com/apps/claire-bahn/personal-brand-advantage)**. It takes the same proven frameworks I’ve used with my clients and turns them into a guided, practical experience you can complete at your own pace. It takes the guesswork out, so instead of wondering how to build a personal brand, you’ll know exactly what to work on next. ## **Why Did I Create The Personal Brand Advantage App?** Throughout my career, I’ve worked with professionals across a wide range of industries. Some were CEOs preparing for major media interviews. Some were entrepreneurs trying to attract investors. Others were executives pursuing promotions, consultants growing their businesses, or professionals looking to establish themselves as trusted experts. Despite their different goals and industries, they all had similar questions: “Where do I start?” “How do I know what makes me different?” “What should I actually post?” “How do I build credibility without sounding like I’m bragging?” The truth is, there are countless articles, videos, and podcasts about personal branding, but very few resources that walk someone through the process from beginning to end. I didn’t want to create another course that people would watch once and never revisit. I wanted to build something practical. Something interactive that guides you step by step and helps you create real assets you can use immediately to help grow your career, and support you long-term. After years of helping professionals stand out, I’ve finally built the system I wish I had early in my own career. ## **Who Is The Personal Brand Advantage App Designed For?** > ***“Building a personal brand isn’t just for influencers or people trying to become internet famous. I hear this misconception from clients all the time, but nothing could be further from the truth.”*** I created this app for professionals who want to become known for their expertise, not their popularity. Whether you’re: - Building your career - Pursuing executive leadership - Growing a business - Launching a consulting practice - Transitioning into entrepreneurship - Looking to attract speaking opportunities - Preparing for board positions - Expanding your professional influence …your personal brand plays a role, often a pretty significant one. The stronger your reputation and the more prominent your visibility, the easier it becomes for the right opportunities to find you, rather than you having to chase them. ## **What Will You Learn Inside the App?** The Personal Brand Advantage app isn’t designed around theory. This isn’t a quick course you complete to earn a certificate and a badge to share on your socials. It’s designed around action. Each lesson builds on the one before it, taking you through the same strategic process I’ve refined over years of working with clients. Inside the app, you’ll learn how to: - Identify what differentiates you. - Clarify your professional positioning. - Define your personal brand message. - Communicate your expertise more effectively. - Strengthen your LinkedIn profile and online presence. - Build credibility through thought leadership. - Create content that reinforces your expertise. - Develop a consistent professional reputation. - Turn your experience into opportunities. By the time you finish, you won’t just understand personal branding. You’ll have built the foundation of your own. At its core, this app’s goal is to make building a personal brand more accessible. There’s no strict timeline or high expectations. In truth, all that’s required is that you show up and put in the work. The app does the rest, even keeping you accountable on making progress by providing daily tasks, feedback, and check-ins to keep you on track. It’s like having your own **[personal branding expert](https://clairebahn.com/why-every-ceo-needs-a-personal-brand-strategy/?_gl=1*1j4llhx*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjvfSBhDpARIsAEiOpSv42_js9V0RKAHFWO6cnl-IM5HXwSjGDQaKxMVtWLMFOZfFOvxkDREaAlwbEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADkE86-dx36-eho4paiLmGlx7bdc1)** right in your pocket, ready to help at all times. ## **How Does the App Help You Build a Personal Brand?** One of the biggest reasons people struggle to build a personal brand is that the process feels overwhelming. I understand that. One **[personal branding](https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/personal-branding-at-work)** Google search and you’re inundated with a swarm of information, conflicting opinions, and questionable “best” practices. > ***“I’ve encountered many executives who have the title, success, and accolades, and would be great candidates for a strong personal brand, but they spend years saying they’ll “work on it later,” simply because they don’t have a clear path to the starting line.”*** That’s why the Personal Brand Advantage app breaks everything into manageable steps. You’ll move through a 5-phase framework with guided lessons, practical exercises, interactive activities, and personalized feedback to help you build momentum without feeling overwhelmed. Along the way, you’ll create valuable professional assets, including positioning statements, personal messaging, career stories, bios, and content ideas you can continue using long after you’ve completed the program. Rather than wondering what comes next, you’ll always know your next step. There’s no planning or extra thought needed on your end. The app is already designed with the busy executive schedule in mind, and lays everything out for you from the beginning. ## **What Makes This Different From Other Personal Branding Courses?** > ***“There are plenty of resources that explain why personal branding matters, but far fewer show you how to actually do it. That’s what makes the Personal Brand Advantage app such a novel tool.”*** Instead of watching hours of videos and taking notes you’ll never look at again, you’ll actively work on your own brand throughout the experience. The app combines structured lessons with real-world exercises, AI-powered guidance, personalized recommendations, and progress tracking so you’re continuously building, not just learning. You’ll actually walk away from the course with a **[strong foundation for your personal brand](https://www.uschamber.com/co/grow/thrive/key-elements-of-personal-branding-strategy)**. From there, all you need to do is continue implementing what you’ve learned to keep your momentum and increase your visibility even further. But, even after you’ve finished the program, you can return to the app for a refresher on certain lessons or best practices, or to seek guidance from the app’s chatbot, anytime, 24/7. ## **Why Does Building a Personal Brand Require More Than Social Media?** When working with clients, one of the first things I cover is the fact that content is only one part of your personal brand. Posting every day won’t solve unclear positioning. Going viral won’t automatically create trust. More followers don’t guarantee bigger and better opportunities. A strong personal brand is built on clarity, credibility, consistency, and reputation. That’s why the app focuses on far more than [**content creation**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-with-social-media/?_gl=1*19mnb9o*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjvfSBhDpARIsAEiOpSv42_js9V0RKAHFWO6cnl-IM5HXwSjGDQaKxMVtWLMFOZfFOvxkDREaAlwbEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADkE86-dx36-eho4paiLmGlx7bdc1). It helps you understand how your messaging, professional experience, digital presence, personal story, thought leadership, and credibility all work together to shape how others perceive you. Creating relevant content is certainly a part of the program, and you’ll walk away with a strategy you can leverage long-term to help you decipher between thought leadership and just casual posting, because the goal isn’t just to be seen. It’s to be remembered and trusted. You don’t achieve that by flooding your audience’s feed with posts every single day. Volume alone isn’t a strategy. Instead, you achieve it by sharing relevant, strategic content that delivers some kind of value and answers the real questions your audience members have that you’re uniquely positioned to answer. That’s exactly the kind of content the app will guide you through creating, but you’re not just creating it for the sake of completing a module in the program. The content you create with the app’s assistance is real and actionable. It’s aligned directly with your expertise and the personal brand you want to build, and will be ready to share on socials as soon as you’re done. ## **What Results Can You Expect From Building a Stronger Personal Brand?** Over the years, I’ve watched countless clients **[transform their careers](https://lpsonline.sas.upenn.edu/features/digital-strategies-success-building-personal-brand-online)** after becoming more intentional about how they present themselves. Some landed executive promotions, others attracted larger clients, and many **[earned media opportunities](https://clairebahn.com/roi-of-personal-branding/?_gl=1*19mnb9o*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjvfSBhDpARIsAEiOpSv42_js9V0RKAHFWO6cnl-IM5HXwSjGDQaKxMVtWLMFOZfFOvxkDREaAlwbEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADkE86-dx36-eho4paiLmGlx7bdc1)**, keynote invitations, board positions, strategic partnerships, or consulting engagements they might have missed without building their strategic visibility. These opportunities didn’t come to them because their expertise suddenly improved overnight. They came to them because they positioned themselves in a way that made people finally understand the value they had to offer. That’s the real purpose and impact of building a personal brand. ## **Why Is Now The Right Time To Build a Personal Brand?** > ***“I’ve gotten a lot of questions about why I chose to build the Personal Brand Advantage app now. I believe a strong personal brand has always been a worthwhile investment, but today’s professionals compete in a very different world than they did even five years ago.”*** AI has made content creation more accessible than ever, and differentiating from **[AI-generated thought leadership](https://clairebahn.com/ai-thought-leadership-authenticity/?_gl=1*19mnb9o*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjvfSBhDpARIsAEiOpSv42_js9V0RKAHFWO6cnl-IM5HXwSjGDQaKxMVtWLMFOZfFOvxkDREaAlwbEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADkE86-dx36-eho4paiLmGlx7bdc1)** is a distinct challenge in its own right. At the same time, there’s also more competition and information out there than ever before, meaning the decision-makers you and everyone else are trying to reach have more choices than they truly know what to do with. So how do you stand out? You highlight your authentic expertise as much as possible, as that’s what really holds value in the market today. People aren’t just looking for information anymore. Answers to the majority of their questions are found in a quick Google search or, in some cases, a quick query to ChatGPT. Instead, they’re looking for judgment, perspective, experience, and trust. These are uniquely human qualities that AI can’t replicate. They have to come from you. The sooner you begin intentionally building your personal brand, the sooner those strengths begin working on your behalf. ## **How Do You Get Started?** If **[building a personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-in-2026/?_gl=1*l02eia*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwjvfSBhDpARIsAEiOpSv42_js9V0RKAHFWO6cnl-IM5HXwSjGDQaKxMVtWLMFOZfFOvxkDREaAlwbEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADkE86-dx36-eho4paiLmGlx7bdc1)** is on your to-do list for this year, you don’t need to have everything figured out before you get started. Too many executives get stuck spinning their wheels, spending months “getting ready” to build their brand, without making any real progress. That’s not necessary. You simply need a place to begin, which is why the Personal Brand Advantage app exists. It’s your go-to source for a structured roadmap, proven frameworks, practical guidance, and interactive exercises that you complete at your own pace to give you the confidence that you’re building something meaningful instead of guessing your way through the process. I created this app because I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to be recognized for the value they bring. Not just the loudest voices or the people with the biggest followings, but the professionals whose expertise has real value and genuinely deserves to be seen. Your personal brand isn’t something you build after you’ve “made it.” It’s one of the tools that helps you get there. > ***“If you’re ready to stop leaving your reputation to chance and start intentionally building a brand that reflects who you are and where you want to go, the Personal Brand Advantage app is designed to help you do exactly that.”*** Because the opportunities you’re looking for often begin long before the first conversation. They begin with the impression you’ve already created. Learn more about the program, the app, and download it here: **** --- ### **Frequently Asked Questions** **1. What is a personal brand, and why is it important?** A personal brand is the professional reputation you build through your expertise, experience, online presence, and the way others perceive you. A strong personal brand helps you establish credibility, increase visibility, and attract career opportunities, clients, speaking engagements, and professional partnerships. In today’s digital world, your personal brand is often your first impression. **2. How do I build a personal brand if I don’t know where to start?** The best way to build a personal brand is to start by identifying what makes you unique, clarifying your professional positioning, defining your key messages, and consistently sharing valuable insights that reflect your expertise. The Personal Brand Advantage app provides a step-by-step framework that guides you through every stage of the personal branding process, making it easier to build a strong, authentic brand with confidence. **3. Is personal branding only for entrepreneurs and influencers?** No. Personal branding is valuable for executives, business owners, consultants, job seekers, professionals, and anyone who wants to advance their career or become known for their expertise. A well-developed personal brand helps professionals stand out, build trust, and create opportunities regardless of their industry or career stage. **4. What makes the Personal Brand Advantage app different from other personal branding courses?** Unlike traditional online courses, the Personal Brand Advantage app focuses on implementation instead of passive learning. Through guided lessons, interactive exercises, AI-powered feedback, personalized recommendations, and practical assignments, users don’t just learn about personal branding; they actively build a personal brand with professional assets they can immediately use throughout their careers. **5. How long does it take to build a personal brand?** Building a personal brand is an ongoing process rather than a one-time project. While you can begin strengthening your personal branding within weeks by improving your messaging, online presence, and thought leadership, long-term success comes from consistently sharing your expertise and reinforcing your credibility. The Personal Brand Advantage app is designed to help you make steady, sustainable progress with daily guidance and actionable steps. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Executive Branding, Personal Branding **Tags:** Career Development, executive branding, How to Build a Personal Brand, LinkedIn Personal Branding, personal branding, Professional Branding, Professional Reputation, Thought leadership --- ### [Personal Branding for Gen X and Boomers: How to Turn Experience into Influence in the Digital Age](https://clairebahn.com/gen-x-and-boomers/) **Published:** November 10, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How can Gen X and Boomers turn decades of experience into digital influence through modern personal branding? Why does standing out online matter more than ever for Gen X and Boomers navigating career transitions or leadership roles? What steps can Gen X and Boomers take to build a personal brand that highlights credibility—not trends?* *This blog breaks down why personal branding has become a non-negotiable career asset for Gen X and Boomers, especially in a digital-first professional landscape. It explores how online visibility now shapes credibility, influence, and opportunity—often more than résumés or past achievements alone. By addressing misconceptions, highlighting the importance of reputation management, and explaining how experience becomes an advantage, the article shows Gen X and Boomers how to translate decades of expertise into a compelling digital presence.* *The post also offers a practical roadmap for building and sustaining a strong personal brand, from choosing the right platforms to crafting a clear message, sharing meaningful stories, and engaging authentically online. It emphasizes that Gen X and Boomers don’t need to mimic influencer culture—they simply need to show up with clarity, consistency, and confidence. Ultimately, the blog demonstrates how personal branding helps Gen X and Boomers stay relevant, gain visibility, and turn long-earned wisdom into long-lasting influence.* --- Let’s talk about *personal branding*. It’s one of those buzzwords that can sound a little overhyped, right? Especially if you’re part of the Gen X or Boomer generations, you might hear the term and immediately think of influencers posing with matcha lattes or twenty-somethings filming “day in my life” videos for TikTok. But that’s not what [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) truly is. In today’s digital-first world, personal branding is simply how you show up—online and offline—in a way that communicates your credibility, values, and unique expertise. It’s your modern-day reputation. In the past, someone would have called your personal brand your Business Reputation. Jeff Bezos says, “*Your personal brand is what people say about you when you’re not in the room.*” Whether you’re a seasoned executive, a consultant, or a professional entering a new chapter, your personal brand is the embodiment of your expertise and authority that anyone can see 24/7/365. Your personal brand enables you to control your own narrative, rather than leaving it to others. It’s your story that follows you everywhere. And here’s the kicker: in this reputation-driven economy, that story matters more than ever. For Gen X and Boomer professionals, personal branding isn’t about chasing trends or reinventing yourself as a social media personality. It’s about amplifying the decades of wisdom, experience, and trust you’ve already built and translating that into digital visibility and authority. You’ve already done the hard part: building a successful career, mastering your craft, and earning respect in your field. Now it’s about making sure that expertise doesn’t get lost in the noise of the digital landscape or, more importantly, that opportunities are not lost because someone else with less experience and expertise overshadows your accomplishments. So, let’s unpack how the world of personal branding has evolved, why it matters for professionals in mid-to-late career stages, and how Gen X and Boomers can leverage their experience to lead with authenticity, not algorithms. ## **Understanding the Modern Branding Landscape** > ***“54% of employers have rejected applicants due to a weak or unprofessional online presence.”*** There was a time when a polished résumé and a few solid references were all you needed to advance your career. Those days are long gone. The shift from paper résumés and personal referrals to digital presence and online perception has completely redefined what it means to be visible. Now, when someone wants to know who you are or what you bring to the table, they don’t wait for your résumé; they Google you. They check your LinkedIn. They scroll through your website or read your guest articles. In other words, your digital footprint is your first impression. Today, credibility is measured not just by what you’ve done, but by what’s discoverable about you. The consistency of your voice across platforms, the quality of your insights, and the way you engage online all shape how others perceive your authority. And algorithms? They’re the new gatekeepers. LinkedIn’s algorithm decides whose posts get seen. Google’s search results determine who appears as a thought leader. Even small actions, like commenting thoughtfully on someone’s post, writing an article, or updating your profile, feed into the digital ecosystem that shapes your reputation. For Gen X and Boomers, this can feel like foreign territory. Many of you grew up in a professional world where modesty, discretion, and personal referrals were the currency of success. But in the modern landscape, invisibility can look like irrelevance. In fact, [54% of employers](https://capitaloneshopping.com/research/branding-statistics/) have rejected applicants due to a weak or unprofessional online presence. The truth is, you don’t need to change *who you are*. You just need to translate your expertise into a format that the digital world understands. ## **Common Misconceptions Among Gen X and Boomers** Let’s clear the air about a few big misconceptions I often hear when I work with Gen X and Boomer clients. ### **Misconception #1: Personal branding is only for the younger crowd.** I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard, “Isn’t that something for influencers?” No. Personal branding isn’t about chasing followers or dancing on TikTok. It’s about ensuring your professional reputation reflects your true value. The digital landscape doesn’t discriminate by age; in fact, [your experience gives you an edge](https://www.contentgrip.com/gen-x-boomer-influencers-changing-marketing/) that younger professionals can’t fake, especially as more and more people are seeking out expertise over entertainment. ### **Misconception #2: Building a brand feels like bragging.** Many of us were raised to believe that good work speaks for itself. And it used to. But in today’s digital environment, silence often reads as absence. You don’t have to “sell yourself”—you simply have to share your story, your lessons, and your expertise in a way that helps others. Think of it less as self-promotion and more as *thoughtful contribution*. ### **Misconception #3: A strong brand has to look perfect.** This one’s big. Perfection feels safe, but [authenticity](https://clairebahn.com/the-importance-of-authenticity-in-executive-reputation-management/) builds trust. The most compelling personal brands aren’t polished to the point of sterility; they’re relatable, human, and real. When people see your humility, humor, or even a few bumps along the way, it makes you more credible, not less. Once you stop viewing personal branding as vanity and start seeing it as *visibility*, the whole process feels much more natural. ## **Why Reputation Management and Digital Visibility Matter More Than Ever** Before we move into the foundational elements of a personal brand, it’s important to understand *why* building and protecting your digital presence is now non-negotiable, especially for Gen X and Boomer professionals. Here’s the truth: **if you’re not actively shaping your own narrative online, someone else will.** And in today’s hyper-connected world, your online reputation isn’t just a supplement to your career; it’s part of the decision-making process employers, clients, and collaborators rely on. ### **Your Reputation Is Already Online Whether You Manage It or Not** Many seasoned professionals assume that decades of experience and a strong real-world reputation speak for themselves. And they do, but only to the people who already know you. For everyone else? They turn to Google. If your digital footprint is sparse, outdated, or inconsistent, you’re leaving your reputation vulnerable. Worse, if something negative is posted about you—or if someone with far less expertise simply has *more* online visibility—your narrative is no longer in your control. In an era where misinformation and internet trolling are common, reputation management becomes a form of professional protection. [Personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-examples/) is how you take that control back. ### **The Career Reality: Visibility Affects Opportunity** > ***“70%+ of hiring managers review a candidate’s digital presence before deciding whether to interview them”*** A growing number of Gen X and Boomer professionals worry about layoffs, restructuring, or career transitions. The concern is valid. Getting hired today is radically different from how it used to be, and the competition is fiercer than ever. To future-proof your career, your online presence must work as hard as your résumé. Here’s why: 1. **Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) filter candidates long before humans do.** Most résumés today are scanned by algorithms, not people. If your online presence doesn’t reinforce your skills, keywords, and expertise, you may be eliminated before a hiring manager ever sees your name. 2. **Hiring managers research you online—almost universally.** Studies show that [70%+ of hiring managers review a candidate’s digital presence](https://resources.careerbuilder.com/employer-blog/70-of-employers-use-social-networking-sites-to-research-candidates-during-hiring-process) before deciding whether to interview them, and nearly 50% have rejected candidates based on what they found (or didn’t find). Invisibility is no longer neutral—it can signal irrelevance. 3. **Your experience only matters if it’s discoverable.** You may have decades of accomplishments, but today’s digital-first environment rewards those who can *show* their value, not just state it. ### **Reputation Management Is a Career Asset** Think of reputation management not as damage control but as strategic career insurance. A clear, consistent online presence ensures that: - Your accomplishments are easy to find. - Your story is told in *your* - Your credibility is reinforced, not questioned. - Opportunities come to you, not just through who you know, but through who can find you. For Gen X and Boomer professionals, this is incredibly empowering. You’re not building a brand from scratch—you’re distilling years of wisdom into a visible, modern, authoritative presence that reflects the real depth of your expertise. ## **Core Elements of a Strong Personal Brand** Now that we’ve cleared up what personal branding isn’t, let’s talk about what it actually takes to build one that works for you. A great personal brand for Gen X and Boomers rests on four key pillars: 1. **Defining Your Identity and Niche** Before you start posting or networking online, get clear on your “why.” What’s your expertise? What’s your passion? What do you want to be known for? It’s not about being everything to everyone. It’s about claiming your lane and owning it. 2. **Crafting a Clear Message** Your message should capture your unique value and point of view. Whether it’s “helping executives lead with empathy” or “translating complex data into actionable business strategy,” clarity is what turns casual visitors into engaged followers. 3. **Consistency Across Platforms** Your LinkedIn, website, and social channels should feel like chapters of the same story. Consistent visuals, tone, and messaging reinforce your credibility. Think of it like your professional wardrobe. It doesn’t have to be identical, but it should all “fit.” 4. **The Power of [Storytelling](https://clairebahn.com/visual-storytelling-and-personal-branding/)** This is where your decades of experience become gold. Stories about challenges you’ve overcome, lessons you’ve learned, or moments that shaped your leadership make your expertise relatable. People don’t remember titles; they remember stories that made them feel something. At its core, your personal brand should feel like an authentic extension of who you are, just translated for the digital stage. ## **Leveraging Experience as a Differentiator** Here’s the good news: Gen X and Boomer professionals already have the hardest part of personal branding figured out: substance. You’ve got decades of insights, achievements, and wisdom. The challenge is packaging that experience in a way that today’s digital audience can absorb and appreciate. ### **1. Turn your experience into authority** Write articles or posts that distill what you’ve learned into actionable insights. Share stories about how your industry has evolved, and what younger professionals can learn from that. When you publish knowledge, you establish yourself as a thought leader. ### **2. Highlight your longevity as a sign of adaptability** A long career isn’t just a timeline; it’s evidence of resilience. You’ve navigated recessions, tech revolutions, and industry shifts, and you’re still standing. That adaptability is incredibly relevant in a fast-changing world. ### **3. Showcase your mentorship and leadership** One of the greatest assets Gen X and Boomers have is perspective. Use your digital presence to mentor publicly. Answer questions, comment on posts, or even host a short LinkedIn Live discussion. You’re not just telling people what you know; you’re demonstrating generosity and leadership. In a marketplace where attention spans are short, wisdom and credibility stand out. When your brand reflects the confidence and clarity that come from experience, you naturally attract respect and opportunity. Think of your personal brand as an [investment](https://hbr.org/2022/09/how-to-build-your-personal-brand-at-work) for opportunities. ## **Building Digital Presence Without Overwhelm** Here’s something I tell all my clients: you don’t need to be *everywhere*. You just need to be *somewhere, consistently.* Start with the platforms that make sense for your goals. If you’re a consultant or corporate professional, LinkedIn should be your home base. If you love to write, publish articles on Medium or your own blog. If you’re more visual, Instagram can showcase your behind-the-scenes process or values. A few practical steps to get started: - **Optimize your profile.** Your headline, bio, and profile photo should clearly communicate who you are and what you offer. Think of your LinkedIn summary as your digital handshake. - **Create content that educates or inspires.** Share lessons learned, observations about industry trends, or quick tips your audience can apply. - **Engage intentionally.** Comment thoughtfully on others’ posts, endorse colleagues, and join relevant online groups. Networking online isn’t about volume; it’s about authenticity. - **Stay visible.** Regular activity signals credibility. Even posting once or twice a week keeps you top of mind. If the idea of building a digital presence feels overwhelming, start small. Think of it as an extension of your offline reputation—one post, one conversation, one connection at a time. ## **Networking and Reputation in the Digital Era** Let’s be honest: Gen X and Boomers grew up on traditional networking—conferences, mixers, business cards, and lunches. And those still matter. But in the digital age, relationships start (and thrive) online. The secret is to blend both worlds. **Engage genuinely online.** Comment on someone’s article. Congratulate a colleague on a new role. Share resources that help others. When you engage with authenticity, you strengthen your reputation as someone generous and thoughtful, two qualities that never go out of style. **Join virtual communities.** Whether it’s an industry association on LinkedIn or a mastermind group on Facebook, online spaces create opportunities for connection beyond geography. Your next big collaboration or client could come from a single thoughtful exchange. **Handle criticism with grace.** Online visibility means you might occasionally encounter negative comments or differing opinions. Don’t let that scare you off. How you respond—calmly, professionally, and with perspective—reinforces your brand integrity. At the end of the day, your network is your net worth, and in today’s world, that network spans both boardrooms and browser tabs. ## **Sustaining and Evolving Your Personal Brand** A personal brand isn’t something you build once and forget. It’s a living, breathing reflection of your growth. As your goals shift—maybe you retire, launch a consultancy, or start a new venture—your personal brand should evolve with you. Here’s how to keep it strong and relevant: 1. **Stay curious.** Lifelong learning keeps your expertise fresh. Take courses, attend webinars, or stay current on new industry trends. When you share what you’re learning, it shows you’re not stuck in the past; you’re leading into the future. 2. **Revisit your message regularly**. Every few months, review your bios, posts, and website. Do they still reflect who you are and what you want to be known for? Your brand should grow with you. 3. **Seek feedback.** Ask trusted peers how they perceive your brand. What qualities stand out? What might be unclear? Honest input helps you refine your message and ensure it resonates. 4. **Show up consistently.** Authority isn’t built overnight. It’s built through presence, patience, and persistence. Think of your personal brand as a professional legacy in progress. It’s not about staying trendy; it’s about staying *true*. ## **Conclusion: Experience is Your Superpower** Here’s the truth I wish more Gen X and Boomer professionals understood: your personal brand isn’t about trying to look younger, louder, or trendier. It’s about owning the power of your experience and sharing it in a way that connects. The digital landscape has leveled the playing field. A 28-year-old can build a following overnight, sure. But you have something far more valuable—depth, credibility, and the ability to offer perspective that only comes from time. Personal branding is your bridge between what you’ve achieved and what’s possible next. Whether you want to attract consulting opportunities, speak on panels, or simply stay relevant in your industry, your online presence is the invitation that opens those doors. So, start where you are. Polish your profile. Tell your stories. Share what you know. Let your personality and your professional journey shine through. Because when people see not just what you’ve done, but *who you are*, that’s when your personal brand becomes unstoppable. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned from working with Gen X and Boomer professionals, it’s this: influence doesn’t fade with age. It compounds when you let the world see it. #### **If you’re ready to bring clarity and confidence to your personal brand, [schedule a strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) today. The experience you’ve built deserves to be seen, shared, and celebrated, both online and off.** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding **Tags:** Gen X and Boomers, personal brand, personal branding, personal branding strategy, Reputation Management --- ### [Why Do You Need a Strong Personal Brand in 2026?](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-in-2026/) **Published:** December 15, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Are you intentionally building your personal branding strategy, or letting your digital footprint define you? How does personal branding impact your credibility, visibility, and career security in 2026? What opportunities are you missing by not investing in personal branding right now?* ***Personal Branding Insights:*** *In 2026, personal branding is no longer about aesthetics or surface-level visibility—it’s about trust, authority, and long-term influence. This blog breaks down how personal branding has evolved into a critical professional asset, shaping how leaders, founders, and executives are perceived before they ever step into a meeting or interview. From credibility and differentiation to visibility and opportunity, personal branding now acts as both a growth engine and a career safety net in an increasingly competitive and unpredictable landscape.* *You’ll also learn how to build personal branding with intention, clarity, and authenticity—without creating a persona that doesn’t feel like you. Through real-world examples, data-backed insights, and actionable strategy, this post outlines how personal branding fuels opportunity, future-proofs your career, supports monetization, and builds lasting influence. Whether you’re looking to elevate your authority, attract aligned opportunities, or create a legacy that outlives your job title, personal branding is the foundation that makes it possible.* --- [Personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) looks a little different in 2026 than it did even a couple of years ago, and honestly, I think that’s a good thing. When I talk about personal branding today, I’m not just talking about polished headshots or carefully curated Instagram grids. I’m talking about something much deeper: your identity as a leader, your reputation as a professional, and your ability to influence how others see you, long before you ever enter a room or hop on a call. Let’s talk about this honestly: people aren’t checking your résumé first anymore. They’re checking your digital footprint. They want to know who you are, what you value, and what you have to say about the space you’re operating in. And because of that, personal branding now extends far beyond a social media presence. It shows up in boardrooms, interviews, investor meetings, and every online search with your name on it. In a hyper-competitive environment like the one we’re heading into for 2026, there’s really no downside to having a strong personal brand—but there *are* consequences to not having one. If you want to differentiate yourself, attract opportunities, and become known as the authority in your field, learning how to build your personal brand intentionally is no longer optional. Let’s break down why it matters—and how you can build one that works for you, your goals, and your long-term legacy. ## **Why Do You Need a Strong Personal Brand?** A personal brand isn’t just a “nice-to-have” marketing layer anymore; it’s the lens through which people decide whether to trust you, follow you, hire you, or partner with you. When you understand what a strong brand actually does for you, it becomes a lot easier to justify the time, energy, and investment it takes to build one. So, let’s break down what a powerful personal brand really delivers behind the scenes: credibility, differentiation, opportunity, and long-term influence. ### **1. It Establishes Credibility and Trust** One thing I’ve noticed when coaching professionals, founders, and executives is that people trust what they can repeatedly verify. When your personal brand is consistent—your messaging, your expertise, your tone, your values—people begin to see you as someone they can rely on. And trust me, that consistency pays off. > ***“Content shared by individual professionals receives 561% more reach than content shared by a company’s branded channels.”*** A strong personal brand positions you as an expert *because* you’re showing up as someone who knows what they’re talking about. This isn’t about pretending to know it all; it’s about being authentic and demonstrating your experience in a way that others can genuinely connect with. [Authenticity](https://clairebahn.com/the-importance-of-authenticity-in-executive-reputation-management/) is key here. Audiences today can spot a façade immediately. [In 2025](https://www.forbes.com/sites/williamarruda/2025/01/02/9-personal-branding-trends-for-2025/), they want relatability, clarity, and confidence—not perfection. People trust what feels real. The more aligned your digital presence is with who you truly are, the more credibility you build. ### **2. It Differentiates You from the Competition** Let’s talk about standing out—because if you’re not intentional about it, you’ll blend in faster than you think. Every industry right now is crowded. From tech founders to consultants to creatives, everyone is fighting for attention. But here’s the truth most people skip over: *You already have qualities that set you apart.* Your experiences, your values, your perspective, your skills—all of these shape your brand identity. > ***“Employees with a developed brand have 10 times more social media followers than their company’s corporate accounts.”*** Learning how to build your personal brand is really about identifying those unique traits and amplifying them. When you align your brand with what truly makes you different, people don’t just see you as another professional in your field—they see you as *the* professional in your field. Differentiation isn’t about gimmicks or hype. It’s about authenticity, clarity, and consistency. ### **3. It Attracts Opportunities** Here’s something people don’t say enough: opportunities don’t always go to the most qualified person; they often go to the most visible one. A strong personal brand acts as a magnet. Whether you’re interested in new clients, career advancement, media features, speaking engagements, partnerships, or investment opportunities, your personal brand often determines whether those doors open. > ***“70% of recruiters look at social media profiles when evaluating candidates.”*** Think about it. When someone Googles you (and they *will*), what do they find? Keep in mind that of the 75 percent of U.S. adults who Google themselves, [nearly half](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanerskine/2017/09/19/20-online-reputation-statistics-that-every-business-owner-needs-to-know/) say the results aren’t positive. If they see thought leadership, intentional content, a clear brand message, and a recognizable point of view, they’re far more likely to reach out. And that’s the beauty of learning how to build your personal brand the right way: it creates momentum that eventually starts working on your behalf. ### **4. Future Proofs Your Career—or Helps You Start a New One** We are living in one of the most unpredictable career landscapes in modern history. Large-scale layoffs, rapid restructuring, automation, and the acceleration of AI technologies are reshaping industries at a speed that most professionals simply aren’t prepared for. Job security, at all levels, looks different now. A strong personal brand is no longer just a competitive edge; it’s a *career safety net*. When companies restructure or roles disappear, the professionals who continue rising are the ones with visibility, authority, and a recognizable voice. A powerful personal brand helps you: - Stand out during times of uncertainty - Position yourself for internal promotions - Attract external recruiters proactively - Transition into new roles or industries more easily - Build optionality, like consulting, fractional work, board seats, entrepreneurship A polished online presence signals thought leadership, communication skills, and influence—qualities that set top performers apart. #### **Real-Life Client Example:** One of our clients is a respected leader in global finance, and he used personal branding not just to elevate his visibility, but to *protect and expand his career influence*. By establishing himself publicly as an expert in global economics and political affairs, he transitioned from being nationally recognized to becoming a global voice. His social presence grew by over **417,000%**, and he was featured in top-tier outlets such as Fortune and U.S. News & World Report, significantly increasing his professional resilience and future opportunities. This is the power of a strong personal brand during uncertain times. ### **5. Provides opportunities to monetize your brand** Personal brands that reach a targeted, engaged audience can open the door to meaningful monetization opportunities, both directly and indirectly. When people trust your expertise and follow your perspective, you’re no longer limited to earning through a single job or title. You can transform your knowledge into offerings that generate income and expand your influence, such as: - Authoring a book - Creating webinars, online courses, or digital products - Securing paid board seats - Speaking engagements - Consulting or fractional leadership opportunities - Partnerships or brand collaborations The beauty of personal brand monetization is that it grows *with* you. You can start small, build your body of work, and eventually leverage it into a portfolio of revenue streams. ### **6. It Builds Long-Term Influence** A strong personal brand is the foundation of thought leadership. When people come to you for insights, perspective, or guidance, you’re no longer competing; you’re leading. But here’s what really matters: longevity. Anyone can go viral. Anyone can have a moment. But a sustainable personal brand maintains relevance over time. > ***“84% of consumers trust recommendations that come from people they follow online.”*** To stay relevant, your brand needs to evolve with you. Your expertise will grow, your goals will shift, and your audience may expand. Your personal brand should support that evolution, not hold you back. The people who understand this early on are the ones who stay influential for years, not just months. ## **How Do You Build a Strong Personal Brand?** Now let’s talk strategy. Learning how to build your personal brand requires intention, clarity, and follow-through. It’s not about creating a persona; it’s about refining the one you already have. ### **1. Define Your Core Identity** If you don’t know who you are as a professional (or who you want to become), it’s impossible to brand yourself effectively. Start by answering these questions: - What do I value? - What am I passionate about? - What impact am I trying to create? - What do I want to be known for? - Who actually needs to hear my message? A lot of people skip this step because it’s introspective and not as glamorous as designing a website or shooting brand photos. But this clarity is the backbone of your brand. Your [target audience](https://clairebahn.com/defining-your-target-audience/) matters just as much. You’re not speaking to “everyone”—you’re speaking to the segment of people whose problems align with your expertise. ### **2. Develop Your Brand Message** Once you know who you are, let’s talk about how you’re communicating it. Your brand message includes: - Your personal story - Your mission - Your expertise - Your value - Your brand statement Your story matters more than you might think. Whether you’re a founder who overcame obstacles, a corporate leader with a unique career path, or an expert who turned experience into authority, [your story adds meaning to your brand](https://clairebahn.com/crafting-a-compelling-brand-story/). Your brand statement, meanwhile, is the quick explanation of what you do and who you help. It’s the version of your answer that actually makes someone want to keep talking to you. And here’s something important: consistency amplifies your message. You don’t need to reinvent your message every week. You need to reinforce it. ### **3. Optimize Your Online Presence** Let’s talk digital presence, because this is where most personal brands fall apart or never take off. #### **Consistency is Key** This means visually *and* verbally. Whether someone finds you on LinkedIn, your website, Instagram, or a podcast, they should be able to recognize your brand instantly. This includes: - Your headshots - Your brand colors - Your tone of voice - Your messaging - Your content themes - The quality of your visual assets In 2025 and heading into 2026, the standard for professional presence has elevated significantly. Low-quality visuals aren’t just overlooked—they can actively undermine your credibility. Audit your online touchpoints: - **Website** – Does it clearly communicate who you are and what you do? - **LinkedIn** – Does your headline reflect your value, not just your job title? - **Social platforms** – Are you consistent? Are they current? Are they aligned? If the answer is “not yet,” then that’s your next step. ### **4. Create and Share Valuable Content** If your brand message is what you say, then your content is how you prove it. Content is the fastest and most effective way to demonstrate your expertise. It builds authority, expands visibility, and gives your audience a reason to trust you. This can include: - Blog posts - YouTube videos - Podcasts - LinkedIn articles - Instagram Reels - Thought leadership posts - Interviews - Webinars The format doesn’t matter as much as the value. Your content should either: - Educate - Inspire - Challenge assumptions - Share insights - Provide solutions - Show your personality Consistent content is how you build recognition. Valuable content is how you build loyalty. Strategic content is how you build influence. This is one of the most important pillars in learning how to build your personal brand effectively. ### **5. Engage and Network Authentically** Content without engagement is just noise. Authentic engagement is one of the fastest ways to grow your personal brand. Not performative engagement. Not transactional engagement. *Genuine* engagement. This means: - Responding to comments - Commenting on posts by peers and leaders - Joining conversations instead of just starting them - Participating in communities relevant to your industry - Building relationships, not just collecting followers [Networking](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-build-strong-professional-network-2025-aamir-asghar-fzuuf/) has changed dramatically since pre-pandemic days. In 2025, networking is hybrid. There’s as much power in your digital relationships as your in-person ones. People trust brands they feel connected to. So, give them reasons to connect with you. ### **6. Evolve and Refine Over Time** Your personal brand is not something you “finish.” It’s something you refine. As your career grows, your expertise expands, and your goals shift, your personal brand should evolve right along with you. Here are some ways to monitor your brand’s performance: - Google yourself regularly - Review your analytics - Pay attention to what content resonates - Gather feedback - Update your visuals every 1–2 years - Make sure your messaging still aligns with your goals Your brand should be a living representation of who you are, not who you were three years ago. Stagnant brands fade. Evolving brands stay relevant. ## **Conclusion** Personal branding in 2025 and the coming years isn’t an optional professional accessory—it’s a foundational strategy for success. If you want to grow your influence, attract meaningful opportunities, establish credibility, and rise above the competition, your personal brand is the vehicle that gets you there. And yes, building a personal brand is a journey. It’s ongoing. It’s intentional. It requires clarity, visibility, authenticity, and evolution. But the return on that investment? Exponential. Once you learn how to build your personal brand in a way that accurately reflects your expertise and values, everything else—partnerships, clients, recognition, opportunities—begins to fall into place. Your personal brand is your legacy. It’s the story people will tell about you when you’re not in the room. So, let’s build one worth remembering. #### **If you’re ready to stop blending in and start showing up as the recognized authority in your space, this is your moment to get intentional about your personal brand. You don’t have to figure it all out on your own—and you shouldn’t. If you want a clear roadmap, expert guidance, and support tailored to your goals, [schedule a strategy call today](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/). Let’s uncover what makes you unique, align your messaging, and build a personal brand that actually works for you 24/7.** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding **Tags:** build a personal brand, personal brand, personal brand strategy, personal branding --- ### [How To Become an Industry Leader](https://clairebahn.com/industry-leader/) **Published:** August 19, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What does it really take to become an industry leader in a crowded and competitive market? Can anyone position themselves as an industry leader, or is it reserved for billion-dollar brands and lucky insiders? Which habits and strategies separate an industry leader from everyone else trying to get noticed?* ***Personal Branding Insights*** *Becoming an industry leader isn’t about titles, vanity metrics, or overnight success—it’s about consistently showing up with clarity, courage, and value. This blog breaks down what truly defines an industry leader, from innovation and calculated risk-taking to being outspoken, informative, and deeply responsible. Through real-world examples and firsthand observations, it shows how both individuals and companies can rise above the noise without building a massive corporation or waiting for permission.* *You’ll also discover the practical strategies that help an industry leader sustain long-term influence, including building loyal audiences, hiring and retaining top talent, adapting to modern work culture, and leveraging personal branding, networking, and collaboration. Whether you’re a founder, executive, or ambitious professional, this guide outlines how to position yourself as the go-to authority in your space—and keep that edge as your industry evolves.* --- Thought leader, influencer, industry “giants”— there are many terms used to describe an industry leader. Some people come into the position by climbing the ladder (and a little bit of luck), while others may claim this title after carefully crafting their expertise. Today, I’m going to show you how you can do a little bit of both if you want to become a leader in your industry. **RELATED:** [**WHY DO YOU NEED A PERSONAL BRANDING CONSULTANT?**](https://clairebahn.com/why-do-you-need-a-personal-branding-consultant/) ## What is an Industry Leader? You can likely recognize leaders in your industry *immediately.* An industry leader stands out from the crowd within a specific niche. Industry leaders can be companies or personal brands. Some industry leader examples of companies are Apple, Amazon, and Tesla. It just so happens that the people associated with those brands (Steve Jobs, Tim Cook, Jeff Bezos, and Elon Musk) can also call themselves industry giants. So, what exactly sets these leaders apart? An industry leader is a business or individual that excels beyond most or all peers, reaching a level of acclaim, respect, or even “household name” status within their field. This dominance can be measured by sales, revenue, subscribers, audience reach, or other notable achievements. In many cases, they’re the benchmark—the ones others look to for guidance and inspiration. Think of Apple and Coca-Cola as iconic household names in the B2C world, or Stitch Fix and Netflix in the DTC space. On the B2B side, you have powerhouses like IBM, HubSpot, or Amazon Web Services (AWS). These are the brands and personalities shaping their industries, setting trends, and often redefining what’s possible. But do you need to craft a billion-dollar corporation to become a prominent voice in your trade? Absolutely not. Let me explain. What truly sets these leaders apart isn’t just their recognizable names or logos—it’s a combination of characteristics and strategic moves that consistently keep them ahead of the pack. **RELATED:** [**THE FIRST 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHEN BUILDING YOUR BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) ## Characteristics of an Industry Leader I’ve seen people go from no-names to online personalities in under a year. And I live in *LA*— the epicenter of entrepreneurship and ambition. Out of all of the people I have in my inner circle, the ones who I’ve seen find success all share a few core characteristics. Grant Langston, the former CEO of eHarmony, [had been a mentor of mine at one point in time](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-mentoring/). I instantly recognized what made him so successful. He gives direct, no-fluff advice. He always gave it to me straight, which I wholeheartedly admire in a business relationship. My business manager’s innovation and dedication to posting informative content to her social media accounts are probably how she managed to team up with giants like Gary Vaynerchuk. So what are the characteristics of an industry leader? Let me tell you what I’ve noticed: ### 1. Innovative An easy way to get noticed in your line of work is to stick your neck out with (sometimes) insane ideas. It’s all about throwing ideas out there until one sticks— or until you can fine-tune a *single* idea to make it the best it can be. If you’re never testing out unique concepts, you’ll never know how far you can go. If you’re only repeating the same old song and dance that we all read about over and over again, nobody is going to remember you. Learn to be comfortable with standing out and then actually get there by pitching and testing out even the most outlandish ideas. Also, remember this: you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Just look for new ways to get people from point A to point B *faster* or more comfortably*.* But here’s a little secret: true industry leaders never stop innovating. They don’t just dream up new products or services—they also find inventive ways to work smarter, solve problems like sustainability or supply chain headaches, and challenge what’s “normal” in their industry. Whether you’re in tech, design, or making the world’s best cup of coffee, pushing boundaries should be your comfort zone. #### **Why Innovation in Business Models Matters** If you’re angling for long-term industry leadership, playing it safe just won’t cut it. The businesses that consistently rise to the top aren’t the ones scraping by on autopilot—they’re the ones reinventing how they operate as the world evolves around them. Let’s face it: the way we do business today would have blown minds a few decades ago. It’s the ability to reimagine what’s possible—to overhaul old playbooks and turn them on their heads—that keeps companies in the spotlight rather than in the history books. If you think about the heavyweights still thriving after decades, you’ll spot a trend: they change with the game, not after it. Rather than clinging to yesterday’s success formula, they break it apart and rebuild something better. That’s the difference between companies that fade away and those that keep setting the pace. So yes, tweak, experiment, and don’t be afraid to scrap what isn’t moving you forward. When you make innovation the rule (not the exception), you give yourself the best chance to not only lead your industry, but to keep your edge as the ground keeps shifting under everyone else’s feet. #### **Keep the Innovation Engine Running** So, how do you make sure your company is never mistaken for that dusty, forgotten VHS tape sitting in the corner of Blockbuster history? Simple (well, sort of): Keep poking at your own business model with a stick—constantly. Never let the “way things have always been done” lull you into a nap. **1. Embrace Change—Relentlessly** Innovation thrives where curiosity lives. Regularly ask, “What if?” and “Why not?” Challenge every process and product—even the ones everyone takes for granted. The best companies aren’t afraid to stir the pot (sometimes vigorously), whether it means tweaking what exists or exploring wild new territory. **2. Steal a Page From the Greats** Look at how companies like [Apple](https://machinelearning.apple.com/) and [3M](https://www.3m.com/3M/en_US/company-us/about-3m/research-development/) treat research and exploration—not as an afterthought, but as a centerpiece. They budget for failed experiments, strange prototypes, and brainstorming sessions that sound bonkers on paper. Sure, some ideas may flop, but the act of pushing boundaries is what keeps them at the top. **3. Encourage Experimentation at Every Level** Don’t reserve the fun for the C-suite. Give everyone—from the intern to the lifers—a seat at the “crazy ideas” table. Make it safe for people to suggest offbeat solutions without the fear of looking foolish. If something doesn’t work, it’s not a failure—it’s another step closer to the breakthrough you’re chasing. **4. Stay Curious, Stay Inspired** Read widely. Attend conferences outside your comfort zone. Pick the brains of people from unrelated industries. Sometimes, the next big idea for your team is waiting in a completely unexpected place—a sushi conveyor belt, a video game chatroom, or a nonprofit’s scrappy fundraising campaign. **5. Make Innovation a Habit** Schedule it. Celebrate it. Set targets for experimenting just as you would for sales or performance metrics. Regularly audit your business model, looking for cracks, opportunities, or outdated assumptions. The only wrong way to do it is thinking you’re done. By keeping innovation woven into the day-to-day fabric of your company—and not treating it as a “one-and-done” event—you’ll not only stay relevant, but you might just become the pacesetter the rest of the pack tries to catch. ### 2. Risk-Taker We all know that being a full-time entrepreneur is a risk in and of itself. However, this is where a lot of could-be thought leaders fall short. They aren’t *ready* to take on more risks. When you’re just getting into the game, you probably think you’ve exhausted all your resources: you’re just getting funding, you’ve taken out a loan, you haven’t built up your clientele yet, your income isn’t consistent, etc. With so much unknown, deliberately taking more risks to expand your personal brand and business is irresponsible, right? Being a risk-taker doesn’t always mean injecting more cash into your business. As I mentioned before, a risk-taker is willing to put their ideas out there, despite rejection. Plus, the more you actively try out your ideas, the more you’ll understand your product, service, or audience. True industry leaders understand this balancing act. They’re not reckless, but they’re also not afraid to step into the unknown. Sometimes, that means doubling down on a bold vision, betting on a new market, or simply being willing to fail publicly so you can learn faster than everyone else. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST YOUR CAREER**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/) ### 3. Outspoken An easy way to spot an industry leader, whether you’re reading a blog, watching a YouTube video, or scrolling through social media, is to take note of your initial reaction. Did something they said make you feel relieved? Did they make you think, “Yes, that’s me to a T!” People who can invoke that kind of reaction tend to be more than just excellent copywriters or storytellers. These people like to break the cycle. When they do this, they seem like a breath of fresh air to you. These people aren’t afraid to swim against the current, and they’ll say *exactly* what they’re thinking. Industry leaders don’t blend in. They’re outspoken, unafraid to challenge the status quo, and willing to spark real conversations—even when it’s uncomfortable. Whether it’s calling out inefficiencies in their field or advocating for a controversial new approach, their confidence and authenticity build trust and set them apart from the crowd. ### 4. Informative These characteristics aren’t conclusive. You can be an innovative and informative thought leader while your competition is the loud and outspoken one. This is why they say there’s an audience for everyone. And it’s why I say you need to stay loyal to your personal brand. If you’re someone who wants to be an informative leader, you need to be one step ahead of the game. Informative figureheads are always [on top of industry trends,](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/) and they’ll be the first to guide their audience through new territory. By providing this stream of consistent information, people can begin to rely on you, thus pushing your authority to the front of the crowd. It’s not just about being loud—it’s about being useful. The best leaders build loyalty by helping others make sense of change, breaking down complex ideas, and giving their audience the tools to succeed. Over time, this consistency creates a dedicated following that comes back for your insights, not just your personality. #### **Trusted Knowledge Source** When it comes to establishing yourself as an industry authority, building a reliable base of knowledge is non-negotiable. It’s not just about knowing your stuff—it’s about being the go-to person others turn to for insights, solutions, and trends. Think about the industry leaders you admire (hello, [Neil Patel](https://neilpatel.com/) and [Seth Godin](https://www.sethgodin.com/)). What do they all have in common? They consistently deliver content that others, even competitors, pay attention to. This might be a blog that goes beyond surface-level tips, a YouTube channel packed with actionable how-tos, or a podcast that dives into real industry pain points. Your knowledge base doesn’t need to be some stuffy database, either. It can show up as: - A steady stream of relatable blog posts - In-depth explainer videos or Instagram Lives - Timely, detailed white papers on what’s trending - Live Q&A sessions or workshops for problem-solving in real time - Podcast episodes that don’t sugarcoat the hard stuff The point? Every time you share meaningful, well-researched content, you’re not just informing your audience—you’re building trust and loyalty. And when people rely on your expertise before anyone else’s, that’s when you shift from being just another voice in the crowd to a true industry leader. ### 5. Responsible A thought leader is willing and able to take responsibility **at all times**. [I told you about personal brands who reacted badly to events in 2020](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/). This caused severe backlash and, ultimately, caused these leaders to lose respect (and followers) from their audience and peers. What’s commendable about how these people managed their [online reputation](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/) is that they took responsibility. Industry leaders don’t try to pin the blame on their employees, and they certainly don’t try to defend themselves when they’re being “called out.” Likewise, if you’re someone who is constantly complaining that “the algorithm” is the reason nobody sees your content and the reason your engagement is low, you’re not ready to be a leader in your industry. And responsibility goes deeper than just crisis management. The most respected leaders invest in building strong teams, supporting their people, and planning strategically for the future. They know it’s not just about being the face of a brand—it’s about creating a culture that attracts passionate, skilled people and gives them a reason to stick around. ### 6. Loyalty-Builders Ever noticed how some brands have fans, not just customers? Whether it’s Apple, Toyota, or your favorite local bakery, industry leaders know how to inspire loyalty. Sure, having a killer product helps, but loyalty is the real differentiator in a world where everyone’s fighting for attention. Leaders build trust, deliver consistent value, and create experiences that make people want to come back year after year—even if the competition is a little cheaper or flashier. ### 7. Strategic and People-Focused Here’s a little extra that separates the best from the rest: top-tier leaders don’t just wing it. They plan, invest in exceptional management, and surround themselves with passionate, talented teams. They’re not afraid to pay more for the right people, knowing that a well-led, excited team is the secret sauce behind every industry-shaking innovation. In the end, industry leaders share a few key traits: they innovate, take risks, speak up, inform, take responsibility, inspire loyalty, and invest in people and planning. If you can weave these qualities into your approach, you’ll not only stand out—you’ll stay ahead. **RELATED:** [**HOW YOUR PERSONAL BRAND CAN FUTURE-PROOF YOUR CAREER**](https://clairebahn.com/your-personal-brand-future-proof-your-career/) ![industry-leader](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Claire-Bahn-Personal-Branding-Strategist-1-1-1024x576.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist (1) - Claire Bahn") ## Benefits of Being Recognized as an Industry Leader Reaching the status of an industry leader comes with its own set of perks—and they go far beyond bragging rights at networking events. When you’re recognized as a top name in your field, your voice holds more weight. People seek out your opinion, whether that’s clients, collaborators, or even competitors. You become the go-to source for advice, trends, and breakthrough ideas. This kind of trust and credibility translates into real opportunities: - **Greater Visibility:** Media outlets, podcasts, and event organizers are more likely to invite you to share your expertise. - **Competitive Edge:** Potential clients gravitate toward industry leaders because they want to work with the best—think of how Apple sets trends others follow. - **Influence & Impact:** Your insights may shape the direction of your entire field, opening doors to collaborations, partnerships, and expansion. - **Stronger Network:** Other successful professionals want to connect, which accelerates growth for both your personal brand and your business. In short, being an industry leader means you’re not chasing opportunities—they’re landing in your inbox. ## Why Top Companies Prioritize Leadership and Strategy If you’ve ever wondered why industry leaders like Apple or Amazon consistently stay ahead of the curve, take a look at who’s steering the ship. The secret sauce? They don’t skimp on leadership. Top-performing companies invest generously in exceptional management and executive talent—and there’s good reason for it. Think of it this way: the best minds bring not only experience, but also a clear sense of purpose and vision. They make strategic decisions with a “why” behind every move, guiding the company with intention rather than guesswork. This is worlds apart from organizations that treat management as just another line item, trimming costs at the expense of innovation. Instead, leaders use their financial edge to attract and keep the brightest talent. They know that investing in visionary leaders isn’t an expense—it’s a catalyst for growth. Along with that, these companies double down on forward-thinking strategic planning. They make it a priority, revisiting their goals and adjusting course as necessary. It’s this ongoing commitment—to both great leadership and thoughtful strategy—that keeps industry giants at the top of their game. ## The Biggest Challenges in Assembling an Industry-Leading Team I get asked all the time: “What’s the hardest part about building a team that stands out?” Honestly, the answer is never as simple as “hire the best” (if only!). Especially living in LA, where competition is thick and everyone’s paddling their own canoe upstream, the real obstacles are a little more layered—and a lot more interesting. ### 1. Attracting Top Talent in a Competitive Market Finding talented people is hard enough, but catching their eye (and convincing them to join your ship, not Google or Netflix) is a whole different game. Everyone wants seasoned pros, but let’s be real—these folks have options, and the good ones are on speed dial. ### 2. Standing Out as a Magnet for Excellence The key? It often starts at the top. If your leadership doesn’t shout “visionary” from the rooftops, you’ll have a tough time pulling in those A+ players. Teams crave guidance and inspiration—they want to see leaders who aren’t afraid to set trends, challenge the status quo, and show off their industry savvy. Think Grant Langston-level leadership or Gary Vee’s infectious hustle. ### 3. Balancing Perks with Purpose Sure, you can dangle shiny carrots—salary, health plans, stock options—but the dream team is looking for more than a fat paycheck. Today’s leaders want a mission that excites them, a brand with values, and a crew they’re proud to join. Just tossing money at the problem won’t cut it. Bottom line: if you want to attract (and keep) the kind of people who’ll elevate your brand, you have to lead by example, step into the limelight, and shape a culture that ambitious minds want to be part of. ## Build a Team That’s as Invested as You Are When it comes to true industry leadership, it’s not just about the visionary at the helm—it’s about the entire crew rowing the boat (sometimes upstream, sometimes in a hurricane). The most influential leaders know that hiring skilled, driven people isn’t just a nice-to-have; it’s a non-negotiable. Here’s why: team members who are both talented and passionate bring ideas, energy, and a bit of much-needed “let’s do this!” attitude. They thrive on collaboration, challenge the status quo, and push your business further than you can alone. This creates a culture of excellence that’s contagious—from product development to customer support and everywhere in between. Industry leaders also recognize that top talent wants more than just a paycheck—they want purpose, growth, and a place where their ideas matter. By actively seeking out these go-getters (and yes, compensating them fairly), you’re ensuring your organization stays adaptable and future-ready. As work culture evolves, organizations that invest in their people become magnets for new talent and keep their best performers, while those stuck in the past? Well, let’s just say they become prime hunting grounds for recruiters. So, if you’re serious about leading the pack, remember: your team is your secret weapon. Build the environment they want to be part of, and you’ll set a standard others only dream of reaching. ## Adaptability: The Key to Attracting and Keeping Top Talent I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: Gone are the days when a hefty paycheck alone was enough to keep top performers loyal to your team. Just look at what’s been happening since the pandemic—people are willing to trade a bigger salary for a better work culture and more flexibility. I’ve seen friends in LA walk away from high-paying gigs because they wanted work-life balance that actually means something (read: not just lip service on a careers page). Why? Because nothing beats feeling excited to show up for work every day. A positive culture and genuine work-life balance routinely win out over compensation, especially among talented individuals who value fulfillment and mental wellness as much as a direct deposit. Industry leaders recognize this shift and aren’t afraid to adapt to it. They understand that being stuck in old ways—like rigid schedules or requiring everyone to be chained to a desk—will cause your best people to look elsewhere. Instead, they’re crafting workplaces where talented individuals don’t just clock in and out, but genuinely thrive. Here’s what I’ve observed the most innovative companies doing: - **Embracing Flexible Work Arrangements:** Whether it’s hybrid schedules or remote-first setups, they trust their teams to deliver and focus on results, not office hours. - **Prioritizing Culture and Well-Being:** Creating an environment where people feel valued, respected, and heard. This means investing in mental health, open communication, and real opportunities for growth. - **Offering Competitive Benefits:** Sure, salary matters. But so do tailored perks like learning stipends, generous parental leave, and wellness programs. When you’re known as an employer who “gets it,” you don’t have to settle for average. You’ll attract passionate professionals who believe in your vision and want to stick around to help build it. More importantly, adapting to changing work preferences shows you’re listening—a quality every true leader should have. ### Recruiting and Retaining Top Talent Let’s get one thing straight: if you want to cement your place as an industry leader, you absolutely need the right people by your side. Sure, it sounds like a no-brainer, but actually attracting and hanging onto outstanding talent? That’s where the real work begins. Talent is the engine that powers innovation, customer satisfaction, and growth—basically, every metric that matters. When you hire people who are experts in their field (think the kinds of folks who get chased down by Google and Apple recruiters), your business levels up. Bringing on top-notch professionals means new ideas, sharper execution, and a culture that inspires others to reach higher. But recruitment is only half the battle. If you don’t nurture your team and give them reasons to stick around—like opportunities to lead, grow, and be heard—they’ll be updating their LinkedIn faster than you can say “counter-offer.” Remember: legendary companies like Patagonia, Zappos, and Netflix are famous not just for what they make, but for who they hire and how they keep them. To truly set yourself apart, your leadership team needs to embody the very essence of your brand and mission. People want to work for organizations where leaders walk the walk and where everyone feels connected to a bigger purpose. When your team thrives, your business will ride the front wave, not paddling behind it. ### Building Loyal Customer Bases Ever wonder why some brands attract fans who would rather camp outside a store than miss out on a product launch? It’s not just about having the flashiest tech or the fanciest features—though that certainly doesn’t hurt. The true secret is the community and trust these brands cultivate over time. Loyalty in the age of endless options comes from more than just top-notch products. As industries evolve and the market gets crowded, what really sets successful leaders apart is their ability to make customers feel heard and valued—like they’re part of something bigger than themselves. Think about the die-hard supporters of certain brands. Even if another company offers a slightly better price or feature, those loyalists stay put. Why? Because leaders in the space focus on: - Creating consistent, positive experiences (so customers know exactly what to expect) - Building an ecosystem that makes switching unthinkable (hello, seamless integration) - Communicating authentically and directly with their audience (no robotic customer service here) - Delivering value—even on the little things some might overlook It’s this attention to building real relationships and fostering a sense of belonging that keeps customers coming back, year after year—sometimes even in spite of drawbacks or higher price tags. That’s the kind of loyalty industry leaders inspire, and it’s a lesson worth taking to heart if you want to be remembered for more than just your products. ### Dominate Your Local Market If you want to build your reputation as an industry leader, mastering your local market is where it all begins. Think about it—whether your “local” is your physical city, a specific niche, or even a particular audience demographic, you need to become the go-to expert in that space first. Why start local? Because authority, like good word-of-mouth, tends to snowball. When you’re the first name people mention in your community, referrals and new opportunities chase you down. Success stories from companies like Warby Parker and Sweetgreen show how developing raving fans at home propelled their brands into national conversations. Here’s why local domination matters: - **Instant credibility:** When your peers and customers in a specific segment trust and recognize your brand, people outside that area will take notice. You create a ripple effect. - **Easier testing ground:** It’s much less intimidating to fine-tune your offer, messaging, and customer experience with a smaller, focused group before tackling a larger market. - **Faster growth cycles:** Your wins come faster, and you’ll be able to see what’s working (and what isn’t) without risking everything on a huge, resource-draining launch. So, before you try to take over the world, focus on being a big fish in your pond. Prove you can serve and impress those closest to you, and pretty soon, you’ll find your influence reaching far beyond your starting line. ## 6 Industry Leader Strategies You Should Know Where are you at in your business? Are you a founder, a CEO, or are you just learning how to start your side hustle? No matter where you are, the one thing that will stay consistent on your journey is your personal brand. That’s why it is vital to define who you are, what you stand for, and what you are/want to be an expert in before anything else. Only then can you move into your industry data, ideal audience demographics, content ideas, and ways to scale your business. Once you have a steady handle on those things, you’ll be able to slow down and do what it takes to become well-known in your sphere of influence. Like I said, not all prominent figures are the same. You’ll find your audience by having an unwavering commitment to your personal brand (aka yourself). But to give you a little head start, here are six industry leader strategies you can use to push your way to the top! ### 1. Hire a brand expert Sure, you can find checklists or free eBooks about how to pile together all the right aspects of your personal brand, but you’re always going to need a second pair of eyes. More than that, you’re going to want an unbiased, outsider point-of-view to tell you their knee-jerk reaction to what they see, think and feel about your brand. So, friends and family are out of the question when it comes to getting a review of your brand. Sorry— they just know you too well. You can always ask for feedback from Facebook groups about your blogs, Instagram, videos, etc., but more often than not, they’re going to give you information that isn’t helpful. A personal brand strategist will not only give you that no-fluff feedback I mentioned before, but I will also give you step-by-step, realistic ways to build a personal brand you’re proud of and one that will bring you the opportunities you’re looking for. ### 2. Present yourself as an industry leader on social media I mentioned that the most high-achieving CEOs are outspoken. While this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to be loud or vulgar, it does mean you need to be consistent. And your day-to-day impact needs to happen on social media. Social media is about being social. So, you need to open up channels for communication rather than just sharing your informative blogs, videos, and graphics. It doesn’t matter which social platform you choose (though I highly recommend[ joining me on LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebahn/)). All you need to do is show up (a *lot*) and voice what nobody else says. ## ### ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Six-Industry-Leader-Strategies-410x1024.jpg "Six Industry Leader Strategies - Claire Bahn") ### 3. Always keep learning You’ll never get the attention you deserve if you’re always falling behind your competitors. A leader is always learning. Every day, look for articles that talk about what’s happening in your industry, look for conversations about future projections, and then start creating your own content around the news. For people to **view you as an elite figure**, you need to jump on hot topics as they happen in real-time. It’s even *better* if you can write up a blog or publish a video with your opinions and strategies on how people can make the most of this new information. #### **Build a Knowledge Base that Sets You Apart** Beyond staying informed, make it your mission to become a go-to resource in your field. The most respected industry leaders aren’t just keeping up—they’re setting the pace by sharing valuable insights and resources that others (even competitors) rely on. Consider creating a robust knowledge base through: - Consistent, in-depth blog posts or LinkedIn articles - Insightful how-to videos or explainers - White papers or research pieces that spark discussion - Webinars, workshops, or even starting your own podcast When you regularly contribute high-quality content, you elevate your reputation as a trusted authority. Over time, people will instinctively turn to you first for answers, trends, and perspective—because you don’t just follow the industry conversation, you help shape it. **RELATED:** [**HOW STARTUP FOUNDERS CAN STEP UP THEIR PERSONAL BRANDING IN 5 STEPS**](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/) ### 4. Write a book I don’t mean a free eBook. Self-publishing has become so easy these days that almost anyone can call themselves a published author. However, it’s pretty easy to see who took the DIY route (we’ve all seen the clipart book covers). If you want to write a book, don’t just do it for the notoriety. **Here are a few signs you’re ready to write a book for your personal brand:** 1. People are asking you for the *same* information daily. 2. You’ve hit your target income and audience growth (writing a book takes time, so you can’t have other distractions). 3. You have the[ ability to hire](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-outsourcing/) a proofreader, editor, and cover artist. **RELATED:** [**DO CEOS NEED THEIR OWN PERSONAL BRAND? 5 TIPS FOR EXECUTIVE BRANDING**](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) ### 5. Network This should happen on *and* offline (post-COVID). In 2020, I went to the [Alt-Summit to speak about personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/is-the-alt-summit-worth-it/). While being a speaker at one of the most notorious networking conventions was a massive win for me, I still would have gone. The sheer amount of connections and opportunities you can pull from these types of events is mind-blowing (and completely worth the investment). And if your goal is to book speaking arrangements at large-scale conventions like this, you need to attend one first. Take note of how industry leaders present themselves on stage. The way you speak, dress, and convey information is everything to the event hosts. Take what you learn and apply it to your online platforms. #### **Why Networking Fuels Industry Leadership** I know the word “networking” gets thrown around so much that it starts to lose meaning, but hear me out: building authentic connections is the backbone of real industry leadership. There’s a reason all the movers and shakers show up at events like [SXSW](https://www.sxsw.com/), TED, or even your local Chamber of Commerce happy hour. Every relationship you cultivate is a new door waiting to open—sometimes when you least expect it. Networking isn’t just about swapping business cards or racking up random LinkedIn connections. It’s about creating a genuine presence—being the person people think of first when they need an expert or want to collaborate. Some practical ways to deepen your network (no matter if we’re meeting IRL or via Zoom): - Attend (and better yet, speak at) reputable conferences or summits in your niche. - Host workshops, whether in-person at WeWork or via live webinars. - Reach out for panel opportunities, podcasts, or even guest blog spots on sites like Entrepreneur or Forbes. - Volunteer to moderate roundtables or industry Q&As. Always, always follow up with real value after your first introduction—send an insightful article, make an introduction, or offer a quick tip tailored to their challenges. In the end, your network acts as your credibility amplifier. When you’re connected to other thought leaders, opportunities start to multiply—media features, partnerships, even book deals. Trust me: leadership isn’t built in a vacuum; it’s built through relationships. ### 6. Collaborate If you’re not currently able to attend an in-person networking event, the next best thing you can do to boost your authority is to collaborate with thought leaders in your industry. You can do this by requesting to interview them on your Instagram Live, YouTube channel, or podcast. This expands your personal brand outside your circle and into their (typically larger) audience. But don’t just collaborate for the sake of reaching new people. The goal of these collaborations is always for your audience. Think about which topics your audience wants to learn about, and seek out prominent voices in those sectors to bring onto your platform. If you have a hard time booking well-known individuals, aim for the low-hanging fruit. Expanding your audience even by an inch is an inch in the right direction. Typically, these people will reciprocate the offer and ask you to be on their podcast or other media forms. Remember, there’s no such thing as bad press. Plus, you never know who might be watching. ![characteristics-of-industry-leader](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Claire-Bahn-Personal-Branding-Strategist-2-1-1024x576.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") Becoming an authority in your industry isn’t easy. Even with a foolproof strategy in hand, it might not work if your personal brand isn’t ready. #### **It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our personal branding services are built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our process and** [**book a strategy call**](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) **today!** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** Characteristics of an Industry Leader, industry leader definition, Industry Leader Strategies, industry leaders, industry thought leader, personal branding strategist, thought leader --- ### [Refining Your LinkedIn PR Strategy Based on Engagement and Results](https://clairebahn.com/refining-your-linkedin-pr-strategy/) **Published:** October 23, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How can you refine your LinkedIn PR strategy by analyzing what your audience actually engages with? What metrics matter most when shaping a data-driven LinkedIn PR approach that builds credibility—not just visibility? How do consistency, experimentation, and feedback help transform your LinkedIn PR into a long-term personal brand engine?* *This blog breaks down how to elevate your LinkedIn PR strategy by treating engagement as actionable data rather than noise. Instead of posting blindly and hoping the algorithm cooperates, the article teaches readers how to interpret impressions, comments, shares, saves, and profile views as signals that shape messaging, tone, and content direction. It explains why qualitative engagement matters more than vanity metrics and shows how a refined LinkedIn PR approach leads to stronger visibility, deeper trust, and higher LinkedIn ROI.* *The piece also dives into strategy development—testing formats, analyzing audience demographics, optimizing timing, and refining storytelling based on what resonates. It highlights the tools and rhythms that turn LinkedIn PR into a continuous improvement process, from creator analytics and newsletters to quarterly performance reviews. Ultimately, the blog shows that effective LinkedIn PR isn’t about chasing virality; it’s about intentional communication that builds authority, strengthens personal branding, and drives real opportunities.* --- Let’s talk about something most people skip when it comes to LinkedIn strategy: measurement. I know, I know, it’s not the most exciting part of personal branding. But when we talk about LinkedIn PR (your public relations presence and reputation on the platform), measurement and LinkedIn ROI are everything. Because without it, you’re guessing. We’ve all been there: you post something that feels brilliant, only to get a few likes. Then, a simple “lesson learned” post unexpectedly blows up. That contrast? It’s data, and it’s gold. LinkedIn is one of the most powerful platforms for [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/), but the secret to success isn’t just posting consistently; it’s refining your message based on what your audience actually engages with. Every like, comment, share, and impression is a form of feedback. It’s a real-time performance review from your network that tells you what’s resonating and what’s not. And when you use that feedback to refine your LinkedIn PR strategy, you start to build something far more powerful than reach—you build *credibility*. Because the truth is, visibility without credibility doesn’t get you far. But a refined, data-informed approach? That’s how authority grows. ## How Can LinkedIn Be Used for Branding? LinkedIn isn’t just a job board. It’s one of the most powerful platforms for building both personal and professional brands. By sharing insights, thought leadership, and stories that reflect your expertise, you create a consistent narrative that strengthens your reputation and visibility. The more intentional your posts are, the more measurable your LinkedIn ROI becomes. > ***“For 56% of pros, LinkedIn is the most valuable social media platform.”*** Now, you may be wondering, “Is social media considered PR?” Absolutely. Social media—especially LinkedIn—is an extension of modern PR. In fact, [Muck Rack’s State of PR 2025 report](https://muckrack.com/research/state-of-pr) shows that for 56% of pros, LinkedIn is the most valuable social media platform. It’s where your audience experiences your reputation in real time. Every comment, share, and conversation shapes how your brand is perceived. When you manage your presence intentionally, you’re practicing digital PR, and every post becomes part of your brand’s public narrative. ## Understanding Key Engagement Metrics and LinkedIn ROI Before we can talk about refining strategy, let’s make sure we’re speaking the same language. LinkedIn has its own ecosystem of engagement metrics, and knowing how to interpret them will help you measure what actually matters. These metrics aren’t just numbers—they’re the foundation of your LinkedIn ROI. When you understand which actions drive visibility, engagement, and ultimately opportunities, you start turning data into measurable brand growth. ### The Core Metrics **LinkedIn Impressions** show how many times your post appeared on someone’s feed. It’s visibility—the top of your funnel. Now, what is a good impression rate on LinkedIn? According to [Socialinsider](https://www.socialinsider.io/social-media-benchmarks/linkedin), LinkedIn posts in 2025 average around a 5.2% engagement rate by impressions. That means if you’re anywhere near or above that, you’re doing well. **Reactions (Likes, Celebrates, Loves, etc.)** give a quick sense of how well your message lands emotionally. They’re low-effort engagements, but they still indicate alignment. **Comments** are gold. This is where your content starts conversations. If people take the time to write back, ask questions, or tag others, you’ve struck a nerve (in a good way). **Shares** amplify your reach exponentially. When someone shares your post, they’re essentially endorsing your voice to their network—think of it as word-of-mouth PR on digital steroids. **Saves** are often overlooked but incredibly valuable. They show your content is worth returning to—an indicator of long-term value. **Profile views and connection requests** are the behind-the-scenes metrics that tell you your content is driving curiosity. When people visit your profile after a post, it means your message is making them want to learn more about you. ### Why Qualitative Engagement > Vanity Metrics High impressions can feel good, but they don’t always mean much. A post that gets 10,000 impressions and 10 likes is less valuable than one that gets 1,000 impressions and 30 thoughtful comments. > ***“LinkedIn posts in 2025 average around a 5.2% engagement rate by impressions.”*** Why? Because genuine engagement—through comments, conversations, and meaningful dialogue—is what builds trust and community. Vanity metrics (views, impressions) measure reach; qualitative engagement measures *relevance*. When I look at my analytics, I always ask: - Are people talking back to me? - Are they tagging colleagues or clients? - Are they asking follow-up questions or sharing personal takeaways? Those are signs of resonance—and resonance is what moves your brand forward. ## Evaluating Content Performance Once you know what to measure, the next question is: what posts are most successful on LinkedIn? LinkedIn offers a buffet of formats—text, images, videos, carousels, polls, and long-form articles—and not all of them perform the same way. Understanding their typical patterns helps you choose strategically rather than randomly. ### The Content Format Breakdown > ***“Carousel posts drive the highest engagement rates (around 6.6%).”*** Text-Only Posts These are quick to produce and often do surprisingly well, especially when they tell a story or share a relatable insight. Short paragraphs, conversational tone, and strong openings are key here. **Image Posts** Images humanize your message and make your content stand out in the feed. Whether it’s a candid photo, branded graphic, or behind-the-scenes snapshot, visuals help people connect with you emotionally. **Carousel Posts (a.k.a. Document Uploads)** These are a powerhouse for engagement. In fact, [Socialinsider’s 2025 LinkedIn benchmarks](https://www.socialinsider.io/social-media-benchmarks/linkedin) show that carousel posts drive the highest engagement rates (around 6.6%). They’re perfect for storytelling, frameworks, or “mini-presentations.” **Video Posts** Video is an attention magnet. A short, authentic video—such as you sharing a quick insight or lesson—can significantly boost connection. Videos currently average a 5.6% engagement rate on LinkedIn. **Polls** They might seem trivial, but polls can be an easy win for engagement. They invite participation, spark conversation, and can double as informal market research. ### Passive vs. Active Engagement Here’s the distinction I always make: passive engagement consists of likes and impressions, while active engagement includes comments, shares, and saves. A post that drives conversation—even if it reaches fewer people—is *more valuable* than one that quietly collects views. When I evaluate my content, I look at three things: 1. Which posts triggered the most conversation? 2. Which posts got reshared or quoted? 3. Which ones led to profile visits, new followers, or direct messages? Those are the ones I double down on. ### Topics and Tone That Resonate Patterns tend to emerge over time. For most professionals building a brand, these content themes perform consistently well: - **Lessons learned**: Share personal experiences and takeaways. Vulnerability (with professionalism) builds trust. - **Actionable advice**: Quick wins, checklists, or frameworks people can use right away. - **Industry insights**: Your perspective on trends or changes in your field. - **Behind-the-scenes stories**: What it’s *really* like doing what you do. Notice the thread? Connection and value. People come to LinkedIn for insight, but they stay for authenticity. ## Audience Insights and Timing If engagement tells you *what* works, audience insights tell you *who* it works for, and when. ### Understanding Your Audience LinkedIn’s analytics offer powerful demographic insights. You can see who’s viewing your posts by industry, job title, seniority, and even location. This helps you make sure you’re attracting the right crowd. If your goal is to work with executives in tech, but your content is mostly attracting students or entry-level professionals, you’ll want to adjust your message or topics accordingly. For example, when I started posting more thought leadership content instead of simple how-tos, my audience shifted from peers to decision-makers: same platform, same person—different impact. ### Timing Is (Almost) Everything There’s a lot of talk about the “best time to post,” but the truth is: it depends on *your* audience. General [research suggests](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/linkedin-statistics/) posting mid-week (Tuesday–Thursday) and mid-morning performs best. But LinkedIn’s algorithm also rewards early engagement, so timing can make or break visibility. Here’s what I recommend: - Experiment with posting at different times and track which posts perform best. - Look for patterns. Maybe your audience engages more after lunch, or perhaps they’re night owls. - Once you find your sweet spot, stick with it consistently. ### Aligning Content with Audience Behavior Think of your content as a conversation. If your audience is full of senior executives, they might prefer high-level, strategic insights. If it’s mostly creatives or early-stage entrepreneurs, practical “how-to” content may resonate better. The more you understand who’s engaging with you, the easier it becomes to meet them where they are. ## Refining Messaging and Voice Now we get to one of my favorite parts—your *voice*. Because here’s the truth: you can post all the carousels and analytics charts you want, but if your tone doesn’t connect, your message won’t stick. If your main question is, “How do I get noticed on LinkedIn posts?” you need to focus less on algorithms and more on authenticity. Strong openings, relatable stories, and a consistent tone attract attention far more than keyword stuffing or overly polished content. Posts that express personality and provide value stand out in a sea of generic updates, and that’s how you build recognition. ### Adjusting tone and storytelling Think of your LinkedIn presence like a conversation at a professional event. If you sound too polished and corporate, you’ll lose people. If you’re too casual, you may dilute your authority. The sweet spot lies in *approachable expertise*—the tone that says, “I know what I’m talking about, but I’m human too.” When you notice that certain posts, say, personal stories or client lessons, spark more engagement, that’s a cue to lean into storytelling. LinkedIn thrives on relatability wrapped in expertise. When you share both your wins and lessons learned, people don’t just see your knowledge; they feel your credibility. ### Using audience feedback Every comment and message you receive is feedback. If multiple people ask follow-up questions on a topic, create a post that expands on it. If a post triggers DMs thanking you for your transparency, that’s a sign your audience values your authenticity. I often go back through my comments to find my next post idea. Your audience will tell you exactly what they want more of. You just have to listen. ### Balancing authenticity with professionalism LinkedIn isn’t Instagram. While you want to be real, you still need to show up with intention and structure. Think of it as *authentic professionalism*: open, human, but grounded in expertise. Your goal is to build a personal brand that people trust. And trust comes from consistency; your tone, your values, your visual identity, and your message should align across all touchpoints. ## Testing and Iteration Refining your LinkedIn PR strategy isn’t a one-time project. It’s an ongoing process of testing, learning, and improving. ### The power of A/B testing You don’t need a massive marketing team to run experiments. Just pick one variable and test it: - Try two headlines for similar posts—one data-driven, one emotional. - Post two versions of the same content (e.g., a text post vs. a carousel) and compare performance. - Experiment with CTAs: one asking for opinions, another offering insight. By tracking results, you’ll see what truly captures attention. ### Building a habit of experimentation I recommend keeping a simple tracking document. Record each post’s date, topic, format, impressions, engagement, and profile views. After a few weeks, patterns will emerge. When you treat LinkedIn like a learning lab, every post becomes data. You stop guessing and start optimizing. ### Monthly and quarterly reviews Monthly reviews help you stay agile. Spot what’s working and double down. Quarterly reviews help you zoom out and look at long-term trends. Which content themes consistently drive engagement? Which formats bring the most connection requests or DMs? That’s where strategic refinement happens. ## Leveraging LinkedIn Tools and Features If you’re not using LinkedIn’s built-in tools, you’re leaving valuable data (and reach) on the table. ### Analytics & Creator Mode LinkedIn’s Analytics Dashboard and Creator Mode are your best friends. Creator Mode gives you access to follower insights, post performance, and content recommendations. The analytics show which industries, roles, and seniority levels your content is reaching. Over time, you’ll start to see what aligns with your goals and where to adjust your messaging. ### Newsletters and Hashtags If you haven’t started a LinkedIn Newsletter yet, consider it. Newsletters build recurring touchpoints with your audience and allow for more in-depth thought leadership. Hashtags, on the other hand, help expand discoverability. Stick with 3–5 that are highly relevant to your niche and audience. ### Tracking long-term growth Beyond individual posts, watch these broader metrics: - **Follower growth**. Are you consistently attracting new followers in your target market? - **Profile views**. Do they spike after strong posts? - **Connection quality**. Are new connections aligned with your business goals? - **Business outcomes**. Have your posts led to inquiries, collaborations, or [speaking opportunities](https://clairebahn.com/get-speaking-engagements/)? Because at the end of the day, your LinkedIn PR strategy should lead to more than just vanity metrics—it should create tangible opportunities. ## Building a Continuous Improvement Framework To keep your [LinkedIn branding](https://clairebahn.com/linkedin-branding-vs-personal-branding/) strong and sustainable, you need a system for continuous improvement. ### Create a recurring review rhythm Here’s what mine looks like: - **Weekly**: Quick scan of what performed well and what didn’t. - **Monthly**: Deeper analysis to identify post types, topics, and times that yielded the best engagement. - **Quarterly**: Reflect on broader goals, like brand visibility, authority growth, and business impact. This structure ensures that you’re not just posting content—you’re evolving strategically. ### Document insights Keep a running document where you summarize what’s working and why. Over time, this becomes your personalized LinkedIn playbook. You’ll start to see repeating patterns: maybe your how-to posts drive saves, while personal stories drive comments. That kind of clarity helps you scale your strategy while staying authentic. ### The power of reflection and consistency Consistency builds recognition, and reflection builds mastery. By continuously analyzing your data, refining your voice, and aligning your message with what your audience values, you turn LinkedIn from a posting platform into a personal brand engine. ## Conclusion Here’s the bottom line: you can’t improve what you don’t measure. If your goal is to build a personal brand that truly stands out on LinkedIn, refining your LinkedIn PR strategy through engagement insights isn’t optional; it’s essential. Track your metrics. Learn from your audience. Test new formats. Adjust your tone. Use every piece of feedback as a stepping stone toward stronger communication and deeper connection. Because when you treat LinkedIn as an evolving PR channel instead of a static social platform, your posts stop being “content” and start becoming *communication that builds authority.* You don’t need viral posts to get noticed. You need intentional ones. So, take a look at your analytics this week. What are your posts telling you? What can you learn from them? And how will you refine your next move? LinkedIn rewards curiosity and consistency, the same traits that make great leaders and great brands. Let’s build yours with purpose. #### Are you ready to develop your LinkedIn engagement and identify what’s driving your results? Sign up for a [strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/pr-firm) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** LinkedIn **Tags:** LinkedIn, linkedin pr, personal brand, personal branding, PR, pr for marketing --- ### [CEO Branding vs. Company Branding: Understanding the Interplay](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding-vs-company-branding/) **Published:** August 25, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What exactly is CEO branding, and how does it differ from company branding? How can CEO branding strengthen the reputation and visibility of the business itself? Why is it critical to align CEO branding and company branding for long-term success?* *In today’s business landscape, branding is no longer just about logos or polished websites—it’s also about the leaders behind the company. This is where CEO branding steps in. CEO branding is the strategic shaping of a leader’s public presence, from media appearances to social platforms. Unlike personal branding, it ties directly to the company’s values, mission, and reputation. When paired effectively with company branding, it creates a powerful halo effect that builds trust, accelerates growth, and amplifies both individual and organizational credibility.* *At the same time, company branding serves as the collective identity of the business, expressing its mission, culture, and customer promise. The interplay between these two is critical: strong CEO branding humanizes the company, while strong company branding reinforces the CEO’s authority. When they’re aligned, they fuel each other, creating resilience and influence that outlasts market shifts and leadership transitions. But when they’re misaligned, trust erodes quickly—making integration not just a strategy, but a business imperative.* When we talk about building influence in today’s business world, “branding” almost always comes up. But here’s the thing: branding is no longer just about logos, taglines, and polished websites. It’s also about the people behind the company. That’s where CEO branding comes into play. At its core, CEO branding is the intentional shaping of a leader’s public presence—how they show up in the media, on social platforms, at conferences, and even in one-on-one conversations. Company branding, on the other hand, represents the business itself—its values, mission, culture, and customer promise. The interplay between these two is powerful. When done well, they feed off each other, creating a “halo effect” that accelerates growth, builds trust, and strengthens reputation. When misaligned, however, they can create confusion or even damage credibility. As someone who has helped leaders and businesses shape both, I’ve seen firsthand how essential it is to understand the difference between [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/), executive branding, and corporate brand strategy—and more importantly, how they should work together. So, let’s dive into this: What is CEO branding, what is company branding, and how can you make sure they complement (not compete with) each other? **Table of Contents:** [What is CEO Branding?](#_Toc209109658) [How Do You Brand Yourself as a CEO?](#_Toc209109659) 1. [ Define Your Core Narrative](#_Toc209109660) 2. [ Align With Your Company’s Values](#_Toc209109661) 3. [ Show Up Consistently](#_Toc209109662) 4. [ Leverage CEO PR and Executive PR](#_Toc209109663) 5. [ Be Human](#_Toc209109664) [What is Company Branding?](#_Toc209109665) [Key Differences Between CEO Branding and Company Branding](#_Toc209109666) 1. [ Focus & Identity](#_Toc209109667) 2. [ Messaging](#_Toc209109668) 3. [ Target Audiences](#_Toc209109669) 4. [ Longevity](#_Toc209109670) [What is the Difference Between CEO Branding and Personal Branding?](#_Toc209109671) [How CEO Branding Can Strengthen Company Branding](#_Toc209109672) [How Company Branding Can Strengthen CEO Branding](#_Toc209109673) [The Interplay: Why Both Must Work Together](#_Toc209109674) [Practical Tips for Balancing CEO and Company Branding](#_Toc209109675) [Conclusion](#_Toc209109676) ## What is CEO Branding? > ***“Research shows that 60% of people believe a CEO’s personal brand is more important than the company’s brand itself. “*** Let’s start with the basics: What is CEO branding? Simply put, [CEO branding](https://clairebahn.com/why-ceo-branding-is-good-for-your-company/) is the process of building a CEO’s public identity as the face of the company. It’s not just about having a polished LinkedIn profile or delivering the occasional keynote. It’s about consistently showing up as a thought leader who embodies the business’s mission, values, and vision. Unlike generic personal branding, CEO branding has a very specific tie to the success of the business. If you’re a founder or executive, your reputation isn’t just about you—it directly impacts how people perceive your company. This is why CEO branding overlaps so closely with: - **Executive branding** – shaping the public perception of leaders within an organization. - **Founder branding** – particularly important for startups, where the founder’s story is often the company’s story. - **CEO PR and executive PR** – the media strategies that amplify your voice in ways that benefit both you and your organization. Why does it matter? Because people trust people more than they trust logos. When a CEO is visible, authentic, and aligned with their company’s values, they create trust, credibility, and authority. That’s how you earn not just customers, but advocates, investors, and long-term believers. And this isn’t just theory—research shows that [60% of people believe a CEO’s personal brand is more important](https://cms.webershandwick.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/CEO_Spotlight_ExecSummary.pdf?) than the company’s brand itself. That tells us something powerful: people aren’t just buying from businesses, they’re buying into the leaders behind them. ## How Do You Brand Yourself as a CEO? I hear this question all the time: “How do you brand yourself as a CEO?” The truth is, CEO branding isn’t about creating a glossy image that looks good on LinkedIn. It’s about intentionally shaping the perception people already have of you. And that starts with clarity. Here are the foundational steps I recommend: ### 1. Define Your Core Narrative Ask yourself: What do I want to be known for? This isn’t just about your role in the business—it’s about your vision, your values, and your unique perspective on the industry. Your story should connect both to your company’s mission and to your personal “why.” ### 2. Align With Your Company’s Values As a CEO, your personal brand isn’t separate from the company. If you’re branding yourself around innovation but your company culture resists change, there’s a disconnect. The strongest CEO brands are an extension of the company’s DNA. ### 3. Show Up Consistently Branding yourself means being visible and consistent. That could look like publishing [thought leadership](https://clairebahn.com/attracting-top-talent-through-strong-executive-thought-leadership/) articles, sharing insights on LinkedIn, hosting a podcast, or speaking at industry events. The key is to have a clear voice and show up regularly. ### 4. Leverage CEO PR and Executive PR Media exposure is critical to CEO branding. Pitching op-eds, joining panels, or being featured in industry press all position you as a thought leader. This type of exposure doesn’t just elevate you—it amplifies your company’s credibility. ### 5. Be Human People don’t connect with perfection. They connect with leaders who are authentic, approachable, and willing to show both successes and lessons learned. Share stories. Talk about challenges. Show your personality. So, how do you brand yourself as a CEO? You do it by combining authenticity with strategy. It’s not about manufacturing an image; it’s about leading in public with purpose and consistency, so that your reputation becomes a powerful growth engine for both you and your company. ## What is Company Branding? Now, let’s look at the other side of the coin. What is company branding? Company branding is the collective identity of the business itself. It’s how the organization expresses its mission, values, culture, and positioning in the market. Think of it as the promise you make to your customers and the experience you deliver to back it up. A strong company brand strategy creates consistency across everything from product design, marketing campaigns, customer service, social media, and even internal culture. It tells the world who you are as a business and why you exist. On the other hand, a weak company brand doesn’t just make it harder to attract customers—it makes it harder to attract talent, too. In fact, research from Harvard Business Review shows that brands with poor company branding [pay 10% higher salaries](https://hbr.org/2016/03/a-bad-reputation-costs-company-at-least-10-more-per-hire) just to compete for the same candidates. This is where we can address one of the most common questions: What is the difference between company branding and personal professional branding? - Personal professional branding is about positioning an individual as an expert, thought leader, or authority. - Company branding (or corporate branding) is about building recognition, trust, and loyalty for the organization as a whole. Both matter—but they serve different purposes and audiences. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/ceo-branding-1-300x169.jpeg "ceo branding 1 - Claire Bahn") ## Key Differences Between CEO Branding and Company Branding > ***“Brands with poor company branding pay 10% higher salaries just to compete for the same candidates.”*** So how do these two forms of branding differ in practice? Let’s break it down into four sections: - Focus & identity - Messaging - Target audiences - Longevity ### 1. Focus & Identity The differences are clear when we look at the focus and identity of each. CEO branding centers on an individual leader (their voice, story, and leadership style), while company branding revolves around the organization as a whole, highlighting its culture, products, and overall reputation. ### 2. Messaging The messaging also takes on different tones. CEO branding is rooted in a personal narrative: why the leader started the business, what they stand for, and how their values shape their leadership. Company branding, in contrast, communicates the broader brand story: the company’s mission, the problems it solves, and the way it serves its market. ### 3. Target Audiences Another key distinction lies in the target audiences. CEO branding often speaks directly to investors, employees, media, and industry stakeholders—groups that want to see the person behind the business. On the other hand, company branding is primarily geared toward customers, clients, and the broader consumer market that interacts with the brand’s products or services. ### 4. Longevity Then, there’s the question of longevity. A CEO’s brand is tied closely to their own career trajectory. When a CEO steps down or moves on, their personal brand goes with them. A company brand, however, can evolve over decades, often outlasting multiple CEOs and adapting to new leadership while still retaining its core identity. These differences affect everything from strategy to media presence. For example, CEO PR might prioritize thought leadership interviews, while corporate PR might focus on product launches or social impact campaigns. ## What is the Difference Between CEO Branding and Personal Branding? > ***“57% of people believe that a CEO’s personal brand significantly impacts the company’s stock performance.”*** This is one of those questions that trips a lot of people up: “What is the difference between CEO branding and personal branding?” At first glance, they look the same. Both are about elevating an individual’s reputation. But the difference comes down to scope and intent. Personal branding is about positioning yourself as an individual, independent of your role. It highlights your strengths, expertise, values, and personality in a way that builds credibility and opens doors—whether that’s for career growth, thought leadership opportunities, or new ventures. While still rooted in personal visibility, CEO branding is inseparable from the business you lead. Your narrative is tied to your company’s mission, values, and reputation. In this case, you are branding not just yourself but also the organization through your leadership. Here’s the simplest way to think about it: If you were to step out of your current role tomorrow, your personal brand would follow you. Your CEO brand, however, would evolve with the position and be tightly linked to the perception of your company. Both are powerful, and in many ways, they overlap. But recognizing the distinction helps you manage them strategically: your personal brand is your long-term professional equity, while your CEO brand is how you leverage that equity to strengthen your company right now. ## How CEO Branding Can Strengthen Company Branding Now here’s the fun part—understanding how these two can fuel each other. When done right, CEO branding can significantly strengthen company branding by: - **Humanizing the company**. A CEO’s face and voice make the business more relatable. People connect with people, not entities. - **Amplifying corporate values**. When a CEO embodies the company’s mission in their speeches, social posts, and interviews, it makes those values tangible. - **Building thought leadership**. A visible CEO writing articles, speaking at conferences, or appearing on podcasts creates trust that spills over into the company brand. Think of it like this: A well-branded CEO is a megaphone for the business. Instead of only hearing from “the company,” audiences hear from a leader they trust. That’s powerful. And the ripple effect is bigger than visibility alone. In fact, 57% of people believe that a CEO’s personal brand [significantly impacts the company’s stock performance](https://cms.webershandwick.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/ceo-reputation-premium-executive-summary-3.pdf), according to a Weber Shandwick study. When your personal reputation signals confidence and trust, it can literally move markets. ## How Company Branding Can Strengthen CEO Branding But the flow goes both ways. A strong company brand also elevates the CEO’s reputation. Here’s how: - **Credibility by association**. If the company is respected, the CEO automatically gains authority. - **A platform for visibility**. Company achievements (milestones, awards, innovations) provide PR opportunities that also highlight the CEO. - **Aligned values**. When the company lives its values, it reinforces the authenticity of the CEO’s personal message. This is why CEOs who try to brand themselves without a solid company brand often hit roadblocks. Their authority feels shallow without the backing of an established organizational identity. ## The Interplay: Why Both Must Work Together This is where the “halo effect” really comes in. Strong CEO branding shines a positive light on the company brand. Strong company branding reinforces the CEO’s credibility. But here’s the warning: if they’re misaligned, the opposite is true. Imagine a company that promotes sustainability while its CEO publicly dismisses climate issues. That kind of disconnect erodes trust fast. The sweet spot is integration. When executive PR and company brand strategy are coordinated, the benefits compound: greater visibility, stronger trust, and resilience in the face of challenges. ## Practical Tips for Balancing CEO and Company Branding So how do you balance the two in practice? Here are a few tips I share with clients: 1. **Establish a unified messaging framework**. Create shared themes that both the CEO and the company can use, while still allowing for individual expression. 2. **Schedule joint and separate PR initiatives**. Some media opportunities should highlight the CEO’s thought leadership, while others should spotlight the company. Plan for both. 3. **Maintain consistency**. Whether it’s tone of voice, values, or visual identity, make sure there’s no daylight between the CEO and the company. 4. **Invest in both**. Don’t pour all your resources into the corporate brand while neglecting [executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/crafting-a-compelling-brand-story/)—or vice versa. They’re complementary, not competing. ## Conclusion To wrap this up, let’s come back to the original question: What is the difference between personal branding and corporate branding? Personal branding—including CEO branding—is about the individual. Corporate branding is about the business. Both are essential. And when you align them, you unlock exponential growth. The interplay between CEO and company branding isn’t just a “nice to have.” It’s a business imperative. Done right, the CEO’s brand humanizes the company, while the company’s brand strengthens the CEO’s credibility. Together, they build trust, attract opportunities, and create lasting influence. So if you’re a CEO—or working with one—the real question isn’t *“Should we focus on CEO branding or company branding?”* The question is: How can we design them to work together for maximum impact? Because in today’s world, the strongest brands aren’t built on logos alone. They’re built on people—and the companies they lead. #### If you’re ready to align your CEO brand with your company brand and unlock the authority, influence, and visibility you deserve, let’s talk about how to make it happen. Sign up for a [strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) today, and we’ll map out a clear plan to strengthen your presence and your company’s brand reputation. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** CEO Branding **Tags:** ceo branding, ceo branding vs company branding, company branding, executive branding, personal branding --- ### [CEO Branding and Personal Marketing: Why They Matter to the Future of Your Business](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding/) **Published:** April 21, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *CEO branding demonstrates your skills, talents, and experiences for maximum market impact. It plays a critical role in the success of your business, with the power to encourage industry change and position you as an industry leader. Have you streamlined your CEO branding strategy for the modern business landscape? Find out now.* CEO branding means demonstrating your unique perspectives, skill sets, and objectives. However, it’s more than a declaration of your professional intentions. Personal marketing puts you in the spotlight, where potential customers can see how you operate. Unfortunately, your competitors can get a good look also. You must develop a keen personal branding strategy that highlights your exclusivity. It should paint you as an authority in the industry, not an obstacle for more capable brands to beat. Executive branding is beneficial to businesses for countless reasons, but recognition is only one. The primary candidates are companies, startups, and eager entrepreneurs seeking increased market relevance. Branded content is more distinguishable than generic, so it helps consumers differentiate goods and services before a purchase. Meanwhile, customers typically choose the path of least resistance. CEO branding helps them find it —because people buy from people. Building a CEO brand is more than a PR play—it’s an intentional strategy that sets the tone for everything else you do. When done right, your brand amplifies your values, guides your messaging, and creates consistency across every public-facing channel. ## What Is CEO Branding? [Branding a CEO is no easy task](https://clairebahn.com/captivate-podcast/6-key-factors-for-effective-ceo-branding/), even for the experts. It involves countless steps and diligent management of various personal and professional details. However, executive branding plays a crucial role in [becoming a respected name](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/271849) in your industry. People want to know who you are and why you’re in business. They also want to discover your motivations to determine whether your values align with theirs. Most people prefer to do business with companies and individuals who share their perspectives. Yet, consumers won’t know your views unless you share insights with consistent and accessible information. [Founder branding strategies](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) can help you develop a tailored marketing approach for maximum impact. The efforts usually consist of accurate data collection, metrics analysis, and targeted innovations. Executive branding services might also find ways to turn your work history, ideals, and achievements into marketable assets. Those assets are distributed to various platforms, enhancing your brand’s online presence with target audiences. Potential customers begin seeing your branded content when they search for related topics. Then your business becomes associated with specific goods and services, typically generating an organic following without other marketing ploys. This kind of traction can help businesses and entrepreneurs in multiple ways. It’s also beneficial to consumers, investors, and vendors associated with your company. Everyone gets a clearer picture of what you do, what you stand for, and where you’re headed in the industry. That’s [how organizations grow](https://www.inc.com/encyclopedia/organizational-growth.html#:~:text=New%20Product%20Development%E2%80%94Creation%20of,sources%20to%20fund%20their%20expansion.). ## Exploring the Executive Branding Advantage Personal branding is when you market yourself to promote your career or business as a separate entity. The tactic differentiates you from established organizations and projects. It often includes information about your work history and professional associations, which can be confusing to some. However, the difference between personal branding and company advertising is massive. For one thing, executive branding always focuses primarily on the professional instead of a company. The purpose is to generate increasing recognition, respect, and revenue for an entrepreneur. [Traditional advertising](https://www.ama.org/2018/03/21/is-shifting-from-traditional-advertising-good-for-business/) aims to accomplish the same thing, but for a lot more money. Conventional marketing strategies are also less customized, time-consuming, and not nearly as successful. Personal [CEO branding benefits](https://clairebahn.com/why-ceo-branding-is-good-for-your-company/) the executive, the companies they’re associated with, and the consumers who trust them. Personal branding creates an ecosystem around you, drawing attention from the sources most likely to purchase, join, or invest. Meanwhile, these are the other four advantages of non-traditional marketing: Social media isn’t just where conversations happen—it’s where decisions are made. A strong CEO presence can establish authority and build trust at a fraction of the cost of traditional media. That’s why forward-thinking leaders prioritize platform-specific content and engagement. ### \#1. Less Expensive Than the Average Ad Spend Regardless of the approach, thriving businesses revolve around positive public perception. Until recently, traditional advertising was the best option for gaining noticeable traction in your industry. Marketing executives would launch pricey campaigns to capture and keep consumer interest. However, social media is now the most influential platform for personal branding. Social platforms help expose brands to vast target audiences for instant consideration. They motivate real-time interactions and provide a continually updated source of information. CEOs can publish live videos, chat with guests, and share branded imagery on a designer LinkedIn profile. Social advertising strategies are also the [least expensive marketing method](https://www.slideshare.net/augustinefou/cross-channel-media-costs-comparison-cpm-basis-by-augustine-fou) yet one of the most impactful. ### \#2. More Engagement with Relevant Audiences Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter aren’t the only places to interact with consumers and partners. You can send targeted messages to your target audience by honing your voice with CEO branding concierge services. Here are some of the tools that the best personal branding experts use: - Podcast Production and Syndication - Podcast Guesting Assistance - SEO Blog Content Development and Ghostwriting - Video Production - Tailored Wardrobe Styling - Personal Branding Photoshoots - Public Relations Management - Social Media Posting - Website Administration - Customized Marketing Strategies These tools help you stay engaged with relevant audiences across multiple industries. Together, they’re often more potent than traditional and [word-of-mouth advertising](https://www.forbes.com/sites/kimberlywhitler/2014/07/17/why-word-of-mouth-marketing-is-the-most-important-social-media/?sh=784d04ab54a8) combined. Executive branding devices also ensure maximum impact on those paying the most attention. ### \#3. Exposure to Essential Industry Influencers Critical thought leaders and influencers use social media platforms every day. They sign on to steer consumers, vendors, and partners toward a specific goal. However, notable influencers require excellent content to help boost their online engagements. Sleek CEO branding means you’re more likely to get featured on their profile, podcast, or production. Personal brand development creates a modern, streamlined atmosphere around your products and services. It essentially distills your message to make it more digestible in fast-paced markets. Influencers typically see increased engagements around condensed, eye-catching content. Thus, they prefer businesses with excellent reputations and individuals with stellar executive branding. Whether you’re publishing a thought piece or prepping for a podcast, your voice needs to reflect your mission. Tailored content creation is what separates noise from impact. Custom, consistent storytelling is the foundation of a memorable executive brand. ### \#4. Tailored Content Development Assistance Content creation and publishing are only half the equation. You must also [develop a customized approach](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) and a recognizable voice. Otherwise, your words will drown in a sea of similar brands with the same problems. Tailored content is critical. All-inclusive CEO branding services generally include [keyword-heavy blog content](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/03/10/why-seo-still-matters-in-2020/?sh=191c775f34b1), social media posts, and website copy. Branded products might also consist of designer logos, exclusive merchandise, and ghostwritten books or magazine articles. These puzzle pieces are vital for established companies and startups wanting to expand into new territories or enhance their influence in existing ones. Remember, your brand is the image people think of when they hear your name. It isn’t always similar to or associated with companies and organizations you work for. This is your chance to develop an exclusive reputation separate from anything else. It’s one of the best ways to boost your business and establish yourself as an authority. ## Why Is Executive Branding Important? “A powerful personal brand has to be authentic, be based on your talents, values, and how you serve other people. This will help people be clear about who you are, both in-person and online and through the opinions of people they trust.” – **Roger Delves**, **Professor of Leadership Practice at Ashridge University.** The importance of executive branding cannot be overstated. It allows you to be yourself while still attracting potential profits and protecting your reputation. You can express views and opinions without fear and surround yourself with like-minded people who elevate your brand. Imprint your executive persona and leave a distinguishable mark on your industry. Executive branding defines your position, perspectives, and priorities for people to ponder. You make your work sharable, relatable, informational, and relevant. Therefore, personal brand strategies provide numerous benefits for businesses, non-profits, startups, and entrepreneurs. Here are just a few: ### Transparency People want to see who you are and what you do for a living. They want to know about your history, learn about your pastimes, and consider your interests. Executive branding helps satisfy their curiosities without giving away too many intimate details. It’s an eloquent expression of your personality minus the intrusion of privacy. This is the epitome of [democratic transparency](https://www.oecd.org/fr/etatsunis/opennessandtransparency-pillarsfordemocracytrustandprogress.htm) and a pillar of equity. ### Trustworthiness Have you ever liked a product but didn’t trust its name? That’s often due to inconsistent branding or unclear leadership. CEO branding uses consistency and visibility to build trust. The competition overshadows their efforts, or their efforts are in vain. Then consumers stop trusting what you say and ignore what you do, even if it makes perfect sense. Meanwhile, CEO branding uses consistency and repetition to build consumer confidence in you. ### Tact Competitiveness requires more than a catchy website and excellent SEO. You must gather data and compare metrics to understand the market’s response. CEO branding strategy relies on market insight to align your strategies with your goals. It provides a more diplomatic approach to satisfying industry demands and consumer requests. ### Tenacity Motivate your audience to act or support a specific cause with an excellent branded identity and targeted marketing. Your CEO brand strategy motivates audiences and earns respect by demonstrating resilience and a commitment to excellence over the long term. Startups and early-stage businesses don’t have time to waste on trial-and-error branding. CEO branding accelerates growth by putting a face to the mission, making it easier for audiences to rally behind the vision and engage authentically. ## Bonus Benefits of CEO Branding for Startups and Entrepreneurs + Tips CEO branding and personal brand marketing ensure you highlight only your best qualities. It helps you become adept in your field and display your talents to interested parties. The goal is not to divulge every detail of your life, however. It’s to [create an ecosystem](https://medium.com/neemz-growth/building-business-ecosystems-73ecdb53053b) around what you bring to the table. The best part is that personal branding demonstrates where you excel the most by using significant life experiences, professional skills, and other crucial elements. You can join forces with partners and relevant authorities to build brand awareness, boost your confidence, and increase profitability. This spells the difference between success and failure in many instances. When you invest in founder branding, you not only define who you are—you also control the narrative. Here’s what else you gain with expert help: ### Expert Advice A talented personal branding agent can provide practical advice and strategic guidance using knowledge, experience, and professional networking. They can tap into what and who they know to help you carve out a spot in your industry. **TIP**: *Write down critical questions to ask during your recurring strategy calls.* ### Loyal Followers Increase your social media following and subscribers using targeted information and attractive imaging. Branding specialists understand contemporary marketplaces with their fingers on the pulse of diverse communities. **TIP**: *Focus announcements, deals, and incentives based on measurable demographics.* ### Audience Auditing Develop a more intuitive understanding of your customer base with precision metrics created with accurate data. Then ensure your marketing efforts are practical and efficient or develop a new approach for [evolving audiences](https://research.library.fordham.edu/mcgannon_working_papers/15/#:~:text=The%20concept%20of%20audience%20evolution,in%20response%20to%20environmental%20changes.). **TIP**: *Track public perception and compare that to your quarterly or seasonal sales.* ### Logo Development Create visual aids to make your brand more recognizable and globally known. CEO branding experts work closely with graphic artists who can utilize psychological tactics to attract the eye. Test your logos, create an exclusive color palette, and breathe new life into your company. **TIP**: *Choose pigments that accentuate your brand’s font, industry, and image.* ### Value Adds Your personal brand becomes more than just a company associated with your name. Customized branding means added value to your business in increased traffic, conversions, and profits. You also become more authoritative, generating runoff attention from lesser competitors. **TIP**: *Use data to determine where your new followers are coming from.* ### Simplified Advertising Executive branding simplifies private marketing by tailoring the efforts to individual goals. It does not try to answer every question but offers practical solutions and creative tools. Experts can help you join the ranks or create your new category depending on market reception. **TIP**: *Inject yourself into an existing conversation to determine where your services are needed most.* Are you putting your best foot forward for all to see? If not, you probably don’t have a personal brand without enough verve. Contact a CEO branding strategist as soon as possible to discover what you could do differently. Your executive brand isn’t a vanity project—it’s a business asset. From attracting talent to securing investment, it plays a key role in long-term success. Whether you’re launching a venture or scaling a company, your brand is your most powerful tool. ## Conclusion Branding yourself means demonstrating your skills, talents, and experiences to gain market insights and become more recognizable. Personal branding plays an essential role in building businesses and inspiring economic change. It’s also the best way to define your goals and attract people who want to help you achieve them. With CEO branding, you develop a streamlined strategy to increase visibility, establish trust, and organically boost earnings. You satisfy consumer curiosities and provide solutions to everyday problems. The industry you serve deserves better representations, so is it time to search for a concierge? ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** CEO Branding, Tips **Tags:** ceo branding, tips --- ### [Defining Your Target Audience: A Critical Step in Strategic Branding](https://clairebahn.com/defining-your-target-audience/) **Published:** June 19, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How does defining your target audience drive success in strategic branding? Why is audience clarity essential to any effective strategic branding initiative? What leadership decisions have the greatest impact on the outcome of strategic branding?* *When it comes to strategic branding, one of the biggest missteps a company can make is assuming its product is “for everyone.” This blog post explores why defining your target audience is not just a marketing task but a business-critical decision. You’ll discover how audience clarity influences every element of strategic branding—from your messaging and market fit to ROI and long-term customer engagement. Backed by real-world insights and a proven methodology, the post shows you how to identify, segment, and speak directly to the audiences that matter most.* *True strategic branding starts with internal alignment and external relevance. This blog breaks down a six-step branding framework that begins with understanding your audience on a psychological and behavioral level. Learn how to create a cohesive brand experience that resonates deeply, scales efficiently, and drives measurable results. Whether you’re launching, repositioning, or expanding, audience definition is the foundation on which all successful strategic branding is built.* I still remember the moment a founder told me, “Our product is for everyone.” It was during an initial branding session, and the energy in the room was palpable. The founder was passionate, well-funded, and determined. But as soon as I heard that statement, I knew we had a problem. Because if your product is for everyone, it’s actually for no one. Over the years, I’ve had to gently guide countless executives and entrepreneurs away from this very common trap. And I get it. When you’re excited about your brand, it’s tempting to want every person on the planet to connect with it. But true strategic branding begins not with casting a wide net, but with laser focus. In this blog, we’ll explore why defining your target audience isn’t just a [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) exercise—it’s a leadership priority. We’ll talk about what strategic branding really means, how audience clarity impacts everything from messaging to ROI, and how to define your ideal audience using a step-by-step approach we’ve refined through years of client work. **Table of Contents:** [The Overlooked Power of Audience Definition](#_Toc204590130) [What Is a Strategic Brand?](#_Toc204590131) [What Is a Strategic Marketing Agency?](#_Toc204590132) [Why Target Audience Definition Is Central to Brand Strategy](#_Toc204590133) [How to Create a Strategic Brand (And Where Audience Research Fits In)](#_Toc204590134) 1. [ Internal Brand Discovery](#_Toc204590135) 2. [ Market and Competitive Research](#_Toc204590136) 3. [ Target Audience Definition](#_Toc204590137) 4. [ Brand Positioning and Messaging](#_Toc204590138) 5. [ Visual Identity and Brand Voice](#_Toc204590139) 6. [ Brand Rollout and Testing](#_Toc204590140) [What Does a Good Brand Strategy Look Like?](#_Toc204590141) [How to Define Your Target Audience Effectively](#_Toc204590142) 1. [ Start With What You Know](#_Toc204590143) 2. [ Segment Your Audience](#_Toc204590144) 3. [ Build 2–3 Personas](#_Toc204590145) 4. [ Validate With Real People](#_Toc204590146) 5. [ Revisit Quarterly or After Big Campaigns](#_Toc204590147) [What Is an Example of a Branding Strategy?](#_Toc204590148) [Common Mistakes Executives Make in Audience Definition](#_Toc204590149) [Final Thoughts: Make Target Audience Definition a Leadership Priority](#_Toc204590150) ## The Overlooked Power of Audience Definition > ***“Think of audience clarity as your brand’s GPS. It guides your brand’s direction, culture, and voice.”*** As a brand strategist, one of the very first things I assess in a new engagement is audience clarity. Does the brand know who it’s speaking to? Is leadership aligned with who they serve and how those people think, act, and choose? Surprisingly, many brands skip this step or rush through it. Yet finding a target audience is foundational. Your messaging, product-market fit, and even sales outcomes all depend on how well you understand the people you’re trying to reach. Think of audience clarity as your brand’s GPS. It doesn’t just help with messaging—it guides your brand’s direction, culture, and voice. Without this compass, even the most attractive logo or polished website will fall flat. Executives leading growth initiatives, brand repositioning, or entering new markets must prioritize audience definition. It’s not just a marketing responsibility; it’s a strategic leadership move. In fact, I would argue that effective executive branding begins with knowing exactly who you’re aiming to influence. ## What Is a Strategic Brand? A strategic brand isn’t defined by its visual identity—it’s defined by its internal clarity and external resonance. Yes, [visuals matter](https://clairebahn.com/visual-storytelling-and-personal-branding/). But strategic branding goes beyond colors and logos. It’s about aligning your purpose, values, audience, and messaging so that every expression of your brand feels intentional and consistent. A strong brand begins with purpose—the reason you exist beyond profit. Then comes: - Your promise: the value you consistently deliver. - Your positioning: how you stand apart from others. - Your brand voice: the personality and tone that shapes how people experience you. - Your values: the beliefs that create emotional alignment with your audience. These are the non-negotiables of brand strategy. Together, they create cohesion across everything from your social posts to your CEO’s investor pitch. This is the heart of strategic branding, and it’s where real brand differentiation begins. ## What Is a Strategic Marketing Agency? If you’re wondering what a strategic marketing agency really does, here’s the answer: We build brands that work, not just ones that look good. At Claire Bahn Group, we don’t just offer branding services; we offer strategic leadership. That means every recommendation we make is grounded in data, market positioning, and long-term goals. We combine analysis with execution, helping clients create not just moments of attention but enduring brand relevance. Clients turn to us when their current approach no longer scales, when the stakes are too high for guesswork, and when a rebrand or expansion requires more than surface-level design—it requires brand clarity, direction, and expert implementation. Our core branding services include: - [Audience segmentation](https://mailchimp.com/marketing-glossary/audience-segmentation/) and deep-dive market research - Brand audits and competitive analysis - Messaging architecture and brand positioning - Visual identity and brand voice development - Campaign rollout strategies aligned with audience psychology We don’t just want your brand to be seen. We want it to be remembered—and chosen. ## Why Target Audience Definition Is Central to Brand Strategy > ***“Brands that speak to someone specific and do it consistently create movements.”*** Let me be blunt: You cannot build a brand for everyone. You must build it for *someone*. One of the greatest myths in marketing is that narrowing your audience limits your impact. In truth, the opposite is true—the more clearly defined your audience, the more powerful your resonance. When people feel seen, they engage. They share. They buy. This is why strategic branding begins with [finding a target audience](https://online.hbs.edu/blog/post/target-audience-in-marketing)—not just any audience, but the right one. Audience clarity helps you: - Craft messaging that lands with precision - Spend your marketing budget wisely, without waste - Build emotional loyalty rooted in shared identity - Increase conversion rates and customer lifetime value Brands that try to speak to everyone end up saying very little. Brands that speak to someone specific and do it consistently create movements. ## How to Create a Strategic Brand (And Where Audience Research Fits In) How do you create a strategic brand? When we build brands at Claire Bahn Group, we follow a six-step process designed to transform vision into strategic influence: - Internal Brand Discovery - Market and Competitive Research - Target Audience Definition - Brand Positioning and Messaging - Visual Identity and Brand Voice - Brand Rollout and Testing ### 1. Internal Brand Discovery Everything starts within. We extract your leadership team’s vision, values, and ambitions. We ask what success looks like for you, not just financially, but in terms of culture, perception, and impact. This lays the emotional foundation for your brand. ### 2. Market and Competitive Research We assess your industry landscape. What’s crowded? What’s missing? We study competitors not to copy them, but to identify what space you can *own*. We call this “positioning whitespace”—the place where only your brand can live and lead. ### 3. Target Audience Definition This is where we begin finding your target audience with precision. We look at standard demographics—age, gender, location, income—but that’s just the start. We go deeper with psychographics: values, habits, fears, aspirations. We look at behavior patterns like buying frequency, device usage, and media consumption. And we always include pain points: what frustrates your audience, and what solution are they really buying? We also distinguish between primary and secondary audiences, ensuring your messaging flexes while staying focused. This depth of research shapes every touchpoint—from landing pages to PR outreach. ### 4. Brand Positioning and Messaging Once we know your audience, we build your brand message to serve them. This includes your core value proposition and a set of supporting message pillars tailored to your personas. These pillars fuel your content, messaging, and internal [communications](https://clairebahn.com/strategic-communication/) alike. ### 5. Visual Identity and Brand Voice Here’s where audience clarity meets creativity. We design visuals and develop a brand voice that reflects your persona’s world. Are they risk-averse or experimental? Corporate or culture-forward? Every font, color, headline, and CTA is designed to speak in their language, not yours. ### 6. Brand Rollout and Testing We ensure your brand is consistent across every customer touchpoint—website, email, social, ads, and interviews. But rollout isn’t the finish line. We test, we gather feedback, and we adapt. Strategic branding is iterative, not static. ## What Does a Good Brand Strategy Look Like? > ***“A good brand strategy isn’t trendy—it’s timeless.”*** A strong brand strategy functions like a high-performance engine: every part working in harmony, every output fueled by clear input. It’s consistent, aligning your message, visuals, and tone across all platforms. It’s differentiated—clearly distinct from your competitors in ways your audience values. It’s built around a defined audience, not guesswork. It’s scalable, designed to grow with you. And it’s validated, driven by data, insights, and ongoing feedback. In other words, a good brand strategy isn’t trendy—it’s timeless. It’s what separates brands that flash from those that last. ## How to Define Your Target Audience Effectively If you’re ready to define your audience more strategically, here’s a five-step proven path we use: - Start With What You Know - Segment Your Audience - Build 2–3 Personas - Validate With Real People - Revisit Quarterly or After Big Campaigns ### 1. Start With What You Know Gather internal data. Pull insights from your CRM, sales team, website analytics, and social engagement. Then, study repeat buyers, churned customers, and top-performing content to find patterns and anomalies. ### 2. Segment Your Audience Group people based not just on demographics, but shared values, needs, and behaviors. Look for clues in how they shop, where they spend time, and what language they use when talking about problems. ### 3. Build 2–3 Personas Create fully fleshed-out characters with names, jobs, and backstories. What do they fear? What do they strive for? Where do they seek advice? This makes your audience human and your messaging more intuitive. For instance, “Alicia” is a 42-year-old marketing VP who’s data-savvy, short on time, and values clarity and [ROI](https://clairebahn.com/executive-brand-roi/). Her go-to media are business podcasts and HBR. Her pain point is internal misalignment between sales and marketing. That tells you where and how to write to her. ### 4. Validate With Real People Conduct interviews, surveys, and A/B tests. Measure engagement with your messaging and iterate based on what works. The more you test, the sharper your strategy will become. ### 5. Revisit Quarterly or After Big Campaigns Markets shift, and people evolve. Great brands evolve, too. Schedule regular reviews of your audience insights to make sure you’re still aligned. ## What Is an Example of a Branding Strategy? Here’s a fictionalized—but very real—example based on outcomes we’ve helped clients achieve. A productivity software company struggled with stagnating growth. Their brand spoke vaguely to “busy professionals.” The messaging felt diluted, and sales slowed. After conducting a brand audit, we repositioned their messaging toward remote team leaders—a segment experiencing rapid growth and clear pain points. We aligned the tone of their brand voice with this audience’s needs: clarity, control, and async collaboration. Within three months, the company saw a 45% lift in qualified leads, a 30% increase in email engagement, and a shift in brand perception from “nice-to-have” to “must-have.” That’s the power of strategic branding rooted in audience insight. ## Common Mistakes Executives Make in Audience Definition Here are four patterns I see often, and how to avoid them: 1. **Thinking Everyone Is a Customer**: The broader your aim, the less you connect. Effective branding is about resonance, not reach. 2. **Confusing User with Buyer**: Particularly in B2B, the person who uses your product is often not the decision-maker. Messaging must speak to both. 3. **Focusing Too Much on Demographics**: Age and income don’t drive buying decisions. Beliefs and values do. 4. **Skipping Internal Alignment**: If your sales, marketing, and leadership teams aren’t on the same page about your audience, your brand message will always feel fragmented. Avoiding these mistakes is the first step to sustainable audience clarity. ## Final Thoughts: Make Target Audience Definition a Leadership Priority Finding your target audience isn’t just a marketing activity. It’s a business strategy and a leadership responsibility. When CEOs and CMOs lead with audience clarity, they empower every department to function better. Sales knows who they’re selling to. Product builds features people actually need. PR gets coverage that converts. Support teams know what customers expect. This is what great executive branding looks like—clear, aligned, and intentional. So the next time you ask, “How do we grow our brand?” Ask instead: “Do we truly know who we’re building it for?” Because when the answer to that question is yes, everything else becomes so much easier. Are you ready to build a brand rooted in strategy and audience insight? Claire Bahn Group offers branding services designed for clarity, scale, and connection. Let’s build a brand that not only speaks, but resonates. Sign up for a [strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) today! ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding **Tags:** executive branding, personal brand, personal branding, strategic branding, target audience --- ### [Visual Storytelling & Personal Branding: Creating a Lasting Impression](https://clairebahn.com/visual-storytelling-and-personal-branding/) **Published:** May 29, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How can visual storytelling elevate your personal branding in a crowded digital space? What are the essential elements of strong personal branding in 2025? Are your visuals aligned with your personal branding voice, or sending mixed signals?* *In today’s fast-paced, scroll-heavy digital world, personal branding is no longer a luxury—it’s your calling card. This blog explores how visual storytelling acts as the secret weapon for crafting a lasting impression. From choosing the right colors and fonts to aligning your brand voice with visuals, learn how to stand out strategically and authentically.* *Whether you’re a creative, consultant, or founder, mastering personal branding means more than having a polished headshot or a catchy tagline. It’s about consistency, clarity, and connection. Discover the actionable steps to build a brand that not only gets noticed but also builds trust—one cohesive image and message at a time.* In a world where scrolls are endless and attention spans are short, first impressions no longer happen face-to-face—they happen on-screen. That’s where [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) and visual storytelling collide. Your personal brand is your digital reputation, and visual storytelling is the art of making it stick. Together, they determine how you’re perceived, remembered, and talked about. In 2025, it’s not enough to just “be online.” You need to show up strategically and visually. Whether you’re a founder, creative, consultant, or aspiring thought leader, building a recognizable and authentic presence is how you cut through the noise—and create a presence that lingers long after someone clicks away. **Table of Contents:** [What Is Personal Branding?](#_Toc201660168) [How Do I Brand Myself?](#_Toc201660169) 1. [ Identify Your Brand Voice](#_Toc201660170) 2. [ Clarify Your Core Values and Mission](#_Toc201660171) 3. [ Determine Your Target Audience](#_Toc201660172) 4. [ Create a Visual Identity](#_Toc201660173) 5. [ Develop Your Online Presence](#_Toc201660174) [The Power of Visual Storytelling in Personal Brand Building](#_Toc201660175) [How Do You Describe Your Personal Brand?](#_Toc201660176) [What Is an Example of Personal Branding?](#_Toc201660177) [Who Has the Strongest Personal Brand?](#_Toc201660178) [How Do You Brand Your Name?](#_Toc201660179) 1. [ Secure Your Domain + Social Handles](#_Toc201660180) 2. [ Create Branded Templates](#_Toc201660181) 3. [ Leverage SEO](#_Toc201660182) 4. [ Use Signature Visual Styles](#_Toc201660183) [Aligning Brand Voice with Visual Storytelling](#_Toc201660184) [Final Tips for Personal Brand Building Through Visual Storytelling](#_Toc201660185) [Stay Consistent—But Don’t Be Afraid to Evolve](#_Toc201660186) [Audit Your Online Presence](#_Toc201660187) [Invest in Quality Visuals](#_Toc201660188) [Stay True to Your Unique Story](#_Toc201660189) [In Conclusion](#_Toc201660190) ## What Is Personal Branding? [Personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-stages/) is the intentional act of crafting how you’re seen and experienced by others. It’s not vanity—it’s visibility, clarity, and influence. Where corporate branding defines a business, personal branding defines you—your voice, mission, values, and the story only you can tell. The key difference? A corporate brand speaks for a company. A personal brand speaks through the individual. And people connect with people. Strong personal brands share a few things in common: - Consistency across platforms, visuals, and messaging - Authenticity that builds trust and relatability - Clarity in what they stand for and who they serve In the age of AI and automation, human connection is your most powerful brand differentiator. So, don’t just build an audience. Build alignment. That’s what turns followers into believers—and believers into business. ## How Do I Brand Myself? Building a personal brand isn’t just about getting a good headshot and launching a website. It’s a layered, intentional process. Here’s your step-by-step roadmap: - Identify Your Brand Voice - Clarify Your Core Values and Mission - Determine Your Target Audience - Create a Visual Identity - Develop Your Online Presence ### 1. Identify Your Brand Voice Start with the aesthetics or your “vibe.” Are you bold and direct? Calm and strategic? Playful and irreverent? Your tone, language, and personality create your brand’s voice. This becomes the foundation of every caption, blog post, [video](https://clairebahn.com/video-content/), and podcast you produce. ### 2. Clarify Your Core Values and Mission What do you stand for? What are your non-negotiables? Define your “why” and let it shape your messaging. Your mission fuels your purpose, and your values anchor your decisions. Make sure they are visible. ### 3. Determine Your Target Audience Who are you talking to? What keeps them up at night? The more you understand your audience, the more you can speak directly to their needs, desires, and goals. ### 4. Create a Visual Identity Visual identity consists of elements like colors, fonts, logo, and photography style. This is the visual shorthand of your brand—what makes your content instantly recognizable. Cohesion here is non-negotiable, so make sure you take your time deciding on these components before launching your personal brand. ### 5. Develop Your Online Presence Your online presence is where your target audience will most likely find and engage with you. Build out platforms where your audience already lives. Online properties like LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and your personal website each have their own tone and utility. Make sure your brand identity is consistent across the board. Your personal brand should feel like you everywhere it shows up. ## The Power of Visual Storytelling in Personal Brand Building We process visuals [60,000x faster than text](https://medtechintelligence.com/column/the-power-of-visuals/#:~:text=The%20human%20brain%20processes%20images,also%20more%20memorable%20than%20text.). That means your image is speaking before your words ever do. Visual storytelling isn’t just decoration—it’s direction. It: - Drives emotional connection - Boosts brand recall - Communicates personality instantly Let’s say you’re a leadership coach. Are your visuals sleek, minimalist, and powerful? Or are they warm, inviting, and community-driven? Each sends a different signal, and that signal is what people remember. Here’s why it matters: Your profile picture, header banner, and content thumbnails aren’t filler. They’re brand assets. Cohesive visuals build trust. Disjointed ones breed confusion, so make sure they are aligned. You want every scroll, swipe, and click to say: “Yes, this is their brand.” ![personal branding 2](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/personal-branding-2-300x200.jpeg "personal branding 2 - Claire Bahn") ## How Do You Describe Your Personal Brand? Your personal brand statement is your elevator pitch across your LinkedIn headline, Instagram bio, or About Me page. Here’s a simple template for how to craft one: “I help \[who you serve\] achieve \[outcome\] through \[what you offer\], guided by \[your core values or unique approach\].” Include these five elements: - Profession or focus area - Mission or purpose - Core values - Your personality or style - [Unique positioning](https://clairebahn.com/unique-value-proposition/) Once you have your statement, ensure your visual content backs it up. If you say you’re all about innovation, but your visuals look dated or generic, that’s a mismatch. Make sure your design choices reinforce what your words promise. ## What Is an Example of Personal Branding? Let’s walk through a hypothetical example of personal branding. Meet Taylor: She is a Sustainability Consultant. Her tone of voice is calm, confident, and mission-driven. Her brand colors are Earth tones, like sage green, beige, and white. Her visuals include natural lighting, outdoor shots, and clean infographics. Her message: “Helping brands go green without greenwashing.” On LinkedIn, Taylor shares weekly insights on eco-regulations, startup case studies, and impact metrics—always with branded slides and a recognizable photo template. On Instagram, Taylor mixes behind-the-scenes glimpses, client testimonials, and short reels breaking down sustainability myths. Across platforms, there’s harmony. Every post looks and sounds like Taylor. The result? Taylor becomes a go-to voice for sustainable strategy—and builds a brand that clients trust and remember. ## Who Has the Strongest Personal Brand? While we won’t take a deep dive on specific individuals, here’s what [strong personal brands](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-examples/) all have in common: - **Clarity of message:** You instantly know who they are and what they stand for. - **Consistency across platforms:** They sound and look the same across every channel. - **Strong visual storytelling:** Their visuals reinforce their identity, including colors, style, and tone. - **Recognizable brand voice:** Their content feels like them. It’s unmistakable. Who are some public figures who check these boxes? Consider these: - [Oprah Winfrey’s](https://www.oprah.com/index.html) brand is visionary and empowering. - [Gary Vaynerchuk](https://garyvaynerchuk.com/) (Gary Vee)’s brand is direct and energetic. - [Marie Forleo’s](https://www.marieforleo.com/) brand is fun and strategic. - [Jay Shetty’s](https://www.jayshetty.me/) brand is calm and inspirational. Remember, you don’t have to be a celebrity to have a powerful brand. You just have to be intentional, authentic, and consistent. ## How Do You Brand Your Name? If you want to have a brand that is synonymous with your name, here are some steps to make it happen: - Secure Your Domain + Social Handles - Create Branded Templates - Leverage SEO - Use Signature Visual Styles ### 1. Secure Your Domain + Social Handles Yourname.com isn’t vanity—it’s your home base. Get it while you can. The same goes for @yourname on key platforms. These are vital in associating your name with your platforms. Sure, having a quirky domain or handle can be fun, but the fastest and easiest way to be found online is to have your digital properties match your name. ### 2. Create Branded Templates Use your name or initials in templates for YouTube intros, Instagram carousels, newsletter headers, and presentation decks. Visual repetition builds recognition, and consistency across all of your digital mediums is key. ### 3. Leverage SEO Have you Googled yourself recently? What shows up when you do? Optimize your bio, About Me pages, and content to ensure your name pulls relevant, branded results. ### 4. Use Signature Visual Styles Choose a consistent editing style, video frame, or color filter. These details seem small, but they’re part of the storytelling. When your name becomes linked to your values, aesthetic, and visuals, you’ve crossed the line from content creator to brand builder. This also creates trust with your audience and will keep them coming back time and time again. ## Aligning Brand Voice with Visual Storytelling One of the most [common mistakes](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-mistakes/) in personal branding? Sending mixed signals. Imagine this: Your [brand voice](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-personal-brand-voice/) is bold and disruptive, but your visuals are pastel and quiet. That disconnect breeds confusion. Here’s how to fix it: Match your tone with design. Have a playful brand? Use bright colors, quirky fonts, and dynamic layouts. Is your brand more serious and strategic? Lean into sleek designs, muted palettes, and elegant typography. Use imagery intentionally. Photos and graphics should feel like extensions of your message, not stock add-ons. Avoid giving your audience visual whiplash. Don’t drastically shift colors, photo styles, or design every few weeks. Take the time to purposefully select your brand visuals at the beginning of your branding journey and stick with them. Consistency builds trust. Perhaps most importantly, your audience shouldn’t have to guess who you are. Your brand voice and visuals should speak the same language. ## Final Tips for Personal Brand Building Through Visual Storytelling Here are some final, actionable advice to keep in mind for creating a visually strong personal brand: ### Stay Consistent—But Don’t Be Afraid to Evolve Your brand isn’t static. It should grow as you do. Rebrand when necessary, but always with intention. Don’t rush into it, though. Make sure that it is a conscious, well-thought-out decision (remember, you want your audience to recognize you, and constantly changing your branding can quickly make you lose their trust). ### Audit Your Online Presence Every quarter, take a bird’s-eye view of your digital footprint. Are all of your platforms aligned? What needs to be updated? Take stock of what needs tweaking and adjust accordingly. ### Invest in Quality Visuals DIY can only go so far. Hiring a brand photographer or graphic designer can elevate your look instantly—quality matters here. ### Stay True to Your Unique Story While it may be tempting, don’t focus on chasing trends. Trends are fleeting. Your edge is your lived experience, voice, and point of view. That’s what creates a connection and builds a legacy. ## In Conclusion Personal branding is no longer optional—it’s how you get seen, known, and remembered in the digital age. And in a sea of noise, visual storytelling is your megaphone. It’s not about being flashy. It’s about being intentional. It’s about building a brand that reflects the real you and making sure that brand shows up clearly, creatively, and consistently across every platform. Because when your words and visuals work together, you don’t just make an impression. You make an impact. Need help building a visually-driven personal brand that attracts clients, followers, or talent? [Sign up for a strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) today and let’s create your story—and make sure the world sees it. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding **Tags:** personal brand, personal brand strategy, personal branding, visual storytelling --- ### [What Is NIL and Why Personal Branding Matters](https://clairebahn.com/nil-branding/) **Published:** April 14, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What exactly is NIL branding, and why does it matter more than ever for student-athletes? How can NIL branding turn a viral moment into a long-term opportunity and income? What strategies make NIL branding essential for standing out in a saturated sports and influencer market?* *In the evolving college athletics landscape, NIL branding has emerged as a game-changing tool for student-athletes looking to monetize their identity. Since the NCAA’s 2021 policy shift, athletes at all levels now have unprecedented opportunities to earn income through their name, image, and likeness—but without a strong personal brand, these moments can easily be missed. This blog breaks down what NIL really means, how athletes are using it to attract sponsorships, and why a consistent digital presence is key to standing out in a crowded, competitive market.* *We go beyond the basics to uncover how NIL Branding transforms athletes into entrepreneurs—highlighting real-world success stories, common pitfalls, and the critical role authenticity and consistency play in driving both fan engagement and sponsor interest. Whether you’re a rising star or just building your brand, this is your blueprint for turning influence into impact and short-term visibility into long-term value.* Imagine this: You’re a 19-year-old student-athlete. You’ve just had your breakout moment—maybe it’s a game-winning goal or a viral TikTok celebrating your team. Suddenly, a protein shake brand slides into your DMs. They want to work with you. Confused but intrigued, you wonder: *What does this mean?* You’re not alone. This is a reality many young athletes are navigating right now. Welcome to the new era of [NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness)](https://clairebahn.com/name-image-likeness-nil/) and the fast-evolving world of *personal branding*. Whether you’re an athlete, creator, or entrepreneur, the way you present yourself online can unlock doors you never thought possible. And here’s proof: One client saw their Instagram content viewed over 226,284 times, reaching 77,064 new accounts—a 766.3% increase from February. Their TikTok racked up over 49,000 views, and their new website traffic surged by 162.2%, with unique views up 216.7%. This isn’t luck—it’s the power of strategy-driven, intentional [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/). **Table of Contents:** [Breaking Down NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness)](#_Toc197096955) [Why It Matters Now](#_Toc197096956) [Who Benefits?](#_Toc197096957) [The Rise of the Personal Brand](#_Toc197096958) [Digital Presence and Intentionality](#_Toc197096959) [Exposure vs. Identity](#_Toc197096960) [Why Personal Branding Is Essential in NIL Opportunities](#_Toc197096961) 1. [ Attracting the Right Partnerships](#_Toc197096962) 2. [ Creating Long-Term Value](#_Toc197096963) 3. [ Standing Out in a Crowded Market](#_Toc197096964) [Real-World Experience & Lessons Learned](#_Toc197096965) [Common Challenges We See](#_Toc197096966) [Building a Personal Brand with Intention](#_Toc197096967) [Start with Values](#_Toc197096968) [Consistency is Key](#_Toc197096969) [Community and Engagement](#_Toc197096970) [The Future of NIL and Brand-Driven Influence](#_Toc197096971) [The Evolving Landscape of NIL](#_Toc197096972) [From Athlete to Entrepreneur](#_Toc197096973) [Final Thoughts: You Can’t Succeed Without Building a Strong Brand](#_Toc197096974) ## Breaking Down NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) NIL stands for [Name, Image, and Likeness](https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/41040485/what-nil-college-sports-how-do-athlete-deals-work)—the three core elements that make up a person’s identity. In the context of collegiate sports, it refers to a student-athlete’s right to be compensated for their personal brand. Think: endorsement deals, social media sponsorships, merchandise, autographs, public appearances, and even [monetized content](https://clairebahn.com/monetizing-your-personal-brand/) creation. ### Why It Matters Now For decades, student-athletes couldn’t profit off their name. But in July 2021, [the NCAA](https://www.ncaa.org/sports/2021/7/9/name-image-likeness.aspx) adopted a policy that allowed athletes to monetize their NIL without risking eligibility. This ruling cracked the door wide open, ushering in a new wave of opportunity. ### Who Benefits? Here’s the kicker: NIL isn’t just for D1 quarterbacks. It’s for gymnasts, tennis players, swimmers—anyone who can cultivate an audience and deliver value. NIL branding is no longer about *who’s the best*. It’s about *who’s memorable*. Niche sport athletes and local heroes can build powerful brands by connecting authentically with specific audiences. ## The Rise of the Personal Brand Personal branding goes far beyond aesthetics. It’s not just about carefully edited photos or clever captions—it’s about crafting a digital identity that reflects who you truly are. Your personal brand is the sum of how you show up in the world, both online and off. It’s your values, your voice, your reputation—and most importantly, it’s how others perceive and remember you. > ***Your personal brand is a calling card for future business opportunities.*** Whether you’re giving an interview, receiving a shoutout, or simply posting on social media, every interaction is a branding moment. These aren’t just fleeting impressions; they’re strategic opportunities that lay the groundwork for long-term relationships, partnerships, and career growth. As NIL continues to reshape how athletes and creators engage with the world, a digital presence isn’t just recommended—it’s essential. ### Digital Presence and Intentionality In the age of NIL, being “online” isn’t enough. You need to be *intentional*. How do you want to be perceived? What do your photos say? What does your bio communicate? Consistency across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn is non-negotiable. You have two audiences: - **Your fans**. The people who engage with your content, seek relatability, and hype you up. - **Your sponsors**. Individuals and businesses who are assessing your credibility, professionalism, and brand alignment. So yes, use Instagram to connect with fans, and LinkedIn to attract potential sponsors. ### Exposure vs. Identity Being “seen” isn’t the same as being “known.” Exposure gives you eyeballs. Identity gives you staying power. NIL branding means taking control of your story before someone else tells it for you. ## Why Personal Branding Is Essential in NIL Opportunities In the world of NIL, talent alone doesn’t guarantee opportunity—strategy does. The most successful athletes aren’t just playing the game on the field; they’re playing it online, too. Their edge? A well-crafted personal brand that attracts the right partnerships, creates long-term value, and stands out in a saturated market. > ***Building a personal brand is building a business. Strategy is key.*** Today, brands aren’t simply chasing stats—they’re looking for alignment. They want to invest in people who embody authenticity, consistency, and credibility. That means your brand isn’t just a logo or a vibe; it’s a business. One that reflects your values, your purpose, and your story. The truth is, there’s no shortage of athletes with impressive highlights or viral moments. What sets you apart is how you show up when the spotlight isn’t on. What’s your message? Who are you speaking to? Why should someone remember your name? I’ve seen firsthand how clarity and intentionality can transform careers. From athletes unsure of their next steps to those who now drive consistent engagement and attract meaningful partnerships, their brand is their game-changer. For NIL athletes, crafting a personal branding strategy involves: - Attracting the right partnerships - Creating long-term value - Standing out in a crowded market ### 1. Attracting the Right Partnerships Brands aren’t just looking at stats anymore—they want alignment. They ask: *Does this person represent our values? Are they trustworthy?* Authenticity wins, every single time. When your personal brand reflects who you really are, the right partnerships become inevitable. ### 2. Creating Long-Term Value Athletic performance is fleeting. Personal branding builds something sustainable. NIL is your launchpad, but personal branding is what makes the impact last. Remember: Building a personal brand is building a business. That means strategy is key if you want to build something valuable. ### 3. Standing Out in a Crowded Market Let’s be honest—there are *thousands* of talented athletes on social media. The differentiator between you and them? You have a carefully crafted, unique personal brand. Your story is your superpower. Use it. ## Real-World Experience & Lessons Learned We’ve worked with countless athletes navigating NIL. One standout transformation? An athlete with under 3,000 Instagram followers went viral with the right post, and suddenly, their DMs exploded. But they didn’t know what to do next. Their message was unclear, and their platforms were inconsistent. After working together: - Their **Instagram grew by 407 followers** in a month. - Their **TikTok engagement spiked**, with over **1,100 new likes**. - Their **website engagement hit 48.61%**, with users staying longer and exploring more. The turning point was clarifying their story, defining their audience, and posting with purpose. ### Common Challenges We See Challenges are inevitable when first creating your personal brand. They often show up through: - **Inconsistent messaging**: You post about workouts one day, and random memes the next. - **Lack of clarity**: Who are you speaking to? What do you stand for? - **Poor audience targeting**: Not knowing whether you appeal to fans, recruiters, or brands. While they may be present initially, these challenges are hurdles that can be overcome by clarifying your target audience, crafting content designed to reach them, and posting consistently. When your brand is built with intention, things click into place. ## Building a Personal Brand with Intention A powerful personal brand doesn’t start with aesthetics—it starts with authenticity. At the heart of every standout presence is a clear sense of purpose, rooted in values that guide every decision, post, and partnership. When you know what you stand for, your brand speaks with clarity, and that clarity drives both connection and opportunity. > ***You cannot succeed without building a strong brand.*** But authenticity alone isn’t enough. Consistency is what turns recognition into trust. Whether someone sees your TikTok, Instagram bio, or LinkedIn headline, they should encounter the same story, tone, and message across mediums. A cohesive brand doesn’t just look good—it feels trustworthy. And in the branding world, trust is currency. Real influence isn’t about follower count—it’s about engagement. A loyal, interactive community is more powerful than a silent audience. People want to feel seen, heard, and valued. That’s where real momentum happens—when your brand becomes more than a presence and evolves into a platform for connection, conversation, and conversion. This can be done in a few ways: - Start with values - Consistency is key - Community and engagement ### Start with Values What do you believe in? What motivates you? Your values are the foundation of your personal brand. When you’re rooted in authenticity, your messaging becomes more powerful—and more profitable. ### Consistency is Key From your Instagram bio to your LinkedIn headline, consistency builds trust. Your brand voice, colors, imagery—all of it should tell one cohesive story. Inconsistency confuses people. And confused people don’t buy (or sponsor). ### Community and Engagement Followers don’t equal influence. *Engagement* equals influence. A responsive community can turn into brand advocates—and even revenue. Reply to comments, ask questions, and be human. Authenticity isn’t a tactic; it’s your most valuable asset. ## The Future of NIL and Brand-Driven Influence The NIL space is no longer a novelty—it’s a movement, and it’s just beginning. As the landscape continues to evolve, so do the expectations placed on athletes. Regulatory oversight is tightening, brands are becoming more selective, and professionalism is no longer a nice-to-have—it’s a must. This is the era where athletes are more than competitors. They’re entrepreneurs, creators, and CEOs of their own personal brands. NIL isn’t just about endorsement deals—it’s about building leverage. The kind of leverage that can take you from the locker room to the boardroom. ### The Evolving Landscape of NIL Although the NIL ecosystem has only been around for a few years, significant changes have already occurred, affecting opportunities for both current and future student athletes. Among these shifts is a [proposed $2.8 billion settlement](https://www.washingtonpost.com/sports/2025/04/21/ncaa-vote-schools-pay-athletes/), which, if approved, would allow D1 schools to compensate student-athletes directly. The proposal also recommends annual revenue sharing and replacing scholarship limits with roster caps, sparking concerns about potential reductions in opportunities for student-athletes and non-revenue sports, and conflicts with Title IX regulations. As the landscape continues to develop, expect: - **Tighter regulations** from the NCAA and government agencies. - **More scrutiny** over athlete behavior and content. - **Stronger brand partnerships** that require contracts, deliverables, and professionalism. A powerful personal brand is vital to capitalizing on all the benefits of NIL opportunities. Don’t get left behind. ### From Athlete to Entrepreneur NIL branding is the bridge from sports to business. Think about it—[LeBron James](https://www.sportspro.com/insights/analysis/lebron-james-media-springhill-investment/) isn’t just a basketball player. He’s a media mogul. [Serena Williams](https://www.serenaventures.com/) isn’t just a tennis player. She’s a venture capitalist. Your personal brand opens doors beyond the field. It can lead to things like: - Media gigs - Product lines - Public speaking - Investment opportunities But none of that happens without a strong brand foundation. A strong [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-stages/) is the difference between being remembered as a great player and being known as a visionary. Just look at the paths carved by athletes like LeBron James and Serena Williams mentioned above. Their legacy lives not just in trophies but in media empires, investment portfolios, and global influence. That kind of future? It starts with an intentional personal brand built today. ## Final Thoughts: You Can’t Succeed Without Building a Strong Brand A strong personal brand is a game-changer for NIL athletes, and I’ve seen this firsthand. One client saw a 766.3% boost in Instagram reach. TikTok views surged past 49,000. Website engagement soared to an impressive 48.61%. These weren’t accidents—they were the result of strategic, consistent personal branding. If you’re an athlete entering the NIL space, understand that your personal brand is your most valuable asset. Your digital presence acts as your resume, reputation, and leverage. NIL branding is more than temporary visibility—it’s the foundation for long-term success. You have two audiences: your fans and your sponsors. Both require clarity, consistency, and authenticity. You cannot succeed without building a strong personal brand. If you’re unsure where to begin, seek out guidance. Because NIL is not just about short-term monetization—it’s about building a legacy that outlasts your time in the spotlight. Your story is your power. Use it wisely. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** NIL Branding **Tags:** NIL, NIL athletes, NIL branding, NIL visibility, personal branding --- ### [7 Ways to Profit from Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/monetizing-your-personal-brand/) **Published:** August 28, 2024 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How do you monetize your personal brand? What does monetizing social media mean? What are the strategies that will monetize your online brand?* *If you’ve built a decent audience and established trust, it may be time to start considering how to transform your personal brand into a profitable venture. Monetizing your personal brand isn’t just about audience size—it’s about engagement and authority. By positioning yourself as a thought leader and offering valuable solutions to your audience’s challenges, you’ll create opportunities to earn through various channels. From online courses and e-books to paid speaking engagements and industry influencer roles, there are numerous ways to leverage your brand for revenue.* *In this blog, we explore 7 key strategies for monetizing your personal brand, including paid board seats, podcasting, and YouTube monetization. Remember, building an engaged audience and continuously refining your approach will help maximize your income potential while boosting your brand’s credibility.* How do you know when to start monetizing your personal brand? Here’s your first clue: You’ve built a decent-sized audience. However, that’s not all it takes. You also want to build your authority and trust with your audience by establishing yourself as a thought leader. You do this by focusing on answering your audience’s challenges and giving them solutions based on your expertise and experience. You want to build industry recognition so others in your industry can engage directly with you, which adds social credentials, furthering your authority and reputation. Lastly, you want to cast a wide net of public exposure through podcasts and journalist articles to raise awareness of your brand globally and not just locally. Once you’ve done all that, the question becomes, “How big of an audience do I need to monetize my personal brand?” **The answer depends on the size of your target audience and how much of it is engaged with your messaging.** Building audience momentum can take time, but the right omnichannel strategy can boost the ROI of your personal brand within months, not years. For example, many people will monetize their brand by leveraging their expertise and audience by creating and selling online courses, ebooks, coaching programs, or other digital products. To put that into perspective, the e-learning market reached over $187 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $1.223 trillion by 2027. In other words, monetizing a successful brand will get easier and more lucrative going forward. However, you might choose to monetize your brand in many ways beyond selling courses or writing books, so let’s focus on monetizing a successful brand the right way. ## 7 Strategies for Monetizing Your Personal Brand Personal brand monetization is a dynamic pursuit dependent on your reputation, platform, goals, audience, and other variables. Here are Seven “big-picture” strategies to get you started: 1. **Paid Board Seats** 2. **Write a Short E-Book** 3. **Paid Speaking Engagements** 4. **Become an Industry Influencer** 5. **Leverage Your Podcast** 6. **Webinar** 7. **YouTube Channel monetization** Leverage existing platforms to create branded offerings and promote them across multiple channels. I suggest making a 30 to 60-minute webinar, podcast, or YouTube video to test the waters. Then, recalibrate your personal brand monetizing strategy based on your audience’s reaction. Poll them for feedback and requests to get a birds-eye view. Remember, you must construct a recognizable personal brand before monetizing it. Nobody wants to pay for someone they don’t know, respect, or need. For instance, fledgling speakers might bring in $5,000 for a speaking engagement, while someone who has written a successful book or started a popular YouTube channel might make $20,000 or more. If you build it, they will come…That is if you already have a powerful personal brand. ### 1. Paid Board Seats One major benefit of building strong industry recognition through a personal brand is that CEOs and board members of corporations in the industry you’re interested in will learn about you and frequently reach out to you directly to participate on the board. In addition, Board recruiters are always searching to fill openings on various boards. They first reach out to individuals they know about, i.e., those with a strong brand. When you’re ready to start monetizing your brand, it is important to make it clear that you are open to or looking for these types of roles. ### 2. Create an E-book Many people attempt to take advantage of the success of short-form books ( less than 30 pages), otherwise known as E-books. One of the most popular places to sell these products is Amazon. However, authors without an engaged audience because of their personal brand have a very hard time making any money from their books. Authors with a large, engaged following can promote their books and share excerpts to get the audience interested. Ask for feedback on snippets or ideas and generally prime their audience to be ready to buy. One shortcut to these e-books is tracking your most successful blogs/articles and then combining two or three along the same theme to create a fast ebook that others will be interested in. The fact that you are now an Author has the added benefit of adding even more social proof to your brand and helps to build your authority even higher. ### 3. Paid Speaking Engagements Bookers for major speaking engagements always look for the “next new person” to liven up their panel or conference. Building and leveraging a large brand is a great way to get in front of the bookers. Add to that that you’ve been on some top-rated podcasts, have a growing YouTube channel, and have a recipe for success. Most bookers for major speaking engagements will expect you to have a speakers package ready for their review. Things like the title of your speech, the length of your speech, some key takeaways for the audience, and even a speaker’s reel is pretty standard. However, this is not an issue because, while building your brand, you know what topics and blogs your audience reacts to, and there is the basis for your speech. Paid speaking engagements can range from a few thousand dollars to upwards of $20,000 for a 1-day spot. **FACT:** *You can join several speaker networks to get in front of the right bookers even faster.* ### 4. Become an Industry Influencer Depending on your type of expertise and experience, your brand might lend itself to becoming an influencer supporting other products or services. It’s all about building a brand and an audience others want to leverage for their benefit. You can earn money from endorsements, product reviews, and sponsorships while continuing to grow your audience and even get exposure to new potential audiences interested in the product and services you’re promoting on behalf of others. It’s essential to create a “ one sheet” that outlines your audience and demographics and the target audience you appeal to. It should include the rate card for various engagements you offer, like a one-off social media post or a social media series. You are creating a YouTube ad or a video review for your client. All of these are possibilities and should be outlined. Again, there are influencer networks where you can join and promote your influence to other brands/products. ### 5. Create a Podcast Creating your podcast to share your expertise and maybe even interview others in the industry is a great way to accelerate and expand your brand. In addition, podcasts tend to give a global flair to your brand and now have the same cache as “Author” status for your brand. To be transparent, building a successful podcast is not easy and will require additional advertising based on our experience. The days of producing a podcast and an audience will find you are over. However, the upside of your podcast can be a great deal of exposure. When the number of subscribers gets to a certain point, the market will let you know, and when that is, other brands will approach you to promote their brands. You will earn directly through the sponsorships these relationships entail. Many podcasters seek sponsors once they have a consistent and engaged audience of at least a few thousand listeners per episode. Still, you should wait until you have consistently 200 downloads/episode to start the process. Consider that Big sponsors will pay $25-$40 per CPM (per 1000 downloads) to sponsor podcasts. You can get a better idea of the earning potential of your podcast by checking out this [Podcast Sponsorship Calculator](http://www.advertisecast.com/podcast-advertising-calculator). ### 6. Create a Webinar Creating a webinar can be a highly lucrative way to monetize your personal brand. This is especially true if you consider the fact that you can record the webinar and sell it over and over again. There is an entire ecosystem of webinar software/platforms that will help you and run everything for you, including payment and, in some cases, marketing. If 95% of marketers consider webinars essential to their marketing strategy, then you know a lot of people are making money off of leveraging their personal brands to offer webinars. Again, you have all the market research you need at your fingertips since you know how your audience reacts to and engages with the various topics and articles you create. You need to combine a few of these into a coherent webinar and “how to” and promote it on all your channels. You might even consider adding some PPC into the mix to get in front of a wider audience. Webinars are so successful that there are even Webinar calculators to tell you what you need to profit from your webinar. Check out a [webinar calculator](https://www.marketing.mba/webinar-roi-calculator) to figure out what you need and how much profit you will make. **PRO TIP:** *Retool your website to describe and promote your upcoming speaking engagements and invite others to book you for upcoming events.* ## YouTube Monetization Guide for Personal Brands Monetizing a YouTube channel for a personal brand can generate income while building your online presence and offline reputation. In simple terms, it’s making money from your videos while becoming well-known for the expertise you share. ### The Basics of Monetizing Your Personal Brand on YouTube Revenue from YouTube monetization varies widely depending on multiple factors, so set expectations accordingly. You need at least 4,000 valid public watch-time hours in the last 12 months and at least 1,000 channel subscribers, or you’re ineligible. Also, enabling YouTube’s monetization scheme requires joining the [YouTube Partner Program](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/13429240?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DAndroid) (YPP) and complying with the platform’s community guidelines. Grow your audience with quality content, strategic channel promotions, and topics your subscribers want to learn more about. Here is a list of the YouTube content types that get the most engagement: - Short-form videos – 31.8% - Long-form videos – 15.51% - Interviews/Expert Talks – 13.84% - Live Broadcasts – 12.37% As impressive as monetizing your videos sounds, there are many strings attached. What matters most is how well your videos perform, which depends on many factors in and out of your control. However, the more views you can get on your YouTube content, the more cash you’ll stash. ### Setting Up YouTube Channels for Monetizing Keep in mind that it takes about 30 days for YouTube administrators to review monetization applications, and in some cases, it may take longer. You must live somewhere YouTube offers the Partner Program, but some countries might require additional checks. Either way, you should [set up an AdSense account](https://support.google.com/adsense/answer/7402253?hl=en) and link it to your channel for legitimate earning and performance tracking. Next, set up a 2-step Verification. Use the Google account associated with your YouTube channel to create a robust digital safety net. Then, study the platform’s copyright, monetization, and community guidelines to ensure compliance. If you get caught violating policies, here’s what could happen: - Your ads could get removed from your videos - You could get suspended from the program - Your account could get terminated Don’t freak out yet. YouTube always sends emails about policy violations, and they’re pretty good about providing options for avoiding suspension, termination, or revoked advertising. If your application for entry or re-entry gets rejected, wait 30 days and re-apply. Double-check YouTube’s feedback and implement it in the interim. **PRO TIP:** *Improve your video titles, descriptions, and thumbnails to align with YouTube guidelines and optimize SEO.* ### What to Expect Each personal brand’s experience monetizing YouTube is different. Thus, your expected earnings depend on multiple factors, including channel size, niche, engagement rate, location, relevance, and ad formatting. Generally, however, large channels with many valid watch-time hours and engaged subscribers earn more. Fortunately, even small YouTube channels with a highly motivated and engaged audience can produce significant earnings. That’s because some niches attract higher advertising rates than others, and videos with high likes, comments, and shares make advertisers salivate. Be consistent, target a specific niche, and share authentic experiences with your audience to build a community and increase income potential. Earning money on YouTube means turning the tiny increments into a slow-growing but steady fortune. Here is what the average YouTuber can expect to make from monetized content: - About $0.018 per ad view - Around $18 per 1000 ad views Multiple factors can influence the size of your paycheck, including: - Click rate - Ad quality - Ad content - Ad blockers - Video topic - Video length - Revenue stream - Sponsorships - Affiliate marketing - Merchandise sales A good YouTube channel makes a decent side gig and additional revenue stream, but you must have engaging content that attracts large audiences or at least satisfies your niche. Unfortunately, reaching that point can be an uphill battle for an unprepared, underinformed, or unrepresented personal brand. ## Promoting Your YouTube Channel When Monetizing Your Personal Brand Promoting your YouTube channel and running ads helps increase visibility and attract more subscribers, viewers, and clicks. So first, optimize each element for search and discovery. Create a compelling channel banner and [profile picture](https://onlineprofilepros.com/9-business-profile-picture-rules-every-professional-follow/), then write an interesting description using relevant keywords and SEO best practices. Next, organize your videos into easily navigatable playlists and add links to your social media profiles and websites. This step may require special skills and abilities, so don’t be afraid to ask for help. The secret is to develop a unique and engaging content library and help those who need to see it view it. Stick researched keywords into titles, descriptions, and tags for maximum exposure and search visibility. For real-time insights, use tools like Google Keyword Planner or TubeBuddy. The next steps involve promoting your YouTube channel or videos across various social media platforms, including Facebook, Instagram, X (Twitter), and LinkedIn. Remember, the idea is to encourage your social media followers to subscribe to your channel, watch your videos, interact in the comments, share your content, and click on ads. Collaborate with other professionals in your niche and YouTube influencers to grow a robust, multifaceted audience motivated to listen and share. Let relevant and supportive creators expose your channel to new audiences, leveraging the exposure for broader influence and increased revenue. ### How to Run Ads on YouTube Channels Running ads on YouTube involves setting up campaigns through [Google Ads](https://ads.google.com/intl/en_us/start/overview-ha/?subid=us-en-ha-awa-bk-c-000!o3~CjwKCAjw17qvBhBrEiwA1rU9w_-kqkaEOdU-gxTSm_briorL_Tbb1vPuVkCOLadY09cU-Eq_yEVKiBoCbQgQAvD_BwE~132587479370~kwd-1394061077~17425861127~663398415113&gad_source=1&gclid=CjwKCAjw17qvBhBrEiwA1rU9w_-kqkaEOdU-gxTSm_briorL_Tbb1vPuVkCOLadY09cU-Eq_yEVKiBoCbQgQAvD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds), which allows you to create and manage your advertisements from a centralized hub. Here’s a step-by-step guide to get you started: **Step One: Set Up Your Google Ads Account** This step is super easy because the Google Ads website provides simple prompts that take you from start to finish in about 10 minutes. **Step Two: Link Your YouTube Channel** Click the “Tools and Settings” icon in the upper right corner, then navigate to “Setup” and “Linked Accounts” to add your YouTube channel. **Step Three: Create Your Campaign** Click on “+ New Campaign” to choose your goal. Then, use the “Brand Awareness and Reach” or “Product and Brand Consideration” tools to promote your YouTube channel. **Step Four: Select Campaign Type** Select “Video” as your YouTube channel promotional campaign type to allow ads in and on your content. Double-check platform advertising policies at this stage to avoid future issues. **Step Five: Establish Your Campaign Settings** Do you want a specific campaign name, budget, bidding strategy, start and end dates, language, location, or target audience? Now is when you decide and make it official. The final step involves creating or uploading your ads, reviewing the information, and launching to track success or adapt the strategy. Remember, the more influential you and your content are, the more likely you’ll profit from a YouTube channel and advertising, even if your audience is small. ### How to Become a YouTube Influencer Social media platforms and digital marketing tools birthed the dawn of influencer marketing and YouTube channel monetization. In the past, brand influencers were usually celebrities, public figures, or experts in their field. Nowadays, with a strategic approach, almost anyone can become a successful YouTube or social media influencer. Today’s most influential people come from diverse backgrounds, and what sets them apart is their authentic, relatable storytelling abilities. In many cases, everyday influencers are more impactful than scripted celebrities. However, becoming an influencer in today’s digital landscape requires a combination of factors. Identify a specific niche or topic that you are passionate about and knowledgeable in. Include photos, videos, blog posts, or podcasts, depending on your strengths and preferences. Then, engage with your audience regularly by responding to comments, messages, and feedback. Authenticity is also crucial to building trust with your audience. Share your personal experiences, opinions, and insights to connect on a deeper level with your followers. Stick to a regular posting schedule and refine your content based on what resonates best with your audience. Many influencers leverage influencer networks or personal branding agencies to connect with clients and partners. These networks facilitate collaborations, sponsorships, and partnerships for a broader range of opportunities and to potentially increase your earning potential. **PRO TIP:** *Research different influencer networks and agencies to find ones that align with your values, goals, and target audience.* *Then, negotiate fair compensation and ensure the partnership terms are clearly outlined in a contract.* ## Other Tips for Monetizing Your Personal Brand for YouTube Let’s explore a few more ways to earn money from your personal brand’s YouTube videos: 1. **Paid Sponsorships** 2. **Affiliates** 3. **Channel Memberships** 4. **Patronage** 5. **Branded Merchandise** 6. **YouTube Super Features** 7. **YouTube Shorts Fund** 8. **YouTube Premium** 9. **YouTube BrandConnect** Let’s break it down. Paid sponsorships are when brands and businesses sponsor a content creator to use or demonstrate their product in a video. Unfortunately, sponsorships can be challenging for personal brands without a unique perspective or established audience, so affiliates may be a better option. An affiliate marketing program sends your audience to a brand’s product or service via an affiliate link. If the user successfully purchases something, you earn a commission. Meanwhile, channel membership fees and patronage costs can help leverage your loyal following with a third-party platform to generate additional revenue. Affiliate links, memberships, and patronage incentives are where your branded merchandise sells. For example, YouTube channels with over 10,000 subscribers can sell merchandise from a merch shelf on each video page. You can use Super Chat, Super Stickers, and Super Thanks features to rake in more cash from live streaming and direct engagement. ### YouTube Shorts, Premium, and BrandConnect: What You Need to Know YouTube started a $100 million fund for Shorts creators in May 2021. That means content creators and monetized personal brands can make more money depending on their engagement, views, and library volume. The eligibility for funds refreshes monthly, so if you don’t qualify today, try again in 30 days. As for [monetizing on YouTube](https://clairebahn.com/youtube-tips/) Premium, subscription earnings are distributed with ad revenue payments at the beginning of each month. The amount also depends on how many Premium members watch and engage with your content. However, YouTube BrandConnect links brands with other creators for content campaigns and strategic partnerships. ## Conclusion Monetizing your personal brand isn’t just about having an audience of millions of people. It depends more on the size of your target audience and the engagement you get from that audience. The most successful personal brands leverage their expertise, authenticity, and dedication to craft a brand that resonates deeply with their audience. But remember, success requires strategy, patience, and continuous refinement. Your brand will undoubtedly pay off for you in a myriad of ways, but it’s more like a 401K than a get-rich-quick scheme. You must keep at it and have a long-term perspective to get the most out of it. However, that doesn’t mean there isn’t profit to be made along the way as your personal brand grows. The key is starting small, experimenting, and adapting based on feedback. Your audience’s trust and respect are invaluable assets that will pave the way for lucrative opportunities. So, seize the moment, unleash your creativity, and let your passion guide you. Because when you build it with authenticity and dedication, success usually comes knocking. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding, Social Media, Tips **Tags:** monetizing, personal brand profits, personal brand ROI --- ### [Why Video is So Important for Personal Branding](https://clairebahn.com/video-content/) **Published:** February 11, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How can video content enhance your personal brand and make you stand out in a crowded digital space? Why does video content build trust and authority faster than traditional text-based branding methods? What are the biggest obstacles professionals face when creating video content, and how can they overcome them?* *Video content is the key to building a strong personal brand. While text-based content still has its place, video has an unmatched ability to capture attention, convey authenticity, and create deeper audience connections. Studies show that people retain 95% of a message when watching a video, compared to only 10% when reading text. This makes video the most effective medium for personal branding, helping you build credibility, trust, and engagement faster than ever before.* *Beyond visibility, video content unlocks valuable opportunities, from PR features to speaking engagements, all while improving public speaking confidence and SEO performance. Despite common fears of appearing on camera, professionals who embrace video often see immediate benefits, including higher engagement and stronger audience relationships. If you’re serious about growing your brand, the time to start using video isn’t tomorrow—it’s today.* In today’s digital world, [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) isn’t just an advantage*—*it’s a necessity. Whether you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or creator, how you present yourself online directly impacts your credibility, authority, and opportunities. And while written content, podcasts, and static visuals all play a pivotal role in your personal branding strategy, one medium is perhaps the most vital of them all: video content. Video is the fastest-growing content format, dominating social media platforms and reshaping how audiences consume information. Studies show that [people retain 95% of a message](https://www.insivia.com/2023-saas-marketing-report/#:~:text=1/3%20of%20all%20online%20activity%20is%20spent%20watching%20video.&text=45%25%20of%20viewers%20will%20stop,when%20reading%20it%20in%20text.) when they watch it in a video compared to just 10% retention of those who read it in text. That’s an absolute game-changer for personal branding. But beyond numbers, video has a unique power: it builds trust, authority, and engagement in a way that no other format can match. > ***“People retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video compared to just 10% retention of those who read it in text.”*** Need more convincing that adding video content to your personal branding strategy is advantageous? In this article, I’ll walk you through the added benefits of using video, including how it humanizes your brand, showcases your expertise, unlocks high-quality PR and media opportunities, prevents tone misinterpretations and strengthens your message, builds confidence and public speaking skills, enhances your overall SEO, and makes you stand out in a crowded digital space. **Table of Contents:** [The Human Connection: Giving Your Content a Face](#_Toc193377872) [The Power of Authenticity: Video Showcases Real Expertise](#_Toc193377873) [Video Unlocks High-Quality PR and Media Opportunities](#_Toc193377874) [Video Prevents Tone Misinterpretations and Strengthens Messaging](#_Toc193377875) [Video Builds Confidence and Public Speaking Skills](#_Toc193377876) [The SEO Advantage of Video](#_Toc193377877) [Standing Out in a Crowded Digital Space](#_Toc193377878) [Overcoming Resistance: Just Start and See the Impact](#_Toc193377879) [Conclusion](#_Toc193377880) ## The Human Connection: Giving Your Content a Face The reality is that people don’t connect with logos. They connect with faces, voices, and emotions. Written content and static images can only go so far in building that connection. Video, on the other hand, brings your personal brand to life. It allows your audience to see and hear the nonverbal cues*—*your facial expressions, your voice, and your energy*—*effectively putting a face to the brand. This shift in audience expectations is undeniable. [Social media algorithms](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/) favor video, and platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts have made quick, digestible content the norm. People don’t want to scroll through long articles anymore when they can watch someone explain the same idea in 60 seconds. Still hesitant to add video content to your personal branding strategy? You’re not alone. Many professionals feel uneasy about putting themselves on camera. But once they do, the impact is astounding. One of my clients initially resisted implementing videos into their branding, preferring written content. But after posting their first video, they were shocked by the feedback*—*the engagement was higher, the audience response was overwhelmingly positive, and it resonated across generations. The takeaway? Putting a face to your name humanizes your brand, makes you more relatable, and builds stronger relationships with your audience. And once your audience genuinely connects with you, they’ll trust your input and keep coming back for more. ## The Power of Authenticity: Video Showcases Real Expertise > ***“Video content forces you to own your expertise. If you know your stuff, video content will be your best friend.”*** One thing is for sure: there’s [no hiding in video content](https://clairebahn.com/video-confidence/). Unlike carefully curated text posts, video demands authenticity. Your knowledge, confidence, and passion are all on display, making it one of the most effective ways to establish thought leadership. People can tell when you truly know the subject you’re speaking on versus when you’re just repeating industry jargon. That’s why those who struggle with imposter syndrome often avoid video*—*it forces you to own your expertise. But here’s the thing: if you know your stuff, video content will be your best friend. Video proves you’re the real deal, especially when you can articulate complex ideas in a way that’s easy to understand. It builds credibility faster than static posts because it removes the veil, and audiences see your passion and confidence firsthand. It also creates a stronger impression; viewers are more likely to remember and trust you after watching a video than they are after reading an article. Video is no longer optional—it’s essential if you want to be recognized as an expert. ## Video Unlocks High-Quality PR and Media Opportunities If your personal branding goals include landing interviews, speaking engagements, or getting media features, then video is your golden ticket. Journalists, podcast hosts, and event organizers don’t just look at your credentials*—*they look at how well you communicate. They need to know: - Can you speak clearly and engage an audience? - Do you present your ideas with confidence? - Are you compelling on camera? [Video content](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) proves all of the above. It acts as a portfolio of your communication skills, increasing your chances of being invited to panels, interviews, and guest appearances. One of my clients saw a direct correlation between their video content and increased [PR opportunities](https://clairebahn.com/pr-hybrid-approach/). After posting more videos, they experienced a surge in media invites simply because journalists could now put a face to the name and see their expertise in action. Therefore, if you want more opportunities, you have to let people see you in action. ## Video Prevents Tone Misinterpretations and Strengthens Messaging How many times have you seen a text post get misinterpreted? Written words lack nonverbal cues*—*like tone and facial expressions*—*and context, making it easy for messages to be taken the wrong way. Video eliminates that risk. When your audience can see your smile, hear your enthusiasm, or sense your sincerity*—*those necessary nonverbal cues*—*it prevents misunderstandings and makes your message more impactful. It also helps maintain brand consistency because your personality shines through in a way it never could with written content. Video content is the solution if you’re ever worried about being misunderstood or misinterpreted online. ## Video Builds Confidence and Public Speaking Skills Many people avoid video content because they feel awkward or nervous. But here’s the secret: the best way to get comfortable is to start. Video is an incredible training ground for public speaking. It allows you to: - Practice articulation and clarity. - Observe your own speaking patterns and improve delivery. - Build confidence gradually, without the pressure of a live audience. And here’s what happens after you record a few videos*—*you realize it’s not as bad as you thought. One of my clients, who initially dreaded the idea of being on camera, shared that after their first session, they felt entirely different. Unlike their initial beliefs, the experience wasn’t unnatural at all. In fact, they could suddenly see the real value in video*—*how it allowed them to engage differently and more effectively with their audience. Confidence in front of the camera grows with practice. The key is just to start. **RELATED: [10 WAYS YOUR PERSONAL BRAND LEADS TO PAID SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS](https://clairebahn.com/get-speaking-engagements/)** ## The SEO Advantage of Video > ***“Google prioritizes video content in search results, meaning your brand is more likely to appear when people search for relevant topics.”*** Want to improve your visibility? Video boosts search engine rankings like nothing else. YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world. With [65% of users](https://invideo.io/blog/video-marketing-statistics/) choosing it as their preferred channel for accessing video content and [over 1 billion hours of content](https://www.wordstream.com/blog/ws/2017/03/08/video-marketing-statistics) watched daily, it’s not hard to see why. Plus, an astonishing [90% of users](https://business.google.com/us/think/) find new brands just by watching YouTube content. The fact of the matter is you’re missing out on massive visibility and new clients if you’re not on it. Moreover, Google prioritizes video content in search results, meaning your brand is more likely to appear when people search for relevant topics. Video content also keeps users on your page longer, which signals to platforms that your content is valuable*—*further increasing your reach. [82% of businesses](https://www.wyzowl.com/video-marketing-statistics/) that use video content can back up this claim. **And here’s an extra tip if you want to go a step further:** Transcribe your videos. Adding captions or repurposing your spoken content into blog posts enhances your SEO even more. ## Standing Out in a Crowded Digital Space Let’s be honest: the internet is noisy and oversaturated with content. Every day, millions of posts flood social media. If you want to cut through the clutter, you need content that stands out. Video does exactly that. The numbers don’t lie: [55% of users](https://invideo.io/blog/video-marketing-statistics/) are watching videos online daily. Instead of churning out endless text posts, focus on quality video content. Tapping into this medium will allow you to better reach the millions of users who prefer videos over static content. Here’s what works: - Short-form videos (TikTok, Reels, YouTube Shorts) for quick, high-impact messages. - Longer, value-packed videos (YouTube, LinkedIn Live) for deeper insights. - Behind-the-scenes and personal content to create an authentic connection. You will also want to pay attention to the quality of the videos you’re producing. [91% of consumers](https://www.wyzowl.com/video-marketing-statistics/#:~:text=Section%206:%20The%20customer%20view,Our%20analysis%E2%80%A6) say video quality impacts their trust in a brand. Try to avoid publishing video content that is shaky or has bad lighting. You can navigate past poor video quality by investing in decent equipment. That said, don’t obsess over perfection. The most important things are value and authenticity, especially at the start. ## Overcoming Resistance: Just Start and See the Impact There are some common fears associated with putting yourself in front of a camera. You may say things like: “I feel awkward on camera.” “What if people judge me?” “I don’t know what to say.” Here’s the reality, though: everyone feels this way at first. I’ve worked with clients who admitted they were incredibly reluctant to record videos. They even questioned whether it was necessary. But after their first recording, they were surprised*—*it felt natural, the audience response was overwhelmingly positive, and the engagement was far beyond what they expected. The ultimate advice? Just try. As one of my clients put it: “What’s the worst that could happen? At worst, you waste an hour. At best, you unlock new opportunities and realize this is exactly what your brand needed.” Video isn’t just the future of personal branding*—*it’s the present. And if you’re serious about growing your influence, it’s time to hit record. What do you have to lose? ## Conclusion Video content is a real game-changer when it comes to your personal brand. Incorporating this medium into your branding strategy may feel intimidating*—*especially if you’ve never been in front of the camera*—*but once you start recording and publishing content, you’ll quickly see the added value of video. People don’t always connect with the written word. Many professionals rely solely on static content but struggle to make an impact. You could pump out hundreds of pieces of static posts and long-form blog content and still not attract the audience and engagement you seek. Adding video content can change that. Video lets your audience see and hear you, the person behind the brand*—*and they will retain the information you provide far faster. Video builds trust, credibility, and engagement in ways that text alone never could. Video content is no longer the thing of the future*—*it’s the “right now” factor when it comes to your personal brand. Don’t wait around for the “perfect time” or stay focused on perfection. Press record and get your video content out there. Those who embrace it will gain an advantage in building authority, increasing visibility, and opening doors to new opportunities. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding **Tags:** personal brand, personal branding, Video content, youtube --- ### [How Social Media Can Make or Break Your NIL Visibility](https://clairebahn.com/name-image-likeness-nil/) **Published:** November 12, 2024 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What is NIL? How can student-athletes leverage social media for NIL visibility? What risks do athletes face when building their NIL brand solely through social media? What strategies can athletes use to develop a NIL brand?* *In today’s digital era, social media plays a crucial role in helping student-athletes amplify their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) visibility. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X provide unique opportunities for athletes to connect with fans and secure lucrative brand partnerships. However, relying solely on these platforms can be risky due to unpredictable algorithm changes and the fast-paced nature of social media trends. This blog explores the advantages of using social media for NIL growth and the potential pitfalls of over-reliance.* *To build a resilient and sustainable NIL brand, athletes must diversify their strategy beyond social media. By integrating long-term branding activities like community engagement, public speaking, and creating in-depth content, athletes can create a well-rounded approach that withstands digital shifts. This blog outlines key strategies for athletes to balance their social media efforts with broader personal branding initiatives, helping them maximize their NIL potential while establishing a lasting and credible brand identity.* Thanks to the [2021 legislation](https://ncaaorg.s3.amazonaws.com/ncaa/NIL/NIL_InterimPolicy.pdf) ruling that student-athletes can profit from their Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL), social media has become a pivotal tool in amplifying their visibility. Platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) have allowed athletes to connect directly with their audience, foster engagement, and secure brand partnerships. This digital revolution has allowed athletes to monetize their online presence, making social media a vital tool in the NIL era. However, while social media’s power is undeniable, it is not a standalone solution for long-term NIL success. Building visibility exclusively on these platforms can be a double-edged sword. Athletes who focus solely on social media may find themselves vulnerable to shifting algorithms and fleeting trends, potentially jeopardizing the sustainability of their brand. To thrive in the NIL space, athletes must think beyond social media. They need an all-inclusive strategy that integrates various branding approaches, both online and offline. By diversifying their presence and engaging in authentic, long-term activities, athletes can build a resilient [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/) that endures. This blog will explore social media’s strengths and pitfalls and how student-athletes can leverage it as part of a broader, sustainable personal branding strategy. **Table of Contents:** [The Power of Social Media in NIL Visibility](#_Toc182843405) 1. [ Social Media Reach and Engagement](#_Toc182843406) 2. [ Authenticity and Audience Connection](#_Toc182843407) 3. [ Monetizing Social Media Platforms](#_Toc182843408) [The Risks of Relying Solely on Social Media](#_Toc182843409) 1. [ Algorithm Dependency](#_Toc182843410) 2. [ Overemphasis on Short-term Gains](#_Toc182843411) [Treating Social Media as a Tool, Not the Entire Strategy](#_Toc182843412) [Social Media as Part of a Broader Personal Branding Strategy](#_Toc182843413) 1. [ Diversifying Platforms Beyond Social Media](#_Toc182843414) 2. [ Real-world Engagement and Community Involvement](#_Toc182843415) 3. [ Developing Expertise and Showcasing Skills](#_Toc182843416) [Effective Personal Branding Strategies Beyond Social Media](#_Toc182843417) 1. [ Creating a Personal Website](#_Toc182843418) 2. [ Public Speaking and Panels](#_Toc182843419) 3. [ Networking and Relationship Building](#_Toc182843420) 4. [ Collaborations with Influencers and Brands](#_Toc182843421) [Conclusion](#_Toc182843422) ## The Power of Social Media in NIL Visibility Over the last few years, the creator economy has grown substantially and is expected to [double by 2027](https://blog.aweber.com/learn/creator-economy.htm#:~:text=By%20Pam%20Neely%20July%2012%2C%202024&text=In%202024%2C%20the%20creator%20economy,this%20dynamic%20and%20evolving%20market.). This provides an opportunity for student-athletes to boost their online presence and gain a competitive edge in the [NIL landscape](https://www.forbes.com/sites/greatspeculations/2024/08/30/college-athletes--the-nil-a-new-marketing-frontier/). This includes three major components: - Social Media Reach and Engagement - Authenticity and Audience Connection - Monetizing Social Media Platforms ### 1. Social Media Reach and Engagement Social media platforms have become the primary avenues for athletes to showcase their personality, skills, and achievements. Instagram, TikTok, and X offer unique ways to connect with fans, sponsors, and brands in real time. These platforms are designed to amplify content through algorithms that prioritize posts with high engagement. For athletes, this means that a single viral video or trending post can quickly boost their visibility and attract the attention of potential sponsors. The nature of social media allows athletes to establish an immediate connection with their followers, sharing highlights, behind-the-scenes content, and personal experiences. This direct access to a large, engaged audience is invaluable for athletes looking to capitalize on their NIL rights. Additionally, social media’s shareability and community features help content spread organically, further increasing the reach and potential engagement. ### 2. Authenticity and Audience Connection Authenticity is key when it comes to social media use. Audiences can quickly detect insincerity, and athletes who present themselves genuinely tend to resonate more with their followers. Brands also prefer partnering with athletes who maintain authenticity, as it often leads to better engagement and more effective brand representation. Authentic content lets athletes showcase their personalities, values, and unique stories, helping them stand out in a crowded digital space. By sharing real experiences, whether it’s a glimpse into training routines, personal struggles, or charitable endeavors, athletes build trust and loyalty among their followers. This level of connection is what sets apart successful NIL deals; it’s not just about having a large following but having a genuine, engaged audience that cares about the athlete’s journey. ### 3. Monetizing Social Media Platforms Monetization is one of the most enticing aspects of [social media for student-athletes](https://www.espn.com/college-sports/story/_/id/41040485/what-nil-college-sports-how-do-athlete-deals-work). Athletes can turn their social following into a revenue stream with the right strategy. Sponsored posts, brand partnerships, affiliate marketing, and merchandise sales are just a few ways athletes can earn money from their online presence. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok offer creator programs that provide financial incentives based on engagement and views. Consistency is critical when it comes to monetizing social media. Athletes who regularly post high-quality content and engage with their followers build credibility, making them more attractive to brands looking for reliable partners. Moreover, diversified content, such as a mix of short videos, photos, and live streams, helps maintain audience interest and showcases the athlete’s versatility. ## The Risks of Relying Solely on Social Media While social media can offer many perks for student-athletes wanting to capitalize on their NIL, relying on social media for visibility can have some drawbacks. These include: - Algorithm Dependency - Overemphasis on Short-term Gains ### 1. Algorithm Dependency While social media can boost visibility, it is also inherently unpredictable. Algorithms on platforms like Instagram and TikTok frequently change, impacting the visibility of posts and the reach of accounts. Athletes who rely solely on social media may find themselves at the mercy of these algorithm shifts, which can dramatically decrease engagement without warning. This dependency poses a significant risk, especially when athletes base their NIL strategy primarily on social media. An unexpected drop in engagement can result in fewer brand deals, reduced visibility, and potentially a loss of income. Athletes must recognize that while social media is a powerful tool, it should not be the only component of their branding strategy. ### 2. Overemphasis on Short-term Gains Another risk of focusing exclusively on social media is the tendency to prioritize short-term visibility over long-term brand building. Viral trends and content challenges can offer a quick boost in engagement, but they often lack substance and can dilute the athlete’s personal brand if not aligned with their core values and goals. Chasing fleeting trends may also lead athletes to compromise their authenticity, which can alienate their loyal followers. Instead, athletes should aim to create content that reflects their long-term vision, ensuring that their brand remains consistent and credible over time. ## Treating Social Media as a Tool, Not the Entire Strategy There’s no denying that social media is a key element when developing a [personal branding strategy](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-stages/), but it should remain as that––a tool. Relying on social media as the entirety of a branding strategy can have devastating effects, some of which we mentioned above. Athletes who successfully integrate social media with broader branding initiatives are more likely to achieve lasting success in the NIL space. For example, athletes who create high-quality YouTube content or host podcasts can establish a loyal following that goes beyond social media algorithms. Public speaking events or community involvement further solidifies their reputation, making them more attractive to a broader range of sponsors. ## Social Media as Part of a Broader Personal Branding Strategy A balanced personal brand strategy extends beyond digital platforms, and it’s vital for student-athletes looking to make the most of their NIL branding strategy to implement other elements outside of social media. Consider the following while developing your brand: - Diversifying Platforms Beyond Social Media - Real-world Engagement and Community Involvement - Developing Expertise and Showcasing Skills ### 1. Diversifying Platforms Beyond Social Media For a well-rounded NIL strategy, athletes must view social media as one component of a larger brand-building approach. While social media is great for immediate visibility and engagement, it should be balanced with other channels that offer more stability and longevity. Long-form content platforms like YouTube and podcasts offer athletes a unique opportunity to share in-depth insights, personal stories, and expertise. Unlike short social media posts, this type of content has a longer shelf life and can continue attracting new viewers long after it is posted. By diversifying their branding efforts, athletes reduce the risk of relying solely on social media. This holistic approach helps athletes build a more resilient brand that can weather digital trends and platform algorithm changes. ### 2. Real-world Engagement and Community Involvement While digital content is essential, real-world engagement is equally important for building a lasting personal brand. Participating in charity events, community outreach, and public speaking engagements can improve an athlete’s credibility and demonstrate their commitment to making a positive impact. Already, many athletes have found ways to give back to their communities using their NIL, like [Blake Corum](https://www.si.com/college/michigan/football/michigan-wolverines-football-blake-corum-charity-thanksgiving-turkey-big-ten-ohio-state), who donated turkeys to needy families, and [Nick Evers](https://www.si.com/college/oklahoma/football/oklahoma-qb-nick-evers-giving-nil-to-charity), who donated part of his NIL earnings to the Make-A-Wish foundation. Whether donating funds, raising money for charities, or supporting local businesses, schools, and non-profits, athletes involved in their communities are often seen as more relatable and grounded––traits that brands highly value. Additionally, these activities provide great social media content, helping athletes connect with their audience on a deeper level while reinforcing their brand values. ### 3. Developing Expertise and Showcasing Skills Athletes can strengthen their brand by sharing their expertise through blogs, webinars, and public speaking engagements. These outlets offer a platform for athletes to demonstrate their knowledge and insights, positioning them as thought leaders in their field. This type of content is particularly valuable for attracting sponsors looking for credible, authoritative voices to represent their brand. ## Effective Personal Branding Strategies Beyond Social Media As we’ve established, social media is just one component of a successful branding strategy. Other vital tools can help student-athletes seeking to [capitalize on their NIL](https://www.ncsasports.org/name-image-likeness), including: - Creating a Personal Website - Public Speaking and Panels - Networking and Relationship Building - Collaborations with Influencers and Brands ### 1. Creating a Personal Website A personal website is a powerful branding tool that serves as a central hub for athletes to control their narrative. It’s a space to display their achievements, share their story, and showcase media mentions. Unlike social media, a website provides complete control over the content, ensuring that the athlete’s brand is presented consistently and professionally. ### 2. Public Speaking and Panels Public speaking engagements offer a unique opportunity for athletes to showcase their expertise and connect with a different audience. By participating in panels or giving talks, athletes can enhance their reputation as thought leaders, providing credibility that goes beyond digital interactions. ### 3. Networking and Relationship Building Building strong relationships is a crucial aspect of [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-mistakes/). Attending industry events, conferences, and networking opportunities allows athletes to connect with potential sponsors, mentors, and collaborators. These connections often lead to new NIL deals and endorsements that might not be accessible through social media alone. ### 4. Collaborations with Influencers and Brands Collaborating with other influencers or brands is an effective way to reach new audiences and expand visibility. Strategic partnerships can help athletes gain credibility and access a broader demographic, enhancing their overall brand presence. ## Conclusion Social media is a powerful tool for building visibility for student-athletes looking to leverage their NIL, but it’s not a complete strategy. Athletes who rely solely on these platforms risk falling victim to algorithm changes and fleeting trends. By balancing social media efforts with long-term branding activities, such as community engagement, public speaking, and varied content creation, athletes can build a sustainable personal brand that stands the test of time. It is essential for athletes to view social media as an element of a broader, integrated branding strategy. By focusing on both online and offline initiatives, athletes can maximize their NIL potential and create a lasting, credible brand that resonates with fans and sponsors alike. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding, Social Media **Tags:** name image likeness, NIL, NIL and Social Media, NIL athletes, NIL visibility --- ### [10 Ways People Sabotage Their Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-sabotage/) **Published:** August 26, 2024 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *How do you build your personal brand? Why is personal branding important? What are the most common mistakes that cause personal brand sabotage, and how can you avoid them?* *This blog explores ten common pitfalls that can derail your personal branding efforts and offers strategic insights to keep your brand on track. From misrepresenting expertise to overreacting to criticism, many entrepreneurs and executives sabotage their personal brand without even realizing it. Personal brand sabotage can result from seemingly small but counterproductive decisions. This blog provides practical advice on how to build an authentic personal brand and outlines how to avoid these common missteps. Additionally, you’ll learn how to create a tailored digital communications strategy to support long-term success, ensuring your reputation grows without compromising your integrity.* “How to brand yourself” is one of the most popular online searches for entrepreneurs and executives. It shows much gumption and initiative, but the one-sided research doesn’t paint a complete picture. You must know how to brand yourself without sabotaging all your efforts. However, that’s easier said than done. **Unfortunately, many inadvertently sabotage their personal brand through counterproductive decisions, actions, behaviors, and habits.** They spend thousands of dollars trying to attract an audience’s attention, only to say or do the wrong things while folks are watching. > ***“It makes no sense to invest in branding when you don’t know how to maintain it.”*** Knowing how to brand yourself and learning ways to avoid messy situations is crucial. It can take years to build a name for yourself but only moments to ruin your reputation. Most markets are fickle, and consumers have high expectations for their favorite businesses. Are you sure you’re up to snuff? Let’s explore ten common ways people sabotage their personal brands and lose opportunities to build their visibility. Then, I’ll outline how to build a personal brand so you can avoid similar pitfalls, including how to create a tailored digital communications strategy. **Table of Contents:** [Building a Solid Foundation to Avoid Personal Brand Sabotage](#_Toc176258410) [10 Things Causing Personal Brand Sabotage](#_Toc176258411) 1. [ Misrepresented Expertise](#_Toc176258412) 2. [ Trying to Impress Specific People Instead of an Audience](#_Toc176258413) 3. [ Getting Lost in the Details](#_Toc176258414) 4. [ Overreacting to Criticism](#_Toc176258415) 5. [ Overselling Yourself](#_Toc176258416) 6. [ Desiring Fame Without Contribution](#_Toc176258417) 7. [ Misunderstanding Your Target Audience](#_Toc176258418) 8. [ Copying Influencers](#_Toc176258419) 9. [ Perfection Paralysis](#_Toc176258420) 10. [ Image Insecurities](#_Toc176258421) [Personal Brand Sabotage: The Finer Points](#_Toc176258422) [The Importance of Your Personal Brand](#_Toc176258423) [Personal Branding Benefits (If You Do It Right)](#_Toc176258424) [Making the Most of Your Time without Personal Brand Sabotage](#_Toc176258425) [Developing a Digital Communications Strategy for Your Personal Brand](#_Toc176258426) [How to Heal a Troubled Brand](#_Toc176258427) [Conclusion](#_Toc176258428) ## Building a Solid Foundation to Avoid Personal Brand Sabotage Personal branding starts with consistency and purposeful communication but doesn’t end there. A solid personal brand is purposefully designed to generate a positive ROI from all your efforts. This is not about shameless self-promotion or achieving “celebrity status;” it’s about showcasing your expertise and experience by helping others. Doing so builds your reputation, authority, and trust with your audience and within your industry. When you have these things, you positively impact your audience, and that’s when things start to get interesting. The result of this effort is that more opportunities will naturally flow to you. These opportunities typically appear as career opportunities, business investments, and more leads for your business. In addition, once you build this brand, you also have the opportunity to monetize it. We see paid board seats, speaking engagements, book authorship, endorsements, and sponsorships, just to name a few. > ***“A solid personal brand is purposefully designed to generate a positive ROI from all your efforts.”*** [Building a solid brand](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) demands dedication, patience, flexibility, and continuous refinement. You do that by cultivating a distinct presence using tailored branding strategies. You represent yourself authentically by leading with your core values. This is how you create an unforgettable and trustworthy brand. After all, the most successful personal brands focus on answering the “burning questions” of your audience, their challenges, questions, and concerns, rather than on pontificating only what you want to talk about. **I like to approach this strategy using an 80:20 ratio. I give useful information freely 80% of the time and only ask my audience to do something 20% of the time, like read my blog, follow me, or check out some new offerings.** So, if that’s the right way to build your brand, what are the wrong ways, and how can you be sabotaging your personal brand? Let’s dig in. ## 10 Things Causing Personal Brand Sabotage Personal branding may be the unsung hero in today’s competitive landscape, but your brand is never untouchable. Here are ten reasons why: ### 1. Misrepresented Expertise One of the most common personal branding mistakes is portraying expertise or skills you don’t possess. As a general rule, always share what you know, not what you wish you knew. Never build a brand based on just a concept or thought. In other words, don’t hitch your wagon to unsteady perceptions out of eagerness to impress or a desire to appear knowledgeable. It will backfire. Imagine you’re an undergrad but want to be well-known among tenured professionals in the medical space. Under those circumstances, branding yourself as an experienced expert could damage your brand’s authority and reputation. Instead, build your brand to represent the unique perspectives and abilities you’ve cultivated so far. As you grow and refine, so will your brand. ### 2. Trying to Impress Specific People Instead of an Audience The second most common saboteur is building a personal brand to impress a specific individual or small group rather than a target audience. I’ve seen people try to capture the attention of ex-partners, rivals, and other individuals not directly connected to their primary demographic. It never ends well. Not only are the efforts futile, but they also reflect your insecurity outward. Instead of worrying about what one or two individuals think, consider how your audience perceives your personal brand. Put their opinions at center stage to resonate with genuine followers. Do you want to impress that small group of people? [Build a following](https://www.shopify.com/blog/14288561-how-to-build-a-massive-following-on-instagram) of thousands of engaged followers who recognize your authority and industry knowledge. Along the way, you might realize you don’t crave the validation of a few people anymore. ### 3. Getting Lost in the Details I’ve seen people obsess over insignificant aspects of their personal brand, losing sight of the bigger picture. Although a plan and strategy are essential, building a solid brand profile takes time. This compounding effect can overwhelm those fixated on short-term fluctuations rather than long-term goals or cumulative impacts. Obsession with the minutia is a recipe for disaster. Focus on the aggregate of all aspects rather than one point. For example, don’t just consider how your personal brand performed on social media for one week. Check out its performance over a more extended period. Conversely, no single aspect of your brand will make or break you. Do not obsess over the perfect logo or color scheme. All of that can be changed and modified as your brand matures. A logo is a “Nice-to-have.” It will be fine if the colors are not too off-putting. Your foundation is set as long as your website covers the basics and is SEOed. ### 4. Overreacting to Criticism Nobody likes to hear something negative about themselves or something they care about. However, receiving criticism is an aspect of personal branding. **Negative comments are inevitable, especially as your visibility increases.** Developing resilience and mental toughness will help. Don’t let unfavorable feedback deter you from your branding efforts. Remember, people are mean. Detractors often reflect jealousy or insecurity rather than genuine critique. Check out the comment section of [any influencer](https://clairebahn.com/influencer-strategy/) for proof. A lasting personal brand requires thick skin and mental toughness. The haters emerge whenever you increase your visibility, share success stories, or achieve something. Be ready, and don’t let them steal your thunder. ### 5. Overselling Yourself No one wants to hang out with a salesperson all the time. Constantly pushing sales pitches can alienate your audience and reduce your personal brand’s authenticity, trustworthiness, and effectiveness. Instead, share advice and expertise; if it resonates with people, they will like, follow, and subscribe. Likes, follows, and subscribers are organic leads that inspire people to want to work with you. Too often, I see people really worried about getting sales leads, so they constantly push their program instead of reframing it as a practical solution. Their focus should be on helping someone rather than meeting their own agenda. Offer value above all else. Genuine engagement and connection will magnetize opportunities and conversions without cold calls or sales pitches. ### 6. Desiring Fame Without Contribution One surefire way to sabotage your personal brand’s success is to desire fame without action, openness, vulnerability, or networking. Authentic personal branding involves demonstrating expertise, sharing knowledge, and contributing positively to your field or community. Fame seldom happens overnight and is especially challenging in competitive or saturated arenas. > ***“Merely seeking notoriety without offering substantive expertise or value is short-sighted and will not give you the results you want.”*** Remember, the goal of your personal brand is not blind self-promotion. Understand the game and train accordingly. ### 7. Misunderstanding Your Target Audience Your target audience can vary in size and shape, depending on your niche and other factors. Therefore, while one brand might have 20 million followers, your personal brand might only have a few hundred thousand. Even smaller audiences deserve your undivided attention and can be full of opportunities. I’ve seen many examples of professionals feeling like failures because they don’t have 10’s of millions of followers. Taylor Swift and the Kardashians are outliers. You’re likely not an internationally famous pop star or a reality TV personality. Your audience is going to be smaller, and it is just fine. You want to be the authority for your audience and related audiences regardless of their volume. Too many personal brands make the mistake of misunderstanding their niche and followers. You can’t craft compelling messages, provide practical solutions, or grow your network without connecting with and speaking your audience’s language. ### 8. Copying Influencers Trying to mimic the success of celebrity influencers without cultivating your unique voice is counterproductive. The fact is that authenticity and originality are far more attractive than imitation in the long run. For example, some people want to be like Gary Vee but have yet to develop the charisma or personality to pull it off. Remember that the Gary Vee of today is far different than how he initially started…certainly a lot less cursing. Regardless, building your brand and cultivating your style takes time. The world does not reward copycats. The world rewards genuine personalities with innate magnetism. Waiting for perfection before acting is a recipe for stagnation. You must embrace imperfections and prioritize consistency over flawlessness. Remember, progress and refinement come through iteration and experience. Building your brand is not a magic trick. It will take time and experience to develop your own voice, style, and online presence. Embrace the journey and be intentional about it. ### 9. Perfection Paralysis Many personal brands fall apart because someone fears they’ll do something wrong. However, messing up can make you more relatable to your target audience. Refusing to start until you have a list of absolutely perfect things is the fastest way to sabotage your personal brand. In the grand scheme of things, mistakes are just seasoning. Correct your mistakes where possible, learn from them, and apply the insights you gained. Your audience will appreciate your example. Just start. Imperfect action is far, far better than no action at all. Your brain will find imperfections. Learn to discern the imperfections that matter from the ones that don’t. Tiptoeing around the fear of action might sabotage your personal brand before it gets wings. ### 10. Image Insecurities Dissatisfaction with who you are, what you do, or how you look can wreck even the best-laid personal branding plans. We all have insecurities, and most of us aren’t supermodels. Still, not wanting to show yourself in photos or videos means you’re unwilling to demonstrate vulnerability, which won’t bode well with your audience. Remember, your audience wants to connect with the authentic you. A faceless social media profile or website comes across as fake in most situations. If you’re going to boost your visibility, get comfortable putting yourself out there. Nothing says you can’t update your photos as time goes on. That doesn’t mean that you cannot work to put yourself in the best light. Professional photographers can help you curate a knock-out portfolio. Yes, you’re worth it. A selfie taken with a smartphone sends a different message than a professional headshot—no need to get a loan and book a celebrity photographer. Talented local photographers can be found that will work within your budget. Lastly, don’t be fooled into thinking you can take just any old photo and have ChatGPT fix it up for you. AI has come a long way but still reeks of fakery and over-retouching. Overly edited photos send an ironically unflattering message. No one will connect with an avatar. Opt for the authentic headshot instead. ## Personal Brand Sabotage: The Finer Points Did you know you can sabotage your personal brand without making any of the ten mistakes mentioned in this blog? You can develop and maintain a thick skin, be confident in pictures, and understand your audience, but still experience a failing brand because of these other common mistakes: - #### **Focusing on the wrong elements of your brand.** This means prioritizing less essential elements tied to your brand identity or messaging. Prioritize your core values and unique selling points. - #### **Thinking all your blogs and social media posts should be Pulitzer Prize-winning Prose.** Setting unrealistic expectations and standards for content quality can lead to nitpicky behavior that could hinder brand consistency, authenticity, post frequency, and visibility. Nobody writes earth-shattering prose day-in- and day-out. There is no need to place that kind of pressure on yourself (or your ghostwriter). Your focus should be on writing clearly and helping others by leveraging your expertise to help them overcome challenges or answer questions. The blog content needs to be SEOed to have significant value. Your content must be searchable, easy to read, and satisfy all Google criteria. - #### **Failing to deliver content on platforms that will provide massive visibility.** Missing opportunities for relevant exposure can hurt, so leverage high-traffic platforms for maximum visibility, engagement, and industry authority. Your audience doesn’t exist on a single platform. You want to be everywhere your audience is for mass effect. Ignoring platforms you know your audience is on is a mistake. - #### **Using Social Media Posts as a Substitute for Blogs and Articles.** There is a common Meme: TL:DR, which means “ Too Long, Didn’t Read.” Social media is not a substitute for blogs or long-form articles. Only blogs and long-form articles are indexed by search engines. Social media has a purpose: to provide a segway to the rest of your brand. The goal is to provide quick, hard-hitting information. Effective content is engagement-worthy and draws the reader back to the meatier elements of your brand, where you can engage the audience further. I like to think of social media posts as the “appetizer” of your brand. They’re a way to introduce the audience members to your brand and expertise. Don’t try to cut corners and get double-duty out of your social media. No one wants to read a 2,000-word post. - #### **Obsessing over a single blog, video, or social post instead of the big picture.** Fixating on individual pieces of your brand messaging rather than telling a story means losing sight of the overall personal brand marketing objectives. Frequency and consistency in posting and content creation are better than one single outstanding post or article for the overall health of your brand. Building your audience will take time. Accept it, and enjoy the engagement. There is no “Silver Bullet” in content that will suddenly result in hundreds of engaged followers. Though, it can happen. What ultimately wins people over is the consistency and volume of your help over time. - #### **Micromanaging every detail without fully trusting experts or understanding processes.** Building your personal brand is a daunting task for any single individual. However, with some of the tools available and the desire to learn, it is possible to build your brand entirely on your own. We often see individuals who have the best intentions and decide to build their brand on their own. They work and post diligently for months, then taper off or quit entirely. Often, it’s because they don’t see much engagement or ROI for their efforts. The platforms know most people cannot keep up for longer than a month. When someone starts, they are sandboxed for about a month to see if they persevere. It’s just how the algorithm is designed. Now, add multiple social media channels, and you see how focused an individual must be to succeed on their own. This is why many people hire expert teams to assist them with building out their personal brands and getting that ROI as fast as possible. However, some people, as we’ve noted, are concerned about the visibility their brand will bring, and they resort to sabotaging their personal brand by micromanaging or ignoring the very experts they hired to build their brand. Think of it this way: Why would I hire the best plumber in town and do the work myself? I can either save my money with DIY or step back and let the pros handle it. Meddling will only create a mess and waste resources. The unintended consequences of micromanaging are blocking innovation, reducing efficiency, and dulling effectiveness. Having a say in your personal brand is one thing, but needing control of all the details is another. Delegation and trust for professionals give your brand the flexibility it will need as it develops. ## The Importance of Your Personal Brand Don’t think branding is important? Think again. Your personal brand helps send a definitive message to your target audience. It can help clear any confusion about who you are, what you do, or why you do it. Branding yourself is one of the wisest things you can do as an entrepreneur or executive. Every business has a story to tell, and its leadership always claims to be unique. While that’s likely true, your offerings are no less remarkable than theirs. > ***“Learning how to brand yourself means pulling out all the talents and characteristics that make you extraordinary.”*** Brand managers can help differentiate your company while running interference for things that could [compromise your reputation](https://hbr.org/2007/02/reputation-and-its-risks). Personal or executive branding benefits your company and financial future in multiple ways. A solid digital marketing strategy can help establish your business as an industry authority. It can also ensure consistent messaging, prevent public disasters, improve brand awareness, and increase profitability. However, you can self-sabotage, even by accident. ## Personal Branding Benefits (If You Do It Right) Learning how to brand yourself means enjoying countless competitive advantages. First, you can turn your most fervent passions into a full-fledged business. Personal branding also provides [cost-effective advertising](https://www.forbes.com/sites/steveolenski/2015/11/23/7-cost-effective-marketing-strategies-for-growing-a-new-brand/) for your company and makes you an industry expert. Here are some other benefits to consider: - Establish Credibility - Build Relationships - Grow Your Network - Start Conversations - Ensure Compliance - Inspire Change - Lead the Industry - Control the Narrative - Troubleshoot Issues - Prevent Mishaps - Mentor Others - Increase Traffic - Motivate Staff - Highlight Talent Your reputation is a primary piece of the personal branding puzzle. You can’t cut corners and expect a good fit. > ***“Put yourself out there but prove there is a likeable person behind your brand.”*** Demonstrate your personality while showing people they can trust you. Learning how to brand yourself is relatively straightforward after that. ## Making the Most of Your Time without Personal Brand Sabotage > ***“Most personal branding mistakes happen because people want to optimize without risking integrity.”*** Reputation management services and personal branding strategists exist for a reason. Expertise is a game-changer, so start there. Build a partnership with content creators who specialize in aligning content with brand objectives. Their strategies will help you reach your intended audience through blogs, videos, and podcasts. They can also ensure your message remains consistent, authentic, and powerful across multiple high-traffic platforms. Let your team leverage data-driven analytics to refine your approach as the brand develops. Use it to understand your target audience better, then post more targeted content on social media based on the findings. Remain flexible enough to pivot messaging according to evolving audience engagement. Personal brand coaching provides individualized insights and guidance to support your persona. Coaches know about branding best practices and help you identify strengths, weaknesses, values, and demographics. Tailored digital communications strategies are a must for cultivating authenticity, credibility, and integrity. ## Developing a Digital Communications Strategy for Your Personal Brand > ***“Learning how to brand yourself is incomplete until you develop a digital communications strategy.”*** This puzzle piece is essential because it provides cohesion and gives more control over your brand’s ecosystem. Here are the five Ds to getting started: - **Determine** which social media platforms are best for brand awareness. - **Decide** how and when you want to approach your target audience. - **Demonstrate** your intuitive understanding of relevant content. - **Drop** the bad habits holding back your personal brand. - **Deliver** quality posts and accurate information across all platforms. These techniques should help prevent damage to your personal brand’s reputation. They could also help elevate your authority and keep your company’s name in the minds of consumers and competitors. ## How to Heal a Troubled Brand Didn’t discover how to brand yourself correctly until it was too late? Is your company’s reputation damaged because of it? Fortunately, there is a way to save face and recover your audience’s good graces. 1. **Get a Reputation Manager –** Hire a personal or executive branding agency to handle the nitty-gritty details and rewrite public perception. 2. **Use a Digital Communications Strategy –** Create an interactive and informative environment around your personal brand and its claims. 3. **Collect Data for Analysis –** Study consumer and competitor behaviors to learn preferences and shift your focus accordingly. A personal brand in turmoil doesn’t have to stay that way. [Expert branding firms](https://clairebahn.com/contact/) can remove the stain from the fabric of your business, revealing your true purpose and positive input. ## Conclusion Building a successful personal brand means avoiding common mistakes and watching for unseen hurdles. It’s about “keeping it real” and speaking directly to your audience, not to a mirror or a rival. Personal branding is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the process, stay true to yourself, and watch your brand thrive. If you hire experts to help you along the way, trust the process and leverage their expertise and industry knowledge to build a solid personal brand that will draw opportunities to you quickly. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding, Tips **Tags:** personal branding coach, personal branding on social media, troubleshooting --- ### [Developing a Unique Value Proposition](https://clairebahn.com/unique-value-proposition/) **Published:** September 5, 2024 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What is a unique value proposition? What is your unique value proposition? How do you write a unique value proposition?* *In today’s competitive landscape, personal branding is more important than ever, and a well-crafted unique value proposition (UVP) is essential. A unique value proposition isn’t just about listing what you do—it’s a concise statement that sets you apart from others in your field and resonates with your target audience. This blog delves into the significance of personal branding and how to develop a strong unique value proposition that highlights your unique strengths and qualities.* *Through self-assessment, audience identification, and competitor analysis, the blog provides practical steps to help you define and articulate your unique value proposition. It emphasizes the importance of showcasing your skills authentically and consistently across all platforms to build credibility and attract quality connections. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, professional, or creative, this guide is designed to help you craft a unique value proposition that elevates your personal brand and sets you up for success.* There’s no denying that [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) is more important than ever. Developing a unique value proposition (UVP) is vital to distinguish yourself from others in your field. Your UVP isn’t just a statement of what you do; it’s a clear message about what makes you different and why others should choose you. Whether building a personal brand or advancing your career, a strong UVP showcases your unique strengths, experiences, and qualities to your audience. It’s not just about being good at what you do—it’s about communicating it in a way that resonates. Think of your UVP as the essence of your [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-building-in-2023/)—it’s what you’re known for and what sets you apart. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, a creative professional, or someone aiming to advance your career, understanding and articulating your UVP is vital for success. **Table of Contents:** [Understanding the Importance of a Unique Value Proposition](#_Toc175579898) [Steps to Identify Your Unique Value Proposition](#_Toc175579899) 1. [ Self-Assessment](#_Toc175579900) 2. [ Identify Target Audience](#_Toc175579901) 3. [ Analyze Competitors](#_Toc175579902) 4. [ Gather Feedback](#_Toc175579903) 5. [ Define Core Strengths and Unique Qualities](#_Toc175579904) [Articulating Your Unique Value Proposition](#_Toc175579905) 1. [ Crafting the UVP Statement](#_Toc175579906) 2. [ Communicating Your UVP](#_Toc175579907) 3. [ Using Storytelling Techniques](#_Toc175579908) [The Importance of a Quality Audience Over Quantity](#_Toc175579909) [Highlighting Skills and Authenticity in Your UVP](#_Toc175579910) [Examples of Authentic Leaders with Strong UVPs](#_Toc175579911) [Prioritizing Audience Perception and Consistent Delivery](#_Toc175579912) [Conclusion](#_Toc175579913) ## Understanding the Importance of a Unique Value Proposition A [unique value proposition](https://www.semrush.com/blog/unique-value-proposition/) (UVP) is more than just a tagline or a catchphrase. It’s a clear, concise statement that encapsulates what makes you different. It answers the critical question: “Why should someone choose you over others?” In personal branding, your UVP is the core message that defines your brand and sets the foundation for all your branding efforts. > **Think of your UVP as the essence of your personal brand—it’s what you’re known for and what sets you apart.** In a crowded market where many people offer similar skills and services, your UVP is the key to standing out. A strong UVP does the following: 1. Differentiates You: It highlights what makes you memorable in a sea of similar options. 2. Builds Credibility: It demonstrates that you clearly understand your strengths and how they align with your audience’s needs. 3. Attracts Opportunities: Whether you’re looking for new clients, career advancement, or collaborations, a compelling UVP makes it easier for others to see your value. 4. Focuses Your Branding Efforts: It helps ensure that all your branding efforts align with your unique strengths and goals. ## Steps to Identify Your Unique Value Proposition Developing a unique value proposition requires careful thought and reflection. Here are the steps to identify and [craft your UVP](https://cxl.com/blog/value-proposition-examples-how-to-create/): ### 1. Self-Assessment The first step in developing your UVP is to conduct a thorough self-assessment. This involves understanding your strengths, skills, and passions. Ask yourself: - What are you great at? - What do you love doing? - What makes you feel fulfilled? - What skills or experiences do you have that others might not? A SWOT analysis (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats) is an effective way to conduct a self-assessment. By identifying and understanding these aspects, you can better understand what makes you unique and where you can add the most value. **Action Item:** List your top strengths and interests and reflect on how they intersect. This will form the foundation of your UVP. ### 2. Identify Target Audience Knowing your target audience is key to crafting an effective UVP. Your UVP should be tailored to the needs, challenges, and desires of the people you want to reach. Consider the following: - Who are you trying to attract—potential employers, clients, collaborators? - What are their pain points, and how can you address them? - What motivates them, and what solutions are they seeking? Remember, it’s not just about demographics; it’s about aligning your UVP with your audience’s values. **Action Item:** Create a detailed profile of your ideal audience, including their needs and preferences. Use this profile to guide the development of your UVP. ### 3. Analyze Competitors To stand out in your field, it’s essential to understand who your competitors are and what they offer. Research and analyze others in your industry to identify the following: - What do they do well, and where do they fall short? - What gaps exist in their offerings that you can fill? - How can you differentiate yourself from them? Competitor analysis helps you pinpoint your unique selling points and ensures your UVP highlights what sets you apart. It’s not about copying what others are doing—it’s about finding your unique angle and capitalizing on it. **Action Item:** Conduct a competitor audit by listing your main competitors and noting their strengths and weaknesses. Use this information to refine your UVP. ### 4. Gather Feedback Sometimes, others can see things in us that we may not recognize ourselves. Seek feedback from peers, mentors, and colleagues to gain insights into: - Your strengths and unique qualities. - Areas where you excel and what others appreciate about you. **Action Item:** Ask for specific feedback on your skills and qualities. Use this input to refine your UVP and ensure it accurately reflects your strengths. ### 5. Define Core Strengths and Unique Qualities Next, compile a list of your core strengths and unique qualities. What makes you an expert in your industry? What are the qualities that others consistently recognize in you? Focus on what sets you apart and what you can offer that others can’t. This could be a combination of skills, experiences, and personal qualities that make you uniquely valuable. Your UVP should encapsulate these core strengths in a way that resonates with your audience. **Action Item:** Create a summary of your core strengths and unique qualities. Use this summary to craft a UVP that captures what sets you apart. ## Articulating Your Unique Value Proposition Once you’ve identified your unique value proposition, you must articulate it clearly and compellingly. Here’s how to do it: ### 1. Crafting the UVP Statement Your UVP should be a short, memorable statement communicating your unique value. It should address the specific needs of your target audience and highlight what makes you different from others. When [crafting your UVP](https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbesbusinesscouncil/2024/05/07/crafting-your-personal-value-proposition/#:~:text=When%20you%20connect%20expertise%2C%20audience,for%20business%20owners%20and%20leaders.), focus on the benefits you provide and address the specific needs of your target audience instead of just listing your skills or qualifications. Consider the following questions: - How do you solve problems for your audience? - What results can they expect from working with you? Your UVP should be a promise of value that resonates with your audience. You can use the following template as an example to help you craft your UVP: “I help \[target audience\] achieve \[desired outcome\] by \[unique method/approach\].” **Action Item:** Write several drafts of your UVP statement and refine it until it clearly and succinctly captures your unique value. ### 2. Communicating Your UVP Once you’ve crafted your UVP, it’s crucial to integrate it across various platforms and channels to ensure consistency. Your UVP should be reflected in: - Your LinkedIn profile - Your resume - Your personal website - Your social media profiles Consistent messaging across all channels reinforces your UVP and helps build a cohesive personal brand. Remember that your UVP is not just a statement—it’s the foundation of your brand. Everything you communicate, whether online or in person, should align with your UVP and reinforce your unique value. **Action Item:** Review your profiles and online presence to ensure your UVP is consistently communicated. ### 3. Using Storytelling Techniques Storytelling is a powerful way to illustrate your UVP. Sharing stories highlighting your unique experiences can create a more emotional connection with your audience. For example, you might share a story about a challenge you overcame or a project you successfully completed that highlights your unique strengths. Storytelling makes your UVP more relatable and memorable, helping you stand out to your audience. **Action Item:** Develop a few key stories that illustrate your UVP. Use these stories in your networking and personal branding efforts. ## The Importance of a Quality Audience Over Quantity In [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-sabotage/), it’s easy to get caught up in the numbers—how many followers you have, how many likes you receive, etc. However, it’s important to remember that a quality audience is far more valuable than quantity. Having more followers doesn’t necessarily equate to better engagement or more opportunities. Your UVP should attract the right audience—those who resonate with your message and who can benefit from your unique value. It’s better to have a smaller, engaged audience that truly understands and appreciates what you offer than a large audience that isn’t genuinely interested. Additionally, quality followers are more likely to convert into clients or collaborators. ## Highlighting Skills and Authenticity in Your UVP Your UVP should showcase your skills and expertise while simultaneously reflecting your authenticity. What makes you an expert in your field? What experiences and knowledge do you bring that others may not have? Authenticity is vital to building trust and credibility with your audience. People want to connect with real, genuine individuals, not personas. > **Consistent messaging across all channels reinforces your UVP and helps build a cohesive personal brand.** ### Examples of Authentic Leaders with Strong UVPs Here are some leaders who effectively utilize their UVPs: 1. [Gary Vaynerchuk (GaryVee](https://garyvaynerchuk.com/)) – Entrepreneur, Author, and Motivational Speaker. Gary’s unapologetically direct approach to success, rooted in practical advice and relentless hustle, resonates with those seeking real, actionable insights. His candid sharing of victories and failures, combined with his emphasis on self-awareness and empathy, positions him as a relatable yet inspiring figure for aspiring entrepreneurs. 2. [Tabitha Brown](https://www.iamtabithabrown.com/) – Actress, Social Media Personality, and Vegan Influencer. Tabitha’s nurturing, down-to-earth personality and advocacy for veganism and faith create a unique space where positivity and honesty flourish. Her willingness to share her vulnerabilities, alongside her journey toward wellness, makes her a comforting and reliable voice in the lifestyle and wellness community. 3. [Glennon Doyle](https://momastery.com/) – Author, Activist, and Speaker. Glennon’s fearless transparency about her struggles with addiction, relationships, and mental health makes her stand out as a source of raw, unfiltered truth. Her radical self-acceptance and authenticity message resonates with those looking for guidance on living bravely and truthfully. 4. [Jaclyn Hill](https://www.youtube.com/@Jaclynhill1) – Beauty YouTuber and Entrepreneur. Jaclyn’s openness about her personal and professional challenges in an industry dominated by perfection offers a refreshing departure from the norm. By sharing her real-life experiences, from public scrutiny to health struggles, she establishes a genuine connection with her audience, making beauty more accessible and relatable. 5. [Casey Neistat](https://www.youtube.com/user/caseyneistat) – YouTuber, Filmmaker, and Entrepreneur. Casey’s vlogging style, which combines cinematic storytelling with authentic, day-to-day life moments, offers a distinct combination of creativity and realism. His behind-the-scenes insights and candid reflections provide an authentic narrative that engages his audience, setting him apart within digital media. 6. [Mel Robbins](https://www.melrobbins.com/) – Author, Motivational Speaker, and Life Coach. Mel’s pragmatic, relatable approach to self-improvement, epitomized by her “5 Second Rule,” addresses procrastination and anxiety in a way that feels achievable for anyone. Her openness about her struggles, including career setbacks and anxiety, connects her with her audience as a fellow traveler on the journey of self-growth rather than a distant expert. ## Prioritizing Audience Perception and Consistent Delivery Crafting an effective unique value proposition (UVP) requires considering your audience’s perception and understanding that your UVP will naturally transform as you grow. As you work on developing your UVP, keep these key points in mind: - Focus on Perception: Take the “you” out of UVP. Your UVP should highlight how you meet your audience’s needs and solve their problems, not just your achievements. - Welcome Evolution: Your UVP should adapt as you gain new experiences and insights. Instead of chasing quick wins, focus on consistently delivering value to your audience. Be a mentor and guide, offering wisdom and encouragement rather than just pushing your agenda. Share your journey authentically, using your experiences to inspire and empower others. ## Conclusion A unique value proposition is a cornerstone of personal branding. It differentiates you from others, builds credibility, and attracts opportunities. By understanding your strengths, identifying your target audience, and crafting a clear and compelling UVP, you can create a personal brand that resonates with others and sets you apart in your field. Remember that developing a UVP is a journey, not a destination. Continuously refine and communicate your UVP as you grow and advance in your career. Stay authentic, focused, and value-driven to build a personal brand that stands the test of time. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Unique Value Proposition **Tags:** Branding, personal branding, Unique Value Proposition --- ### [How to Build Your Personal Brand in 2023 - Part 1](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-in-2023-2/) **Published:** July 13, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Personal Branding in 2023 is an ever-changing landscape. Case in point: résumés are so 2022. What used to be called your “business reputation “has evolved into your personal brand…. And your personal brand is only going to get more important as thing progress. If you’re looking to create more job opportunities and higher pay in the near future, what you really need is a personal brand. Having an online presence is no longer optional — according to CareerBuilder, 7 in 10 employers find [their next candidate](https://press.careerbuilder.com/2018-08-09-More-Than-Half-of-Employers-Have-Found-Content-on-Social-Media-That-Caused-Them-NOT-to-Hire-a-Candidate-According-to-Recent-CareerBuilder-Survey) on social media. So how would I define a personal brand? A personal brand is a unique identity that you — as an individual or entrepreneur — create to present to potential employers and clients. It isn’t about gathering followers or listing achievements but putting all your core values, expertise, and competence together into a neat package and sharing that with others. Personal branding in 2023 is about making you stand out from the crowd and establishing yourself as a demonstratable expert within your niche. In this blog, I’ll give you tips on creating, developing, and promoting your personal brand. When considering the latest trends of personal branding in 2023, we’ll understand what it takes to differentiate yourself in an increasingly competitive market. **Table of Contents** [Assessing Your Current Brand](#_Toc143079970) [Self-Reflection: Understanding Your Values, Passions, and Goals](#_Toc143079971) [Identifying Your Unique Strengths and Skills](#_Toc143079972) [Conducting a SWOT Analysis](#_Toc143079973) [Gathering Feedback and Insight From Others](#_Toc143079974) [Defining Your Brand Identity](#_Toc143079975) [Crafting a Compelling Brand Statement or Elevator Pitch](#_Toc143079976) [Choosing Your Target Audience and Niche](#_Toc143079977) [Developing a Unique Value Proposition](#_Toc143079978) [Selecting Your Brand Personality and Voice](#_Toc143079979) [Building an Online Presence](#_Toc143079980) [Creating a Personal Website or Blog](#_Toc143079981) [Optimizing Your Social Media Profiles](#_Toc143079982) [Crafting Consistent and Engaging Content](#_Toc143079983) [Leveraging Multimedia For Brand Promotion](#_Toc143079984) [Establishing Thought Leadership](#_Toc143079985) 1. [ Sharing Valuable Insights and Expertise](#_Toc143079986) 2. [ Building a Network of Like-Minded Professionals](#_Toc143079987) 3. [ Engaging in Public Speaking or Hosting Workshops](#_Toc143079988) [Conclusion](#_Toc143079989) ## Assessing Your Current Brand [Personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/why-personal-branding-is-the-key-to-success-in-2021/) in 2023 isn’t the same as 20 years ago. Consumers have new priorities, corporations are changing tact, and business opportunities are evolving. Recruiters increasingly consider your values and your social media presence as crucial as education levels and experience. As you embark on this career journey, the first step should be to assess where your brand falls into this system. Are you placing enough importance on sharing your expertise? Are you promoting the values you stand for? Are you willing to embrace new ways to engage with your audience? Here are some ways to take this into account. ### Self-Reflection: Understanding Your Values, Passions, and Goals [Building a personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) requires a great deal of introspection. Here are some questions I think might be helpful for you to think about: - What do I stand for? - What am I most passionate about? - What are the areas I can improve upon? - What do I want to achieve with my personal brand? - What expertise or experience can I share to help others By examining your life, experiences, and expertise honestly and critically — while keeping the ideals that the world lives by in 2023 in mind — you can focus on the aspects you can share when creating a personal brand. ***DID YOU KNOW:*** *60% of consumers in the United States based their purchasing decisions on the company’s executives’ values, words, and actions.* ### Identifying Your Unique Strengths and Skills When creating a personal brand in 2023, you must consider the experiences and expertise that make you stand out from your peers. This doesn’t mean you must be a robot constantly sharing nothing but your expertise. It’s a good idea to share some of your personal life as well. People want to connect to people, not robots or soulless entities. However, you need to set boundaries of how much of your personal life you want to share and stick with it. Things like: Do you have a unique hobby? A desirable skill? How could you tie in your background into these skills? What are you comfortable sharing with your audience? ### Conducting a SWOT Analysis A SWOT analysis is a helpful tool I’ve used to develop my personal brand over the years. This analysis involves creating a detailed list of your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats- to understand your own positioning better. Personal branding in 2023 is all about staying relevant, sharing great information, and differentiating yourself. So, consider each point with these factors in mind. - **Strengths:** What makes me better than my competition? - **Weaknesses:** What could I work on improving? - **Opportunities:** Am I using all the tools at my disposal? - **Threats:** Is my reputation at risk of being obsolete or ignored? ### Gathering Feedback and Insight from Others Consider incorporating feedback from the people you trust, your peers, and those you connect with. This way, you can take a well-rounded, unbiased approach to assessing your personal brand. Think of it as an impromptu personal brand assessment. If you want a little help getting started, then you can always check out my Personal Brand Assessment tool here: ## Defining Your Brand Identity In 2023, the sheer amount of content generated on social media platforms is overwhelming. It is very difficult to rise above the absolute “noise” of social media platforms and the Internet in general without [focusing on a strategy](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-strategy-2/) that’ll raise you above your competition and put you in front of the right audience. Consider this fact; the number of social media users has reached a staggering [4.9 billion](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/social-media-statistics/#:~:text=In%202023%2C%20an%20estimated%204.9,record%204.9%20billion%20people%20globally.) this year, well over half the world’s population. Just for reference, only 17% of total Instagram users are in the US. So, remember, when you build a brand, you are building an international brand. [Personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/) in 2023**,** therefore, depends heavily on how well you can define your identity. I’m not talking about simply creating well-designed websites and content that’ll go viral but developing valuable and focused content that makes you an authority within your niche. Content that answers the “burning questions” of your target audience. ### Crafting a Compelling Brand Statement or Elevator Pitch The beauty of developing an elevator pitch is that it helps you focus your ideas. Personal brands are meant to be ambitious and comprehensive, but an elevator pitch lets you condense all this information into only what is essential. It simplifies how you condense your core mission into a format that will instantly make people stop and understand what you’re doing and what your goals are. Defining all your core values, in a nutshell, serves two major purposes — it gives you more clarity and allows your personal brand to be more attention-grabbing while helping others understand you better. Consider the following, you’re at a party, and someone asks what you do. You’re a lawyer, and your reply, “I’m a lawyer,” …..err great, you’ve not distinguished yourself from any other lawyer on the planet. What if you responded with something a bit more robust, like, “My firm and I help disadvantaged clients navigate and succeed in the legal system o they are treated fairly” …in less than 30 seconds, you’ve provided a wealth of information about you, your career, and your efforts to help others. ### Choosing Your Target Audience and Niche With this new-found clarity and focus, it becomes easier to target a niche audience. Let’s face it, even the most popular celebrities struggle to have global appeal. Most are content with influencing a specific group of people. After all, a hundred loyal clients are more valuable than 500 undecided ones. One way to do this is to decide who your top competition is and then analyze what platforms they are using, where they are finding their audience, and the type of posts that the audience is engaging with. No need to reinvent the wheel. You can take this information and use it to quickly get in front of the right audience and start to engage with them. In fact, you may use this information to find platforms where your audience is visiting that others have overlooked. There is nothing better than showing up for your audience on more than one platform. Being on multiple platforms simultaneously with a consistent “look & Feel” and consistent messaging is the quickest way to build audience momentum. Also, remember that [social media](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-management/) is not just about constantly pumping information through the channel. You need to engage directly with your audience to build a reputation and authority. That means finding members of your audience that are posting themselves or commenting on their posts and then thoughtfully commenting on their posts. That will redirect some attention back to you in the most authentic way possible. ### Developing a Unique Value Proposition When creating a personal brand, it’s crucial to determine your value proposition, what you can offer that others don’t, and what makes you relevant in 2023. To develop one, I’d recommend working on the three Cs of [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/): - **Clarity**: Before anything else, you should have a clear understanding of your Unique Value Proposition (UVP) and how it distinguishes you from others. - **Communication**: Ensure that your UVP is effectively conveyed across all points of contact with your target audience. This includes: - Your website - Social media platforms - Videos - Any other medium where you interact with your audience. - **Comprehensiveness**: Your UVP should be thorough, considering all facets of your expertise and experiences that offer value. This means addressing the primary desires and necessities of your target audience. However, comprehensive doesn’t mean overly lengthy; it means covering the essential elements of the value you provide. Lastly, an additional point to note is the importance of iteration: - **Test and Refine**: A UVP is dynamic. With the ever-changing landscape of social media, evolving needs of your audience, and as your brand grows and evolves, it’s imperative to periodically review and refine your UVP to stay relevant and effective. Creating a unique value proposition (UVP) requires a profound grasp of your brand, your target audience, and the ways in which your expertise can address their needs. Here’s a [step-by-step guide](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-building/) to formulating a UVP that’s anchored in clarity, communication, and comprehensiveness: - **Understand Your Audience’s Concerns**: - Recognize their primary challenges or “burning questions”. - Use extensive research, and listen to questions they ask or discussions they initiate to gain insights into their issues. - **Spotlight Your Distinctive Strengths**: - Enumerate the benefits arising from your expertise and experiences. - Ponder on what differentiates you from competitors. - Reflect on your unique learnings and experiences, especially how you tackled obstacles and how these lessons can aid your audience. - **Articulate Your Value Clearly**: - Use the insights from your audience’s needs and your strengths to craft a lucid and brief statement. - Ensure it delineates the distinct value of your expertise. - This statement should be easy to grasp and highlight how you resolve or ameliorate a concern of your audience. In conclusion, it’s vital to remember that a potent UVP is an integral component of your overarching brand strategy. It’s the key to distinguishing yourself, appealing to the right audience, and unlocking business opportunities. ### Selecting Your Brand Personality and Voice Personality refers to the traits that define your brand, while voice refers to how you would communicate this personality to an audience. Both aspects are equally crucial to personal branding in 2023. Do you want to develop a more conversational and approachable brand identity? Or would you rather adopt a more technical approach? The choice is yours. Part of your personality is reflected in the “look & feel” of the content you post. This means that design, color, and fonts all contribute to your personal brand. Audiences are more sophisticated, and they expect the people that they believe to have the authority to have a high design and professional look. The days of selfies and guerrilla self-shot videos are over and detract from your personal brand. If you’re going to build a powerful brand, then don’t skimp on design. ## Building an Online Presence Attempting to master personal branding in 2023 without a dedicated online presence is like trying to shoot an arrow without a bow. You could have the most compelling content ideas, outstanding expertise, and a solid understanding of your target audience, but none of these matters if people don’t know where to find you and you don’t engage with them. Social media has become a critical tool for building your personal brand in 2023. Here are some reasons why: 1. **Reach and Influence**: Social media platforms have a vast reach, spanning millions to billions of users. This allows individuals to reach a global audience with their message and build their personal brand beyond their immediate geographical location. 2. **Engagement**: social media allows for two-way communication. You can engage directly with your followers, answering questions, responding to comments, and fostering a sense of community. This direct engagement can create a stronger connection between you and your audience, strengthening your personal brand. 3. **Content Sharing**: Sharing regular content – such as blog posts, videos, photos, and status updates – allows you to shape your personal brand narrative. You can demonstrate your expertise, share your insights, and express your personality and values. This can help you build trust and authority in your chosen field. 4. **Networking**: social media also provides networking opportunities. You can connect with like-minded individuals, industry leaders, potential partners, or mentors. This can open up opportunities for collaboration, learning, and career advancement. 5. **Personal Brand Monitoring**: social media gives you the ability to monitor and manage your personal brand reputation. You can track the metrics from the platforms to know precisely how your content is resonating and what others are saying about you and respond promptly to both praise and criticism. 6. **Accessibility**: social media provides an easily accessible platform for people to know more about you. This is particularly important in today’s digital era, where people often look up online before making decisions – whether it’s hiring for a job, looking for a consultant, or searching for a mentor. However, while social media offers significant personal brand opportunities, it’s also crucial to approach it thoughtfully and strategically. Your posts should align with the image you want to project, and you should avoid oversharing or posting content that could be viewed as unprofessional. Furthermore, be prepared to commit time and energy to regularly updating your social media and engaging with your followers; building a personal brand through social media is a long-term commitment. ***DID YOU KNOW:*** *85% of U.S. recruiters and HR professionals say that an employee’s online reputation influences their hiring decisions, at least to some extent.* ### Creating a Personal Website or Blog Creating your website is one of the most crucial steps of personal branding in 2023. These days, there’s really no excuse not to have one — unlike in the past, your [personal brand website](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-website/) websites have become increasingly convenient and cost-effective to create. This makes them the perfect way to tell your story, display your expertise and showcase your values with minimal effort and get you ranked by Google for the terms and concepts, and keywords you want to be associated with. The “language” of Google is called search engine optimization (SEO). Make sure your blogs and website are SEOed correctly and have the correct keywords and keyword density to matter. ### Optimizing Your Social Media Profiles The first thing your audience learns about you comes from your social media profiles. So, it’s crucial to ensure they are updated regularly — the picture should be current, all your work should be up-to-date, and posts should be relevant to your target audience… and did I mention SEOed correctly? At the same time, you must have a clear understanding of social media platforms. If you’re posting content better suited to LinkedIn on TikTok, you’re unlikely to see much engagement. Facebook posts should target maximum engagement, while Twitter and Instagram accounts should use current hashtags. ### Crafting Consistent and Engaging Content Once you’ve analyzed and optimized your social media, move on to creating high-value content — and, more importantly, post consistently. Remember that social media platforms only care about 3 things: frequency, consistency, and quality of content. 1. Frequency: social media platforms want you to post between 4 to 7 times a week. 2. Consistency: the platforms want you to post at almost the same time every day 3. Quality of content: the platforms pay close attention to how many people engage, like, and share your individual posts. In addition, understanding the demographics of these platforms, and their relevance, is key to mastering personal branding in 2023. For instance, the [average age](https://datareportal.com/essential-snapchat-stats) of Snapchat’s users is between 18-24, while the average age of [Facebook users](https://www.oberlo.com/statistics/facebook-age-demographics#:~:text=A%20recent%20study%20analyzing%20Facebook,of%20all%20Facebook%20users%20worldwide.) is between 25 and 34. Use this data to help craft content that appeals to these groups. ### Leveraging Multimedia for Brand Promotion Did you know that adults in the U.S. spend an [average of 62 minutes](https://blog.gitnux.com/online-video-consumption-statistics/) daily watching videos online? Or that the estimated podcast user base is around [460 million](https://www.demandsage.com/podcast-statistics/) in 2023? If you aren’t already leveraging multimedia options to promote your brand, I urge you to start now. Secondly, Google owns YouTube. YouTube is the second-largest search engine on the planet. Creating videos and posting them on YouTube (SEOed correctly) will boost the velocity with which Google overall indexes you correctly. Thirdly, when people can see and hear you speak, it positively impacts their perception of you, resulting in a greater likelihood that they will follow and engage with you. ## Establishing Thought Leadership A thought leader is an individual whose expertise and guidance are valued above all else. The eventual goal of personal branding in 2023 is to establish yourself as just that. Here are some general practices you can adopt. ### 1. Sharing Valuable Insights and Expertise There’s no easier way to develop an image as an expert than sharing your knowledge with a dedicated audience. You could start small, by self-publishing blogs, with the eventual goal of getting published as often as possible. Simultaneously, look for more opportunities to put yourself out there by participating in relevant industry events, conferences, and webinars. The more you diversify, the easier it will be to boost your reputation as a thought leader. ### 2. Building a Network of Like-Minded Professionals When building a personal brand, don’t underestimate the power of networking. Reach out to individuals whose work you admire, make a list of the people you consider thought leaders, and don’t hesitate to communicate with them. ***DID YOU KNOW:*** *70% of HR departments are required to search job applicants online Of all executive recruiters, 90 percent say they conduct online research of potential candidates.* ### 3. Engaging in Public Speaking or Hosting Workshops Another great way to establish yourself as a thought leader is to get your voice heard by as many people as possible. So, while working on your social media, and getting published, consider hosting workshops and looking out for public speaking events. This isn’t just a great way to promote your brand. It also helps you build more confidence in your own skills and expertise. ## Conclusion In Part 1, you learned that building your personal brand in 2023 requires careful assessment, self-reflection, and the development of a strong brand identity. It’s important to understand your values, passions, and goals and identify the unique strengths and skills that set you apart from others. Conducting a SWOT analysis and gathering feedback from trusted sources can provide valuable insights to improve your personal brand. Defining your brand identity, crafting a compelling brand statement, and choosing a target audience and niche are crucial steps in establishing your personal brand in an increasingly competitive market. In Part 2, you will learn that building a strong online reputation and personal brand in 2023 requires a strategic approach. It is crucial to manage and monitor your online presence, respond to feedback, and engage with your audience. Showcasing positive testimonials and endorsements, resolving negative feedback or reputation issues, and collaborating with others can also contribute to a powerful personal brand. Additionally, investing in personal and professional development, seeking mentorship or coaching opportunities, and embracing feedback are key steps in building a strong personal brand. By measuring your brand’s success, identifying key performance indicators, tracking relevant metrics, and celebrating milestones and achievements, you can stay motivated and make informed decisions to further enhance your personal brand. In part two of this series, we will explore additional strategies and techniques to help you build your personal brand and become a thought leader in your field. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding **Tags:** Personal branding in 2023 --- ### [CEO Branding vs Personal Branding](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding-vs-personal-branding/) **Published:** March 16, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** CEO branding vs personal branding is two sides of the same coin. While they may seem similar, there are key differences to understand. Personal branding involves branding an individual to showcase their strengths and expertise, often resulting in increased visibility, opportunities, speaking engagements, and more. The authority and influence that personal branding builds flow primarily to the individual, making it an effective way to build a personal brand. **Table of Contents** [What is CEO Branding](#_Toc131408321) [3 Ways CEO Branding vs Personal Branding Are Similar](#_Toc131408322) [How to Communicate Your Company’s Values](#_Toc131408323) [What are the Risks of CEO Branding](#_Toc131408324) [Are There Differences Between the Two?](#_Toc131408325) [3 Ways Personal Branding vs CEO Branding Are Different](#_Toc131408326) [CEO Branding vs Personal Branding](#_Toc131408327) [Conclusion](#_Toc131408328) ## What is CEO Branding CEO branding is similar, but there is an element of it tied to the business and its success. CEO branding is a vital part of your brand building if you are a CEO, startup founder, or corporate executive. It is impossible to separate CEO and personal branding entirely, as you must share your authority, influence, and expertise while communicating your passion for your business’s mission and values. When done correctly, CEO branding can also help build your company’s brand by giving your business a face and humanizing it. People want to connect with other people, not faceless entities, and sharing the CEO’s passion, mission, and values can [help businesses build trust](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2021/05/03/personal-branding-for-ceos-and-founders/?sh=169160715173) and engagement with their customers. ## 3 Ways CEO vs Personal Branding Are Similar Personal branding vs CEO branding share similarities in terms of purpose, approach, and impact. Here are three ways they are similar: 1. **Both aim to build credibility and trust:** Personal branding vs CEO branding are both strategies used to create a reputation and establish credibility. In both cases, the goal is to build audience trust and demonstrate expertise and authority in a specific area. A [solid personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) or CEO brand can help establish a connection with customers, investors, and other stakeholders, leading to increased engagement and loyalty. 2. **Both require a clear message:** To create a successful personal or CEO brand; it’s crucial to have a clear message that communicates the individual’s or company’s values, mission, and purpose. The message should be consistent across all channels and resonate with the target audience. Personal branding vs CEO branding both require the careful crafting of a message that tells a compelling story and inspires action. 3. **Both need to be authentic:** Both personal brandings vs CEO branding must be authentic to be effective. It’s essential to be true to oneself or the company’s core values and avoid trying to be something that isn’t genuine. Authenticity builds trust, and audiences can sense when someone is not being authentic. Both personal branding vs CEO branding require a level of vulnerability, transparency, and openness to create a genuine connection with the audience. ## How to Communicate Your Company’s Values According to Accenture, businesses that communicate their values and ethics to their customers are more likely to see consumer spending. It is a common belief among customers that companies that prioritize profits over their values and ethics need to be more trustworthy. Therefore, when a company communicates its values and ethics to its customers, it demonstrates that it is not only focused on profit but also cares about its impact on society and the environment. This approach to branding helps to build a loyal customer base as customers are more willing to spend their money with businesses that align with their values. [CEO branding is a powerful tool](https://clairebahn.com/why-ceo-branding-is-good-for-your-company/) that can be used to effectively communicate a company’s values, ethics, and mission to its customers. When a CEO is passionate and transparent about the company’s values and mission, it humanizes the company. It helps customers connect with the brand on a deeper level, leading to increased trust and loyalty. ## What are the Risks of CEO Branding There are some risks associated with CEO branding, in any case. If a CEO builds their [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/) without tying it to their company’s brand, they risk leaving the business without a strong brand identity when they leave. However, this is a risk with any branding effort, and it can be mitigated by focusing on building a brand that is aligned with the company’s values and mission. Additionally, CEOs who leave one company to take on a new role can take their personal brand with them, which can help build their new company’s brand. ## Are There Differences Between the Two? Overall, CEO branding and personal branding are similar, but CEO branding has a specific tie to the business’s success. When done well, CEO branding can build a company’s brand by giving it a face and humanizing it. While there are risks associated with CEO branding, these can be mitigated by focusing on building a brand that is aligned with the company’s values and mission. ## 3 Ways Personal Branding vs CEO Branding Are Different Personal branding vs CEO branding share similarities, but they are also different in several ways: 1. **The scope of the two branding strategies differs**. Personal branding focuses on building the reputation and visibility of an individual by showcasing their unique strengths, skills, and expertise. It aims to establish a personal connection with the target audience and build a loyal following around the individual. On the other hand, CEO branding aims to build the reputation and visibility of a business’s CEO or founder to give the company a face and humanize it. It seeks to communicate the company’s mission, values, and vision through the CEO’s leadership and expertise, thereby enhancing the company’s overall brand image. 2. **The intended audience for personal branding vs CEO branding differs.** Personal branding primarily targets individuals seeking to establish themselves as thought leaders, industry experts, influencers, or public figures. It seeks to build its reputation, credibility, and influence within its industry or niche. In contrast, CEO branding targets the company’s stakeholders, such as investors, customers, partners, and employees. It seeks to establish the CEO’s authority, expertise, and leadership within the company and position them as trustworthy figureheads. 3. **The degree of association between personal branding and the company’s brand differs from CEO branding.** Personal branding aims to establish an individual’s brand identity and reputation, which may or may not be associated with a particular company. The individual may choose to represent multiple companies or operate independently of any company. In contrast, CEO branding is inextricably linked to the company’s brand identity and reputation. The CEO’s personal brand serves to [amplify the company’s brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) message and values, and its reputation can significantly impact the company’s public image and perception. It’s important to note that CEOs aren’t the only ones who can build a brand for their business. Employees at all levels can help build their company’s brand by sharing their expertise and passion for the business’s mission. Building a [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) can help employees stand out and advance their careers while also building their company’s brand. ## CEO Branding vs Personal Branding CEO branding and personal branding are two sides of the same coin. While personal branding focuses on building an individual’s brand, CEO branding focuses on building a company’s brand by humanizing it through the CEO’s passion, mission, and values. Both types of branding are essential to building a successful business, and both can help build customer trust and loyalty by communicating a company’s values and mission. It’s vital to understand the differences between CEO branding and personal branding and to build a brand that is aligned with the company’s values and mission. ## Conclusion Building a [personal brand is a powerful tool](https://clairebahn.com/brand-messaging/) for individuals to showcase their strengths and expertise, resulting in increased visibility and opportunities. CEO branding, on the other hand, involves building a brand for the company by giving it a face and humanizing it through the CEO’s passion, mission, and values. Although there are risks associated with CEO branding, they can be mitigated by building a brand that aligns with the company’s values and mission. It is crucial to understand the differences between CEO branding and personal branding and how they contribute to building a successful business. Furthermore, both CEOs and employees at all levels can contribute to building their company’s brand by sharing their expertise and passion for the business’s mission. [Communicating a company’s values](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/) and ethics can help build trust and loyalty with customers, ultimately leading to increased consumer spending. Finally, it’s worth noting that building a brand takes time and effort, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach. However, with a clear understanding of the differences between CEO branding and personal branding, individuals and companies can focus on building a brand that aligns with their values and mission and can contribute to their long-term success. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** CEO Branding, Personal Brand Strategist **Tags:** CEO Branding vs Personal Branding --- ### [What is the ROI of a Strong Personal Brand?](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-roi/) **Published:** April 13, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Your personal brand ROI is vital in this internet-driven work culture; the importance of building a solid personal brand cannot, and should not, be understated.* A [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) is a collection of your skills and values. It reflects how you would like to present yourself to the corporate world. The closer you generate this perception of the opportunities you desire, the easier it is for you to achieve all of your professional goals. As any freelancer or job seeker attests, looking for work these days is tough. Attention spans of employers have reduced, and competition is tensing up. In this highly competitive job market, a personal brand acts as your differentiator — it’s the answer to the question: Why should I get a job over the thousands of equally talented professionals vying for the same post? So how does one build a personal brand? And what exactly can it offer you? In this article, we’ll discuss some of the significant Returns on Investment (ROIs) a solid personal brand can offer, as well as some tips on defining your brand. **Table of Contents** [The Importance of a Strong Personal Brand](#_Toc133918532) [Increased Recognition and Credibility](#_Toc133918533) [Better Job Opportunities](#_Toc133918534) [Improved Networking](#_Toc133918535) [Higher Salaries and Better Job Offers](#_Toc133918536) [Personal and Professional Growth](#_Toc133918537) [Measuring the ROI of a Strong Personal Brand](#_Toc133918538) [Calculating the Financial Benefits](#_Toc133918539) [Assessing non-financial benefits](#_Toc133918540) [Building a Strong Personal Brand ROI](#_Toc133918541) [Step 1: Define Your Personal Brand](#_Toc133918542) [Step 2: Create a Personal Brand ROI Strategy](#_Toc133918543) [Step 3: Develop and Maintain Your Online Presence](#_Toc133918544) [Step 4: Network and Collaborate](#_Toc133918545) [Step 5: Consistently Promote and Reinforce Your Personal Brand](#_Toc133918546) [Conclusion](#_Toc133918547) ## The Importance of a Strong Personal Brand Building a personal brand is hard work. It requires immense self-reflection, time, and consistency to pull off. But as several influencers and go-getters have proven time and time again, it’s worth it in the long run. Here’s what you can expect once you’ve made the step to build a strong personal brand: ### Increased Recognition and Credibility A strong personal brand goes a long way in giving you some credibility. Ask any individual who has seen great professional success, and they’ll tell you that no successful business can thrive without credibility. And a large part of creating a personal brand is the ability to present yourself as a business. Once your reliability and trustworthiness are established through a strong personal brand, you will become an authority in your field, thus enhancing your professional reputation. Which, as we all know, leads to the following: ### Better Job Opportunities Career stagnation is a problem every talented professional must contend with. Once we begin to get comfortable in our routines, there’s no room for growth. A strong personal brand has the double benefit of making you more sought after by more employers and opening up new avenues for growth that haven’t always been on your radar. ### Improved Networking Networking has always been a crucial part of the job-seeking and personal growth process. In fact, some studies show that as many as [80% of jobs](https://www.cnbc.com/2019/12/27/how-to-get-a-job-often-comes-down-to-one-elite-personal-asset.html) are found through personal connections. At the same time, if you don’t interact with your peers, how will you know what you’re up against or keep track of the latest developments in your field? A [personal brand strategist](https://clairebahn.com/) can help expand your professional network, connecting you with like-minded individuals and building meaningful relationships. ### Higher Salaries and Better Job Offers Have you ever wondered how some professionals are able to land the perfect gigs — with high salary packages and in reputable organizations? The answer, once again, is [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/job-search-tips/). It’s known that more people are likely to trust an individual’s recommendation online over that of a brand — [88% more](https://www.buyapowa.com/blog/88-of-consumers-trust-word-of-mouth/), in fact. When you have a personal brand with a strong online presence, organizations begin seeing you as a valuable asset to them, leading to higher salaries and better job offers. ### Personal and Professional Growth At the end of the day, it isn’t about just landing a specific job or beating out the competition; it’s about personal and professional growth. Building a personal brand forces a lot of introspection related to your achievements, both past and present, and future goals. Considering these individual factors is an invaluable exercise in building upon your professional growth. ## Measuring the ROI of a Strong Personal Brand There is, unfortunately, no magic formula to calculate the ROI of a personal brand. While the short- and long-term benefits of a personal brand are well understood by those who’ve gone through the process and come out on the other side, they may not be so evident or concrete to anyone starting out. For this reason, the importance of a personal brand is often underestimated. But trust us, just because there isn’t an equation that can tell you exactly how much you stand to gain doesn’t mean the benefits aren’t worth it. ### Calculating the Financial Benefits A personal brand can, of course, be a great financial investment. Sure, no one is going to just hand you money the moment you create a LinkedIn page listing all your achievements, but strong branding can lead to the following: - **Increased Salary and Bonuses:** The path to getting improved salaries and bonuses lies in determining what your employer values the most. Since you’ve done most of the hard work of presenting your skills in a comprehensive manner through your personal brand, it should be easier to align yourself with a company’s objectives and prove your value. This leads to a statistically higher chance of increased salaries and bonuses. At the same time, more employers than ever are beginning to value employees with a strong online presence. In fact, [some bosses ](https://www.forbes.com/sites/emmylucas/2023/04/07/bosses-are-training-employees-to-be-influencers-after-long-discouraging-social-media-posts-about-work/?sh=321ead9f6d8e)have even been training employees to become social media influencers. - **Improved Job Opportunities:** As many as [95% of job recruiters](https://www.jobvite.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/jobvite_recruiter_nation_2015.pdf) believe that the job market is likely to get more competitive and that job seekers who stand out are more likely to be hired. Without a strong personal brand, you’re basically casting yourself on the wrong side of that statistic. But with a strong personal brand, it’s safe to say that you’re improving your chances of getting more job opportunities and thus seeing more financial benefits. ### Assessing non-financial benefits That being said, the real measure of a strong personal brand shouldn’t just be restricted to making more money. Sure, it’s an integral part of our professional careers, but a strong personal brand can offer much more than simply monetary gain. When measuring the ROI of a strong personal brand, don’t forget to consider the following: - **Improved Professional Reputation:** As mentioned briefly earlier, reputation is extremely integral for an employee, job seeker, or freelancer looking for improved opportunities. A personal brand does wonders for your reputation and in establishing yourself as an authority in the field. Assume, for example, you had to choose between two employees vying for a content writing job with your company. Would you be more likely to pick the one with a widely successful blog that appeals to all your main customers or the other that simply promises that they can write well? It’s a no-brainer, really. - **Enhanced Career Satisfaction:** Another benefit that can’t be specifically quantified, but can’t be underestimated either, is the enhanced career satisfaction a personal brand can offer. When it comes to achieving goals, there’s no greater advantage than having more employment options and better salaries. Plus, building a personal brand helps you understand your professional goals better and help you achieve career satisfaction — a rare thing these days. ## Building a Strong Personal Brand ROI Now that the ROI and advantages of a personal brand have been firmly established, it’s important to understand what makes a personal brand “strong.” How does one go about [building a brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-building-in-2023/) of their own? And what do employers actually look for? Take a look at this simple step-by-step process for some inspiration: ### Step 1: Define Your Personal Brand The first step is the most crucial. Before you start, you must first define what you want your personal brand to be — or the perception you want employers to have of you. A helpful thing to do in this case is to ask yourself a few questions, like: - What motivates you? - What sets you apart? - What are you best at? - What are your weakest qualities that you can improve upon? - What is it you admire most in people? Once you’ve answered these basic questions (feel free to add more), you should have more clarity over what skills and values you want your brand to reflect. Pay special attention to any recurring themes, as this will help you define your brand better. This process step will also help you carve out a niche and differentiate yourself from the competition. ### Step 2: Create a [Personal Brand ROI Strategy](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-strategy-2/) There’s no point in having a personal brand if you aren’t reaching the right audiences. This is where strategy comes in. The right branding strategy can take your tiny personal brand to new heights and get the attention of the right employers. Once you’ve decided what you want to be known for, you must figure out the tactics, tools, and skills you need to get there. In this case, one of the most helpful things to do in this case is first understanding the audience you want to appeal to. A carefully planned-out strategy gets rid of all the uncertainty surrounding the process of creating a personal brand. As an added benefit, it should help you better understand the next step: creating a commanding online presence. ### Step 3: Develop and Maintain Your Online Presence In 2023, the importance of developing an online presence shouldn’t be surprising. A personal brand [ROI thrives off social media](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/) and other online tools like WordPress blogs. To create an online presence, you need to understand your audience, the unwritten rules of the platform, and what you hope to achieve. Creating a content calendar can be an invaluable practice to maintain and develop your online presence, as it gives the structure of your thoughts and helps increase your online “visibility.” According to the marketing book [The Visible Expert](https://hingemarketing.com/blog/story/the-visible-expert-how-ordinary-professionals-become-thought-leaders), there are five levels of visibility, starting from level one — a resident professional known and respected within their industry — and leading to level five — a global superstar recognized and respected across sectors. Your goal with your online presence should be to work your way up the ladder through consistent and well-defined posts. ### Step 4: Network and Collaborate No great work is done in isolation. When starting out in building your brand, chances are several other influencers and creators will inspire you with a lot more experience than you have. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing — collaboration is, at the end of the day, one of the most important stepping stones to success. When looking to increase the visibility of your brand, don’t hesitate to expand your network — reach out to people whose work you admire, invite fellow creators to collaborate, and learn from those with more experience in your field. ### Step 5: Consistently Promote and Reinforce Your Personal Brand Once you’ve gotten through all the grunt work, it isn’t time to sit back and relax. The worst mistake individuals make when building their personal brand ROI is forgetting the importance of constant reinforcement. Even if you see some great initial success, remember the internet is a fickle thing — you can be forgotten as soon as the next big thing comes along. Self-promotion and reinforcing your values are essential steps in staying relevant and maintaining your position as an authority in your field. No matter how tedious it may seem, consistent reminders of who you are and what you do will help you stand out from the competition. ## Conclusion The definition of work is constantly changing — there are currently an estimated [70 million freelancers](https://www.zippia.com/advice/how-many-freelancers-in-the-us/) in America, even as more companies look to hire the services of remote workers to complete tasks that don’t need physical attendance. In this changing landscape, a [personal brand strategist](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) can offer so many advantages, from increased job opportunities to better salaries and more credibility. In ROI terms, there wasn’t much to lose in the first place. A personal brand doesn’t require much monetary investment — apart from maybe a few online tools, such as a website — but offers so much in terms of career goals, job satisfaction, and increasing your network. It may seem daunting to start on such a mammoth task. Still, by now, you should have enough information to realize that personal branding doesn’t have to be restricted to Instagram influencers but can transform the lives of any working professional. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Brand Strategist **Tags:** personal brand ROI --- ### [The 3 As of Personal Branding And How They Can Benefit Your Brand](https://clairebahn.com/the-3-as-of-personal-branding/) **Published:** January 19, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** ***The 3 As of personal branding are essential to creating a strong and [effective personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/job-opportunities-2/).*** Understanding these key principles and how they can be incorporated into your personal brand strategy is important. The 3 As are authenticity, altruism, and action. These principles have the power to shape the perception that others have of you and can greatly impact your success. Whether you are a business owner, a creative, or just looking to build your personal brand, the 3 As can help guide you in the right direction. Read this article to learn more about the 3 As of personal branding and how they only [stand to benefit](https://clairebahn.com/self-care-tips/) you and your personal brand. **Table of Contents** [Background on the 3 As of Personal Branding](#_Toc126849263) [Altruism](#_Toc126849264) [5 Reasons Why Altruism is Important to Your Personal Brand](#_Toc126849265) [Authenticity](#_Toc126849266) [3 Reasons for Authenticity](#_Toc126849267) [Action](#_Toc126849268) [3 Ways Taking Action Will Benefit Your Personal Brand](#_Toc126849269) [Conclusion](#_Toc126849270) ## Background on the 3 As of Personal Branding I believe that it’s so important to lead with altruism, authenticity, and action. Giving people the answer to their questions is the fastest way to build trust. I have a business coach I used to work with, and she held an executive position at her company. She just started to make videos that would give people information that she was an expert on, giving away knowledge. She said that someone that followed her reached out and sent her a direct message. They were so grateful for her free advice that they felt like compensating her. Up until this point, she was not a business coach. She was just sharing information and later, turned it into a multi-multimillion dollar. This might sound like a crazy story, but as she learned, and as I’m going to discuss in this blog, sharing great information actually makes people want to give you something, whether it’s money or they want to give you their email or they want to somehow connect with you because they, they thank you. There have been instances where the Clair Bahn Group has had to turn away potential clients because it was evident that their intentions were not rooted in altruism. They only wanted to sell their book or accomplish a personal goal, and their motive was palpable. This happened in my previous business, which involved helping people build their online presence for online dating and LinkedIn. Just like in dating, desperation to achieve a certain outcome can repel people. When you are not authentic and genuine, people will sense it and be repelled instead of attracted. Authenticity and altruism are crucial in gaining the trust and appreciation of others. People must feel that you genuinely care about them, and the information you provide must be valuable. Only then will they feel confident in your expertise and the information you share. ***Did You Know:** 94% of executives believe that personal branding is important for their careers, according to a survey by ExecuNet?* ## Altruism Leading with altruism is crucial for building trust with your audience. This is why it’s part of the 3 As of personal branding. By giving people the answers to questions they have, you are establishing yourself as an expert in your field. This is a powerful way to [build your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand/) because it creates a sense of gratitude in your audience. For example, if you provide great information, people might want to thank you by giving you something in return, such as money, email, or a connection. It’s important to remember the 80-20 rule when it comes to altruism: 80% of the time, you should be giving valuable information, while 20% of the time, you can ask for something in return, such as a subscription to your YouTube channel, a listen to your podcast or a visit to your blog. ### 5 Reasons Why Altruism is Important to Your Personal Brand 1. Demonstrates Empathy: Showcasing altruistic behavior showcases your ability to empathize with others and understand their needs, which can help you build strong connections with your online community. 2. Establishes Trust: Engaging in altruistic actions can help establish trust among your followers and demonstrate that you are a reliable and trustworthy individual. 3. Enhances Reputation: Your online personal brand is an extension of your offline reputation, and engaging in altruistic activities can help enhance your reputation and build a positive image. 4. Encourages Community Engagement: By participating in altruistic activities, you can encourage others to become involved and contribute to your online community, which can help to foster a sense of belonging and community. 5. Creates a Positive Impact: Altruism can create a positive impact on the lives of those you help, as well as those around you. This can help to create a ripple effect of positivity that spreads throughout your online community, which can benefit everyone involved. Altruism is important for your online personal brand as it demonstrates empathy, establishes trust, enhances your reputation, encourages community engagement, and creates a positive impact on those you help and those around you. These actions can help build strong connections and foster a sense of belonging in your online community. ## Authenticity Authenticity is key when it comes to personal branding. People will be able to tell if you’re not being genuine, and this will cause them to mistrust you. For example, if your primary goal is to sell your book or secure paid speaking engagements, people will know, and this will repel them rather than attract them. People want to work with those who are authentic and genuine, and this is why it’s so [important to be yourself](https://personalbrand.com/authenticity/) when building your personal brand. If you come across as fake or inauthentic, people will be able to tell, and this will negatively impact your brand. ### 3 Reasons for Authenticity 1. Builds Trust: Being authentic helps to build trust with your audience, as they can see that you are genuine and transparent in your actions and words. This can help to establish a strong connection with your followers and create a positive image for your personal brand. 2. Differentiates You: Authenticity can help to differentiate you from others in your industry or niche, making you stand out and allowing your unique qualities and abilities to shine. 3. Increases Engagement: Authenticity can lead to higher levels of engagement from your followers, as people are drawn to individuals who are genuine and sincere in their actions and words. This can help to foster a sense of community and encourage others to participate and engage with your personal brand. Being authentic is important for your personal brand as it builds trust with your audience differentiates you from others, and increases engagement. Authenticity helps to establish a strong connection with your followers and foster a sense of community, leading to a positive image and higher levels of engagement with your personal brand. This is why authenticity is part of the 3 As of personal branding. ***Did You Know:** 59% of people believe that a CEO’s personal brand is important in deciding whether to purchase a product or service, according to a study by Weber Shandwick?* ## Action I mentioned this before; my business coach used to talk about taking ‘imperfect action.’ I love the concept of imperfect action, and I apply it every day in my business. It is the only way to get things done. I am always learning, and I take a leap of faith. So, take action. If you don’t take action, you will not see a return on investment, you will not build your personal brand, and you will be stuck on the sidelines. ### 3 Ways Taking Action Will Benefit Your Personal Brand 1. Demonstrates Commitment: Taking action shows that you are committed to your goals and your personal brand. It demonstrates your willingness to put in the effort and take risks to make your brand a success. 2. Increases Visibility: Taking action will increase your visibility and help you stand out from others in your field. It gives you the opportunity to showcase your skills, talents, and abilities and allows you to establish yourself as a leader in your industry. 3. Builds Confidence: Taking action and seeing positive results will boost your confidence and help you believe in your personal brand and your abilities. This can lead to increased motivation, determination, and the drive to continue taking action to reach your goals and build a strong, successful personal brand. Taking action is the key to success in [building your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/). Don’t get bogged down in analyzing every detail or worrying about finding the perfect moment. The truth is, there is no perfect situation or sign that will indicate the right time to start. Instead, embrace imperfect action and [start taking steps](https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2021/09/26/how-to-create-a-personal-branding-action-plan/) towards your goals now. The more you take action, the more opportunities you will create for yourself and the more progress you will make toward building the personal brand you desire. Don’t wait for the perfect moment; take action and make it perfect. ***Did You Know:** A strong personal brand can increase a CEO’s salary by up to 20%, according to a study by ExecuNet?* ## Conclusion To summarize, the 3 As of [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/get-speaking-engagements/) are altruism, authenticity, and action. Altruism demonstrates empathy, establishes trust, enhances reputation, encourages community engagement, and creates a positive impact. On the other hand, authenticity is key in personal branding, as people are able to tell if someone is not genuine. Authenticity builds trust, differentiates an individual from others, and increases engagement. Action is crucial to your personal online brand because it demonstrates your ability to turn your words into tangible results. It shows that you are a doer and not just a talker, which helps to build credibility and trust with your audience. By [combining these elements](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/social-business/6-types-personal-brand-which-one-are-you), you can create a strong personal brand. Thank you for tuning in, and I look forward to your comments and questions! ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** digital communications strategy, Personal Branding **Tags:** the 3 As of personal branding --- ### [How Does Executive Branding Help Companies?](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-companies/) **Published:** November 10, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Since social media has become increasingly important in personal and professional lives, CEOs must capitalize on the benefits of social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Reddit, and LinkedIn.* [Executive branding for companies](https://clairebahn.com/) is essential to success in 2022. Many CEOs, however, do not believe social media is necessary. Nearly 61% do not have a social media presence. There is a growing disillusionment with companies as faceless, nameless entities. Most people want to know, like, and trust real people instead. Using social media to communicate with the CEO and leadership team builds employee and customer trust. Strong [executive branding for companies](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) has a halo effect on your business. [Building executive brands](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) often have a higher ROAS than traditional advertising. By demonstrating a human side to your executive team, you can build a “know like trust” (KLT) factor that will attract business. When CEOs communicate directly with their followers, they engender a sense of amicability and friendship, which improves trust in, satisfaction with, and [advocacy for the company](https://scholarship.miami.edu/esploro/outputs/journalArticle/Social-CEOs-The-effects-of-CEOs/991031576926102976). Here are a few aspects to consider when assessing the impact of social media in business. **Table of Contents** [Brands Are Built on Loyalty & Trust](#_Toc118661624) [Get to Know Your Customers’ Pain Points](#_Toc118661625) [Ask Them](#_Toc118661626) [Invest in Keyword Research](#_Toc118661627) [CEOs on Social Media: A Powerful Force for Good](#_Toc118661628) [Social Listening Strengthens Brand Presence](#_Toc118661629) [Building Thought Leadership](#_Toc118661630) [Authenticity in Action: Uniqlo’s Success Story](#_Toc118661631) [When Executive Branding for Companies Backfires](#_Toc118661632) [Attracting Top Talent](#_Toc118661633) [Storytelling Attracts People](#_Toc118661634) [SEO Meta Description:](#_Toc118661635) ## Brands Are Built on Loyalty & Trust Social media has the ability to enhance a company’s online visibility, which can improve trust and loyalty. For example, [86 percent of Americans consider](https://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanerskine/2018/09/17/is-your-ceo-on-social-media-if-not-your-business-may-be-at-risk/#169bae2a5fb1) transparency more important today than ever. When deciding between brands, customers tend to choose the brand that displays messaging that aligns with their beliefs. When one company displays consistent brand messaging and knowledge as opposed to its competition, which stays silent on trends and issues, customers tend to gravitate toward the company they know best. Having a social presence gives an insight into the company and its CEO from behind the scenes, humanizing them and increasing trust. Since trust is such an important factor, [82 percent of consumers say](https://www.go-globe.com/ceo-social-media/) their trust is enhanced when leaders use social media to communicate their mission, values, and purpose. ## Get to Know Your Customers’ Pain Points CEOs need to practice a moment of customer empathy regularly. Immerse yourself in your customers’ identities by stepping into their shoes. The knowledge you’ll gain will surprise you. Much attention is paid to understanding your target client’s pain points—the problems your prospects face every day and the consequences they may face. You will be able to position yourself better, communicate your unique value and benefit to clients, and improve your output to meet their needs better when you truly understand their problems. Identifying your clients’ worst pain points doesn’t require hours of research. Some tips: ### Ask Them It’s simple to figure out what clients’ pain points are. Speak with happy clients, former clients, and clients you perceive as ‘difficult.’ The best insight is gained by being direct when asking tough questions and listening to the answers. Ask questions that invite them to share their experiences, such as, “What challenges have you encountered so far?” and “How are things going now?” You will gain a better understanding of the needs of your clients through their stories. Getting answers online can be done through reviews, forums, or social media posts and comments. People tend to be more honest and open when hidden behind a computer screen. Lastly, be humble and open to all feedback. ### Invest in Keyword Research An excellent place to start is by conducting keyword research on the pain points of your industry. Most prospective clients will Google their pain points on their own time, so using [Google Trends](https://trends.google.com/trends) and other keyword research tools is an excellent way to find search volume for various queries in your industry. You can search trends over time to see if a particular pain point is trending and search these terms on social media to track down clients struggling with your service/products. Having a data-backed overview of your industry’s pain points will help you make the appropriate adjustments based on what’s working (and not working) for your clients. Ultimately, it’s a win-win for everyone if you address pain points and offer your clients a sense of value and understanding. ## CEOs on Social Media: A Powerful Force for Good Taking the time to understand specific issues in your community can have a human aspect that your competitors cannot reach. Challenge yourself to use social media and learn from it. Roy Banks, CEO of [Weave](https://www.getweave.com/), [did just that, and he learned a lot](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2022/04/18/social-media-a-challenge-for-ceos-and-small-business-leaders-alike/?sh=d2d7c4474721) from his community about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Due to his unique perspective on DEI as one of the only black CEOs in Utah, he wanted to engage in discussions that other companies and CEOs should lead. “It was comforting to hear some of the responses from members of my community and know that our futures are in good hands. The number of people who have DMed me wanting to engage further on this work has been tremendous and has given me plenty to do for the next few months.” Banks went on to raise money to help an employee’s family escape Ukraine as the war broke out in 2022. Because Banks had built a community around his executive brand, people quickly responded to his call for help, and $13,000 was raised in a matter of hours. What started as a social media challenge the CEO set for himself ended up saving lives. ## Social Listening Strengthens Brand Presence Approximately 3.5 billion people use social media daily. Social media has become a go-to place for product and brand information as users spend more time on these platforms. The kicker? The majority of CEOs do not have social media accounts. Be approachable and authentic if you’re serious about standing out from the competition. Most companies now use social media for advertising company news, awards, events, and acquisitions. You need to separate yourself from the noise to stand out from the crowd. The most effective way to solidify your brand presence is to engage in active social listening. Your company will stand out when you promote genuine engagement, offer valuable content, and maintain transparency. As the CEO, branding yourself is still extremely important, even if you don’t interact with your audience daily like other staff members. For CEOs just starting on social media, I offer this advice: > ***“CEO branding starts with [determining what you want](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/why-ceo-branding-good-your-company-claire-bahn/?trk=articles_directory) your core message to be. Your message should coincide with what your target audience believes, and you need to use your message to grab their attention. If you brand yourself properly and market your message to those people, you’ll have a loyal customer base in no time.”*** A company’s brand helps you make connections in the business world, gets your name in front of people’s eyes, and boosts its business more than you think. The human element of a CEO who listens makes a huge difference to brand presence. ## Building Thought Leadership A social media presence can enhance your company’s thought leadership by creating a public forum for audiences and key influencers to interact. LinkedIn, Twitter, Reddit, and Quora allow your executive branch to share industry insights and demonstrate its industry expertise. According to [76 percent of executives](http://www.webershandwick.com/uploads/news/files/Social_CEO-Infographic.pdf), CEOs who use social media demonstrate an organization’s innovation, and [69 percent say](http://www.webershandwick.com/uploads/news/files/Social_CEO-Infographic.pdf) it enhances the brand’s credibility. The significance of being present on social media is undeniable. ### Authenticity in Action: Uniqlo’s Success Story To reach millions of Reddit users, Uniqlo incorporated e-commerce manager [Arielle Dyda’s personal account](https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/how-fashion-brand-drives-20-daily-online-revenue-from-jignesh-parmar/) into its marketing strategy. Arielle keeps tabs on customer conversations and answers customers’ queries in a friendly way. Dyda invites Uniqlo subreddit users to meetups and posts product launches and deals on Reddit. By doing so, she appears as a member of the community, not a promoter. On days when Uniqlo posts special deals on Reddit, Reddit referrals account for 20 percent of its online sales due to Dyda’s interactions. Dyda explained, “I’m savvy with the Reddit lingo, making me one of them. I’m not just Uniqlo; I’m midnight1214, and I understand the jokes and frustrations, but I’m going to be here to help you when you need it.” Leaders don’t have to spend a lot of time on social media to build their base and cultivate brand advocacy. It’s about connecting with people and getting traction on social media. Each platform has its own culture, and CEOs should investigate before venturing onto social networks like Reddit. Tread lightly – customers can spot insincerity from a mile away. ### When Executive Branding for Companies Backfires After oligarch Galen Weston announced in October 2022 that he would freeze the prices of No Name (Loblaw’s discount brand) until January 2023, Canadians were furious. As a result of price gouging and [considerable increases in grocery prices](https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/canada-inflation-1.6621413) over the course of the pandemic, Loblaw [made record profits over the same period](https://www.blogto.com/city/2022/07/canadian-grocery-stores-profiting-inflation/). > ***“Considering Galen is one of the country’s wealthiest individuals, his promise to freeze prices that he has increased during the most difficult time in recent history seems insincere and greedy.”*** There is no doubt that it’s strange for a billionaire from Canada to send out a message including phrases such as “…when you’re worried about your family’s budget and uncertain about how much you’ll need each month to pay for food” and “…make a real difference in both your grocery bills and your peace of mind.” The feelings of condescension and lying particularly irritate customers. Sincerity and accountability are essential components of successful leadership. ## Attracting Top Talent The best advocates of a company are its employees. Social media is an excellent way to showcase their enthusiasm. Their endorsement can influence whether your next best hire joins your company. Additionally, an active employee advocate increases your brand’s reach and credibility by sharing information about your company culture and awards. Take [Michael, aka @yeaboyyyyyyd, on TikTok](https://www.tiktok.com/@yeaboyyyyyyd). Michael showcases specials at his Austin, Texas, Costco location and tells funny stories about ridiculous customer interactions. He often shares ways prospective employees can get hired at Costco, detailing the benefits and flexibility of working at the warehouse. The use of social media in talent acquisition has transformed the process, as it has become an important tool for showcasing corporate culture. [79 percent of job seekers use social media in their job search](https://www.apollotechnical.com/social-media-recruiting-statistics/), making it a powerful tool to showcase company culture. ## Storytelling Attracts People Consumers want ads to feel like stories, [according to a OneSpot survey](https://ignitetech.com/softwarelibrary/onespot). We are wired for stories. [According to neuro-economist Paul J. Zak](https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/article/item/how_stories_change_brain), we have an uncontrollable neurochemical reaction when we read a story. The emotions we feel suddenly change the way we interpret things. Dr. Zak’s team “found that character-driven stories consistently cause oxytocin synthesis. Further, the amount of oxytocin released by the brain predicted how much people were willing to help others; for example, donating money to a charity associated with the narrative.” Our brains are wired to respond well to stories that appeal to our motivations and desires. The right story can profoundly influence the behavior of an individual. Consumerism and the digital economy translate nicely into these behavior-influencing stories. With typical business articles, the brand is often the story’s hero. However, brand journalism (whether written by or about the CEO) offers companies the choice of protagonist. No longer is it enough to say, “Look at me! Click here to buy stuff!” Brand journalism has created a whole new level of engagement. The hero can be the customer, the product, the employee, the company, or the CEO. Take [Iman Gadzhi](https://www.growyouragency.com/iman-gadzhi/), for example. Rather than focusing on the products or services that made him his fortune, Iman concentrates on philanthropy. He donated $150,000 to construct three schools in Nepal after becoming successful in business. An ex-high school dropout, he shared his experiences. He remained an ardent advocate for public education despite its need for reform. [He felt that building schools were symbolic of his life](https://medium.com/smma/how-one-smma-startup-is-reforming-education-c87438a192ad). As Gadzhi wrote in his travel diary, the true heroes of the story were the Nepalese children. This powerful story enabled the company to connect with people and significantly increase sales, client inquiries, and email opt-ins. Once consumers see that their values align with the brand’s values over time, they don’t need to be persuaded. To reach audiences at a human level, as well as various levels of brand affinity and to buy stages, content marketing and brand journalism work well together, especially from the perspective of a company leader. However, that doesn’t have to be the CEO. With social media, [CEOs and C-suite executives can create enhanced brand awareness](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) and loyalty, establish thought leadership, and increase sales. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** digital communications strategy, Executive Branding **Tags:** executive branding for companies --- ### [Why You Need a Personal Brand Website](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-website/) **Published:** January 2, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** One thing that many people do not understand about personal branding is why they need an individual website. Frequently when we start onboarding clients for personal branding, clients will dismiss or downplay the creation of their website, preferring instead to just jump into producing content for social media or getting Media coverage or placement on podcasts. Everyone recognizes the importance of a [website for your company](https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2020/02/03/why-every-business-needs-a-website/?sh=5d8841906e75). It’s almost impossible to find anyone who doesn’t think their company needs a website to promote and inform the target audience about the company. However, what people do not understand is that your personal brand website is not a company website but rather your own personal website. Ideally, the website URL should be your first and last name, like clairebahn.com. Your personal website serves two essential purposes. First, it is your “Fortress on the web” that ensures you control your own narrative without any interference from a social media platform or any individual now or in the future. Second, your persona brand website is quite literally your avatar in the digital world. Read on to find out why it matters and how to build your own powerful personal brand website. Table of Contents [Why a Personal Brand Website is Crucial](#_Toc123554079) [You Are Your Website](#_Toc123554080) [Educating Google](#_Toc123554081) [Your Fortress on the Web](#_Toc123554082) [Controlling the Narrative](#_Toc123554083) [Educating Social Media](#_Toc123554084) [Your Personal Brand Website impact on Social Media](#_Toc123554085) 1. [ Frequency](#_Toc123554086) 2. [ Consistency](#_Toc123554087) 3. [ Quality](#_Toc123554088) [OmniChannel Strategy to Personal Branding](#_Toc123554089) [How to Create a Powerful Personal Brand Website](#_Toc123554090) [Domain Name](#_Toc123554091) [Hosting service](#_Toc123554092) [Website Design](#_Toc123554093) [Conclusion](#_Toc123554094) ## Why Your Personal Brand Website is Crucial? If you think that nobody is researching you or “Googling you,” that is sheer naivety. People search for references and information about you for business or social reasons; it is one constant in the modern world. Not having any [digital presence](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/) simply allows others to create or control the information available about you. In addition, if someone can’t find any relevant information about you, especially in business, they assume you must not be much of an expert. It truly is: > ***“ Who knows you is more important that who you know.”*** In addition, your personal website is how you directly interact with the digital world in a way that allows you to reach your target audience across social media as well as, Google. Your personal brand can either help you or hurt you. This is why a personal, focused website is a critical factor in your personal branding. ## You Are Your Website In the movie, Tron, the protagonist found a way to digitize himself and enter the digital world. In real life, the closest you can get is to build your own personal website that you create content for, that you control, and that you leverage to your advantage. There is another crucial aspect to having your own website, while it might seem a little metaphysical…. Your website is your avatar on the web. It’s part of the process you use to connect with your target audience. It’s how you communicate your expertise to the Google and other digital platforms. What do I mean by this? Imagine that you’re sitting at a long table; you’re on one end and a person you’re trying to connect with is on the other end of the table. In the digital world what sits between you and your target audience is not air…. It is a digital platform, such as LinkedIn, Instagram, or Twitter to name a few. Hence, you need a presence in the digital world and platforms to communicate with your target audience. However, what you might not realize is that simply creating a profile on social media or posting anywhere for that matter is not the best way to move forward and doesn’t automatically mean that you’re reaching your audience. I’ve seen people spend months, sometimes years, trying in vain to connect with their target audience without success or worse spending their time connecting with the wrong audience. I mean some people will just post whatever they like without caring who’s “listening”, but these people are the same people that just like to hear themselves talk. They really have no understanding of the ROI of their personal brand or a true understanding how the social media platforms work. You see, these platforms don’t know who you are or what you’re about. They don’t automatically understand your expertise or what audience to show your content to. Their algorithms try over time to figure it out. What if there was a much faster way to educate the social media platforms and get in front of your desired target audience? Wouldn’t you want to actually reach your target audience and start seeing a ROI from all that effort? ## Educating Google So how does this work both tactically and strategically? The 800-pound gorilla in the room is Google and its ability to search and index websites. What many people do not know is that there is a back-channel communication between Google and the various social media platforms. These platforms have their own algorithms and are trying to figure out to whom to show your content to. They do this by attempting to index you for specific topics or keywords. However, they have a lot of other operations to manage. This is where Google comes in. Google is a master of indexing websites and relating them to others. Hence, it’s easier for these social media platforms to simply rely on Google to tell them what topics or keywords to associate you with, and by default what audience to show your content to. Rather than allow the vagaries of algorithms to determine what topics to associate you with, It’s better for you to gain control of the narrative by forcing Google to index you for the topics, concepts or keywords, that you want, rather than allowing it to attempt to discern the keywords or topics to associate you with. > ***“Search engine optimization or SEO is a cute way of saying, how you speak Googles language.”*** Your website is how you “Talk” to Google and educate the Google algorithm on the topics and keywords to associate you with, it’s essentially how you “package yourself” for the digital world. All of the content you create (i.e. blogs) and the SEO of your site help to reeducate and reinforce your expertise to Google so that when someone does a search on a topic you’ve demonstrated expertise, then you come up in search before your competitors ## Your Fortress on the Web Let’s be honest if you think that nobody does a search on you, then that is sheer naivety. The ubiquitous amount of information available on most people is easily found from a single Google search. In addition, the opposite is also true, if there is not a good deal of information about you then you must not be that important or you’re exaggerating your expertise. This axiom holds true: > ***“It’s not whom you know anymore; It’s who knows you.”*** Your website is your “fortress on the web“, all of the content that you produce, information about you, your biographical information, etc. can all be included in your personal website. This has three benefits; first, you control the narrative, second, your content and connection to your audience aren’t controlled by the Social Media Platforms, third you educate Google on the topics or keywords to associate with you, so they don’t guess what audience to show your posts to. ## Controlling the Narrative Your website is where all your information lives, and you control it. Nobody else can add/delete/edit information on the site that you don’t control. Therefore, if someone creates negative comments about you on social media, on other websites, or even on YouTube, then there is a place that refutes that negative information. So you have a website that has information about you, content created by you demonstrating and sharing your expertise. The site is successfully indexed by Google so it’s available to anyone who searches for you. Let’s say you have some detractors or in the very least some competitors that believe they are much smarter than you and may disparage your accomplishments. Now a potential client or customer, or even someone interested in your business decides to run a search about you. Sure, maybe they find someone wrote something negative but literally right next to it they find your website with a ton of great information and links to all your social media, reinforcing your authority and expertise. Now you control the narrative, it’s not just the negative information out there for anyone to see. ## Educating Social Media Social media platforms have shown themselves to be fickle in the least, and sometimes diabolical in their moderation of content on their sites. While I doubt you would want to create “harmful content“ there really is no telling what social media platforms will deem as “harmful“ now or in the future. It’s better to be safe than sorry and that applies to your audience and your content. Therefore, your website is a platform that you can control that others can find and for you to state your thoughts and opinions without censorship. I’ve seen people make what they thought were innocent comments about a subject or share a post of another person and get banned from a platform they worked years to build and develop an audience on. While these are extreme examples, the point is we do not know what will happen on a social media platform we do not control. Hence, it’s always better to have a central repository of your content that only you control. Now take this one step further. Once you add links to all of your social media profiles, the link between your indexed website and your social media platforms means that all your efforts on your website are now flowing to and informing the social media platforms about your expertise and authority. ## Your Personal Brand Website impact on Social Media A few years ago, I like to think of it as the “Age of Influencers” you could create a single social media profile and start pumping content on a very regular basis. The platforms were new and their popularity was growing so your content could get wide exposure very quickly. Some people found that within a relatively short time, they amassed a huge following, and that visibility gave them a lot of influence. Those days are long gone. One of the critical metrics to watch on your social media platforms is “Reach”. [Social Media Reach](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-stand-out-on-social-media-grow-your-business-2022-12) is the number of people that are shown your content, usually in their feed. The bigger the reach the more likely you are to build a sizeable audience. A growing and engaged audience results in Authority. Authority leads to trust. Trust leads to Influence. The goal of any personal brand is positive influence over an audience. > ***“The goal of any personal brand is positive influence over an audience.”*** Social media platforms only care about three things: 1. Frequency – They want to see your content posted multiple times per week. Some people post up to five times weekly for maximum engagement. 2. Consistency – The platforms’ algorithms also want you to post daily at around the same time. This helps them schedule the millions of posts that come in each day. 3. Quality – They prefer content with high engagement rates, lengthy view times, and multiple likes or comments. Focus on your target audience’s needs first. If a [social media](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/) platform algorithms register that you frequently post quality content regularly at approximately the same time then the algorithm itself will start to promote your content to the target market. Why? Because it removes one of the vagaries of sharing content on the platform. If they have high confidence in your posting then they will take advantage of this and schedule your posts to the target audience. If they are confident that you will post every day at 3 PM it reduces some of the variables for them and they are more likely to pick up your content and put it in front of larger and larger audiences. This strategy helps reduce many variables and puts your content in front of larger, more engaged audiences. It also encourages visits to your personal brand website, where people can learn more about you and helps to build your authority. In truth, while the social media platform algorithms can determine over time, which audience to show your content to; this process can be greatly sped up by leveraging the back channel communication between Google and the social media platforms to educate them early on the exact audience that will be interested in your content. I These are the primary reasons why a [personal brand website](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) is so important in building a strong brand and increasing momentum and audience awareness as quickly as possible. ## OmniChannel Strategy to Personal Branding A quick note about the many social media platforms. While there were many examples of people generating a large following from a single platform, as I mentioned. It’s virtually impossible to do that organically today. In addition, what you will find is that your influence will grow significantly faster if you implement a omnichannel approach. This means that your content and expertise shows up on every platform your target audience is on with a consistent look and feel with the same messaging. When your audience sees you on multiple “channels” ( i.e. platforms) simultaneously, this tends to reinforce your authority. In addition, it usually takes 6 to 7 “touches” or exposure to your brand before someone starts to follow you. Since no one stays on a single platform, this increases the velocity and likelihood that they will engage and follow you. ## How to Create a Powerful Personal Brand Website Creating your powerful [personal brand website](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/) is not particularly hard. There are a few things you’ll need and maybe an hour on YouTube looking at some tutorials. I would recommend that you do not use a service like Wix or SquareSpace. While these are easy to setup, just point and click really, there are downsides to indexing you that can’t be denied. There are simple managed WordPress options at many hosting companies which will do the job nicely. The most popular and probably the easiest website builder is WordPress. Hence you need at least 3 things to create your powerful personal brand website 1. A domain name 2. A host 3. A designed website ### Domain Name I always tell my clients that the best domain name is their full name …if you can get it. If you name is very common you might try variations like including your middle initial or hyphenating your first name and middle initial. The idea here is that you want to make sure it is very clear that you website is about “you” and that your name is prominently featured. ### Hosting service There are many companies that can host your website. I would recommend a “managed WordPress host” that includes updates, Security certificates, and caching. One thing to look out for is hosting services that Nickel and dime you for these very basic services. ### Website Design In general the simpler the better. You can find many templates for your WordPress website but you probably do not need more than 3 to 5 pages. In general, the pages you need are a 1. Home page, 2. About 3. Contact 4. Blog page(s): remember that each blog is a separate page on you site The home page should reflect much of the information about you in the Bio but can also talk about your accomplishments, Why you created the site ( i.e. to help people understand better the topics you’re an expert on) as well any other relevant information. While there are other technical aspects to a website, like page speed, analytics, and various plugins to make your life easier. This is enough to get you started. Once completed your personal brand website will become your representation online. By creating content on that website both “on-page” and in blogs you start to package yourself in a manner that the digital world understands. There is a bit more to it from a technical standpoint, but the general concept is there. Now the last step is to add hyperlinks to all your social media profiles, thus creating the link between your site and the social media platforms so that they recognize your website and what expertise Google associates you with. The links to your social media are not just “nice to haves” to help people find you online. They are a critical link that creates an overall association for you and your target audience. ## Conclusion Your personal brand website helps to educate Google on the topics, concepts, and keywords to associate you with by making sure that all of your content is search engine optimized. You use this technique to “speak to Google“ in a way that the algorithm understands and then force it to index you in the belief that it will understand and accept the topics, concepts, or keywords to associate with you. Your website is not simply your representation on the Web. It’s how social media platforms relate and understand who you are and what your expertise is. These platforms and search engines like Google are the conduit to your target audience. You want to make it as easy as possible for these platforms that control access to your audience to understand your authority and expertise. When done correctly, they will reward you with visibility and greater and growing reach. This results in influence over this target audience to your benefit. Creating a powerful personal brand can be accelerated quickly by creating a personal website and leveraging it correctly so that you see a much quicker ROI for your personal branding goals. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** digital communications strategy, Executive Branding, Personal Branding **Tags:** digital communications strategy, personal brand website --- ### [Branding vs Marketing: What's the Difference?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-branding/) **Published:** August 4, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What is branding? It’s the process of defining yourself to a target audience. Branding differs from marketing but is still a critical part of any digital communications strategy. Here are the facts you need to know for a killer campaign.* What is branding, and how is it different from marketing? Do you need it for your digital communications strategy, or can you live without it? Today’s economy is volatile and can shift at any moment. You must be ready for your target audience’s requirements or face loss and market backlash. Advertising yourself or your business can be tricky. There are multiple factors to consider, and not every technique will work. Branding helps you create a message, and marketing determines who’s listening. Meanwhile, marketing also gets that message in front of the right people at the best time. Effective campaigns usually need both. You can’t expect the target audience to trust your company or find you in a search instinctively. They need relevant information presented from a place of authority, but many ecosystems are oversaturated with options. How do you plan to capture and keep the modern consumer’s attention without a solid digital communications strategy? Most people want an excellent user experience with interactive and mindful partnerships. Folks don’t appreciate unwanted change, but many seek enhancements and upgrades to their existing goods and services. Present yourself as the best solution to their problems with intuitive branding and digital marketing. **Table of Contents** [What Is Branding?](#_Toc110872878) [Branding vs Marketing: What’s the Difference?](#_Toc110872879) [Is Branding Hard?](#_Toc110872880) [What Does Marketing a Brand Involve?](#_Toc110872881) [How Are Branding and Marketing Related?](#_Toc110872882) [What Is Branding for Individuals?](#_Toc110872883) [What Is Branding in Today’s Economy?](#_Toc110872884) [What Is Branding for a Digital Communications Strategy?](#_Toc110872885) [Conclusion](#_Toc110872886) ## What Is Branding? > ***“Branding defines your company, but marketing determines who your customers are.”*** Branding plays a crucial role in [personal and corporate marketing](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding/). It helps individuals and businesses differentiate themselves from the crowd by highlighting their best qualities. Many brands collect data on their target demographic to refine their approach to a market. However, what is branding to an industry already filled with contenders? Brand creation uses various metrics to satisfy consumer requests and keep up with industry demands. What is branding without establishing a name, a logo, and stated values? It’s merely an idea without an explicit purpose, left vulnerable to competition. Your brilliant concept is worth far more than that. [Personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-strategy/) helps put a face to your name while refining your appearance to coordinate with a specific industry. It distinguishes you from other sellers peddling similar goods and services. > ***“Creating a label for your company is the first step in an effective digital communications strategy, even if an expensive marketing campaign isn’t in the cards.”*** To develop a cohesive marketing plan with branding, you must know the answers to the following questions: 1. What is branding? 2. What is branding compared to marketing? 3. How can branding help me target my audience? 4. What digital communications strategies should I use? 5. Where is my competition headed? You can create a brand with any characteristic or experience. However, you must market that brand appropriately, or your efforts will be wasted. What is branding without a robust digital communications strategy and [marketing technique](https://www.forbes.com/sites/paultalbot/2021/11/15/marketing-strategy-101/)? It’s usually dead in the water. ## Branding vs Marketing: What’s the Difference? The difference between marketing and branding is vast, although somewhat challenging to understand. The confusion could come from branding and marketing having the same goal. Both processes help [increase industry authority](https://hbr.org/2018/01/the-leaders-guide-to-corporate-culture) and [boost consumer confidence](https://www.investopedia.com/articles/fundamental/103002.asp). However, what is it compared to marketing, and why do most businesses need both for their digital communications strategy? Branding is what you do to make your company stand out from the competition. It’s how you communicate your message and provide a quality experience to potential buyers and loyal customers. On the contrary, marketing is how you deliver your brand’s message to convince skeptics of your expertise. The two facets work together to support your objectives and protect your integrity. Here are some fast facts about what is branding vs marketing: 6. Branding consists of developing your public persona for client consideration. 7. Marketing is promoting that public persona to the target audience. 8. Building a brand involves sharing your personal experience and highlighting credentials. 9. Effective marketing includes social media, SEO, email funnels, link-building, and more. Think of it this way: > ***“Who will notice if you build a brand around your personality and expertise**?”* What people do you want to attract, and how could you improve their lives? Answer those questions to develop a brand, and then decide your digital communications strategy for more effective marketing. ### Is Branding Hard? Personal and corporate branding are complicated processes with multiple moving parts. Experts must develop the best digital communications strategies using a vast network of processes and resources. No two brands are identical, so countless marketing schemes are in the toolbox. People share messages and recommendations in various ways. Branding and marketing should create a cohesive identity for your company to [encourage interactions](https://www.businessinsider.com/marketing-branding-small-business-more-memorable-2021-4) and establish trust. Your brand must also serve as a reasonable solution to their problems, and your marketing campaigns should reflect that. What is branding without a coordinated marketing effort? It’s much more challenging than it should be. > ***“Building a marketing plan without branding is like opening a store with nothing to buy**.”* You will attract all the right people, but they’ll have little incentive to return because your shelves are empty and your identity uncertain. ### What Does Marketing a Brand Involve? Marketing your brand with a focused [digital communications strategy](http://clairebahn.com) is not for the faint of heart. It involves collecting data and sharing relevant information on the best channels for maximum exposure. Optimal channeling depends on several factors, including the target audience’s behaviors, preferences, and pain points. Marketing aims to promote your goods and services, attract more leads, and inspire more conversions. Competitive companies should retool their advertising budgets and schedules to accommodate a custom approach. [Generic marketing](https://smallbusiness.chron.com/advantages-disadvantages-marketing-strategy-53961.html) can waste time and money, making your brand less noticeable to the target audience. What is branding if you don’t know your market? Better yet, what is marketing if you don’t have a brand? The difference between branding and marketing involves a fine line that overlaps in many areas. However, both digital communications strategies can help segment the audience into digestible chunks for a more significant market share. **DID YOU KNOW**: *Websites are the second* [*best marketing channel*](https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics) *behind social media.* ## How Are Branding and Marketing Related? What is branding for an individual or business without an effective marketing strategy to back up their claims? It’s a waste of resources and could damage your company’s reputation. > ***“People expect to see excellence from a refined brand and want superior services from businesses spending capital on advertising.”*** They assume you can meet their needs if you can allocate funds for marketing. Brand builders use carefully collated data to determine specific metrics and present your brand as the best in the biz. They can highlight particular attributes and experiences while shrinking the effects of career development. Expert agencies can also help with reputation management, protecting your brand from [negative reviews](https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2021/08/11/how-to-use-negative-reviews-to-grow-your-business/) and industry upheavals. Branding and marketing are related in multiple ways, including their overall goals. You can’t have one without the other and still enjoy success. Both processes are fundamental elements of a digital communications strategy regardless of evolving market trends or company size. Brand a business or a personality with a customized approach. **FACT**: *You can use a clever digital communications strategy to transform negative feedback into profitable momentum.* ### What Is Branding for Individuals? Personal branding uses your unique style and value system to create a recognizable label for sales and discussions. Specialists can help showcase specific qualities and credentials to align an individual with rare career goals. Ready to get started? Your personality is unlike anyone else’s, and your experiences are just as unique. These are some of the things you can achieve with tailored personal branding and digital communications strategy: 10. Define and Claim Your Identity 11. Influence Public Opinion 12. Express Authority 13. Quash the Competition 14. Produce Positive Impacts 15. Establish a Network 16. Share Your Talents 17. Grow Your Business What is branding for an individual vs a corporation? The primary difference is the focus. Corporate branding centers on the company as a whole. In contrast, personal branding zooms in on the person or team behind the curtain. You can use it for a business and [create a separate entity](https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-to-and-why-you-should-establish-a-separate-entity-4582770) for the CEO. Perhaps your executive team features members with diverse portfolios. Personal branding can help them share those talents and resources with like-minded people or concerned audiences. Meanwhile, their private business will not interfere with corporate interests because they’re separated by definitive branding. [Personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/influencer-strategy/) is perfect for entrepreneurs in the modern world. It gives them an identity without threatening their professional endeavors. What is branding if not an investment in your future? ## What Is Branding in Today’s Economy? Branding in the modern economy involves multiple processes to express individual or company values. However, responsible brands must also consider social factors and trends to ensure DEI compliance. Today’s corporate ecosystem evolves quickly and moves toward equity and diversity. Building a brand around target audiences under those conditions can be tricky. Experts require a wise [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/) for branding and marketing purposes. They need relevant, real-time information about the audience and their expectations. Branding helps entities define their parameters, and marketing helps expand their horizons. Not sure whether to work on your business, brand, or marketing strategy first? Here are five fascinating [statistics to consider](https://www.hubspot.com/marketing-statistics): 1. People interacting with your company via email convert on forms more often than people who find you through search engine advertising. 2. Modern consumers are nearly four times more likely to shop and buy from eco-friendly, sustainable, or DEI-compliant brands. 3. Most shoppers complain about inconsistent brand messaging, especially in widespread marketing campaigns. 4. Over half of all corporate decision-makers claim to spend more than an hour each week reviewing thought-leadership content from startups and established brands. 5. About 78% of [social media](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-3/) sellers enjoy increased profits because of the targeted exposure. The modern economy demands sleek branding for distribution. A refined and tailored brand with an excellent digital communications strategy can boost marketing and turn your business into an icon. What is branding without the other pieces of the pie? It’s unfulfilling and generally unsuccessful. ### What Is Branding for a Digital Communications Strategy? Branding for a digital communications strategy means implementing the latest technology to encourage interactions. It can also involve automation such as robo-advisors, chatbots, and advertisement scheduling. The modern world leaves plenty of room for marketing innovation, even for those on a tight budget or short deadline. Talk to a reputation management firm to determine how you could boost brand recognition and industry authority. Mark your goals and then [consult an expert](https://clairebahn.com/contact/) to calculate the best path. Your branding, marketing, and digital communications strategy should coordinate and elevate your company. **DID YOU KNOW**: *More than a quarter of businesses report increased success after embracing new trends and rebranding?* ## Conclusion What is branding without a digital communications strategy? It’s a potential risk of reducing brand recognition and industry authority. Your reputation must align with consumer expectations, or you’ll find behind the competition. Understanding the difference between marketing and branding is essential. Most successful companies can’t have one without the other. Their processes frequently overlap and support similar objectives. However, branding is who you are, and marketing is what you do about it. Talk to a reputation consultant to learn the ropes and get a customized plan. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding --- ### [Executive Branding For Startups: Five Reasons You Need It ASAP  ](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-startups/) **Published:** August 11, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *[Executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-2/) for startups means balancing various goals to develop a cohesive digital communications strategy. It helps position you in an industry as a trusted authority, but the process isn’t for the weak. Learn these tips from the pros before launching. Then share these tricks after you become an icon.* Executive branding for startups is essential. It can help founders demonstrate significant industry knowledge to build authority and attract more conversions. These benefits can boost revenue and profitability while establishing a secure spot in a market. Make your mark and tailor the trajectory. It can also get your startup in front of potential investors sooner than other methods. Interested partners could overlook your innovations without targeted branding differentiating you from the competitors. Show what makes you unique with executive branding for startups and a customized digital communications strategy. Here’s how to get started. **Table of Contents** [What Is Executive Branding for Startups?](#_Toc111065549) [5 Reasons Why Executive Branding for Startups Is Crucial](#_Toc111065550) [\#1. It Attracts Exciting Talent](#_Toc111065551) [\#2. It Builds Brand Awareness](#_Toc111065552) [\#3. It Commands Respect](#_Toc111065553) [\#4. It Creates Additional Income Streams](#_Toc111065554) [\#5. It Offers Job Security](#_Toc111065555) [What to Expect from Your Digital Communications Strategy](#_Toc111065556) [How to Make the Most of Executive Branding for Startups](#_Toc111065557) [Conclusion](#_Toc111065558) ## What Is Executive Branding for Startups? Executive branding for startups is a digital communications strategy that involves multiple aspects. The goal is to define and convey specific qualities, beliefs, values, and abilities to a target audience. Personal branding as an executive also includes reputation management, data collection, and goal-setting. It is an all-inclusive service to boost your success. Experts help you develop a [personal brand as a CEO](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/#:~:text=Executive%20branding%20involves%20developing%20a,owner's%20image%20and%20online%20presence.) or business owner, demonstrating your excellence among the competition. They can also position you at the front of your industry to leverage additional brand recognition and increased profits. The techniques typically use your refined image to create a data-driven online presence that achieves those goals. Executive branding for startups is part of an effective [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/) because it focuses on trending aspects of your professional portfolio. It also centers on more profound criteria than a standard personal brand. Launching a business can be tricky when developing brand messaging and consistent aesthetics. However: > ***“Branded executives can break the established norm without threatening the integrity of themselves or their affiliates.”*** These days, many consumers demand the unfiltered version of CEOs. They want to know who they’re doing business with and what they believe. Executive branding for startups is more crucial than ever, with most target audiences choosing companies with [transparent leadership](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jonyoushaei/2021/11/19/3-ways-to-be-a-more-transparent-leader/). Learn how to express your expertise or miss your chance of becoming an industry icon. ## 5 Reasons Why Executive Branding for Startups Is Crucial Executive branding is like a creative logo design – you can’t run a successful startup without one. People need to associate your business with something meaningful, or they’ll forget you exist. Until recently, straightforward personal branding was enough to maintain a commanding online presence. However: > ***“The times have changed, and executive branding for startups is suddenly the best-kept secret**.”* Social media has made it exceptionally easy to send and receive information. Companies must keep up with the speed of technology to remain current and relevant to their target audiences. They can’t neglect market trends, send the wrong message, or provide outdated services. Meanwhile, many startups struggle to [attract new customers](https://www.sba.gov/blog/10-ways-get-new-customers). Their hardworking CEOs can go down with the ship if the company fails to meet demands. [Executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/ceo-branding/) for startups plays a significant role in building a robust digital communications strategy. It helps position the CEO as an industry thought leader, creating more sustainable growth opportunities. Here are 5 more reasons why the technique is practically mandatory: ### \#1. It Attracts Exciting Talent **BEST FOR TEAM BUILDING** Startups often find talent acquisition challenging because potential employees don’t trust the company for long-term work. New ventures can be volatile, and they know that. Many don’t trust unknown CEOs, even if the entire crew stands behind a sensible business model. Consumers need more than pretty words to become loyal patrons and team members. > ***“Executive branding for startups helps bring in higher-quality talent.”*** Notable startups with outstanding leadership can fill critical positions more quickly. They also attract better applicants with [practical management experience](https://hbr.org/2002/06/a-survival-guide-for-leaders) and industry know-how. Excellent personal branding as the CEO can inspire people to join your team for the opportunity to get in on the ground floor. **FACT**: *The more branded executives your startup has, the more successful it will likely be.* ### \#2. It Builds Brand Awareness **BEST FOR INCREASING PROFITS** Use executive branding to boost brand awareness and recognition for you and your business. Then work with a reputation manager to handle all the demands and requests from new audiences. Prepare for speaking engagements, media requests, and interviews about your proficiency. Ask a personal branding agent to help maintain cohesively inspiring messaging across multiple platforms. Consistent brand messaging can help spread the news about your startup. It also enables you to share crucial goals with the target audience without losing supporters or compromising your values. This [reliable marketing approach](https://www.inc.com/karen-tiber-leland/5-types-of-executive-branding-services-you-can-use-to-build-your-personal-brand.html) encourages increased traffic, inspires inquiries, and generates purchases to boost revenue with each new follower. **FACT**: *You could create a unique brand for every executive to develop a multi-faceted startup*. ### \#3. It Commands Respect **BEST FOR REPUTATION MANAGEMENT** > ***“Executive branding for startups can transform a professional into a thought leader in any industry.”*** A focused digital communications strategy commands respect among competitors and specific target audiences. Use [data collection and analysis](https://hbr.org/2015/05/customer-data-designing-for-transparency-and-trust) to generate relevant insights and tailor your approach. Become a trusted extension of your company. Then boost or clarify your brand’s concept to streamline the public persona. [Branding a CEO](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) means driving influence based on company policies, goals, and values. Meanwhile, it can also help boost credibility within the business itself. **FACT:** *Public perception plays a significant role in the success of any brand.* ### \#4. It Creates Additional Income Streams **BEST FOR BUFFERING THE BUDGET** Use executive branding to increase company profitability through heightened recognition of your elevated expertise. In other words, bring business to your brand by presenting yourself as the most influential authority. This technique can [generate organic leads](https://www.forbes.com/advisor/business/online-lead-generation/) for your brand, and a comprehensive [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/) can turn those leads into sales. Help produce additional revenue streams while maintaining company integrity and intermittently enhancing your digital communications strategy. Improve [marketing campaigns](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-branding/), pay for expansions, increase the inventory, or save for a rainy day. Add clever messaging, highlight career achievements, and [use CTAs](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-make-your-websites-call-to-action-count-2012-6) to boost revenue even more. **FACT:** *You must create content that supports your claims and encourages interactions.* ### \#5. It Offers Job Security **BEST FOR VOLATILE INDUSTRIES** Executive branding helps you establish a solid presence in your industry while igniting connections across multiple sectors. This advantage can lead to exciting opportunities and partnerships that enrich your portfolio. Diverse experiences help you stay abreast of trends and avoid unexpected pitfalls. Branding for executives can make individuals integral cogs in the company wheel. Imagine firing a CEO that generates organic profits for the company through expert personal branding. Most businesses won’t do that. Executive branding doesn’t make you invincible, but it does mean more job security in many cases. **FACT:** *You can leverage your personal brand to demand higher pay.* > ***“Negotiate a better salary, offer more intuitive services, and establish yourself as an indispensable asset with executive branding and an excellent digital communications strategy.”*** Overcome the obstacles in your path to grow the business despite unpredictable circumstances. Executive branding gives you an advantage, so use it. If you leave the company later, your personal brand will go with you. A savvy digital communications strategy can help solidify your executive branding impressions. Your online presence will become a crucial element and need continual management. By hiring an executive branding team to orchestrate tailored techniques, stay ahead of the curve. ## What to Expect from Your Digital Communications Strategy > ***“The best [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) always aligns with executive branding for startups**.”* A brand can also customize marketing techniques to suit an overarching value system. Meanwhile, reputation management must tailor brand messaging across multiple platforms to reach diverse audiences and generate a loyal following. The expert methodology ensures consistency despite varied expectations and changing trends. Data-driven branding for CEOs could also help prevent PR disasters. Stay current and remain [DEI-compliant](https://americassbdc.org/75625-2/) with an effective digital communications strategy for up-and-coming brands. Here is what you can expect from the pros: - **Align Objectives and Messaging–** You’ll get help saying things appropriately to different audiences based on your campaign goals. - **Manage Audience Identity–** Target the most relevant audiences for your brand and then develop custom messaging for each group. - **Send Impactful Statements –** Get more attention with executive branding that includes expert copywriting and SEO content. - **Enjoy Meaningful Engagements –** Interact with your target audience using a branded digital communications strategy centered on transparency. - **Offer Repeatability –** Follow up with specific groups to encourage additional interactions, mentions, follows, and sales. - **Automate Your Agenda –** Take advantage of practical automated services to streamline operations and make the most of your campaigns. - **Analyze the Influence –** Determine how various marketing campaigns and digital communications strategies perform in real-world scenarios. - **Increase Traffic –** Bring more people and new opportunities to your company’s doorstep with the virtual flood gates wide open. - **Build Your Brand –** Executive branding for startups is more effective with established networks and industry-proven marketing methods. Choose a reputation management firm familiar with new businesses and executive branding for startups. You can develop a unique approach or align brand messaging with affiliates and partners. Skip executive branding for startups and risk sinking into an oversaturated ecosystem. ## How to Make the Most of Executive Branding for Startups Executive branding for startups can be a tricky process with many unpredictable parts. Nobody can tell the future, so most personal branding experts use data and analytics to determine the focus. Intuitive brand management firms will also integrate [your unique personality](https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2020/04/08/12-ways-to-define-your-unique-personal-brand/?sh=548513c7134b) and experience to boost brand recognition. They can help establish authority and make you relatable to the right audiences. > ***“Differentiate your company and find your voice but lead the competition and maintain your values with each step.”*** Developing an effective digital communications strategy isn’t any more straightforward. It also requires a tailored approach with multiple avenues for unexpected turns. Busy executives usually don’t have enough time to manage each detail, so they either sink or get help swimming. [Successful executives](https://clairebahn.com/work-promotion/) make the most of their investments for the business and themselves. They seek continual growth and strive to remain relevant, transparent, and profitable. These are ten of their top methods: 1. **Choose an Intuitive Brand Manager –** Partner with a reputation management firm using a comprehensive digital communications strategy. 2. **Pick Your Passion –** You might have multiple talents but pick the competencies that align with your target audience or business goals. 3. **Use the Data Wisely –** Observe performance metrics frequently to refine your approach and enrich executive branding for startups. 4. **Study the Competition –** Find your competitors’ habits and develop a marketing strategy to exploit their weaknesses. 5. **Maintain Your Integrity –** Compete in a high-stakes arena while enjoying a sustainable public persona that generates the best attention. 6. **Differentiate Yourself –** Separate your values and experiences from the pack or diverge from established partnerships without threatening your reputation. 7. **Interact Like You Mean It –** Address crucial questions, comments, and concerns in real-time to generate trust within your targeted groups. 8. **Get Feedback Frequently –** Determine what your target audience thinks and feels to create an executive brand that they can identify with. 9. **Be the Solution –** Offer practical resolutions and fulfill needs with a digital communications strategy that exposes their genuine concerns. 10. **Meet Industry Expectations –** Float above the expected norm with executive branding for startups aimed at elevating the conversation. Use executive branding for startups to fortify your digital communications strategy. Then use your digital communications strategy to support executive branding for startups. ## Conclusion Executive branding for startups is an essential part of any digital communications strategy. It helps align brand messaging and encourage meaningful interactions while transforming business leaders into industry icons. Bespoke brands for executives also create more financial security for the company and its leadership. The process is multi-faceted, led by data, and not always predictable. However, executive branding for startups means balancing various goals to develop a cohesive digital communications strategy with expert guidance. Remember these tips and tricks so you don’t have to navigate the marketing waters alone. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** CEO Branding, Startup Branding, Tips **Tags:** executive branding for startups --- ### [50 Proven Ways to Grow Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/grow-your-personal-brand/) **Published:** September 22, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Grow your personal brand and achieve company goals with a tailored digital communications strategy. Develop a technique that helps maintain your industry relevance while elevating your reputation. Use these 50 methods to make it happen fast.* Grow your personal brand regardless of its current status. Develop a tailored [digital communications strategy](http://clairebahn.com) to repair reputations, attract new customers, and become an authority in your industry. However, you must use proven tactics to get there. Where do you start? The pros already know what you’ve been missing, and your competitors are two steps ahead. Personal branding typically utilizes methodologies customized to the individual. Yet, you can use these fifty tips to help boost your brand despite the market conditions or public perception. **Table of Contents** [How to Grow Your Personal Brand: 50 Proven Strategies](#_Toc115162756) [\#1. Become an Expert in Your Niche](#_Toc115162757) [\#2. Create a Recognizable Brand Logo](#_Toc115162758) [\#3. Lead a Group](#_Toc115162759) [\#4. Network Like There’s No Tomorrow](#_Toc115162760) [\#5. Design an Attractive Business Card](#_Toc115162761) [\#6. Conduct Surveys Often](#_Toc115162762) [\#7. Set Yourself Apart](#_Toc115162763) [\#8. Boost Your “Human” Factor](#_Toc115162764) [\#9. Pay Attention to the Press](#_Toc115162765) [\#10. Repair the Public Opinion](#_Toc115162766) [\#11. Work on Consistency](#_Toc115162767) [\#12. Develop a Digital Communications Strategy](#_Toc115162768) [\#13. Make a Unique Virtual Handle](#_Toc115162769) [\#14. Get Help Writing Social Media Posts](#_Toc115162770) [\#15. Get Personal](#_Toc115162771) [\#16. Perform Routine Updates](#_Toc115162772) [\#17. Keep Keen Company](#_Toc115162773) [\#18. Be Visible to the Public](#_Toc115162774) [\#19. Write a Book](#_Toc115162775) [\#20. Publish an Article](#_Toc115162776) [\#21. Be Lean and Clean](#_Toc115162777) [\#22. Show Your Bold Side](#_Toc115162778) [\#23. Become the Center of Attention](#_Toc115162779) [\#24. Get Booked on the Local News](#_Toc115162780) [\#25. Focus on the Future](#_Toc115162781) [\#26. Be Unforgettable](#_Toc115162782) [\#27. Live Your Brand](#_Toc115162783) [\#28. Connect with Purpose](#_Toc115162784) [\#29. Make Yourself Accessible](#_Toc115162785) [\#30. Be True to Yourself](#_Toc115162786) [\#31. Forge Relationships, Not Regrets](#_Toc115162787) [\#32. Create a Fan Page](#_Toc115162788) [\#33. Cultivate Your Connections](#_Toc115162789) [\#34. Create a Visual Resume](#_Toc115162790) [\#35. Clarify Your Vision](#_Toc115162791) [\#36. Determine How You Want the Public to Perceive You](#_Toc115162792) [\#37. Focus on Your Core](#_Toc115162793) [\#38. Streamline Your Image](#_Toc115162794) [\#39. Don’t Forget About Personal Care](#_Toc115162795) [\#40. Delegate Your Time Wisely](#_Toc115162796) [\#41. Get a Mentor](#_Toc115162797) [\#42. Write Blogs and Articles](#_Toc115162798) [\#43. Stay Surrounded by Inspiration](#_Toc115162799) [\#44. Brag About Your Success](#_Toc115162800) [\#45. Be Different](#_Toc115162801) [\#46. Subscribe to Interesting Blogs](#_Toc115162802) [\#47. Address Your Stakeholders](#_Toc115162803) [\#48. Discuss the Benefits](#_Toc115162804) [\#49. Perform Like a Pro](#_Toc115162805) [\#50. Do Something Daily](#_Toc115162806) [Other Strategies to Grow Your Personal Brand](#_Toc115162807) [Conclusion](#_Toc115162808) ## How to Grow Your Personal Brand: 50 Proven Strategies Are you ready to learn how to grow your personal brand? These fifty digital communications strategies can help you leap with the best foot forward: ### \#1. Become an Expert in Your Niche People want to do business without brands that can anticipate their needs. You also earn more respect when you know what you’re talking about. ### \#2. Create a Recognizable Brand Logo Most consumers [shop with their eyes](https://www.inc.com/cathy-huyghe/this-entrepreneur-knows-we-buy-with-our-eyes-heres-how-that-can-help-you.html) and remember unique business logos. Choose shapes, colors, and verbiage that aligns with your message. ### \#3. Lead a Group Establish a group where you can interact directly with consumers, followers, investors, or stakeholders. Post business news and updates that they can share with others. ### \#4. Network Like There’s No Tomorrow Constantly introduce yourself to new people, potential business partners, and investors. This will help keep your name circulating in the right places. ### \#5. Design an Attractive Business Card Hand people your portable resume with a professionally-designed [business card](https://www.nerdwallet.com/best/credit-cards/small-business). Help them access your contact information even when you’re not nearby. ### \#6. Conduct Surveys Often Determine how to grow your personal brand by examining relevant data. Ask people to share their questions, comments, and concerns for an in-depth look. ### \#7. Set Yourself Apart Let everyone know why you’re the better option by demonstrating your unique knowledge and experience. Share candid stories, photos, or lessons with your audience. ### \#8. Boost Your “Human” Factor Make yourself more relatable and familiar to encourage meaningful interactions and business exchanges. Be authentic, and don’t be afraid to make mistakes. ### \#9. Pay Attention to the Press Keep your eyes on publications and social media posts about your brand. [Then leverage negative publicity](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2021/05/10/five-ways-to-leverage-publicity-to-take-your-business-to-the-next-level/) to your advantage with a [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/). ### \#10. Repair the Public Opinion Reconcile how people view your personal brand for [better public relations](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-public-relations/). Use data analytics to determine where you need to focus first. ### \#11. Work on Consistency Let your followers, investors, and audience know that you mean what you say. Be predictable, and don’t change things too rapidly. ### \#12. Develop a Digital Communications Strategy Create a name for yourself online and [produce viral content](https://www.rollingstone.com/culture-council/panels/elements-of-viral-content-1261809/) with excellent SEO. This can help drive traffic to your websites and social media pages. ### \#13. Make a Unique Virtual Handle Many entities can share your name and cause confusion. Use creative variations and spellings to set yourself apart from the crowd. ### \#14. Get Help Writing Social Media Posts Manage your social media with expert help. Avoid misspellings and grammatical errors while ensuring consistent interactions with your target audience. ### \#15. Get Personal Don’t try to sell goods and services during each interaction with your audience. Sometimes, share personal information or fun facts to spark a conversation about the brand. ### \#16. Perform Routine Updates Your personal brand can go out of style quickly. Rapidly changing trends require frequent updates to your business model and digital communications strategy. ### \#17. Keep Keen Company Associate yourself with like-minded people in similar or parallel industries. Share ideas and encourage success without becoming entangled in unscrupulous practices. ### \#18. Be Visible to the Public Let people see you in your natural habitat. They will appreciate your generosity and genuine nature. Visibility also helps them ask questions and address concerns. ### \#19. Write a Book You can write and [self-publish a book](https://www.businessinsider.com/how-to-self-publish-on-amazon-royalties-become-consultant-2022-7) about your path to success. Then hire an editor to help streamline the story and attract more readers. ### \#20. Publish an Article Write an informative or inspirational article about a specific aspect of your personal brand. You can share it with relevant groups as needed to build authority. ### \#21. Be Lean and Clean Keep your messaging simple and non-controversial. Audiences will feel more comfortable sharing your posts, articles, videos, podcasts, and products. ### \#22. Show Your Bold Side Don’t be afraid to go against the grain with uncanny goods and services. Align the products with your audience’s requests; all should turn out well. ### \#23. Become the Center of Attention Host an event where your personal brand is the star of the show. Offer incentives, provide information, or introduce new developments to a captive audience. ### \#24. Get Booked on the Local News Find out what it takes to become a topic of discussion on appropriate [broadcasting networks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_over-the-air_television_networks). Then schedule a time for an interview with one of the show hosts. ### \#25. Focus on the Future Talk to people about your plans for the brand to generate interest and excitement. This can also help you remain steadfast when challenges arise. ### \#26. Be Unforgettable Use various tactics to ensure your presentations and products are easy for people to remember. Check out different logos and marketing plans to develop a unique approach. ### \#27. Live Your Brand Use them yourself to show people how terrific your goods and services are. Also, ask loved ones to help promote your stuff on their social media accounts and within groups. ### \#28. Connect with Purpose Elevate your personal brand with purposeful connections to your target audience. Conduct polls, request feedback, and promptly reply to their comments or messages. ### \#29. Make Yourself Accessible Build a website or schedule a specific time for your consumers to contact you. They’ll feel much better if you’re available and accountable for your claims. ### \#30. Be True to Yourself Demonstrate a solid moral foundation and adherence to your core values by not becoming overwhelmed with trends. Remain authentic to attract a more faithful following. ### \#31. Forge Relationships, Not Regrets Focus too much on beating the competition and miss [golden opportunities for growth](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-in-6-months/). Sometimes, your greatest asset is someone you’d never expect. Grace is a sign of success. ### \#32. Create a Fan Page Give your most loyal followers and repeat customers a place to share their thoughts and praise your brand. You can share some of their positive feedback on social media and web pages. ### \#33. Cultivate Your Connections Never leave connections to grow cold. Develop a digital communications strategy that helps acknowledge the people who show their appreciation or support. ### \#34. Create a Visual Resume Does your industry call for an intuitive digital communications strategy? Try making a [virtual presentation](https://www.forbes.com/sites/maryabbajay/2020/04/20/best-practices-for-virtual-presentations-15-expert-tips-that-work-for-everyone/) with visuals to help people see your value. ### \#35. Clarify Your Vision Learn how to grow your brand with a vivid vision of your goals. Compare those objectives to competitors and audience feedback for an optimal outcome. ### \#36. Determine How You Want the Public to Perceive You Do you want to be known as an expert, an entrepreneur, or something else? Never start learning how to grow your personal brand before determining your primary objectives. ### \#37. Focus on Your Core Publish or share information that supports your core values and business goals. This is your chance to prove why your concerns are valid. ### \#38. Streamline Your Image Ensure your physical appearance coordinates with your personal brand to create a cohesive presentation. It also helps command respect and admiration from your target audience. ### \#39. Don’t Forget About Personal Care You can only show your best side when your mind and body function at optimal levels. Take care of your personal needs to demonstrate excellence despite life’s ups and downs. ### \#40. Delegate Your Time Wisely It’s easy to overextend yourself and miss critical details. Use your best [time management skills](https://www.lifehack.org/articles/productivity/10-ways-improve-your-time-management-skills.html) instead. This will help you stay on task without feeling overwhelmed. ### \#41. Get a Mentor Discover valuable tips and learn how to grow your personal brand from someone who has been there. Hire a reputation management firm to help maintain your positive progress. ### \#42. Write Blogs and Articles Use [Search Engine Optimization (SEO)](https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo) to write brand-related blogs about specific subjects. Tailor the topics to your target audience for maximum impact and boost brand awareness. ### \#43. Stay Surrounded by Inspiration Whether people, places, or events inspire you doesn’t matter. The point is to remain close to the things that make you feel motivated and competent. ### \#44. Brag About Your Success Publicize your accomplishments to demonstrate competence. It might feel like bragging, but you can be humble and still share exciting news with consumers and investors. ### \#45. Be Different Do something similar to your competitors but in a unique way. Attack the issue from a different point of view to offer goods and services that nobody can match. ### \#46. Subscribe to Interesting Blogs Stay in the know by reading about topics in your niche. Then review and share blogs or articles from authority sources to demonstrate your expertise. ### \#47. Address Your Stakeholders Get to know the people and businesses behind your brand. Show respect and honor the stakeholders who help make your personal brand grow. ### \#48. Discuss the Benefits Focus on who you are and what you do, but don’t forget to explain the advantages. People need to know why trusting you instead of someone else is wise. ### \#49. Perform Like a Pro Make claims about your outstanding goods and services but always deliver on your promise. Consumers pay attention to performance more than marketing. ### \#50. Do Something Daily Broadcast or post each day to keep up with the momentum of your market. Share information, ask questions, make announcements, and develop a reliable rapport. Talk to a pro for more ideas on how to grow your personal brand. They can help you get websites listed on popular search engines, websites, and networks. Some could also develop [branded online tools](https://www.forbes.com/sites/johnhall/2021/11/07/here-are-10-content-tools-to-build-your-brand/) to help your target audience solve problems and find answers sooner. ## Other Strategies to Grow Your Personal Brand There are countless ways to boost brand recognition, increase traffic, and generate more sales. Study and try these proven strategies for [how to grow](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-on-instagram/) your personal brand quickly and with minimal stress: - Create an email or forum signature. - Write a comprehensive bio. - Put your bio in front of relevant audiences. - Make social media profiles match your personal brand name. - Use micro-blogging services to expand your professional network. - Develop a [social bookmarking system](https://www.techopedia.com/definition/15537/social-bookmarking) to help track information. - Hire a photographer to take or retake your headshot. - Establish dedicated channels for your videos and vlogs. - Launch a virtual initiative with your brand’s name on it. - Participate in online forums and polls to get more attention. - Start a newsletter about your experiences, products, or goals. - Offer free webinars to help consumers and investors learn more about your brand. - Say yes to [affiliate marketing](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/a/affiliate-marketing.asp) for additional brand exposure. - Promote goods and services from similar businesses or complementary companies. - Host an online Q&A session to address audience concerns. - Interview well-known people in your industry to track trends and share perspectives. - Jot down some points of advice and then share those with your groups. - Release reports about your successes, industry trajectory, and future predictions. ## Conclusion Learn how to grow your personal brand to become a walking billboard. Accentuate your best features with expert input, then balance your message to match objectives. You can also use a digital communications strategy to camouflage the attributes your fans don’t need to see. Personal [branding is essential to business success](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-startups/), but there are multiple pieces to the puzzle. Hire a reputation manager to help align your goals with industry expectations. Then watch your business thrive despite the ever-evolving economy. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding, Tips **Tags:** grow your personal brand --- ### [Why Your Company Needs a Digital Communications Strategy](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-strategic-communications/) **Published:** September 8, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *What is strategic communications? It’s a marketing plan to boost brand recognition, increase traffic, and motivate sales. However, you must tailor a digital communications strategy to your target audience. Here’s how.* [What is strategic communications](https://clairebahn.com/strategic-communication/), and why does your company depend on it? Consider that your target audience relies on relevant information to find your business. You can’t attract anybody if your website is underdeveloped or your social media is ineffective. A [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) helps solve those problems while elevating your brand. Consumers want to know about your business and its reasons for existing. However, they also desire reputable companies to provide facts, figures, statistics, and solutions. Your competition is well on the way to answering their questions with a [digital communications strategy](http://clairebahn.com). Don’t get left behind. Today’s economy is a fast-paced playground of creative ideas, unique concepts, and attractive products. To remain relevant and enjoy continual success, you must develop a marketing and advertising tactic that impacts your followers. So, what is strategic communications, and how does it help your company thrive? Here is what the competition doesn’t want you to know. **Table of Contents** [What Is Strategic Communications?](#_Toc114430505) [Tools Used for Strategic Communications](#_Toc114430506) [Reasons a Digital Communications Strategy Is Crucial](#_Toc114430507) [\#1. It Creates a Seamless User Experience](#_Toc114430508) [\#2. It Can Help Boost Productivity](#_Toc114430509) [\#3. It Amplifies Your Content Creation](#_Toc114430510) [\#4. It Provides Flexibility to Your Campaigns](#_Toc114430511) [\#5. It Gives Your Company Measurable Results](#_Toc114430512) [The Path to Widespread Brand Recognition](#_Toc114430513) [The Technique for Gaining Authority](#_Toc114430514) [The Tool for Ensuring Consistency](#_Toc114430515) [The Mouthpiece for Your Brand](#_Toc114430516) [The Key to Unlock Industry Relevance](#_Toc114430517) [How to Make the Most of Your Digital Communications Strategy](#_Toc114430518) [Conclusion](#_Toc114430519) ## What Is Strategic Communications? > ***“Strategic communication is a tailored methodology to impact your target audience in specific ways.”*** The best approach can help motivate sales through increased traffic and boosted brand recognition. A digital communications strategy helps your business share critical messages across multiple platforms. It provides reliable consistency to align campaigns with your company’s mission. What is strategic communications, and how does it relate to your digital communications strategy? That’s a simple answer. Strategic communications involve any messaging related to your business, whether in print or online. Meanwhile, a digital communications strategy uses social media, websites, and other online services to reach a wider audience. The combined techniques create your public persona and can motivate or demotivate your target. [Understanding your target audience](https://www.inc.com/guides/2010/06/defining-your-target-market.html) is essential to developing impactful marketing or advertising plans. Competitive companies should deliver practicality to gain momentum in any arena. Strategic communications can help you determine your industry’s most lucrative goods and services. However, you must use a tailored digital communications strategy to make it worthwhile. **DID YOU KNOW:** *Strategic communications involve your short-term and long-term goals.* ## Tools Used for Strategic Communications [Personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/tips-for-personal-branding/) experts and executive branding agencies often use upgraded marketing tools to help brands differentiate themselves. Professionals will often pause the current techniques to evaluate and redirect the trajectory. This can cause unexpected consequences, but it’s usually for the best. > ***“What is strategic communications, if not the most critical piece of your marketing puzzle?”*** The pros know which direction to focus on and why. The reason is that they utilize various technologies, techniques, and tools to determine the most effective approach. What is strategic communication when it comes to analyzing your audience? Which instruments do the experts use to align messaging and attract more people? Here’s your answer: 1. **Data Collection** – Gather information about your target audience’s preferences, behaviors, and core concerns. 2. **Data Analysis** – Evaluate how those preferences, behaviors, and concerns affect their shopping habits and budgets. 3. **Social Media Marketing** – Develop virtual campaigns to maximize exposure to the audiences determined through data analytics. 4. **Search Engine Optimization** – Use SEO to organically encourage on-site and off-site traffic, word-of-mouth advertising, and industry authority. 5. **Refined Imagery** – Improve public perception with professional photography, updated bios, and better brand messaging according to the platform and industry standards. Data collection helps companies obtain information about their customers, investors, suppliers, and competitors. Leadership can use the data to analyze current campaigns and compare different tactics or concepts. Executive branding experts then utilize social media and other public forums to generate and [control public perceptions](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesbusinesscouncil/2020/09/14/the-optics-perception-matters-more-than-reality-in-business/?sh=40d48a7e3726) with highly edited content. With this knowledge, professionals can develop online strategies related to your brand and supportive of your goals. They might also help reshape your reputation after failures, oversights, or leadership changes. ## Reasons a Digital Communications Strategy Is Crucial Fact: Optics are sometimes more important than reality when marketing your brand. The target audience could overlook your business if their opinions about it are askew. However, you can’t always control what they think, feel, or do without a digital communications strategy. You might also miss critical cues about their demands, desires, and decisions. Many consumers want to make quick decisions about the companies they do business with, seeking comprehensive information and moving on if they don’t find it. The average website visitor has an [eight-second attention span](https://smallbusiness.chron.com/long-website-viewers-attention-72249.html), with a patience level not much higher than that. You need strategic communications to offer meaningful messaging at the best times to the right audiences. What is strategic communications for entrepreneurs? It’s a path to success and continued relevance. However, it’s also insurance against saying or doing the wrong things. Here are five more reasons why a digital communications strategy is necessary: ### \#1. It Creates a Seamless User Experience What is strategic communications without excellent customer service? Better yet, what is excellent customer service without brand consistency and reliable quality? The two concepts go hand-in-hand to deliver something you can be proud of. Otherwise, you’re left solving problems that could have been avoided. Demonstrate your company’s commitment to superiority with a tailored digital communications strategy. Eliminate time-consuming techniques and save face-to-face interactions for more critical junctures. Digital communications help streamline your messaging across different online platforms using AI, [chatbots](https://www.chatbot.com/benefits/), and automation. ### \#2. It Can Help Boost Productivity What is strategic communications if it can’t help streamline corporate operations? Let all of your employees and executives know the company’s goals without sending a pile of memos. > ***“A digital communications strategy goes beyond the website to permeate your office and encourage employee engagement.”*** Use strategic communications to turn your staff into storytellers. Tap their experiences and expertise to boost the company’s reputation and authority. Establish an emotional connection with team members while fostering interactions with the public. What is strategic communications when your crew isn’t the face of your business? It’s just a message from the top with no real impact. ### \#3. It Amplifies Your Content Creation A digital communications strategy can help improve the quality of your content. This advantage leads to increased traffic, more conversions, and boosted profitability. It amplifies your message to make it harder-hitting and more substantial for readers. [Google](https://www.businessinsider.com/google-search-danny-sullivan-advice-helpful-content-update-seo-2022-8) and other search engines also favor strategic content development over haphazard publishing. You can enhance the relevance of particular goods and services with edited content and search engine optimization (SEO). We live in a digital world, where consumers often rely on virtual interfaces to make buying decisions. Produce professionally written blogs, white papers, press releases, podcasts, and e-books to attract audiences and earn their loyalty. **DID YOU KNOW**: *Posting on social media encourages people to share your content with audiences you might not have considered.* ### \#4. It Provides Flexibility to Your Campaigns You can customize your digital communications strategy to include scalable content. That means leveraging various pieces to focus on [diffused consumption](https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s10257-013-0224-1). In other words, use strategic communications to give the target audience more access to the information they require, not just the information you produce in the form initially provided. A custom digital communications strategy allows content repurposing without fudging the original message. Use the same digital content to create multiple formats, such as vlogs, Q&A sessions, infographics, and animations. Embrace the cost-effectiveness of a tailored approach that helps recycle and upcycle the good stuff. ### \#5. It Gives Your Company Measurable Results Unpacking the data from[ your marketing campaign](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-branding/) can be tricky. You must use delicate metrics and gather accurate information to produce valuable insights. However, what is strategic communications without a digital framework? This aspect of the approach delivers pertinent information for immediate implementation. Check the number of page views per advertisement. Look at campaign performance reports, monitor website visits, and track downloads or purchases in real time. Then use the information to create powerful messages or determine a better place for your content. > ***“Whatever the goal, your digital communications strategy should keep the customers returning for more.”*** What Is Strategic Communications for Entrepreneurs? What is strategic communications if not an answer to many entrepreneurial questions? It is often the deciding factor in a company’s success, especially within [saturated markets](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/marketsaturation.asp#:~:text=What%20Does%20Market%20Saturation%20Mean,or%20simply%20less%20in%20demand.). Your digital communications strategy sets you apart from the competition without threatening your primary objectives or reputation. That’s why it’s essential. Meanwhile, these are the other things that your strategic communications plan should provide: ### The Path to Widespread Brand Recognition Effective [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-consultant/) requires a formal introduction to the market. However, it also includes continual interfacing with consumers and investors globally. Experts can help develop recognizable logos and rich content to keep you in a front-row seat. ### The Technique for Gaining Authority You need people to view your brand as the go-to solution for their problems. Your competition feels the same, so the stakes are high. [Executive branding](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-for-startups/) uses a digital communications strategy to make your name synonymous with experience, expertise, and expectations. ### The Tool for Ensuring Consistency Don’t say something on one platform and then express a contradiction on another. Your brand’s success depends on consistency and reliability. Use strategic communications to maintain a cohesive expression of your brand’s core values within multiple arenas. ### The Mouthpiece for Your Brand What is strategic communications if not the standard for your interactions with consumers? It’s how you develop rapport with people and improve your chances of success. Entrepreneurs are under tremendous pressure to stand out while standing up. A digital communications strategy makes that possible. ### The Key to Unlock Industry Relevance Every entrepreneur and executive has a message to share. Still, capturing and keeping the consumer’s attention is challenging. > ***“Personal branding with a digital communications strategy helps reveal your unique approach and put it in front of motivated audiences.”*** What is strategic communications, and why do brands need it regardless of size? The answer may surprise you. Today’s economy demands your involvement through virtual interfacing and intuitive data sharing. You can hardly compete with companies engrossed in the digital ecosystem if you’re not prepared. Forget your uniqueness when the target audience can’t see it. **DID YOU KNOW:** *Many now-famous brands operated for years* [*without recognition*](https://observer.com/2017/08/these-25-businesses-will-surprise-you-with-how-old-they-are-fiskars-zildjian-harpercollins-craigslist-nintendo-kikkoman/) *because of poor digital communications strategies.* ## How to Make the Most of Your Digital Communications Strategy Making the most of strategic communications is essential to your bottom line. Marketing and advertising aren’t cheap, and neither is excellent professional help. You can attempt to maintain a consistent, cohesive, and competitive technique. Unfortunately, the job is time-consuming, stressful, and equally expensive. There’s also no guarantee it will work. The alternative is less stressful and saves your precious resources. Here are the steps you should take to start: **Step One: Get to Know Your Audience** Determine your target audience based on market research and data analytics. Discover ways to interact with people and motivate their involvement. **Step Two: Check Out the Competition** Look at what your competitors are doing to attract consumption. Cherry-pick their approach and then make the necessary adjustments to tailor your strategy. **Step Three: Let the Experts Work** Seek expertise beyond your own to gather valuable insights and enjoy knowledgeable assistance. You don’t have to build or boost the brand alone. ## Conclusion What is strategic communications, and how does it help your company thrive? The answers are practical and suitable for the modern economy. Word-of-mouth advertising and clever marketing are only the fundamentals. You also need a digital communications strategy to round out your approach. Communicating with purpose helps boost brand recognition to increase traffic and conversions. Over time, an excellent technique can establish your company as the industry authority. Begin with customized methodologies, and then adapt from there. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** digital communications strategy, Personal Branding Strategist **Tags:** what is strategic communications --- ### [Personal Branding Techniques for Dummies](https://clairebahn.com/tips-for-personal-branding/) **Published:** July 7, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Tips for personal branding help you solidify your reputation in saturated markets. They also ensure maximum impact on target audiences. Use specific techniques to build your brand and establish authority in your industry.* Tips for personal branding come in handy when trying to increase industry authority and brand recognition. Consumers can’t find your company if they don’t have access to accurate information on reliable platforms. > ***Personal branding techniques help establish goals for your business while attracting the best audiences.*** Building a brand around a personality can be tricky. Criteria changes quickly, so entrepreneurs must adjust to developing trends and market expectations. Staying ahead of the competition is challenging enough without a clear mission statement and well-packaged presentation. Give your target audience something to talk about. Don’t wait for clients to find you in a saturated market. They’ll likely choose recognizable brands with proven track records instead. You can’t cast a wide net and hope for relevant feedback and increased traffic. Otherwise, your personal brand will become muddled by confusion and suffer distrust. Ready to make your brand unforgettable? Learn why specific techniques are essential. Then use these ten simple tips for personal branding to make a lasting impression on the right groups. **Table of Contents** [How Personal Branding Techniques Help Boost Industry Authority](#_Toc108466602) [Personal Branding Overview](#_Toc108466603) [Why Building a Personal Brand Is Critical](#_Toc108466604) [Fundamental Factors of Personal Branding](#_Toc108466605) [Seven Tips for Personal Branding](#_Toc108466606) [\#1. Determine Your Niche](#_Toc108466607) [\#2. Target Your Audience](#_Toc108466608) [\#3. Highlight Your Personality](#_Toc108466609) [\#4. Create Your Content](#_Toc108466610) [\#5. Enhance Your Online Presence](#_Toc108466611) [\#6. Generate a Robust Network](#_Toc108466612) [\#7. Put Yourself Out There](#_Toc108466613) [Make the Most of Your Tips for Personal Branding](#_Toc108466614) [Conclusion](#_Toc108466615) ## How Personal Branding Techniques Help Boost Industry Authority Finding tips for personal branding can help [elevate your status](https://www.northeastern.edu/graduate/blog/tips-for-building-your-personal-brand/) and soften the blow of rejection. People typically trust brands with an established presence in their industry. They also want to know the back story and purpose before getting involved with your brand. > ***The average consumer shops with their conscience before their credit card.*** Effective personal branding techniques define your objectives and refine your approach to evolving audiences. Specific methods can also reshape a company’s reputation after a PR disaster. [Branding experts](https://clairebahn.com/contact-claire/) often ensure positive interactions through data collection and analysis. Then they help redistribute resources to attract better business dealings and generate a more powerful impact. ### Personal Branding Overview What is personal branding, and [why does it matter](https://hbr.org/2022/02/whats-the-point-of-a-personal-brand)? Many economists say it is an essential element of effective marketing. Most entrepreneurs can’t influence public perception without it. Tips for personal branding are therefore crucial when creating and maintaining industry authority. A personal brand is an intentional effort to stake a claim and increase credibility. Branding also helps people differentiate between various competitors within the same industry. > ***A well-managed approach can broaden a company’s sphere of influence to advance career objectives and enhance brand recognition.*** ### Why Building a Personal Brand Is Critical A personal branding process is a form of self-packaging. It represents your thoughts, emotions, and goals as a company. Branding helps describe the experience of having a relationship with your business. The most effective methods encourage people to pay attention and trust your expertise. [Effective branding strategies](https://clairebahn.com/captivate-podcast/6-key-factors-for-effective-ceo-branding/) can permeate multiple industries and make you an icon. Think of well-known celebrities like Kim Kardashian and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson. They use their personalities to generate momentum in specific sectors, becoming [thought leaders](https://www.inc.com/nicolas-cole/5-thought-leaders-that-have-built-incredible-personal-brands.html) and influencers among diverse audiences. Tips for personal branding usually include defining yourself in a given industry. However, the best personal branding techniques also involve demonstrating your uniqueness. Experts can help you [build a reputation on](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-2/) the most crucial aspects of your enterprise. They also assist with messaging to ensure maximum monetization with minimal investment. > ***Enhanced brand recognition often leads to exciting marketing opportunities and potentially lucrative connections**.* A well-managed personal brand might endorse specific goods and services through social media or other platforms. Then the collaboration could lead to a meaningful relationship between brands. It may also forge a more dynamic impact on consumers. ### Fundamental Factors of Personal Branding Look at the tips for personal branding to discover a pattern. The objective is to create a uniform perception of your brand based on these fundamentals: - Experience - Competence - Actions - Achievements - Expertise - Interests - Solutions [Managing the basics](https://www.forbes.com/sites/goldiechan/2018/11/08/10-golden-rules-personal-branding/?sh=241ee93658a7) helps personal brands adjust to changing market conditions. You can deliberately modify your unique approach to invent or reinvent a public persona. The best tips for personal branding always include steps for recovering from embarrassment, mistakes, and irrelevance. Use an intuitive strategy to re-emerge from obscurity and demonstrate your authenticity. **FACT**: *Personal branding agents can help determine where you went wrong in failed marketing campaigns.* ## Seven Tips for Personal Branding Ready to transform your unique perspectives into a recognizable personal brand? You must take several steps to go from A to Z. Personal branding requires more than a clever motto or slogan. > ***You are competing for valuable attention in a crowded space. Make every effort count.*** Get slogan ideas and define your company motto, but don’t stop there. To avoid shortcomings and oversights that might threaten your company’s integrity, continue with expert guidance. You’ll likely find that the most effective tips for personal branding are as follows: ### \#1. Determine Your Niche Your niche is the specific market your serve. It includes particular expectations, requirements, products, and audiences. Thus, tips for personal branding should focus on this primary area to help define your company’s objectives. Start thinking about your interests, passions, and pet peeves. Then use them to inspire your marketing strategies. Demonstrate your soft skills while finding ways to provide meaningful solutions for relevant problems. **TIP**: *Use data analysis to determine which consumer groups will use your services the most.* ### \#2. Target Your Audience [Market research](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/m/market-research.asp#:~:text=Market%20research%20is%20the%20process,in%20the%20product%20or%20service.) can help reveal who pays attention to brands like yours. Comprehensive investigations also define target audiences for you. An in-depth analysis shows specific consumer groups’ background information and buying habits. Get to know yours intimately. Tailor your approach to particular vendors and recruiters to gain rapid momentum. Then see if your personal brand attracts certain businesses, partnerships, or opportunities. The inclusion will provide additional insights into who appreciates brands like yours. **TIP**: *Create buyer avatars to understand consumer behaviors, requests, and aversions.* ### \#3. Highlight Your Personality Here is one of the best tips for personal branding. It involves creating an authentic public persona focused on your values and goals. Your brand’s personality should reflect your own without revealing too much private information. This balancing act requires a keen understanding of your audience and industry trends. First, determine your “why” for building a personal brand. Then define your most essential morals and objectives to find the sweet spot in your niche. Most audiences prefer companies with a personality and rich history, so don’t hold back but don’t overshare. **TIP**: *Ask a personal branding expert to help highlight the best parts of your character.* ### \#4. Create Your Content Content creation plays a critical role in personal branding. What you publish can make or break your marketing efforts. Audiences look to your websites and social media pages for necessary information. Most consumers distrust companies without a robust online presence. Many entrepreneurs building brands outsource [content creation services](https://clairebahn.com/) to ensure consistency. It helps them maintain relevance and boost industry authority. They often use SEO and other best practices to create searchable content libraries with evergreen information. Excellent content can take on many forms, including these: - Blogs and Articles - Podcasts - Social Media Posts - Videos and Images - Press Releases - Bios Quality content can place your website and social media profiles on the top of search results. > ***Develop a multifaceted approach to provide your target audience with answers before they ask questions.*** **TIP**: *Embrace* [*search engine optimization*](https://moz.com/beginners-guide-to-seo) *(SEO) to rank on popular platforms.* ### \#5. Enhance Your Online Presence You will need somewhere to share your growing content collection. You’ll also have to manage it and remove irrelevant or incorrect information. An online presence is a significant responsibility but is one of the essential tips for personal branding. Edit and publish your content on specific industry pages throughout various social media platforms. Then ensure it reflects your brand personality and serves the needs of your target audience. You can use different content types to inspire interactions or initiatives. **TIP**: *Google yourself to see what pops up for various keywords you’re targeting.* ### \#6. Generate a Robust Network [Tips for personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/captivate-podcast/5-tips-to-help-your-personal-brand-today/) usually include networking with industry partners, suppliers, and competitors. Learn how to make genuine connections while demonstrating your company’s value. You can use your growing influence to build rapport, gather resources, and discover references. Diverse networks help spread the word about your business and company objectives. Word-of-mouth advertising underpins your other marketing efforts to ensure maximum exposure. It also organically improves brand recognition by injecting your name into the conversation. **TIP**: *Get a mentor to help you navigate the ups and downs of professional interactions.* ### \#7. Put Yourself Out There Hiding behind a computer screen or smartphone won’t help build your personal brand. An online presence creates a glass ceiling that only in-person interactions can bust. Sell yourself based on specific characteristics, then demonstrate them to your target audience in real-time. Pretend you only have 30 seconds to capture a consumer’s attention. > ***Are you prepared to explain what sets you apart from similar brands?*** Putting yourself on the chopping block demonstrates [confidence in your product](https://www.fool.com/the-ascent/small-business/customer-service/articles/customer-confidence/). It also shows you’re not afraid of being challenged. **TIP**: *Develop a personal brand that sells itself through effective marketing.* The best tips for personal branding are the ones that encourage you to be yourself. Genuinely effective brand managers understand this, so they promote a customized approach. Their strategies involve highlighting specific features while shifting attention away from others. Use intelligent personal branding techniques to streamline, reinvent, or protect your integrity. ## Make the Most of Your Tips for Personal Branding Tips for personal branding should simplify the process of establishing a name for yourself. Intuitive and tailored techniques can help remove barriers to entry in countless industries. Offer consistent quality from an attuned brand to prove your value and earn the consumer’s respect. Then remember the seven essential steps to influence target audiences better than your competitors. Many markets are saturated by ambitious entrepreneurs trying to brand themselves as experts. You must “[differentiate or die](https://www.leadershipnow.com/leadershop/9780470223390.html),” as Jack Trout and Steve Rivkin would say. The competition waits for nobody, and neither do in-demand industries. Maintain your values while hitting milestones with these expert tips for personal branding. You can’t mismanage or ignore public perception when building a personal brand. Popularity comes to those who demonstrate authenticity and show proof of experience. Use bespoke branding techniques to solidify your reputation in flooded markets. Or reinvent yourself to attract people from more diverse groups. The best tips for personal branding should produce rapid results. However, each company’s outcomes depend on its commitment to consistency and the use of relevant data. Ask your brand manager to explain the importance of using metrics to target specific audiences or elicit a particular response. Positive outcomes could include: - Increased Mentions - Enhanced Interactions - Boosted Sales - Reduced Inventory Costs - Sharpened Marketing - Efficient Ad Spending [Personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) helps you cut the fat from your marketing budget to develop more compelling content. You get more bang for your buck when you work with experts to achieve laser focus on target audiences. Meanwhile, you can create custom groups and subtly shift their attention to various causes and campaigns. Use these tips for personal branding wisely. **TIP**: *Gather data on various consumer groups and competitor solutions to refine your niche.* ## Conclusion Tips for personal branding are essential to establishing authority in your industry. Still, much of the process relies on your involvement. To develop effective campaigns, entrepreneurs building unique public brands must understand marketing trends, best practices, and expectations. > ***Branded individuals aren’t all celebrities but still become well-known in their industries.*** They strive to attain and manage the authority bestowed upon them by valuable consumers. Brand loyalty depends on presentation, consistency, and relevance. Become a pioneer of your niche through tailored personal branding services. Then share your success with developing brands to promote a diverse ecosystem. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding, Personal Branding Strategist **Tags:** personal branding strategist, tips for personal branding --- ### [Reputation Management in the Age of Social Media](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-3/) **Published:** June 9, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Reputation management requires diligence in our digital society. Social media influencers can play a significant role in public perception of your brand. Get a fair shot in the market despite your competition with a [personal branding strategist](https://clairebahn.com/) who understands media relations.* The role of social media in reputation management is an evolving concern. Massive corporations aren’t excluded from the harsh realities of our digital society. Small businesses, entrepreneurs, and personal brands can take tremendous hits online. A progressive strategy is the best way to avoid that. Reputation managers help monitor your virtual presence and set goals for public perception. They also prevent unwanted rumors, mitigate expectations, and oversee interactions. Their job is essential, but so is yours. As the one with the rep to protect, you must use due diligence to keep your brand on the right track. Understanding the impact of social media on your reputation is a crucial part of the process. People will talk, swap suggestions, and use their timelines to express opinions and give recommendations. You want your name to appear in all the right places, but that’s no easy task. Here are your [reputation management essentials](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-2/) for the virtual world. **Table of Contents** [How Social Media Impacts Reputation Management](#_Toc105716130) [5 Facts About Social Media and Peer-to-Peer Marketing](#_Toc105716131) [\#1. Many People Consider a Brand’s Online Presence First](#_Toc105716132) [\#2. You Can Boost Awareness with a Click](#_Toc105716133) [\#3. Brand Recognition Could Significantly Increase](#_Toc105716134) [\#4. People Enjoy Satisfying Interactions](#_Toc105716135) [\#5. Negative Feedback Is Inescapable](#_Toc105716136) [Social Media Reputation Management Is Linked to Continued Business Growth](#_Toc105716137) [5 Ways to Manage Your Reputation Despite Social Media Influence](#_Toc105716138) [\#1. Hire a Personal Branding Agent](#_Toc105716139) [\#2. Clarify Your Audience](#_Toc105716140) [\#3. Highlight the Positives](#_Toc105716141) [\#4. Use Unshakable Examples](#_Toc105716142) [\#5. Check Your Progress Often](#_Toc105716143) [How to Tell If You Need Reputation Management](#_Toc105716144) [Conclusion](#_Toc105716145) ## How Social Media Impacts Reputation Management Businesses and personal brands use social media to pass messages and run marketing campaigns. Social media platforms use companies and private brands to attract more users. Together, the two tools underpin our modern economy and help consumers find their needs. Paired with excellent [Search Engine Optimization](https://mailchimp.com/marketing-glossary/seo/) (SEO), helpful content, and meaningful products, audiences typically gravitate toward relevant brands. However, they could also avoid specific companies because of a poor public image. Social media helps entrepreneurs demonstrate their value in oversaturated markets full of burnt-out skeptics. Meanwhile, controlling your reputation across multiple platforms can be stressful and time-consuming. Most busy brands don’t have time to micromanage every like, comment, and share. They may fall behind the competitive curve, [neglect customer concerns](https://www.inc.com/logan-chierotti/don-t-neglect-this-core-component-of-great-customer-service.html), or miss terrific opportunities to influence potential buyers. Their sales and market authority will likely decline in tandem. Social media marketing can only put the message in front of relevant audiences. It can’t control how those people view your company or react to your campaigns. Quality goods and services are only half the battle when transforming into an industry icon. Reputation management becomes critical the more prominent your business evolves, especially if you transition into new markets or territories. The impact of consumer opinion could be positive or negative, depending on your approach. Personal branding strategists can help manage the details while business executives handle the everyday operations. **DID YOU KNOW:** *Research from 2014 shows that about 90% of people trust* [*peer-to-peer recommendations*](https://www.brightlocal.com/research/local-consumer-review-survey-2014/) *over consumer reviews.* ## 5 Facts About Social Media and Peer-to-Peer Marketing Modern companies use consumer reviews to reveal details about their products. However, most consumers use chats, emails, in-person conversations, and social media to discuss brands and discover services. While reviews are critical, businesses can’t rely solely on them anymore. Here’s why: ### \#1. Many People Consider a Brand’s Online Presence First According to a recent Forbes report, consumers reportedly check out a [company’s social media](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2020/06/25/the-power-of-social-media-to-capture-todays-consumer/) page before doing business. Those surveyed said they felt less confident about giving money to a company with a poor virtual presence. Nowadays, your online reputation is as important as your local appeal. ### \#2. You Can Boost Awareness with a Click Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok let people interact in real-time across global borders. Interested consumers can quickly view your website or social media profile and instantly share it with their network. Fortunately, most people have more than just friends on their list. Your reputation online can easily become the foundation of your brand. ### \#3. Brand Recognition Could Significantly Increase You can accomplish lofty goals with the right people talking about your brand. However, you must offer outstanding customer service with reputation management tools befitting your audience. It’s challenging to maintain a favorable public opinion while experiencing rapid growth. As recognition increases, so does your responsibility to the consumers who trust you. ### \#4. People Enjoy Satisfying Interactions Reputation management involves more than mitigating marketing issues and responding to industry trends. Consumers thrive where they feel heard and seen. Even if you can’t satisfy their current needs, there’s still a chance for repeat business. Your solid reputation in the industry could convince them to come back or mention your products to friends. ### \#5. Negative Feedback Is Inescapable You can’t please everybody, and people are likelier to leave a review if they’re dissatisfied. Moreover, you can’t always [trust a negative comment](https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/13/smarter-living/trust-negative-product-reviews.html), but not all consumers know that. Your reputation could get damaged without swift and efficient management. People see those remarks and become concerned about your company, telling others along the way. **FACT**: *Angry customers have used social media to launch boycott campaigns against brands they didn’t like.* ## Social Media Reputation Management Is Linked to Continued Business Growth Want to know what’s working and not working inside your company? Practice social listening on various platforms to discover the details. Use [tailored marketing tools](https://www.forbes.com/sites/groupthink/2016/02/18/7-tools-to-personalize-sales-and-marketing-communications-at-scale/) to examine mentions, likes, comments, and shares. Then track trends to determine pitfalls and build a better brand. Entrepreneurs, start-ups, small businesses, and corporations can benefit from honest consumer feedback. Genuine interactions help customer service representatives address issues and send information up the chain of command. The streamlined teamwork also leads to more efficient operations, improved productivity, and enhanced reputation management. [Managing a personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/why-personal-branding-is-the-key-to-success-in-2021/) or company’s reputation is a complex process involving multiple teams and tasks. It often consists of menial and mundane duties plus critical services that can bog down a bustling business. Those multifaceted responsibilities generally include the following: - Building Business Directories - Improving Social Profiles - Eliminating Negative Feedback - Sifting Customer Chatter - Monitoring Market Trends - Researching Review Websites - Conducting Consumer Outreach - Posting on Social Platforms - Curating Branded Imagery - Expediting Response Times - Developing Marketing Strategies - Mitigating Public Conflicts - Determining Effective Output - Highlighting Positive Attributes Remember that your social media account is directly linked to your reputation. Your public activities should align with your company’s goals regardless of what happens in your personal life. Build up the best image and [establish credibility](https://www.under30ceo.com/how-to-build-brand-credibility/) in a preferred industry with intuitive reputation management services. **NOTE**: *You can share upgrades, announce changes, and discuss exciting developments with clients via social media threads.* *Consistent posts can also help boost engagement and improve your rank.* ## 5 Ways to Manage Your Reputation Despite Social Media Influence [Social media reputation management](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-management/) is a multifaceted process involving numerous steps. Most brands and businesses can’t handle the complex process without a strategy. Meanwhile, online expectations can change without notice. Conscientious companies must practice due diligence to avoid getting canceled. Preventing a poor public image while participating in the digital world is not for the faint of heart. Few businesses receive 100% positive feedback, and diverse groups may not appreciate your offerings. However, you can manage your reputation despite social media influence by using these # tips. ### \#1. Hire a Personal Branding Agent It might sound like a waste of money to pay for reputation management. Still, the impact of social media on a brand can be elevating or devastating. Hire professionals to help you develop content, interact with consumers, and present yourself as a trusted authority. Don’t assume the investment is frivolous in the digital age. **FACT**: *Personal branding agents can help you determine the effectiveness of your advertising and outreach efforts.* ### \#2. Clarify Your Audience Don’t try to please every person who stumbles across your profile. Focus on your target demographic, then let a PR expert handle the rest. They can ensure diversity and enhance your outreach efforts to include underrepresented groups. You also won’t have to run damage control on unscrupulous posts because they’ll help you choose the most [inclusive language](https://www.apa.org/about/apa/equity-diversity-inclusion/language-guidelines). **FACT**: *Particular words could cause accidental trouble, so avoid posting without a second opinion on social media.* ### \#3. Highlight the Positives Use social media to demonstrate your brand’s best features. Then integrate social listening and monitoring tools to help track referrals and build a better data bank. You can take advantage of data analyses for a more in-depth understanding of your audience. Or prioritize marketing campaigns based on feedback to create targeted posts. **FACT**: *Consumers typically respond better to brands that appear to share their concerns and beliefs.* ### \#4. Use Unshakable Examples Perhaps your company likes making lofty claims about goods and services, and maybe your audience is naturally skeptical. Give them something to talk about without rocking the boat by presenting hard-hitting evidence to support your assertions. You’ll quickly become an authority on the topic while promoting advocacy for your primary audience. **FACT**: *Today’s social media user wants to avoid misinformation from all sources*. ### \#5. Check Your Progress Often Don’t’ be afraid to change your strategy. If something isn’t working, discuss new ideas with your marketing team. Chances are, a trend has passed, or a new wave is emerging in your industry. Reputation management requires non-stop attention to your target audience, so be prepared for them to ask for more. Then get ready to deliver it before your competitors. **FACT**: *Many brands use comprehensive analytics to track their online presence every 3-6 months.* [Managing your reputation](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/) on social media can be challenging, costly, and time-consuming. However, you can’t ignore this communication revolution and remain relevant in your industry. Modern consumers prefer transparent businesses with opportunities for meaningful interactions. Is your brand up to snuff? ## How to Tell If You Need Reputation Management Reputation management in the age of social media is essential, but it can also be expensive. Multiple avenues require constant attention to prevent unwanted mishaps and [negative publicity](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/how-negative-publicity-shaming-can-impact-your-company_b_596d2279e4b05561da5a59ca). Meanwhile, some companies generate profits without an online presence. How do you know when to hire a personal branding agent or let fate take its course? For starters, you can calculate revenue and compare it to your competitors. If they’re making more money, look closely at their social media accounts. Watch for followers who could be potential customers and monitor their behaviors and preferences. Then track the success of various profile posts to determine what works and doesn’t. Your company should be doing more than the competition, lest it sees stifled growth. When you ignore social media, you can’t expect improved brand recognition or increased profits. Further, you can’t wait for social media to wave a magic wand. The best strategies begin with a branding specialist and a team of marketing experts. Here are five ways how to tell if it’s time to hire some help: 1. You don’t get many engagements on your social profiles. 2. You’ve received multiple negative reviews on goods and services. 3. Your competitors outperform you in several ways. 4. You can’t get enough attention online. 5. You’re wasting money on fruitless marketing campaigns. Save time and reduce stress with reputation management for social media. The world is watching. Make sure you’re always saying the right thing. ## Conclusion Reputation management is a time-consuming process involving countless steps. However, competitive companies must harness social media to remain relevant and profitable in the digital age. Ignoring the impact of an online presence is foolish and counterproductive. Businesses should strive to stay on the front lines of their industries regardless of the latest trends. Managing a brand’s reputation helps control public perception and protect businesses from litigation and negative feedback. It also solidifies their industry authority, encourages consumer trust, and generates more profits. Therefore, reputation management pays for itself. Social media can play a significant role in how consumers view your brand. Give your enterprise a fair shot in a competitive economy with due diligence. Hire a personal branding expert to help develop and implement an impactful strategy. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding, Tips **Tags:** Reputation Management --- ### [Your Step-By-Step Guide for Personal Brand Building and Exposure](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-building/) **Published:** April 7, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Although personal brand building is challenging, you can develop an effective strategy by following these five steps. Knowing what happens after you establish a reputation is also crucial. Learn the ten golden [rules of personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-2/) while you’re here.* Personal brand building is no easy task. It requires months of preparation and a solid approach defined by your goals and target audience. Meanwhile, every person has a potential brand. It’s just about creating momentum in your market to [gain traction and earn recognition.](https://clairebahn.com/contact-claire/) Branding yourself usually means building a presence on social media and other web-based platforms. However, it also involves face-to-face interactions, search engine ranking, and product or partner affiliations. The personal brand-building strategy you choose plays a critical role in the future of your career. Branded content can do wonders to your portfolio if given the opportunity. In many cases, it opens doors of opportunity and creates [meaningful connections](https://www.inc.com/susan-steinbrecher/7-ways-to-create-meaningful-connections-that-may-save-your-life.html) with colleagues and consumers. Therefore, intuitive personal brand building can change the trajectory of your life. What does it mean to[ build a personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/), and how can you get started? Let’s take a closer look at the concept, then discuss the step-by-step process for getting it done. **Table of Contents** [What Is Personal Branding?](#_Toc101457380) [The Pros and Cons of Branding Yourself](#_Toc101457381) [PROS](#_Toc101457382) [CONS](#_Toc101457383) [Personal Brand Building Step-by-Step](#_Toc101457384) [Step One: Define Yourself and Your Goals](#_Toc101457385) [Step Two: Pick Your Value Proposition](#_Toc101457386) [Step Three: Find Your People](#_Toc101457387) [Step Four: Develop Your Online Presence](#_Toc101457388) [Step Five: Create Your Branded Content](#_Toc101457389) [The 10 Golden Rules of Personal Brand Building](#_Toc101457390) [\#1. Remain Genuine](#_Toc101457391) [\#2. Stay Focused](#_Toc101457392) [\#3. Be Consistent](#_Toc101457393) [\#4. Share a Story](#_Toc101457394) [\#5. Let Others Talk](#_Toc101457395) [\#6. Become Your Brand](#_Toc101457396) [\#7. Make a Lasting Impression](#_Toc101457397) [\#8. Create a Legacy](#_Toc101457398) [\#9. Follow Good Examples](#_Toc101457399) [\#10. Plan for Failure](#_Toc101457400) [Conclusion](#_Toc101457401) ## What Is Personal Branding? Most people immediately imagine a large corporation when they hear “brand.” Yet, every individual on the planet can build one. Personal branding is the act of highlighting your skills to differentiate yourself from others. It does not require a company or even a product. Essentially, you are the product. Consider [Tony Robbins](https://www.tonyrobbins.com/), for example. He has created a successful brand around his life coaching abilities and unusual insights. Instead of conforming to an existing persona, he made his own. People don’t associate him with a company or product but rather his perspectives on various topics. Robbins branded himself as an expert through carefully developed strategies and consistency. For celebrities like Tony, personal [brand building is essential](https://clairebahn.com/why-ceo-branding-is-good-for-your-company/). However, developing a label based on your unique talents is equally crucial. It means defining and correcting how people think or talk about you. The imagery and information communicate your standards, objectives, and activities in a given industry. Thus, your branded image could make or break your goals. Well-known brands are famous for more than their inventories and commercials, however. Consumers often attach values and emotions to specific labels. Expect them to do the same to you. Take iconic names like Apple and Adidas, for instance. They sell products while also encouraging authenticity, self-expression, and independence. What will your personal brand say to the world? The [most influential brands](https://time.com/collection/time100-companies/) are exclusive, genuine, and transparent. They cater to various groups and require focus, diligence, and uniformity. Establish a strong reputation founded on your distinctive qualities, then watch consumers flock to your front door. ## The Pros and Cons of Branding Yourself Many people don’t talk about this, but building a personal brand can be risky. Most perks can help boost your bottom line, but it’s not always sunshine and rainbows. After all, you are putting yourself in the public eye for scrutiny. This delicate matter typically requires guidance from a [personal branding expert](https://clairebahn.com/). Here is what you should consider in the meantime: ### PROS - Define and Execute Goals - Develop a Competitive Edge - Earn Customer Loyalty - Learn about Shared Values - Enhance Market Credibility - Introduce New Concepts - Improve Brand Recognition - Increase Opportunities - Boost Conversions and Sales The best guidance and strategy for developing a personal brand can help you reap even more benefits. However, even the most in-touch branding consultant can’t erase the potential risks. ### CONS - Overselling Yourself - Pigeonholed Perspectives - Authenticity Questions - Consistency Difficulties - Negative Publicity Your personal brand strategy should include a contingency plan for bad press and off-days. It’s never wise to assimilate too much of your personal life into your label. Keep a clear distinction between private matters and branded content for the best results. **TIP**: *Develop a step-by-step process to address potential pitfalls.* ## Personal Brand Building Step-by-Step You only get [one chance to make a first impression](https://clairebahn.com/developing-personal-brand/). People will never forget their initial thoughts about your brand. Then they’ll use biased opinions to decide whether to trust your work and words. Personal brand building is not a task for the faint of heart. You’ll need guts to get any glory. Building a brand around yourself involves several steps. You must also tailor each step to your specific objectives without forfeiting authenticity or negatively impacting [public perception](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescommunicationscouncil/2019/05/01/how-public-perception-can-make-or-break-a-brand-and-what-it-means-for-employees/). Use this five-step guide to get started without stress: ### Step One: Define Yourself and Your Goals Build a personal brand that serves as an honest reflection of who you are. Use it to highlight your most impressive skills and communicate your aspirations. The number of people you inspire with definitive branding might be surprising. Determine your brandable traits and specify your goals. Or ask yourself the following questions: - What is my primary motivation? - What things am I excellent at doing? - Where or how do I work best? - How do I want to [influence my audience](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/03/23/three-simple-steps-to-engage-and-influence-any-audience/?sh=4a729e6a420a)? - Which industries do I find most appealing? - What things drain my energy? - How much do I know about personal brand building? - Where do I want to be in 5-10-20 years? You can change your answers or refocus your goals at any time. Ask friends, family, and coworkers for information or insights to develop more holistic tactics. Branding strategists can also help you direct objectives based on your target audience. ### Step Two: Pick Your Value Proposition Your unique values will set you apart regardless of the industry. Don’t hide your differences; leverage them for more effective brand-building. Consumers remember outstanding or peculiar labels. Jack Trout’s book “[*Differentiate or Die*](https://www.leadershipnow.com/leadershop/9780470223390.html)*”* puts it, “The only way to truly differentiate yourself is by marketing the product uniquely valuable qualities.” This is where your value proposition becomes crucial. However, it doesn’t have to be a monologue about all your quirks. Make it a short statement encapsulating why you’re not like the others. Tell people what you offer that nobody else can. Meanwhile, consider your strengths and weaknesses. They can tell you a lot about what you should or shouldn’t be doing. ### Step Three: Find Your People Appealing to the masses can be effective in some situations, but not for personal brand building. You must determine your target demographic and then attract them with your authenticity instead. Start by finding individuals, groups, or organizations that interest you. Then figure out how your unique approach can impact them. Not sure where to begin? Branding experts can help you narrow your niche and appeal to the most likely candidates. They can also test campaigns for startups and small businesses while gathering metrics for search engine optimization and [SEO marketing strategies](https://www.semrush.com/blog/seo-strategy/). Meanwhile, SEO content can drive conversions and turn curious onlookers into loyal fans. **DID YOU KNOW**: *Consumer surveys give you honest feedback about your brand’s effectiveness.* ### Step Four: Develop Your Online Presence People want to read your story to determine how they feel about your personal brand. However, they can’t do that at the library. Modern branding requires a consistently updated online presence via websites and social media. Here are ten undeniable reasons why: 1. You can create an About Me page to disclose your credentials to everyone. 2. Describe specific accomplishments and relevant past experiences. 3. Reveal your unique value proposition. 4. Display candid consumer testimonials about goods or services. 5. Create distinct calls to action for various causes. 6. Celebrate achievements with stakeholders, investors, members, and guests. 7. Provide secure links to your social media profiles. 8. Share real-world photos and branded logos. 9. Interact with visitors to your site and social. 10. Appear as a trusted authority in your industry or niche. Nearly half a million new websites spring into existence each day. That means your online presence must be just as outstanding as you are. Anything less will have you slipping through the cracks and questioning your personal brand strategy. ### Step Five: Create Your Branded Content Use your website to publish and share content relevant to your brand. Choose relatable imagery and provide searchable blogs with accurate information. Help demonstrate your expertise through high-ranking articles, videos, and infographics. Then [encourage feedback](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/how-to-ask-for-reviews/) and interact with those who give out their opinions. Don’t assume you’re giving away value by providing educational content. Consider how much it helps showcase your unique perspectives and knowledge. Then remember that consumers and investors need a taste test before trusting you. If your free stuff is fantastic, they’ll assume your paid products are even better. Meanwhile, spread your branded content across several platforms for increased visibility. You can choose the medium based on your demographics or goals. For example, LinkedIn is best for finding jobs and growing your network. Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok are perfect for real-time interactions and viral presentations. **TIP**: *Research buzz-worthy topics in your industry to produce trending content before your competitors.* A significant part of personal brand building is establishing a community of like-minded people and relevant businesses. Make the most of your motivations by joining groups, attending meetups, and watching webinars from people in your industry. ## The 10 Golden Rules of Personal Brand Building Creating and maintaining a brand is challenging. Countless factors can [influence how audiences react](https://www.bizjournals.com/bizjournals/how-to/growth-strategies/2017/08/how-your-audiences-reaction-guides-their-decisions.html) to your presentation, personality, and perspectives. Fortunately, there are ten golden rules you can follow for maximum impact and positive exposure. Here is what you need to know. ### \#1. Remain Genuine Nobody wants to support a fake. Consumers, partners, and investors prefer authenticity regardless of your strengths and weaknesses. They can’t make educated decisions about doing business with you if you’re dishonest. Plus, disingenuine habits can threaten your personal branding strategies. ### \#2. Stay Focused It’s easy to get distracted by thrilling opportunities and profitable offers. However, you must filter your options through the lens of your personal brand. Will this choice negatively impact your reputation or solidify it? Be careful not to step too far off base. ### \#3. Be Consistent Personal brand building requires lots of time and energy. You can get overwhelmed by all the tiny details and tasks. However, you can’t stop producing content or updating your online presence. Remain consistent even if you have to hire help. ### \#4. Share a Story People want to know where you came from and where you’re going. They seldom do business with mysterious entities or brands with questionable origins. Tell a story to help others relate and gain momentum in your industry as they’re motivated to move. ### \#5. Let Others Talk If you let them, consumers, investors, and visitors can help spread the word about your brand. Provide tools to make sharing information less time-consuming or risky. Then watch as [word-of-mouth advertising](https://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/word-of-mouth-marketing.asp) does most of the heavy lifting. ### \#6. Become Your Brand Live your life like your personal brand depends on it. After all, people will clock everything you say or do, and competitors wait for you to slip. Remove their ability to quash your goals by coordinating your lifestyle with your branded materials. Then ask a branding agent for guidance if you need it. ### \#7. Make a Lasting Impression Forget sharing information and leaving the rest up to the consumer. Give people something to think about and do. Use your brand to tug at their heartstrings, reveal compelling data, or solve a problem. Folks will more than likely return to your website or social profile the next time they need support. ### \#8. Create a Legacy Don’t just impress people. Make them remember whom you are by developing a low-budget [legacy marketing campaign](https://www.culturehive.co.uk/resources/how-to-develop-a-low-budget-legacy-campaign/). Create an open forum for genuine interactions and reviews. Then provide long-lasting solutions, durable products, or charitable efforts to grow a permanent following. ### \#9. Follow Good Examples Pick a mentor, career coach, or personal branding agency to help you stay on track. You can imitate some of their strategies while tailoring the approach to your audience. Or gather resources through a network of partners, vendors, and investors to maintain market relations. ### \#10. Plan for Failure There is no straight path to success. Even intuitive personal brand building can still fall short of consumer expectations. You must experiment with different techniques and consider contradictory metrics to remain relevant. ## Conclusion Personal brand building is a complicated process involving several steps and many potential pitfalls. Establishing an online presence is only half the battle. You must also manage public perception, produce compelling content, and constantly update your material. Without a personal branding specialist, that’s usually impossible. Those who succeed are either lucky or follow the golden rules. Becoming a recognizable name in any industry can be challenging. Countless factors play a role in how much authority consumers give you. Stay authentic and transparent for maximum appeal. Then rethink your approach with each new development. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding, Tips **Tags:** Personal brand building, personal brand for beginners --- ### [Side Hustle Hacks: Using Your Personal Brand to Build a Better Gig](https://clairebahn.com/side-hustle/) **Published:** April 28, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *A side hustle should complement your personal brand. It should also generate more than capital gains. Build a new company or expand an existing one with side gigs that support your values. Then use my step-by-step process to maximize profits and potential.* Side hustle plans can bring additional income and increased brand recognition. The more people who interact with your label, the more chances you have to spread the word about your gig. Meanwhile, a successful side hustle can [generate appreciation and respect for your public persona](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-2/). Do you know how to combine them like a pro? Your most profitable “extracurricular activities” must align with branding strategies and market perceptions. Otherwise, the two forces can clash and bring your goals crashing to the ground. Marketing assumes the whole world is watching, with some audiences paying extra attention. We cannot let our thirst for profits overshadow our values and promises. Irresponsible or immoral decisions in pursuit of profits can haunt you. Gigs on the side should always support the main event. You’re supposed to [build a network](https://www.americanexpress.com/en-us/business/trends-and-insights/articles/7-ways-to-build-a-strong-network/) fueled by transparency and trust. Don’t let your private endeavors fudge your personal brand. Learn how to make them run in tandem and create a longer-lasting impression. Understand the difference between a side hustle and a part-time job. Discover the benefits of combining your brand with your gig to build a better company. Then redefine your strategy to include a more diverse portfolio. Here’s what you need to know in the meantime. **Table of Contents** [What Is Considered a Side Hustle?](#_Toc101529747) [Brand-Friendly Side Hustle Ideas](#_Toc101529748) [When Side Gigs and Personal Brands Collide](#_Toc101529749) [4 Steps to Building Your Brand with a Hustle on the Side](#_Toc101529750) [Step One: Define Your Personal Brand and Audience](#_Toc101529751) [Step Two: Look for the Benefits in Your Side Hustle](#_Toc101529752) [Step Three: Cross-Promote Your Gig within Branding Strategies](#_Toc101529753) [Step Four: Brand Your Side Hustle for an Extra Boost](#_Toc101529754) [Tips for Branding Your Side Hustle](#_Toc101529755) [Polishing Your Brand Presence](#_Toc101529756) [\#1. Hire a Reputation Management Firm](#_Toc101529757) [\#2. Design Business Cards](#_Toc101529758) [\#3. Collect Customer Testimonials](#_Toc101529759) [Conclusion](#_Toc101529760) ## What Is Considered a Side Hustle? A part-time job working for an established company is not a side hustle. That’s someone else’s creation, and you’re just a link in the chain. Daily duties depend on executive decisions and little input from employees. You’re not building a company; you’re helping to support an existing one. A side hustle is something you develop from scratch. Goods and services help solve problems and [contribute to your community](https://thriveglobal.com/stories/side-hustles-that-give-back-to-your-community/). Private projects also involve duties you define, with a salary you control. They often serve as supplement income but can grow into full-time earnings in some cases. A typical example of a legitimate side hustle is mobile cosmetology services. Stylists can travel to various locations, set their prices, and create a schedule that suits their lifestyle. They usually don’t work for a salon, so they build their personal brand around a reputation for excellence. Some might even expand their market reach to include exclusive spa services or branded merchandise. Gigs on the side are for more than generating increased earnings. Play your cards right, and a small project can turn into an unfathomable opportunity. Get ready to spend extra time hustling, however. Balancing a full-time job, [personal brand building](https://clairebahn.medium.com/your-ultimate-guide-to-reinventing-yourself-through-your-personal-brand-a7dd1a68171b), and moonlighting isn’t easy. You’ll want to streamline your approach to blend it with your public persona. Or gather some new side hustle ideas to start fresh. ## Brand-Friendly Side Hustle Ideas You can use a side hustle to build better companies, establish long-lasting partnerships, and grow your market reach. Provide superior goods and services to ensure industry authority and increase organic traffic. Give people want they want, and they’ll return for more. Then you can introduce them to your personal brand and offer relevant information about every aspect. Buyers, vendors, and marketing scouts will eventually associate your name and face with quality and customer service. Speak or write about your [profitable pastimes](https://www.sidehustlenation.com/hobbies-that-make-money/) on branded materials to answer questions and improve public perception. Generate wealth while maintaining a faithful following. Or use one of these brand-friendly ideas to try something new: - **Become a freelancer.** Work independently, completing projects that highlight your expertise. - **Write a blog.** Advise people in your industry looking for first-hand knowledge. - **Start affiliate marketing.** Run paid ads on your blog to earn dividends from related companies. - **Sell information**. Get paid to teach other entrepreneurs how to accomplish their goals. - **Launch a wholesale business.** Offer endorsements and discounted goods to specific groups. - **Build a print**–**on-demand startup**. Create customizable products for followers and campaigns. Notice how each side hustle complements the primary brand without compromising the values, goals, or audience. One supports the other in a symbiotic relationship that generates positive results. If your extra gig makes people ask the wrong questions, your personal brand could take the heat. ## When Side Gigs and Personal Brands Collide What happens if your career or brand contradicts your side hustle or vice versa? Should you give up one, the other, or neither? [Reputation management](https://www.blogtalkradio.com/yourpartnerinsuccessradio/2021/03/29/what-is-personal-branding-and-why-does-it-matter-to-you-with-claire-bahn) is crucial for personal branding and professional advancement. You should never put your good name at risk, no matter how much cash is involved. Building a company is challenging, and developing a reputable presence in any industry can be an uphill battle. Meanwhile, you can destroy your reputation instantly if you’re not careful. Choose appropriate side hustles or pay the price when people start researching your brand. [Reputational risk](https://hbr.org/2007/02/reputation-and-its-risks) can be direct or indirect. For example, your source of supplemental income could pose questions about your morals and objectives. Yet a conscientious side hustle can encourage people to get involved or seek your brand first. Followers will learn about your expertise through organic exposure. It would help if you [prevented a negative shift in perception by managing behaviors](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/), performances, alliances, and communications. Your personal brand will develop new connotations as your pastimes become more profitable. Is your side gig saying the right things about your business? **TIP**: *Gather honest feedback to determine the real-world impact of extra work on your personal brand.* ## 4 Steps to Building Your Brand with a Hustle on the Side Use your side hustle plans to enhance your personal brand and build a better business. Achieve goals, improve marketing strategies, and enjoy financial independence without compromising your reputation. Establish a presence, share your voice, and integrate a side gig to enhance your status. You can also invest earnings in meaningful pockets. Building your brand with an optional project is a surefire way to increase profits and [earn industry authority online](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/397122) or in person. However, these should be your other objectives: 1. Solve problems for potential followers across various spectrums. 2. Offer solutions and exposure to partners, vendors, affiliates, and yourself. 3. Meet new people in your industry for exciting opportunities. 4. Build brand recognition and respect in your market through organic interactions. 5. Combine your side hustle with your personal brand to develop a cohesive strategy. What about the steps that go with these goals? Here is how I’d approach the situation: ### Step One: Define Your Personal Brand and Audience You must [know your audience](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbescoachescouncil/2018/05/16/communicating-respect-know-your-audience/?sh=68e20bdd4067) intimately to determine what they like and dislike. Find out what your target demographic tolerances and despises. Run analytics and review real-time data to create personalized avatars. Then examine the wants and needs that reveal themselves in your research. Go further with voluntary surveys and focus groups. Look at what your competitors are doing, and do it better. Monitor feedback from loyal followers but never ignore one-time visitors and random engagements. You can always experiment with various [content types](https://neilpatel.com/training/content-marketing-unlocked/content-types/) and update your trajectory at any time. **TIP**: *Make sure your personal brand promises align with your side hustle duties and outcomes.* ### Step Two: Look for the Benefits in Your Side Hustle Your pet project must benefit someone, or you wouldn’t make any money. Determine who is and isn’t interested in your product, then focus your attention on [warm leads](https://www.fool.com/the-blueprint/warm-leads/). Find out how your hustle muscles are an advantage to those specific audiences. Develop solutions that offer innovative answers to questions relevant to your expertise. Next, ask yourself this: - How can my side work help grow or improve my personal brand? - Can my business strengthen my gig in any way? - What could I accomplish with enough support, exposure, and capital? Check for overlapping concepts and complementary goals. Consult your network for ideas, advice, and special deals. Or concentrate on a particular aspect of your side hustle to build a more dynamic duo. ### Step Three: Cross-Promote Your Gig within Branding Strategies Personal branding and business management require consistent data reviews and continual strategy changes. Use the information wisely, and don’t waste time saying goodbye to ineffective tactics. You can seamlessly integrate a relevant side gig into an established company with slick marketing techniques. Begin dropping hustler hints when publications discuss your brand. Take directions from [celebrities with side gigs](https://www.insider.com/celebrities-with-companies-2018-8). Watch how they catapult like-minded organizations with their reputation, interests, and values. Here are three excellent examples: - **Beyonce** – The musical sensation and CEO of Parkwood Entertainment launched [Ivy Park](https://www.ivypark.com/), an activewear clothing line inspired by her dancers. - **Ryan Reynolds** – This movie star owns and operates the prestigious [Aviation American Gin](https://www.aviationgin.com/) distillery to help promote his laid-back persona and love of aerospace. - **Jessica Alba** – She started [The Honest Company](https://www.honest.com/) to provide safe household goods to new parents after starting her own family. Each entrepreneur made sure their side hustles enriched their personal brands and secured their reputations. Most likely, they also developed their companies for exposure and authority. ### Step Four: Brand Your Side Hustle for an Extra Boost Use public perception and recognition to introduce your side gig. Then use the project to [promote your personal brand.](https://clairebahn.com/how-do-people-make-money-on-youtube/) Take Beyonce, for example. She usually wears something from her clothing line when doing candid interviews or running errands. Her agents know that both ventures should overlap to provide several opportunities for favorable publicity. Ask people in your network for honest or paid endorsements. Discover ways to implement [product placement](https://theconversation.com/the-science-of-product-placements-and-why-some-work-better-than-others-165435). Also, develop savvy schemes that capture (and keep) your audience’s attention. ## Tips for Branding Your Side Hustle Branding a side hustle is no easy task. You must choose a marketable name, create branded imagery, launch a decent website, and [polish your image](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2016/10/31/why-brand-image-matters-more-than-you-think/?sh=61f153fb10b8). Most entrepreneurs seek a reputation manager at this point because public perceptions can be fickle. Start by naming your goods and services. Give people something to call it. Imagine a solid identity, then pick a name that best suits your character. Next, create a logo that captures your side hustle’s uniqueness. Use the power of symbolism and color to your advantage. You can share the imagery across various platforms to reach cold leads and remind interested audiences. Your website also plays a critical role in branding side hustles to build your business. People want to hear your origin story, so offer them a window into your life. Manage the site carefully to provide real-time interactions and establish trust. Followers are more likely to take your personal brand and subsequent gig more seriously with a transparent online presence. Include these elements for a more significant boost: - Updated Contact Information - Customer Testimonials - Before/After Photos - Competitor Fails - [Product Value Demonstrations](https://smallbusiness.chron.com/purpose-benefits-product-demonstration-55113.html) - Relevant Industry Information - Authoritative Content and Data - Affiliate Links and Mentions Help people find you in a search with excellent [Search Engine Optimization](https://www.mtu.edu/umc/services/websites/seo/what-is/) (SEO). Communicate with niche groups on a more intimate level. Then give loyal customers a chance to ask questions and find answers to crucial questions. ## Polishing Your Brand Presence Determine what you want to accomplish from your micro-business. Do you need more capital for investing? Are you trying to grow your following on social media? Is your side hustle about creating opportunities for other people? Reinforce your core values at this time. Try to be transparent and attract people with parallel priorities. Polish your personal brand by aligning it with your pet projects. Don’t let future bad press impact your present success. Focus on the visuals and aim to please your target audience. Create a uniform look that communicates professionalism and encourages others to consider your product. Here are three hacks to get you started: ### \#1. Hire a Reputation Management Firm Reputation managers can help you determine which goods and services to offer different audiences. They can also [develop and implement impactful strategies](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) to help you gain recognition and respect in your industry. ### \#2. Design Business Cards [Print custom business cards](https://www.investopedia.com/best-business-card-printing-services-5092960) to give to potential partners and customers. You can create proprietary labels for products, containers, and communications. Include your logo and catchphrase or mission statement to become distinguishable. ### \#3. Collect Customer Testimonials Intermittently shift the attention away from your personal brand. Focus on its community impact instead. Express gratitude for customer involvement, then demonstrate how your dual presence has helped various groups. ## Conclusion Promote your personal brand while managing a side hustle that complements your reputation. Use gains from both ventures to expand your market reach and grow a loyal following. You can always test different approaches and iron out the kinks as your character develops. Excellent branding requires diligence and a commitment to consistency regardless of public perception. You must know the value of your gig before convincing others to buy your goods and services. Side hustles will only get you so far, and a branded persona needs tangible evidence for support. Back up your claims with relevant goals, then let your goals speak for themselves. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding, Tips **Tags:** personal branding tips, Side Hustle --- ### [Reputation Management vs. Personal Branding: Differences and Importance](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management-2/) **Published:** March 17, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** *Reputation management assumes that something went wrong and you need to fix it. However, the public’s perception of you can be fickle, even if you’re at the top of your game. That’s why [managing your reputation](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call/) is crucial regardless of how hard you work.* [Reputation management](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/) plays a critical role in your personal branding strategy. The reason is that even some world-renown companies have fallen victim to poor public perception. Take General Motors or Bank of America, for example. Both [lost tremendous revenue](https://www.yahoo.com/news/weather/america-nine-most-damaged-brands-085048122.html?guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAH8U-vWzNMIsfAyqoY6PwZkampxk7XyewUrknX15scYJe4oMzb7adeY4LYwoyQeDkJvrtWlSvllnnZyvlOe580q35eaLYcVHa3vcrqpoTbRcvHa9is6d4XISwoKEmNgRR19jhUKttUdKST7_BWbfAoPPqRhd7QhrYuGL9C95CdIh) and immeasurable respect because of simple status errors. By taking a more proactive approach to maintaining your persona, you avoid the trappings of fickle consumerism. Your personal brand becomes synonymous with whatever industry you serve, preventing you from falling through the cracks of changing trends. Therefore, reputation management is the primary ingredient in any public relations recipe. **Table of Contents** [Reputation Management: What Is It and How Does It Work?](#_Toc98175122) [What Does a Reputation Manager Do?](#_Toc98175123) [Why Reputation Management Is Essential to Personal Branding](#_Toc98175124) [\#1. Your Reputation Never Gets an Off-Day](#_Toc98175125) [\#2. Consumer Skepticism Is Inevitable](#_Toc98175126) [\#3. Rapid Response Times Matter](#_Toc98175127) [Reputation Management vs. Personal Branding](#_Toc98175128) [The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Reputation Manager](#_Toc98175129) [Personal Branding or Reputation Management: Which One Should You Choose?](#_Toc98175130) [How Reputation Management Helps Mitigate Risk to Your Brand](#_Toc98175131) [Step 1: Develop Your Personal Brand](#_Toc98175132) [Step 2: Determine Your Goals](#_Toc98175133) [Step 3: Find a Reputation Manager](#_Toc98175134) [Conclusion](#_Toc98175135) ## Reputation Management: What Is It and How Does It Work? Managing someone’s reputation is no easy task. It involves various processes centered around monitoring consumer opinion. The main objective is to develop personal branding strategies that change or support your standing. You can improve how people see you and manage their perception based on targeted campaigns. Many people mistakenly assume that hiring a reputation manager means something is wrong. However, the opposite is true in an ever-changing marketplace. Managing your personal brand is the best way to prevent obsolescence. It also sticks your name at the top of popular search engines, with relevant [social media](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-management/) promotions and authentic customer reviews. ### What Does a Reputation Manager Do? Intuitive reputation managers always protect a brand’s online social status while monitoring their in-person impacts. In simple terms, they help safeguard your personal branding strategies and help develop more effective interactions. Usually, their tactics include controlling the release of branded information online and in other publications. Personal brand directors can also help you recover from an embarrassing incident. They typically use a three-phase approach to build, maintain, and reclaim lost clout. The best reputation managers will then implement customized tools to forecast behaviors, screen influences, and rebuild damaged relationships within relevant industries. Successful reputation management consists of several steps, including consistent communication with targeted demographics. They achieve constant contact through social media, blog posts, and direct consumer engagements. Meanwhile, their efforts must remain multifaceted to keep investors, primary stakeholders, and regulatory bodies content. **DID YOU KNOW:** *A good reputation management team can stop a misunderstanding or innocent mistake from becoming* [*PR nightmares*](https://www.thewrap.com/p1594341/)*.* ## Why Reputation Management Is Essential to Personal Branding Who remembers 2020 when brands fell to the wayside left and right? Public backlash on longstanding companies was at an all-time high. Many brands didn’t make it. Much of that had to do with how people perceived the top executives and their controversial advertising. We all learned how quickly a well-known marketing campaign and personal brand can endure unexpected public scrutiny. Unfortunately, suspicion is woven into our social fabric because of unscrupulous people. We begin creating branded content with the best intentions, but we receive negative feedback instead. The sooner we hire a reputation manager, the more likely we will establish trust and keep it. When criticisms never end, you need reputation management that never quits. Here are three more reasons why: ### \#1. Your Reputation Never Gets an Off-Day People browse the internet day and night. That means consumers, investors, and media influencers can look you up at any time. While you sleep soundly in bed, they’re picking apart your personal brand. By morning, your name is plastered in all the wrong places and for all the wrong reasons. Those in charge of your reputation have no chill. You shouldn’t either. Controlling the input and output can be time-consuming and overwhelming. However, reputation management involves maintaining the status quo despite the volume. That way, you can enjoy a quiet day off even though your rep never rests. ### \#2. Consumer Skepticism Is Inevitable Another reason to hire a PR firm or personal branding strategist is [consumer skepticism](https://www.forbes.com/sites/theyec/2018/08/30/three-ways-to-defeat-consumer-skepticism-and-win-customer-loyalty/?sh=71d3e5661133). Folks don’t want to get involved with entrepreneurs or companies with a poor public persona. That’s because consumers often identify with their favorite brands, meaning they personify various characteristics as a way to express their individuality. [Skeptical consumerism](https://ijbssnet.com/journals/Vol_4_No_5_May_2013/9.pdf) can also threaten your bottom line. Studies show that people are less likely to purchase products or follow pages when they don’t trust the source. Instead, they must learn to rely on a brand based on consistent beliefs, behaviors, or business deals. Yet keeping them comfortable can be a full-time job. ### \#3. Rapid Response Times Matter Consumers put their faith in transparent people and companies. They also respect responsiveness and reliability. Waiting around for answers, apologies, or clarification can put a bad taste in the public’s mouth. Plus, it can make you appear deceptive when you’re really just confused, overwhelmed, or disinterested. A good reputation management team reaches out to quash negative speculation before it gets out of hand. However, the best PR strategist can cut criticism off at the pass with intuitive and timely responses. You protect otherwise effective personal branding plans while making gains in the public square. ## Reputation Management vs. Personal Branding [Monitoring your public presence](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/313784) is a multi-step process that requires more than managing some social media platforms. It’s also not the same as branding your persona. While reputation management and personal branding go hand-in-hand, they each require different approaches. The primary distinction is that you [define your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/why-personal-branding-is-the-key-to-success-in-2021/). Then a personal branding expert refines it for presentation. They also provide consistently high-quality content for consumers, investors, shareholders, and other interested parties. Branding agents control what and when you broadcast to the market. Meanwhile, a reputation specialist helps you maintain what you’ve already created. They show you how to walk, talk, act, and respond in ways that align with your branded status. Their expertise also helps you provide definitive proofs to back up your claims and resolve potentially damaging conflicts. Through diligent trend tracking, reputation management prevents unnecessary [business hiccups](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/299338). Personal branding agencies develop your persona; reputation management firms help you maintain it. One is the product of market evaluations, the other of appraisal. Both give you the tools to create brand consistency, engage with diverse audiences, and [track public opinion](https://libguides.princeton.edu/politics/opinion). **DID YOU KNOW**: *Personal branding firms can get your name mentioned in the press, while reputation managers make sure it’s good news.* ## The Pros and Cons of Hiring a Reputation Manager While branding is critical in presenting yourself to the world, your work is futile if you don’t protect it. That’s why hiring a reputation management agency matters regardless of your current standing. Public plotters can interpret your goals then create strategic barriers to help you achieve them, come what may. Reputation managers work hard to ensure a positive spin on the events in your life. However, safeguarding your name requires some level of personal involvement. You must be willing to listen to the experts, for one thing. That puts many people at an immediate disadvantage without considering the pros. Here’s what you should consider first: **PROS** - Decreased Consumer Skepticism - Improved Responses - Streamlined Timing - Trend Monitoring - Positive Social Media Engagements - Courteous Direct Contact - Industry Due Diligence - Boosted Brand Trustworthiness - Increased Industry Credibility - Better Business Opportunities - Optimal Staffing Options Brands with excellent representation can manage virtually anything the market throws at them. Their services include proactive engagements, supportive strategies, and [problem-solving techniques](https://www.mediabistro.com/climb-the-ladder/managing/15-tips-fixing-brands-bad-reputation/). Your most important job is to let them work their magic. **CONS** Reputation management has a few drawbacks also. For example, the represented party shouldn’t create original content without filtering it through the firm. That’s because reputation managers work hard to maintain a good rapport, but some content could be counterproductive to the cause. Meanwhile, these are some other concerns to consider: - Significant Investment Required - Several Privacy Concerns - Results May Vary - Social Status Boosts Not Guaranteed Unfounded attacks on your character aren’t anything new. They’re actually par for the course in a competitive society. You must work diligently to develop a trusted brand, then strive even more to keep it intact. That’s why it’s crucial to choose an equitable, affordable, and proven reputation management firm alongside a personal branding agency. ## Personal Branding or Reputation Management: Which One Should You Choose? Branding yourself can be a challenge, so you probably don’t want anything to unexpectedly affect your status. Meanwhile, you can’t always control what the public does or says about your brand. Thus, most entrepreneurs and organizations require a dual approach to the market. They hire one entity to build their personal brand and the other to manage their delicate reputation. Remember that managing reputational risk is usually not a one-person job. With multiple avenues of exposure and communication, stable brands need reputation management alongside conspicuous branding strategies. They need help controlling the flow of information while maintaining a positive public image and developing effective contingency plans. **DID YOU KNOW:** *Excellent service providers can also help you express yourself online without succumbing to censorship or violating public policies.* ## How Reputation Management Helps Mitigate Risk to Your Brand Although you should make risk mitigation a primary part of your branding strategy, you can’t predict the future. However, reputation management services help control the processes that generate feedback. Experts understand how each action can potentially affect the status quo. Then they focus on building a more positive perception through better imaging, communication, and production. They also appreciate stakeholder expectations and investor wish lists. Brand reputation managers offer insights to help teams create their ideal characteristics then expand market reach through progressive campaigns and aggressive consistency. Take these three steps for maximum impact: ### Step 1: Develop Your Personal Brand Work with a personal branding firm to define who you want to be in the public eye. Determine the pros and cons of your ideals, then anticipate controversy or conflicts before they arise. Make the most of your target market’s attention span with clever yet honest marketing schemes. ### Step 2: Determine Your Goals Consider your short-term and long-term objectives with your brand’s reputation in mind. Where do you see yourself in five to ten years? Will the decisions you make today affect how the public perceives you tomorrow? Predicting market trends can be time-consuming and confusing without a solid personal brand and a diligent reputation management team. ### Step 3: Find a Reputation Manager You can monitor and maintain your reputation without professional help while building and expanding your reach. However, doing so could spread your resources too thin. Managing your rep in any industry can be a full-time job in and of itself. Add negative feedback in front of opportunities and miss the mark every time. Reduce the damage of unfair scrutiny when you fortify your personal brand with intuitive reputation managing. Get ahead of the curve and prevent unwanted interference with your goals. Then enjoy long-lasting respect in your industry plus protection from the inevitable. ## Conclusion Reputation management makes all the difference when the public is in charge of your future. Competitors can play unfair games, and consumers can be cruel. Meanwhile, you can play it cool and still lose credibility because of a poor or untimely response. That’s why hiring someone to manage your persona is so essential. The economy shifts and social trends change, often before we know it. However, balancing the duties of a personal brand or business can be overwhelming without the extra work. Reputation managers help mitigate risks to your social standing while also improving your integrity. They perform rep-saving tasks in the background while you enjoy the benefits. Your reputation specialist will develop tailored strategies to quantify potential issues, quaff existing problems, and quench your brand’s desire to remain an authority. With maximum impact, they’ll help protect what you’ve created and shield your good name from dodgy claims. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Personal Branding, Tips **Tags:** personal branding, Reputation Management --- ### [Why Social Media Management is a Key Factor in Personal Branding](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-management/) **Published:** November 10, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Learn how to leverage social media management to help you boost your personal brand in these 7 steps. Social media management is going to play an essential role in [building your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/). When creating your business, personal branding is everything. Your social media pages have the potential to transform your company into a trustworthy brand that clients come back to again and again. Fortunately, everyone already has a personal brand, whether they realize it or not. You don’t have to start from scratch, but you do have to pay attention to it. The process of growing your personal brand is really a matter of honing your story and values to connect with your audience. Of course, building a personal brand is no simple feat. It takes a lot of thought and intention to execute effectively. Luckily, there are many tools to help you achieve a personal brand that draws a community that will support your business. One of these essential tools is social media management. If you’ve ever tried growing a social media following, you know it’s not always as easy as influencers make it look. Building a personal brand that works for you takes time. But with these 7 tips, you will have a social media presence set up to feed your personal brand and help you convert followers into clients. **Table of Contents** [Why social media management is a key factor in personal branding](#_Toc86849816) [How social media management can boost your personal brand](#_Toc86849817) [Why personal branding is not optional](#_Toc86849818) 1. [ Attract your ideal clients](#_Toc86849819) 2. [ Establish leadership and credibility](#_Toc86849820) 3. [ Increase your perceived value](#_Toc86849821) [What can social media management do for your personal brand?](#_Toc86849822) [How to build your personal brand using social media management](#_Toc86849823) 1. [ Be authentic](#_Toc86849824) 2. [ Be consistent](#_Toc86849825) 3. [ Cover your bases](#_Toc86849826) 4. [ Connect with your community](#_Toc86849827) 5. [ Build your expertise](#_Toc86849828) 6. [ Learn from others](#_Toc86849829) 7. [ Engage your audience](#_Toc86849830) [Conclusion](#_Toc86849831) ## Why personal branding is not optional Starting a personal brand sounds a little intimidating, but it’s not only for influencers. Building your personal brand is integral to your growth whether you run a small business or a large company. Even if you are looking for a job, you should put some effort into your personal brand. It all comes down to telling your story and how your audience perceives you. When your story is heard and resonates with your audience, the benefits are invaluable. Here are just a couple of ways [personal branding can help elevate your business](https://buffer.com/resources/social-media-strategy-personal-branding-tips/) or career. ### 1. Attract your ideal clients Part of building your personal brand is homing in on your story in a way that will help you connect with your ideal clients. When you present yourself so that your values match your ideal client, you will be able to work on projects that are fulfilling. Clients can tell when you are doing something you are passionate about. They will be more likely to bring their business to you if they can see that you care about them and what they are trying to achieve. ### 2. Establish leadership and credibility Branding yourself is an integral part of establishing your credibility and expertise in your field. Through social media management, you can set yourself up as a leader in the field. When your audience has a question, they will know that they can turn to you for help. Then, on your profile, you should have an answer ready and easily accessible. Not only does this help your brand, but it can also create opportunities for your business. ### 3. Increase your perceived value One of the best ways to stay on top of your competition is with your personal brand. Not only will it set you apart from the competition, but it will also raise clients’ perception of your value. You know your value; now you need to build your brand so that clients see it too. When clients see the worth of your work, you are empowered to earn more doing what you love. When you couple quality works with a stunning brand, you will be unstoppable. ## What can social media management do for your personal brand? When establishing your personal brand, social media management will be a key tool in your arsenal. Using sites such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to your advantage is essential to your personal brand. No matter who your audience is, you will be able to find them somewhere on social media. The trick is to figure out where. Depending on your audience, you might tweak your strategy to meet them where they spend their time. Cultivating your image is an important aspect of your personal brand, but social media can do more than that. It will help you establish trust in your brand to assure customers that their business is safe with you. Building trust between your customers and your company is essential to your business’ success. When a company’s senior executives have a [presence on social media](https://ceohangout.com/personal-branding-statistics/), potential customers are 82% more likely to trust them. When executed well, social media management will help your business connect with customers in a more personal way so that your customers know that their values align with yours. ## How to build your personal brand using social media management It’s not easy to build a brand that works to your advantage. The important thing is to get started. Even if it’s not perfect, you will learn from it and improve as you find out more about your niche and your target audience. Now that you understand why building a personal brand with social media is essential to your business’ success, let’s take a look at how exactly you are going to pull it off. ### 1. Be authentic Using [social media management](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/) effectively isn’t just about posting eye-catching photos or showing your aesthetic. It’s really about telling your story and showing your audience who you are. When building your personal brand, it is important to be yourself. Not only will your audience be able to tell if you aren’t staying true to yourself, but it is also difficult to manage two or more versions of yourself regularly. It can be tempting to try and emulate other influencers or brands that you admire. It’s alright to take inspiration from them, but you should never copy someone else. Not only is it unethical, but it won’t help you grow your brand. Why would someone want to buy a copy when they can get the real deal? Here’s the thing, we all have something unique about us. Let your uniqueness shine through your work. Your audience will appreciate that they can get something original from you that they can’t find anywhere else. Yes, there might be similar products or services out there, but when you put your twist on it, it will show your audience your personality and flare. ### 2. Be consistent You’ll hear it again and again: [consistency is key](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/280371), but you may wonder why it’s so important. People are inundated with information and profiles on social media vying for their attention. It is possible to make your mark amongst the competition, but it usually takes 5 to 7 instances of being exposed to a brand to make it stick in someone’s mind. If you are consistent, you are more likely to get that chance. If you post sporadically, then you will fall off your audience’s radar, and it’s hard to get that opportunity back. Consistency isn’t just about posting at the right time every day. It’s also about [aesthetics, voice, and strategy.](https://grin.co/blog/a-guide-to-building-your-personal-brand-through-social-media/) Your audience should be able to pick you out of an influencer lineup. You can achieve this by staying consistent with your brand voice, using the same aesthetic and materials across all of your social media platforms, and using the same name so that people can find you with ease. Remember, a confused mind says no. So, if you think there would be any doubt in someone’s mind that they are looking at your account, then you need to take a look at your accounts to be sure there is no confusion. ### 3. Cover your bases When developing a social media strategy for your personal brand, you have to make sure that your audience can find you. If you have a small business, it might be a good idea to start with one or two platforms that cater to your audience to begin your social media strategy. However, if you have a company with the resources to conquer social media from all sides, then you should go for it. Potential customers will see you as more reliable if you have a [wider social media presence](https://grin.co/blog/a-guide-to-building-your-personal-brand-through-social-media/) across multiple platforms. You will at least want to have an active profile on the big-name platforms. However, some niches will have different ways of tackling social media management than others. ### 4. Connect with your community It really does take a village. Nowadays, our communities are growing online rather than in person. The good thing is it is easier than ever to find the people that will appreciate all the hard work you are putting into your brand. Perhaps one of the best parts of social media management for your personal brand is [connecting with others in your community.](https://www.forbes.com/sites/sujanpatel/2016/11/12/9-ways-to-use-social-media-to-build-your-personal-brand/?sh=22f5ee723520) It can be so rewarding to meet other people in the same boat as you. On social media, you can find the people that will lift you up. By teaming up with other influencers and setting up collaborations with people that compliment your values, you can tackle the world of social media management together. However, be sure you aren’t spending all of your time engaging with accounts that are similar to yours. You should be spending most of your time engaging with your followers by responding to comments and messages. Even though it might be impossible to respond to every comment and message you receive, it’s important to reply to as much as possible. Brands that stay responsive to their followers build a sense of community and followers are more likely to stick around if they feel a connection with you and your brand. ### 5. Build your expertise Your clients and potential customers are likely to have questions about your product or services. More and more people are looking to social media platforms like Instagram for answers. If you take this into account when tackling your social media strategy, [your audience will turn to you as an authority](https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/10-steps-to-building-your-personal-brand-on-social-media) to answer all of their questions regarding your niche. When they have a question, you want them to turn to you. If they can easily find the answers to their questions, they will be more likely to trust you with handling their business because they will see you as the expert in your field. ### 6. Learn from others Though social media management and building a loyal following can seem like a mystery, there are plenty of people you can learn from at your fingertips. If you are still unsure where to start in your niche, do a little research and see what [other influencers](https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/10-steps-to-building-your-personal-brand-on-social-media) do. Again, be sure you do not copy their ideas. This will be sure to hurt you and your brand more than it could ever help. However, you can learn from them and see what their audience responds to. For example, if you run a small business selling handmade scrunchies, you will probably have a younger audience that frequents social media platforms like Instagram or TikTok. It would be wise to check out other pages selling handmade products to see what audios are trending in their videos and which types of videos got the most traction with their audience. You could then use those audio clips to create reels or TikTok’s that fit your brand with a new message that will appeal to your target audience. ### 7. Engage your audience Once you post something to your social media profiles, you can’t just call it a day. There is still much more work to do. For your brand to succeed, it is absolutely vital that you [engage with your audience](https://digitalmarketinginstitute.com/blog/10-steps-to-building-your-personal-brand-on-social-media). This means that you respond to comments and post quality content. To create a successful personal brand through social media management, you have to make sure your posts are engaging. If your aesthetic is stunning, but your content isn’t solid, then you’ll lose followers faster than you can blink. If your audience doesn’t get something valuable out of every post, you have to rethink your strategy. ## Conclusion Boosting your business takes more than a killer product. Marketing yourself and showing your audience the person behind the product is essential to building trust with potential customers and growing your following. By [taking control of your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important-for-your-business/), you have the opportunity to clarify your values and hone your business strategy. Social media management will help you boost your personal brand to connect with customers and clients that you love to work with. #### About the Author Claire Bahn is a 4-time serial entrepreneur who currently is the CEO and Founder of Claire Bahn Group. She has been helping high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives create their best personal brand for over 10 years. As an entrepreneur and influencer with over 70k+ followers on social media, she has learned the importance of creating and maintaining your personal brand. She helps everyone from entrepreneurs to business executives leverage their personal brand to develop the authority, influence, and trust they need to exceed their business goals. She’s been featured in Entrepreneur, Forbes, This Week in Startups with Jason Calacanis, MarketWatch, and Ticker Australia to name a few. Claire is also a former model and actress with major national commercials and feature-length film credits. She currently lives in Los Angeles with her husband and two adorable miniature pinschers named Beau and Trixie. The Claire Bahn Group is a registered Delaware holding company that includes Stratus Branding, Online Profile Pros, Biz with Claire and Claire Bahn Personal Brand Consulting ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding, Social Media, Social Media Management **Tags:** Branding, personal branding, social media, Social Media Management --- ### [How Your Personal Brand Can Future-Proof Your Career](https://clairebahn.com/your-personal-brand-future-proof-your-career/) **Published:** March 31, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Your career relies on one thing and one thing only: **your personal brand.** Just look at the evidence. Gary Vaynerchuk is 1,000 times more popular than his first company, Wine Library. Today, he has a net worth of over [*160 million.*](https://investormint.com/celebrity/gary-vaynerchuk-net-worth) The only reason Vaynerchuk is able to maintain that level of success is because of his personal brand. Well, that and his relentless ambition. His no-BS attitude combined with his consistent and direct marketing techniques is exactly how his voice became heard over the crowd. It’s how he moved beyond Wine Library and into his bigger success stories such as: becoming a New York Times best-selling book, the chairman of VaynerX, and the CEO of VaynerX and VaynerMedia. What about Ashton Kutcher? The goofy guy from *That 70’s Show* is now one of the most [prominent up-and-coming investors](https://www.businessinsider.com/ashton-kutcher-investing-tips-advice-silicon-valley-career) in the U.S. And while he may still be acting, his personal brand is one of the reasons why his non-profit, Thorn, has been able to acquire [millions in funding](https://www.businessinsider.com/ashton-kutcher-thorn-ted-2019-4#:~:text=Ashton%20Kutcher's%20nonprofit%20wants%20to,$280%20million%20TED-sponsored%20fund&text=Ashton%20Kutcher's%20nonprofit%20company,%20Thorn,away%20$280%20million%20this%20year.). You don’t have to[ become famous](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/) to future-proof your career. You just have to get people to know who you are— *and* remember you. Your brand is how others perceive you. This is why **a personal brand is worth a million times more than your [business brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/).** It’s how you can scale and earn more from multiple streams of revenue. But how can you get to that Gary V level of notoriety? How can you future-proof your career? **RELATED: [HOW TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS IN 6 MONTHS](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-in-6-months/)** ## **How Your Personal Brand and Career Go Hand-in-Hand** Before I give you my personal step-by-step advice, let’s discuss why your personal brand has such a monumental impact on your career. Think about the first job interview you had. Your parents probably told you to look presentable and to spruce up your resume. You may have even practiced answering typical interview questions in the mirror before the big day. It’s probably not very different from the feeling you had when you interviewed for your big corporate job right out of college. Or the time you interviewed for that promotion you’ve been working towards for half a decade. As teenagers, they teach us that those things (the resume, the interview outfit, the college degree) are what helps you get the job. In reality, it’s none of those things. Your personal brand is what lands you the job. And while those things certainly play a factor in how your future employer perceives you, it’s the way you present yourself in that interview that ultimately gets you that new paycheck. It’s how you carry yourself, how accurately you display your level of expertise, and nowadays, it’s what you post online. ### **Future-Proofing Your Career and Social Media** When I graduated college, I didn’t have to worry about having a social media presence to land my first job at a Fortune 500 company. But you better believe that if I were trying to get that same job today, I would be blasting my expertise all over social media. So why is it that social media is such an essential aspect of future-proofing your career? It’s not so much social media as it is your personal brand. Your brand is what people find when they Google you. The less they find, the less likely they are to hire you (or invest in your company). Entrepreneurs make this same mistake. They think the key to getting more business is going viral on social media. But when you depend on an obscure factor-like going viral (a.k.a luck) to build your business or to get you that job, you’re risking the very likely outcome of not becoming successful at all. If you want to future-proof your career, you need to take matters into your own hands. That means focusing on your personal brand and providing valuable content so that your employer or your ideal clients see you for the expert that you are. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/future-proof.png "future proof - Claire Bahn") ## **How to Future Proof Your Career: Corporate Edition** My primary clientele is CEOs of large corporations. Suffice to say that I’ve positioned myself and my brand in such a way that these corporate leaders trust me enough to hire me to elevate their personal brand. So how can you get those same corporate CEOs to hire you? I can tell you from our one-on-one conversations that these people rely heavily on their employees’ personal brands. These days, corporate CEOs want to hire people who can help elevate their companies. Being active on social media, believe it or not, increases your chance of landing that job. [According to Social Media Today](https://capitalcounselor.com/branding-statistics/), “If an employee shares branded content, that content will receive eight times more engagement than when shared directly by the brand.” Naturally, this means that companies are looking to hire people who aren’t afraid to be active on social media so that their company content gets a broader reach. Like it or not, if you’re somewhat of an influencer in your industry and you have a certain amount of clout, it’s beneficial to companies looking to hire. You can also use it to your advantage if you’re looking to move up the corporate ladder. If your managers don’t recognize your hard work, use your personal brand on social media to create your own platform. If you can do that, your bosses will have no choice but to stop and take notice (or risk losing you to another company). **RELATED: [HOW TO BUILD A REPUTATION WITH YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/)** ### **How To Impress CEOs with Your Personal Brand** Need an example? Let’s say you’re a recent college graduate looking to get hired at a corporate law firm. How can you use your brand to help you land that job? There’s plenty of ways you can prove to your “dream job” employer that you’re the right person to bring to their team. #### ![ways to impress CEO](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CB-Pinterest-Templates-2-683x1024.png "CB Pinterest Templates - Claire Bahn") #### **Option #1: Share your journey** What makes a personal brand stand out is the story you tell. Your journey to becoming a lawyer is likely full of ups and downs. All of which, of course, lead to your graduation day. Showing off this transformational journey can help your personal brand stand out. You can showcase this in a video resume, but a better use of your time would be to share your inspirational journey on your blog and social media. This can get your name in front of hundreds of law firms or, at the very least, be a part of your “social media resume” to further prove why you’re fit for this position. If you really want to get ahead of the game, do this while you’re in college. If you can cultivate a decent-sized audience on social media and your blog, this is going to be a lot more impressive than a few internships on your resume. #### **Option #2: Give tips** Your personal brand is all about proving your expertise. This lawyer, for example, has years of education and internships under their belt. Don’t let all that hard work be a blip on your resume. If you genuinely want to get noticed by these corporate CEOs and future-proof your career, put your knowledge on display. As a lawyer, maybe you can give tips on how to get through law school. Or perhaps you can provide insight into your specific area of law so that these CEOs can see how you work one-on-one with clients. Obviously, for these scenarios, you’ll need to stay away from giving away blatant tips on the law since there are restrictions on that particular industry. But if you’re looking to get that chef’s position at a 5-Star restaurant, a cooking YouTube channel can boost your resume to the top of the pile. #### **Option #3: Give kudos to the company you want to work for** Whether you’re new to the corporate world, still in college, or looking for a promotion, a great way to get noticed by CEOs is to be strategically vocal in your personal brand content. What I meant by that is, you need to let the company know you’re an option. By occasionally tagging the law firm or restaurant you want to work at, recruiters are more likely to recognize your name. I know that [many corporations use AI ](https://onlineprofilepros.com/artificial-intelligence/)to sift through those giant resume piles, but once you get to that in-person vetting process, that vocal admiration on your social profiles won’t go unnoticed. You don’t want to be *too* obvious with this strategy. That’s why I only recommend *occasionally* tagging your top employer choices on social media. That recent law school grad, for example, can take a law firm’s recent blog post and explain why it’s so helpful to their followers on social media. The chef wanting to attract that 5-star restaurant can take one of their menu items and review it or put a unique spin on it. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/future-proof-your-career.png "future proof your career - Claire Bahn") ## **How to Future Proof Your Career: Entrepreneur Edition** Here’s the main question you should be asking yourself: Are you looking to get hired by a company or start your own? Honestly, with your personal brand, it can go either way. That law student may have started their personal brand strategy to attract a big-name law firm, but maybe that hard work allows them to make a full-time career as a law blogger. Or made they’ve built their personal brand platform in a way that allows them to start their own firm. The strategy to future-proof your career as an entrepreneur is pretty much the same. The thing that changes is your target audience. Instead of trying to attract corporate CEOs, you might be looking to attract an audience, the press, and even investors. Showcasing your expertise is the best thing you can do if you’re an entrepreneur looking to gain recognition in your industry. This means you need to keep showing up and giving out tips (yes, for free). This helps you attract the right audience. And the right investors. If you can prove that *you* are the key selling point behind a product or service, investors will be intrigued and delighted by you. Most investors recognize that their investments are better off in the hands of people who have taken the time to build a solid personal brand. ### **Finding Focus with Your Personal Brand** Your goals will help you find the right direction to take when it comes to future-proofing your career. Keep in mind that as long as you have a personal brand, you won’t be limited to what you can do job-wise. Like I mentioned before, Gary V started off selling wine on YouTube. Now he’s a staple digital marketing expert with a vast platform. He’s not tied down to a particular niche or a specific industry anymore. But here’s the critical thing most people don’t recognize when they hear success stories like this: *it didn’t start that way.* Based on the *many* personal branding consultations I’ve had, most people have difficulty finding focus. They want to be a CPA, but they also want to be a Tik Tok influencer who reviews products on Amazon. Clearly, one has nothing to do with the other, so which route do you take? Here’s my advice: pick a lane and stick to it. For now. You *have* to pick a niche in the beginning. However, if you brand yourself as you [and not a business brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/), the sky is the limit. So maybe you start as a CPA, and you give financing tips on Tik Tok. As long as your Tik Tok channel name is *your name,* you have room to expand your niche down the road. As you start to grow, you can begin reviewing some items off of Amazon that can help ideal clients become financially organized (desk accessories, filing cabinets, etc.). It still ties into your job as a CPA, but now you get to have a little fun with your personal brand. **RELATED: [HOW TO BE MORE CONFIDENT ON VIDEO](https://clairebahn.com/video-confidence/)** ## **How To Future-Proof Your Career** ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/future-proof-your-career-1.png "future-proof-your-career - Claire Bahn") So whether you’re looking for a promotion at a corporate gig or you’re trying to build your startup, it’s all about your personal brand. If you want to truly future-proof your career, you need to be posting valuable content online. This helps everyone (no matter your target audience) see you as an industry expert, which gives you leverage for the remainder of your career. As a side note: never tie yourself to one platform. Being dependent on social media is why some entrepreneurs fail. If that social media platform goes down (e.g. Vine), so does your personal brand platform. So, make sure you have a personal brand website! Alright, we have the basics covered. But what steps can you take to *actually* make sure your personal brand is one that can get noticed? It’s all about these 5 steps I’m about to show you. Your future (and your career) depends on your brand, your audience, your platforms, your recognition, and (maybe most importantly), your willingness to show up. ## **1. Work on your personal brand** As a [personal branding strategist](https://clairebahn.com/), I feel the need to warn you that I could talk about the importance of your brand until the sun goes down. However, I have plenty of resources on [developing your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/developing-personal-brand/) so I won’t talk your ear off *too* much in this section. Here’s what matters when it comes to your brand. It’s not how elegant your logo is or how many followers you have on Instagram. It’s actually about **what you’re saying.** Whether you use blogs, YouTube, Instagram, or even Tik Tok to promote you and your business, your logo and your follower count is not what people are paying attention to. Believe it or not, they’re actually listening to the words coming out of your mouth. That’s why you need to know *what* to say. You need to know what you stand for, what you’re able to provide to your audience, and how you’re going to give it to them. Don’t get me wrong. This should be implemented into the facade of your business like your logo and your website. In fact, your brand colors, imagery, and overall aesthetic speak volumes about your professionalism. If your graphics are eye-catching, people are more likely to perk up and listen. And they’re more likely to **remember you.** But what you’re saying (and how enthusiastically you’re saying it) plays a role in **how many people will listen to you.** So, become a thought leader. Don’t just recycle the same industry tips over and over again. People won’t remember you for that. They’ll remember you either by your personality or by your out-of-the-box concepts that will help them achieve their goals. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST YOUR CAREER**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/) #### **Stay Out of Drama** You also need to be wary of what you as your brand are willing to say and what NOT to say. Especially in 2020. You don’t want to end up in a scandal like Jenna Kutcher or [Marie Forleo.](https://www.marieforleo.com/2020/06/blind-spots/) While these ladies have (seemingly) scraped by with just a smudge on their reputation, things could have gone a lot worse. That’s why I always recommend steering on the side of caution. Speak up when you feel morally obligated, but don’t thrust your political (and non-political) agendas down peoples’ throats. All it takes to make sure you don’t completely tarnish your personal brand (and the future of your career) is to be respectful and open-minded about your blind spots. ## **2. Let people get to know you** On that note, it’s still important for people to get to know you. People in my **[Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/)** come to me because they simply *do not know* how to present themselves to their audience. With all of the digital backlash looming in the background, it can be intimidating to use your voice to break barriers. However—that’s exactly what your personal brand is all about. I’m not saying that you need to be loud and obnoxious. In fact, I’m saying quite the opposite. You just need to be vulnerable. You need to be open and be willing to make mistakes. People are *over* seeing highlight reels of businesses on social media and in the news. Like it or not, they want to see the real, the successful, and *the ugly* aspects of brands. Just like in real life, people want to get to know the person they’re meeting for the first time. It won’t happen overnight, but somewhere down the line, they’ll make that connection with you and want to form a relationship. **Now, you’re someone they can trust.** How can you find the line between sharing versus oversharing? Here are a few tips to get you started: - Tell people how you started your business (relatable) - Tell people a hurdle you overcame in the past before starting your business (emotional) - Recite a recent story about feeling overwhelmed and how you overcame it (inspirational) - Share your upcoming launches, news, or client reviews. Repeatedly. (excitement) - Post pictures or videos of your pets, your family, your friends, and your favorite things (you’re a real person, too!) ## ![future proof your career guide image](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CB-Pinterest-Templates-2-1-683x1024.png "CB Pinterest Templates-2 - Claire Bahn") ## **3. Build your platforms** We’re getting into the thick of it now. Chances are you already started your business and you’re on social media. However, **are you on the *right platforms?*** Your social media strategy is just one corner of your personal brand that will catapult your career. Do you think Gary V’s success came from just posting on social media? *Of course not.* He hopped on every single social media platform, wrote blogs, and posted 20-30 times a day on each one of them. Don’t worry— I’m not telling you that you need to do that same thing. That would be insane. What you need to do is narrow down 3 platforms you want to be on. I recommend your website (blogs), a visual platform (Instagram or Pinterest), and a video platform (YouTube or Tik Tok). This **prevents you from spreading yourself thin** across your website and every single social media platform. By narrowing down where you spend your time, you’re more likely to build that close-knit community of potential buyers faster and more efficiently. **RELATED:** [**THE FIRST 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHEN BUILDING YOUR BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) #### **SEO** As you spend time on your social media platforms and blog, you’ll learn there is an entire “tech” side to getting noticed and getting those followers. SEO. SEO on social media is one thing, and SEO for your blogs goes a little more in-depth. I recommend learning the bare basics of both. That’s really all you need— **the basics.** Figure out which hashtags you want to use (the less they are used— the better. Trust me). If you want to be an industry expert, blogs are going to be your bread and butter. Using SEO in your blogs is also more likely to earn you clients (and clout) ***months down the line.*** That’s simply not possible on social media platforms. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/08/how-to-use-your-personal-brand-to-future-proof-your-career.png "how to use your personal brand to future proof your career - Claire Bahn") ## **4. Show up** Once you know where you want to be, you have to be consistent. In other words, you have to show up. **The further you get into your career, the more difficult this becomes.** I get it— [I’ve been there.](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-overcome-imposter-syndrome/) You might start questioning why your social media posts and your blogs are all that important. Especially if you haven’t seen a return on investment in it. **Here’s the truth:** your content is just one aspect of your personal brand. The content is what you’re putting out to show your expertise. It’s showing people who visit your website or [your Instagram](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-on-instagram/) that you know what you’re talking about. When you can do that, people are more likely to pick up the phone or send you an email. However, people also need to make that connection with you as a real, *reliable* human being. Which means you need to engage with your audience. If they send you a direct message or leave a comment on your post, you need to answer it— quickly. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCHLHloD\_ul/?igshid=111fxpo0mv1j2 #### **Engage with your audience** More than that, you need to be taking time out of your day to *do* the engaging. Hype people up, **show them that you care**, and selflessly lead them to your platforms so they can get to know you. I know it sounds like a time pit. It is. But it’s time worth investing. [Today’s sales process takes 22% longer than five years ago](https://www.themarketingblender.com/statistics-boost-sales/), and the best way to see an ROI in that sales process is by engaging with prospective buyers. **All it takes is about 15 minutes a day.** Use your social media platforms to share your expertise on a routine basis. Then, use that 15 minutes to find and *talk to* your ideal client or customer. Look in hashtags they’re most likely to use, look at who follows other leaders in your industry, and look at your own follower list. Those are the people worth connecting with on a **daily** basis. Eventually, you’ll be able to outsource this type of tedious work. But make no mistake, it will *always need to be done.* Just look at millionaire, [Jasmine Star’s ](https://www.instagram.com/jasminestar/)Instagram posts. You’ll be able to see that she *absolutely* has a social media manager behind the scenes. Despite her success, she still responds (or has someone responding) to hundreds of comments and DMs a day. This engagement is what keeps her personal brand top-of-mind and it’s what keeps her business circulating by word-of-mouth. Trust me when I say that those engaged fans are *ecstatic* that she is taking the time to reply to them. **RELATED:** [**Why Is Personal Branding Important to Your Business and Your Career?**](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important/) ## **5. Get your personal brand featured by the press** When it comes to the future of your career, there’s really only so much that you can handle on your own. While outsourcing should definitely be on your radar, **another overlooked strategy** is to get yourself featured in the press. It doesn’t matter if it’s your local city’s paper or a[ feature in Forbes.](https://clairebahn.com/claire-in-the-press/) This type of recognition will do one or two things for your business: 1. The article will go viral, and you’ll see piles of referrals coming in… hot off the press. 2. The article will **serve as a highlight** on your website and social media, further convincing potential buyers that you’re an expert in your industry. If you make press outreach a habit in your personal brand strategy, then you’re even *more* likely to **seal your career’s fate.** Even if that first press feature doesn’t go viral, it will set the tone for future journalists you pitch to. They’ll be more likely to grab a quote from your brand because other journalists have already **vetted you as** ***the exper**t*. The more press features you have, the more chances that[ your brand could go vira](https://clairebahn.com/your-brand-obsessed-viral/)l. **How can you get in the press? You have three options:** - Pitch yourself through platforms like HARO - Connect with journalists online. Remember that engagement I talked about? Bond with writers on social media for a better chance of them accepting your quote. - Have a **presence online**. That means having an aesthetic, a consistent schedule, and helpful content that speaks to your ideal client **RELATED:** [**SIMPLE AND INGENIOUS WAYS TO BUILD BRAND AWARENESS**](https://clairebahn.com/brand-awareness/) ## **Conclusion** **Your personal brand is the key to your career.** If you don’t put much stock into it, then you’re destined to remain at the status quo for a very long time. It can be scary to loosen that grip and really promote yourself. When you do, however, you will be able to seamlessly increase industry recognition, deal flow, and press opportunities. And that, my friend, is how you future-proof your career. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** How do you future proof your career, how to future-proof your career, What does it mean to future proof your career, Why is personal brand important to a person's career --- ### [Why It's Important To Brand Yourself](https://clairebahn.com/why-its-important-to-brand-yourself/) **Published:** August 8, 2019 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** There’s no question that companies can build their products and services into brands of sizes that eclipse understanding (hello, Pepsi, Burger King, World Wildlife Fund), but can a person? The good news is, yes! You’re going to have to work hard to brand yourself, but you can do it, and there’s help available! ## Learning How to Brand Yourself Takes Work It’s never been more important to brand yourself when it comes to standing out from the crowd when applying for jobs. The publishing world calls the flood of submissions it gets – unasked – from writers who want their books published “the slush pile.” The same can be said for the hundreds or even thousands of applicants who apply for a single job opening. It is essential to brand yourself on your [job application](http://nyuwassermanblog.career.admin.nyu.edu/2014/01/5-tips-to-help-your-job-application-stand-out/ "5 Tips to Help Your Job Application Stand Out") and resume so you can rise above the slush. But wait! There’s a lot you can do before it even gets to the job application stage. How about making yourself look great so prospective employers can contact you? You could be found on an employment website based on your skillset. The biggest of those websites is LinkedIn, and to be an active member, you need a top-notch LinkedIn profile. You may be thinking, “This is about work and jobs. It’s not supposed to be all fancy and braggy.” Well, you need to adjust your thinking so you can get that job. Here are some things you should know: - As of March 2017, there were 2 billion profiles on LinkedIn. No, not even one percent of them are going to be going after the jobs you are. But a fraction of one percent? That’s a lot of people you beat out to even get that first phone interview. - Your profile is a picture. It needs to be much more than buzz words burped out onto a screen in list or bullet format. Paint the readers a beautiful image of who you are so they can picture how well you’ll fit into their workplace. - Use an “I” voice and make sure to hype your strengths! ## Use a Great Picture We’ve all heard the cliche about the person who was at the front of the line for a job and then the prospective company’s human resources person unearthed pictures of binge drinking, animal cruelty, extreme politicism, and other embarrassing and potentially illegal things on the applicant’s social media. You know how that ended up, right? Don’t be that person! In fact, when you brand yourself and then continuously polish your brand, you’re on the right path to avoid these costly and impactful mistakes. Some tips to help you [get the picture](https://onlineprofilepros.com/2017/03/22/9-ways-to-use-social-media-personal-brand/ "Personal Branding Tips 101"): - You do, actually, need a picture that shows you facing the camera, with a professional outfit or one that would be (no pun intended) well-suited for your prospective workplace. Think of hair and makeup touchups, where applicable, too. - The picture needs to be a headshot with a neutral background, and you should be smiling. - Have the image saved in a variety of sizes. Each website may have slightly different regulations on the size and format of photos you can upload, such as a 125-pixel by 125-pixel square .jpg for a headshot in one place and or something laxer such as “up to four inches wide by six inches high, under 1 megabyte, in either a .jpg or .png format.” - If you’re having a professional headshot taken, the photographer can usually give you a couple of sizes from the same image. You are [purposely branding](http://careerservices.erau.edu/blog/2014/03/13/7-rules-for-your-linkedin-profile-picture/ "7 Rules for Your LinkedIn Profile Picture") yourself here, so every single thing you post online is going to be part of that package. Once it goes online, it’s part of your brand. There’s no picking and choosing. ## Branded Daters May Get More Dates Think the online dating world is an exception to the world of branding? Think again! Having a brand on a dating site could even be more important than the one you present to the professional/working world. In our swipe-happy culture, you get maybe a tenth of a second before someone goes left. What can do you do in a tenth of a second? Not much, but if you’ve branded your online dating profile, you’re in control. It’s similar to the suggestions we encourage our clients to do with their work images (clear photos, smiling photos, well-groomed photos), but with some twists: - Show that personality! We’re not saying to put an image of you standing at a Caligula-style bacchanal with your friends passed out as your first profile picture. But anything that shows who you are and what you love is a game. Hint: Now’s the time for those cats and waterfalls! - We do encourage people to include full-body shots. Yes, prospective daters want to see what you look like from head to toe. How you look may not be necessarily part of your brand or what you care most about, but guess what? Other people care. - Photoshop and 20-year old pictures are so… 20 years ago! You cannot make this error anymore, it’s just unacceptable. Though we can bet your friends still to this day share stories of showing up to an online date with someone 15 years older, 40 pounds heavier, or with 80% less hair than the photos in the profile. ## It’s Not Bragging, It’s Branding! Our culture has been taught to avoid being accused of bragging, but branding yourself has nothing to do with having a big head. In fact, you’re towards a goal – a new job, an active dating life, more friends. One of the first steps people take after they’ve decided to build their brand is to get those photos, but it can be a daunting task. You could ask your friend’s kid’s uncle’s best friend from high school who “likes to click around with his cell phone camera.” Or you could go pro. In one professional session, you may be able to get different branded looks, including professional work-related headshots as well as dating profile pictures. You bring the accessories and outfits and the photographer will have the equipment to do the rest. The photographer can also help you get the output types and file sizes you need (like those size and graphic requirements to post your photos online). #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** build a personal brand --- ### [9 Personal Branding Tips to Up Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-tips/) **Published:** August 22, 2019 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Hey, you! I’ve got some personal branding tips for you… Yeah, you! The Social Media Extraordinaire who can navigate Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram in the blink of an eye! Those cat pictures are really cute, aren’t they? And oh man, those pictures from Mindy Pickens’s 21st birthday party back in college! Good times, good times! Hey, another Bad Luck Brian meme just popped up on your feed! Time to like and repost! Yeah, it definitely seems like you’ve got this social media thing down pat. Except you don’t. What you need are some personal branding tips. Why do you need them? Because while you know how to work the tools, you aren’t making the most of them. And in a digitally-driven world, how effectively you market your personal brand can make or break you. ## Why is personal branding so important? Consider this: Your social media features your full name, pictures of you, your place of work, and where you went to school. Anyone who wants to find out more about you could very easily Google you and find all of this information. Anyone, from that cute guy/girl you met at your pal Ben’s Valentine’s Day thing last night to, oh say, a potential employer. That changes the game a little, eh? Especially considering how competitive the job market is now. You want that job. You crave that job. You need that job. So you’ll want your social media to reflect that need, to show that you were conceived and tailored for that job. And hey, you probably don’t want your future boss seeing those photos from Mindy’s birthday bash ([especially given 92% of employers search social media prior to hiring a candidate](https://onlineprofilepros.com/2017/02/01/social-media-screen/)). He or she might not want to be your future boss if he or she sees them. Plus, remember that cute guy/girl from Ben’s V-Day thing? if you’ve got anything too questionable or silly on your social media, he or she might not think you’re so adorable after friending or following you. But the thing is: you don’t know where to start. You need some personal branding tips. Not to worry, sir or ma’am: that’s why you’re here! And boy, have we got a selection of personal branding tips that are sure to help you out! Check ’em out below. ## Personal Branding Tips 101 ### 1) Clean up your profiles Delete anything that employers might find questionable, negative, unprofessional, or downright silly. Those old pics from Mindy’s party? They need to go. That dumb Bad Luck Brian meme? Give it the boot, too. And those comments that you left on Ben’s profile pic? Where you guys were just horsing around and dropping the F-bomb? Yeah, delete those suckers right away. ### ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/CB-Pinterest-Templates-2-683x1024.png "CB Pinterest Templates-2 - Claire Bahn") ### 2) If you don’t have any profiles, get some Back in the day, social media was an optional form of self-expression complete with fake photos and clever usernames. Not anymore. Nowadays, [employers get tons of resumes, so it’s hard to stand out with just a list of accomplishments and skills.](http://www.brianhonigman.com/personal-branding-social-media/) They want to see those skills in action. They want to see how you earned those accomplishments. And the best way to do that is with thoughtful, knowledgeable, easily accessible posts on social media. ### 3) Keep a list of your profiles Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, WordPress, Blogger, LinkedIn–there are so many different social media platforms out there. It’s really hard to keep track of them all. Think about the bank transactions you make, the groceries you need to pick up, and the errands you have to run. What do you do to keep track of everything? You make a list. Make a list of which social media accounts you have. That way, you can keep track of your accounts more easily. ### 4) Use the same name across all of your profiles Most people use more than one social media platform. As an up-and-coming professional, you’ll want to make sure you can be found easily on every platform. Why? So people who follow you on one social media platform can easily find and follow you on others. Plus, it’ll help you increase your outreach. ### 5) Use the same format across all of your profiles as well Remember: you’re not just advertising your name; you’re advertising your brand as well. This is one of the most important personal branding tips. So something else you’ll need to do is use the same look across all platforms. For example, let’s say your buddy Ben has done what you’re doing. Let’s say he started his personal brand on Twitter. His profile has his logo in his header accompanied by a sea green color scheme. When he expanded his personal brand to Facebook, he used the same logo in his header with the same color scheme somewhere on his profile. The same goes for when he expanded to Instagram, and when he updated LinkedIn to include his brand. Like with your name, your brand makes you easier to identify among the millions of profiles out there. ### 6) Decide what your brand (that is, you) specialize in That beautifully wrapped box of chocolates isn’t worth much unless there are actually chocolates inside. Likewise, your accounts need to offer something–a specialty of some kind. Maybe you write. Maybe you bake. Maybe you’re an amazing trapeze artist. Regardless, part of your personal brand is what you do, which in turn defines what you know. It also helps you set you apart from others in your field. ### 7) Post relevant content, and often All of the knowledge in the world won’t help you if you’re not interested in your area of expertise. And if you don’t post relevant content to your social media, and often, you look like you’re not as interested in it as your resume professed. The rule of thumb? Post something relevant every day, and cross-post it across your various accounts. ### 8) Use a clear photo of yourself This one can help you professionally as well as romantically. Whether it’s an employer or a date, [whoever’s contacting you’ll want to know what you look like](https://onlineprofilepros.com/2017/01/05/online-dating-tips-save-time-2/). So you should avoid photos that: - are blurry; - show you in a group; - aren’t consistent with your other profiles; and/or - don’t look like you ### 9) Interact! You might be a brand now, but you’re still a person! And people are social by nature. Plus, your friends and followers will appreciate a little engagement from the name and face that they decided to friend and follow in the first place. Not to mention, talking on social media gives you a chance to show off your expertise. Follow these [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/) tips, and you’re sure to have a more fruitful experience with your social media accounts! #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** build personal brand --- ### [10 Steps to Finding Work-Life Balance](https://clairebahn.com/work-life-balance/) **Published:** September 3, 2019 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Creating a consistent work-life balance is probably one of the hardest things to maintain if you have your own business and personal brand. There are many people out there that insist that a [work-life balance simply cannot exist](https://www.forbes.com/sites/marybethferrante/2019/03/20/work-life-balance-doesnt-exist-but-im-still-fighting-for-it/#5229be791388) and that it’s just one of the many entrepreneur struggles we have to live with. I don’t agree. While there is definitely a lot of heavy lifting that comes with running your own business, I believe that there is a way to create a reasonable structure so that your social life doesn’t have to suffer at the hands of your business. It can be disheartening to miss a night out with your friends because you have to finish a project for work. And vacation? Most people will tell you to [just forget about it.](https://www.inc.com/arianna-odell/i-never-take-vacations-as-an-entrepreneur-im-perfectly-okay-with-that.html) But in my experience, completely barricading yourself into your work is only a stepping stone to burnout. Plus, being able to maneuver your social life and daily grind shows that you are truly capable of handling the life of an entrepreneur. Here are my ten steps to having a healthy work-life balance to become an expert entrepreneur: ## 1. Start Small Whether you’re just starting out or you’re looking for a change of pace, I suggest starting small. [Despite popular belief,](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jasonselk/2013/04/15/habit-formation-the-21-day-myth/) it takes more than 21 days to create a habit. For example, let’s say you want to start getting up earlier. Make it a goal to get up an hour earlier every day for a week. By then, the routine should be somewhat normal. Plus the idea of having the “night off” will work as motivation to get the ball rolling early. Other ways you can start small can be giving yourself five minute breaks every hour. Or allow yourself at least one night out with your friends a month. Those small breaks will help alleviate the stress you get as an entrepreneur while not affecting the quality of your work. ## 2. Make Time For Work The work for an entrepreneur never stops. That could be why it feels like you’re working 24 hours a day, seven days a week. While I can completely relate to keeping my work email handy at all times, it’s this type of behavior that will ultimately lead to exhaustion. Part of our work as self-employed business owners is to be able to manage that work-life balance. So naturally, an important step for that is to actually make time for work. You don’t have to set a schedule ([in fact, you might not want to](https://biz.clairebahn.com/productivity-when-working-from-home/)), but at least setting a stopping point will help you turn off your work brain for peace of mind. ## 3. Make Time For Sleep I’m sure you all have felt those heavy mornings when your alarm clock goes off after only three hours of precious sleep. Time can get away from you when you’re constantly on the work grind. Before you know it, it’s 1 a.m. and you have a meeting at 8 a.m. We’ll sleep when we’re dead right? But it’s important to make time for sleep if you want to adjust your work-life balance. Sleep has a direct influence on our productivity and work. In fact, [lack of sleep has been proven](https://medium.com/taking-note/why-a-lack-of-sleep-is-a-productivity-nightmare-8e3dc1fa3d07) to cause deterioration in your work—and we know you don’t want that! ## 4. Learn to Say No As an entrepreneur, I am always looking to expand my business. Even after a successful month of sales or successful collaboration, I’m always looking to hit that next milestone. Whether that’s looking for ways to make another sale, stepping up my social media game, or working on new marketing strategies, it’s hard for me to say no. My business is my baby, and I want to put my all into it. However, it’s important to know your limitations and learn to say no when you simply don’t have the time to take on more work. Remember, you do need to sleep. Likewise, it can be hard to say no to your friends and family. Going out for dinner will only be a couple of hours right? But if you’re on a strict deadline or piling work, those two hours can be vital. Learn to say no to those fun nights when you know you have limited time to get a project done. Keeping a work-life balance means making sacrifices when you have to. ## 5. Step Away From Your Email With the glory that is my Apple iPhone, I am constantly able stay in touch with clients and work calls. In fact, checking my email used to be the first thing I did in the morning before I had even rubbed the sleep from under my eyes. But in order to manage that work-life balance, I decided that stepping away from my email is a must. I made it a habit to only check my email once I had indulged in my [self-care routines](https://biz.clairebahn.com/self-care-tips/) and completed one task on my To-Do list. I also decided to silence my phone and put it away anytime I am out with friends. Remember that taking time *off* of work and being present is a part of that work-life balance. ## 6. Limit Your Distractions Creating a successful work-life balance is extremely hard with all the distractions we have nearby. Especially if you work from home, distractions are inevitable. Social media, pets, kids, TV, even cleaning up— it’s all right at your disposal with no-one telling you no. To limit my distractions, I turned off social media notifications and kept my phone away from my office space. I set time aside to take care of personal distractions, like those dishes in the sink. I also made it a habit to turn on boring shows because I’ve learned that I work best with background noise. This helps to kind of cater to my distractions— just without the willingness to give in. ## 7. Set Time Aside For Family and Friends While it’s admirable to constantly work on your entrepreneurial goals, it’s important that you know how to manage your work-life situation. And the best way I found to do this is to really set time aside for friends and family. Give yourself 30 minutes to an hour a day to call your parents or friends, have a girl’s night out once a month, and make dinner time family time. Shut off your phone during this time so that you are not tempted by incoming emails. Grab a glass of wine and hang with your significant other for some uninterrupted quality time. This down time will help balance out your mental state after a day of unending work obligations. ## 8. Take a Vacation A vacation as an entrepreneur? Impossible! While it can be hard to manage this when you’re first starting out, don’t step into the mindset that it will never happen. [Plan for at least one vacation](https://clairebahn.com/napa-valley/) a year. Find out the cost, budget for it, and just do it. For me personally, it’s impossible to cut off completely. It always seems like a work emergency happens every time I go on vacation. Give yourself 1 hour a day to go over emails and put out fires and leave your laptop in the safe in the hotel room. Chances are, everything will still run smoothly on only 1 hour a day. Vacation time can do wonders for your mental health. ## 9. Create Incentives Incentives are, for me, the best way to adjust your work-life balance. Want to get a drink with your significant other tonight? Tell yourself it can only happen after you’ve completed five things on your To-Do list. If you want to catch-up on the latest episode of your favorite show, be sure that you have completed a significant amount of your project before Sunday night rolls around. Even if you don’t suffer from FOMO, creating incentives is a great way to make sure that: 1. Your work is getting done and 2. You are making time to take a breather and have a social life. ## 10. Don’t Be A Perfectionist This can be the hardest notion to let go of as an entrepreneur. This mindset is damaging to anyone who already is suffering from an improper work-life balance. The idea of publishing less-than-perfect work made me stir-crazy. I simply couldn’t rest until the job was done. And if I messed up, I would start from scratch until I felt it was perfect. The mentality of a perfectionist is a dangerous road to travel on, and it definitely affects the way you balance your social life (as in, you probably won’t have one). Let go of the notion that everything will always run smoothly, because it won’t. Learn to embrace the bumps in the road. Learn from it and move on. Carrying the weight of these obstacles is unhealthy and will damage your ability to manage a responsible work-life balance. I believe you have to find a way to balance your work and play time. I was recently reminded of something a friend, who unfortunately left us too soon, would always say, “no one ever complained about not working enough.” It’s so true, spending time with family and friends, having personal time and traveling is so important. So there you have my tips for finding work-life balance. Do you have some tips that you love? What does work-life balance mean to you? Let me know in the comments below. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Tips **Tags:** entrepreneur, tips --- ### [10 Self Care Tips For Entrepreneurs & Self Employed](https://clairebahn.com/self-care-tips/) **Published:** October 19, 2019 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** As an entrepreneur, you often work ten to twelve hour days and that can often include working on weekends. With all the hustle and bustle of taking care of our businesses, sometimes we forget to indulge in a daily self care routine. That’s precisely why I created these self care tips. I have definitely been guilty of this, but trust me, all the stress from not taking time for yourself will eventually pile up. And it won’t be pretty. That’s why I created these self care tips for myself to help me stay rejuvenated. Each one of these daily routines work together to bring out the best you. Not only will it help with your mental state, but it will improve your work life. Self care is especially important for those of us [running our own business](https://biz.clairebahn.com/productivity-when-working-from-home/) because we can forget where work ends and down time begins. If you indulge in this daily self care routine, I can guarantee you that you will feel better and your work grind will never be stronger. Here is the corresponding video with even more self care tips: ## 1. Exercise Exercise— who has the time, right? Still, exercise plays a major role in your mental health, which is why it’s so important to add it to your morning routine. Finding that extra hour of travel time to and from the gym was hard for me. Plus, the actual hour spent at the gym meant I had essentially “wasted” two hours of precious work time. However, once I started implementing this into my daily self-care routine, I started seeing massive improvements. I felt more energized and I got a lot more done after a steady workout session. It also helps to relieve stress, which seems like a win-win to me! If you don’t think you’ll have time to go to a gym, take thirty minutes to go for a walk or use an at-home workout app. This works just as well. Personally, I like the Jillian Micheals app and the steaming workouts from [Barre3](https://mbsy.co/jjQDb). Everyone needs to add a little exercise in his or her daily self-care routine. ## 2. Skin Care Routine This may seem like a weird self care tip to some, but taking care of your skin is great for so many reasons. It will help you maintain a professional and refreshed look, but it also sets you up for your daily self-care routine. Every morning, I wake up and the first thing I do is wash my face. The hot water helps to wake me up before I’ve even had my morning cup of coffee. Here are a couple of [personal favorite skin care products that I swear by](https://clairebahn.com/2018/02/dry-skin-remedies/). Waking up and taking care of my skin every day makes me feel refreshed, pretty and ready to start the day. Loving the way you look is a huge inspiration that will carry into your work. ## 3. Stay Organized Whether you work from home or at an office, a healthy habit to indulge in is organization. I can’t hype up storage bins and labeling enough (yes, I am that type of nerd). When everything has its own space, it takes away the stress you feel when you can’t find something. Looking around at my tidy office and desk gives me a sense of serenity and allows me to have a more productive work day. I also recommend keeping your computer documents organized. This will also look good if your clients ask for a file and you’re able to send it quickly. Make sure you also have a designated space for tangible items (such as products) and keep the office clean. Part of your daily self-care routine is to organize your personal space *and* mind. Staying organized is one daily entrepreneur routine that I will forever recommend. ## 4. Read or Listen to a Podcast Part of being a business owner is taking care of yourself. And while you may be great at taking care of the business side of things, it’s important to evaluate your own needs. A self-care tip that I always suggest is take the time to read or listen to a podcast for at least thirty minutes a day. Reading gives you a break from the real world. And in today’s social media-ridden world, maybe an escape from reality isn’t the worst thing to have in your daily self-self-care routine. It can be a work of fiction, self help, or news— whatever your preference, indulge in those rare minutes to focus on something other than the tasks at hand. ## 5. Get Creative Hobbies are one aspect of the entrepreneur self-care routine that most people don’t partake in. If you invest some time during the week to focus on a creative outlet, it will help set your mind at ease. And you don’t have to be handy with a paintbrush in order to be creative. Here are some non-time consuming hobbies that will do wonders for your self-care: - Writing - Painting - Photography - Knitting - Wood-working crafts - Puzzles - Dancing - Sometimes I like taking on a home improvement project. ## 6. Explore Getting out of the house and away from your office is essential for your daily self-care routine. Being cooped up all day will only hinder your productivity for the day. So go out and explore your neighborhood. Take your dog for a walk (or take your husband for a walk!) or simply take the time to try out a new coffee shop. Everyone needs a break, and just because you run your own business doesn’t make you an exception. ## 7. Eat Simple Meals Taking care of yourself means taking care of your gut. If you’re eating too much (or not eating enough), it will negatively affect your entrepreneurial goals. Maybe not right away, but after months of grabbing a quick bite to eat at your favorite fast food joint, you’ll begin to feel the swell. Instead, try to eat simple meals. Some that I find particularly mouth-watering are cobb salads with avocado and a simple turkey, cheese and avocado sandwich on my favorite gluten free sourdough. [Pinterest](https://www.pinterest.com/clairebahn/) is a great way to look for new recipes or simple meal ideas if you can’t cook up any of your own. 😉 ## 8. Chat With a Friend If you were in an office you would probably chat with several work friends through out the day, but when you work for yourself that’s not usually a reality. As a result, that’s why I recommend talking with a friend or family member as a simple no-brainer self care tip. With all the anxiety garnered from being an entrepreneur, a quick chat with a friend may be all that you need to relieve that pressure. You never know, you can call them up just to vent about your issues, and they might be able to help you out with your problem. If work is really beginning to put a strain on your mental health, you can even take a break and grab a coffee with that friend. That way you get to get out, explore and relieve some of your daily stress. Two birds, one stone. ## 9. Meditate I know this one might not be for everyone. Meditating is when you silence your mind to generate a kind of emotionally stable mental state. It’s actually tough to master, but if you’re willing to try, I definitely suggest trying this out in your daily self-care routine. Meditating improves sleep and thinking patterns, and is overall a great anecdote for the overly exerted entrepreneur. I like using the Simple Habit App. ![self-care](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/woman-practicing-meditation-on-a-desk-PSZ7NX4-1-750x563.jpg "- Claire Bahn")Relaxed woman practicing meditation at home she is sitting in the lotus position on the office desk mindfulness concept## 10. Create Positive Affirmations So, this self care tip might sound cheesy, but it actually does work. Positive affirmations are messages you give to yourself to help motivate you throughout the day. Post words of encouragement throughout your workspace to remind yourself why you choose the life of a Boss. These affirmations will help ward off any negative thoughts that might be decreasing your productivity. The more you implement this into your daily self-care routine, the better it works. Battling negative thoughts can be tough to overcome by yourself. Here are a few of my personal favorite positive affirmations: - I learn from my mistakes. - I don’t sweat the small stuff. - I can. I will. Do you practice self care? If so, what are your favorite self care tips? Please let me know in the comments below. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Tips **Tags:** self care, tips --- ### [Top 5 Public Speaking Tips Recommended For Entrepreneurs](https://clairebahn.com/public-speaking-tips/) **Published:** December 4, 2019 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Remember the absolute *terror* you would feel in middle school knowing you had to read out loud to the class? At that point, most of us hadn’t been given any public speaking tips. We’re just sort of fed to the wolves as if every middle schooler is embedded with spontaneity and self-confidence. And for most of us, that couldn’t be farther from the truth. It took me a long time to feel (at least relatively) comfortable speaking to a large audience. I had public speaking anxiety like you wouldn’t believe (or maybe you would because [25% of people experience it)](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/smashing-the-brainblocks/201711/why-are-we-scared-public-speaking). Unfortunately, if you’re a solopreneur then this is something you’re going to have to get over— or at least live with. I understand the struggle and courage it takes to get up and talk to a room full of people, so I decided to share my own public speaking tips that I recommend for entrepreneurs. [RELATED: Claire Bahn on This Week In Startups– What I Learned](https://clairebahn.com/this-week-in-startups/) 5. ## **Rehearse** If you have ever taken music lessons, dance, or even if you played sports, your teachers and coaches all told you the same thing: practice makes perfect. Okay, maybe “perfect” puts a little too much on the situation, but you get the idea. If you want to develop your public speaking abilities, the best thing you can do is rehearse. Rehearse, rehearse, then rehearse some more. Do it backwards and forwards so if there are any glitches, you can quickly get back on track. Reading your speech out loud will also help you recognize errors. And then you can smooth it out to *almost* perfection. You don’t want to read the speech in full too often or you’ll find that you’re mostly skimming through the content and not actually paying attention to what you’re saying. Read your speech through after the first draft and again the night and morning before your public speaking event. Another public speaking tip that a lot of people forgo is practicing in front of other people. Once you’re up in front of a live audience, no amount of rehearsing will prep you unless you’ve done it in front of people already. Get your family or a group of friends together that you can rehearse your speech to. It won’t completely alleviate your public speaking anxiety, but I promise you that it will turn it down a few notches. 4. ## **Know Your Key Points** The use of visual aid in your presentation is proven to add focus and helps to entice your audience. I mean, who wants to watch someone talk for an hour straight? That’s what Fortune 500 businesses like Apple do, and that’s why every TED Talk you see incorporates some form of background visual. But speaking in front of an audience is stressful enough, and adding slides into the mix is just another way you might mess up, right? That’s why it’s vital that you memorize your key points. If you’re speaking over a demo or slides, make sure to know what point you want to get across for each slide. This goes hand-in-hand with rehearsing. If you know your presentation backwards and forwards, it won’t matter if your slides get out of order. You should mentally know what comes next so that you never miss a beat. Many inexperienced public speakers make the mistake of using their visuals as points of reference. It *should* be the other way around. People will be more impressed with your presentation if you can expertly speak on your subject without having to look back at your slides for consultation. RELATED: [The Importance of Creating a Compelling Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand/) 3. ## **Know Your Audience** This is a public speaking tip you won’t hear too often. However, knowing your audience is key in maintaining all aspects of your business, from social media to live encounters. Having an idea of the type of person you’re presenting to can help in shaping and toning your speech. The best trick for this is to come up with an “ideal” customer/client/etc. You will want to come up with a complete diagnosis of this person, including their likes and even their income. Here is a list of traits and personal information you will want to assign to your ideal audience member: - Age - Sex - Occupation - Annual Income - Marital Status - Education - Hobbies - Interests - Dislikes Once you have this “avatar” in mind, write and perform your speech as if you are talking directly to them. Imagining you are talking to this one person could even help with your public speaking anxiety. Knowing your audience will also guide you into pinpointing the main aspects you are trying to get across, and it can help you come up with ways to maintain their interest. If you have no idea how to start designing this ideal viewer, then it’s time to do some research. If the event your speaking at has a Facebook event, look through the profiles of those who are attending. Or if you’re speaking to a particular niche, do your homework to see if you can fill in the blanks for the details I provided above. 2. ## **Have a Back-Up Plan** Imagine that you are in the middle of your speech when suddenly your feed gets cut. What do you do? Veteran public speakers will tell you (after the fact, of course) that you should have had a back-up plan. If you didn’t, hopefully you’ve rehearsed enough to get by without the visuals. However, repeating your speech verbatim should be your last resort. Instead, you should be prepared with backups of your graphics and your entire presentation. If you plan on having a live demo, you need to have a backup plan in case the internet doesn’t work or gets disrupted. The best way to do this is to have screenshots of your graphics. That way, you can incorporate them into your substitute presentation (you did make a second one, didn’t you?) and simply switch routes. So your first demo will be what you planned on presenting. Your second one will be the same presentation, but with screenshots of anything that needs Wi-Fi in order for you to continue your delivery. Essentially, you just want to have backups like you’re prepared for any and all malfunctions. Have screenshots of your internet examples, have a physical printout of your speech, keep two versions of the demo, and keep everything on a flash drive. Out of all my public speaking tips, *remember this one*. It will really save your butt. 1. ## **Record Yourself** And my last public speaking tip is to record yourself doing the presentation. I learned this back in my acting days. It’s so important to know what you look like so you can make tweaks before you have to present. It will also bring your attention to how often you use pause words like “um”, “like” or “yeah”. And trust me, you’ll be surprised by how often you say them. Be more cognizant of these personal glitches when you record yourself again. That way, you can work on pushing them out of your speech before the big day comes. You’ll sound a lot more professional and knowledgable once you remove these habits from your dialect. You can also use your recorded public speech as a way to test the content. Send the video to friends and family and ask them their opinion. Or better yet, send it to your colleagues— they’ll be a lot more realistic (and harsh) in their feedback. RELATED: [Top 5 Social Media Platforms Every Entrepreneur Needs To Invest In](https://clairebahn.com/top-social-media-platforms/) Trust me, I get it— public speaking can seem terrifying. Especially when you want to come off as blasé and comfortable when you feel the complete opposite. I honestly still use all of these public speaking tips, even though I’ve spoken to quite a few large live audiences. The phrase “fake it till you make it” works in the case of public speaking. If you just *appear* to have confidence while giving your public speech, everyone else is likely to believe it– and they’ll eat up anything you have to say. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Tips **Tags:** public speaking --- ### [How to Take Constructive Feedback to Improve Your Bottom Line](https://clairebahn.com/constructive-feedback/) **Published:** December 11, 2019 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Every entrepreneur is going to be forced to listen to constructive feedback. As much as we all like to believe that we know the proper ways to run a business, the reality is that it takes a lot of work. There’s marketing, payroll, networking, communication, and so many other factors that we as business owners have to learn in order to run an effective and profitable company. And the even bigger reality we all must face is accepting the fact that we can’t be experts in every field. Sometimes our ventures fall by the wayside and it results in negative feedback or harsh reviews. Now, speaking of terms within your business that you pride yourself in; well, those are subject to constructive feedback too. Not everyone is going to like your photography style, your writing tone, or even the way you communicate. Whatever your niche is, the one thing you need to stop yourself from doing it’s getting defensive. There’s a right and a wrong way to take constructive criticism. And the best way to take constructive feedback is to use it to improve your bottom line. RELATED: [10 Self-Care Tips For Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed](https://clairebahn.com/self-care-tips/) ## What Is Constructive Feedback? People associate constructive feedback with the term “constructive criticism.” Constructive feedback is actually a positive reinforcement given from one professional to another. As opposed to constructive criticism, the goal for this kind of feedback is to help your peers see where they might be falling short. People automatically take negative feedback and go on the defensive. Because how dare someone tell you how to run *your* business? However, those who give constructive feedback are only doing so because they see potential in your business endeavors and they are trying to nudge you in the right direction. It may just be one person’s opinion, but if you keep getting the same type of feedback, it may be time to reevaluate your business tactics. ## Constructive Feedback Examples We see examples of constructive feedback all the time. Whether it comes from our peers or our customers, negative feedback is just part of owning your own business. The term “you can’t make everyone happy” is regularly proven in this type of career. You’ll know if someone is giving you constructive feedback versus constructive criticism based on the way they phrase their comment. For example, e-commerce websites are subject to product and service reviews on a daily basis. If you own your own online boutique, you actually want this type of review. However, there are those people who like to complain just for the sake of expressing their opinion. Anyone who comments with nothing but damaging opinions or blind accusations is not giving you constructive feedback. Constructive feedback is a polite way to point out potential flaws in a business plan. And while that person may not know what your day-to-day niche entails, they are giving and outward opinion that could help you to improve your bottom line. ### **Examples of Non-Constructive Feedback** Constructive criticism are harsh and unhelpful comments with the sole purpose of damaging a business. They’ll say things like: “This company sucks and I’m never coming back!” “You don’t know what you’re doing.” “Why do you do things this way? You should be doing it my way instead.” ### **Examples of Constructive Feedback** Constructive feedback may start off as a question of the layout of your business, with subtle suggestions on how to improve it. “I like your work, but what if you tried doing this instead?” “Do you think people will respond positively to that marketing plan?” “I’ve seen other successful companies do this. Maybe you should try it, too!” And for those who don’t pick up on this constructive feedback, they might just say: “I’ve seen the same quality work for less price. I’m sorry we couldn’t continue our arrangement.” “I don’t think this is a good fit. I don’t agree with your strategies and I think we should go in different directions.” If you cannot except someone’s true opinion of your service or business model especially when they’ve actually used your service, you will be destined to fail. As a small business owner/entrepreneur the only way you are going to get better and grow is to listen to customer feedback and constructive feedback. ## How To Respond To Constructive Feedback It’s never a good feeling when you lose a client or a business partner due to wavering differences. However, it’s important to take their reason for leaving and use it to evaluate your business. What if another person sees the same flaw later on and you lose another client? When you respond to constructive feedback, it’s important to keep a professional demeanor. After all, you don’t want to be burning any bridges. Although it might be your first instinct, refrain from lashing out at the other person. Remind yourself that they are trying to give you positive and reinforcing feedback; not telling you how to run your business. Before you sever contact, take some time to consider their point of view. Could you change your prices? Offer them something different? Whatever their qualm is, try to see it from their perspective and see if there is something you should do to change it or perhaps, explain its value. And above else, just analyze the other person’s behavior. Were they being rude or defensive? In cases like that, it could be that the person simply doesn’t understand your business and it’s best to go your separate ways anyway. They could be giving your harsh criticism simply on the basis that they see potential in your work and they are looking for a reason to put you down. Green doesn’t look good on anyone. ## Don’t Take It Personally Whether someone is giving you bona fide constructive feedback or just looking to insult your business, try not to take it too personally. It’s definitely okay to feel insulted, but don’t let them see that. Instead, try asking them for specifics about what they didn’t like about your product or service. That way, you can use that information to your advantage instead of deliberately avoiding feedback. Don’t take constructive feedback personally, take it under consideration instead. Admittedly your blind hatred for this person may get in the way of you acting calmly and professionally. But before you react, take a look at the source. Are they credible? Do they have a history of experience in your line of work? If not, then there is no reason to take their feedback to heart. They may just be making assumptions and you may know better anyway. And lastly, if you can’t come to terms with this person’s opinion, just move forward. It can be hard to let go of something that hits a nerve, but if you don’t understand their perspective or simply don’t want to, let it go and move on from the situation. RELATED: [Top 5 ways To Stay Productive When Working From Home](https://clairebahn.com/top-5-ways-to-stay-productive-when-working-from-home/) ## Benefits of Constructive Feedback Constructive feedback is not only beneficial to your entrepreneurial success, but it’s also vital. It helps your business grow and succeed because you’re taking your flaws that other people see and you’re working to fix them. Mistakes or oversights happen a lot in solo business ventures because, as we discussed, you can’t do everything perfectly all by yourself. Being able to take constructive feedback and use it in both a professional and positive aspect shows that you have character. And because there is nothing really stopping people from giving unsolicited constructive feedback or criticism, it helps you build a stronger backbone. These people will come and go throughout your career, but as long as you are willing to have an open mind and use constructive feedback to improve your bottom line, there is no limit to how much you can achieve. Have you ever been given constructive feedback on your business? What was your reaction? Tell me about it in the comments below! #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Tips **Tags:** biz tips --- ### [10 Networking Tips to Kick-A$$ at Your Next Networking Event](https://clairebahn.com/networking-tips/) **Published:** December 18, 2019 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** One of the networking tips that I never received from my peers is how the heck you handle networking events. These get-togethers are the backbone of networking basics, but advice on how to handle these awkward situations was never brought to my attention. Networking events can be daunting and intimidating. Especially if you’re new to the entrepreneurial scene, it can be hard to gauge the best way to communicate with people at these events. If you have ever been to a networking event, you’ll know that the atmosphere is laxer than your orthodox office party, except now you’re facing a room full of strangers. While liquid courage is not unconventional at these type of gatherings, its best to steer away from the taunting libations and simply prepare, engage and come to the networking event with vigor and self-confidence. But just in case you need a bit more fuel for the fire, here are 10 networking tips to kick-a$$ at your next networking event. RELATED: [Top 5 ways To Stay Productive When Working From Home](https://clairebahn.com/top-5-ways-to-stay-productive-when-working-from-home/) ## Networking Preparation The key to holding confidence at networking events is to simply be prepared. It’s not enough to simply accept the Facebook event invitation and meander through the previous posts and guest list. Networking tips should always center on your shortcomings, and in my experience, lack of preparation always has people feeling overwhelmed. The first thing you need to get situated for the event is your wardrobe. As we have discussed, your wardrobe speaks loudly to your personality and to your business conduct. You’ll want to dress according to the event’s guidelines (usually business casual), but throw on a little something that speaks to you personally. It can be a clean-cut blazer, a pop of color, or even a daring print. Your wardrobe should reflect you as a person without being too glaring. And naturally, you’ll want to have business cards hot off the press and fully stocked. Take a look over your design and see if they need a more contemporary design, and make sure your contact information is up-to-date. A key way to be remembered at these events is by having outstanding business cards. And, if you’re clumsy with words, there’s nothing wrong with having some kind of script prepared. Figure out how you want to introduce yourself, construct your elevator pitch, and think of questions to ask your potential business associates. ## Connect On LinkedIn First Networking events are a rootless endeavor if you don’t know anything about your local clientele. Find the even guest list and connect with them on LinkedIn first. Research the attendees background and professional history to see which ways you can connect in person. Pick a few sources from the crowd and develop talking points so that you’re not stuck as a wallflower without anything to contribute to the conversation. RELATED: [10 Self-Care Tips For Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed](https://clairebahn.com/self-care-tips/) ## Introduce Yourself At A Networking Event Networking tips come in all shapes and sizes, but the best that I can give you is to introduce yourself at a networking event. Following around your friend that you brought with you and acting as the silent partner will get you nowhere. Be upfront, but casual, and use those preparation skills to your advantage. It doesn’t have to be difficult. Look, all you have to do is: -Smile -Shake their hand -Say your full name -Briefly explain what you do -Ask about them and their business Networking basics will always touch upon the best way to introduce yourself at these events. In order to get the real feel of it, however, you can always practice what you’re going to say using a friend, or even a mirror. It might sound cliche and cheesy, but her— it works! ## Best Networking Tip – Bring A Friend One of my favorite networking tips to give to novice business-starters is to bring a friend. Bring someone close to you that both understands and compliments your endeavors. They can help to elevate that social anxiety that most of us have and also act as a talking point. You can share personal anecdotes with the other attendees and create an amicable atmosphere. And hopefully, your friend will have your back and talk up your business if you are too modest to do it yourself. ## Questions To Ask At Events Asking questions to event patrons is going to be the focal point of your interaction with these people. If you want viable networking tips, consider asking questions to be your interview for future business clients. If you think of it that way, it will put you in the mindset of holding the power to make or break a deal; which you have. Coming up with question will be easy once you’ve done your research, but to help give you some ideas here are some basic questions to ask at events: - What is their work day like? - How long have they been in their line of business? - Where are you from? - How did you hear about the event? ## Listen and Learn You’re almost there! The hard part is over. You’re dressed to the nines, fully prepared, script in memory. You’re engaged in conversation, but now what? Now is when all these networking tips come in handy. When you’re asking questions to your potential clients or associates, you want to express genuine curiosity. Ask follow-up questions, even if it drives you off script. Before you know it, your conversation will be flowing naturally and you’ll forget all about the pre-jitters that paralyzed you hours ago. Another good idea is to take notes on your phone of what the other person is saying (not in front of them of course; that would be awkward). You can use this later when you formulate your follow-up email (we’ll get to that later). ## Don’t Sell When you’re having these conversations at networking events, it’s also important to maintain a vernacular dialogue. Don’t come off as preachy or like you’re trying to pitch your “big idea.” This is networking basic for anyone who has been in the game long enough. I promise you that this will severely damage the likelihood of you making a solid connection. Instead, be sociable. Talk about the event, your favorite drink, a great movie you saw recently—do anything but try to sell to them. Helpful networking tips never promote sales-based behavior and for good reason. Remember, you wouldn’t want anyone selling to you, so be respectful and leave the sales pitch for your next meeting. ## Make Connections As long as you aren’t trying to sell to them, chances are that you will actually make decent connections at these events. You make even make a friend. In your conversations, you can naturally connect how your business will help theirs (without sounding pitchy). That way you equate on a personal and a business level. Even for those people that you don’t feel that natural chemistry with, you should always take business cards. These events are just their first impressions of you, and they aren’t the end all, be all for these business connections. I’ve seen other networking tips say otherwise, but trust me when I say that the follow-up is just as important as the first impression. RELATED: [Simple Ways To Revamp Your Desk](https://clairebahn.com/revamp-your-desk/) ## Don’t Work The Room I know we’ve already discussed a decent amount of networking tips so far, but stick with me! Another networking basic to consider for your next networking event is to forego the urge to work the room. Spreading yourself thin is going to make it easier for people to forget about you (and your business) because you’re not sticking around long enough to make substantial connections. As far as networking tips go, this one could be the most important—and the most ignored. It can be hard to stand in a group of people you feel uncomfortable with and try to forge small talk. I get it; we’ve all been there. But just because you’re not hitting it right off the bat, doesn’t mean this person (or group of people) can’t help with your business goals. Stick with them for at least ten minutes. If not you can move on, but try to find your key group of people so that you’ll be more easily remembered. ## Follow Up And the last bit of networking tips that I’ll leave you with is the follow-up. There are varying opinions about how soon the follow-up should be, but networking basics suggest around two to three days. Those few days gives time for the weekend to pass and for people to empty out their mailboxes. You don’t want to get lost in the slew of business cards that everyone at the networking event inevitably collected, so send a follow-up email reintroducing yourself and your business. Keep it short and sweet, and be sure to include a link to your website and other contact information in your closing. If they’re interested, they’ll respond. If not, give it a few more days and send another email, perhaps asking a question relating to their business. This is a useful tact that can, at the very least, get another conversation going. If you need more networking tips, you can sign up for my email newsletter. I cover networking basics and fun stuff like picking out a killer summer work wardrobe! #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips **Tags:** networking --- ### [The Benefits of Mentoring for Entrepreneurs](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-mentoring/) **Published:** December 24, 2019 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** I’m going to be real with you guys: running your own business takes a lot out of you, that’s how i’ve learned the Benefits of Mentoring. You work fifty hours a week, sometimes on weekends, and you have to know *so. much*. Even if you feel comfortable in one aspect, there are about twenty other things you will have to know if you want to make the most out of your entrepreneurial goals. And that’s where having a business mentor comes in handy. A business mentor will guide you through the appropriate steps one-by-one. And not only will you succeed faster, but you’ll always have someone to turn to when you are feeling lost. On the other hand, there are benefits of mentoring as well. Becoming a business mentor goes to show that you have proven yourself as a leader in your line of work. So much so that people are trusting and *wanting* to monitor your success. There’s always so much that people can learn from books these days, and your real-life experiences are bound to teach them more. Whichever aspect you’re looking into, there is really no downside to mentorships. A business mentor is crucial in helping you grow and stay in business. And the benefits of mentoring these new up-and-comers? Well, take a look for yourself! ## Benefits of Mentoring The benefits of mentoring those who are just starting out come in two-fold. According to a report by [Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM)](http://www.babson.edu/Academics/centers/blank-center/global-research/gem/Pages/home.aspx), 27 million working Americans are entrepreneurs. In today’s society, it’s instinct for these newly ambitious business owners to hit the ground running. However, they do this before they have a firm grasp on the concept of what it really takes to run a business. And that’s where you come in. ### **Job Satisfaction** If you see someone in need of a business mentor, or someone reaches out to you for mentorship, it won’t take long to weigh out the pros and cons. The benefits of mentoring these aspirational minds come with appraisals of your own business as well as some good old fashioned vanity. You can’t help it; having someone give you recognition for your work just *feels good*. It makes you feel as if you’ve “made it” and your job satisfaction couldn’t be higher. ### **Earn New Skills and Expand Your Own Brand** That kind of appreciation spills over into your own work. As a business mentor, you will feel empowered to grow your own brand; if only just to show your new disciple how it’s done. Having someone look to you for business-related goals and advice also earns you new skills that you may not have had before. It will strengthen your leadership qualities and it will bring you up to a whole other level when it comes to your interpersonal communication tactics. These new or improved skills only add on to the growing list of benefits for mentoring, all while simultaneously making you a better entrepreneur yourself. RELATED: [10 Self-Care Tips For Entrepreneurs and Self-Employed](https://clairebahn.com/self-care-tips/) ## Benefits of Having A Mentor I believe that it is so important to find a mentor. I have two great mentors for my side hustle and I will often ask their advice when making business decisions. The benefits of having a business mentor often get overlooked by eager entrepreneurs who want that instant gratification. But I’m here to tell you from personal experience, there is nothing that the internet can teach you better than a mentor. Here are just a few of the upsides that a business mentor will provide you. ### **Networking Opportunities** Business mentors have been there and done that. They’ve already built up that circle of professionals that you are struggling to acquire. Having a mentor show you the ropes gives you room to expand your network. Your mentor will know whom to introduce you to and can help your business become that much more successful. All you have to do is show up to the meeting that your mentor might facilitate and have that elevator pitch ready! ### **Skill Growth** The benefits of mentoring are that they come with a brand new toolbox with a full set of new skills. Learning from a mentor will get you farther than going at it alone because they can teach you what skills you actually need to acquire. This saves you time and money in the long run. Business mentors are also there to give you a new and different perspective when it comes to the way you are running your business. If something is going wrong, chances are, their experiences will know how to fix it. ### **Encouragement** Business mentors are, if anything, there to encourage you. They can relate to your struggles, and quite honestly, they’re a great source to vent to. They can push you to do more than you might let yourself had you had no one to turn to. In some strange way, they give you that boost of confidence that is detrimental in being an entrepreneur. ### **Better Business Outcome** If you need to learn how to work to get your company off the ground, well, that’s one of the benefits of mentoring. A business mentor is there for you to seek advice from. Ask questions. Ask them again. A successful endeavor can never be solved by one person. Your business mentor will help you find new methods to solve a problem and come up with perennial strategies to give you better business outcomes. In fact, people who elicit the help of a mentor are more likely to create a long-standing company than those who don’t. RELATED: [Top 5 ways To Stay Productive When Working From Home](https://clairebahn.com/top-5-ways-to-stay-productive-when-working-from-home/) ## How To Find a Business Mentor If you’re convinced that a business mentor will help in the success of your business (they will), there are a few ways to find them. ### **Mentorship Programs** Mentorship programs are offered through various websites. The most sufficient source is the [U.S. Small Business Administration](https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/all-small-mentor-protege-program). This is where protégés can find qualified mentors in case you don’t personally know someone you can turn to. ### **Social Networking** Believe it or not, a lot of entrepreneurs have found business mentors through social networking programs. Really. Twitter is a useful tool in reaching out to high-profile business owners whom you might admire. Slide into their DM’s and just keep being persistent. The worst they can say is no. In fact, if you’re really adamant about working with a particular person, don’t stop until you hear back from them. ### **Ask Someone You Know** This is the typical route that most entrepreneurs take. Whether you know them digitally or through real-life business encounters, there is no shame in introducing yourself. Tell them why you admire their work, what your business goals are, and if they would be interested in being a mentor. Chances are, they will see the benefits of mentoring and take to the opportunity gratefully. ## How To Become a Business Mentor The benefits of mentoring can’t go unnoticed. If you are looking to help your own protégé, here’s what you can do: ### **Have a steady portfolio Prove that you have something to teach people. Don’t go looking for a mentee simply in search of some self-satisfaction. Your portfolio and business outline will speak to your ability to guide and lead. ### **Join a program** Again, there are multiple resources you can use on the internet, but the [U.S. Small Business Administration](https://www.sba.gov/federal-contracting/contracting-assistance-programs/all-small-mentor-protege-program) assures that all protégés are qualified in order to receive a mentor. ### **Offer to mentor those who reach out** More than likely, this is the scenario that will play out. If someone has reached out to you about becoming their mentor, the benefits of mentoring will probably entice you to say yes. Just be sure to listen to their business plan and see how you may be able to help the entrepreneur succeed. And of course, always be sure to see how this relationship will be beneficial to you as well. RELATED: [Simple Ways To Revamp Your Desk](https://clairebahn.com/revamp-your-desk/) Have you ever had a mentor and what was the outcome? Tell me about it in the comments below! #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips **Tags:** entrepreneur --- ### [What Is Real Estate Marketing?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-real-estate-marketing-personal-branding/) **Published:** January 15, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** My company, [Stratus Branding](https://stratusbranding.com/blog/foundations-schedule-consultation/), frequently works with real estate agents. During an agent’s first private personal branding coaching session with me, this *same* question always comes up: “What is real estate marketing?” I’m never surprised by this question because a big chunk of that first call is dedicated to explaining how to incorporate your personal brand into your real estate marketing materials. Homebuyers today want to work with a real estate agent they know and trust… *not* a real estate brokerage. That’s why I take my time to dive deep into the structure of marketing for real estate agents and how their personal brand needs to be present in every bit of content they publish. When it comes to a real estate brand, an agent has plenty of marketing options to choose from. From blogs and eBooks to social media and email campaigns, the wealth of knowledge that real estate agents possess about home buying (or selling) is extremely beneficial to their clients. So why not share it? There are over 1.4 million[ active real estate agents](https://www.nar.realtor/sites/default/files/documents/Monthy-Membership-Report-Dec-2019.pdf) **in the U.S.** That’s a lot of competition. The only thing that is going to make you stand out is your personal brand. That’s why I’m providing this complete guide on real estate marketing and how to incorporate your personal brand into your content. RELATED: [WHAT IS PERSONAL BRANDING AND WHY YOU SHOULD CARE](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/) ## **What Is Real Estate Marketing?** Real estate marketing is, in short, pairing your personal brand with standard marketing practices. If you’re an established real estate agent, then I’m sure you are already aware of the importance of marketing via networking, social media, and original content. But just **how important is real estate marketing?** Well, let’s start by taking a look at your competitors. Go ahead and look up a handful of real estate agents in your area. Do they have a website? What about a social media presence? If just one of those agents has a blog, a free eBook, or a substantial social media presence, then you have some catching up to do. It’s 2020, which means it is time to get serious about your marketing strategies. In a world full of entrepreneurs and influencers, it is *vital* that you have established what your personal brand is in order for your marketing strategies to succeed. Whether you want to become the Gary V of real estate agents or you are just looking for creative ways to generate leads, your personal brand tied with your marketing content is what will give you a leg up above your competition. Here’s what you need to consider before you start putting more time and effort into marketing: #### Your Personal Brand The reason the first thing we do at Stratus Branding is to set up a personal branding strategy session is that you **can’t start marketing** without having a clear image of your personal brand. Today, the internet has diluted this term so its purpose can be hard to determine. Your personal brand is simply this: You. It defines who you are, your voice, your aesthetic, and your elevator pitch or mission statement. Every single business has established a personal brand, whether it is a solopreneur or a Fortune 500 company. Take McDonald’s for example. Everything about their business brand has become familiar: the Golden Arches, the red and yellow colors, and, of course, their affordable menu items. The only thing that McDonald’s is missing from their brand is that personal touch. Today’s market has surpassed the days of traditional marketing through faceless brand recognition. What consumers listen to now are the people behind the brand. They want to hear the opinions and advice of everyday “influencers” or recognizable experts in a specific industry. Your personal brand is more than just simply finding a logo and creating a real estate website; it’s about establishing who you are so that you can garner client trust and grow your reputation. #### Social Media If you are asking yourself whether you **really** **need social media** in order to sell or list homes, here is the cold, hard truth: *Absolutely* **yes.** People want to know who they are working with. And without that social media presence, you are less likely to earn that like, know, and trust of potential home buyers and sellers. There are a few things to consider when it comes to social media, such as which platforms have the best ROI for real estate agents. The content you produce is also key to your personal brand and marketing strategies. #### Search Engine Optimization SEO is how your website gets discovered on search engines such as Google. If someone were to Google search “real estate agent in Anytown, USA” the professionals that show up on the first page are the ones who have flawlessly harnessed the power of SEO. This marketing tactic is equal parts technical and creative, so I will go into the details of Search Engine Optimization a little further down. #### Lead Generation Content Once your brand is established and you’re set up with social media and a website, it’s time to think about your content— a.k.a your lead generation tools. These can take many forms and range from blogs to paid ads. There are a few pieces of real estate marketing content that will really set you apart from the rest. If you have regular email campaigns set up or you offer free advice in the form of eBooks, you’ll be set to receive passive leads that won’t cost you a dime. RELATED: [THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING A COMPELLING PERSONAL BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand/) ## **Content For Real Estate Marketing** As I said, content is produced in many forms. There is video content, blog content, social media content, and the aforementioned “freemium” content. Back in the day, you would have considered brochures, business cards, and billboard ads to be the “content” that established your presence and gave a name to your personal brand. While some of these old-school marketing rules still have their place in today’s society, you really want to **focus on digital content** if you want to surpass your competition. It’s the fastest and best practice to use if you want to establish your market expertise and have clients come to you. Here’s the type of content that agents should have: #### SEO Blogs Right now, I can’t dig into the particulars of the back-end of SEO and how it works. But having real estate blogs isn’t news to any agent. Chances are, your broker reminds you on a regular basis to write blog content for the website. The thing is, blogs take time to write— especially if you want to **write them well**. Piling on this “SEO” thing puts more pressure on you to churn out this type of content. This is (understandably) why most realtors bypass this strategic piece of content. However, if you can find a team that can not only write blog content that showcases your expert knowledge but also implement SEO into the copy, then you will have a reliable marketing content that sets you a tier above the rest (by the way, we offer this at Stratus Branding!). Consistent blogs give your eager readers need-to-know information in your industry— thus establishing *you* as their go-to professional for their home-buying needs. #### eBooks and Other “Freemiums” A freemium is a bit of content that you offer to your prospective clients for **free**. An eBook is a common freemium that agents use in order to produce leads. A “Home-Buyers Guide” would be the perfect resource to attach to your website, blog, and social media posts in order to get the emails rolling in. At the same time, it works to establish your personal brand because you’ll have an entire book to showcase your voice and personal insight. You can use this and other freemiums (downloadable checklists, guides to local restaurants, etc) to entice readers to leave their email in your sign-up form. Once they’re in, you can start sending email campaigns to your **warm leads** until you can get them on the phone to talk about their real estate needs. #### Social Media As I said, social media is a *must* if you’re looking to upgrade your real estate marketing tactics for 2020. Social media is a merciless playground where real estate agents are competing for that premium status. Some professionals may associate social media with a younger crowd, but that’s not inherently true. [**29.7%** of Facebook and Instagram users](https://zephoria.com/top-15-valuable-facebook-statistics/) are **25 to 34.** These demographics can and should be your target audience for your marketing tactics as the [average age of homebuyers in the U.S. is 32 years old](https://www.sofi.com/blog/average-age-to-buy-a-house/). When it comes to social media, there is a game you have to play. It’s not just posting selfies and taking quick videos of your listings. In fact, there are a few things that you should **absolutely refrain from posting.** RELATED: [SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY TO IMPROVE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/) ## **Social Media and Your Personal Brand** The best way you can showcase yourself as an agent who knows their market and is reliable and trustworthy is to **get social** on digital platforms. However, before you start posting photos of your kids and Tuesday night dinner, let me explain what’s acceptable to post as a personal brand and what will actually hurt you in the long run. #### What To Include On Social Media **Professional Photos:** You can never go wrong with a professional photoshoot! I’m sure this is one of the first bits of marketing that you invested in, but [make sure your photos are up-to-date!](https://onlineprofilepros.com/) **Market Information:** Original graphs, photos, blogs, and text about the current state of the real estate market is a great way to grow your following. For some, home buying and selling is a huge risk, so consumers are looking to work with someone who is constantly aware of the current housing climate. **Local Spots:** Social media isn’t, of course, all work and no play. There’s nothing wrong with sharing personal photos here and there— especially if it’s in regard to what’s going on around town. By staying in-the-know on community events and happenings, your followers will start to tune in more frequently to your content, which helps establish you as the **local real estate expert.** #### What NOT To Include On Social Media **Too Many Selfies:** Selfies can work in some niches, but in the real estate market where you are trusted as a professional, these should be kept to a minimum. Too many off-the-cuff posts might send the wrong message. **Personal Information:** It’s important to be open and personable with your social media followers because, honestly, that’s what the social media game is all about. Sharing too much of your personal life, however, will lead your audience to tap that “unfollow” button more frequently. Be candid with your audience… but maybe hold back on telling them all about your child’s 8th birthday party. **Bad-Quality Photos:** Like it or not, social media is all about the aesthetic (especially on Instagram). People want to follow accounts who not only provide educational and entertaining content but also produce bright and engaging images. You want your content to ***grasp their attention*** while scrolling through the mix. #### Social Media Options: - **Facebook:** good for local networking and sharing content (blogs, eBooks, etc) - **Instagram:** great for showcasing homes and your personal brand - **Twitter:** can be used to show expertise and share (Retweet) like-minded opinions - **LinkedIn:** online networking where you can connect with individuals who are interested in homes in your particular niche (i.e. luxury homes) RELATED: [CLAIRE BAHN ON THIS WEEK IN STARTUPS- WHAT I LEARNED](https://clairebahn.com/this-week-in-startups/) ## **Professional Memberships and Networking for Real Estate Agents** As I said, not all traditional marketing strategies are a lost cause. More than just producing branded, informative, and consistent content, an active agent should be involved in their local community. Simply taking the time to familiarize yourself with new restaurants or hot spots will put you in the position of being the local expert. So if LA home shoppers are looking for a two-bedroom, two-bath near a string of good restaurants, you’re the agent that can help them find ***everything*** that they are looking for. Being involved in the community also gives you opportunities to meet new people. You may never know who you might meet while you’re out and about. What if the next person you strike up a conversation with at the Saturday Farmer’s Market is looking to list their million-dollar property? Once they see your established personal brand and marketing content, they won’t *need* to shop around for another agent. Of course, joining the local chamber of commerce or BNI (Business Network International) is an authentic way to generate word-of-mouth about your services as a real estate agent, all while growing connections with prominent members of your area. Despite the modern realm of digital marketing, resident networking still works wonders to substantiate your personal brand. If it all sounds like too much— don’t worry! I’m here to help. You can [follow me on Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/clairebahn/) for more personal branding and marketing advice or[ reach out to me here](https://clairebahn.com/contact-claire/)! #### Which of these real estate marketing tactics do you currently use? #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal brand, real estate brand, real estate marketing --- ### [How I Started My Business From Scratch ](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/) **Published:** February 5, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** It’s really hard to determine who is *actually* qualified to give advice on how to start a business from scratch. There are hundreds, if not thousands, or self-proclaimed “entrepreneurs” out here no the internet— the majority of whom have yet to get into the nitty-gritty of owning their own business. For those who have been with me for a while, you have seen me go through many business phases. In fact, the blog you are reading right now has recently gone through some transitions. Learning and figuring out how to successfully run a business is not for the faint of heart. It takes years and lots of trial and error if you want to build something from scratch. Do I recommend it? *Absolutely.* If you are a budding entrepreneur or a business owner who is feeling down about the progress of your freshly made startup, I feel you. **I’ve been there.** But in just a few short years, I have managed to build two successful businesses, not including my Claire Bahn blog and social platforms. Both of my businesses have seen financial success and have been backed up by investors so that I can keep growing and building. So, do you want to know how started my business from scratch? Keep reading. RELATED: **[WHAT IS REAL ESTATE MARKETING?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-real-estate-marketing-personal-branding/)** ## **My Startup Story** It has been ten years since I first started working as a personal branding expert. That’s when I became the EVP of Online Profile Pros— formerly known as DatingHeadShots Inc. The concept was simple: we wanted to provide a service for budding entrepreneurs to help professionalize their businesses via photography. Think real estate agents, lawyers, and the type of professions where professional photography is a staple advertising tool. My job for this startup was all about marketing and building the company brand. So I put together a marketing team and streamlined our strategies to help generate leads and sales. But before I could convince people to buy our service, I had to fine-tune our *own* brand. The business is a full-fledge marketplace that helps people create, maintain, and protect their personal brand. So, I started with the website. The website has changed over the years to match with contemporary aesthetic, but I’ve always made sure it had the key elements: About, Contact, and SEO. Any novice entrepreneur can tell you what pages to include on your website. It’s the SEO that stops people in their tracks. Knowing my brand through and through helped me narrow in on specific keywords to find the right audience— and the right clients. We used SEO through our blogs and routine website maintenance to keep our website active. It’s helped our website traffic **more than double** over the years. At this point, I was well aware of the power of social media. I would say it was still in its early days, but with my marketing background, I saw the potential right away. ## **The Start of Stratus Branding** In 2017, we renamed the company so that we could offer our services on the digital front. That’s when Online Profile Pros *really* started to take off. I became the CEO and negotiated partnerships with the two largest brands in the dating industry (our primary clientele): eHarmony and Match.com. This helped OPP see a growth of 15-35% YOY. This opportunity meant it was time to dig our heels into social platforms. I directed our marketing team to focus on social media and geared up our content to provide fun-fact posts that went alongside our blogs. I also started using my personal influencer platform (which has an audience of over 100K) to showcase my company’s advice and expertise. I talked about how I started my business from scratch on Jason Calacanis’ **[This Week In Startups](https://clairebahn.com/this-week-in-startups/)**. Since August 2019, we have maintained our 30% margins and have past our $400K benchmark. Now, we have a subscription-based service and are working with the “whales” Jason recommended to me on his podcast. Online Profile Pros profile-based services are what lead me to start Stratus Branding in 2019. Now, I offer Stratus to my clients that want **full-service custom content creation.** The success of OPP has allowed me the freedom to expand into this new startup that focuses on personal branding. We help our clients build and maximize their authority and influence through blogs, photos, and social media management. Trying to figure out how to expand Online Profile Pros *and* utilize my audience at Claire Bahn took so much more time than I expected. But the cold, hard truth about starting a business from scratch is… it’s *never* what you expect. RELATED: **[SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY TO IMPROVE YOUR PERSONAL BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/)** ## **Advice on How To Start a Business From Scratch** As some of you may know, I started my blog in 2015. By then, I knew how to utilize SEO and social media in order to grow a brand based on my own interests and passions. Back then, those interests took the form of the Gluten-Free Avenger: a blog and YouTube channel about creating tasty gluten-free dishes (before it was “cool”). If you have been here since then, you are truly a superhero. In later years, I expanded into a lifestyle blog before finally realizing my true passion: branding. I would say the transition has seen a *little* turbulence, but overall, my brand has simply been me. And since I’ve built this friendly and loyal community, the interest (and my blog business) has remained unscathed. And that’s what your business is all about. Creating and maintaining a personal brand that will get people to stick around, even through the turbulence and changes. Here are the steps you need to follow (based on my own experienced) on starting a business: ### **Step 1: Get a Mentor** **[I wrote a blog all about mentorship](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-mentoring/)**, but I can’t stress this enough. Find a mentor that has experience (and success) in your field. Don’t look at them as your competition, look at them as your ally. I’ve had a lot of mentors, but I learned a lot about pitching to investors from one of our Board members, Scott. I gave my first investor pitch in San Jose with him in the audience. He has extensive start-up experience and really helped me hone my pitch and “story arc,” because investors invest in the founder, not the idea. But more on that in a minute. ### **Step 2: Make a Business Plan** If you find a great mentor, they may even help you with this second step. Your business plan should outline **everything**. Figure out what it is you have to offer and write it down. Formulate a strategy that will help you market that service (or product) through marketing and advertising. Then, layout your goals. How much do you want to make in the first year? How many clients will you need in order to hit that goal? And what are you going to do to *get* those clients? ### **Step 3: Know Your Personal Brand** This may be even more important than your business plan. Your personal brand is *you*. While some companies may prefer to have a logo be the forefront of their business, I highly encourage you to take the personal route. Consumers these days are more likely to trust and buy from a person… not a faceless logo. However, the true catalyst when it comes to your personal brand is remaining consistent. Your social media branding, in particular, is going to be crucial. Pick a tone and a persona and tie it in with your service. If you’re still not sure how to define your personal brand then, hey, **[give me a call](https://clairebahn.com/contact-claire/)**. That’s what I’m here for! ### **Step 4: Define Your Audience** Part of your business plan and knowing your personal brand is also knowing your audience. Once you have the business details out of the way, it’s time to define your “ideal” audience. The basic trick that most entrepreneurs use to get through this step is to set up an Ideal Client Persona. Essentially, you want to create the “perfect” client or someone you want to sell to. And you wan to know everything about them. And I do mean ***everything.*** Write down this person’s hobbies, job, salary, marital status, and interests. No detail is too minuscule. You need to decide what their highest level of education is, their location, age, and even their psychographics (what are they frustrated with, what concerns do they have?). Once you define this person, you will have a better idea of the type of content you need to publish. And then, you can better dictate your audience for (eventual) paid advertising campaigns. ### **Step 5: Build Your Product / Service** Once you have your personal brand and audience characterized, you can start building your tangible, accessible business. If it’s a product-based business, build a prototype and test it out. Send it off to a testing group to get initial feedback and work to improve it. Once you have your product ready for market, you need to make a website. And remember, **a website is never passive**. You can’t simply set it up and expect it to do work for you. That’s where blogs and SEO come in. Yes, it takes a lot of knowledge and time, but trust me, it’s necessary if you want to appear on Google’s Front Page (and you *definitely* want that). ### **Step 6: Gather Your Team** This may come later if you start a business from scratch, but if you’re successful, it *will* need to happen. Of course, if you have visionaries in your inner circle or you have enough working capital to hire a team, by all means, shoot for the moon. Your team can be employees at your brick and mortar, a virtual assistant, a blog writer, or just a full-service personal branding coach. Many entrepreneurs will handle the entire business along with the marketing, content creation, and branding aspects on their own until they can afford to hire a team. And even then, it’s hard to convince yourself to bring in someone to help your business grow. But if you’re at the point in your business where you need (and can afford) to hire a team, it means your business is seeing success. So gather your team; you’ll come to appreciate the support. ### **Step 7: Spread the Word** So, you have your business plan, your product, your personal brand, your website… now what? It’s time to spread the word! I recommend snatching your company name on social media platforms around the same time you build your website. You don’t have to necessarily start churning out phenomenal content right off the bat, but it does help you start off with a bang! An active, branded social media presence also looks good when you **reach out to the press**. Yes, *you* need to reach out to *them*! There are so many startups popping up, that there is *no way* that journalists can keep up with them all. Pitch your business to a local journalist for a feature. Heck, I would even recommend pitching it to the big leagues. [**Online Profile Pros** ](https://onlineprofilepros.com/news/)has been featured in Forbes, Entrepreneur Magazine, CNN, Glamour, among many other pristine publications. As long as you have established your brand’s expertise on your website and social media channels, a journalist will be able to pick up on it. The backlinks from those websites will do *wonders* for your website traffic and sales. Your marketing strategies should always be under scrutiny. What can you be doing to increase your social media presence, are your SEO keywords targeting the right audience, and when is it time to start running paid ads? Marketing is an entire topic in itself. Let me know in the comments if you want a blog on marketing for small businesses! ### **Step 8: Pitch to Investors** And finally, once you have some ground to stand on, you can start pitching to investors. Angel investors or venture capitalists are the people who are going to help bring your business to the next level. If you haven’t followed the above steps already, you’re not ready to pitch to an investor. An investor, as I said, is interested in the person, not the idea. So if you haven’t worked out your personal brand yet, it’s going to be really hard to pitch your idea to an investor. You need to work your own story into your business. That’s your hook. It’s only when you have your personal brand established that investors will start to ask about your business and marketing plans. RELATED: **[WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA BRANDING?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/)** ### **Regrets?** Do I have any regrets about starting a business from scratch? Not really. I don’t really have any regrets because I believe I did my best given with what I knew at the time. The only thing I would tell my past self not to do is to discount our services. We did this early on to work with industry leaders only to have them devalue our services because I was willing to give discounts. Which is, of course, the ultimate catch-22. Be confident in your product, but be even more confident in your personal brand. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding, Tips **Tags:** How I Started My Business From Scratch, startup success stories --- ### [Choosing A Personal Brand Logo & Examples of Personal Branding](https://clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/) **Published:** February 19, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Your[ personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personalbrandingmasterclass/) is its own unique language. Much like learning the finances and marketing aspects of your business, your brand forces you to **identify your company’s logo, tone, and overall aesthetic.** However, I know that the idea of deciding on your personal brand logo stresses you out. That’s why today’s blog is going to look at some terrific examples of personal branding and logos. While it’s not uncommon for companies to switch their logo over time, you definitely want to stick with a logo that won’t require many alternations. Take a look at the Starbucks logo, for example. In its earliest days, the popular coffee chain had a brown packaging label that featured the now-famous two-tail mermaid. While the mermaid has remained intact over the decades, the colors and the depiction of the mermaid has been modernized. Even more recently, Planter’s (the peanut snack division of Heinz) recently killed off Mr. Peanut— the company mascot that has been around since 1916! Of course, this was simply a marketing ploy that Heinz decided to take in order to rejuvenate their brand (now we have “Baby Nut”). If your company logo is going to have a character mascot, you don’t want to have to take the Planter’s route — at least not without 100 years of branding under your belt. Changing your logo (especially a mascot) is going to be jarring and confusing for your customers. by working with a personal branding strategist, you’re going to ensure you never have to go through the marketing nightmare that is rebranding. how do you know when you’ve chosen the right personal brand logo? If you follow my steps, work with the right people, and look at some examples, then I promise you’ll feel more comfortable about settling on your logo. RELATED: **[WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA BRANDING?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/)** ## **Do Your Research** I mention this in my blog on **[How I Started My Business From Scratch](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/)**. Once you have your company name picked out, and you have a general business plan— that’s when you start to work on your personal brand. This means figuring out your logo, website, marketing… the works. It’s **at this point that you will want to bring on a personal branding strategist**. The time it will take you to design your own logo and do research on building a personal brand can all be saved just by working with an expert. [At Stratus Branding](https://stratusbranding.com/services/), I start by discussing my clients’ wants and needs. We usually chat a bit about their business goals so that I can get a feel of the business owner *and* the business plan. Getting to know my clients really helps me in doing my own research so I can suggest the best route to take with their personal brand. Ultimately, I still like to suggest that my clients do some light research on their own. It helps me and my team if the entrepreneur we are working with has an idea of what they want their personal brand logo to look like. They can either create mockups themselves or gather examples of other logos and websites. #### **Pick Out Examples of Logos You Like… And *Don’t* Like** If you already know what kind of logo you want, this will make the process go by a lot faster. The best thing you can do is **gather 3-5 examples of personal brand logos that you like.** Pinpoint fonts and color schemes that you resonate with, along with the brand’s overall representation. It will also be beneficial to define and send us the type of branding you *don’t* like. This tiny bit of research will also ensure that your logo won’t be mistaken for someone else’s. It doesn’t really look great when it looks like a rip off of another brand. Keep in mind, however, that similar logos are bound to happen. For example, if you look at Beats logo next to the Pinterest logo, they look pretty similar. Some other examples of personal brand logos that look a lot alike are Gucci and Chanel and PayPal and Pandora. The letters in color schemes are *extremely* similar. And while no one is really going to confuse PayPal for a music service like Pandora, it really speaks to the level of creativity and thought that went behind the brand recognition. Essentially what I’m getting at is, you **don’t want some cookie-cutter personal branding**. If you gather examples of other logos and websites that you admire, Stratus Branding can work on a personal brand design that is unique to you and your company. RELATED: **[HOW I STARTED MY BUSINESS FROM SCRATCH](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/)** ## **Work with a [Personal Branding Strategist](http://clairebahn.com/)** I *know* that you will be tempted to try to create a personal brand logo on your own. But I’m telling you… you’ll save *so much time* (and money) by working with a personal branding strategist. It’s my job to guide you in the right direction in terms of setting up your social media, website, and other marketing material. Plus, the design portion of your personal brand (i.e. your logo) is included in our comprehensive services. #### **Logos, Social Media, and More** As a personal branding coach, a part of my job is figuring out your logo’s font and overall color palette. The fonts, color, and logo that we decide on will need to be present in *everything* associated with your personal brand. This includes print materials, your website, and social media. Having a cohesive look will make it easier for your customers to identify your brand across different platforms (Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, YouTube, etc). Your social media posts will need to stick to the same font and color scheme as your website and vice versa. Usually with a personal brand, you want to center around **three staple fonts and colors.** We can decide on this by creating a Brand Board which will identify your choice of fonts and colors that will be present alongside your personal brand logo. If we develop a long-term business relationship, we can include extras in your personal branding package such as social media templates that line up with your aesthetic. In addition to narrowing down your look and your logo, we also optimize your biography across your social media platforms. This is just as important as establishing your logo. Your social media bios should act as your Call To Action and simultaneously give people an idea of who you are. Your logo is important and should be treated with careful attention to detail. anD Just think, while we are laying the groundwork designing your logo, you can be working on your business pitch or some other facet of your business plan. RELATED: **[THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATING A COMPELLING PERSONAL BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand/)** ## **Why Your Personal Brand Logo Is So Important** Think of some brand logos that you are inherently familiar with. For example, most of us can’t think of Target without picturing the red bullseye mark. Likewise, it’s hard to imagine red carpet pictures without the famous Getty images logo intact. Whether your company is selling products or you are working freelance as a photographer, your logo is an ever-present mark of your hard work. It is your image, your *stamp* that shows people that, “Hey, I did that.” Let’s take a look at some other reasons that your personal brand logo is so important. #### **It Looks Professional** First and foremost, having a logo is, simply, impressive. It makes you look like a professional because you clearly *take your personal brand seriously.* If you are a company that has a template logo that you bought for $10 off of Fiverr, people are going to be able to tell. In retrospect, your **logo will reflect the value of your services.** #### **It Builds Authority** Having that *set* image that represents your brand also helps you build authority. Your logo is going to establish your presence in an already crowded entrepreneurial world. Once people start coming to you (whether in person, by your website, or on your social media), your company logo and overall aesthetic will start to become familiar with your loyal customers. This, in turn, should keep them coming back for more. A logo will help you establish that authority that will get people to trust you and value your expertise. #### **Logos Make Your Brand Distinguishable** Again, there are a lot of people out there hustling to make their business stand out. And I know that you’re probably already comparing yourself to your competitors on a regular basis. It’s good to analyze your competition in this aspect because you want to make sure that you’re distinguishable within your industry. Although I don’t recommend doing this *too* often, it’s a good idea to keep an eye out on your competitor’s image so that we can work out how to make *your* logo different. Once we have some examples of personal branding logos, my team and I will be able to set you up with a truly unique image. #### **It Keeps Everything Cohesive** And lastly, the reason your personal logo is so important is because it keeps your content cohesive. As I mentioned, you want to make sure that your website, social media, and other marketing material all look the same. This makes it so that people can easily identify your company. Your logo acts as a starting point for us to build that brand aesthetic that will be integrated into each sector of your business. ## **Phenomenal Examples of Personal Branding** Are you still not sure what I mean when I talk about personal brand logos? That’s alright… it’s a lot to take in! Let me just walk you through some *phenomenal examples of personal branding*. The following three people are influencers who have built *giant* personal brands that have given them a loyal following (and a consistent income)! #### [**Rachel Hollis**](https://www.instagram.com/msrachelhollis/) When people think of Rachel Hollis if they think: author, businesswoman, successful, and fun. Rachel has built her empire as a top motivational speaker by developing a personal brand that **her audience of over 1 million has resonated with.** The Hollis company is the benchmark for all of Rachel’s companies. She also has a podcast and her Rise speaking tour that takes her around the country. You can look at any of her social platforms or websites and know that Rachel has had a hand in each part of these businesses. The logos might be different, but the general feel and energy are the same across the board. Rachel tends to work with bold fonts and light, pastel colors. But in each bit of content that she posts for her brand, what’s obvious is the *happiness and go-getter attitude* that she displays. **Pro Tip:** Make sure your *personality* is represented in your personal brand. Are you shy? Stern, compassionate, hard-working? Make sure people *know* this about you. #### [Marie Forleo](https://www.instagram.com/marieforleo/) Marie is another terrific example of personal branding done right. She is an entrepreneur who helps other passionate entrepreneurs “bring their dream business to life”. While Marie is, first and foremost the face of her own brand, a quick look through her Instagram shows that she sticks with a certain style for her company. She also makes sure to include her quaint ‘M’ logo on every bit of her marketing and on her products. This leaves no doubt as to who is selling the product. And with over half a million followers on Instagram alone, Marie has been able to establish herself and her personal brand that her audience *instantly* relates with. #### [**Living with Landyn**](https://www.instagram.com/livingwithlandyn/) Landyn has developed a brand and tenacious social presence that most entrepreneurs *pine* after. What started off as a lifestyle blog turned into a multi-faceted company. One that brings joy and inspiration to her dedicated fan base. With her persistence and consistent marketing, Landyn has been able to set herself apart from millions of lifestyle bloggers. Enough so that she now successfully sells her own lifestyle products. These range from home and beauty to clothing and jewelry products. Her logo isn’t anything fancy, but it sets the precedent for the overall tone of her personal brand; both online and at her brick and mortar in Nashville, Tennessee. What are some examples of personal branding that you admire? Tell me about it in the comments below! #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal brand logo --- ### [SEO on Social Media - Claire Bahn Explains Social Media Marketing](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/) **Published:** March 4, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Most experienced entrepreneurs are familiar with the term search engine optimizing (SEO). But did you know that there’s also SEO on social media? Implementing SEO offers a free way to market your personal brand and boost your social impression. Many people are probably going to be surprised to learn that SEO works on social platforms much in the same way it works for website blogs and pages. You might not even realize it, but you’re actively using SEO on your social media every day. I’m willing to bet that in the early days of social media, most people didn’t even pay attention to it. But now this knowledge has become highly coveted in order to figure out how to boost your personal brand and make an impression. Social media SEO plays a huge role in making that impression. And the more impressions you make, the more potential clients you can get! Ready to boost your social SEO? Keep reading. RELATED: [CHOOSING A PERSONAL BRAND LOGO & EXAMPLES OF PERSONAL BRANDING](https://clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/) ## **What is SEO?** Search Engine Optimization. While social media search bars aren’t as heavily integrated as Google or YouTube’s, they still play a role in how your business is discovered. #### **How SEO Works On The Web** If you have a website, you’ll need SEO keywords in order to “rank” on Google. What this means is that if you use enough key terms in your blog or website copy, your website will show up on Google’s front page. And that’s what you want because, honestly, who looks past the first page? The most difficult part of SEO is research. What key phrases are people typing into search bars in order to find information in your industry? How often are they searching for it? Has anyone else successfully answered their question? For example, the SEO keyword for this blog is “SEO on social media”. Enough research has shown me this is a great topic to pursue because about 1,000 people search for this on Google every month. But I can’t simply write this blog without mentioning social media SEO a few times within the text. Without implementing your SEO keywords three or more times into your copy, Google’s “spiders” won’t pick up on your blog. So they won’t recommend it to anyone. #### **Why It’s Important** If you can pinpoint keywords and integrate them into your website (preferably in blog form), then you are going to set yourself up as an authoritative voice in your industry. How? Because your informative blogs, website, etc are going to be recommended by Google. SEO takes a lot of time and knowledge to get right, which is why not everyone does it. But in a way, that’s *good news*. It means **there’s room for you to assert yourself as an expert in your industry.** It’s important to research topics within your industry in order to know how you can help your potential clients. It’s about what *you* can do for *them*. Whether that’s simply answering their questions, giving them inspiration, or offering your services is something that only time will tell. RELATED: [HOW TO STAY ON TOP OF TRENDS FOR YOUR BRAND](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/) ## **How SEO Works on Social Media** To be fair, SEO on social media doesn’t work *exactly* like most people think it does. If a single post on your Twitter or Facebook feed goes viral, that single post won’t show up if someone were to search it in the Google search bar. In fact, social signals aren’t picked up by Google *at all.* So this probably leaves you wondering, “How can I use SEO on a social platform?” Well, for one, if a post on social media does well enough, it might lead journalists to your account. If that’s the case and they decide to write about it, they can link your social media page to their article. This will integrate your company’s social media page into an SEO publication that Google can pick up on. But before we get into that, let me explain the different ways in which SEO works directly on social media platforms. #### **Your profile will rank in google search engine results** While a single Instagram, Facebook, or Twitter post won’t be picked up by Google’s algorithm, your profiles *will.* For example, if you google Claire Bahn, the first links that show up are: 1. clairebahn.com – My website 2. Claire Bahn Twitter account 3. My LinkedIn page And so on. That’s why it’s important to start your brand on a handful of social media accounts. The more of your *own* marketing that you create online, the easier it will be for people to find your company. You can even use your social media biographies to define keywords that can help boost your SEO. That’s why a part of my [Stratus Branding](https://stratusbranding.com/) package includes bio optimization. ***People don’t realize how important their social media bios are!*** If you were to keyword search my name on Google, my Facebook link will be one of the top recommended links. Underneath the link to my page, you’ll see that the snippet under the link says: *“**Claire Bahn**, Los Angeles, California. 18681 likes · 5 talking about this. Hi! I’m **Claire Bahn** CEO & Co-Founder of Online Profile Pros and Stratus…”* This comes directly from my Facebook “About” and. “Biography” sections. This is what Google decides to display Facebook business profiles. By adding my business name and keywords like “CEO” and “branding” people will be able to pick up on what it is that I do. You can also be more specific with your keyword search. Google “Claire Bahn social media” for example, and you will find a link to my Twitter: *“The latest Tweets from Claire Bahn (@ClaireBahn). … Your brand on social media should be given some serious thought and you should have a strategy in …”* This is why you should also be mentioning your personal branding keywords in your social media content. #### **Social media posts can be used as a backlink on high authority websites** As I mentioned, your social media posts can be used by journalists as backlinks to their articles. Articles such as [“10 authors who are brilliant at Twitter”](https://www.theguardian.com/books/booksblog/2014/may/27/10-authors-who-are-brilliant-at-twitter) are common headlines that are written all across the digital space. The journalists will typically use one of your witty Tweets or [mesmerizing Instagram pictures](http://bustle.com/p/23-authors-you-should-follow-on-instagram-for-a-behind-the-scenes-look-at-the-writing-life-6740034) to link to your social profile. This helps you cast a wider net in terms of marketing your personal brand. In the case of an author who is lucky enough to get featured on one of these high authority websites, that clout can lead to more social recognition and, eventually, more sales. #### **Build your brand reputation through engagement** You can build your brand by getting featured in the press, but you can also increase brand awareness through social engagement. This puts you in control of who sees your content and how often. In other words: it’s SEO on social media. Engagement is simply the act of leaving comments (not just “likes”) on social media posts. This is *social* media, after all! The more you engage with others in your industry, the more likely you are to earn those coveted spots on social media’s Explore Page. If you ([or your personal branding team](https://clairebahn.com/personalbrandingmasterclass/)) take time each day to comment on posts in relevant hashtags (i.e. #authors), the more likely your own posts are going to start trending on those hashtags. It’s a **loose form of SEO,** but as much as you are *using* niche hashtags in your posts, **you should be engaging in those hashtags just as much.** Ultimately what this does is build your brand reputation so that your SEO on social media becomes more prominent. RELATED: [HOW I STARTED MY BUSINESS FROM SCRATCH ](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/) #### **Hashtags work as keywords on social platforms** Reminder: *hashtags do not act as keywords for **Google!*** If I were to search for “LA authors” on Google, it will never, ever lead me to an author on Instagram. Unless I type in “LA authors Instagram” in which case, a few authors will show up on Google’s front page (this is also where optimizing your bio comes in handy). Hashtags, on the other hand, work *internally* just like SEO keywords work for your blog or website. Hashtags do best on Twitter and Instagram (not so much on Facebook nowadays). Just like on your website, however, the same hashtags are being used over and over again. Much like Google’s front page, most people don’t scroll past the first 9 or so photos, tweets, or posts that come up under the hashtag they search. If you were to search #LAauthor on Instagram, there would only be about 550 images to search through. While those 550 images may not seem like much competition, it’s not enough to showcase your work to a *mass audience*. And compared to the 3.4 million who use #author on Insta, it’s going to take truly unique content to land you on Instagram “front” hashtag page. ## **How To Define Your Keywords** To be honest, there have been conflicting stories about whether or not Google picks up on social SEO. But because people are now searching for [personal branding strategists](https://www.instagram.com/clairebahn/), local bars, and even doctors on social media platforms, you still need to be using these strategies. If you want people to find you through social media search, you need to define your keywords— just like you do for your website. The following are my recommendations on how to choose your hashtags and some free resources to make your job a little easier. #### **Defining your keywords** Think about what industry you’re in. Let’s say you’re an author. An easy way to see which hashtags people use to find authors online is to do a quick Google search. However, the search for “hashtags for authors” on Google will give you a plethora of links. And all of them give different advice. A better method would be to go on Instagram and Twitter (the two best social platforms for writers) and type in #author. When you do this on Instagram, the first hashtags that are suggested are: \#author \#authorlifemonth \#authorsofinstagram You can also see how many people have used these hashtags. The top choices will usually be over 1 million. The problem with this is that *so* many people are using these hashtags in their posts. Again, it’s going to make it harder for potential customers or clients to find you (unless you have great content). #### **Narrowing Down Your Hashtags** This is why it’s important to switch up which hashtags you use. Pick some that have been used a lot and pick some that only 50K or so people are using. You should also be analyzing them each month to see which ones work the best. I recommend starting with 30 hashtags. Reuse them in each post, but make sure to add or take out some so that Instagram doesn’t think you’re a bot. This will help in narrowing down the best keywords (i.e. hashtags) to use for your social SEO. Plus, Instagram has this (somewhat) new feature where you can actually follow hashtags. This will help you by allowing you to see what type of posts are being recommended in the hashtags you’re using; this will help to boost your SEO on social media. RELATED: [WHAT IS SOCIAL MEDIA BRANDING?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) ### **Tools you can use to track your social hashtags and SEO** SEO on social media is all about tracking and analyzing your hashtags. Without paying attention to which hashtags are helping to grow your personal brand, how can you maintain that growth? There are a few ways that you can track your hashtags. #### **Internal Insights** The first and easiest way is to use the Insights that come with each social media platform. On Instagram, you can find this by clicking the 3 lines on the top right and going to Insights. Where it says “See All” you can view the statistics of all of your recent content. I suggest selecting your timeframe (top left) to 3 months. Whatever was performing a year ago may not work for you now. Then, set your Insights to Impressions or Reach. This will show you which content reached the most amount of people (because of hashtags). You can go to each of these posts and simply copy and paste the hashtags for your next few pictures and see how they do. You can get the same insights on Twitter and Facebook, though, they aren’t as easy to analyze as they are on Instagram. #### **Later** The free version of Later (an automated content scheduling system) tells you some things about your social SEO. You can see which of your posts performed the best within a 3-month time frame (or your last 30 posts). Then you can go to those posts and take a look at your hashtags and caption copy to see what it is that made this particular picture perform so well. Or, what I recommend, is upgrading to the Business tier on Later. This $10 per month program gives you full-blown hashtag analytics for each post (on *any* social media channel). You can see which hashtags helped you garner the most comments, likes, shares, and even follows. It’s definitely worth the investment until you have your hashtag strategy down pact. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding **Tags:** social media marketing --- ### [How to Grow Your Business on Instagram in 2020](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-on-instagram/) **Published:** March 11, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** In the world of social media marketing for your startup, Instagram is where it’s at. But if you want to grow your business on Instagram this year, you’re going to have to jump through some hurdles. The reason I say this is because there are about 5.6 million search results for how to grow your Instagram on Google. Some of these articles give you black hat solutions (buy followers, do follow-for-follow, etc) while others give you vague insight on how to build your personal brand on Instagram. That’s not what we’re doing here today. Like most of you, I hate it when I go to research something, only to be lead to a sales pitch. And while I do have plenty to offer in terms of building your personal brand for social media, there is still a lot to learn about **how to run your business Instagram account.** That’s why I decided to show you my step-by-step method for growing your Instagram account for business purposes. This will be especially helpful if you are an industry professional who is looking to gain recognition or influencer status within your niche. As a precursor to the rest of this blog, I want to warn you of one thing: Don’t neglect your business social media accounts. If you want to grow on Instagram, *you have to be on it.* If you want to be an influencer, you have to take each of these steps and routinely implement them. Are you ready? Here’s how to grow your business on Instagram in 2020: **RELATED: [SEO on Social Media – Claire Bahn Explains Social Media Marketing](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/)** ## **Step 1. Lock Down Your Handle** You may or may not already have your social media handles picked out (i.e.**[ @clairebahn](https://www.instagram.com/clairebahn/)**). However, what you need to be cautious of is whether or not your handle is associated with your personal brand. Your website, Instagram, Facebook, Tik Tok, or whatever mediums you use to showcase your brand should be represented under the same name. For example, let’s say you’ve already created an amazing business as a nutritionist through word of mouth. Now you’re ready to take your business to the next level by marketing on social media— namely, Instagram. If you choose a name like @LAnutritionist or @glamnutritionist you’re already isolating your personal brand from your sphere of influence. How? Well, let’s say you just helped out a client who wants to refer you to her friend who needs some dietary guidance. She might tell your friend to follow you on Instagram for your incredible daily tips. But if your Instagram handle is under @glamnutritionist, yet you are known as Sandy Smith, Los Angeles Nutritionist then people are going to: A. Have a hard time finding your account B. Forget you/your brand because it’s inconsistent In this case, the best Instagram handle for this person would be either @sandysmith or @sandysmithnutritionist. So, lock down your Instagram handle and make sure it falls in line with your already-established personal brand. It should be the same (or close to) what’s on your business card or website. All of my social media channel handles are @clairebahn and my website is clairebahn.com. This makes it easy for people to find me via Google or on social media. #### **Make It Professional** It’s also worth noting that you need to choose a handle that sounds professional. If you’re an author whose Instagram handle is @authorbetty86, you’re going to have a tough time growing your Instagram business account. Why is something that is seemingly trivial *so important* to your Instagram growth? Including numbers, underscores, or special characters in your Instagram brand name instantly sets off an unprofessional tone. An established professional should take their social media game seriously, and that means making sure your Instagram name is clean and brand-focused. **RELATED: [How I Started My Business From Scratch ](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/)** ## **Step 2. Create Content Around Your Personal Brand** I’ve found that some prospective clients of **[Stratus Branding](https://stratusbranding.com/)** (my company) already have a social media presence. However, most of them use their accounts as a way to share personal photos of friends, family, children, and blurry shots of their last trip. If you already have a significant amount of photos on your Instagram that aren’t focused around your personal brand, I highly recommend making a new account. A clean slate is the best way to hit the ground running in terms of marketing your business on Instagram. If you’ve been a part of my [**Personal Branding Masterclass**](https://clairebahn.com/personalbrandingmasterclass/) or you’re a frequent reader of my blogs, you already know where this is going. I’ve talked about this extensively in the past, so I’m not going to dive too deep into this. What you need to know is that the content you put out on your Instagram should be solely dedicated to your business. Everything from your bio to the hashtags you use should be strategically focused on growing your business on Instagram. That’s not to say that you shouldn’t get personal with your content. Your social presence actually needs some of this for your audience (a.k.a you potential clients) to like, know, and trust you. Let me break it down for you by showing you some dos and don’ts on Instagram content. #### **Do’s** **Professional Photos:** You want to have a handful of professional photos in your arsenal. There are plenty of **[branding photographers](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-select-personal-branding-photographer/)** who specialize in this type of content. I promise you that it’s worth the investment. **Behind the Scenes:** Whether this is through Instagram stories or a few feed posts of your current desk situation, people like to get a glimpse into your daily life. Not all of your content needs to be perfectly curated with professional photos and this is a great way to mix it up. **Videos:** IGTV or video feed posts are crucial if you want to grow your business on Instagram. Once a week should be plenty, but at the *very least* you should be posting an Instagram video once a month. **Consistent Theme:** Make sure your photos all have the same look (don’t get too crazy with filters, though). If you post inspirational quotes or use any sort of font or colors in your feed, make sure you stick to a specific theme. You don’t want to use too many colors or fonts in your Instagram content because it will become too messy and harder to define your personal brand. #### **Dont’s** **Too many personal captions/photos:** Personal posts (i.e. struggles you’re going through as an entrepreneur) have their place, however, there is a line between sharing and *oversharing*. Don’t treat Instagram like your diary— sharing a personal post once or twice a week is enough to create that personal/professional balance. **Shots of your food:** If you’re a food blogger this obviously won’t apply to you! But sharing too many images of your morning cup of coffee or your fabulous dinner plate is dull and irrelevant. If you feel the need to share your food, keep it on your Instagram stories. **Messy background:** I can’t stress this enough. If you’re taking photos at home, make sure you tidy up a little bit before you get your shots. A messy living room is distracting as is that single dog hair that found its way into your product photos. **Copy others:** It’s hard *not* to check on your colleagues’ Instagram accounts. While it’s a great idea to occasionally see what type of content is working for them, you do not what to copy what they’re doing verbatim. ## **Step 3. Maintain a Consistent Schedule to Grow Your Business on Instagram** Once you have enough content on hand, it’s time to create a schedule. My advice is to start small. If you don’t know if you can post on a daily basis, make a commitment to post 3 days a week. And if you already have an account, your analytics will be able to tell you which days of the week your followers are the most active (more on that next). Consistency is key when it comes to growing your business on Instagram. Not having a schedule for your Instagram content is like not having hours for a brick and mortar business. If you only opened your business a few arbitrary days a week, you’re going to start losing customers…. and forget about *repeat* customers. When you have a routine for your content posting, your audience can start depending on you for whatever it is you have to offer. Neglecting your posting schedule will ultimately leave a negative impact on your brand and your business because you become unreliable. > *Not having a schedule for your Instagram content is like not having hours for a brick and mortar business.* [Later](http://later.com/) is my go-to resource for scheduling Instagram content. Not only can you preview your posts to see how your aesthetic lines up, but they give you analytics that shows which posts and hashtags perform the best. That will help you determine which content you should be posting more of, making your content creation and schedule even easier (and therefore, more consistent). ## **Step 4. Learn How To Cross Promote and Generate Leads** If you’re looking to grow your business on Instagram, then you’re already on the right track. Instagram is such a beautifully curated platform. It offers a visual representation of your brand that no other social media platform can offer. Plus, your captions double as fleeting thoughts which is exactly what Twitter has to offer. You can share blogs and videos via the #linkinbio feature which is what Facebook is generally used for. On top of that, you can use IGTV for short videos and Instagram Stories (inspired by Snapchat, no doubt) for a behind-the-scenes look. You can even link your products directly if you’re a product-based business. With so many incredible features, however, comes the strategic task of cross-promoting your business and finding ways to generate leads. #### **Give More Than You Take** Social media marketing is not as simple as researching hashtags and posting routine content. The appeal of growing your business on Instagram is its ability to build your personal brand reputation while still giving you the leverage to lead them to your website. To get people to stop scrolling and pay attention to *your* content, you need to give more than you take. Many professionals do this by offering insight into their industry so that people can recognize them as a source of authority. For example, I help people strategize and create their best personal brand. I offer this as a paid service through Stratus Branding, but I also give people my expert knowledge on Instagram via IGTV videos and posts. And I give this information away for ***free.*** Your Instagram should be used to offer something to your followers. By showing people what I can do for their personal brand, they begin to recognize me as an industry expert. Without showing people what I have to offer via blogs, IGTV, and my feed posts, what would lead them to hire me as their personal branding strategist? In short, you will be able to generate leads if you use Instagram to establish a likable personal brand. All you need to do is cross-promote your knowledge through your content and you will start gaining your audience’s trust enough to turn them into *paying clients.* **RELATED: [SEO on Social Media – Claire Bahn Explains Social Media Marketing](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/)** ## **Step 5. Measure Your Analytics** The last step on how to grow your business on Instagram is making sure you’re paying attention to your analytics. If you’re not doing this, then you might as well not be posting at all. You don’t need 50K followers to sell your brand on Instagram, but you *do* need to pay attention to what your potential clients want. This is the customer service aspect of running your business on Instagram. Your social media analytics will help you determine which content, hashtags, etc are working and what you can do to improve. As I mentioned, you can see your insights on the Later app, but you can also do this internally on Instagram. #### **How To View Insights on Instagram** In order to gauge what your potential clients want from you, you need to look at the Insights tab on your Instagram account. Here’s how you can do that on mobile: - Tap on the 3 lines on the top right corner of your Instagram account. - Go to Insights - Overview your statistics on Content, Activity, or Audience By clicking “See All” under Posts you will be able to view which content reached the most people (i.e. which hashtags worked the best), which content gained you the most followers, website clicks, profiles visits, saves, etc. This information gives you the only tools you’ll need to see what clients like about your personal brand. It also helps you visually see which pieces of content need to be reconsidered. Once you’ve spotted the weak points in your content, you will need to take time to brainstorm what you can do to improve. Researching hashtags is also an important step in improving your analytics. All of this will, ultimately, make it so that you are consistently growing your business on Instagram. **NEXT: [Top 5 Social Media Platforms Every Entrepreneur Needs To Invest In](https://clairebahn.com/top-social-media-platforms/)** #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal brand Instagram --- ### [10 Ways to Increase Productivity When Working From Home](https://clairebahn.com/productivity-when-working-from-home/) **Published:** March 25, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** If you’re like me — living the life of an entrepreneur — then I guess you don’t need me to tell you that this work is *tough*. It can be difficult being your own CEO, CFO, *and* manager **without anyone telling you what to do and when to do it.** What’s even more difficult is avoiding all the distractions and temptations that are always at your disposal because you work from home. Finding ways to weed out your distractions and stay productive will be a challenge for anyone in this situation. Especially when you could just sit on the couch and binge-watch your favorite movies all day instead of working. So how do I stay productive when I work from home? Through trial and error, I have learned a few ways that have proven to be effective… and here they are! If you want to be more productive when you **work from home**, I suggest implementing these 10 strategies into your daily routine. It may take some getting used to, and it won’t work right away. It takes time, patience, and practice before you’ll start seeing progress in your daily production. Here the corresponding video on YouTube with even more tips: ## 1. Set a Schedule to Increase Productivity When I say to set a schedule, I don’t mean time-blocking. In fact, [recent studies](https://academic.oup.com/jcr/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/jcr/ucy043/4996321?redirectedFrom=fulltext) have shown that setting a strict schedule can damage your rate of productivity. Instead of setting a schedule that only allows a certain *time* to work on your daily assignments, I decided to implement different ways to “set a schedule.” The first thing I decided to do was to **get started early.** If you’re more of a night owl, then getting up at 6 a.m. may not be your cup of tea. Especially if it means rolling out of bed and turning on your computer screen. However, getting up at the same time every day sets the pace for routine. This is an effective strategy in itself. And those who get up early, tend to be more successful [the earlier they wake up](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/226910). You don’t have to get started working right away, necessarily. For example, you can get up at 8 a.m. and use the first thirty minutes to brew a cup of coffee and enjoy a short read. I find that reading up on something pertaining to business or just the local news works better than reading a work of fiction or something that acts as an escape from reality. But reading should open up your mind and get your brain busy before your workday starts. In lieu of writing an exact schedule, I also make a To-Do List. Make sure your list is *realistic.* I typically write down a maximum of five work-related tasks that I *know* I can get done, as opposed to ten tasks I *want* to get done. Also, be sure to prioritize this list. What emails have you been meaning to send, what tasks need to be done first? To decrease the amount of stress that comes with procuring a To-Do List, I try to schedule tasks to be completed a day or two ***before*** they are meant to be finalized. ## 2. Declutter for More Productivity Having a clean space to work was really a game-changer for me. And it makes sense; any place of work is expected to be clean and organized. This is for the benefit of the customers as well as the employees. You know how frustrated you get when you go shopping and the shirts are all unfolded or the sizes aren’t in the proper place on the rack? Or imagine going into a restaurant and there are no clean tables. Sometimes you might just walk out, right? The same mentality works for your office space. [Decluttering your work from the home area](http://clairebahn.com/revamp-your-desk/) will help you stay organized. And in retrospect, it will amp up the rate you produce your work. In addition to keeping the area in your general range of view tidy, I also recommend investing in some good storage bins. Use them to keep any tangible documents or items **filed**. Knowing exactly where to find what you need saves you time because you won’t need to dig in and *search.* Keeping your general work area clear of any debris will deplete your urge to tidy up… which ultimately increases your productivity! Women have [even expressed depression and anxiety](https://www.prevention.com/life/a20516000/declutter-your-home-0/) from living in a cluttered space. Decluttering is a viable *and* healthy step to take to improve your work mentality. **RELATED: [SEO on Social Media – Claire Bahn Explains Social Media Marketing](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/)** ## 3. Create An Office Before I finally settled on an actual office, I would just set up shop wherever I felt like being that day. On Mondays, I would work at a local coffee shop. Every now and then I would work from my bed. Then, when I *really* wanted to focus, I would sit at my actual desk. That’s when I started to realize that because I changed up my “office” so much, I wasn’t getting as much work done. If the coffee shop got too loud, I would have to drive back home and re-setup my space. That could take as long as *an hour*. On the days I wasn’t sure where I wanted to work, I would bide my time until a decision was made, which wasted even more time. Moving your work environment on a regular basis only diminishes your rate of productivity. Create an office space that is clean, easily accessible, and **stick to it.** Make sure it is equipped with all the tools you need for your line of work, and make sure it’s organized. Pick the place where you have the least amount of distractions *and* somewhere that fuels your creativity. I also suggest picking an area where you will be partially secluded. Even if you prefer working in a public area, try to create a sense of privacy to deter any possible distractions. ## 4. Turn Off Social Media We all know how addicting social media can be. Whether you’re flipping through travel photos on Instagram or reading up on the local news on Facebook, social media is the gateway to distraction. My advice? ***Turn it off.*** If you use social media as a part of your work, utilize your computer or laptop to navigate these websites. You can even use [apps like Freedom](https://freedom.to/) to limit the amount of time you spend on these websites. Once you hit your limit, you’re blocked for the day. You can also easily turn off notifications on your phone or set time limits to “snooze” certain platforms during your work hours. You don’t have to hide from the draws of social media *all day*. Anytime I take a break to eat or walk my dog, I’ll allow myself ten minutes or so to catch up on the daily buzz. It’s a hard habit to break, but once you get into your usual work from home flow, this temptation too shall pass. ## 5. Get Up and Move Sometimes you just need to stand up! Sitting too long can make you feel tired and drained of energy. That’s really bad for productivity, so you can get a [standing desk converter](http://bit.ly/2EcYszW) like the one I have from [Flexispot](http://bit.ly/2EcYszW). It’s perfect for changing from a sitting position to a standing position with ease. If simply standing up doesn’t help, get outside and get some fresh air. Fresh air and a change of scenery are great for waking you up so that you can ***get back to work.*** **RELATED: [What Is Social Media Branding?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/)** ## **6. Housekeeping** There are a few times throughout the year when my business hits a downturn. It usually happens towards the end of the year, and then it will pick back up in January. Any time you are experiencing slower months in your business, there is still ***plenty you can do to stay productive.*** The first thing I like to do when client work starts to slow down is to do some general housekeeping. #### **Deep Clean Your Desk** The absolute first thing I recommend you do is to clean up your desk. I already mentioned decluttering, but this time, be a little more *thorough*. You need to go through every loose post-it note in your desk, throw away anything you don’t need, and maybe even think about updating your work equipment. #### **Organize Your Finances** Once that’s all organized, you can start working on the fun stuff: business finances! (can you sense the sarcasm?) Pull out your profit sheets and expense sheets and make a new P&L document. Once you do that, you can decide whether or not you can invest in that new desktop computer. Now you’ll be able to see if you have enough capital to **[start outsourcing so that you can scale your business.](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-outsourcing/)** While this should be done on a regular basis anyway, you can at least utilize this time to start thinking about your long-term business goals. #### **SEO Your Blogs** Another minor bit of housekeeping I like to do once a year is reworking my blogs. This means cleaning up my blogs a little and making sure they are all search engine optimized. Sometimes I’ll even go back in and add a few more sections to the blog and reshare it on my social accounts just to give my audience an updated perspective. Plus, I have found that this *really* improves your website’s overall SEO. Like… a ton. ## **7. Work on Your** **Content Calendar** I have been working on my own social media for a few years now, which means I have my content worked out to a *science.* Well… almost. It is always a good idea to try to get new content for your blogs, social media, or YouTube. But before you can do that, you need to actually plan out your content calendar. I use [monday.com](http://monday.com) for all of my content planning. My online stuff is planned out month by month. This makes it so that I’m staying relatively active and on top of trends, while also giving me a set schedule for the month. Working from home typically means you *rarely* get to work with a set schedule, so my content calendar acts as my focal point to **keep my business on track.** I have one section dedicated to my social media schedule, one for my IGTV plans and ideas, another for my blog schedule, and one last one for trending topics and picture ideas. If you don’t want to use a third-party platform like Monday, Google Sheets or a regular Excel document works just as well! You can even print it out and hang it above your desk to *really* make sure you stay productive while working from home. ## **8. Take** **New Photos for Social Media** Even if you’ve taken **[my advice to hire a personal branding photographer](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-select-personal-branding-photographer/)**, you can never have enough photos on hand for social media. I’ve said this before, but not all of your social media photos need to be professionally curated. Our iPhones are high quality enough these days that you can’t even tell the difference sometimes! When I have some free time in my work schedule, I like to dedicate an entire day to get new photos for Instagram or for my blog. You can take whatever type of photos you like— just make sure to refer to your content calendar for guidance. You can take flat lay photos, self-portraits, or even shoot a few IGTV videos. What I usually like to do is set my iPhone up on a tripod (you can also just lean it up against some books) and turn on the self-timer. I do not recommend selfies for your business social media accounts! Make sure you switch up your outfits, try a couple of different poses, and take some shots in different places around your house. **RELATED: [10 Steps to Finding Work-Life Balance](https://clairebahn.com/work-life-balance/)** ## **9.** **Work on New Designs** One way I like to stay productive while working from home during a downturn is to work on new designs. This can be anything from new Instagram templates to restructuring the way I write my blogs. It’s also the perfect opportunity to try out new things like graphics for your videos! Or you can spend some time doing research for graphic experts in case you want to outsource. If you’re still working on your personal brand, this might be the right time for you to finally decide on your business logo and overall design. Since you have already worked on your finances (right??), you can decide how much you are going to spend on a logo designer. Or you can just go all in and hire a personal branding strategist (that’s me!). I actually help all my clients figure out their logo and brand identity. This includes your personal branding colors, fonts…**[ the works](https://stratusbranding.com/)**. I’ll also help you design a new online profile bio and your social media aesthetic, among a few other overlooked aspects of your personal brand design. ## **10. Give Your Website a Makeover** If you already have a website going for your business, kudos to you! Setting up a website is a lot harder than it seems, even with the newest drag and drop sites like Wix and Squarespace. However, if your website still has .wordpress or .wixsite.com included with your URL, it’s time for a website makeover. That starts with buying your own domain, which is only about $10-15 *per year.* I do recommend getting a private domain, if not your personal contact information (name, address, phone, and email) will be shared publicly if anyone does a [who.is](https://who.is/) lookup for your domain. If you already have your own URL and you have made sure your blogs have SEO, take a look at your website as a whole. Is it time for a makeover? Reorganizing your website will not only give you ***tons to do***, but it actually helps your website SEO. Go through and switch up your website copy, or hire an expert to redesign the look of your website altogether. Your website is a key selling point for your business. If it looks too outdated, it’s hard to navigate, or it’s not mobile-friendly, you are going to lose potential customers. Use this productive time to spruce up your website. ## Now Get Started Issac Newton’s First Law of Motion, “Objects in motion, stay in motion,” applies directly to an entrepreneur’s pathway to productivity. In short, if you just keep moving, you will get more work done. Sounds simple, right? And the way to keep moving is by implementing all of the strategies I’ve outlined for you here. Set a schedule, declutter, pick a place to work, and limit your distractions (with social media being the highest culprit). That To-Do List is a helpful tool in this step because works as a physical reminder (yes, you should actually write down or print out your list) of what needs to get done that day. The more you have to do, the more you will get done. Once you start checking off those tasks on your list, the more productive you will feel. It’s simple steps like that they will encourage you to push forward. I know we all have those days where we ask ourselves whether or not going back to a regular 9-5 job would be better suited for our lifestyles. It can be difficult to be an advocate for yourself when you work from home. But trust me, once you get into the groove of things, you’ll start to notice long term improvement in your work ethic, pace, and productivity. Just keep going. You’ve got this. #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding **Tags:** productivity --- ### [Working From Home? Here are My Top 5 Tech Solutions](https://clairebahn.com/top-5-tech-solutions/) **Published:** April 1, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Like it or not, working from home means you are going to have to get a little tech-savvy. Thankfully, brilliant innovators have made it easy enough that even your grandma can make her own website. I’ve been working from home for over a decade now, and these tech solutions have been nothing sort of a saving grace for my business needs. Because so many of us are working from home, I thought I would compile my favorite tech software solutions that can be helpful for companies with employees and even solo entrepreneurs. I know that it can be hard to navigate some of these apps. Even worse, there are *so many* to choose from. Do you really need all of this fancy tech to help kick your business off from the ground? In my opinion, yes. Back in the day, I would keep track of all my blog, video, and social media ideas in a Word document. If I was out and about and an idea came to me, it would go in my Notes app. As simple as this strategy may sound, it meant I was consistently unorganized because my To-Do list was all over the place. If I had pictures on my phone, I would literally *email them to myself* so that I could post them on my blog. This took way more time than it needed to, and it downgraded the quality of my photos. Are you still emailing your phone pictures to yourself? Because if you are, you are definitely in need of some technical entrepreneurial support. **RELATED: [How To Stay On Top of Trends For Your Brand](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/)** #### **Don’t worry, it’s not that complicated** If you cringe when you hear the work *tech,* don’t worry; these tech solutions are *way* easier to navigate than it sounds. These are straightforward apps that **entrepreneurs are using every day**. And more importantly, the people who developed them did so with small business owners in mind. I don’t even have to explain these apps to my team because they’re pretty much download-and-go types of apps (i.e. no learning curve). In short, these tech apps are every day, easy to sue, grandma-friendly solutions that you and your team can use while you work from home. I’m going to give you my personal opinion on each of these by giving you the pros and cons so you can utilize these while working from home with all the facts. Ready to make your life simpler? Check out my 5 favorite apps: ## [**5. Monday** ](https://monday.com/lp/product/sl?utm_source=adwordsbrand&utm_campaign=us-s-brand-e-desk-monday&aw_keyword=monday.com&aw_match_type=e&gclid=CjwKCAjw95D0BRBFEiwAcO1KDLkeQMzFUygjXFaMfDCmSw35LlWYL1CcPdFTjE2p-GSZQxTH9xG4GxoC6iIQAvD_BwE) Monday is honestly *necessary* if you’re working with a remote team. It’s a virtual “meeting room” that acts at your boardroom whiteboard. This is where you can plan out *everything* for your business. #### **Pros** Monday is approved by Fortune 500 companies. Giants like Uber, Hulu, and Universal all reportedly use this tech solution to coordinate their businesses. Was that a huge selling point for me? Not really, to be honest! I wanted something that was affordable and didn’t ask me to dig deeper into my wallet for each new feature. The cheapest plan is about $40 a month, which allows you to have 5 team members. You can have unlimited boards and about 5 GB of online storage space. I use my boards for blog planning, my content calendar, and I utilize separate boards for each client. Within those boards, you can make columns. For example, in my Blog Planning Board, I have approved outlines, blogs to restructure, and future blog ideas. In my Content Calendar Board, I have a schedule, ideas for IGTV videos, photo ideas, and links to social templates that I’ve made. I love not having to hunt down emails, Word documents, or phone Notes in order to organize all my ideas. It has also been extremely helpful in coordinating with my team! #### **Cons** The downside to Monday is that there is no free version. Sorry, about that! A great alternative to Monday is Asana, which has a free version for up to 15 people. The concept is pretty much the same, but I just didn’t like the layout and the overall structure of Asana. Another feature that I wish Monday had was a setting for due date notifications for my team members. You can set a Publication date for your blog, for example, but your content writer won’t get a “hurry up and turn this in!” alert. **RELATED: [How I Started My Business From Scratch](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/)** ## [**4. Zoom**](https://zoom.us/) This is a video communication system that is just another variation of Facetime. Except with some ***major upgrades.*** Emails and phone calls work great, but especially during this age of social distancing, Zoom is now my favorite communication system. I just feel that ideas can be expressed more clearly and effectively when you are face-to-face rather than over the phone. Plus, it gives you a way to virtually connect with your team, which I think adds a more personable aspect to your business relationships. #### **Pros** It’s *free.* The highest you would ever pay for Zoom is $20 per month per host. And that’s only if you need 50 different people to host your meetings. Most of us entrepreneurs will need this tech solution simply for unlimited 1-on-1 meetings (which comes with the free version). The reason I like it better than FaceTime (and similar video communication apps) is because it has *so many* features. There’s a chat box where you can share links during your call, you can simultaneously share your screens, and it has layers of security built-in. Another really cool thing is that you can add a virtual background, which is obviously something your office clown is going to do *right* away. I use Zoom for my weekly calls with my virtual team. However, I also use Zoom’s Education classroom resource for my **[Personal Branding Masterclass.](https://clairebahn.com/personalbrandingmasterclass/)** This is where I have my **juicy tips on building your personal brand.** I can have upwards of 100 participants for each virtual classroom for a set price. I already used Zoom, so the fact that they even *had* this option available for an entirely different aspect of my business was a definite win for me. #### **Cons** The thing I don’t like about Zoom is that it can get glitchy at times. Not so much in the video quality aspect, though (a problem I still have when I try to use Facetime). My problem is that the links can sometimes become void. This has only happened on a couple of occasions. You can schedule Zoom calls with your team members for any future date and time. In order to invite them to the meeting, you give your team members a code and/or a link. A few times these links have become void for me and my team members, so I will have to reset the link. Not a huge glitch, but a glitch nonetheless. ## [**3. Dropbox** ](https://www.dropbox.com/) You all know what Dropbox is. But in case you don’t know the specifics, allow me to explain. Dropbox is simply a virtual storage unit for your computer. Instead of getting a $100 tangible external hard drives for your laptop, you can get the same amount of space on Dropbox for $12 a month. The reason Dropbox is better than a hard drive is because you can share a truckload of files, images, videos, and more with your team members just by granting them access. #### **Pros** For example, as a personal branding strategist, I work with my clients on their social media, website, and other marketing channels that tie into their business. This means I need to be able to send and receive Instagram photos, blogs, and design work to my clients in a fast and safe manner. Since I have a Dropbox Business account, I am able to coordinate with my social and design teams by having them drop all of these new personal brand essentials into an organized folder. All my clients and I have to do is click on a link, and then we have instant access to all the new and fun personal branding devices! So instead of emailing or using Monday to link and send these huge files, I can use Dropbox to coordinate with my team and then my client. Plus, I don’t really have to worry about my computer slowing down in the process. #### **Cons** You can try DropBox for free for a month, but I wouldn’t really recommend that. I’m not sure what happens to your files if you decide not to move forward with your trial. So I guess the only con for some entrepreneurs is that Dropbox costs money. Although relatively cheap, this may not be a viable tech solution for startups on a low budget. ## [**2. Canva**](https://www.canva.com/) I can’t decide whether or not Canva is the internet’s greatest tech solution or a graphic designer’s worst enemy. If you know absolutely nothing about Adobe Photoshop or designing a simple Instagram Story template, you don’t really *need* to now. Canva is essentially a free template site that allows you to make every sort of custom paraphernalia you can dream of. If you’re looking for a creative resume design, an email newsletter layout, or an innovative new Instagram post, you can find all the fonts, colors, and templates on Canva to fit your personal brand. **RELATED: [Alt Summit — Is It Worth It?](https://clairebahn.com/is-the-alt-summit-worth-it/)** This is a website *and* an app. It’s ridiculously easy to use, especially if you’re looking to make social media graphics. While a graphic designer is necessary for logos and big-picture content, there’s nothing wrong with using Canva to create simple things like Instagram Story graphics. This is what I primarily use Canva for. I’ve probably already drilled this into your head already, but a cohesive personal brand is essential to your growing business. You want people to be able to recognize your company instantly, even in your IG Stories. Canva can help you do that with heir library of free images, graphics, and customizable fonts and colors. #### **Pros** Canva has a free version that works for the casual entrepreneur. But if you’re already knee-deep in your business, you need the paid version. It’s still budget-friendly (only about $13 a month) and it cuts off *all* limitations. In other words, you don’t have to pay extra to use their stock images, and you have access to more features (like the ability to add your own font and the background image remover). Another great thing about Canva is that you can add team members to your account. This makes it easy for you to see and approve designs before they’re sent off to your clients. You can also organize all your designs into separate folders so, again, your business stays organized. #### **Cons** I mentioned that Canva is also an app. Their app is, believe it or not, not mobile-friendly. There are a few kinks in Canva’s mobile system that have made me almost delete off of my phone permanently. You don’t have access to as many features as you do on the web version. And forget about trying to edit on the app. It’s nearly impossible. Keep in mind, too, that if you give team members access to your Canva account, then you have to pay the monthly fee for each new member. An easy way around this is to simply have your team create their own account, and then share templates using the Share a Link to Edit feature under their program. The downside to that workaround is that you original design will won’t stay intact and your team will have access to edit the template as much as they want. ## **1. My Ultimate Tech Solution: [Things ](https://apps.apple.com/us/app/things-3/id904280696?mt=12)** Clearly, I like it when my business is organized. I run 3 separate companies with multiple team members, which means I need a tech solution that is going to save me stress. *Things* is my absolute favorite app because it’s just for ***me***. With all the buzzing going on between my team members on these other digital apps, the Things app is my personal LIFE To-Do List. #### **Cons** That’s right, we’re going to rip off the band-aid and get right down to the cons of this app. Yes, it costs money, and yes it’s $50. I’ll get down to why I still use it in a minute. But I already know that the $50 price tag isn’t going to sit well with many entrepreneurs. Another thing that bugs me about Things is the fact that you have to pay to use it for each of your devices. So if you want to access it on your phone, it’s $10, for your iPad it’s another $20, and if you want it on your Mac then add on that $50 payment. Another con: it’s not available for PC or Android just yet. #### **Pros** Okay, so the reason I took the plunge to purchase Things for my Mac was because of the 15 free day trial. Naturally, I wanted to check it out first, because it just seemed like it was a fancier version of the Notes app. I was *very* wrong. Like this [Business Insider review ](https://www.businessinsider.com/things-3-review-organization-life-work-cultured-code-2018-7#to-create-a-new-to-do-just-click-the-plus-sign-button-4)notes, Things isn’t just a daily To-Do list. It can manage your *entire life.* I run three businesses. Things can get very chaotic, very quickly. So I organize the Things in my life by each business and narrow that down further by category (design, finances, clients, social media, etc). My favorite part is the fact that I can leave voice reminders to myself such as “email client on Tuesday” and it will actually remind me to do it! Try the 2-week free trial, and you’ll see what I mean! **RELATED: [10 Steps to Finding Work-Life Balance](https://clairebahn.com/work-life-balance/)** To me, there is nothing more valuable to my business than having a structured, cohesive way to generate my teams’ workflow. Which is what all these tech solutions are able to do for me and my personal brand. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding **Tags:** apps for business owners --- ### [Things NOT To Do If You Want To Make Money From Home](https://clairebahn.com/make-money-from-home/) **Published:** April 8, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Many people are looking for ways to make money from home. However, if you have any of these bad habits, working from home is going to be a challenge for you. I have been working from home for nearly a decade. And yes, I am **100% guilty of some of these habits**. Which also means that I know the repercussions from indulging in any of these for too long. The problem with working from home is that you have to be your own boss. On top of being pretty strict with yourself and your time management, you’re also in charge of all the content creation, marketing, and finances for your small business. If you are just working on your side hustle after your 9-5, being your own boss at home is going to be even *more* difficult. It’s natural to give yourself a break sometimes. But the best entrepreneurs are those ones who *push themselves* farther than they thought possible. They are the ones who break the habits I’m going to talk to you about today. Making a living from your couch doesn’t mean working whenever you feel like it. It means working *more* than you’re already working. It means acknowledging your weak points and doing whatever it takes to make sure you surpass these barriers. So if you really want to make money from home, here are 10 things you should NOT be doing. **RELATED: [What Is Social Media Branding?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/)** ## **10. Don’t Check the News Too Often** 2020 has been weird. This epidemic is going to change and shape our economy in unprecedented ways. One of the biggest urges we all have right now while working from home is to check the news. I’m going to tell you right now that this is a habit that needs to **stop.** I get it, though. During times of uncertainty (there are a lot of those times as an entrepreneur), you want to see how people in your situation are coping. However, I have found that checking the news *too* often has more than one negative output. For one, it puts you in a bad mood. Even if the news doesn’t affect you directly, there is a layer in your psyche that will recognize this news as “bad” which will subconsciously put you in a lower or even depressed state. Even if you can pry yourself away from the news, I bet the next thing you’ll do is scroll through social media. Don’t worry… I’m guilty of this, too. Reading the news too much will inevitably suck you into a social media hole. And sometimes once you’re in it, you are *in it*. Next thing you know, it’s 7 p.m. and you haven’t done a thing for your business. ## **9. Don’t Work When You Feel Like It** [Entrepreneur Magazine](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/280212) says, “Around 550,000 people become entrepreneurs every month.” But how many of those people actually become *successful?* According to [Small Business Trends](https://smallbiztrends.com/2019/03/startup-statistics-small-business.html), there is an **18 percent chance of success for first-time entrepreneurs**. The reason for this is subjective, but you can bet that failing to break bad habits is one of the culprits behind their failure. This is what brings me to my next point: you can’t just work when you *feel* like it. Successful people get to where they are by discipline and consistency. They may not time block their daily schedule or do the same thing every day, but I can promise you that they are, at the very least, working long, long days. #### **How To Work Effectively** At the time of writing this blog, the state of California is on a quarantine lockdown. Despite the fact that I am one of the few who make money from home, this mandatory structure has really tested me as an entrepreneur. My way around it? **Set a quarantine schedule for yourself.** You can get up at whatever time you prefer… just don’t wait to work until noon. It’s all about finding a rhythm that works for you. Some people like time blocking, some people just want to make sure they put in their 8 hours (even if that is from 11-7). **RELATED: [Choosing A Personal Brand Logo & Examples of Personal Branding](https://clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/)** ## **8. Don’t Forget About Social Media** Now, I know that I said social media can**[ limit your productivity,](https://clairebahn.com/productivity-when-working-from-home/)** but it is still essential to your business. Especially during these times. You are actually probably on social media more than you used to be. Which is fine… if you’re *being smart about it.* The people who are trying to make money from home are **on social media for a reason**. They are using this free time to their advantage: as a way to grow their business. Don’t forget about social media. In fact, you shouldn’t prevent yourself from using it at all. You should be on it daily. Here’s the right way to use social media if you want to make money from your couch: #### **Engage** Smart entrepreneurs will be using this time to engage with clients on social media. Leave genuine comments on at least 20 posts per day. Try to start a conversation with your ideal client. #### **Post daily** I use Later to make sure I’m posting consistently to social media. It makes coming up with captions easier, and I have all of my hashtags saved so I don’t have to manually type them in. Posting daily is *crucial* during these times. It’s essentially the only way to ensure your clients don’t forget about your business. #### **Create videos or Go Live** Lots of entrepreneurs are utilizing Live features on social media. Whether you’re a beauty guru, a business coach, or a bartender, you can gain a lot of traction by posting videos or going Live on Facebook or Instagram. ## **7. Don’t Stop Working on Your Personal Brand** Now more than ever is the right time to focus on your personal brand. Since we are all online a little bit more lately, your online presence is going to be what people look to. If they can’t tell who you are and what you’re all about within the first few seconds at glancing on your profile, they’re going to move on to the next person. This is why you need to be using this time to work on your personal brand. Potential clients need to know who you are and you need to give them a reason to trust you. The best way you can do the latter is to remain professional. Keep your opinions on political or sensitive matters to a minimum. You wouldn’t believe how many businesses I see on social media ranting about their views on the economy. It may have given them attention… but not the good kind. If you’re not sure where to start with your personal brand, join my **[FREE 5 Day Personal Branding Masterclass!](https://clairebahn.com/personalbrandingmasterclass/)** ## **6. Don’t Isolate Yourself From Others** While you should utilize real-life social distancing, you don’t want to completely disappear off the face of the Earth. Instead of total self-isolation, be active online. Start working harder on your blogs, podcast, IGTV, or YouTube videos so that you have **big stuff** coming out at least once a week. And yes, this is in addition to creating and scheduling daily content on social media. A bigger step you can take is to coordinate online collaborations with other entrepreneurs. See who might be interested in partnering up with you for a Live event on Facebook or Instagram. On top of connecting with other industry leaders, this works to bring you closer to your audience. The goal for these collaborations is to work together to find solutions **for your ideal clients** during this hard time. **RELATED: [Working From Home? Here are My Top 5 Tech Solutions](https://clairebahn.com/top-5-tech-solutions/)** ## **5. Don’t Post Irrelevant Information** The number one mistake that I see novice entrepreneurs making is posting irrelevant content. In this day and age of making money from home, many people are looking to quick cash grabs (a.k.a multi-level marketing campaigns). The problem with these types of online “jobs” is that your content is consistently irrelevant and isn’t tied to your brand. These are the people on your newsfeed who are promoting a mascara brand you’ve never heard of one day and then promoting a fitness product the next day. When people do this, it’s clear that they’re only in it for the money. Unless you’ve built your brand around cosmetics, don’t start randomly promoting a makeup company (especially if they’re not paying you to). If you’re not a fitness expert, people are going to take your pre-workout recommendation with a *very* thin grain of salt. All this to say: don’t post about topics outside of your expertise. Right now, you need to work on **staying on brand** to build that like, know, and trust that your clients are looking for. ## **4. Don’t Depend On One Source of Income to Make Money From Home** Working for yourself means you need multiple streams of revenue. You *can* earn solely off of your clients, but a smart entrepreneur will be looking for ways to make passive income. This can be through YouTube or blog ads, paid digital products or even sponsorships. Unfortunately, the latter will be hard to do without a built-in audience. That’s why your personal brand and social media presence is so important. Here are a few ways you can make more money from home once you have a strong brand: #### **Create free content** You can turn potential clients into paid clients if you give them a free way to see what you have to offer. This can be done by creating an email “freemium” such as a free eBook, a free template, or a **[Free 5 Day Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personalbrandingmasterclass/)** (shameless plug). #### **Create paid courses** Once you have a recognizable personal brand, you can create paid courses. A lot of people will utilize Skillshare or Teachable to host their courses, and it’s a nice way to make some passive income (after you make the courses, of course). #### **Make paid products** Paid products are a great way to make passive income. However, you don’t want people to start associating you with as an eCommerce company, so make sure your paid products relate to your brand. You can make a t-shirt with your popular “slogan” or sell laptop stickers with your brand logo. ## **3. Don’t Take On More Than You Can Handle** Working from home means you’re a jack of all trades. You’re in charge of the marketing, the finances, and the day-to-day operations. However, it’s important to recognize when you’ve bitten off more than you can chew. If you get overwhelmed, consider outsourcing. Personally, I have found that social media managers, photographers, and copywriters are all solid investments when it comes to building your brand and your company. If you’re just starting to make money from home, this *will* come later. When it does, it means your business is ready to start generating even *more* income for you and your employees. As a personal branding strategist, I take pride in being able to help take weight off of your shoulders. My favorite part of my job is guiding founders into developing the key aspects of their business that will help them stand out. **RELATED: [Top 5 Benefits of Outsourcing For Your Business](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-outsourcing/)** ## **2. Don’t Stop Learning** You should always be learning. Especially in the era of social media where things are quick to change from one day to the next. Make sure you are reevaluating your hashtag strategy at least every quarter, and pay attention to your analytics. These will be able to tell you which marketing content is working and which isn’t. In addition to keeping up with the social algorithms and changing sales tactics, you should be keeping up to date with your industry’s latest information. Are there new tips and tricks that others are sharing? Is there a new trend that you need to hop on? Staying relevant within your own industry will also ensure that your personal brand is seen above your competition. ## **1. All Work and No Play** Finally, if you want to make money from home, you need to make sure you have the appropriate work-life balance. Everyone needs a break, even when you work from home. Here are a few core strategies I suggest: **Set time aside for yourself:** Read a book, get into the habit of self-care Sunday, or simply indulge in your favorite show for an hour or two. Working from home absolutely *does not* mean all work and no play. **Remember to exercise:** I want you to get out your phone *right now* and open up your alarm app. Set a reminder to go off every hour, reminding you to stand up. Many of us seasoned work-from-homers know that sitting at a desk (especially in your own home) can lead to complacency. In addition to stretching your legs every hour, make sure you carve out 30 minutes for exercise. My recommendation is to do this at least 3 times a week. **RELATED: [How To Stay On Top Of Trends For Your Brand](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/)** Are you still trying to figure out this whole work from home thing? I have tips on finding that sweet **[work-life balance](https://clairebahn.com/work-life-balance/)** while working from home! #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding --- ### [Branding For Entrepreneurs - How To Make The Most of It](https://clairebahn.com/creative-branding-for-entrepreneurs/) **Published:** April 29, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Let’s face it: if you are an entrepreneur you are going to be the **face of your business.** Don’t even consider going to the business brand route— if you’ve read *any* of my blogs then you’ll know that personal branding for entrepreneurs is going to lead to success in a way that[ business branding](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) simply can’t. The trick when it comes to building your entrepreneurial brand is **creativity.** There are hundreds of thousands of entrepreneurs, and each of them is looking for ways to stand out in their industry. Sure, you can build your social media marketing, paid ads, blogs, and email newsletters. But what is all of that *really worth* if you can’t create a unique enough voice to make people stop and listen? There’s a way to do it, trust me. You just have to get creative. If you’re more of a left-brain person and the idea of having to think outside of the box makes you sweat, don’t worry! I have a strategic approach to creative personal branding that will appease your analytical mind. In fact, that’s what successful personal brands are all about— finding innovative, yet methodological routes to elevate their business. And that’s exactly what I know how to teach you! Here are 10 tips for creative branding for entrepreneurs. **Table of Contents:** 10\. [Create *Experiences*](#_Toc39410406) 9\. [Make Your Content Binge-Worthy](#_Toc39410407) 8\. [Cultivate Your Community](#_Toc39410408) 7\. [Don’t Just Depend on Social Media For Your Creative Branding](#_Toc39410409) 6\. [Do What It Takes To Stand Out](#_Toc39410410) 5\. [Make Sure You Still Make Physical Branding Material](#_Toc39410411) 4\. [Video Branding For Entrepreneurs](#_Toc39410412) 3\. [Create a Masterclass](#_Toc39410413) 2\. [Define Your Story](#_Toc39410414) 1\. [Make It *Personal*](#_Toc39410415) **RELATED:** [**Choosing A Personal Brand Logo & Examples of Personal Branding**](https://clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/) ## 10. Create *Experiences* In case you don’t know it by now, a personal brand is based around your *unique experiences.* What you want to do is show people *(don’t just tell)* those experiences. First and foremost, you want to be able to layout your past experiences in some way that speaks to your ideal audience. Whether that’s through blogs, videos, or Instagram captions is up to you. However, it’s not *just* about your past experiences. You want to bring people along on your journey *with* you. A great way to do this is by showing **behind the scenes content.** I personally utilize Instagram stories for this portion. And those who have been following me for a while have heard some of my backstories by reading my blog or they’ve heard my thought process through my YouTube videos. In fact, in last week’s blog, I really opened up about **how stressful it was** to take my personal brand platform from a lifestyle content to branding for entrepreneurs. I was extremely worried about fallback, especially since I started my business nearly 5 years ago. The reason I include these small anecdotes in my content is so that I can connect with my audience. And that should include hardships as well as success. Showing your business process is also a fun way to create that experience. If you have a big event or product release coming up, you should be on social media *every day* showing your audience your process and building the hype. People *love* a good success story. **RELATED:** [**How I Started My Business From Scratch**](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/) ## 9. Make Your Content Binge-Worthy So, what do I mean by “binge-worthy?” Let’s say it’s Sunday night and you’re watching your favorite TV show. You know you have to get up early for work, but *one more* won’t hurt, right? You’re already immersed in the story and you just want to keep going to see what happens next, hence the term [binge-watching](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Binge-watching). That’s *exactly* the reaction you want to elicit from your audience with your content. ![binge watching](http://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/AdobeStock_280349134-1024x763.jpeg "Excited young sports fan man watching soccer game on television ,celebrating goal and screaming - Claire Bahn") You can do that by creating content that correlates with one another. That means developing step-by-step strategies that your audience *needs to come back to* in order to learn the next step. For instance, let’s say you want to create YouTube videos on how to market a book. Your first video might be on gathering beta readers (the first step), the next video might be on how to hire a book designer (the second step), and the last video might be on how to run paid ads for your upcoming book release (the final step). Your audience will have to do each of these steps, and because you have created a path for them to follow, **they won’t need to go to anyone else for the next step.** This is a seamless strategy that keeps your audience coming back for more, all while establishing your brand as an authoritative source. ## 8. Cultivate Your Community When I teach branding for entrepreneurs in my [**FREE 5 Day Personal Branding Masterclass,**](https://clairebahn.com/personalbrandingmasterclass/) I make a point to learn who my new members are. I do this by following them on social media, responding to their questions, or by creating call-to-action posts in the group so that they feel comfortable asking questions. A part of your job as a business owner is to learn who is in your community. Just like a restaurant manager might do a couple of rounds to greet customer tables, you need to **touch base with your community** if you want them to stick around. This is not just a one and done project, either. Cultivating a community around your personal brand puts you as the leader of that community. Whether that’s online or with your employees doesn’t make a difference. You need to be socializing with them on both a personal *and* professional level. A fun way to show your community appreciation is by sharing others in your social media or blog. Utilize that #womancrushwednesday hashtag and promote your favorite colleagues. Or take some time once a month to share the success that your clients have had through your training or service. ## 7. Don’t Just Depend on Social Media For Your Creative Branding I know I make social media seem like the end all be all for successful branding for entrepreneurs, but don’t get complacent on *just* working on your social media. There are **a ton of outside factors** (some you may not even think about) that reflect your personal brand. How you dress at networking events or company meetings should be a *huge* part of developing your personal brand. Anyone who has read through my blogs knows that I am all about building your [work wardrobe](http://clairebahn.com/work-wardrobe-tips/) alongside your brand. A creative way that you can get people to remember you is to develop a kind of “uniform” for these events. Are you always dressed to the nines or in some easily identifiable garment? Find an outfit that flatters you and makes you stand out from the crowd at those large networking events. And while you’re at it, make sure your business card speaks to your ideal client since you will need to bring them to these outings. You should also primarily focus your attention on your *own* website and email lists… not social media. Find a way to bring your audience ***directly to you*** and the platform that you *own.* You can do this by having fun quizzes on your website, freemium devices for email signups, or that binge-worthy blog content we talked about before. **RELATED:** [**What Is Social Media Branding?**](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) ## 6. Do What It Takes To Stand Out To be clear, I’m not saying to go out there and post something controversial or do something outrageous. You can do what it takes to stand out without becoming a menace (on the internet or in real life). What you want to focus on is what your business does that no other company is doing— at least, not in the creative way that *you’ve* imagined. This is a great time to dig deep and evaluate your brand mission statement, ideal client, and your overall goals. ![stand out](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/same-but-different_t20_Zzag3k-1.jpg "same-but-different_t20_Zzag3k - Claire Bahn") You need to be asking yourself these questions: *What is it going to take to get you to reach your goals? What is it going to take to get your ideal client to notice you?* You can start with simple things, like utilizing fonts and colors that aren’t used often in your industry. For example, many marketing and brand influencers in my industry use light pink for their branding, so I chose a dark purple. Overall, you just want to make sure that you are putting yourself out there *every single day.* This can be a hard pill to swallow for some entrepreneurs, particularly the ones who are already on the fence about having a personal brand. But **you’re unedited lifestyle and insight into your business is** ***exactly*** **what it takes to make you rise above the noise.** ## 5. Make Sure You Still Make Physical Branding Material Tangible paraphernalia still has its place in modern branding for entrepreneurs. As I said, you want to have business cards handy for networking events. However, you want to make sure these bits of paper ***stand out.*** ***“Creative personal branding defines your story.”*** I don’t know about you, but I rarely hold on to business cards, flyers, or paper brochures for very long— no matter how interested in the product or service I may be. Besides having an aesthetically purposeful layout for these physical branding bites, you want them to have a call to action as well. Use these devices to get people to follow you on social media or to join your mailing list. Your mailing list, in particular, should call for a discount or free offer. Give your ideal customer 10% a product or a free eBook with valuable information. ## ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/10-Creative-Branding-Tips-for-Entrepreneurs-683x1024.jpg "10 Creative Branding Tips for Entrepreneurs - Claire Bahn") ## 4. Video Branding For Entrepreneurs If there is one method of content production that will help build your personal brand, it’s video. This is the essence of contemporary marketing and you needed to start using it *yesterday.* YouTube, of course, is a great avenue to publish your videos. You just need to decide if you want to be a vlogger, an educational guru, an inspirational influencer, etc. Like those TV shows you watch, you want to create a cohesive feel to your YouTube videos (and make it binge-worthy) so that people can feel at home when come back to watch your videos. YouTube is a ton of work so that you can start smaller. I don’t particularly understand [Tik Tok](https://www.forbes.com/sites/forbesagencycouncil/2020/01/06/who-is-on-tiktok-and-how-can-brands-reach-them/#3eea832343be), but if your clientele is under the age of 25, you need to be on this video platform. For everyone else just getting into video, IGTV is a great beginner’s studio. I post IGTV videos once a week. They will either be clips from longer YouTube segments, or I will literally just get on there and deliver somewhat off-the-cuff advice on personal branding. As for Facebook, Twitter, and even emails: yes, you should use video on all of these platforms, too. ## 3. Create a Masterclass There isn’t a niche or industry that can’t turn around and offer educational advice to its community. Whether you’re an author, an actor, or a CEO of a tech company, there’s always something to give back to your audience. Creating a course or some type of masterclass isn’t necessarily a new strategy for boosting your brand, but it’s rarely successful. In order for this to work, you need to have all other aspects of your personal brand in place: a social community, a website, an email list, and *proof* that your advice actually works. I have a Personal Branding Masterclass that teaches entrepreneurs how to leverage their unique voice and expertise. It’s designed to make anyone stand out in their market and have desired clients coming directly to them. Would I have offered this at the very beginning of my journey? Probably not. But with an audience of nearly 100K, and with daily DMs asking me how I have built my personal brand, a free course seemed like the best solution to help my audience. **RELATED: Join my [FREE 5 Day Personal Branding Masterclass!](https://clairebahn.com/personalbrandingmasterclass/)** ## 2. Define Your Story Creative personal branding tells your story. Actually, more than that… It *defines your story.* Even if you had the answers to the best-kept secret about how to become a CEO or to market your author platform, n*ot a single person will care* until you define your story. Once you start to build your personal brand, people are going to want to know more: who you are, where you come from, and how/why you came into your line of work. More specifically, your audience will want to know what from your background makes *you* an expert in your industry. Your story helps build that like, know, and trust that consumers are looking for before they become willing to buy from you and your brand. ## 1. Make It *Personal Which leads me to my final tip for creative branding for entrepreneurs: **get personal.** When it comes to branding yourself through social media, blogs, video, email marketing, or networking, all people want to know is *who are you to your core.* And that’s what you need to give to them. Sure, you can set limitations and maintain some of your privacy, but if you want to be a loud voice in your market, then you need to show your struggles, your growth, and your triumphs. Just make sure that you are showing who you *really* are, not a perfectly curated version. This is why [Instagram](https://www.instagram.com/clairebahn/) stories come in handy. It is truly a behind-the-scenes look into the chaos of your (soon to be) Fortune 500 company. So– don’t over photoshop your photos, use video to show your personality and ***just be you.*** **RELATED:** [**How To Stay On Top Of Trends For Your Brand**](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/) #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ##### **About the Author** ##### CLAIRE BAHN ![claire bahn](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Claire-Main-Square-1-150x150.jpg "Claire Main Square - Claire Bahn")Hi! I’m Claire Bahn, a personal branding expert, and CEO and Co-Founder of Online Profile Pros and Stratus Branding. I have been helping people strategize and create their best personal brand for over 10 years. As an influencer with over 80k followers on social media, I’ve learned so much about the importance of creating and maintaining your personal brand. I want to help you leverage your personal brand to develop the authority, influence, and trust you need to exceed your business goals. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** creative personal branding --- ### [What is Personal Branding and Why You Should Care](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/) **Published:** May 6, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** I realized that I’ve talked about personal branding on my blog and Youtube channel, but I always assumed that you knew what I was talking about. However, many of you have told me that you don’t *really* know what personal branding is and why it’s important. So let’s say you’re an entrepreneur, an influencer, or work for yourself (i.e you are a real estate agent). One way to look at your personal brand is by figuring out the underlying factor that makes someone ultimately trust you enough to work with you— or buy whatever you’re selling? In other words, what is going to make someone choose to work with ***you*** or buy ***your*** products over someone else? I often have people tell me that they have a great personal brand because they have a website and they tweet a few times a week. That may have worked for [Robert Scoble ](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_Scoble)back in the day, but that doesn’t come close to what’s expected now to earn the authority, influence, and trust you need to succeed. The concept of a personal brand often gets intertwined with your social media. Social media is a part of your personal brand, for certain, but that’s just it— it’s only ***one*** part. **Table of Contents:** 10\. Why Your Personal Brand Matters 9\. Your Personal Brand is Your Icebreaker 8\. Establishing Your Authority and Influence 7\. What is a Personal Branding Business? 6\. Turning Your Influence Into a Multifarious Business 5\. Is Traditional Branding Dead? 4\. Why You Should Care 3\. The Attributes of a Great Personal Brand 2\. A Final Example: What Not to Do 1\. Conclusion – What is Personal Branding and Why You Should Care You can also check out my latest YouTube video: ## Why Your Personal Brand Matters Things have changed rapidly in the last couple of years. When it comes to marketing your brand, nothing seems to be off-limits. Think about influencers and celebrities like Paris Hilton or the Kardashians who aren’t famous for what they’ve done or (for the most part) who they know. They are famous simply because so many people *know* them. These are the forerunners to the modern reputation economy which simply states, **“It’s no longer who you know, it’s who knows you.**” This was only possible with the rise of the Internet and social media, which allows anyone and everyone to have a pulpit from which to reach the world. In its early days, it was enough to act outrageously like a court jester to get people’s attention (and thus celebrity status). But with the growing popularity of social media, the expectations have changed. Now it is expected that you demonstrate your expertise. And that’s not coming from the leaders of Instagram, Facebook, or YouTube— this is what your potential clients want. They expect to be able to go straight to your website, your social media, or your video platform and be able to define and trust you within *mere seconds.* ## **Your Personal Brand is Your Icebreaker** Think about your first day at a new job, your first day of school, or even a first date. It’s awkward and uncomfortable, right? That’s why a lot of companies and schools will implement those icebreaker games. The downside to *these* types of interactions is that **you only have one shot** to make a good impression. If you do or say the wrong thing, you might not get that second date. Or worse, you might get stuck with some nickname like Cheez-It because you accidentally spilled an entire box all over the break room floor that one time. And then you’re branded with that name for life… or at least until you find another job. With your personal brand, you have multiple opportunities to leave a good impression. Yes, it takes time but that’s what you want. You want to build your brand and your business on long-lasting relationships. And just like your real-life relationships, you cultivate them by getting to know one another. #### **Introduce an Icebreaker, Make Connections, and Make Sales** So think of your personal brand as the icebreaker. You know, the games like “Two Truths, One Lie” that let people get to know you. In fact, icebreaker content is a perfectly fine way to structure your social media content (in moderation). It’s a fun way to engage with your community so that you can get to know them and they can get to know you! As your sphere of influence grows, you’ll learn their pain points and you’ll be able to better navigate what you can be doing to solve their problems. And as you open up, that vulnerability will allow people to not only like you, but they’ll trust you. Once your customers feel like a part of your friend circle, they’ll stick around for whatever it is you have to offer. And *that* is the key to a powerful personal brand. ## **Establishing Your Authority and Influence** Do you have to have 10K followers on Instagram in order to have what is deemed a “successful” brand and business? Nope. All that matters is that you are maintaining a consistent presence both online and in person. You also need to be confident in your own message and your own expertise before you can start selling your business to others. What is a personal brand without a social media presence? It’s a small business. You won’t be labeled as a source of authority or influence without garnering some kind of recognition. #### **Building Influence Through Social Media** A personal brand can accumulate accreditation in any number of ways. These days the natural indicator of a seemingly “successful” brand is a high social media following. However, it is [becoming easier to recognize](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/345854) when certain brands cheat the system through purchased followers and bots. And with this type of dishonesty becoming more prominent (albeit easily detectable) companies — and especially customers — aren’t putting much weight on follower count anymore. Instead, what will give your personal brand a chance in the spotlight is your dedication to your community. Are you interacting on social media? Are people asking you questions, are they subscribing to your newsletter, and are they requesting your appearance at speaking events? If you answered yes to any of these, your personal brand is well on its way to becoming a source of authority. #### **Personal Branding Content** What is personal branding content? It’s everything that you write. It’s every picture you take and it is everything that your logo appears on. But how will a potential customer be able to recognize your content? Your content will stand out to them because you should be written all over it. Your content should be an extension of who you are. Do you like grunge style and deep colors? Find a personal branding photographer who can help you coordinate that aesthetic on your Instagram. Work with a website developer who will know the right hues of red and grey to include in your website. That’s why it is so important to finalize your personal brand before you get to the sales part. You want people to be able to instantly spot your post on the Explore page, you want them to see your logo and know #### **Building Your Personal Branding Expertise Offline** As I mentioned, you don’t need a massive social media following in order to have a prestigious personal brand. Maintaining your brand authority offline is just as important. This means you should making appearances at conferences, networking events, and just generally being involved in your local community. Just like you should be leaving comments on social media, you should be making an effort to show up to places where your potential customers might be. If you’re a real estate agent, you would show up to your own open house, right? If you’re a brick-and-mortar pizza shop, you would partake in the regular taste of the town events, right? No matter what industry you’re in, you need to find local happenings that you can partake in. They can be directly tied to your niche or they can simply be vague networking groups. Once you become you’ve become recognizable to these people, you can move on to the next level— speaking gigs. If you can land a gig as a speaker with your Chamber of Commerce or some other relevant community group, you can officially label yourself as a source of authority within your niche. People are choosing to physically show up to hear what you have to say. And if you can land large-scale speaking events for leading industry events, your personal brand and your business can start to grow. ## **What is a Personal Branding Business?** I have talked about the difference between personal branding and business branding in another blog. To summarize, you don’t want to make your company a business brand. You will have higher success with a personal brand. Plus, success will come at a much faster rate. What you need to do after you have built up a brand that is liked, known, and trusted by your ideal client is to make it a business. You need to take your personal brand — the content, the speaking gigs, and your expertise — and cultivate it into a fine-tuned business. If you’ve established your business goals before you have defined your personal brand, you are working backward. You can’t really align your business goals without knowing how you can get customers. And you won’t know how to get customers without analyzing your personal brand. I know this blog is long and it seems like a lot. But, you can work on establishing a strong personal brand alongside your business endeavors. You just need to make sure you have an idea of what your personal brand is first. #### ***First,* Develop Your Personal Brand** You can do this by taking a few weeks to really analyze what makes you unique. You will need to be able to define exactly what niche you can serve and how you can do it. The next step in developing your personal brand (before you start selling as a business) is to get your logo, build a website, and start working on your social media content. Now that is a lot. That’s why personal branding strategists like me try to do what we can to help out. Besides my blogs, Instagram tips, and free Masterclass, I also offer personal branding services. At Stratus Branding, my team and I work together to get all of the hard personal branding details out of the way so you can get your business up and running as soon as possible. #### ***Then,* Work on the Business** Once the branding business is out of the way you can start working on the business aspects. What is a personal branding business? It’s simply a business that thrives because of the hard work that comes from the personal brand. The consistent content, the helps blog tips, and the engagement with the community are what will sell … well… whatever it is that you’re selling. ## **Turning Your Influence Into a Multifarious Business** Without a personal brand, can your business succeed? Sure! There are plenty of business owners out there who own a single brick and mortar and they do just fine. But what if that boutique shop owner wanted to expand? How would they be able to do that? A lot of businesses become franchises or they blossom into other opportunities because investors back them up. It’s easier to elevate your business when you develop these types of partnerships (and when you have working capital to build on). However, here’s the secret that most personal branding strategists will tell you: nobody cares about your business sales numbers. Investors actually invest in the person behind the brand, not the numbers. While sales, Profit and Loss Sheets, and even social media numbers will be hard selling points to convince them, you are going to be the one that they invest in. By having an established business built on your personal branding statement, you get to cut the line. Investors will be more than interested to invest in your prominent influence. Now, it’s not just about expanding the brick-and-mortar boutique shop. Now investors are interested in your plans to develop your own clothing line, collaborate with large retailers, or even write your own book. A personal brand gives you the opportunity to turn a small-time shop into a multifarious business. And with that kind of potential, investors are all in. ## **Is Traditional Branding Dead?** We all know that traditional advertising is slowly dying. Random ads and text links no longer drive sales the way they used to. Television commercials used to give you the facts and sell a lifestyle or perceived value. Now television ads themselves have to find creative ways to be entertaining in order to stand out. And I’m just talking about the big “well-known” brands. No unheard-of brand or product is going to waste their money on television ads until they become established. The meteoric rise of influencer marketing, where companies hire influencers (even micro-influencers with a few thousand followers) to promote their product or brand is more effective than traditional advertising. And that’s because the influencers already possess the trust of their community. You can already see that the way small businesses advertise online has evolved. They must engage on a number of advertising channels simultaneously to establish themselves in the eyes of their potential customers. For a business, analytics suggest that a potential customer must be exposed to your product or brand [7 times](https://www.krusecontrolinc.com/rule-of-7-how-social-media-crushes-old-school-marketing/) before they will consider buying from you. In the past, people had to pay PR and marketing agencies to get the type of exposure that you can get on your own. I’m not going to lie to you and say that it’s super easy to post weekly blogs and videos on your website and post daily on 5 different social media sites. It’s not— that’s why people outsource this sort of work to experts. #### **What’s Changed?** Twenty years ago when we didn’t have social media, traditional marketing and paper mailers actually worked. I don’t know about you, but I get mailers for home renovation services all the time and they usually just end up in the trash. These days, I would much rather do my own research on a company, potential partner, or a service provider to know they’re legit. No amount of stellar creative marketing in my mailbox is going to stop me from Googling that person or business before I decide to work with them. And that brings us to your personal brand. *Because* people can so easily research you and your company to decide whether you’re worth working with, you need to have that online presence. Regardless of whether or not you’re paying attention to your personal brand, people are already making judgments about you based on it. ## **Why You Should Care** [Ninety-two percent](http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/press-room/2012/nielsen-global-consumers-trust-in-earned-advertising-grows.html) of people trust recommendations from any given individual over business brands. So, the reality is that your company needs to go big or go home. These days, the only way to do that is with a personal brand. This has huge implications for the business world and your ability to succeed in it. If your online profile is now the initial impression you make on people, you need to make sure that you, the persona behind your company, is present. A business brand simply won’t cut it anymore. If people like what they see, the other aspects of your personal brand fill out the picture and help you establish that authority and influence. As people dive deeper into your personal brand by reading your blogs, watching your videos, or viewing your Instagram Stories, they will be able to see that you *do* actually know what you’re talking about. And if you showcase your brand the *right* way, this leads to trust. Once people trust you, they will want to work with you, partner with, and buy from you. Without the [like, know, and trust](https://www.inc.com/rhett-power/how-to-use-your-personal-brand-to-build-trust-in-your-startup.html) that a personal brand provides, your business could take years to lift off the ground. ## **The Attributes of a Great Personal Brand** There are a lot of misconceptions about what personal branding is. Some people think that they can sign up for a few platforms and they are done. I’ve had people tell me they have a website and they tweet every now and then. That meant they had a personal brand, right? *Oh no.* So let’s just be clear. Now more than ever a personal brand is not simply: - A logo - A Website - Your profile photo - A Twitter/Instagram/ Pinterest account These are just components of your personal brand. Like parts of a rocket. Frequent quality content is the fuel that makes your brand move forward. Personal branding is not a “one and done” kind of event. It takes effort and commitment to build authority and influence. Nobody is just going to hand it to you— you have to earn it. #### **Facets of a Personal Brand** By our analysis, there are 28-30 total components of a modern personal brand depending on the industry that you are in. This includes the basic platforms you need to be leveraging, like Linkedin, your website, Facebook, Youtube, and Instagram. However, it also includes industry-relevant platforms and groups. For instance, if you are an entrepreneur, you had better have a Crunchbase, Angel List, and Gust profile all set up and populated. A personal brand needs to be cultivated and curated in order to succeed. You need to be creating and publishing content and staying up on your industry to be relevant. Does that mean that you need to be going full steam ahead on all of these various components? No, you would need a [personal branding strategist](http://clairebahn.com/) to help with that. You can still start to make an impact by choosing a platform that resonates with you and concentrating on that. While it will not have the same impact as doing several at the same time, it will move the ball forward until you can either free up more time or hire some professionals to leverage you across more platforms. ## **A Final Example: What Not to Do** I want to give you an example. This is not intended to be cruel or vindictive. Instead, I want to give you a personal branding example to demonstrate the disconnect between one’s actual personal brand and the reality that can negatively impact your success. A real estate agent recently reached out to me to talk about using my personal branding services. I’ll call him Realtor A. According to his Instagram profile, Realtor A is the “Realtor to C-Level Execs.” “Great!” I said. “Let’s run a Social Branding Audit and see where you fit with your target audience.” So we do a deep dive into Realtor A’s personal brand. I wanted to make sure that it related to their intended goals for selling to “C-Suite “ individuals. The audit was a bit of a shock. Nothing about his online presence gave me any indication that he was a realtor, much less one to high net worth individuals. That is a problem. There was no messaging or coherent strategy to make C-suite individuals even think of calling on him to take care of their real estate needs. Realtor A’s perception and that of the market were polar opposites and he could not understand why he wasn’t more successful. #### **What Will People See When They Google Your Personal Brand?** Previously, I pointed out that people do research on you before they decide to work with you. Like it or not, people judge you on your online presence and your perceived authority in whatever niche you operate in. People take advantage of the tools available to them, such as social media platforms and search engines. Therefore, people will often only do a *little* research before deciding to work with you. I’m pretty sure you do the same thing before you meet with someone You definitely do this before you look for a service you’re interested in. If you wanted to get your house painted would you just go with the first entry on Angie’s List? Probably not. If you were going to hire a painter, you would do some research, too. Maybe you would check out Yelp and Angie’s list to find the one with the best ratings. So, if I wanted to buy a $5 million condo in San Diego, don’t you think I’d do some research on who’s the “best” and try to work with them? If someone compares Realtor A to a competitor that showcases multi-million dollar real estate on their profile, they’re much more likely to believe that the competitor is the real deal rather than Realtor A. Ultimately, telling people you are something you aren’t makes you look untrustworthy. No authority leads to no influence and ultimately, no trust. People only work with and buy from people they trust. ## **Conclusion – What is Personal Branding and Why You Should Care** In our final analysis, a successful personal brand is what is going to compel someone to work with or buy from you. Maybe they got the recommendation from a friend. Or maybe your personal brand compelled someone to buy from you because of your expertise. Basically, someone needs to see your social media, a blog article, or a video on your YouTube channel and then they will determine if they like what they see. And remember, they need to see you multiple times— that’s where consistent content comes in handy. If you can be consistent in your personal branding message, people will start to believe that you can help them solve their current problems. Essentially they feel comfortable with you because most people buy products and services from people they know, like, and trust. So there you have it. If you’re interested in learning how to take your [personal brand](http://clairebahn.com/personal-brand/) to the next level, please take a look at my 5 Personal Branding Mistakes You’re Making and How to Fix Them. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ##### CLAIRE BAHN ![claire bahn](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/Claire-Main-Square-1-150x150.jpg "Claire Main Square - Claire Bahn")Hi! I’m Claire Bahn, a personal branding expert, and CEO and Co-Founder of Online Profile Pros and Stratus Branding. I have been helping people strategize and create their best personal brand for over 10 years. As an influencer with over 80k followers on social media, I’ve learned so much about the importance of creating and maintaining your personal brand. I want to help you leverage your personal brand to develop the authority, influence, and trust you need to exceed your business goals. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal branding --- ### [Dealing with Imposter Syndrome - Practical Advice From Someone Who's Been There](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-overcome-imposter-syndrome/) **Published:** May 27, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Learning how to overcome imposter syndrome was not an overnight success for me. How fitting, right? When you’re dealing with imposter syndrome, you are constantly questioning yourself. You are always wondering what you can do to improve or you’ll ask what you did to deserve something. While this feeling is generally associated with your career, you can experience imposter syndrome in your dating life, your travel experiences, and even on social media. For example, if you get to travel more than the average person, you might start thinking that you don’t deserve to be doing this. Traveling is largely considered a luxury you might question why *you* get to experience this more than others. If you grew up without that close bond with your friends and family, you may think that your partner is “too good to be true” or that you don’t deserve someone so loving and thoughtful. I didn’t find myself asking, “what is imposter syndrome” until a few steps into my role as [CEO for Online Profile Pros](https://onlineprofilepros.com/). When imposter syndrome hits you, you’re left feeling debilitated, scared, and you immediately want to quit. But before you run back to your nine to five, I urge you to try my 6 steps on how to overcome imposter syndrome. **RELATED: [How I Started My Business From Scratch](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/)** ## **What is Imposter** **Syndrome** [The best definition](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/real-women/201809/the-reality-imposter-syndrome) I’ve read on imposter syndrome reads: > *“**a psychological term referring to a pattern of behavior where people doubt their accomplishments and have a persistent, often internalized fear of being exposed as a fraud.”* Some words that can help describe what imposter syndrome feels like are : - Unqualified - Fraud - Unworthy - Fake - Phony - Lucky Clinical psychologists, Pauline Rose Clance and Suzanne Imes identified imposter syndrome in 1978. At the time, women predominately felt this obscure phenomenon. This is largely due to “sex-role stereotyping” as Clance and Imes say [in their paper ](https://www.paulineroseclance.com/pdf/ip_high_achieving_women.pdf)on imposter syndrome in high achieving women. But nowadays, even men are more willing to admit this feeling of unworthiness. I believe that more people are experiencing this simply because everyone’s lives are so exposed on social media. A simple glimpse at someone’s Instagram following will leave you feeling less successful and less worthy of your own status. Likewise, that same Instagrammer with a large following might feel like they owe their success to luck instead of the countless hours and hard work they did to build their audience. #### ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/How-To-Overcome-Imposter-Syndrome-2-683x1024.jpg "How To Overcome Imposter Syndrome - Claire Bahn") #### **Signs You’ve Been Experiencing It** ![self doubt](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/self-doubt-crop-1-1024x527.jpg "self-doubt crop - Claire Bahn") Dealing with imposter syndrome can be difficult. It can start off with a simple nagging feeling but it can escalate to complete dread. If you let it impact you long enough, it can start to limit what you do and you can hinder your own achievements. Here are some signs that you are dealing with imposter syndrome: - You’re constantly devaluing your work (giving too much away for free, rethinking your strategy and prices, etc) - Comparing yourself to others in your field is a daily (bad) habit. - You always cite the help you receive when someone compliments your progress. - Minimizing language is a staple in your vocabulary (“I think,” “kind of,” “I’m not sure,” etc) If you’re still not sure whether or not you’re battling this unwarranted feeling, you can take [Clance’s test for imposter syndrome.](https://paulineroseclance.com/pdf/IPTestandscoring.pdf) ## **My Experience** I have dealt with imposter syndrome a few times during my career. The feeling became very real when I had to pitch my business, Online Profile Pros, to investors. While I knew my business inside and out, and I knew there was no one better suited to pitch the company, I had a lot of doubts and nervousness. I felt much more comfortable running the business and being the customer-facing CEO of the brand. Being in a room with other founders and investors with their buzzwords and false bravados made me feel small and unsure of myself. I mentioned this to one of my mentors, former CEO of eHarmony, Grant Langston. He mentioned that he has dealt with this during his career as well. It made me feel much better knowing that I was not alone in this feeling. That’s why I wanted to write this blog. In case you are dealing with this, I want to be able to help by letting you know that you are not alone and that there are ways to deal with it successfully. ## **How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome** The best method I found to deal with imposter syndrome for that specific moment was to keep learning. I learned how to perfect my pitch, improved my pitch deck, and learned all the investor related buzzwords backward and forwards. However, I have come to find out that there is no one-size-fits-all strategy for how to overcome imposter syndrome. Each situation will need to be handled differently, which is why I’m giving you 6 of my personal steps on how to overcome your imposter syndrome. After that — honestly — you can just fake it until you make it. ![how to overcome imposter syndrome](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Dealing-with-imposter-syndrome-410x1024.jpg "Dealing with imposter syndrome - Claire Bahn") **RELATED: [10 Networking Tips to Kick-A$$ at Your Next Networking Event](https://clairebahn.com/networking-tips/)** ## **6. Let Go of Perfectionism** Perfectionism is a catch-22. On the one hand, it ensures you have quality content. On the other, it prevents you from getting anything done. I can tell you from personal experience that holding on to perfectionism is going to damage your progress as an entrepreneur. So here’s what you need to do. Get out a piece of paper, a sticky note, or maybe just use your notes app. Write this down: *I won’t be good at **everything.*** You need to be able to admit that you can’t be good at *everything.* It’s unrealistic and it’s unhealthy. In fact, you should seek constructive criticism when it comes to your aspirations. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice from your colleagues or even your followers! If the idea of letting go of perfection immediately makes you hesitate, look at it this way: **you will improve with insight from your audience.** When you ask for help and advice from others, it actually keeps you grounded. As I have said many times when it comes to [developing your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand/), you need to showcase your struggles. And if this is one of them, let people know. It makes you relatable which helps to augment your like, know, and trust factors. ## **5. Ask For Client Reviews and Feedback** ![feedback](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/feedback-and-suggestions-1-1024x768.jpg "feedback-and-suggestions - Claire Bahn") I’m saying this again just because I know that it is vital to your career as an entrepreneur. If you want to know how to overcome imposter syndrome, this is what you need to do: - Ask for client reviews (remember that they won’t *all* be glowing) - Seek constructive criticism Earlier, I mentioned my conversation with Grant Langston, one of [my mentors](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-mentoring/). Without getting his expert advice on what I had been doing right (and wrong), I would have never pushed forward. Once, one of my board of directors, Scott Sullivan, gave me extremely valuable constructive criticism on my pitch and pitch deck. He has 25+ years of experience in sales and seeking funding. He ended up being instrumental in helping me fine-tune my pitch. But aside from feedback from your mentors and colleagues you *absolutely* need to be getting information from your ideal client. They are, ultimately, going to be what makes or breaks your business. How will you know if there is a glitch in your system or if your website copy doesn’t make sense if you don’t ask? **RELATED: [How to Take Constructive Feedback to Improve Your Bottom Line](https://clairebahn.com/constructive-feedback/)** More than likely, people will be happy to tell you what you need to know. By constantly allowing these types of reviews, you are 1. Accepting that you have faults, and 2. Confirming that your clients are invested enough in your brand to help you out. Impostor syndrome expert Valerie Young [said it best,](https://time.com/5312483/how-to-deal-with-impostor-syndrome/) > *“Learning to value constructive criticism, understanding that you’re actually slowing your team down when you don’t ask for help, or remembering that the more you practice a skill, the better you will get at it can all help.”* ## **4. Visualize Your Successes** Listen, you’re not just lucky. Even the people who do find success through a viral post or a generous investor ***do not earn that success*** unless they *keep* working hard. Those who don’t take their “luck” seriously will fail within years. Those who do, work to make their business bigger and better. You’ll know you are in the latter group if you routinely visualize your successes. I like to keep a list of my accomplishments. You can do this in your Notes app, on a corkboard, a whiteboard, or in a spreadsheet. Other’s will call this strategy their Gratitude Journal. Either way, just make sure you can refer to this list on a daily basis. In order to deal with imposter syndrome, you may need this reminder in order to reaffirm your accomplishments. They can be big or small. Start with these: - How many hours do you work a week? (it’s okay to take pride in your vigorous work ethic) - What’s your highest sale to date? - What’s the best client review you have received? - How many positive reviews have you received? - How many people reach out to you for advice daily? - When was the moment you knew your business could support your family? And don’t be afraid to *showcase* your success! **What may feel like imposter syndrome to you can be an inspiration to others**. Share client reviews on your website and on Instagram. Let people see how many people have subscribed to your Youtube channel, how many have downloaded your app, or how many people you have for your subscription service. Everyone likes to hear good news, and your story is no exception. ## **3. Keep Learning** ![keep learning](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/keep-learning-1-1024x683.jpg "keep learning - Claire Bahn") This is the best method I have found for how to overcome imposter syndrome. If you work on improving your expertise or your industry craft, you will feel more worthy of your status. This goes hand-in-hand with letting go of perfectionism. Just like you can’t *do* everything, you also can’t *know* everything. Every entrepreneur, no matter their stature, should be learning new ways to expand their business. You won’t get anywhere if you don’t look for ways to get ahead. If you work on improving your craft, you will feel more worthy of your status. Keep researching your industry’s latest trends, statistics, and leaders if you want to gain enough confidence to deal with imposter syndrome. Here are a few ways you can do that: 1. Sign up for email newsletters from high-authority news sources related to your niche. 2. Actually read the newsletters. 3. Take classes: local workshops, university classes, and even social media masterclasses can bring you up to speed. 4. Share what you learn on your own platforms. Mold it so that it fits your brand, your voice, and your unique perspective on what you’ve learned. 5. Make it a habit to read 1-2 news articles a day on your profession. ## **2. Make a List of Other Successful People in Your Field** If you have a doubt based on your age, gender, or backstory, find other successful people in your line of work that you relate to. Generally, these people will either share the same hindrances as you, or they will have advice on how to overcome imposter syndrome. This is also a great way to connect with like-minded individuals. Remember that community is greater than competition. By reaching out to others in your profession, you can potentially garner the support you need. And what better way to exert your doubts than by talking to people who understand what you do for a living? You can also simply make a list of other successful entrepreneurs in your industry and try and figure out what they did to succeed. Read their blogs, follow them on social media, and watch their videos. If their personal branding is done right, you’ll be able to learn their story. Once you’ve done that, make note of what you’ve done that is the same or equal to their steps. You’ll be surprised how much you have in common. ## **1. How to Overcome Imposter Syndrome: Step Outside Your Comfort Zone** ![Comfort Zone](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/Comfort-Zone-1.jpg "Comfort Zone - Claire Bahn") You won’t know what you’re capable of until you step outside your comfort zone. Here are a few ways you can do that: - [Build a personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/private-coaching/); let people see the real you. - Shamelessly tell your story through your content - Consistently promote yourself and your business — don’t even *think* whether or not it’s bothering people because those people are *not* your ideal client. - Record yourself for IGTV or Instagram Stories to share your expertise - Attend networking events and industry conferences— don’t leave without pitching yourself to at least 5 people. - Apply to be a speaker at local events. Each of these are hurdles you will need to overcome as you see more success as an entrepreneur. But you will become more confident the more you practice and the more you put yourself in situations that you’re uncomfortable with. If you’re still feeling like an imposter while putting yourself out there, here’s my final piece of advice— fake it ‘till you make it. **NEXT: [Personal Brand Statement Examples & Tips to Create Your Own](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/)** ## **Conclusion** Ultimately what it all comes down to is just *be nice to yourself.* You don’t need anyone else to validate your success. You need to do that on your own. It will take time and it will take constant effort (just like your business!). But you won’t be able to convince anyone else that you’re an expert if you can’t even convince yourself. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** dealing with imposter syndrome, What is Imposter Syndrome --- ### [Why Do You Need a Personal Branding Consultant?](https://clairebahn.com/why-do-you-need-a-personal-branding-consultant/) **Published:** June 10, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** I’ve had my work cut out for me these past ten years as a personal brand consultant. I started in 2010 as the EVP of [Online Profile Pros](https://onlineprofilepros.com/) where I built a marketing team to increase our brand awareness. Over 200 clients and a couple of investors later, and I’d say it worked out pretty well. 2010 is around the time that [social media really started to take off](https://www.socialmediatoday.com/news/the-history-of-social-media-infographic-1/522285/). Over the last decade, business owners like myself have recognized the power of social media and have chosen to utilize it over traditional marketing. I mean, just think about it: YouTubers and influencers have learned how to become self-made millionaires simply by filming themselves at home. It’s that kind of vulnerability and amenability that has rewarded them with career opportunities that *none of us could have ever imagined.* It was their personal brand. Now the social media space and the internet, in general, are saturated with entrepreneurs trying to make a name for themselves. I can tell you from personal experience that what worked in 2010 does not work now. **Even personal brand strategies from last year are outdated.** One way to stay on top of the trends for entrepreneurship is to hire a [personal branding consultan](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/)t. I have jumped through hoops enough times to know what will get your brand noticed. But more important than that is being about to recognize **what will make your brand last in our ever-changing virtual environment.** **RELATED:** [**How To Stay On Top Of Trends For Your Brand**](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/) ## **What Does a Personal Brand Consultant Do?** If you want a cookie-cutter personal brand, there are plenty of free resources and affordable templates at your disposal. However, if you’re looking to make Forbes 40 Under 40 or you want a venture capitalist to invest, those strategies are too mundane to make that kind of impact. There’s no problem starting *out* that way. Your personal brand can definitely be taken on DIY-style. **It’s once you’re ready for the world to *recognize* your name that you’ll want to hire a personal branding consultant.** Here’s a quick guide on what a personal branding consultant can do [for your business:](https://clairebahn.com/private-coaching/) #### **Help You Figure Out Your Business Goals** A good personal branding coach will first talk to you about your business goals. Are press interviews, podcast appearances, and a higher social media following all on your vision board? Once you voice these aspirations to your consultant, they can help you curate the perfect personal brand strategy. If you feel like your goals are unattainable or too ambitious, then you *really* need to talk to a personal branding consultant. We can explain exactly how you can use your personal brand to achieve relatively *any* future plans you have for your business. #### **Give You a Personal Brand Audit** I also encourage my clients to invest in a personal brand audit. The audit will be able to pinpoint which areas of your brand to capitalize on, and which aspects ***need to be axed immediately.*** This is all done through careful dissection of your social media and website analytics. Your customer feedback also plays a vital role in knowing your brand’s current worth. #### **Supply You with Competition Analysis and Feedback** A personal branding coach should also offer a [competition analysis.](https://thrivehive.com/5-things-you-should-know-about-your-competitors/#:~:text=Knowing%20about%20your%20competitors%20will,navigate%20challenges%20in%20your%20market.) I’ve talked about this before when it comes to producing [your own original content.](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) You want to know what your competition is doing — not so that you can copy them — but to see what your own audience might respond to. A competition analysis also helps you see where you can pick up on topics your competition lacks. Likewise, if you’re not utilizing a certain strategy that is a staple in your industry, that could be causing a major hit on your brand. As a coach, I provide my clients with feedback that informs them which content *needs* to be present within their brand. #### **Give You a Strategic Strategy and 1-on-1 Coaching** Once your consultant has all the tedious details in hand, they will usually come up with a strategic plan tailored specifically to your business, your goals, and your niche. I personally like to pair that with one-on-one coaching just so you don’t have this mountain of information shoved at you with no direction. Putting together your business is rough— cultivating your personal brand so that it speaks louder than your competition is the next hurdle you’ll face as an entrepreneur. It’s a ton of information (a decade’s worth!) which is why hiring a personal brand consultant is such a necessary investment. My favorite part of being someone’s coach is lifting that weight off of their shoulders while simultaneously educating ambitious entrepreneurs so they can keep their momentum going. **RELATED:** [**What Is Social Media Branding?**](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) ## **Why Do You Need a Personal Branding Consultant?** [![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/personal-brand-consultant.png "personal-brand-consultant - Claire Bahn")](https://www.instagram.com/p/CAtDS4ChDTX/) There are plenty of people who know exactly what it takes to make a post go viral or how to curate an Instagram aesthetic that is pleasing to the eye. For some, that’s the easy part. But a pretty social media presence and a one-hit-wonder won’t reward you with career opportunities. Maybe you’ll get an off-the-cuff feature or a single paid gig, but you have to know how to harness that viral energy to get your brand from getting lost in the crowd. It takes an aggressive type of strategy to achieve that goal. And for those who don’t even know how to begin their company awareness, a personal branding consultant will help you get started on the right track. If you’re still on the fence about hiring a branding coach, ask yourself if you have the ***time and knowledge*** to follow these necessary steps for your business: #### **1. To catapult your social media presence…the right way** You might have your social media figured out. You might know exactly what to post each week and you might have a firm grasp on your hashtags. However, a stagnant social media means stagnant growth. If you want to escalate your social media presence to gain more recognition in your industry, you need to think outside of the box. That’s what your personal brand consultant is for. On the other hand, you might not have a clue what I mean when I say the “right way” to use social media. As I said, I’ve been in this game many, many years. I know what it takes to make a personal brand go viral and I know what will make it crash and burn. #### **2. To make sure your blogs can be found on Google with SEO** SEO is a complicated, technical mess that is typically the last thing on an entrepreneur’s mind. But if you’re writing blogs hoping to share your expertise (and maybe even get a press interview out of it) you must have SEO implemented in your blog’s copy. I give my clients access to our exclusive training video vault which touches on all of these simple, yet impactful strategies that your personal brand should be utilizing. ![personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/3-683x1024.jpg "3 - Claire Bahn") #### **3. To make sure your brand is seen by the press and investors** Speaking of interviews, blogs are a great way to get noticed by journalists. Your blogs help build your brand authority in a way that social media can’t quite capture. But without the right keywords embedded into your content, Google won’t recommend your expert advice. Journalists don’t typically get their expert sources off Instagram, which is why having that personal branding presence on your own platform (aka your website/blog) is necessary if you want to get featured. A solid personal branding presence will also make investors take you more seriously. It shows that not only are you willing to invest your time and energy into your business, but you’re willing to showcase yourself in a vulnerable way that speaks to potential customers. Remember: investors invest in the person far more than [they invest in your idea.](https://www.forbes.com/sites/sophiamatveeva/2019/07/28/the-entrepreneurs-guide-to-building-a-personal-brand/) **RELATED:** [**How I Started My Business From Scratch**](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/) ## **Signs You Need a Personal Branding Consultant** If all of these tactics sound good, but you’re still not sure you need the help of a professional— I get it. It took me a while to finally release some of my own brand responsibilities to my team. After all, who knows your personal brand better than, well, you? There are a few things that you can watch out for that will indicate that it’s time for you to invest in a personal brand consultant. Sometimes, that outward perception is exactly what you need in order to find the right path to expanding your business. #### **Sign #1: Your social media is idle** And to be clear, your follower count isn’t what matters here. You can have 20,000 followers and still have a hard time getting clients or making sales. It’s all about your engagement. If you’ve noticed that your social media community is becoming less engaged, you need a personal branding consultant to gauge what the problem is. It either has something to do with the type of content your posting or the way you’re communicating to your followers. If you’re looking for your social media to advance your career, you need your engagement rate to be *on point.* The days of companies simply rely on follower count are behind us. Most now require proof of engagement, which means if your social media is idle, you will likely be missing out on those opportunities. #### **Sign #2: Nobody is reading your blogs** Blogs take so much time to put together. Between the SEO research, adding in backlinks and images, and actually writing the content, it’s only natural that you want people to actually read them. Your Google Analytics (which you have set up, right?) will be able to tell you how often your blogs are being read. But if you don’t know how to gauge these measurements in order to determine which posts rank on Google, or which ones perform the best from your readers’ perspective, then you might need a personal branding consultant. #### **Sign #3: You don’t know how to reach out to press** There are two ways to get featured in the press: 1. You can catapult your social media presence and blogs with the help of a personal branding coach so that journalists are coming to you. Or 2. You can reach out to them yourself. Press interviews are huge when it comes to your personal brand. And it’s actually something that most entrepreneurs don’t even consider. Either that or they assume that the press will come to them. If your social media engagement is low and people aren’t reading your blogs, there’s no way that a journalist will recognize your expertise. And even if you reach out to them yourself, your lack of content or engagement with your community will send off red flags for them. If your brand presence is starting to gain traction, it’s still advisable that you put out the word about your brand the old fashion way: email. As a personal branding consultant, I can guide you on the right way to reach out to the press to expand your brand recognition. ![personal branding consultant](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/1-683x1024.jpg "1 - Claire Bahn") #### [**Check Your Personal Brand Rating**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-rating/) The easiest way to determine whether or not you need a personal brand consultant is to[ take my free quiz](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-rating/)! I created this personal brand rating to give you insight into the strength of your brand— specifically the strength of your authority, influence, and trust. The quiz will take you less than 5 minutes. By the end of it, you will have a pretty good idea of where your personal brand stands in the eyes of a consumer. ## **Conclusion** I’ve seen so many of my fellow entrepreneurs struggle to find new clients. They’ve voiced frustrations to me about how so-and-so is doing so well (and so quickly!) while they’re feeling under-appreciated and under-recognized for their accomplishments. There’s a simple way to fix all of that. And the answer is to simply invest in your personal brand. The social media presence, the loyal followers, the enthusiastic investors, and the interested journalist— none of that will come without a personal brand. #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal brand strategist, what does a branding consultant do, why do you need personal branding --- ### [5 Steps to Developing a Personal Brand For Beginners](https://clairebahn.com/developing-personal-brand/) **Published:** July 15, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** A few weeks ago, I was doing my end-of-the-month routine where I brainstorm some ideas for blog posts when the idea of making a guide to developing a personal brand for beginners came to mind. Quite honestly, this probably should have been one of the first blogs I wrote about when I transitioned my blog. Sorry about that! But we’re here now, and I think this is *really* going to clear things up for you. I think the reason I didn’t directly dive into beginner steps is that the term “personal brand” usually only comes up once a CEO arbitrarily decides he wants his name in the press or when someone decides to rebrand. What most people don’t realize is that your personal brand should actually be th*e first* thing you develop before you start your business. That’s right— your personal brand should be considered before you pick out your logo, before you build your website, and even before you lay out your business plan. The reason? Your personal brand is already at play— and that could cause trouble right from the jump. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCjqvesJ2Je/ #### **You Already Have a Personal Brand** I’m not going to do a complete deep-dive explanation on [what a personal brand is](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/). I already have a full blog on that. To summarize, your personal brand is how others perceive you. Your friends and family probably already have a set of words to describe you. Maybe you’re the “Quiet One” the “Responsible One” or the “Creative One”. If that’s who you want to be in this business world— great. Then all you have to do is build that persona into your social media and website. But, if you’re looking to bring out the *best* version of yourself, that’s when you really need to sit down and think about how you’re going to develop a personal brand. One that your potential clients will look at with trust and admiration. And one that investors and journalists will look at and *know* you’re the expert. ## **5 Steps for Developing a Personal Brand** Once you know how you want others to perceive you, setting up your marketing strategy is going to get done a hundred times faster. Before you put out a single blog, record a video, or launch an email campaign, you *have* to take the appropriate first steps to develop your personal brand, There are five things that you can do to start your brand that will make finding clients, planning your content, and telling your story a lot easier. These are my 5 simple rules that I recommend to all beginners looking for the smoothest route towards their branding efforts. ## **Step 1: Know your ideal client** Despite everything that a personal brand suggests, your brand should be ***all about your clients.*** Specifically— your ideal client. It seems kind of contradictory, doesn’t it? But as any marketing guru can tell you, your business should put your customers first. And the same *should* be said for your personal brand. Don’t try to figure out what your brand can do for you. Focus on what your brand can do for other people. It’s fine to plan ahead and try to cultivate a plan that grows your personal brand— so long as you’re doing it for the right reasons. If your goal is just to get rich and climb the social ladder, you’ll only see temporary success. Those who develop a personal brand towards the benefit of others are the ones who will have an audience that likes, knows, and trusts them. What are you trying to help them achieve? Success? Comfort? Are you trying to help them save money or time? Once you know *why* your brand exists, you need to curate a “Client Avatar” or your ideal client. You should be able to tell me everything about your ideal client. How old they are, what their job is, if they’re married, their annual salary, and even things like what their hopes and fears are. All of this information will help you develop a mental picture of who your client might be. Once you have that in mind, you’ll be able to choose imagery, fonts, and colors based on what your ideal client is drawn to. More importantly, you’ll be able to come up with your brand voice, your [personal branding statement](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/), and your brand goals. These will tie in with your content strategy to ultimately cultivate the perfect audience. ## ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/dd85a1c685a23bc1f85b-w736-683x1024.jpeg "dd85a1c685a23bc1f85b-w736 - Claire Bahn") ## **Step 2: Know your story** Now, just because your brand’s mission should be to satisfy the needs of others doesn’t mean that you can’t throw in your own history. After all, your stories are what makes your brand—well— personal. These stories are going to serve as the motivator to get your ideal client to like you. If you can share your personal failures, they’ll be able to relate to you— which means they’ll begin to trust you. And once enough people share your story or follow you based on the experiences you share, more people will begin to know you. **Like, know, trust: the three main ingredients to skyrocket your personal brand.** So which stories should you be telling? It’s best practice to cut out the fluff. Everyone doesn’t need to know your deepest, darkest secrets. Likewise, nobody will really care about that trip you took to Dubai if it doesn’t tie into your brand’s messaging. But what is that message? And what truly is your story? #### **The beginning, the middle, and the end** My suggestion is to pin-point three moments in your life that led you to where you are today. Remember that every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. For example, my story begins with me moving to LA to work as an actress. But that didn’t work out according to plan. So after a few years, I became a lifestyle influencer. At the same time, I became the CEO of a branding business that took off. And after ten years into that business, I started to feel detached from my influencer content. Despite its success, I just didn’t have the drive to do it anymore. That’s when I decided to take my two passions and my decades of experience and mold them into one model: I became a personal branding strategist. Now I teach *all* entrepreneurs — from influencers to CEOs — how to curate a personal brand that resonates with others. **RELATED:** [**How I Started My Business From Scratch**](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/) Do you see how each of these three stories begin with an inspiring personal experience, but they each end with a cliffhanger? You want your audience to *want* to know what happens next in your story. That’s how you get them to stop and listen. Show your audience that you’ve also experienced failure, but that you still managed to work your way to success. When you can show that, people will trust you enough to buy from you and they’ll like you enough to see what you do next. So before you begin your online branded content, **know your stories.** And tell them *often.* ## **Step 3: Create a mood board** This is where the fun part comes in. At least for those who enjoy creating a nice aesthetic. A mood board is when you pick your brand’s color scheme, fonts, and image style. And believe it or not, the colors and fonts you choose play a significant roll in the way your brand is perceived. A [study even revealed](https://parqamarketing.com/blog/why-your-websites-design-is-important-stats-that-prove-it/) that, *“46% of consumers base their decisions on the credibility of a website from its visual appeal & aesthetics.”* Your mood board will be used to create your website design, your social media, posts, your PDF downloads, and much more. Here are just a few things you should consider when developing the look fo your personal brand. **RELATED:** [**Choosing A Personal Brand Logo & Examples of Personal Branding**](https://clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/) #### **Fonts** Generally, you want to have a pretty tame font to use for the bulk of your brand. A font such as Times New Roman can be used for the body of your website, your PDFs, and your overall written content. You can use bold or script fonts for things such as the title of your PDF, your logo, and moderately within your social media posts. #### **Colors** Certain colors are naturally perceived a certain way, whether you realize it or not. Even [NASA takes it branding colors](https://colorusage.arc.nasa.gov/) seriously. For example, navy, black, and grey are all colors that exude professionalism, maturity, power, and trustworthiness. [Pink ](https://99designs.com/blog/tips/branding-colors/)“stands for femininity, youth and innocence” but can also be used for a modern, luxurious design. #### **Photo Style** So that other business of mine that I mentioned earlier? It’s called [Online Profile Pros](https://onlineprofilepros.com/) and it’s our job to make sure people have the most attractive photos for their profiles. Whether it’s for a dating app like Tinder or for a professional networking site like LinkedIn, we built our business knowing that first impressions matter. *Especially* when it comes to your photos. This is true now more than ever in the digital market. We’ve found that people are most drawn to lifestyle images, which is why the majority of our photoshoots are done outdoors. This is something you’ll have to consider before you begin marketing your brand. A mood board is all about laying out your favorite colors, logos, photo style, and fonts. This will set the tone for your brand and make it easier to design your logo or website. https://www.instagram.com/p/CCUDGIagZZt/ ## **Step 4: Research SEO keywords** This is a lot to unpack, but it’s imperative to the success of your brand’s website and even your social media. SEO= Search Engine Optimization. For your website, it’s the keyword or keyword phrases that people type into Google. The hope is that your website will show up on the first page of Google anytime someone searches those key terms. If someone is looking for a personal branding strategist, my hope is that they will find my website on the front page. I’m making sure this is possible by writing weekly blogs like this. The blogs are not only informative (because, again, your brand’s goal should be to help other people) but they also implement SEO keywords. I research these every month to figure out what people are looking for in terms of personal branding advice. And whether you’re a beginner to branding or you’re looking to rebrand, you need to be doing this, too. SEO also plays a loose role on social media. You’ve heard of hashtags, right? Those are kind of like your keywords for Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn. If you want to know more about this, be sure to read my blog on [SEO on social media.](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/) **RELATED:** [**HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST YOUR CAREER**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/) ## **Step 5: Plan out your content strategy** In order to develop a personal brand that people will relate to and recognize, you have to be reliable. That means showing up and having a content strategy every month. And in my opinion, the previous four steps should be taken before you even start *thinking* about your content. To be fair, the first few can be done with the help of a [personal branding strategist](https://clairebahn.com/private-coaching/) like me. So if you’re excited about the content-making part, you can just skip the first few steps and come right to this one. If you’re willing to accept some help, that is. Once all of these ideas for your personal brand are in place, mapping out your content should be a breeze. You’ll have fonts and colors picked out for your social media posts and you’ll know which SEO keywords will help boost your ranking on Google. You’ll also know which 3 key stories you can keep telling your audience to build that like, know, and trust. The three that you should incorporate into your content again and again. And of course, you’ll know your customer’s story. All that’s left after that is to know when and where you want to post on social media. I have an entire blog for your [social media content strategy](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/) that will help you understand and plan the perfect route. ## **Conclusion** Since you’ve read this, I can now officially say that you’re no longer a beginner when it comes to personal branding. I recommend checking out my next blog, [The First 5 Things You Should Do When Building Your Brand](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) if you want to dive deeper into each of these steps. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** creating a personal brand identity, examples of personal branding, how to build your personal brand at work, personal brand for beginners, the complete guide to building your personal brand, what is my personal brand --- ### [What is a Personal Brand Consultant?](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-consultant/) **Published:** August 26, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** A few years ago, if I tried to tell you what a personal brand consultant is and what I do, you probably would *not* get it! Thankfully, the days of capitalizing on a personal brand are here and the term is vastly more celebrated. Now more than ever, I have clients coming to me for help because they’ve seen the success that influencers and CEOs like Elon Musk have had. A personal brand consultant may not seem like something you need as an entrepreneur, but you’d be surprised to learn how many Fortune 500’s have one on their team. The need for a personal brand expert is likely [due to the fact ](https://ceohangout.com/personal-branding-statistics/)that “82% of people are more likely to trust a company when their senior executives are active on social media.” And once you’ve become a 6 or 7-figure CEO, you don’t really have time to be social on social media. When I saw the need for executives and entrepreneurs to have their own personalized, one-stop team to **manage their online influence**, I created [Stratus Branding. ](https://stratusbranding.com/services/)My company works to build the reputation of founders by consistently providing them with full-service brand management, custom content creation and distribution, social media management, and website administration. A personal brand strategist or “consultant,” on the other hand, may be a better fit if you’re an entrepreneur who is just starting out. Are you still questioning if you really need one? Let me explain what it is that I do for a living. **RELATED:** [**What Is Social Media Branding?**](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) #### **Why do you need a personal brand coach?** So, what is the benefit of having someone help you with your brand? A personal brand is pretty *personal*, after all. My job is to help you see what you can achieve ***beyond*** **your current vision.** For example, right now you may just be starting out with your company. You’re probably throwing all of your money at marketing as you’re looking for ways to kick your company off the ground. When that’s the case, most founders put their personal brand on the back burner. This can really hit you hard down the line when you’re looking to expand beyond your company. Let’s say that right now, you’re the founder of a law firm. Your goal might be to build a team to manage the day-to-day so that you can (eventually) move on to your next big gig. You want to take your experiences and position as a leader to land speaking gigs or even a book deal. If that’s the case, then you’re going to have to start from the beginning: **your personal brand.** However, if you take the time to build and nurture your personal brand from the moment you launch your company, you’re going to be successful in those personal goals *a lot quicker* because you’ve already established your online presence. Whether you’re brand new or an established entrepreneur, you should be thinking about adding a personal brand consultant to your team. *Especially* if you want to increase industry recognition, deal flow, and press opportunities. ## **Here’s How a Personal Brand Consultant Can Skyrocket Your Biz** When you’re a busy CEO, you need your own team to manage your personal brand— plain and simple. However, for those who are just starting out, you can work with a personal brand coach so that you can DIY your personal brand until you’re ready to release the reins and take that next step. For clients that can’t take advantage of our concierge services at [Stratus Branding](https://stratusbranding.com/services/), here’s how working 1-on-1 with a consultant like me can help you build the recognition you deserve. ## **1. Start with a personal brand audit** Have you ever Googled yourself before? What shows up? If your answer to that is “nothing” then we’ve got a lot of work to do! It’s one thing to have a few bad social media posts on your personal brand resume, but to have ***nothing*** show up at all is pretty telling. Even if your focus right now is to build your clientele for your company or solo business, your personal brand is **how you’re going to get those clients.** On the other hand, what you’re *saying* online also represents your brand. Did you know that “[64% of consumers said](https://www.brinknews.com/57-percent-of-customers-expect-brands-to-take-positions-on-issues-what-are-the-risks/) that they would buy from a brand (or boycott it) solely because of its position on a social or political issue?” This has been a prominent concern in 2020 when many business owners have been forced to consider if they should speak up or stay silent. If you can relate to that, it’s because **you were concerned about your personal brand.** The fact of the matter is, your personal brand is how others perceive you. If there are a lot of negative articles or controversial tweets all over your social media, then I might recommend a cleanup. If you have any type of public social media, your personal brand is at risk. These days, people are quick to pull up dirt on anyone and everyone. The internet is just one giant time capsule. Nothing ever really gets deleted. A personal brand consultant will be the first one to tell you what you can do to make sure your online presence doesn’t have any skeletons. **RELATED:** [**Choosing A Personal Brand Logo & Examples of Personal Branding**](https://clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/) ## **2. Deep dive competitive analysis** Once your personal brand has been analyzed, I like to take a dive into your competitors. When you do this yourself, **it can get ugly.** Usually, you’ll fall victim to comparison and spend hours over-analyzing what you’re doing wrong. More often than not, these competitor analyses give you a dose of[ imposter syndrome](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-overcome-imposter-syndrome/) and it’s extremely counterproductive. That’s why it’s best to let someone do this for you. During our [consultation call](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/), I’ll ask who you see as direct competition so that I can dive into their brand. I’ll take into consideration how often they post, what they’re posting about, and how valuable their audience perceives their content (in other words, I’ll glimpse at their comments, testimonials, and overall engagement). The reason this is so important to your own personal brand is because you **don’t ever want to be a carbon copy of someone else**. People share a lot of the same ideas, especially when you’re in the same space. As a personal brand consultant, I can let you know whether or not your brand stands out. Your tone of voice, your images, and even your brand colors all need to be slightly different from your competitors. For example, I use the color purple in my branding because it’s not a common color seen in this industry (plus, I just like it). This brief analysis can also tell me what works and *doesn’t* work within your industry. This helps me when I develop my client’s personal strategic plan to boost their brand. **RELATED:** [**Why Is Personal Branding Important to Your Business and Your Career?**](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important/) ## **3. A personal brand consultant makes a strategic plan** There are so many outlets to promote your brand, and it’s my job to tell you which ones to utilize. I’ve been working as a personal brand consultant for a long time, so I use my professional experience and advice to guide your brand in the right direction. The first things to consider are your brand aesthetic and your website. If you don’t know your brand’s colors, fonts, or overall visual theme, that’s something you need to work on first. “Consistent presentation of a brand has seen to increase revenue by 33 percent,” according to [2020 personal branding statistics.](https://www.oberlo.com/blog/branding-statistics#:~:text=Summary:%20Top%20Branding%20Statistics%20You%20Need%20to%20Know%20in%202020,-86%20percent%20of&text=by%2080%20percent-,It%20takes%20about%2050%20milliseconds%20(0.05%20seconds)%20for%20people%20to,increase%20revenue%20by%2033%20percent.&text=77%20percent%20of%20consumers%20buy,same%20values%20as%20they%20do.) When all of the stylistic branding is ironed out, you’re ready for social media content. If you’re a client at my company, [Stratus Branding,](https://stratusbranding.com/services/) we actually do all of this for you. If you’re working with a consultant, however, you’ll receive a general guideline of what you need to do. I personally provide a video library of resources for my clients to refer to for best practices. Your strategic branding plan also involves coming up with blog or video content. Both of these are crucial to your personal brand’s success. While there are plenty of entrepreneurs who have made a name for themselves off of social media alone, **you’ll be able to maximize your efforts more quickly than someone depending on social media alone.** **RELATED:** [**HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST YOUR CAREER**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/) ## **4. Maximize visibility** This is where your brand’s visibility plan comes into play. As an example, I provide ongoing feedback and strategies for my clients. This helps them to maximize visibility because **we’re working to create a personal brand that stands out from the competition.** Let’s talk about the strategies a little more in-depth. When I say strategy, I mean coming up with a content schedule. You have to be consistent in order to project your visibility. There’s no other way around it. It doesn’t matter if your consistency schedule means 2 days a week or 5 days a week— as long as it’s consistent. What truly matters is the quality of your content. If your graphics are too messy, uninteresting, or hard to read, I’ll tell you. If your captions, blogs, or emails are too wordy or self-promotional, I’ll let you know so that you can change it. #### **Getting out of your comfort zone** Visibility also means getting out of your comfort zone. Usually, this means getting used to producing video content, booking speaking gigs, and maybe even starting that book you’ve been meaning to write. These types of brand messaging are a bit more hard-hitting than social media and blog content because they allow you to **present yourself on full display.** Video content (as I’m sure you know by now) is becoming more popular by the day because of its personal appeal. A [speaking event](https://clairebahn.com/is-the-alt-summit-worth-it/) allows you to stand up in front of a crowd (virtually or in-person) to share your industry knowledge. And stage fright is *real*. No amount of prepping can really prepare you for that innate fear of standing in front of a sea of people to talk to them about your expertise. But if you can do that, you’re on your way to opening up more opportunities for your personal brand. Book deals have always been the marker that shows you’ve “made it” as an industry leader. The good news is, almost anyone can write and publish their own book these days. Even an eBook has a powerful impact on your brand. If you have the discipline and drive to write your own, it can go a long way in increasing and *cementing* your personal brand’s credibility. #### **Visibility is impressive** The reason these visibility metrics are so impactful to your brand is more simplistic than you would imagine. ***It’s impressive.*** Your everyday online consumer isn’t showcasing themselves in this vulnerable light. These videos, books, and convention gigs also speak volumes to your strength as a leader, a thought leader, or an influencer within your space. This also gives journalists an incentive to *reach out to you* for quotes. You’ve taken your own steps to validate your knowledge, so almost immediately, **you’re a credible source.** In short, your brand’s visibility doesn’t equate to how many followers you have. It means you’ve been consistent with your online message. It means you’ve taken extra steps to showcase your industry expertise through video, writing, and press features. When you’re open to doing those things, it leads to endless opportunities for your business. **RELATED:** [**SIMPLE AND INGENIOUS WAYS TO BUILD BRAND AWARENESS**](https://clairebahn.com/brand-awareness/) ## **5. Personal brand consultants provide accountability** I’m not going to lie— it takes a lot of work to manage your brand. Your personal brand is the umbrella term to reference your mission statement, your online presence, and your industry recognition. **You have to have an image.** You have to build that image through online content, and *then* you have to continuously work to boost your brand for press and visibility. One of the [best things I ever did for my business](https://clairebahn.com/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/) was to elicit the help of a mentor. I had someone there to tell me what to do next. Or, when the time called for it, what I was going wrong. This is exactly what I do as your personal brand consultant. I’m your business manager, social media guide, and PR representative all wrapped up in one title. As a consultant, I give my clients the steps they need to lead their company *and* their personal brand to success. #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal branding coach, personal branding consultant cost, personal branding definition, personal branding expert, personal branding strategist, what does a brand consultant do, what does personal branding include --- ### [What is the Value of Your Personal Brand?](https://clairebahn.com/value-of-your-personal-brand/) **Published:** September 30, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** The value of your personal brand is based on one thing: **how much you’re willing to commit to it.** Having an online presence isn’t easy— in fact, it can be downright *exhausting.* Let me explain. According to [Label Insight](https://capitalcounselor.com/branding-statistics/), “94% of people claim they are more loyal to a brand that is completely transparent.” We have social media to thank for that statistic. With the rise of social media influencers who show their *entire* lives online, consumers are more expectant to see this type of transparent advertising from their favorite brands. This means that in order to succeed as an entrepreneur, you have to be willing to share your thoughts, beliefs, and opinions on your platforms. While this can help increase your industry recognition, this type of continuous unfiltered content is sometimes more than entrepreneurs can handle. The alternative is to have a [business brand](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) where your logo and company reputation are the only factors at stake. But **in a world where people buy from other people,** going this route can really limit your success. The behind-the-scenes content is simply what *works.* It makes your personal brand ***priceless.*** If you’re willing to go out on a limb and express your personal beliefs, then your career opportunities are endless. **RELATED:** [**PERSONAL BRAND STATEMENT EXAMPLES & TIPS TO CREATE YOUR OWN**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) ## **The Value of Your Personal Brand** A personal brand can do more for you as a business owner than just increase your notoriety. By putting yourself on the front line, you’re going to open up doors to success **wherever *you* see fit.** Just look at the new leading Tik Tok influencer, Charli D’Amelio. In just a *year*, she went from being a small-town teenager from Connecticut to a[ multi-millionaire](https://www.forbes.com/sites/abrambrown/2020/08/06/tiktoks-highest-earning-stars-teen-queens-addison-rae-and-charli-damelio-rule/#35b13ac85087). She’s appeared in Super Bowl commercials, landed sponsorships with companies like Prada, and her personal brand is now the face of the well-known clothing line, Hollister. While this overnight success is rare, you’re still probably familiar with the more traditional influencers; Oprah, Elon Musk, and actors such as Sarah Jessica Parker have sparked influence in the global market. Enough so that they now have the freedom to **hold any position that they want.** You might know Sarah Jessica Parker as the girl from *Sex and the City.* But now, she runs her own production company, Pretty Matches. Even more recently she started a partnership with New Zealand Winery Invivo & Co to produce a range of wines. All of these people can all be described as unapologetically outspoken, inspiring, and ambition-bound. They’ve broadcasted their brand as one that is unwavering in its beliefs and they have proven that they can sell in any market. So what exactly does Sarah Jessica Parker and Charli D’Amelio have in common? **A valuable personal brand.** If you’re looking for the same type of opportunities, take a look at how the value of your personal brand can truly take you to new heights. **RELATED: [How to Grow Your Business on Instagram in 2020](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-on-instagram/)** ## **5. You Don’t Have to Overthink It** You are your brand, which means the marketing should come fairly easy. A[ personal brand logo](https://clairebahn.com/examples-personal-branding/) and a social media aesthetic are nice but ultimately, people will come to you for your personality. Marketing your personal brand is going to **come a lot more naturally** to you than it would if you were promoting a company. Instead of spending hours cultivating the perfect ad or hunting down user-generated content, all you really have to do is hop on Instagram Stories and talk about your day. The value of your personal brand comes from communicating with your ideal client about your own values and opinions. You’ll speak to your target audience the same way you speak to your friends and family. This forms a more intimate bond with your potential customers, which encourages them to trust whatever it is you might be selling. All you have to do up until that point is to provide **free, valuable content.** And be yourself. The downside to this is that you may feel like you’re *constantly* on the clock. When filming your morning routine becomes a marketing tool to sell your latest service, it can be hard to determine a viable [work-life balance. ](https://clairebahn.com/work-life-balance/)Like all things, it will take time to find the right rhythm that works for you. And since it’s your *own* reputation that you’re trying to uphold, there needs to be a little bit of strategy behind your personal brand marketing. You need to be vigilant in your messaging and make sure you don’t cross any boundaries. This means being ***hyper-aware*** of what you say, how you act, and what you endorse at all times. **RELATED:** [**SEO on Social Media – Claire Bahn Explains Social Media Marketing**](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/) ## ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/What-is-the-value-of-your-personal-brand-683x1024.jpg "What is the value of your personal brand? - Claire Bahn") ## **4. Your Personal Brand Helps You Land Jobs** Remember back in the day when we were taught how to perfect our resumes and cover letters to get our dream job? *Those were the days.* While it’s true that resumes and CVs have their place in the modern marketplace, it would be foolish to think that companies aren’t looking into your personal brand as well. **This could work for you *or* against you.** For example, let’s say you’re an inspiring journalist who has just applied to work for the *Los Angeles Times.* The hiring recruiter is 100% going to Google you. Tell me which candidate they’re more likely to hire: 1. The journalist with a public Instagram account full of late-night shenanigans. 2. The journalist with their own blog and YouTube channel sharing their journey and giving tips on how to become a journalist. There’s a clear winner here. And it’s the one with a clear personal brand. Like it or not, it’s 2020 and that means that companies, brands, and investors are digging into their resources. **Your image online can make or break your big career ambitions**, whether that’s to work for a corporation or to land your next speaking gig as an influencer. https://www.instagram.com/p/CFSne8IDLV8/ ### **How To Land the Job** With a [thoughtful online brand,](https://clairebahn.com/private-coaching/) you can instantly shoot to the top of the list for and land your dream job. When you’re willing to promote your values and beliefs daily through your social media content, people *will* take notice. There are **a lot more eyes on your public persona than you realize**, so you need to make sure you showcase how valuable your personal brand really is. Here are two ways you can do that: - **Have clean communication:** Don’t be shy about which tactics you see as right and wrong within your industry. You want to keep it professional, but ultimately this will help companies see whether or not your core values align with theirs. - **Show your expertise online:** This will help companies perceive you as a thought leader who can bring new ideas to their company. **RELATED:** [**Why Is Personal Branding Important to Your Business and Your Career?**](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important/) ## **3. Your Personal Brand Has a Monetary Value… Literally** As you work on your online presence the value of your personal brand will start to go up. We’re talking about ***real, tangible dollars.*** Let me give you another example. You’re a business coach who is using their personal brand to get future clients to like, know, and trust you on Instagram. You’re consistently posting, engaging with your ideal clients, and you provide value through IGTV videos. Someone who is constantly dedicated to providing free (albeit, vague) solutions is going to prove their worth with their [social media content strategy. ](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-a-strong-social-media-content-strategy/) After some time (and strategy) you’ll start to garner a reputation as a thought leader within the entrepreneur industry. And as long as you’re also giving social proof (client testimonials, screenshots, press, etc), you’ll be able to create higher price tags for your services because ***you are in demand.*** Once you’ve proven that people can like, know, and trust your expertise as a business coach, you can start to evolve your business. Maybe you want to make passive income with a business coaching course. Or maybe you’re thinking about garnering extra revenue by working with a brand or speaking at a convention. If you’re [handling your personal brand strategy right,](https://clairebahn.com/private-coaching/) you’ll have these brands and event hosts *coming to you.* And when that happens, ***you*** get to determine how much you’re paid for these collaborations. And if you ever decide to scale your business, your personal brand will be something that will impress potential investors. The CEO of a company heavily determines the decision as to whether or not they will invest. If you already have an established personal brand with proven success at selling, investors will be twice as likely to elevate your capital. **RELATED:** [**5 STEPS TO DEVELOPING A PERSONAL BRAND FOR BEGINNERS**](https://clairebahn.com/developing-personal-brand/) ## **2. Your Online Presence Will Boost Your Credibility** When you’re looking for an answer to a question, what’s the first thing you do? You Google it. Sometimes that search will take place on social media platforms, but generally, our knee-jerk reaction is to head for Google. If you have a well-established personal brand that provides consistent content, there’s a good chance you could be the answer to those questions. Especially when you’re utilizing content such as SEO blogs. When you can appear on the first page of Google, it means that you’ve proven to *Google* that you’re a credible source. People rarely look past the first page, which means **you’re first in line to sell your services.** Think back to the last time you Googled something. Which links did you click on? Were there links to a company? If so, did you end up buying from that company? Probably not. ### **Talking To The Expert** When you read a blog from an individual, you’re going to be reeled into their expertise because it’s a ***real-life person***! Isn’t that what we’re all looking for? A human that gave give us direct, valuable answers to our problems? And if you’re content is enticing enough, that reader might sign up for your email list or start following you on social media. That starts the framework that will lead your audience to **trust your credibility.** They’ll start seeing you posting valuable content on social media or you’ll be sending them regular emails to consistently help them with their initial problem. That’s when you’ll start to see more sales. To put it simply, people buy from other people. It’s easier to like, know, and trust a person than a company because your personal brand tells a story. Your content— whether it’s on a blog, emails, or social media— enables you to share your success, your failures, and your expertise. **RELATED:** [**THE GUIDE ON HOW TO BECOME FAMOUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/) **1. The Value of Your Personal Brand Lies in the Opportunities** You honestly can’t put a price tag on your personal brand. You can do *so much with it.* Just to give you a breakdown, your own brand is what will convince people to: - **Buy your products/services** - **Reach out to you for press features** - **Contact you for a speaking gig** - **Collaborate with you for a paid sponsorship** - **Hire you for your dream job** - **Invest in your company** - **Get you a book deal** How can you get these opportunities? Well, it depends on where you’re at in your personal branding journey. If you haven’t been consistent with your social media content, videos, or blogs, now is the time to start providing that value. Working with a PR company could also help, but if you have no leg to stand on (i.e. you don’t have *any* type of online presence), they’re going to be hesitant to take you on as a client. The best route to take in order to get these opportunities is to define and *perfect* your personal brand. Then we can go from there. If you need some help, I offer[ **free personal branding consultations**](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/)! After our 20-minute call, I’ll be able to tell you exactly what your next steps should be so that you can take full advantage of your brand. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** how do you measure personal brand value, personal brand, personal brand examples, personal brand ROI, personal brand statement examples --- ### [How To Make Your Brand Go Viral](https://clairebahn.com/your-brand-obsessed-viral/) **Published:** October 7, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Anyone can start a business. **Your brand** is what is going to make you stand out. More specifically, people are more likely to follow a personal brand than they are a[ business brand.](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) Just look at how[ Neil Patel ](https://neilpatel.com/blog/how-to-think-about-seo/)went from 185,980 website visitors per month to 454,382 monthly visitors once his name became “Google-able.” The key to a successful personal brand borders on obsession. Have you noticed how people who are enamored with certain actors are willing to wait in lines *all night* to see their latest film? Simply because of the actors who are in it. And have you seen the lines for meet-and-greets at concerts? The fans who are anxiously bouncing on their toes clutching onto Taylor Swift merchandise are in that state of temporary frenzy because they’re excited to meet the *musician.* For some, what may start as faint respect for Swift’s lyrics slowly turns into admiration, respect, and — eventually — an **undying loyalty** to their favorite artist. But what *exactly* does it take to elicit that type of response for your brand so that you can cultivate your own audience? ### **How To Get People Obsessed with Your Brand** Needless to say, there *is* a healthy way to get people enamored with your brand. Once you start creating content that resonates with people, it’s just a matter of time (and consistency), before you build a loyal audience of your own. I’ve written a ton of blogs on the[ importance of consistency,](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand/) and you’ll find plenty of information on [social media content strategies here.](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-a-strong-social-media-content-strategy/) Today, I want to focus on a few simple tricks I’ve discovered in my 10 years as a personal brand consultant that I don’t think you’ll find anywhere else. Because if you can get people to obsess over your brand (minus all the paparazzi and screaming fans), there’s no limit to where your life will lead. **Here are my 5 hacks for creating a brand that people will never forget.** **RELATED:** [**WHAT IS A PERSONAL BRAND CONSULTANT?**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-consultant/) ## ![ways to make your brand viral](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/CB-Pinterest-Templates-2-683x1024.png "CB Pinterest Templates-2 - Claire Bahn") ## **5. Have a Theme** This is something I’ve noticed a lot recently, especially on social media. It’s not enough to know your brand colors and to have a pack of Lightroom presets at your disposal. While these visual representations of your brand will help people recognize your content, what you’re *saying* in your captions, blogs, and in your videos matters just as much— if not **more.** So, consider what key subject matters you want to speak on. What *minute* details can you derive from those topics to *really* help people? If you’re a real estate agent, you don’t want to give tips for first time home buyers, luxury real estate, commercial real estate, buyers, *and* sellers. Your reputation as a real estate agent at that point will become too broad and you’ll risk losing the interest of your ideal client. After all, luxury home buyers aren’t going to be interested in your tips for first time home buyers, right? Pick a niche and stay in that lane. This will help you further develop a theme around your content. This makes it easier for you to create it and makes it even more refined for your ideal client. ### **Hollywood Tricks** Here’s a trick that you’ve probably noticed but never thought about using for your brand, Think about your favorite TV shows. They usually begin with a cold open, but then they all jump right into the same thing: The theme song and the introduction. There’s a reason why all TV shows and films have this. If I mention the roaring lion for Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, the rotating Universal globe, and the Pixar lamp, you can probably instantly visualize these clips. You can probably even start humming the catchy jingles if I just *mention* the words *The Office* or *How I Met Your Mother.* (Did you start singing it?) Hollywood production companies have done this for decades because it’s simply ***smart branding.*** They make it easy for fans to recognize and associate certain images or sounds with their films or TV shows. You need to be doing the same thing with your own video content. When you’re creating video content, you should start and end the exact same way. ***Every time.*** This is a subtle way to get audiences to recognize your brand right from the beginning. Of course, you’ll want to differentiate it in some way, but the messaging should be the same. Maybe you’ll have your own animated graphic or maybe you’ll begin your videos by saying the same tagline. Whatever you decide, just stick with it and use it consistently. Eventually, people will be able to associate your graphic or your opening line with your brand. This type of subtle marketing will make them subconsciously eager to come back for more. And eventually, watching your videos becomes ***embedded in their routine.*** ## **4. Create Exclusivity with Your Brand** Every smart entrepreneur knows that having a limited time offer *works.* It’s called [product exclusivity and its success is based on pure science. ](https://www.psychotactics.com/create-product-exclusivity/) For example, if I told you that I’m offering a FREE personal brand consultation, you might think, *“That’s interesting. I might look into that”* But you’ll probably forget and just move on with your day, right? **However, what if I told you:** *I [only have ](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/)****two spots*** *left this week for a free personal branding consultation, and if you sign up NOW, you’ll get instant access to my private video training to learn my secrets to successfully market your brand.* Now, you’re fighting against the clock. I’m only giving you *this instant* to make a decision before you lose your chance. Instead of passively dismissing this offer, I’m forcing you to **actively debate** as to whether or not you should be one of the lucky two to earn a spot. This marketing mentality works for all brands and you see it all the time: 20% off, *TODAY ONLY*, and the entire concept of Black Friday is based around product exclusivity. **RELATED:** [**HOW YOUR PERSONAL BRAND CAN FUTURE-PROOF YOUR CAREER**](https://clairebahn.com/your-personal-brand-future-proof-your-career/) ### **Create a Winning Lottery Ticket** When you constantly have a limited time offer, it forces your audience to keep up with you. They’ll start to actively consume your content, sign up for your email list, and turn on your post notifications because they want to win your brand’s “lottery.” So, create a winning lottery ticket for your personal brand. It’s up to you to determine what that exclusive “prize” will be. Maybe that’s a discounted product, a giveaway, or entry into your course membership. In order for your audience to have that “obsessive” mindset, you have to first make your lottery prize *irresistible.* Something that you know will help your ideal client survive and thrive. Then, you have to put the offer on the table for a *limited time*. You also need to be *very* adamant and vocal about how exclusive your offer is. You can’t just say it once and hope people will remember. You need to use capital letters, bold fonts, countdown timers, and color variations in your text to **make your exclusive deal known.** Once you’ve made it clear in your message that this is a timely offer, people will be more inclined to sign up for your email list or make that **impulse buy** so that they don’t miss out. **RELATED:** [**PERSONAL BRAND STATEMENT EXAMPLES & TIPS TO CREATE YOUR OWN**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) ## **3. Get Personal** Naturally, the number one seller when it comes to your personal brand is your personality. Don’t fret if you’re not a loud extrovert— not everyone is drawn to those types of people. Your personality *will* align with the right audience. This is why staying true to your beliefs and your sense of self is so important when it comes to defining your personal brand. **If you try to be someone you’re not, it’s not going to work.** The easiest way to start **getting personal with your personal brand** is to share what you’re passionate about. If you’re a virtual assistant who’s obsessed with To-Do lists, talk about it! Show your clients how your strategy can really help them thrive. If you’re the [CEO of a startup](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/) and you think virtual offices are the *only* way to run a lucrative business, then share that expertise with your social media audience, your blog readers, and your video viewers. Find the **passion in your personal brand**. Next, you need to add storytelling alongside your expertise to get people to feel *connected* to you Remember that like, know, trust that [I always talk about](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-personal-branding/)? This is how you get there. People *love* a good story. People want to watch your harrowing journey from a garage-based tech startup to a million-dollar company. If you take them along for the ride, they’ll stick around *just* to see where you end up. And usually, they’ll be rooting for you the entire way. **RELATED:** [**THE GUIDE ON HOW TO BECOME FAMOUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/) ## **2. Community is Everything** The reason that personal brands (like Taylor Swift) create such a [strong fanbase](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/media-spotlight/201504/how-big-fan-are-you#:~:text=According%20to%20social%20identity%20theory,%20people%20who%20regard%20themselves%20as,they%20belong%20among%20fellow%20fans.) can be loosely based on the social identity theory. This theory, in short, suggests that people who collectively identify with one another on a specific topic (or person) will feel a stronger sense of self and will better define their place in society. According to [Britannica](https://www.britannica.com/topic/social-identity-theory), “People generally prefer to maintain a positive image of the groups to which they belong. As a result of social identity processes, people are inclined to seek out positively valued traits, attitudes, and behaviors that can be seen as characteristic of their in-groups.” Because Taylor Swift’s brand is generally perceived as wholesome and welcoming, she’s created a tight-knit fanbase that continues to spread because more people are drawn into this positive aesthetic. And as more people join in on the hype, the better they all feel because they have, in a way, found their “people.” **Aka— they’ve found their community.** This doesn’t mean that *your* community has to be based on sunshine and rainbows in order for people to become infatuated with your brand. I, for one, am drawn towards confident, no-nonsense people who aren’t afraid to speak their minds. That’s why I enjoy thought leaders like Gary Vaynerchuck. Some people *love* Gary V for having this attitude, while others see him as pretentious, foul-mouthed, and even a little annoying. It’s all about finding *your* community. I promise you that just by speaking to your [personal statements](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) and beliefs, your community will eventually find you. ***And it will grow.*** **RELATED:** [**SIMPLE AND INGENIOUS WAYS TO BUILD BRAND AWARENESS**](https://clairebahn.com/brand-awareness/) ## **1. Go Big or Go Home** What do I mean by this? I mean that you need to get your brand name out there— and **you need to be everywhere.** Collaborate with industry leaders. Invite them to film with you for your YouTube channel, Tik Tok, or Instagram Live. Pitch your personal brand to podcasts, no matter how big or small. Actively search for and respond to journalists looking for quotes from experts in your field. Write blogs, create social media content, and have an email list where you can have a more intimate connection with your ideal client. **Your personal brand needs to be everywhere.** Once you start showing up across multiple channels, people will have no choice but to stop and Google who you are. #### [*“Make people stop Google your name.”*](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-rating) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFKp3PXn5z\_/ ## **Conclusion** So here’s the step-by-step to creating a brand that people (from your audience to the press) will obsess over: 1. **Create content based on your personal mission and beliefs.** 2. **Create exclusivity so people will be eager to join your community.** 3. **Be vulnerable; invite people to watch your success story in-real-time.** 4. **Make sure your community comes first.** 5. **Collaborate, pitch, and grow your brand.** Need some guidance? I wasn’t kidding about my limited free personal branding consultations (I run 3 companies—I’m kind of busy!). #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** brand awareness examples, brand awareness strategy, how to build brand awareness, how to go viral, social media brand awareness strategy, viral marketing --- ### [Copywriting Secrets That Will Improve Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/copywriting-secrets/) **Published:** October 23, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** October 20th is National Day on Writing, so what better blog to give you today than my favorite copywriting secrets? Copywriting sounds like a technical word, but it’s not. If you’re a business owner, you use copywriting every. Single. Day. Did you send an email to a client today? That’s copywriting. Have you put together a presentation or a pitch? Copywriting. Do you write social media captions, video scripts, or email newsletter? Well, that’s more content writing, but they’re usually one and the same. Entrepreneurs have to use writing in their everyday lives, so it’s time to step up your game. The secret to copywriting is that it’s generally used to sell, which means you need to be ***extremely convincing.*** How can you do that? I promise you that if you only skim the headings in this blog, then you’re already set up for failure (spoiler alert; one of the ways to become a better writer is to actually *read!).* Buckle down— it’s time to take your business a little more seriously. https://www.instagram.com/p/CGVHI0WHMKe/ ## **Copywriting Secrets For Personal Brands** Great copywriting is the secret sauce to a successful business. Because we use it so much, it’s vital that you learn how to improve your writing skills. Copywriting doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re writing to sell. Once you’re good at it, however, you’ll be able to sell to those reading without them even realizing that that’s what you’re doing. So, let’s dig into copywriting secrets that you can start using for your business *today.* **RELATED:** [**10 TIPS TO CREATE A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/) ## **10. Write To Your Ideal Client** I know this one sounds tiring and basic, but it’s always overlooked. If you haven’t taken to time to actually write down who your ideal client is, you’ll never know how to write effectively. **It’s time to lay it all out.** Your ideal client is going to be the person you would *most* like to work with. It’s easy to say you want to work with anyone willing to pay you, but believe it or not, that will make it **more difficult** for you to find clients. Niching down on your clients is just as important as niching down on your expertise. That way, once you and your ideal client find each other, the connection will be *irresistible.* Is your ideal client a male or female? Are they between the ages of 18-25 or 25-35? *Who are they?* You also want to dig into your ideal client’s personality on top of standard demographics like age, gender, location, and salary. What worries do they have? Do they have any particular problems that you can help them with? What are they, and[ what can your personal brand give them](https://clairebahn.com/value-of-your-personal-brand/) to help them reach success? ## **9. Titles Matter** Let’s talk about your titles for a minute. A title can refer to: - Website page titles - Email subject lines - Blog titles - Ad buttons There’s a reason why CTR (click-through rates) are highly stressed when it comes to copywriting. Click through rates identify how often a person clicks your ad, email, or blog. The **less interesting** your titles are, the worse your CTR will be. How can you improve this writing skill? It takes practice and research. Look through your emails and see which ones have the most opens. Check your Google Analytics to see which blogs get the most clicks. Usually, you’ll begin to see a pattern. A title should be around 60 characters or less. I always recommend capitalizing Every Word In Your Title so that it draws attention. As to what *type* of titles you can use, there are a few common copywriting secrets proven to earn you more clicks. Coschedule is a great resource to check your titles. They have an A.I. that tests your title’s strength and tells you how you can improve it. By their measurements, emotional words really intrigue audiences. Through [Coschedule’s study](https://okdork.com/we-analyzed-nearly-1-million-headlines-heres-what-we-learned/) of 1 million different headlines (and 100 social media shares), they determined that: - Lists posts are the most likely type of post to be shared 100-1K times **Example:** [**10 Steps to Finding Work-Life Balance**](https://clairebahn.com/work-life-balance/) - Use ‘You’ & ‘Your’ in your titles because posts that used ‘I and Me’ were almost 3 times ***less likely*** to be shared. **Example:** [**Why Is Personal Branding Important to Your Business and Your Career?**](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important/) - Use words like ‘free’ or ‘how-to’ to show the reader they’re winning something or learning something new. **Example:** [**How To Stay On Top of Trends For Your Brand**](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/) ## ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/10-Copywriting-Secrets-to-Boost-Your-Personal-Brand-683x1024.jpg "10 Copywriting Secrets to Boost Your Personal Brand - Claire Bahn") ## **8. Identify Your Tone of Voice** Knowing how you write is going to be your secret weapon. You don’t want to write like your competition because then writing in your industry becomes stale and boring. And they won’t remember you *specifically.* Journaling can help you figure out your voice, plus, it enables you to get into the writing routine. You don’t want to write your business copy the same way you journal. All you really want to determine is what tone of voice comes most naturally to you. Do you write: - Casually - Professionally - Blunt and honestly - Informatively Knowing your tone will help establish your personal brand voice, making your writing unique and identifiable so that people will remember you. **RELATED:** [**WHAT IS A PERSONAL BRAND CONSULTANT?**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-consultant/) ## **7. Write To a Friend** You can also simply write your copy like you’re writing a letter to a friend. Imagine that you’re explaining something to a friend about your business. Or imagine how you would speak verbally to them if they were right in front of you. Generally, you wouldn’t use technical industry words. You would try to put it in layman’s terms so that your concept or tip is easy to understand. You need to do this for most of your writing. Don’t assume that your audience understands exactly what it is you’re saying. This is my favorite copywriting secret because it’s the easiest to use and understand. If you think your audience would appreciate blogs, emails, or captions in a more formal tone, then write the way you would talk during a presentation! ## **6. Read Blogs and Articles** Reading can really help you when it comes to writing. In fact, most professionals would say that reading *more* can help make you a better writer. It’s [pretty common advice. ](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/become-a-better-writer-by-reading#5-ways-reading-improves-your-writing) However, I think there are a few other benefits to reading before you write as well. For one, it improves your copywriting. It’s always a good idea to read blogs from other people in your industry to see how other industry leaders write. You don’t want to mimic their tone of voice (you already figured out your own, right?), but it helps you understand what type of writing your audience is reading. Reading also helps with writer’s block. If you can’t think of what to write next, pull up a couple of articles relevant to your industry. I’ve even had to do this a couple of times today! That’s why I always recommend reading 1-3 articles before tackling your own copywriting. ## **5. Write Consistently** Starting a blog or email newsletter and then leaving your potential clients high and dry leaves a bad impression. People always talk about posting consistently on Instagram, YouTube, and LinkedIn. And yet, people don’t realize the same rule applies to your blogs and copy. You have to be consistent for your readers, and you have to be consistent in order to get better at copywriting. Like I said, you’re consistently writing for your business anyway. So you can’t stop doing it. You need to write once a week directly to your ideal client. Whether that’s an email newsletter, a blog, or a couple of social media captions is at your discretion. https://www.instagram.com/p/CF-JtM8Hyzv/ ## **4. Learn SEO** Just like writing, SEO requires consistency. SEO stands for Search Engine Optimization. SEO blogs contain a specific keyword that your ideal client is likely to type into Google. You can find these keywords and their monthly search volumes on free services like [Neil Patel’s Ubersuggest. ](https://neilpatel.com/ubersuggest/) Now, if you’re looking for copywriting secrets that can work for you continuously, this is it. You could have written a search engine optimized blog a *year* ago that is now bringing you in new leads and new clients. The trick with SEO is to do keyword research. Once you figure out what your ideal client is typing into Google, you can start answering their questions in the form of SEO blogs. There’s a learning curve when it comes to SEO, so I recommend figuring out your writing style before you dive into this. ## **3. Ask Your Friends to Read your Work** If you’re not sure if your writing can be understood by the general population, ask your friends to read your work. They’ll be able to tell you if it sounds like you, if it’s understandable, and if you rattle on for too long. As you get more familiar with writing consistently, you won’t need to do this anymore. Instead, you’ll be able to gauge which copy performs the best by looking at your analytics (I highly recommend using [Google Analytics](https://analytics.google.com/analytics/web/) for your website). It’s also worth showing people within your industry your work to get some initial feedback. These people are going to be a lot more honest about the quality of your work. Don’t take it personally if you get some negative feedback. ***This is advice you need to hear.*** **RELATED:** [**THE FIRST 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHEN BUILDING YOUR BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) ## **2. Include a Call to Action** A call to action is included at the end of all of your writing. Even if it’s a bit of content like a blog, ultimately, that blog includes a little bit of copywriting because it ends with a call-to-action (see below). This is essentially what makes writing *copy.* The copy is going to persuade your reader to take an action. What can be in your call-to-action copy? It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. You can tell them to follow you on social media, sign up for your email newsletter, or buy your product or service. Generally speaking, you can mix up your call-to-action from time to time. Just try to stick to the same three so that your readers see it more than once. Likewise, it’s smart to include a small CTA at the end of all your blogs, social media captions, and emails! **RELATED:** [**HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN BUSINESS IN 10 STEPS**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-your-own-business/) ## **1. Ultimate Copywriting Secret: Free Writing Tools** If you’re a weak writer, then you can get free help from writing tools like Grammarly. Keep in mind that these A.I. tools are not always accurate. I find that a lot of times, it gives me terrible suggestions. It also seems to discourage using words that showcase your personality. Words like ‘absolutely’ often get an underline with a recommended change. Grammarly’s paid version (roughly $10 per month) is your best bet if your writing is off. Not only will it give you better word suggestions, but it can tell you if your writing has any plagiarism, bad sentence structure, and if your writing is clear. By the end, you’ll have an overall score out of 100 to tell you just how bad (or good) your copywriting really is. Another great free tool to use to improve your writing is the [**Cliché Finder.** ](http://www.clichefinder.net/)This helps you find and replace phrases in your writing that are overdone and dull. it can also highlight spelling mistakes that you may have missed in Grammarly. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** brand copy, personal brand, personal brand copywriting --- ### [10 Things You Need on Your Personal Brand Website](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/) **Published:** October 28, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** For most business owners, having a website seems like common sense. But if you’re a[ startup founder](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/) or a service-based entrepreneur, you might be debating on having your *own* personal brand website. So, how do you decide when you need to build a website that focuses on you? It really depends on where you’re at in your journey. ## **Why Do I Need a Personal Brand Website?** If you’ve just opened up a local boutique, all of your marketing efforts are probably going towards your business. However, once you get to the point when you’re looking to expand locations and pitch investors, you’re going to need a website that’s all about you. Why? Because people are going to want to know more about *you* than they’re going to want to know about how much a two-piece set costs. The decision to have a personal website comes easier to solopreneurs like real estate agents or business coaches. They’re well aware that their personal brand is a huge selling point for their services. Imagine looking for either of these professionals and finding a website that *only* highlights their services. You probably wouldn’t hire them because there’s not enough underlying information about them as an agent (or a coach). Those like, know, and trust factors are important because they persuade customers to make a purchase. Most business owners, at some point, are going to get in a position where they need to prove their expertise. Whether that’s to get clients or investors depends on the initial business model. When you have a personal brand website, you have your own space to showcase your stuff. On top of client testimonials and social proof, you can display press features, blogs, and a bevy of information that can help get you to that next level. But what should you have on your personal website? Let’s dig into the details. ## **The Ultimate Personal Brand Website Checklist** Keep in mind that if you have a product-based business, your personal brand sit is going to be extremely different. From the analytics to the actual content, there’s a fair few differences between the two. And if you’re brand new to building a website in general, don’t worry because below I have the ultimate personal brand website checklist to help you get started. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO REBRAND YOURSELF – MY EXPERIENCE**](https://clairebahn.com/rebrand-yourself/) ## **10. Your Domain Name** You can purchase a new domain name for under $20 on websites like Go Daddy, Siteground, or Bluehost. I know people take their time when deciding on a domain name, but I’m going to make it easy for you: Just use your name. If you look at this blog’s URL, you’ll see that’s exactly what I did. clairebahn.com, GaryVaynerchuk.Com, AliBrown.Com— we all use our names because we want people to remember them *and* because it makes Google’s job a lot easier. Once you have your domain name, you can purchase website hosting through the same company. And although Godaddy offers its own hosting platform, I don’t know of any professional that uses them. Just get the WordPress CMS (content management system) to have unlimited capabilities for your personal brand website. ## **9. Website Pages** There are going to be four pages that you want on your website. You can have more, but these are the staples you can use to start. You’ll Need: ### **About Page** Your about page isn’t just a place for you to dump your past experiences. It’s also shouldn’t look like your resume. Your about page should be a mixture of personal and professional storytelling. Make sure to include links to your business websites (if you have one) or links to your social media accounts. I recommend linking to the social media account that you’re actually active on. You don’t want to lead people to your YouTube channel if you haven’t uploaded a video in a year. ### **Contact Page** This can be as simple or complex as you want it. Generally, most people just pop in a Contact Form and call it a day. However, you can also include downloadable documents such as your media kit or pitch deck. Including your business email also makes it easier for people to contact you directly. ### **Service Page** If you offer services, this one is a given. Make sure you provide testimonials in these sections as well as detailed information about what each service you offer provides. ### **Blog Page** Your blog page will be made up of individual blog posts that you write weekly. Blog posts are going to be your best bet for getting onto Google’s front page if you implement SEO keywords strategically. Don’t skip out on blogs if you have a personal brand website. [According to Hubspot](https://www.hubspot.com/state-of-marketing), “Marketers, who prioritize blogging, are [13 times more likely](http://offers.hubspot.com/2014-state-of-inbound) to enjoy positive ROI.” ## ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/10-THINGS-YOU-NEED-ON-YOUR-PERSONAL-BRAND-WEBSITE-683x1024.jpg "10 THINGS YOU NEED ON YOUR PERSONAL BRAND WEBSITE - Claire Bahn") ## **8. Personal Brand Photography** You only have seconds to impress people with your personal website. If you don’t have an image of you upfront and center, they’re going t subconsciously lose trust immediately. I can’t say enough about the importance of photography for your personal brand. Not only does it help people get a visual of who’s content their reading, but it’s another way to brand yourself. It takes[ 5-7 interactions ](https://www.markinblog.com/branding-statistics/)with a brand before a customer recognizes it. I’m willing to bet it’s a lot easier to remember a face than it is to remember a service or logo. **RELATED:** [**10 TIPS TO CREATE A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/) ## **7. SEO Copywriting** Your SEO copywriting needs to be implemented into your website pages and in your blogs. Your pages should have 500 words or more to explain your personal brand statement, your services, and your contact pages. Five hundred is the minimum number of words that Google will pick up on for website copy. When you incorporate SEO keywords into that copy, you’ll be even more likely to show up on Google for that keyword (for example, my homepage is search engine optimized for “personal branding strategist”). However, there’s only so much you can do to change and boost your personal brand website’s page SEO. That’s why SEO blogs are so vital for your website’s discovery. Blogs like this one are also a great indicator that you are actually knowledgeable in the industry you’re known for. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO CREATE YOUR OWN BUSINESS IN 10 STEPS**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-your-own-business/) ## **6. Email Opt-In** The reason email opt-ins are so important is because there’s so much competition online. SEO blogs can help if you’re consistent, but getting “discovered” on Google and on social media requires a little bit of luck. With email opt-ins, people are *choosing* to come to you for help. You only need to worry about emailing once or twice a week at that point just to follow up with your leads. And now, you don’t have to fight against the algorithms to be seen. There are plenty of CRM (customer relationship management) platforms to choose from. You’ve probably heard of the classics like MailChimp and ConvertKit, but some popular growing systems also include Constant Contact, Ontraport, and Flodesk. Most of these CRMs have a free option. MailChimp, for example, allows you to have 2,000 subscribers before you have to pay. ## **5. A Freebie** The best way to get people to agree to sign up for your email opt-in is by offering them something for free. I personally offer a [Personal Brand Rating Quiz](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-rating) that requires testers to input their email information in order to get the results. This tells me which people are actually interested in improving their personal brand, *and* it gives me an indicator of where people are actually in their personal brand journey. Whether you eventually want to sell people your course or you want them to download your app, they’re more willing to trust what you’re selling when you’ve given them something valuable for free. **Here are some examples of freebie offers:** - An eBook - PDF with industry statistics - How-To Guide - Free Consultation - A Daily To-Do List ## **4. Social Media Icons** Despite all the benefits of having your own personal brand website, people will be more likely to keep up with you daily on social media. Your blog might be visited once a month, and you may get a response from your email a couple of times a month. But social media allows you to remind people of your brand *daily.* That being said, make sure your social media icons are easy to find. WordPress typically prompts you to include these at the top of your website near the menu bar. I also recommend having these on your Contact and About pages just as a reminder for them to follow you. I’ll occasionally encourage my blog readers to follow me on places like LinkedIn as well (see what I did there). ## **3. Press Features** These are vital to the overall validity of your website. If you don’t have any yet— don’t worry. Even small mentions in blogs or podcasts can say a lot about you as a business owner. You can have this as it’s own separate page like I do, or you can include your press features in your About or Contact page sections. I also highly recommend displaying the logos where you were featured on your website’s homepage. You can see how I formatted mine here. I’ve written about this in previous blogs, but you can get press features by submitting your expertise to websites like HARO. You can also simply obtain the help of a Public Relations firm to get the word out about your brand for you. Keep in mind that press is the number one factor that enables people to get that nice little blue (verified) checkmark on social media. ## **2. Plugins** Plugins aren’t available on all CMS platforms (such as Squarespace), which is why I always recommend WordPress. Plugins are for those of us who don’t truly know the complexity of coding that websites generally require. You can install free plugins to make your website more interesting and to help it run smoothly. Here are just a few I recommend: **RELATED:** [**DO CEOS NEED THEIR OWN PERSONAL BRAND? 5 TIPS FOR EXECUTIVE BRANDING**](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) ### [**Yoast**](https://yoast.com/wordpress/plugins/seo/) This SEO plugin helps guide you if you’re new to search engine keyword implementation. It will give you suggestions on how to make your blog content more readable, *and* it will tell you if you’ve done enough to optimize your blog for Google. ### [**Google Analytics for WordPress by MonsterInsights**](https://wordpress.org/plugins/google-analytics-for-wordpress/) Google Analytics is going to tell you everything you need to know about your personal brand website ROI. It will allow you to determine which content people read the most, how long they stay on the page, and your visitor’s demographics. You’ll need to sign up for Google Analytics separately and then install the plugin, but trust me, this is one you’ll want to pay attention to. ### **Social Media Plugins** Remember how I said to make your social media blatantly visible on your website? These plugins help you do just that. You can have them appear anywhere on your website, even in your blogs. I personally use Social Media Widget by Acurax, but there are plenty out there for you to choose from. ## **1. Landing Page for Social Media** And lastly, the one I never see people mention: A landing page for all of your links. You’ve probably seen services like Link in bio tools for your social media accounts (Linktree and Campsite are two popular choices). These allow social media follows to easily find your blog, Youtube channel, email signup, or other social platforms. But the best solution to this problem is to create your own “Link in bio” landing page directly on your website. Here’s what mine looks like. This not only increases your website’s monthly visitors, but it can lead them right where you want them to end up anyway— your personal brand website. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** Brand Awareness, personal brand statement examples, personal branding, What a personal website should contain, What should my personal brand be, what to put on your personal website --- ### [10 YouTube Tips For Personal Brands](https://clairebahn.com/youtube-tips/) **Published:** November 18, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Question for you: what do you think of when you [think of YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/c/clairebahn/)? Because to give you these YouTube tips, we must address any misconceptions you might have about this platform. What started in 2005 as the bedrock of cat and home videos has turned into a [$1.65 billion corporation. ](https://markets.businessinsider.com/news/stocks/youtube-value-as-separate-company-is-300-billion-analyst-says-2019-10-1028641059#:~:text=Google%20purchased%20YouTube%20for%20$1.65,billion%20as%20a%20standalone%20company.)And whether or not your goal is to become “YouTube famous,” there is no getting around the fact that YouTube is the go-to platform for answers. Like Google, YouTube has the benefit of operating like a search engine— something that other social platforms have merely mimicked as of 2020. In addition to hashtags and social sharing buttons, YouTube uses SEO (search engine optimization). Anytime someone might want to type in something like “how to double my subscribers,” the most SEO-heavy, relevant, and popular posts will be recommended by YouTube. Even if you type your questions into Google, there’s a chance that your YouTube video will be shown at the very top of the search results. SEO is such an underestimated feature for entrepreneurs, especially in the social media era. SEO helps you somewhat bypass the algorithm and head straight to the top, effectively boosting your odds of finding new subscribers. Don’t run away just yet— I have some tips on how you have double your subscribers without all these “technical” options. ## **10 YouTube Tips For Personal Brands** As I say in most of my blogs, the best way to see a boost in your views and subscriber count is to work on your personal brand. In case you forgot— you already have one. Anytime you like, comment, or share something on social media, it speaks to your personal brand. So the first thing you need to do is take control of your personal brand. This helps you better determine the type of Youtube content you want to create, and it makes it so that you are in charge of your image. On top of that, you can take a few initial steps to make uploading content easy and convenient. After that, it’s just a matter of trial, error, and most of all, consistency to see what works and what doesn’t. And trust me, once you know what works, your YouTube channel will start climbing. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO CREATE A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT STRATEGY**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-a-strong-social-media-content-strategy/) ## **10. Fill Everything Out** So, you want to take your YouTube channel more seriously, but you don’t know where to start. Your channel name header image is going to be your first hurdle. If you’re looking to become influential in your industry, keep it simple, and stick with your name. As for your YouTube banner, make sure you’re using 1-3 professional images, your brand colors, and maybe even include your uploading schedule, so people know when to come back for more. But there’s more you can do to set yourself up for success. One of the best YouTube tips I have learned is to fill everything out so that you won’t keep second-guessing what to include in things like your tags or video description. Here’s how you can do that: Step 1: Sign in to YouTube and click your profile picture on the top right. Go to YouTube Studio Step 2: Go to Settings > Upload Defaults (bottom left) Step 3: Fill everything out! This is where you can set your Upload Defaults pre-upload tags (I’ll explain how to pick this out in a minute), video descriptions, visibility, and more. Your YouTube video description should always include: About, Social Media Links, Contact Information, Links To Your Relevant YouTube Videos. **RELATED:** [**10 TIPS TO CREATE A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/) ## **9. SEO Your Videos** SEO is easy. No, really. If you want Google or YouTube to recommend your videos, you need to know what questions your audience is asking about your area of expertise. You can do this by doing your own keyword search into YouTube with FAQs your customers come to you about. However, I like to use Ubersuggest. You can use the free version, or you can pay $29 and gather a years’ worth of keywords for you to pull from at any time. In Ubersuggest, all you have to do is type in something people might ask about your industry (for example: “YouTube tips for beginners” ), and they will give you endless amounts of suggestions— with data to help you choose the best ones! Once you have some keyword options, go back to your Upload Defaults in your Studio and add 5-10 of these keywords as tags. You can erase the ones that aren’t relevant to your videos as you upload them. Then all you have to do is add the keyword in the first sentence in your description, save the keyword as the name of your Thumbnail picture, and [say the keyword in your video](https://backlinko.com/how-to-rank-youtube-videos). That’s all it takes to SEO your YouTube videos to show up in search results more frequently. ## **8. Offer a Freebie in Your YouTube Video** Audience retention is important to how your video performs on YouTube. If you want to walk away with just *one* tangible YouTube tip under your belt, let this be it. The longer people watch your video, the more likely YouTube will recommend it to people who aren’t subscribers. How can you get people to watch your video until the end? Besides having a branded opening line (which I talk about below), if you tell your audience in the very beginning that you have a surprise, giveaway, or freebie at the very end, chances are they’ll stick around. **RELATED:** [**THE FIRST 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHEN BUILDING YOUR BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) There’s a chance that they might skip to the end to see what the big prize is, but they clicked on your video to learn something so that on top of the promise of a freebie might entice them to sit and listen to the whole thing. You’ll up your chances of retaining their attention even more if you keep your video short and sweet. I recommend 5-10 minutes. I know that I personally might click away from a video when I see that it’s 15 minutes or more. People these days are looking for their answers quickly— so give that to them. And up the ante by telling them about your free webinar, eBook, or checklist that they can get in your description. Having these freebies gives you the option to capture your audience’s email so that you don’t have to fight YouTube algorithms to make a sale to your ideal audience. You can use an email workflow system to stay in content contact with them. This much more intimate than social media because you contact them directly. Even a small email list can turn into a $1k ROI! **RELATED:** [**HOW TO MAKE YOUR BRAND GO VIRAL**](https://clairebahn.com/your-brand-obsessed-viral/) ## **7. Have a Killer Thumbnail** We’ve all heard about how essential thumbnails are, but what *kind* of thumbnails perform the best? I think it depends on your industry. I recently did some research to see how my peers strutted their YouTube video thumbnails. I compared five different channels, and I looked at their Most Recent video uploads and their Most Popular YouTube videos. While some of their recent video thumbnails where different from their most popular uploads, here’s what I realized all the thumbnails all had in common: - Use large text and graphics - Have 3-4 bright and bold colors - *How-To* titles performed the best - Screenshot photos (not curated/professional) as the thumbnail image - No two thumbnails look the same; a mix between 2-5 fonts ## **6. Be Consistent** Why is consistency so important when it comes to YouTube videos? Think about your favorite TV show. You know that a new episode airs every week on Thursday at 7 PM. Without even consciously thinking about it, you become excited for Thursdays because you get to watch your favorite show. It’s *a part of* your ritual. When you don’t have a consistent YouTube schedule for your videos, you won’t be able to garner a reliable or committed audience, much less grow your subscriber count. When people don’t know when to show up, they won’t. Make a point to upload at the same time and the same day every week if you want your channel to grow. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Youtube-Tips-1024x576.png "Youtube-Tips - Claire Bahn") ## **5. Brand Your Opening and Ending Lines** Again, let’s think about your favorite TV shows. What do they all have in common? Opening credits. That’s why when I say *The Office, Friends,* or *How I Met Your Mother,* you can instantly start humming the tune in your head. And while shows like Friends changed the clips from year to year that appears in their opening credit, the song remained the same. You can take this approach with your own videos, but that would involve finding unique music that isn’t copyrighted. And you need it to be unique so that the music is associated with your videos. Instead, what you can do is open up with the same line every week to welcome back your subscribers. And once you get people to binge-watch your videos, the familiarity will make them feel at home, making them more inclined to hit the ‘Subscribe’ button. You can also use the same ending lines as a call-to-action for your videos. Remind them to subscribe, turn on notifications, follow you on social media, and/or tell them where they can find your latest product, service, or free offer. ## **4. Create a Series** If you want people to binge-watch your content, you need to create a series. This is my favorite YouTube tip to give. People tend to overlook it even though it makes coming up with video ideas a lot easier. For example, I might want to turn this blog into a YouTube video. This will help people get *started* with their YouTube channel, but there’s still a lot I can expand on to help personal brands get noticed. This is when a series would come in handy for me— and my subscribers. At the end of each video, I would tell my audience to come back next week (remember, same day and time!) for part 2 of this series. I could even start this video by letting my audience know that this is Part 1 of a series on Youtube Tips for Personal Brands. As I upload each part of the series, I would go back to the older videos and include links to the series in the description to make it easier for people to binge-watch my videos. I would also create a playlist specifically for this series. If viewers click on one of your playlists, YouTube will automatically take them through your videos one-by-one without suggesting your competition’s videos. **RELATED:** [**THE GUIDE ON HOW TO BECOME FAMOUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/) ## **3. Promote it on Social Media** Like most things business, your YouTube subscriber count won’t grow if you upload and wait for the algorithms to turn in your favor. You have to share your content. There’s plenty of ways you can do this, but let me tell you my ritual: Step 1: Share a link to your new video immediately on YouTube, Twitter, and Linkedin Step 2: Embed your video in your blog or on Pinterest. Step 3: Upload a clip of your video to Instagram or mention it in an Instagram caption. Once you take the initial steps, remember to mention your video at least three times before your next upload ([it takes 5-7 interactions before a customer recognizes a brand](https://www.markinblog.com/branding-statistics/)). You can also repurpose your YouTube video to create bite-size videos on IGTV, Tik Tok, or Reels for ready-made content. ## **2. Turn Your Video Into a Blog** YouTube videos and blogs both utilize search engine optimization. If you create a second piece of content (maybe with even more tips on the subject), you double your chances of people finding your content. As I mentioned, this blog will probably be a YouTube video. Is there a link to it above? Watch the video and note the differences. There’s definitely more information in this blog, right? So why would I create the same content twice? For a few reasons: 1. Writing the blog beforehand made writing the video script easy. 2. It boosts your SEO 3. Having written content for your YouTube videos is helpful for the hearing impaired. 4. The blog leads them to my leading platform— my website. This is where they will *buy.* It doesn’t matter if you create the video first or the blog first. Just make sure you don’t let your video script (or your blog) go to waste. ![video content marketing, claire bahn](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/video-content-marketing-1024x664.jpg "video content marketing - Claire Bahn") ## **1. Engage** Even though you can use SEO on YouTube, it’s still a social media channel. Which means you have to be social. The best way to lead new subscribers to your channel is to comment on other videos. Show up on videos that your ideal client might watch and even comment on your competitor’s videos. If you comment on the same ones consistently, they might start to notice and reply to you. This opens up the doorway for things such as collaborations, which can work wonders to double your subscriber count. **RELATED:** [**WHAT IS A PERSONAL BRAND CONSULTANT?**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-consultant/) ## **Conclusion** These YouTube tips are worth visiting whether you’re brand new or a seasoned video content creator. The only real way to double your subscribers is to consistently keep an eye on these 10 aspects of your channel and to work on being more proactive about your personal brand! #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** how to make a youtube channel, how to start a youtube channel, personal brand youtube channels, youtube --- ### [YouTube Channel Setup - 2021 Beginner’s Guide](https://clairebahn.com/youtube-channel-setup/) **Published:** December 2, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** It’s almost 2021 (*finally*), which means it time for you to go through your YouTube channel setup for your personal brand. Even if you already have a channel, **right now is the perfect time** to maximize your channel settings to make sure uploading videos to YouTube is not only easy but effective. [Youtube is the second most used search engine in the world](https://www.searchenginejournal.com/seo-101/meet-search-engines/) (right behind Google, of course). And just like most things that can be search engine optimized (SEO), you can set up your videos to receive traffic *and* subscriber increases with just a few simple and routine tricks. **RELATED:** [**What Is Social Media Branding?**](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) ## **YouTube Channel Setup For Beginners** If you’re brand new to YouTube, then congratulations! You’re taking a massive step in the right direction for your personal brand. Right now, I’m going to walk you through step-by-step on how to create your channel. **Step 1:** Go to [YouTube.com](http://YouTube.com) and click **Sign In.** You’re going to need a Google account and/or Gmail email address to create your own channel. Note: If you don’t have one, go to Google and **Create Account > To Manage My Business** This second option allows you to have more freedom to optimize your YouTube channel for your brand (things such as custom URLs are only available under this setting). If you eventually hire a video editor, a Google account to manage your business will have the option to grant them access to upload to your account. **Step 2:** Once you sign in to a YouTube account, click your profile icon and click **Create Channel > Use a custom name.** You want to choose a “custom name” because you will have more options to brand your content definitively. **Step 3:** Choose your channel name. I **highly recommend using your own name for your personal brand’s YouTube channel**. This prevents you from boxing yourself into a specific niche since you may choose to elaborate ([or maybe even rebrand](https://clairebahn.com/rebrand-yourself/)) your area of expertise down the line. From there, YouTube will have you choose your profile picture and add your description and website links. However, because those two things are essential, I’m going to suggest **skipping that part for now** until you read the rest of this blog. Just click **Save and Continue.** Now it’s time to figure out how to optimize your YouTube channel set up for brand recognition! ## ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/YouTube-Channel-Setup-for-Personal-Brands-and-Influencer-683x1024.jpg "YouTube Channel Setup for Personal Brands and Influencer - Claire Bahn") ## **How To Brand Your YouTube Channel** There are[ 31 million YouTube channels](https://www.omnicoreagency.com/youtube-statistics/#:~:text=There%20are%20more%20than%2031,search%20engine%20in%20the%20world.) with[ **1 billion hours** of video content being consumed on this platform every day.](https://www.brandwatch.com/blog/youtube-stats/#:~:text=YouTube%20usage%20statistics&text=We%20watch%20over%201%20billion,lasts%20more%20than%2040%20minutes.) That’s a lot of competition, which means you need to convince people to watch and subscribe *quickly.* Taking the time to fully customize your channel — even before you upload your first video — will give your potential new audience an idea of what to expect from your personal brand. I separated these YouTube settings into their own sections because you’ll need to spend some time on each of them. These are going to be the features of your channel that define your brand’s content. If the idea of doing this is already stressing you out, consider contacting your favorite personal brand strategist (that’s me!) for some insight. **RELATED: [PRIVATE COACHING WITH CLAIRE](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/)** ### **1. Choose a profile picture and channel description** Let’s head back over to your primary channel. Click your profile icon and go to **Your Channel**. On that page, you’ll see **Customize Channel** near the middle right-hand side. This will bring you to your YouTube Studio, where you can manage your entire YouTube channel setup. If you go over **Branding**, you’ll see you can change your profile picture here. I have an entire blog on [personal branding photography](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-select-personal-branding-photographer/), and it’s importance, but here is my general rule of thumb: 1. **Pick a professional profile picture.** One that is well-lit and, preferably, taken by an actual personal branding photographer. 2. **Don’t use a logo**. Your profile picture will be one of the first things people look at (besides the video thumbnail and title) to decide whether or not they want to watch your video and subscribe to your channel. If you have a logo as your profile picture, it immediately gives off an impersonal tone, which is not what viewers want these days. “[Ninety-two percent](http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/press-room/2012/nielsen-global-consumers-trust-in-earned-advertising-grows.html) of people trust recommendations from individuals (even if they don’t know them) over brands,” according to a Nielson study. This means people don’t care about your company logo; they want to see you aka your *personal brand.* **[YouTube profile picture dimensions and upload recommendations:](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2972003?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=iOS&oco=1)** - ***JPG, GIF, BMP, or PNG file (no animated GIFs)*** - ***800 X 800 px image (recommended)*** - ***Square or round image that renders at 98 X 98 px*** **RELATED:** [**Top 5 Benefits of Outsourcing For Your Business**](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-outsourcing/) ### **2. Create a banner** Under the same Branding YouTube channel setup, you’ll notice the option to **upload your Banner image.** As it says, “This image will appear across the top of your channel.” Your banner is important for branding your YouTube channel for a few reasons. First of all, it sets the tone for your channel as a whole. It should have the same fonts, colors, and images as your thumbnails (more on that later). Second, your banner presents an excellent opportunity to showcase your expertise. I recommend displaying one image of yourself and your [personal branding statement](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) in your banner image. Another standard practice for designing your banner image is to include your upload schedule. For example, Gary Vaynerchuk’s banner lets his viewers know that they can expect new videos every weekday. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/youtube-channel-setup-1024x576.png "youtube channel setup - Claire Bahn")YouTube Banner Image Examples Credit Claire Bahn top Gary Vaynerchuk bottom**[YouTube banner image dimensions and upload recommendations: ](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2972003?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=iOS&oco=1)** - **Minimum dimension for upload: 2048 x 1152 px with an aspect ratio of 16:9.** - **At the Minimum dimension, the safe area for text and logos: 1235 x 338 px. Larger images may get cropped on particular devices.** - **File size: 6 MB or smaller.** Keep in mind that formatting your banner can be a little tricky. The way your banner crops to fit mobile may take out some of the critical aspects of your personal brand banner. Make sure you rework your YouTube banner after checking it on mobile. ### **3. Add a watermark** One of the most underrated YouTube channel setup options is the ability to brand your videos with a watermark. You can add your unique watermark right after uploading your personal brand profile picture and your banner image. This would be the perfect place to add your company or product logo if you have them. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/how-to-start-a-youtube-channel-for-beginners-1024x576.png "how to start a youtube channel for beginners - Claire Bahn") If not, I recommend using a graphic that speaks to your brand. For example, if you make videos about coffee, you can add an illustration of a coffee cup as your watermark. It’s also best practice to add the word “subscribe” under your logo or chosen graphic. On a desktop, the watermark allows viewers to subscribe to your YouTube channel instantly. Plus, your watermark will brand your video content so that people will begin to see some sort of familiarity should your video be shared on another social media platform. **[YouTube watermark dimensions and upload recommendations:](https://support.google.com/youtube/answer/2972003?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform=iOS&oco=1)** - **Minimum 150×150 pixels.** - **Square image less than 1 MB in size.** ### **4. Default Uploads** Ready to cut your YouTube upload time in half? Go to your YouTube channel setup settings. You can find them by going to **Profile Picture > Settings**, or if you’re still under the branding tab, simply scroll down to **Settings > Upload Defaults.** On this section of your YouTube channel setup, you’ll see the option to add a Title, Description, Visibility, and Tags. Whatever you fill out in these sections will automatically show up in your YouTube videos. *Every. Single. Time.* I personally don’t fill out the title portion since I want my titles to be search engine optimized for every video. However, if you publish the same type of videos (such as How-To’s), you can add the word “How-To” in this portion of your title to save you a little bit of time. Beneath that is your video description upload defaults. This is the section that you want to fill out. **RELATED:** [**SEO on Social Media – Claire Bahn Explains Social Media Marketing**](https://clairebahn.com/seo-on-social-media/) ##### Here’s the format I use for my description default upload: - **Link to the corresponding blog:** This is a great way to lead viewers to your website, and it gives you the perfect opportunity to use your SEO keyword. - **Playlist Titles and Video Links:** You want people to binge-watch your videos. Choose one of your playlists (more information on that below) along with 3-4 titles and related video links. You can change these up for each upload. - **Consultation Link:** Your description helps lead people to your product or service. I include a link to my consultations and my free personal brand rating quiz. - **Social Media Links:** If people open your video description for one reason, it’s to find your social media links. By including these in your upload defaults, you’ll know that viewers can access them for every video. - **2 Related Hashtags:** These are the hashtags that show up above your YouTube video title if you include them in your description. A hashtag like #personalbrandingtips can be an upload default hashtag since I often use it. Of course, I can always change this (along with the links mentioned above) before each video upload. - **Tags:** You can upload default hashtags with SEO keywords on your industry, but I would only include about 5. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/how-to-format-your-youtube-channel-893x1024.png "how to format your youtube channel - Claire Bahn") ## **YouTube Channel Setup Extras** We’re not done yet. Below are a few more custom ways you can solidify your YouTube channel setup. These will help people find you, help viewers get to know you, and encourage YouTube to recommend your videos. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST YOUR CAREER**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/) ### **Verification** Making sure your YouTube channel is verified plays a factor in its discoverability. To see what I mean, head over to your new profile icon at the top right, and go to Settings. In the first block section, you’ll want to click on **“Channel status and features.”** From there, select your country and choose whether you would like YouTube to verify your channel through a call or with a text verification code. Once your channel is verified, you’ll unlock features such as: - Video uploads - Playlist creation - Add collaborators to playlists - Add new videos to existing playlists - Videos longer than 15 minutes - Custom thumbnails - Live streaming ### **Your “About” Section** Don’t skip this section of your YouTube channel setup. If you didn’t fill this out when you first created your channel, go back to **Custom Channel > Basic Info.** Here is where you can change or update your channel name and description. Viewers will be able to find this description under the “About” tab on your YouTube channel, so treat it like the “About” section on your blog. You can write up to 1000 words here, but I recommend a couple of paragraphs maximum. Your “About” description is where press, investors, or interested brands will go to learn more about you. You also want to make sure you link your social media accounts in this section. If you want people to contact you quickly from your videos, include your email (you may also want to have your email in your Description Default Upload). ### **Thumbnails** Thumbnails are going to be the fact that boosts your view count. I talked about creating a killer thumbnail in my blog, **[10 YouTube Tips For Personal Brands](https://clairebahn.com/youtube-tips/)**. After some research, I found out that thumbnails with the most views have these in common: - Large text and graphics - Various bright and bold colors - *How-To* titles - Screenshot photos (not curated/professional) as the thumbnail image - A mix between 2-5 fonts ### **Playlists** Once you get into the habit of uploading YouTube videos every week, you’ll want to start categorizing them into playlists. I have playlists such as Entrepreneur Tips, Personal Branding Tips, and (soon) How To Start a YouTube Channel. If someone clicks on your playlists, YouTube will automatically play them the next video in your playlist. This drastically increases all the metrics that YouTube looks at to recommend your videos: Views, Impressions Click Through Rate, and Audience Retention Time. **RELATED:** [**10 YOUTUBE TIPS FOR PERSONAL BRANDS**](https://clairebahn.com/youtube-tips/) ## **Conclusion** 54% of consumers would like to see video content from the brands they support. And if you’re utilizing your personal brand, you’re going to see an ROI from your videos faster than a company brand. There’s a lot of work that goes into your personal brand, the most intimidating of which includes creating video content. That’s why I decided to include this in my ***Personal Brand Concierge Service!*** #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** How can I create my YouTube channel, How do you start a YouTube channel 2021 for beginners, how to start a youtube channel for beginners, youtube --- ### [What Are Vanity Metrics?](https://clairebahn.com/vanity-metrics-personal-brand/) **Published:** January 7, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** So you want more people to recognize your personal brand. I bet that what comes to mind are goals such as: increasing your website traffic, your social media follower count, and even your monthly ad spend. Unfortunately, **these are considered vanity metrics**, and none of these will help you reach your business goals. These numbers have always been at the forefront of personal brand marketing. Social media platforms highlight their significance. On YouTube, your subscriber count is prominently displayed on the front page. So is your follower count on Instagram. However, as a CEO, these numbers say and *do* little for your personal brand’s overall health and success. Most of these numbers do not reflect the profit or scaleability of your brand. One viral post could boost those numbers, but that doesn’t mean you’ll make sales. And it’s not an indicator that this audience will stick around. So what’s considered a vanity metric, and what should you be focusing on instead? I’m glad you asked. ## **What Are Considered Vanity Metrics?** Vanity metrics are numbers that make your personal brand *look* appealing on social media. They’re easily identifiable because **anything your audience can see is a vanity metric:** likes, comments, subscribers, and followers. If you plan to hire a branding or marketing team to boost these numbers— well, you’re in for a big surprise. When you’re working with a[ personal brand strategist](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/) like me, the first thing you’ll learn is how insignificant these numbers really are. While these particular number increases may look nice on monthly reports, this isn’t what I focus on to build your brand’s reputation. And neither should you. The metrics below are merely dots on your overall business plan. These numbers cannot be guaranteed (unless they’re purchased), and, more importantly, they don’t equate to more business. Sure, you should keep track of them; if they’re not growing to *some* extent, then the content you’re producing clearly does not resonate with your core audience. And that’s a huge problem. On a large scale, we label these numbers as a vanity metric. Here’s why: **RELATED:** [**What Is Social Media Branding?**](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/what-are-vanity-metrics-1024x576.png "what-are-vanity-metrics - Claire Bahn") ### **Social Likes** Everyone is concerned about the number of ‘likes’ their posts get. That’s because, on the surface, a couple of thousand likes look pretty impressive to the press, your competition, and your consumers. Besides an ego boost, the number of likes your individual posts get plays a small role in how people are interpreting your personal brand. In 2019, there was an [18% decline in Instagram likes for 6 months](https://www.trustinsights.ai/blog/2019/06/instagram-brand-engagement-the-latest-statistics/). This sudden drop is likely why [Instagram decided to hide likes](https://www.cnet.com/news/instagram-has-begun-hiding-likes-globally/#:~:text=The%20social%20media%20giant%20then,only%20to%20a%20post's%20author.) in some countries. Likes represent actual vanity because we use them as a metric to show how popular our personal brand appears to be. However, 1,000 likes on a post do not mean that 1,000 people are willing to buy from your brand— or even that they *like* your brand. It’s become such a frivolous metric that even Adam Mosseri, the head of Instagram, agrees their platform causes too much anxiety. When speaking on the decision to hide this social metric, [Mosseri said, ](https://variety.com/2019/digital/news/why-instagram-hiding-likes-smart-or-fail-1203399445/) *“The idea is to try and depressurize Instagram, make it less of a competition, give people more space to focus on connecting with people that they love, things that inspire them.”* The way social media users are behaving is also drastically changing. A mindless double-tap on your image shows vague interest in your content. But a save or a share shows social media algorithms that someone enjoys your content enough to revisit it later. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO BUILD A REPUTATION WITH YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE**](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/) ### **Follower Count** 1 million followers, 100,000 followers, or 500 followers. Which of those numbers looks more impressive? If you choose the first one, then you’ve fallen victim to vanity metrics. What if I told you that the personal brand with 1 million social media followers still works at their day job and the person with 500 followers is making $10,000 or more every month? That is more likely to be the case than the other way around. Follower count does not equate to business (especially when people can so easily purchase followers). **The only time this number starts to matter** is after you’ve seen an impact on sales, press, and opportunities. And at the point, you know that you’ve built a reliable personal brand, so again, the follower count probably won’t increase those factors. Imagine this: You decide to buy followers to make your personal brand look impressive. Any of your current followers who notice this huge spike and recognize what it is. Now let’s assume that nobody noticed, and you’re finally starting to trickle in some legitimate, interested consumers. They’ll see you’re follower count, be mildly impressed, and start going through your content. Once they see that your posts are getting little to no engagement, they’ll begin second-guessing your brand, and it’s authenticity. Now let’s say that you ethically required a robust follower count, but somewhere down the line, your comments and likes started to dwindle. Your engagement doesn’t match your follower count, and consumers will assume the worst: that you bought followers. This automatically makes your personal brand inauthentic and untrustworthy. It’s a lose-lose situation. ### ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Why-Vanity-Metrics-Dont-Matter-683x1024.jpg "Why Vanity Metrics Don't Matter! - Claire Bahn") ### **Website Traffic** This one is difficult to explain to my clients. Whether you obtain traffic from ads or organic social media referrals, website traffic says a lot about how well your audience reacts to your personal brand’s message. You *should* be continuously telling your audience to go to your website for your latest sale, blog, or service. If your analytics show that people *are* going to your website, your personal brand looks like it’s working! At least on paper. Website traffic, just like followers and likes on social media, doesn’t reflect how many sales you’re making. You can be getting 10,000 website visitors a month and not make a single penny. Meanwhile, you can be getting under 5,000 website visitors a month and make $1,000 each month because your copy, service, or product is exceptionally well-received. We use SEO to boost our client’s website traffic by getting them on Google’s front page. This can increase your [personal brand website’s](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/) overall performance and help you reach new audiences. However, the website visits are not the only thing we look at (more on that below) because when your website traffic continues to grow, but your sales do not**,** **there’s a problem.** **RELATED:** [**4 REASONS YOU NEED VIDEO CONTENT MARKETING FOR YOUR PERSONAL BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) ### **Impressions/Reach** Unlike follows, comments, or likes, your impressions hide in the backend of your social analytics. Each social media platform offers you Insights into your page if you have anything other than a personal or private account. Impressions and Reach are often looked at as a metric showing if your personal brand is reaching people outside your sphere of influence. For example, on your Facebook page, you can view all of the data behind your account. If you look at your Most Recent Posts, it will show you how they perform based on Reach and Engagement. At a glance, it might look impressive. Let’s say you’ve reached 20,000 people with just one of your posts. Not bad, right? However, what you need to look at is your engagement. How many people engaged with your content? **If the number is significantly lower than your Reach, then your content isn’t doing its job**. Remember, you run a business, not a popularity contest. **RELATED:** [**THE FIRST 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHEN BUILDING YOUR BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) ## **Why You Shouldn’t Focus On Vanity Metrics** Vanity metrics are exactly what they sound like: metrics that make you look good. I recently read a great article on *Psychology Today* called [“Proof That No One Really Cares About Our Social Media Posts.”](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/tech-happy-life/201903/proof-no-one-really-cares-about-our-social-media-posts) The article presents an exercise that shows how fleeting of an impact that a simple “like” has on your audience. As someone with a personal brand, you never want those connections with potential buyers or clients to be fleeting. ***You want to make an impact.*** Suppose that brand awareness (likes, followers, etc.) doesn’t convert to leads, customers, press, or opportunities. In that case, there’s something wrong with your messaging— and that’s when you’ll start to realize that those vanity metrics mean nothing to your overall personal brand. I won’t argue that these metrics mean nothing. If nobody is following you or engaging with your posts in *any* way, then it’s probably time for a [rebranding strategy.](https://clairebahn.com/rebrand-yourself/) To **see growth for your personal brand,** you can use these vanity metrics to gauge ways to boost the metrics that *actually matter.* > #### *Remember, you run a business, not a popularity contest.* ## **Actionable Metrics versus Vanity Metrics** In the past 10 years that I’ve been working on personal brands, the one thing I can tell you for certain is that nothing stays the same. The metrics that used to matter five years ago (follows and likes) are becoming obsolete. More than that is the fact that [consumer habits change](https://medium.com/better-marketing/forget-likes-saves-will-grow-your-instagram-aaeec3ff8434). Few people are liking posts on social media and now prefer the Save option so they can revisit your content at a later date. And if you can get others to share your work, that means someone has aligned their personal brand with yours, which is a huge accomplishment. **Saves and Shares are considered actionable metrics, and they are the metrics that truly represent how people perceive your brand.** Actionable metrics are the numbers your audience *can’t* see. They also tend to take some work to figure out. This is a good thing because you know you (or your team) aren’t simply glossing over the numbers and taking them at face value (aka your vanity metrics). With these numbers, you’ll begin to understand your target audience or client, and you’ll know which content is resonating with them enough to buy from you. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/engagement-rate-formula-vanity-metrics-vs-actionable-metrics-1024x576.png "engagement-rate-formula-vanity-metrics-vs-actionable-metrics - Claire Bahn") ### **Social Media Engagement** This whole time, I’ve been talking about how likes and comments are vanity metrics and that they don’t matter. Here’s when they do: Your social media [engagement rate](https://www.similarweb.com/corp/blog/engagement-rate/) is the new way companies and consumers **judge your social media accounts**. They might not do a full deep dive (like you should), but these things are telling even at a surface level. Here’s how you can check your social media engagement rate to determine if you’re getting the actionable metrics you need to boost your personal brand: **Engagement Rate = Total Engagement / Total Followers x 100%** In this case, let’s consider likes and comments as your Total Engagement. As an example, let’s say Personal Brand A has the following vanity metrics: - **500 likes** - **20 comments** - **8,000 followers** To determine your average engagement rate, you would calculate 500+20/8,000. This comes out to a 6.5% engagement rate, which is twice the average engagement rate for social media posts. Now you know that this month, your personal brand and content are doing well and heading in the right direction. **RELATED:** [**DO CEOS NEED THEIR OWN PERSONAL BRAND? 5 TIPS FOR EXECUTIVE BRANDING**](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) ### **Clicks** Most social media platforms display how many clicks your website gets every day or week. If nobody is clicking on your website, it’s time to re-analyze your personal brand and your content. Clicks also matter in your email marketing. Your click-through-rate shows how many people click on your email (or links within your email) compared to how many people received your email (impressions). A tangible goal to hit for click-through rates is about 2%. If you’re hitting that number, it means the imagery, the copy, and the call to action of your ad= or freebie offer speak to your intended audience. ### **Website Journey** It’s important to make sure that you link your website to Google Analytics. This report details past and in-real-time actionable metrics that your audience makes on your pages. Use Google Analytics to see which blog or social media platform is driving your website the most traffic. Keep track of the habits consumers make on your website and see where they exit without making a sale or contacting you. **RELATED:** [**10 TIPS TO CREATE A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY**](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/) Your Google Analytics tells you your overall Audience demographic (location, age, gender, etc.), but it also explains their behavior. You can see: - **How long they stay on your website** - **Which content they read the most** - **New versus returning visitors** - **Exit pages (where they left your website without taking action)** - **Acquisition (how they found your website)** The Users Flow section of your analytics is telling. It’s essentially a map of your audience’s journey. It will show the Starting Page – 1st Interaction – 2nd Interaction and so forth. If you see a massive drop on your Contact or Checkout pages, you need to tweak those sections of your website to get a hot lead or sale. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** social media marketing, social media marketing strategy, vanity metrics, vanity metrics vs actionable metrics --- ### [How To Grow Your Business in 6 Months](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-in-6-months/) **Published:** January 27, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** In 2019, I was at a point where I knew I needed my business to expand. Despite being in the personal branding space for over a decade, my approach to clients always came from my company’s perspective. Based on my experience, I’m telling you that [**you need to get rid of the company branding if you want to grow your business.**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) It’s been a while since I’ve talked to you about these facts, but even in 2021, it’s still true that 92% of people[ trust recommendations from individuals](http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/press-room/2012/nielsen-global-consumers-trust-in-earned-advertising-grows.html) (even if they don’t know them) over brands. The reason my company brand approach for [Online Profile Pros](https://onlineprofilepros.com/) quit reeling in as many clients as it did back in 2010 is because of the switch to personal branding. That’s why, over the last year or so, I’ve **rebranded all of my businesses to have[ a personal approach— me!](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/)** Since taking this approach, I’ve been able to generate consistent client discovery calls *and* conversions than I ever did with my company brand. However, a lot of work went on behind the scenes. It took a lot more than my friendly face to get my companies where they are now. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO REBRAND YOURSELF – MY EXPERIENCE**](https://clairebahn.com/rebrand-yourself/) ## **How To Grow Your Business in 6 Months** These past six months for me have been the most profitable. Not only have I **fine-tuned my process enough to build my team, but I have leads coming to me passively and actively.** And you need *both* if you want your brand to thrive and succeed. So what did I do these past six months to help my business grow? Below are the first three things I did (keep in mind, you need to be consistent in your branding and marketing before you can move on to the last few steps). ![grow-your-business](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Claire-Bahn-Personal-Branding-Strategist-1-2-1024x576.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist (1) - Claire Bahn") ## **1. Define Your Personal Brand** As cliche as it might sounds, being yourself is the only way to market yourself in 2021. If you want to grow your business, you need to define who you are and what you want your brand to do for others. I’ve taken on a handful of clients whose marketing wasn’t consistent with who they are as a person. This left them feeling little passion for their business because their messaging didn’t resonate. It might not sound like a huge deal (fake it till you make it, right?), but it is. You wouldn’t build a seafood restaurant and then name it Burger Palace because burgers seem to sell more. So don’t brand yourself as a [charismatic CEO](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/) when, in real life, you’re more of a blunt, no-nonsense type of talker. The way you portray yourself matters. Do it honestly, and you can grow your business. Pretend to be someone else, and you’ll be inconsistent, unfulfilled, and slow to develop. I have plenty of blogs on building your personal brand, but here are my favorite methods: **RELATED:** [**THE FIRST 5 THINGS YOU SHOULD DO WHEN BUILDING YOUR BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-brand/) ### **Create Your Personal Branding Statement** I [have an easy formula for writing a personal brand statement that sells.](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) This is essentially your elevator pitch but in a single sentence. You need to explain your expertise, your client’s pain points, and the transition you help people go through. ### **Figure Out Your Content Pillars** Your content pillars will be the topics you speak on the most. If you’re an author, you should have the expertise to talk about grammar, writing techniques, and maybe self-publishing. These content pillars will be the topics you speak on the most. This [makes creating content easy](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-a-strong-social-media-content-strategy/) which means you’ll be consistent and reliable. ### **Research SEO Keywords** Once you know your personal brand’s area of expertise, it’s time to dig into the research. Besides slight competition research, the big goal here is to know your SEO keywords. These keywords should appear in your blogs, YouTube videos, copy, and social media content. ### **Start Creating Long-Form Content** Now, most importantly, it’s time to start creating content for your audiences. Social media I a great place to start trying to grow your brand, but remember you need your own platform. Long-form content lets the audience get to like and know you. And if you’re consistent, then they’ll be able to trust you. Long-form content is typically blogs, YouTube videos, or a podcast. **RELATED:** [**HOW TO CREATE A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT STRATEGY**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-a-strong-social-media-content-strategy/) ## **2. Draw Up Your Business Plan To Grow Your Business** The next step is to write your business plan. You want to do this *second* because you need to determine your personal goals (aka your personal brand) to know what ***you what to do.*** Now, we’re going to map out ***where you want to go.*** ### **Ideal Client Persona** If you’re looking to grow your business, you need to understand your target audience. By picking your personal brand’s content pillars, you know what you want to talk about. But why does your *audience* want to learn these things, and how can you help them solve their problems? The only way to determine this is to know who your audience is. Figure out your target demographic (age, gender, and location). More importantly, imagine what these people dream about and struggle with daily. ### **Monetary Goals** Your business, ideally, is going to take you from a side hustle to a full-time entrepreneur. And if you already have your foot in the door, this will help you scale your business. Be realistic about these goals. Figure out what you need to charge based on your expertise and time spent on projects. Remember to factor in expenses such as monthly memberships or a CPA. Then, outline your revenue goals for every quarter. ### **Plan Your Social Media Schedule** Just like your monetary business plan goals, your social media schedule should be realistic. If you’re new to entrepreneurship, you shouldn’t expect to hit $10K months in your first quarter. And if you’re new to social media, you shouldn’t expect yourself to be on every social media platform and post three times a day. **RELATED:** [**5 STEPS TO DEVELOPING A PERSONAL BRAND FOR BEGINNERS**](https://clairebahn.com/developing-personal-brand/) ## ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Grow-Your-Business-in-6-Months-with-These-Three-Hacks.jpg "Grow Your Business in 6 Months with These Three Hacks - Claire Bahn") ## **3. Inbound and Outbound Marketing** Boosting your business is all about how well you market. With your personal brand, marketing can be a breeze— if you know where to start. ### **Inbound Marketing** This is where most new personal brands start. This is organic marketing, including SEO blogs, content marketing, and using strategic hashtags on Instagram. Organic marketing can go a long way to grow your business. However, the best way to get people to trust your brand is to showcase client testimonials, reviews, and social proof routinely. One thing that is undeniable when it comes to organic marketing is the success of video. Video content marketing acts fast to bring you in leads for your business. [One study finds](https://www.markinblog.com/branding-statistics/), “54% of consumers would like to see video content from the brands they support.” So remember that long-form content we discussed? [YouTube videos are a great way to see a quick Return On Investment.](https://clairebahn.com/youtube-tips/) ### **Outbound Marketing** Outbound marketing typically refers to paid advertising, but it doesn’t have to. With your personal brand defined and a content strategy in place, now is the time to build outward confidence in what you have to offer. This is when you want to reach out to your sphere of influence for referrals. It also means [kicking ass at networking events](https://clairebahn.com/networking-tips/). And if you’re like me (a business owner stuck in California), then networking online maybe your online option. Attend digital conferences, genuinely converse with your ideal client on social media direct massagers, and start booking those sales calls. ![grow-your-business-in-6-months](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Claire-Bahn-Personal-Branding-Strategist-4-1024x576.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") ## **Next Steps: How To Grow Your Business After Hitting Your Goals** Here’s where I want you to **stop.** You should solidify these first three steps in your first three months with your new personal brand. Yes, you can change things slightly as your brand grows, but these are the building blocks that set up your business’s *entire foundation.* These next steps will take place over three months, thus completing your six-month business growth cycle. But ask yourself if you’re really ready to move forward. I know that you’re impatient to grow your business, but jumping into it before you’re ready is never the answer. Before you move forward with what I have for you down below, go back and look over Steps 1-3. Are you resonating with the personal brand your promoting on social media? No? Tweak it a bit and start again. Is your ideal client resonating with your personal brand enough to buy from you? You’ll know if they are because of your business plan. If you haven’t hit a single monetary goal, don’t move forward quite yet. Go through the first three steps again and see how things look in 3-6 months down the line. When things are looking good in terms of your business growth, now you’re ready to scale. Here’s how: ### **Outsource** No matter how hard you try, you can’t grow your business without support. It’s up to you where you outsource first. I recommend hiring someone to do the work you’re not good at or that you don’t enjoy doing. I enjoy hiring copywriters, social media managers, and marketing managers for my business. However, your first outsourcing gigs will typically be virtual assistants (VA), graphic designers, or personal branding strategist. ### **Paid Ads** Ads are only a good idea if you know who your ideal client is. Social media and Google ads depend on this knowledge for you to see an ROI for your paid ads. That’s why this is one of the last steps to grow your business— to avoid losing thousands of dollars with arbitrary ads, **RELATED:** [**4 REASONS YOU NEED VIDEO CONTENT MARKETING FOR YOUR PERSONAL BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) ### **Book Press or Speaking Gigs** Since you’ve already worked on networking and content marketing tactics for your inner circle, it’s time to branch out. Getting your name in the press serves two purposes. One is because it looks impressive. That’s that social proof that you need to be sharing on social media. The second reason is that it helps you reach new audiences. Speaking gig opportunities are also two-fold. It puts you in front of an audience who inherently like, know, and trust you Plus, speaking gigs can be paid positions for your personal brand. Do well, and this can be an easy way to supplement your income. You can hire a PR firm to book your speaking gigs or help you with press opportunities. There is also plenty of ways you can do this yourself. Help a Reporter Out (HARO) is the perfect platform to pitch your expertise to journalists. Likewise, if you’re good at copywriting, it’s easy to pitch yourself to podcast hosts with an episode idea. Podcasts are always looking for guest speakers, so there’s no shame in reaching out to them. ### **Create Courses or Write a Book** And finally, the most tell-tale sign that you’ve made something of yourself these days is having your own online course. However, I don’t recommend doing this before you’re hitting your monthly revenue goals with clients or products. Once you have a flawless system and consistent income, you can use your growing audience base to bring in more money for your business. Courses can range anywhere from$100 to over $1,000 per person. That’s a huge opportunity to boost your business revenue and goals. If video is not your thing, you can always write a book. You shouldn’t come to this decision lightly, though. Anyone can publish a book, but it takes a lot of work to earn a living (or even supplemental income) from it. That’s what being loyal to your personal brand and knowing your audience is paramount to your business’ success from beginning to end. If you’ve done it well and you do decide to write a book, you’ll have an audience waiting to pre-order. And writing the book will be easier. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** how to grow your business, how to grow your business online, how to grow your business with your personal brand --- ### [How Being a Podcast Guest Elevates Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/how-being-a-podcast-guest-elevates-your-personal-brand/) **Published:** March 10, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** “Entrepreneur” and “business expert” may be words associated with your personal brand, but adding “podcast guest” to that list introduces a whole new dynamic. You’ve likely put a ton of work into cultivating your personal brand and it deserves to be shown off. That’s where public relations come in. PR and personal branding are [two very different](https://medium.com/swlh/do-you-know-the-difference-between-pr-and-personal-branding-you-should-42ef229153c3) things that share a symbiotic relationship – one cannot thrive without the other. Incorporating PR into your brand’s plan reminds people that they should care about you and what you’re doing. It creates a lasting footprint for your brand through structured, consistent content like press releases, YouTube videos, and yes – podcasts. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/podcast-guests.png "podcast guests - Claire Bahn") ### **Podcasts Are Growing** Gone are the days of crowding around the radio or channel surfing through FM stations during your morning commute. Instead, we can scroll through our smartphones, hunt through niche topics of our choice, and tune into our favorite shows whenever we want. Before becoming widely popular, the first rendition of podcasts came in the 1980s. Back then it was known as [“audio blogging.”](https://brandastic.com/blog/why-are-podcasts-so-popular/) It wasn’t until the early 2000s that new technology made it possible to easily share those audio files. Tech connoisseurs learned that they had the ability to widely share their individual recordings without the help of expensive high-end equipment. Much to many people’s disbelief, the term for this new technology was not coined by Apple or another tech giant. In 2004, an unsuspecting writer for The Guardian coined the word “podcast.” The word accumulated thousands of Google search hits that same year. And the rest is history. While the popularity of podcasts has ebbed and flowed over the years, they have once again captured the attention of a diverse, modern audience. Currently, there are [more than 1,750,000 podcasts](https://www.podcastinsights.com/podcast-statistics/) out there. Thinking you’d be crazy not to tap into this PR resource? Yes, I would agree. I’ve been a [podcast guest](https://bretttrainor.com/2021/02/23/why-your-personal-brand-matters-for-founders-with-brand-strategist-claire-bahn/) on a number of shows since beginning my personal branding journey. It was a rewarding experience and a unique opportunity to (shamelessly) take the spotlight. I used those opportunities to talk about [how to create a compelling personal brand,](https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-claire-bahn-personal-branding-expert/) the ROI a personal brand can accrue, and how valuable branding is for entrepreneurs. Being on podcasts gave me the ideal platform to plug my own personal brand *and* prove to listeners that I’m an expert in my field. Each episode took my brand up a notch – remember, PR and personal branding go hand-in-hand. ## **How To Become a Regular Podcast Guest** ![This Week in Startups podcast](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/how-to-be-a-podcast-guest.png "how to be a podcast guest - Claire Bahn") Have I sold you on the magic of podcasts yet? Good. Your brand’s audience will be thanking you later. There are a ton of plus sides to making podcasts work for your personal brand. Routinely securing gigs as a podcast guest can give you and your brand extra leverage when you want to book paid speaking opportunities. Before you turn your nose up at doing something for free, remember that showing off your brand on a podcast has the potential for helping you to see greater financial gains later on. Not only will you see a greater ROI after making regular podcast guest appearances, but it will also expand your network. This means connecting with other professionals in your industry and reaching an even wider audience with your personal brand’s message. All of this may sound too good to be true – but don’t underestimate the amount of effort that needs to be put in on your end before seeing the fruits of your guest speaking labor. Showing up on others’ platforms helps you showcase your expertise as an entrepreneur. This is different from your brand’s behind-the-scenes content, like blogs, social media, and YouTube videos. You can rewrite, edit, and perfect your message of expertise over and over again with those forms of content. But when you’re a podcast guest, there’s less room for error. [50% of all U.S. households are fans of podcasts](https://podcasthosting.org/podcast-statistics/). So yes, people are *actually* listening. It’s your time to shine in the spotlight, so make sure you really know your stuff. Now, I’m going to share with you the methods that helped me to land regular gigs as a podcast guest. And no, it’s not as easy as sending out cold emails to your favorite hosts and hoping for the best. **RELATED: [WHY PERSONAL BRANDING IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS IN 2021](https://clairebahn.com/why-personal-branding-is-the-key-to-success-in-2021/)** ### **Step 1. Work On Your Personal Brand** We all know the value of having a clean, updated [online presence for your personal brand. ](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/) Before you start pitching yourself to other professionals and podcast hosts, you’ll want to work on making sure your personal brand represents the truest version of yourself and your business’s mission. Make sure that when people navigate to your website and social accounts that they can see right away who you are and what you do. The best and easiest place to start would be with your social media profile photos and bios. It’s no secret that human beings are quick to judge, so the initial impressions of your brand are crucial to landing podcast gigs. You don’t have to take my advice on this, but I *do* own a[ successful business based entirely on this concept.](https://onlineprofilepros.com/) Just saying. I suggest hiring a professional photographer and scheduling a styled photoshoot for yourself. However, if that isn’t doable right now, investing in a tripod and learning how to use a self-timer on your phone or digital camera can help you snap a professional headshot. Now let’s talk about your social media bios. Most of these have to be short. So make sure [you’re including enough about yourself,](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/) your brand, and what you do in each one. It’s also important to link to your brand’s website so that they can read more about you. Producing[ video content](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) is another way to set yourself apart from other aspiring podcast guests. Podcasts are all about auditory messaging, and videos show podcast hosts that you know how to speak elegantly. So they’ll trust you to do the same on their show. If videos are a foreign concept to you, spend some time researching[ YouTube video ideas](https://clairebahn.com/youtube-ideas-for-personal-brands/) for your brand. While I’ve recorded and edited several videos for my business, I will admit that it takes some practice and patience. But it’s well worth the effort! **RELATED: [PERSONAL BRAND STATEMENT EXAMPLES & TIPS TO CREATE YOUR OWN](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-statement-examples/)** ### **Step 2. Have a Consistent Presence on Your Social Media Platforms** Once you’ve got your profile feeling professional, it’s time to take a serious look at the content you’re posting and when you’re posting it. [Social media is a powerful tool](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/) if used correctly. By sharing content that speaks to your personal brand, you’re proving that you’re an industry expert who deserves to be someone’s next podcast guest. Not only should you be consistently posting across all of your brand’s social media accounts, but you should also be consistent in the types of content you’re sharing. Each of your social accounts should showcase a healthy mixture of your personal lifestyle, your work life, and helpful advice related to your industry. Incorporating these elements makes your brand appear more transparent to your audience and to potential podcast hosts. After all, most people prefer to chat with a friend rather than a total stranger. Aside from fluff posts, like divulging your usual coffee order or your recent Netflix series binge, you should consistently speak to your personal brand’s content pillars. [Content pillars](https://later.com/blog/content-pillars-for-social-media/) define your area of expertise and the ideal audience you want to engage with. They include the range of topics that are relevant to your business and that you choose to associate your brand with online. Typically, you’ll want to niche your content pillars down to 1-2 topics. This will help you keep your content focused and effective. For example, my content pillars include personal brand strategy and serving future industry leaders. After you’ve checked off all of the above from your to-do list, start engaging with podcast hosts on a regular basis. If you have no clue where to start, search for podcasts related to your industry with hashtags on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Twitter. For example, CPAs could search #financepodcast, or growing entrepreneurs could search #startuppodcast. By engaging with podcasts regularly, you’ll captivate the hosts’ attention with your impressive online presence and convince them that you’re worthy of a guest appearance. **RELATED: [SIMPLE AND INGENIOUS WAYS TO BUILD BRAND AWARENESS](https://clairebahn.com/brand-awareness/)** ### ![how to be a podcast guest](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/CB-Pinterest-Templates-1-683x1024.png "CB Pinterest Templates - Claire Bahn") ### **Step 3. Display Social Proof** Just like you wouldn’t hire a handyman with terrible or zero reviews, podcast hosts aren’t going to have you on their show if you have nothing to prove that people trust you’re as intelligible as you say you are. That’s why you have to hit them with loads of social proof. [Social proof](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/social-proof/) is rooted in marketing psychology that people will want to follow in the footsteps of the masses. If so many people are purchasing a product or service, it must be good, right? Your forms of social proof may vary depending on whether your business is aimed at being a [B2B or a B2C.](https://blog.hubspot.com/agency/differences-b2c-b2b-marketing) B2B means business-to-business and describes businesses that serve other businesses. Most B2B marketing is directed toward the needs of those who are purchasing services on behalf of their organization. If your personal brand leans toward a B2B model, then your social proof should include clients’ analytic proof of success. B2C means business-to-consumer and describes businesses whose ideal clients are individual customers rather than professional organizations. B2C marketing targets the needs and interests of people’s everyday lives. If B2C sounds more like your brand, then you should show off its customer reviews and user-generated content from people using your product. A huge social proof bonus is the inclusion of publication logos on your website.[ Look at my website homepage as an example.](https://clairebahn.com/) Any publications or websites that have mentioned your business should be plastered across your digital presence – without being tacky, of course. Always include the phrase “As Seen In” for your social media bios, your website’s About Me page, and in your brand’s Instagram Highlights. Any sort of prior media coverage will lend a huge help in making you a podcast guest. Podcast hosts want a guest who’s worth talking about. And if another media outlet is already spotlighting your business, hosts will want you on their show ASAP. **RELATED: [HOW YOUR PERSONAL BRAND CAN FUTURE-PROOF YOUR CAREER](https://clairebahn.com/your-personal-brand-future-proof-your-career/)** ### **Step 4. Open Lines of Communication** Establishing lines of communication between you and your audience may seem like an obvious necessity when operating a business. But when was the last time you triple-checked your [Contact Me](https://clairebahn.com/contact-claire-2/) page? You have to make it easy for people to contact you. That’s the bottom line. While you think having an email address on your website is easily accessible, future clients and interested podcast hosts might navigate somewhere else to reach you first. That’s why you should have your email clearly visible across your social media channels and on your website. Make sure your brand’s social media accounts aren’t set to deter new connections away; Like, having your account set to private or prohibiting DMs from accounts you don’t already follow. And if your inboxes aren’t flooded with interested podcast hosts, take matters into your own hands. Don’t be afraid to pitch yourself to podcast hosts. Before pitching yourself, be sure to know what you’re trying to gain out of being a podcast guest. Are you trying to earn more credibility among other industry leaders or are you hoping to gain more clients? Either way, increased visibility of your brand is an inevitable win once you book a guest appearance. You shouldn’t message any and every podcast out there when pitching. Do your research and start small. Already-established connections with podcasters are a good starting point. Contact friends, family, and colleagues who may already know someone who’d like to host you on their show. Reach out to niche podcasts that you may already be listening to. With a hyper-focused topic, shows will be more likely to book you if your personal brand fits the bill. Search for podcasts that are just starting out. Hosts that are also eager to grow their audience will be willing to book you even if you’re new to the podcasting game. ## **Why Being On Podcasts is Good For Your Personal Brand** ![podcast guesting](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/podcast-statistics.png "podcast statistics - Claire Bahn") You can choose to shy away from podcasts, but the fact is that audio content is growing in more ways than just tuning in for a radio show. Tech is taking a new, welcoming turn toward audio communications. And if you can’t beat them, you’d better join them. Just look at Clubhouse. Though it’s still in the works, Clubhouse will be a new social networking app designed entirely around audio communication. Aside from the pressures of the everchanging stages of modern tech, there are a number of reasons that make podcasts worth your time. Being a podcast guest exposes you to an entirely new audience. As a business owner, this idea alone should excite you. The total number of podcast listeners has seen a consistent [20% growth rate](https://www.nielsen.com/us/en/insights/article/2020/podcast-content-is-growing-audio-engagement/) over the years. You can bet that your brand will be news to some of those listeners. Putting your business out there in new ways will help to get you [in front of engaged communities](https://www.tellpublicrelations.com/post/why-you-should-make-podcasts-a-part-of-your-media-strategy) who are ready to purchase your product or services. An engaged podcast following results in loyal listeners who are willing to support guests on the show – whether that means sharing your episode or buying from your brand. Adding podcast episodes to your list of multimedia content shows how versatile you are as a personal brand; especially if you have video content, blogs, and you’re impressively consistent on social media. #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** how to be a podcast guest, podcast guesting, podcasts --- ### [10 Habits of Successful People](https://clairebahn.com/10-habits-of-successful-people/) **Published:** April 22, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Rewarding careers, financial security, luxurious vacations, and a close-knit family – all of these things are correlated with most people’s definitions of success. But how can someone achieve it all? The “secret” lies in the daily habits of successful people. Feeling like there are never enough hours in the day is something all entrepreneurs struggle with from time to time. It’s even more frustrating to watch other industry leaders achieve a new business goal every other day (I’m looking at you, LinkedIn addicts). Everyone has the same number of hours in a day, so why aren’t we all living the high life and checking things off our bucket lists each week? It may sound strange, but some of the most influential people attribute their success to their routines. And not just their office routines, but lifestyle routines that prepare them for the non-stop hustle. Now, emulating the habits of successful people may not lead to immediate industry leader status. But it will definitely set you up for a future of sustainable success without feeling burnout. If you’re thinking, “*Oh great, more things to add to my to-do list*,” I hear you. Remember that much of how we spend our waking hours depends on where our priorities are. If a consistent routine puts you in a better place mentally and professionally, why wouldn’t you make it a top priority? **RELATED: [HOW TO FIND YOUR PERSONAL BRAND VOICE](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-personal-brand-voice/)** ## **Why Are Habits Important for Success?** Just like warming up before a workout or outlining a budget before investing, good daily habits prepare you for a day’s worth of hard work as a business owner. So, why are habits important for success? They help to lay an important internal foundation for anyone who has ambitious goals and a ton on their plate. [Burnout](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/363899) is a hot topic right now – and for good reason. Thought leaders and business owners are notorious for overworking themselves. With to-do lists a mile long and a ticking clock reminding us to put our noses to the grind, burnout seems inevitable, right? *Wrong.* Investing energy into constructive routines is direct preventive action against burnout. Adhering to the habits of successful people will guide you one step closer toward achieving those ambitious goals worthy of a humble LinkedIn brag. Consistent, positive habits that work well for you can help you set actionable intentions for the day. A clear, focused mind will unlock those supposed extra hours that some of us struggle to find. ## ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CB-Pinterest-Templates-2-683x1024.png "CB Pinterest Templates-2 - Claire Bahn") ## **10 Daily Habits of Successful People** You may be surprised to learn that many habits of successful people are relatively reasonable and easy to prioritize. With the right intentions and regular mental check-ins, your colleagues will start asking you for your own “secret” to success. **RELATED: [WHAT ARE LIMITING BELIEFS?](https://clairebahn.com/limiting-beliefs/)** ## **1. Sleep 8 Hours** ![Why are habits important for success](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") We’ve all heard it – [8 hours of restful sleep](https://qz.com/1301123/why-eight-hours-a-night-isnt-enough-according-to-a-leading-sleep-scientist/) is essential to living a healthy life. Not only does it give you a clearer mind, but good sleep hygiene can also prevent a number of life-threatening health conditions. Getting a full 8 hours is sometimes easier said than done when you’re on the go. And just when you begin to quiet your racing thoughts… your alarm goes off. But, if we follow the [routines of industry leaders like Oprah](https://www.balancethegrind.com.au/daily-routines/oprah-winfrey-daily-routine/#:~:text=The%20eight%20things%20Oprah%20needs,choose%20from%20each%20day%2C%20meditation) or Jeff Bezos, waking up at the crack of dawn isn’t always included in the habits of successful people. That’s right, two of the arguably most influential people on earth are strong advocates against alarm clocks. Instead, they choose to wake up naturally. Waking to an alarm triggers stress and adrenaline, setting you up for a day that’s bound to follow a similar motif. [Studies suggest](https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-017-03171-4) that earlier risers aren’t necessarily more productive. So be kind to your sleep schedule and ditch the blaring 5 a.m. alarm. ## **2. Have a Strict Morning Routine** ![10-habits-of-successful-people](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/3.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") If you’re going to establish any sort of routine for yourself, make sure it’s in the morning. Starting your day off with a plan sets the momentum for the rest of the day. Your morning routine should allow for a bit of self-care and time for reflection. The last thing it should do is stress you out, so make sure you include things you enjoy doing. For example, a balanced morning routine could include waking up naturally and jotting down your daily intentions in a journal. Then, a solid workout will get the blood flowing before reaching for a cup of coffee. Afterward, indulging in a skincare routine and taking several minutes to meditate will feel like a restorative spa day before jumping into emails. Sticking to a routine like this can help you find the motivation to crush your daily goals and avoid burnout. Be protective of your morning rituals by making sure that, no matter how many emails are waiting, you’ve taken well-deserved time for yourself. ## **3. Write Your To-Do List** ![Daily habits of successful people](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/4.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") Without doing a ton of research, you’ll quickly find that to-do lists are a core element to the habits of successful people. The act of physically writing down what you have to get done in a workday is almost therapeutic. It’ll put your mind at ease by seeing your tasks on paper, making it all much more digestible. Keep your to-do list short, simple, and – most importantly – realistic. Burn out will creep up *real* fast if you never feel a sense of accomplishment. The “hack” to feeling accomplished is to create attainable daily goals. You’re probably not going to get an entire business proposal drafted up in a single day when you have meetings, emails, and a life outside of the office. Instead, divide larger tasks into more manageable segments that can be added to daily to-do lists. Do this the day before to eliminate decision-making throughout the following day. You’re giving your future self a plan to commit to, so stick with it. ## **4. Hydrate First** ![morning-routine-success](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/5.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") Skip reaching for tea or coffee first thing in the morning. Instead, refuel your body with what it really needs after hours of sleep: water. Your body is dehydrated after a night of restful sleep, so [nourish it with water](https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/drinking-water-in-the-morning#popular-claims) to reinvigorate yourself and initiate productivity. Caffeine has its place, but it’s not the only solution to upping your energy levels. If water isn’t an appealing morning drink, add fruit like lemons or raspberries. Personally, I love having a pitcher of flavored water in my refrigerator at all times. It makes for the perfect pick-me-up in the morning, after a workout, and during a midday slump. Aim to drink the recommended amount of water every day (8 glasses). Maybe it sounds silly, but treating yourself to a fancy water bottle that you don’t mind toting around can really help get those ounces in. That’s not to say you need to completely eliminate your favorite tea or coffee from your morning routine. But prioritizing your body’s needs will give your more energy and mental clarity than a venti latte from Starbucks ever will. **RELATED: [WHAT IS REPUTATION MANAGEMENT AND REASONS YOU MIGHT NEED IT](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/)** ## **5. Be Self-Aware** ![10-habits-of-successful-people](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/6.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") Contemplating our life goals, what makes us truly happy, and the direction we want to take our businesses is all a matter of self-awareness. Reflecting on the inner self is a profound aspect of the habits of successful people because it allows for honest, genuine intentions. Mindlessly playing the role of aspiring industry leader will lead to a fruitless career and a nagging desire to feel fulfilled. Steve Jobs would ask himself this every morning: “If this were my last day, would I want to be doing this?” If you keep answering ‘no’ over and over again, then it’s time to change your path. Take this as a sign to move into a more fulfilling and successful direction. Start looking for another job, really dig into your side hustle, or make a plan on how you can get that promotion at work (spoiler alert: [your personal brand can help with this!](https://clairebahn.com/your-personal-brand-future-proof-your-career/)) Daily journaling helps a ton with channeling self-awareness. Don’t be afraid to write it down and meditate on it. ## **6. Always Keep Learning** ![10-habits-of-successful-people](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/7.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") No matter how much you think you know about your business, there will always be more to learn. So set time aside every day to read articles about your industry. [Stay on top of industry trends](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/) to be a part of the ongoing conversations happening between other industry leaders. With technology at our fingertips, you have no excuse not to keep up with your competitors and colleagues. All of this is time well spent; I’m not encouraging you to fall into an endless scroll on your social media feeds. Absorb as much as you can and use what you learn to form your own unique perspective that you want to share with your audience. Once you’ve got your mind buzzing, develop content around your unique perspective! If what you’ve got to say is timely, jump on TikTok or Instagram Stories and make your thoughts heard. A true successful [thought leader](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-an-industry-leader/) doesn’t hesitate at the chance to voice their opinion or perspective. ## **7. Communicate Often** ![successful-ceo-habits](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/8.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") Being an industry leader doesn’t mean just sharing your own thoughts; it’s also about listening to others and fostering open lines of communication. The habits of successful people tend to incorporate a human element. Spending a few hours with a successful person and you’ll learn that they’re very people-oriented, which can go a long way in any industry. Always be open to opportunities for networking and collaborations. In many cases, who you know can leverage your personal brand into spaces you may have never considered before. A great way to get a jump on networking is to sign up for an event related to your industry.[ I visited Alt Summit ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xl3rFuHkutQ)a few years ago and it was one of the most rewarding moments I experienced with my brand! Be careful who you’re spending all of your time with, though. Putting all of your energy into brushing elbows with other industry leaders might take time away from engaging with your audience and hearing other points of view. ## **8. Exercise or Meditate** ![Habits that make you successful](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Claire-Bahn-Personal-Branding-Strategist.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") Nothing is quite as energizing as that post-workout rush – except maybe a few moments of mindful meditation. One of the most common habits of successful people is a well-developed sense of health consciousness. Constantly sacrificing your wellbeing to get ahead in your business is toxic and will lead to not only your demise but also your brand’s. 30 minutes a day of exercise or [meditation](https://www.inc.com/james-paine/11-famous-entrepreneurs-who-meditate-daily.html) – or both! – improves your mental clarity and energy. Similar to getting a regular workout in, [mindfulness and breathing exercises](https://balancingelephants.com/learn-how-to-breathe-well-breathwork-benefits/) are proven to reduce stress, too. Being a strong leader doesn’t mean bossing people around and being on edge 24/7. Take Jeff Weiner for example The LinkedIn CEO writes meditation into his daily schedules; for him, the practice enhances his productivity while also teaching a greater sense of empathy and compassion. I suggest incorporating a workout and mindfulness into your morning routine. Getting it done early helps to clear up your workday schedule and prepares you for what lies ahead. ## **9. Work on Multiple Streams of Income** ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/10.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") If you’re marketing your brand through a single social media platform or you’re entirely reliant on one aspect of your business to make money, it’s time to reevaluate. Among the most common habits of successful people is the development of multiple streams of income. Yes, that means adding more to your plate, but with a manageable routine, it can be done. Successful people don’t put all their eggs in one basket. They have multiple streams of income, which means they’re finding new ways every day to make money. If they’re not learning new ways to make money, they’re nurturing and checking their current income streams every day. Whether that’s checking their stocks, filling orders, touching base with past clients and referrals, [creating inbound marketing strategies](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-in-6-months/), etc. ## **10. Unplug** ![10-habits-of-successful-people](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/11.png "Claire Bahn Personal Branding Strategist - Claire Bahn") Don’t hate me for saying this but… [Step away from your phone](https://clairebahn.com/productivity-when-working-from-home/)! Wondering where all of that time ran off to? Well, check your daily screentime. Scrolling for hours on end is a total time suck. Once you’ve settled in front of your computer and you’re ready to get working, keep your phone at a distance so you aren’t tempted to fall victim to doom scrolling. If you use social media as part of your work, use your computer to navigate these sites instead. Another helpful way to keep your screen time in check is to use time restrictions on your apps. iPhones and other third-party time management apps allow for customized time settings for individual app usage. Social media is a helpful tool, but it can quickly become your worst enemy if you aren’t mindful of how you’re using it. **RELATED: [HOW STARTUP FOUNDERS CAN STEP UP THEIR PERSONAL BRANDING IN 5 STEPS](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/)** ## **Habits of Successful People— Tangible Tips** Like I said, following these habits of successful people may not lead to a quick 180 of your business, but they do promise immediate gratification in your health, productivity, and happiness. Making some of these changes to your daily routine has the potential to take you and your personal brand to an entirely new level. No more feeling stuck in a rut or like you never stop working. So, out of those 10 habits, which ones should you tackle first? ## Where To Start: **1. Communicate often.** So, let’s talk![ Follow me on social media](https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebahn/) and I’d be happy to learn more about you, your brand, and what your goals are. **2. Establish multiple streams of income.** A great place to start is on social media sites. YouTubers are at the top of their game right now, [so learn how you can also start making money from YouTube content](https://clairebahn.com/how-do-people-make-money-on-youtube/). **3. Always keep learning.** If social media posts and articles about your industry aren’t cutting it for you, [join my 5 day Masterclass.](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips **Tags:** Daily habits of successful people, Habits that make you successful, Why are habits important for success --- ### [What is Lead Generation? A Beginner’s Guide](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-lead-generation/) **Published:** April 28, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** What is lead generation? It’s the one piece of content that actually indicates whether or not your audience is willing to buy from you. In today’s market, consumers trust personal brands more than they trust company brands. According to Nielson, “[Ninety-two percent](http://www.nielsen.com/us/en/press-room/2012/nielsen-global-consumers-trust-in-earned-advertising-grows.html) of people trust recommendations from individuals (even if they don’t know them) over brands.” But it’s not just enough to show up. You have to get people to like, know, and trust you with your content first. This means blogs, social media, and video content. Then, you need to create a *free* offer to validate your expertise further. An online influencer may be able to convince their followers to buy a $15 product from Amazon with a simple video review, but if you want people to buy your $500 service or course, you’re going to need to prove *yourself*, too. This where opt-ins come into play. **An opt-in** is a pop-up or landing page where your ideal client can give their email to download (or watch) your free tips. You need to have this type of opt-in content *on top* of your regular content to generate leads. Generating leads is one of the best ways to continuously and passively stimulate interest in your brand. If this sounds a little overwhelming, I get it. But don’t worry, because below is your complete beginner’s guide to lead generation. ## **What is a Lead?** ![lead generation marketing](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/4-1.png "what is a lead - Claire Bahn") When people ask me what lead generation is, I always start with the basics. I’m sure that you’re aware that **a lead is someone interested in your product or service.** They will *always* initiate interest *first* by signing up for your opt-in (usually some sort of free content). But before you create that freebie or even your social media tips, you need to understand exactly what your ideal client is going through and what they’re thinking. If you don’t, then you won’t be getting any qualified leads. That means, you guessed it, no sales. A **qualified lead** is someone who enters your lead generation software that is your ideal client. Your **lead generation software typically referring to your email list** or the company that hosts your webinar (i.e. [WebinarJam](https://www.google.com/aclk?sa=l&ai=DChcSEwiSppuf-JzwAhUm9uMHHe3hDkgYABABGgJ5bQ&ae=2&sig=AOD64_209jLStHTuMohLbbpK80yT1lJq8A&q&adurl&ved=2ahUKEwiFqJKf-JzwAhUkZN8KHWuUAioQ0Qx6BAgDEAE)). **RELATED: [WHAT IS OMNICHANNEL MARKETING?](https://clairebahn.com/omnichannel-marketing/)** ### **Different Types of Leads** The good news is, there are different types of qualified leads. As long as you’re doing your due diligence by consistently putting yourself out there, these leads can turn in paying clients in no time. Let me explain the different types of leads and what you can do to nurture each of them. - **Marketing lead:** someone who engages with your content but has not made a move to buy from you. These people might sign up for your freebie, but they don’t seem interested in contacting you for your product or service… yet. This why providing tons of FREE valuable content is necessary for your business growth. After you give them a bunch of free goodies, they’ll eventually want more. - **Sales Qualified lead:** someone who uses your contact form to inquire about your product or service. Aka [anyone who books a consultation/strategy call](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/). This is where your customer service comes in handy. - **Product or Service Lead:** people who have previously signed up for your marketing leads or have purchased from you in the past. Now, they’re interested in getting more out of their experience. This is an excellent place for your sales team to upsell. ### ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/CB-Pinterest-Templates-683x1024.png "CB Pinterest Templates - Claire Bahn") ### **How To Obtain Qualified Leads** Obtaining leads is a more modern practice that limits unsolicited cold calling methods that used to be the norm back in the day. Instead of *forcing* people to feign interest, you convince them your product or service is worth looking into with free advice. This advice is usually in the form of an eBook, webinar, or checklist. Here are some things to consider before creating your free opt-in lead generator: 1. What are you trying to sell? 2. Who needs this product? 3. How much does this person typically make? 4. What problems do they face? 5. How can you relate (and fix) their struggles? The magical thing about having a personal brand is that last part. A company can’t relate to their customers’ problems. The CEO or the individual employees can, but as a whole, we all know that the company’s bottom line is making cold, hard cash. With a personal brand, you have the opportunity to authentically express your own opinions, emotions, and experiences. This helps a qualified lead to *like* you. Once you do that, they’ll want to *know* more. And how can they learn more? By signing up for your freebie offer through your lead generation software. And just like that, your ideal client has converted into a successful lead capture. **RELATED: [HOW TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS IN 6 MONTHS](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-grow-your-business-in-6-months/)** ## **What is Lead Generation?** Lead generation is when you have a streamlined system to get your ideal client closer to purchasing. It starts with content marketing, followed by offering a freebie, and (hopefully) ends with a sale of your course, product, or service. It looks a little something like this: ![what-is-lead-generation](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/5-1.png "lead generation marketing - Claire Bahn") [I’ve talked to you a lot about like, know and trust when it comes to your personal brand.](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-vs-business-brand/) So let’s look at lead generation in that hierarchy. **Like:** You’re posting on social media, running ads, and writing blogs with search engine optimization. This is the top of your lead generation funnel. If people like what they see, they’ll interact with your content, follow you, or read more of your blogs. **Know:** This is the middle of your lead generation funnel. Let people get to know you by sharing free tips or offering freebies like a How-To Checklist or webinar. **Trust:** Once your ideal client goes through the first few phases, they’ll be able to trust you enough to buy from you. Expertly written landing pages and testimonials can really help seal the deal here. Let’s discuss how you can acquire the *right* leads for your business and the various steps that go into a fool-proof lead generation strategy. **RELATED: [HOW STARTUP FOUNDERS CAN STEP UP THEIR PERSONAL BRANDING IN 5 STEPS](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/)** ## **Definitive Guide For Lead Generation Strategies** Like anything else these days, content is king when it comes to lead generation. So, what type of content are you going to use to attract people to become leads? Here are 4 easy steps to gaining qualified leads and getting more paying clients. ### **Step 1. Like: Content Marketing** Let’s set the groundwork for your lead generation strategy. This means content marketing. This is the most time-consuming and frustrating part of your personal branding. Many people get overwhelmed, overthink their posts, or simply don’t have the time to do it all. This why many entrepreneurs hire a team. My [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge/) helps high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. We take the pressure off of content marketing and get your brand discovered. Below are some of the services we offer, but you can also choose the do it yourself route for any of these marketing options. #### **Social Media Options:** **Twitter:** The platform for thought leaders. Share links to your YouTube videos, blogs, or simply Tweet your thoughts on your industry’s trending topics. **Instagram:** The most intimidating of all the platforms. You’ll need to have graphics, video, a hashtag strategy, and show up on Stories daily. **LinkedIn:** Arguably the best content marketing platform for business owners and personal branding. You can create all the same content that you do for Instagram, but it’s easier to share links to your free offers or services. **RELATED: [HOW TO USE SOCIAL MEDIA TO BOOST YOUR CAREER](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-to-boost-your-career/)** ![lead generation marketing](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/3-1.png "lead generation strategy - Claire Bahn") #### **Search Engine Options:** **Blogging:** Every entrepreneur should have a [personal brand website](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/). If you’re a fan of writing, then SEO blogs are going to be the best way for your ideal client to find your content (and your lead generation opt-in). **Youtube:** Video content marketing has [**grown by over 20% since 2016** ](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/state-of-video-marketing-new-data)due to the demand by consumers. If you have a personal brand, you need to produce some sort of video content. YouTube is a search engine, so, like blogging, you can strategically use keywords to determine which videos to create to get discovered. **Pinterest:** Pinterest is also a search engine. This makes it an ideal platform to promote your free offers, blogs, or even your YouTube video content. Your best approach is to repurpose your content across a few of your favorite platforms. Turn your blogs into YouTube videos, your YouTube videos into IGTVs, and your IGTVs into multiple individual posts. Whether it’s through a search engine or social media, each post should have a call-to-action. But it doesn’t have to be “Sign Up For My Free Offer!” By providing fun, accessible, and valuable content consistently and across various platforms, ***you get people to like you**.* This means they might engage, follow, *or* they might be interested in what your lead generation offer is. **RELATED: [HOW TO BUILD A PERSONAL BRAND YOUTUBE CHANNEL](https://clairebahn.com/brand-youtube-channel/)** ### **Step 2. Know: Free Offer** Once you get your ideal client to like you through content marketing, ***you need to let them get to know you.*** This is the secret sauce that personal branding has to offer. Share your experiences, your process, and your tips to get people to see that you are an expert in your industry. The next step is to get your ideal client to sign up for your free offer. You’ll need to mention your offer in your call-to-action. This is usually at the end of your video (“link in description down below”), at the end of your blog (see this blog’s CTA for reference), or at the end of your social media captions. This will lead them to the first part of lead generation: your landing page. What is a lead generation landing page? It’s a page dedicated to your free offer ([like this one](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass)). This where you need to be convincing. It’s worth hiring a copywriter because the language here will be *crucial.* **Here are freebies you can offer for your ideal client:** - **Free eBooks** - [**Complimentary consultation calls**](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/) - [**Free Quizzes**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-rating) - [**Free masterclass/webinar**](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) - **Exclusive digital downloads** ### **Step 3. Trust: Paying Customers** Now that you finally have that qualified lead, how can you turn them into *paying* customers? Even if they watch your course or book a free consultation, they still *might not buy* the thing you’re selling. From here, you’ll need to continue providing them free value— but in a more intimate way. Now you can contact them *directly* because they’ve established that first point of communication by providing their email. Start by making sure you’re sending them weekly or bi-weekly emails. This is a great place to link your latest blogs or YouTube videos. I would even suggest offering *more* freebies or discounts through these emails. These small slices of communication ultimately convince your ideal client that your paid product, service, or course is worth the investment. It may take some convincing, but also long as your showcasing testimonials and excellent advice, they’ll eventually ***trust you enough to buy from you.*** **RELATED: [WHAT IS THE VALUE OF YOUR PERSONAL BRAND?](https://clairebahn.com/value-of-your-personal-brand/)** ### **Step 4. Follow Up: Repeat Customers** Now, here’s the step in lead generation marketing that some people skip. However, it’s a vital step if you want repeat customers or new referrals. The follow-up. If your lead generation successfully lands you a client or customer, you still need to send emails and post testimonials. This serves as a subtle reminder for your client to refer your services to their friends. You can incentivize your current clients to send referrals by offering 10-15% off one month of service for every signed client they send your way. If you’re offering a course or product, send monthly emails to your ideal client to let them know about the exclusive discounts they can get on your *other* products as a previously paid customer. And lastly, even if you don’t get repeat buyers, following up is a great way to get some social proof. Send surveys to your paying clients or customers to get feedback. You can use these testimonials throughout your lead generation strategy. **RELATED: [DEALING WITH IMPOSTER SYNDROME – PRACTICAL ADVICE FROM SOMEONE WHO’S BEEN THERE](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-overcome-imposter-syndrome/)** ![what-is-lead-generation](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/2-1.png "lead generation strategy - Claire Bahn") ## Conclusion And that’s about it! I know it sounds like a lot, but here’s the breakdown: **Step 1: Content Marketing.** Get people to *like* you through sharing your experiences and free advice. **Step 2: Free Offer.** Convince your ideal client to sign up for your freebie. You’ll need to *know* what problem this person is having and using your landing page to convince them you have the solution. **Step 3: Paying Customers.** Earn their *trust* and turn your ideal client into a paying customer by providing testimonials, discounts, and more exclusive free advice. **Step 4: Follow-Up.** Nurture your existing clients by following up. Offer incentives for referrals or discounts on your other paid services or products. Now that you know what lead generation is, you can probably see that it takes some work to set up. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** lead generation marketing, lead generation strategies, lead generation strategy --- ### [The Ultimate Personal Brand Messaging Guide For CEOs and Founders](https://clairebahn.com/brand-messaging/) **Published:** May 19, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** The digital marketplace is becoming more congested with new startups every day. Knowing how to leverage your brand messaging is the only way for your company to stand out. You may have a groundbreaking product or service that you’re eager to share with the consumer world. Still, the likelihood of your brand leaving an impression that encourages people to buy your product is slim to none… ***Unless you know how to craft the right message.*** You have to learn how to connect with your audience through a consistent, relatable marketing platform that excites them enough to invest in or purchase from your company. But here’s the kicker – you should have all of this nailed down *well* before you even think about launching your brand. If you’re feeling skeptical or just straight-up confused, don’t worry. I’ve included why you need to elevate your marketing strategy and the core components of a strong brand messaging framework that will resonate with you, your product, and your audience. **RELATED: [HOW STARTUP FOUNDERS CAN STEP UP THEIR PERSONAL BRANDING IN 5 STEPS](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/)** ## **What is Brand Messaging?** The initial idea for your company may have come to you in a dream or maybe over dinner with colleagues. But in order to take this idea from a dream to a reality, you need to develop a solid foundation. That’s where brand messaging comes in. Chances are, you started your company from a set of deliberate core values and passions. It’s these pillars of your company (and yourself) that should make up your brand messaging. You should consistently refer to those core values and ensure that you highlight them in everything you do to market your business. Whether it’s a LinkedIn post, Youtube video, or email, people should be able to define what you’re brand is all about. Too often, entrepreneurs make the mistake of not considering their [marketing strategy](https://blog.hubspot.com/marketing/small-business-marketing-guide) until after they’ve fully fleshed out their product, company, or service. If you’re going to operate your company using brand messaging efficiently and effectively, you need to prioritize what your marketable content will look like. Otherwise, there will be a ton of rehashing and headaches once your company takes off. To feel confident about your business, you’ve got to hone in on your personal brand. And part of knowing your personal brand requires knowing how to best market yourself. All of this starts with your brand messaging. Tap into those core values that helped to foster your company and craft your brand messaging framework. Once you’ve got your message nailed down and you’re feeling good about it, you can deliver everything else surround your personal brand with great intention. ### **Brand Messaging versus Brand Voice** ![brand-messaging](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/2.png "brand messaging framework - Claire Bahn") If you’re ready to delve into the value of brand messaging, let’s get one thing straight: it’s entirely different from your brand’s voice. On the surface, this may be confusing. That’s understandable. The two can (and should) have a bit of overlap. You can define your [brand voice](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-personal-brand-voice/) as something more tangible than your message. Your brand voice comes down to the actual copywriting associated with your company. This means your email campaigns, blog posts, YouTube video scripts, and social media captions. Your brand voice should mimic how you want people to **perceive you** in real life (and online). If you’re a serious, business-focused person, you’ll want to avoid cultivating a comical, lighthearted voice for your brand. You’ll exhaust your efforts, and your audience will see straight through the BS. Allowing your voice to reflect who you are as an individual results in genuine connections with your ideal audience. It’s what will drive them to take action rather than just scrolling past your carefully crafted LinkedIn post. Those genuine connections are directly tied to your brand messaging. Messaging is how you want **people to feel** about you and your brand. It’s less concrete and requires a bit of social psychology to fully understand. Still, as fellow consumers, it’s something that we’ve personally experienced when we decide to purchase from a company. If a brand echoes your same values, you’re more inclined to invest in what they’re offering. For example, suppose environmental impact is important to you. In that case, you’ll be more willing to purchase from a transparent, ethically sourced company than from a big-name corporation that isn’t vocal about its green efforts. If done effectively, your brand messaging should evoke an emotional response from your ideal audience. It’s that deeper connection that will urge them to support you, your mission, and your personal brand. ## **The Brand Messaging Framework** ![brand-messaging](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/3.png "brand messaging strategy - Claire Bahn") So, you know that your message is a crucial piece of your brand’s marketing puzzle. Now what? It’s time to build your brand messaging strategy. Though it can be considered conceptual, a solid messaging strategy incorporates four key points that require some serious thought. You have to think of a process that is not only effective but also **sustainable.** But how can you keep your branded content from being forgettable? Just because you’ve got a polished feed and flashy logo doesn’t mean that you’ll hook the right clients. If you want to keep them around for the long haul, you’ve got to create substantive messaging. Feeling confident in your company’s mission and voice will aid you in figuring out how to connect with your audience. Think of it like a first date with your pool of potential clients – if you’re not on your A-game, you may miss out on a second date. **RELATED: [DO CEOS NEED THEIR OWN PERSONAL BRAND? 5 TIPS FOR EXECUTIVE BRANDING](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding/)** ## **Step 1: Find Your Focus** Mapping out a plan of action is impossible without a reasonable destination. Finding your brand’s focus will help you get your company where it needs to be: in front of your ideal clientele. If you don’t already have one, create a personal brand statement. This is, essentially, your mission statement which outright defines who you are and what you do. This will help you land closer to your audience because, right off the bat, they know the type of content you provide and who you provide it for. Make sure you keep it short and sweet because you’ll need to call on your brand’s statement when introducing yourself to new people and for your social media bios. Now that you know how to signal your brand’s message to your ideal client, you need to know what to post. Knowing the details and interests of your audience will help you to devise your brand’s content pillars. [Content pillars](http://blog.hellosocial.com.au/blog/social-media-basics-what-are-content-pillars) are sets of topics and themes that resonate with your target audience. You’ll refer to these pillars for all the content you produce for your brand. For example, a fitness brand’s pillars may include healthy living advice, workout tips, and nutrition tools. Every piece of digital media produced by that brand should fit into one of those three categories. Content pillars serve as a starting point for establishing your brand’s digital presence. By this, I mean SEO keywords for your blog or YouTube channel and hashtags for all your social media posts. Know your pillars, do some research, and start optimizing your content. When you’re focused and consistent in your marketing intentions, your brand messaging will naturally emerge. **RELATED: [HOW YOUR PERSONAL BRAND CAN FUTURE-PROOF YOUR CAREER](https://clairebahn.com/your-personal-brand-future-proof-your-career/)** ## **Step 2: Create Excitement** Make sure you’re happy with your personal brand statement because you (and all of your clients) should be saying it… a ***lot.*** Creating excitement around your brand involves having a message that can be easily repeated and understood. For example, when I’m speaking with a potential client, I try to avoid saying that I’m a “brand strategist.” That title is, more often than not, met with confusion or lack of interest. And I can’t blame them – who truly knows what a brand strategist is anyway? Instead, I’ll say, “I work with CEOs and founders on their personal brand to help them get noticed by the right people.” It’s short, simple, and true to what I aim to do with my business. Plus, it’s easy to remember and repeat when meeting with potential clients, creating branded content, or networking with other professionals. *And now your clients can repeat it when they refer you.* Creating hype around your work has to come from a genuine place. You should be excited about your own journey, so don’t be afraid to share it with your followers and clients! [Jump on social media](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-a-strong-social-media-content-strategy/), YouTube, and your blog to tell personal stories about your experiences with success and failure. The more relatable, the better. People want to be able to connect with the faces behind a company. So rather than sitting behind the sidelines hoping your players (aka your employees) will accurately portray your brand message, *you* need to be out there, creating that excitement. And not just so your clients can see your passion for your business, but so your employees will feel appreciated and inspired. Plus, once you’ve fostered a trusting relationship with your clients, any buzz or excitement you create around your product or service will get them feeling genuinely excited (and motivated) to make a purchase. **RELATED: [WHAT IS A PERSONAL BRAND CONSULTANT?](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-consultant/)** ## **Step 3: Put Your People First** Above all else, you must treat your audience as the priority in your brand messaging framework. I know, I know. You probably didn’t get into entrepreneurship to put your needs and interests aside. But people need to feel heard, seen, and understood. You need to focus every bit of content on captivating your ideal client. Before updating your feeds or writing up a YouTube script, ask yourself this: Are you speaking to your audience’s needs and wants… or your own? If you’re leaning more toward the latter, you’d better get back to the drawing board. Because – no offense – your content should *never* be about your own needs or wants. This all may sound contradictory to the idea of sharing personal stories, insights, and experiences to [boost your digital presence](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/). But there’s a true method to this brand message madness. Yes, you should use your personal stories to validate your message further. However, at the end of the day, it’s about what *they* will get out of your story. Don’t just tell a story to tell it. Back it with a **meaningful message** or purpose that contributes to your brand message. Being mindful of your content’s direction is vital to maintaining a consistent, trustworthy brand. Getting sidetracked by other people’s feeds, marketing tactics, or even your own influence poses a threat to your end goal of delivering your message to your audience. Clarify your message so that you’re only speaking to your ideal client. This is where your brand voice comes into play to help further amplify your message to the right people. **RELATED: [WHAT IS REPUTATION MANAGEMENT AND REASONS YOU MIGHT NEED IT](https://clairebahn.com/reputation-management/)** ## **Step 4: Be Consistent** I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again… Consistency is key! Sure, this applies to a ton of things required to operate a successful business. But, it’s especially crucial when you’re trying to establish trust between you, your product, and your target audience. Finding the right balance in being genuine with your content while remaining consistent can be a challenge. Owning your message will help you know what’s best for your brand. Your brand voice should be blended, meaning you should incorporate human elements and certain relatable tones in your content. Your brand messaging should also be integrated but consistently aligned with what it is that you provide. For example, I’ve built my personal brand and expertise around being an authentic online presence, and my content focuses on tips for building your personal brand. I would never change my content to talk about creating logos or how to cultivate an Instagram aesthetic. That’s not what my brand is about, and it would throw off my brand message. When it comes to an example of somewhat bad brand messaging, look no further than the recent [Rachel Hollis mishap](https://www.mother.ly/news/rachel-hollis-backlash). Rachel built her personal brand around being relatable. But she defended herself by saying, “If I’m being relatable, I’m doing something wrong.” Yikes… If you’re confused, imagine how her millions of followers and devoted fans felt. Moral of the story: don’t falter on your brand message. **RELATED: [WHAT IS OMNICHANNEL MARKETING?](https://clairebahn.com/omnichannel-marketing/)** ## **Conclusion** Being consistent with your audience is pertinent to building trust and familiarity with your brand and the message you’re trying to get across. And that’s what it’s all about, right? If you’re a CEO looking to take your company to new heights, then it’s time to ditch the company mission statement and start with your personal brand messaging. #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** brand messaging examples, brand messaging framework, brand messaging strategy --- ### [The Invisible Executive: Here's Why You're Not Getting That Work Promotion](https://clairebahn.com/work-promotion/) **Published:** June 9, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** You check all the boxes: You’re intelligent, driven, and a team player. But where’s that big work promotion you’ve been angling for? Sure, you’ve spent years with your company, and your bosses have all but said you’re the definition of their ideal employee. That promotion should’ve been knocking on the door months ago, right? Not exactly. Executives and CEOs aren’t looking for someone who merely checks off the corporate boxes anymore. Relying solely on a strong work ethic, an impressive resume, and a pricey college degree will not get you where you want to be. I know, it sounds crazy. It’s what we’ve relied on for *years* to help accelerate our move up the corporate ladder. So, what do you do when that upward movement hits a plateau, and you start to feel unseen by your bosses? In a world where the competition is hot, the way to get noticed by the higher-ups is through the digital space. It may not be what you want to hear, but you have to learn to adapt and leverage yourself… or you’ll keep getting overlooked. As someone who regularly works with industry leaders, executives, and CEOs, I know what they’re looking for in their ideal candidates. I’ve outlined some of my insights that I’ve gained as a personal brand strategist to help you avoid being that invisible executive. ## **What is an “Invisible Executive”?** If one thing is certain, the executive workplace is not what it used to be. While the evolution of the professional world has been *mainly* positive, the dynamics of earning a work promotion as a company executive are becoming increasingly complex. It used to be that you could rise through the ranks of a corporation, earn good recommendations, build your resume, and establish a professional network to move further up the chain and find your next job. It’s a hard pill to swallow, but that is no longer the fool-proof formula to getting noticed. Things are much different now. Executives that do hard work, get positive feedback, and grow their resumes to try to climb the corporate ladder are finding that it’s just not enough anymore. These people suffer from Invisible Executive Syndrome. ### Invisible Executive Syndrome This might be you if you’re someone with a lot of knowledge in your industry. You may even have a decent reputation in-house. But outside your company or organization, no one really knows who you are or what you do. Like many others, I’m sure that you are in the throes of learning that the concept of job security isn’t always guaranteed. So what’s missing from your action plan? At this stage, you’re either looking for new ways to get noticed, or you’re thinking about quitting. But attempting to find that work promotion elsewhere will lead to a rude awakening. New and increasingly common [HR technologies use AI to scan through resumes](https://onlineprofilepros.com/artificial-intelligence/). These computers aren’t only ranking viable candidates, though. They’re also searching for candidates’ social media presence, posts, and demonstration of their expertise online. The stronger your professional online presence is, the more likely it is that you’ll get a callback. So, if you’re not already claiming your place in the digital space by sharing what you know, making yourself known, and owning your personal brand, then you might be making your future career moves very difficult. ## **Why You’re Not Getting That Work Promotion** ![work-promotion](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/2.png "invisible executive - Claire Bahn") Now that we’ve covered what it means to be an invisible executive, there’s no shame if any of it hit a bit too close to home. Taking note of our place in the office and realigning our goals to match our aspirations is imperative to successfully grow your career. It’s time to figure out what you’re doing wrong and why it’s holding you back. Let’s take a closer look at why your boss isn’t offering you a promotion or why you can’t get a job after leaving behind a good reputation at the old office. There are several [mistakes that employees make](https://www.forbes.com/sites/jacquelynsmith/2013/10/24/16-mistakes-employees-make-when-trying-to-get-a-promotion/?sh=1494e1bc35f1) that can prevent them from a work promotion. However, there are two big reasons why nothing seems to stick that I want to talk about here. ### **Reason #1: Your Resume is Weak** You’ve spent *years* working hard to bulk up your resume. And yet, you’re still not getting that dream job. Before you start questioning if it was worth it, let me explain what I really mean when I say your resume needs some help. At some corporations, clicking the submit button on an application and putting it “under review” means that an AI program is busy prescreening your credentials. Unfortunately, this means that getting your resume in front of someone in HR is twice as difficult. When it comes to not getting a call, you and your work experience may not be the problem at all. The real issue might be in the types of words and phrases you’re using on your resume. In addition to keywords, AI software also reviews your social media accounts. The software’s algorithm scrutinizes every photo (yes, even tagged photos) and posts to determine if you’re a viable candidate. With [88% of organizations](https://www.shrm.org/resourcesandtools/hr-topics/global-hr/pages/employers-embrace-artificial-intelligence-for-hr.aspx) worldwide using AI technologies in their HR departments, it’s a trend that’s undoubtedly here for the long haul. None of us thought that one day our job applications would be ranked like an SEO website on Google, yet here we are. Instead of quaking at the thought of missing out on a dream job to an algorithm, learn [how to rework your resume](https://onlineprofilepros.com/artificial-intelligence/) and social media accounts so that you have a higher chance of standing out and getting reviewed by a hiring manager– you know, a real human being. ### **Reason #2: You’re Not Active or Present** Like it or not, social media is officially an extension of your resume. Social media is essentially your online portfolio. It serves as a way to connect with ideal clients, hiring managers, and even your boss‘s boss. No matter what industry you’re in, you need to be online. There’s no arguing that social media is a vital tool to building your personal brand and getting noticed. Especially these days when [working from home](https://clairebahn.com/productivity-when-working-from-home/) is becoming increasingly popular in corporate environments. Thanks to an inevitable increase in millennial and Gen Z professionals joining the workforce, it’s projected that [73% of all departments](https://www.smallbizgenius.net/by-the-numbers/remote-work-statistics/#:~:text=51%2525%2520of%2520employers%2520officially%2520allow%2520their%2520employees%2520to%2520work%2520from%2520home.&text=The%2520key%2520word%2520here%2520is,to%2520work%2520in%2520the%2520office.) will employ remote workers by 2028. Networking with colleagues becomes a unique challenge when you’ve only ever spoken via Zoom meetings. Plus, you can’t be a part of the conversation if social media is your coworkers’ main form of communication. But simply signing up for accounts and scrolling through feeds isn’t going to do you any favors. It’s all about what, when, and why you’re [posting on social platforms](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/). ### Are you Google-able? This is how you begin establishing your personal brand, which is exactly what people are looking for when they’re deciding whether to give you that work promotion. The less they find when they Google your name, the less likely they are to put your resume at the top of the pile. Having a solid personal brand can prove that you’re an asset to any company in your industry. Ultimately, you can [future-proof your career](https://clairebahn.com/your-personal-brand-future-proof-your-career/) by posting your knowledge online. It’s time to claim your seat at the thought leader table. While earning industry leader status takes a fair amount of effort, [getting noticed online](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/) requires a straightforward formula: Get personal, know your goals, devise a content strategy, be consistent, and put your name out there. Soon, you won’t just be a passive part of the conversation— ***you’ll be starting it.*** And when employers are in the market for the next big thing, you can bet that they’ll hire a conversation starter over someone who hasn’t updated their LinkedIn profile in five years. **RELATED: [THE GUIDE ON HOW TO BECOME FAMOUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/)** ## **The Company Executive’s Guide To Becoming Well-Known** ![work-promotion](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/06/3.png "how to get a work promotion - Claire Bahn") Gone are the days of stuffy, unapproachable company executives. Now, there’s a desire for CEOs and leaders who are transparent, likable, and honestly on the verge of industry fame. Companies are looking for the next “[Celebrity CEO](https://opentextbc.ca/strategicmanagement/chapter/the-ceo-as-celebrity/#:~:text=Some%2520CEOs,%2520such%2520as%2520Bill,Cornelius%2520Vanderbilt%2520were%2520household%2520names.)” to join the ranks and help propel business through their social status and digital presence. With the recent and explosive rise of digital influencers, it’s no surprise that organizations are looking for the next Bill Gates, Richard Branson, or Whitney Wolfe Herd to take the lead. Admittedly, those companies are asking a lot of their CEO candidates. But when invisible executives rise to the challenge, they may just find themselves landing an interview and a huge work promotion worthy of a [humble LinkedIn brag](https://clairebahn.com/influencer-strategy/). But where do you start? How can you stand out and prove that you’re celebrity CEO material? It’s not as intimidating as you might think. All you need is the right approach, confidence in your skillsets, and a knowledge of social media. While things like a flashy logo or styled photoshoot may give your brand a boost, they’re not nearly as important as the content strategy you put in place. So let’s start there. I’m going to detail the top 3 things you need to focus on so that you can beat the AI algorithms, build your personal brand, and claim your seat at the table. ### **1. Take Ownership of Your Knowledge** Even though you’re hunting for the next big thing in your career, you didn’t get where you are overnight. Years spent earning a degree, proving your worth in the office, and navigating the industry aren’t something to dismiss as a “given.” Be proud of what you know, and don’t shy away from an opportunity to show it off online. Getting noticed by a company executive means proving your expertise outside of the workplace. That doesn’t mean you need to start your own company or launch a workshop right off the bat. You already have everything you need to start taking ownership of your knowledge. Showing you’re an expert in your industry can be as simple as: - Creating content around tips and tricks you’ve picked up - Sharing your opinions on hot topics - Detailing new insights you’ve gained from publications or other leaders. Don’t be afraid to make people aware of your successes, either. Create blogs (like this one!) and YouTube videos showcasing your know-how. They allow for more in-depth explanations than social media posts alone. This shows your audience that they can trust you, and they’ll keep coming back for more. ### Have a Strategy But don’t just start uploading videos, making posts, and writing blogs without an organized strategy. You first have to define your personal brand’s message and voice. These are the core elements that provide the framework of your personal brand. You’ll echo them in everything you post online. You build your **brand’s message** on what you value most. Your **brand’s voice** is less conceptual – it’s how you deliver your message in the emails, posts, and videos you create. Staying consistent and having pride in your [brand’s message and voice](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-personal-brand-voice/) helps you stand out in social circles, both online and off. If you think that a personal brand is only for Gen Z influencers with millions of TikTok followers, I’m here to burst your bubble. Everyone should have a personal brand—especially[ startup founders](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/) and rising executives. A personal brand with solid messaging promises more investors, clients, and exponential growth. The last time I checked, that’s exactly what a startup needs to thrive, right? **RELATED: [10 TIPS TO CREATE A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STRATEGY](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/)** ### **2. Build your content pillars** Using your personal brand to share your industry knowledge is a surefire way to get that big work promotion. But before you go crazy with YouTube videos and LinkedIn posts, you need to know your areas of expertise. These are your [content pillars](https://later.com/blog/content-pillars-for-social-media/), and they guide you in delivering your message and engaging your audience. Just because you’ve worked in the industry for years and you’ve dabbled in various positions doesn’t mean you’re an expert in *everything*. For example, someone in the finance industry shouldn’t create content about business loans, real estate investments, and cryptocurrency. It’s too all over the board. Instead, they should focus on one of those, stick to it, and post content detailing the ins and outs of that topic. Jot down a few topics you know a ton about, then stick to the areas of expertise where your passion lies. Remember, this is something you’ll be creating content for regularly. So make sure you won’t get sick of it too quickly. Next, map out what you can talk about in those areas. Take time to see how You can break up those conversations into different content for every social media platform. If you’re at a loss of what to post, start by addressing informational gaps in your industry. Use your knowledge to start those conversations and answer people’s questions about the topic. **RELATED: [10 THINGS YOU NEED ON YOUR PERSONAL BRAND WEBSITE](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/)** ### **3. Work on your online reputation** Tons of factors can contribute to building your personal brand’s reputation online. Most of them are non-negotiable in my book. [Building your reputation](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/) with an online presence requires two foundational building blocks: 1. An updated website, and 2. Omnichannel marketing I’ve already talked about why you need an omnichannel (or multi-channel) marketing strategy [in this blog.](https://clairebahn.com/omnichannel-marketing/) But before you start filling up your social feeds, you need to create a website. Without a website to link your social media accounts back to, your industry expert clout will take a nosedive. So, what’s safe to share on social media? We know that sharing is caring, and when it comes to your personal brand, sharing things about yourself and your journey fosters a sense of trust among your followers. Whatever you’ve achieved or have working in the background – share it! Sharing your accomplishments and opinions online proves to your audience that you’re active in the industry. It’s also worth mentioning how much you are dedicated to furthering yourself. Investing in yourself is another key component of your reputation. If you’re attending a workshop or [staying on top of industry trends,](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/) tell your online audience about it (and share what you’ve learned). Also, keep in mind that most industry conversations are ignited by someone’s opinion. So, if you’ve got a new perspective on something, put it out there! J ust make sure it won’t get you in trouble with executives and other thought leaders. ### Engaging with the right people Once you’ve got your social media posts secured and a solid website, it’s time to start networking online. Don’t just start following and commenting on every profile you see, though. You have to be selective with who you engage with and how. For example, as someone seeking a work promotion, you’ll want to engage with higher-ups in your company via LinkedIn. Follow them, like their posts, leave genuine comments, and share their content (if it resonates with your brand’s message). Here’s another trick: if you just uploaded a new video or blog post, tag the company’s social media handle when you share them on social media. By actively repping your company, you’ll start getting attention from the right people in the right circles. **Conclusion (H2)** Taking action on these three things will ensure that you’re well on your way to becoming an industry leader. Get ready to ditch the invisible executive status and say hello to that work promotion you’ve been dreaming of. #### It’s time to elevate your personal brand to align your visibility and notoriety with your expertise. Our Personal Brand Concierge Program was built for high-achieving entrepreneurs, investors, founders, and executives just like you. Learn more about our [Personal Brand Concierge Program](https://clairebahn.com/concierge). ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** personal branding for executives --- ### [Need a Personal Brand Coach? Here Are 5 Personal Branding Myths You Need To Know](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-coach-personal-brand-myths/) **Published:** July 7, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** As a personal brand coach, I’ve run into a lot of misconceptions about what I do. Granted, [personal branding is a relatively new concept](https://clairebahn.com/why-is-personal-branding-important/). It wasn’t until the era of YouTubers and influencers that we all began to realize the benefits that transparency and authenticity bring to a brand. That’s what personal branding is all about: bridging the gap between work and your everyday life. And it’s not about making your life your work or vice versa. Take it from a former lifestyle blogger; I felt like I had to get the perfect Instagram post *every* time I left the house. That put me in a position where I felt like I was constantly working. Eventually, it just wasn’t fulfilling because I didn’t want to use my voice to *just* talk about my favorite vacation spots. [So I rebranded.](https://clairebahn.com/rebrand-yourself/) I started talking about what *really* drives me (marketing), and the rest came easily. Now I can’t wait to get up and start the day. At night, sometimes, I’m too passionate about the project I’m working on to go to bed. It doesn’t feel like work. Plus, now I don’t have to stress about writing a blog post when my husband and I go on vacation! ## **How *Personal* Is Personal Branding?** ![personal-brand-coach-personal-brand-myths](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/personal-brand-coach.jpg "personal brand coach - Claire Bahn") I understand some people don’t wear their hearts on their sleeves. So I suppose this is the first (smaller) personal branding myth I’ll address. When you use your personal image to market (whether it’s a service, a product, work, or art), you don’t have to put it *all* out there. For example, the most intimate things people know about me as a personal brand coach is that my husband is my business partner, and I have two dogs. And I’m willing to bet most of you didn’t even know *those* details unless you really paid attention. I’ll admit that you do have to be willing to be vulnerable to some degree. Posting your ideas and opinions online will *always* come with unsolicited feedback. But at the heart of it, personal branding is just about combining humanity with a strategy to market something you care about. So no— you don’t have to talk about your recent divorce or vlog your daily life to get people to pay attention. ## **Personal Brand Coach Debunks 5 Common Myths of Personal Branding** ![personal branding coach](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Personal-brand-myths.jpg "Personal brand myths - Claire Bahn") Before you scroll onto the highlights, let me explain why this information needs to be out there. I’ve had consult calls, followers, and even my own clients question what personal branding can *really* do for a CEO or founder. Besides the fact that there is now [proof that personal branding is the key to a successful career](https://clairebahn.com/successful-career-personal-brand/), it’s simply the easiest way to strategize your marketing efforts. You don’t have to worry if your employees accurately represent the brand, and you don’t have to perfect your logo and aesthetic. Instead, you take what you know, create a video, blog, or social media post, and ***put it out for the world to see.*** If you do this consistently and with authenticity 3-5 times a week, people *will* start to recognize you. And more importantly, they’ll begin to like, know, and trust you. So what’s the catch? Is personal branding the end-all, be-all when it comes to marketing? Here are some common myths I hear as a coach when it comes to personal branding. **RELATED:**[ **The Ultimate Personal Brand Messaging Guide For CEOs and Founders**](https://clairebahn.com/brand-messaging/) ## **Myth #1: You’ll see success overnight.** I’ve never trusted guarantees. Have you? If anyone ever offers you a certain amount of followers or business growth, they’re ***lying to you.*** It takes 3-6 months for the Google algorithm to pick up your SEO blogs, [there will be 5-7 interactions before a customer recognizes a brand](https://www.oberlo.com/blog/branding-statistics#:~:text=Summary:%20Top%20Branding%20Statistics%20You%20Need%20to%20Know%20in%202020,-86%20percent%20of&text=by%2080%20percent-,It%20takes%20about%2050%20milliseconds%20(0.05%20seconds)%20for%20people%20to,increase%20revenue%20by%2033%20percent.&text=77%20percent%20of%20consumers%20buy,same%20values%20as%20they%20do.), and it takes consistently posting for people to trust you. Like anything in business, personal branding doesn’t bring overnight success. Even for people who go viral and see some traction, it’s usually temporary. It might be a few months or even a few years, but people who don’t know how to *leverage* their personal brands are **eventually going to fail**. If you [happen to get a post to go viral,](https://clairebahn.com/your-brand-obsessed-viral/) you have to ride on the coattails of the virality to keep up the momentum. During that time, you have to be *deliberate* about your next steps. For example, you need to look for ways to extend your income streams and you need to look for other career opportunities (like getting press). **RELATED:**[ **THE GUIDE ON HOW TO BECOME FAMOUS ON SOCIAL MEDIA**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/) ## **Myth #2: You don’t have to do anything.** Nope! And this one is difficult to explain to clients. As a [personal brand coach](https://clairebahn.com/consultation/), I’m the decisive and organized force behind my client’s content. However, I can *never* put the ***personal*** in their personal brand. Unlike traditional company marketing, your role as the founder is a little more hands-on when it comes to personal brand marketing. Yes, I can create stunning graphics for your social media and write thought-provoking blog posts that are primed to draw attention. But nothing about those two things is ***personal.*** The intimate part of building a personal brand comes from [finding your unique voice](https://clairebahn.com/building-your-personal-brand-voice/), and honestly, your image. Your personal anecdotes, your opinions, and your face all need to be tied into your personal brand if you want it to work. That means you need to film videos, get on IG Stories, communicate and connect with your audience. So, yes, even if you hire a marketing manager, a social media manager, or a personal brand coach like me, you still have work to do. **RELATED:**[ **HOW STARTUP FOUNDERS CAN STEP UP THEIR PERSONAL BRANDING IN 5 STEPS**](https://clairebahn.com/startup-founders-personal-branding-5-steps/) ## **Myth #3: You just need to be yourself.** As much as influencers want you to believe that “being yourself” is enough to garner success— it’s a farce. You still need a *strategy.* Think of it this way: maintaining your personal brand is like riding a bike. You have to keep pedaling to keep the momentum going. That’s because, at some point in your career, you’ll become stagnant. Do you know what to do when that happens? If you keep doing the same things, you’re going to get the same results. That’s why [you need to be on top of trends](https://clairebahn.com/branding-trends-how-to/), and you need to know what’s going on online. Social media platforms are constantly changing or switching up algorithms. For example, Instagram used to be *the* platform for social prosperity. Now, it’s pay-to-play (which is why everyone is flocking over to Tik Tok). Having a brand strategy can help you adapt to changes in the market. Even if you’re not looking to outsource a personal brand coach, don’t make the mistake of posting a video and expecting clients and customers to come to you. At least not right away. Personal branding is about putting yourself out there but with purpose. Every piece of content should be strategically primed with keywords, imagery, and words to *help* you build an audience. **RELATED:**[ **HOW TO CREATE A STRONG SOCIAL MEDIA CONTENT STRATEGY**](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-create-a-strong-social-media-content-strategy/) ## **Myth #4: Personal branding success is linear.** Here’s the thing when it comes to success: it’s *never* linear. I‘ve heard some people assume that your career progresses faster because you show up on video and share your personal stories. Unfortunately, just because you are willing to go the extra mile to show up on video and post content consistently doesn’t mean you’ll see the same level of success as your colleagues. There are many reasons why this may be, such as: 1. **The platforms you choose** 2. **The way you present yourself** 3. **Opportunities you have or who are in your inner circle** 4. **Luck** So don’t compare yourself to other people in your industry. As an example, anyone who started using Tik Tok in 2019-2020 had an easier time boosting their personal brand than people who are hopping in the craze now (this is why you need to be on top of trends!). **RELATED:**[ **4 REASONS YOU NEED VIDEO CONTENT MARKETING FOR YOUR PERSONAL BRAND**](https://clairebahn.com/video-content-marketing-tips/) ## **Myth #5: It’s all about you.** Another personal brand myth: it’s about your personal experiences and opinions. While that’s *some* of the mechanics behind personal branding, it’s only a tiny piece of the puzzle. It’s also about getting *personal* with your ideal client. You need to be so intimately aware of your target audience’s wants and needs that you’re almost able to predict it. Donald Miller said it best in his book *StoryBrand.* People want to know *what’s in it for them*. So when you’re sharing your personal experiences, keep in mind that you need to share them *for* *people who want to feel heard*. When people *relate* to your story, they’ll be more inclined to listen to what you have to say. When you’re giving tips, think about how it can transform your client— not how it’s changed *you*. This is the [\#1 mistake I see influencers making](https://clairebahn.com/influencer-strategy/). They start to get “braggy” about their accomplishments, which turns people off to their personal brand. Instead, give helpful advice to your audience with the real, *authentic* goal to **help them** find a solution. Here are some other things about your personal brand that isn’t about you at all: ![personal-brand-coach](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/example-personal-brand-statement-.jpg "example personal brand statement - Claire Bahn") ### **SEO** Search engine-optimized content is about finding the right keywords. And keywords, my friend, are for your audience. When we do keyword research for our clients, we do it with their target audience in mind. For our angel investor client, we look for keywords that startup companies might be searching. Not just “how to pitch a VC” but also the more nuanced keyword searches like “how to write a one-pager.” People search keywords to find an answer. ***You*** need to be that answer. And people are going to be more willing to click on a personal brand YouTube video about “How To Pitch To a VC” than they are a company-branded video. That’s because they know it’s going to come with real-life experiences and examples. It will feel ***personal*** to them. ### **Product/Service** Anytime you’re trying to convince someone to buy your product or service, remember who you’re talking to. You should personalize every piece of content you create surrounding your business as if you’re speaking to your target audience face to face. Remember to use words like “you” and avoid using all-encompassing terms like “everyone.” Yes, we *want* everyone reading the blog or watching our videos to buy. However, they will be more inclined if your audience member feels like your talking to them one-on-one instead of to a room full of people. ### **Videos** Oh, you thought you need to create videos to show people how attractive or well-spoken you are? Remember that *nobody* is paying as much attention to you as you think you are. Whatever you’re showing or explaining in your video is what your audience really cares about. Do you have an incredible product with a unique feature? Show it off and talk about its benefits! Don’t over-explain how it works. If you’re in the service-based industry, the context of your advice is what draws people in initially. Naturally, your personality (and even your looks) can factor into whether or not people like you enough to listen in the first place. That’s why I also recommend dressing the part and doing a couple of trial runs before you hit that publish button. ## **Conclusion** I know that personal branding can be intimidating. Especially now that you know [it takes confidence](https://clairebahn.com/video-confidence/) and consistently showing up for it to work. I truly believe that personal branding will be the key to success in today’s digital market. So quit trying to hide behind that company logo and start showing up for your audience. **RELATED: [**HOW TO BUILD A REPUTATION WITH YOUR ONLINE PRESENCE**](https://clairebahn.com/online-presence/)** #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** build a personal brand, personal brand consultant --- ### [10 Personal Branding Tips to Up Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/tips-to-up-your-personal-brand/) **Published:** July 14, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Branding has become essential in today’s digital world. While just about everyone has heard about branding for businesses, they may not understand why [*personal*](https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2019/02/12/why-personal-branding-is-more-important-than-ever/?sh=165998124085)[ branding](https://www.forbes.com/sites/carolinecastrillon/2019/02/12/why-personal-branding-is-more-important-than-ever/?sh=165998124085) is equally important. Take a moment to think about what someone might find if they started to look you up on the Internet. What posts and pictures would a prospective boss find that might paint you in a bad light? What would a cute guy or girl that you’re interested in think about your social media accounts? Maybe you don’t want your elderly aunt to see some of the photos that you’ve put on your page. Even when you know just how important it is to get your [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/why-personal-branding-is-the-key-to-success-in-2021/) under control, you still might not know how to do it. You need to have some personal branding tips. That’s why you’re here and we’ve got the help you need to get your social media shipshape. You will find that these tips can help with your personal branding whether you are looking for a job, trying to connect with others, or you are growing your own small business. Check them out below. ## Personal Branding Tips 101 ![Personal Branding Quote](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Claire-Bahn-Blog-Template.png "Claire Bahn Blog Template - Claire Bahn") Here are 10 simple and effective tips for personal branding that will make a difference in how people see you when they look you up online. Whether it’s someone looking to hire you, a new love interest, an old flame, peers, family, or strangers, using these tips will help to ensure you have a [personal brand](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/280371) that shines. ### 1) Clean Up Your Profiles The first thing you have to do is clean up your profiles. When you do this, you will want to approach your profile as if you are a stranger looking to hire an employee. Take the time to go through all of the various posts that you might have put up, as well as pictures that you have uploaded or where you are tagged. Delete anything that would be considered unprofessional, negative, or even just silly. It’s okay to show that you are fun and can have a good time, but you don’t want to have pictures of you drunk and passed out or wearing a lampshade on your head. Consider the language that you have used on the profiles and in posts, as well. If there’s anything that could be construed as unprofessional, you should delete it. Do this for all of the profiles that you have. Look yourself up online to see what information is out there. Perhaps you have some old social media accounts that you forgot about. Do you have a Myspace page floating around that someone could find? Take care of it sooner rather than later. Have you written some questionable fan fiction that you don’t want anybody to read and associate with you? Consider deleting it or changing your name to a pseudonym. ### 2) Buy Your Domain Name You should buy your [domain name](https://www.businessinsider.com/14-mistakes-you-may-be-making-when-buying-domain-names-2011-8) as soon as possible. For example, I have clairebahn.com, my name. Ideally, you will get your name for your domain. Of course, this is not always possible given the number of domains that are already registered. If you can’t get your name, get something that works for your brand and that you will want to keep. Even if you aren’t going to be setting up your website quite yet, you will still want to have your domain name. This is because it is something that *you* will own, unlike your social media profiles. Your domain will be your home online. So, even if you aren’t sure about your [website](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-website/) yet, it’s time to get started on it. Putting up a page that has all of your most pertinent information is important. It is your base of operations that has everything about you and that you get to curate. You don’t have to worry about your friends tagging you in strange photos. Think about the ways that you can use your domain and site to build your brand. You can put up a portfolio of your work, for example. You could create a blog on your domain that can help to grow your brand. There are countless possibilities. Once you buy your domain name, put it to use. ### 3) Get Your Social Media Profiles Social media is no longer optional. Today, employers get a lot of resumes, and it can be difficult to stand out with just your list of skills and accomplishments. Often, they will want to see those skills in action, which means that you will need to build up your social media profiles with the right posts, images, and videos. If you haven’t set up an account on the various social media sites, you will want to do it right now. When new social media sites are created, you should sign up for those, as well, even if you do not use them much. It’s better to cover your bases. Be sure to check out the next step to see what you need to do to keep everything in order. ### ![social media platforms](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/social-media_t20_wKjKxr.jpg "social-media_t20_wKjKxr - Claire Bahn") ### 4) Make Sure They Match Your Domain Name When you are building all of those social media profiles, you will need to make sure that you are doing it right. For starters, this means that you need to be sure they match your domain name. This helps to keep everything aligned, so you don’t end up with a bunch of different profiles that will be impossible for people to find when they are looking you up online. You should also use the same name across the profiles. This will make it easier for people who are following you on one platform to find you on other platforms. Speaking of platforms, you will want to keep a list of all of the social media sites you are on. There is Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tumblr, WordPress, Blogger, LinkedIn, and so many other platforms out there that it can be hard to keep track of them all. Simply make a list of all of the social media accounts you have, so it will be easier to keep track of them. You should also use the same format across your profiles. After all, you are not just advertising your name, but your brand. This way, you will have the same look and feel across platforms. Let’s say that you have a friend who is building their personal brand, and they have started on Twitter. The profile has a logo in the header that has a sea green color scheme. When he started to grow his personal brand and set up an account on Facebook, he used the same logo and color scheme. This helps to tie everything together and keep it easier to identify specific profiles. ### 5) Decide What Your Brand Specializes In Your brand is *you*. What is your area of expertise? What do you specialize in that makes you different and worth following or hiring? What is your brand about? A nice logo and color scheme is the same as a beautifully wrapped box of chocolates. It might look nice, but it isn’t worth much unless there are actually chocolates inside. Simply put, this means that your accounts need to offer something to those who see them… some type of specialty. Perhaps you write. Maybe you are a great baker, a trapeze artist, or have some other skills that you can show off. Regardless, part of your personal brand is what you do, which in turn defines what you know. Additionally, it will help to set you apart from others in your field. So, take some time to think about what your brand is about and make sure that your domain and social media profiles do a good job of showing that off. ### 6) Know Your Target Audience Before you can start to create content that people will enjoy, you first have to know what type of content to create. How do you do this? Well, you need to know who your target audience is. Who are you speaking to and who are you trying to reach? The answers to this question will be different for everyone, and you are the only person who can define your [target audience](https://www.businessinsider.com/side-hustle-how-to-know-your-target-audience-2021-5). Take the time to think about the other things that we’ve talked about already. Namely, what your brand specializes in and what you are about. Make sure that the audience that you want to connect with and what you are offering or want to offer sync with one another. Once you know your audience, it becomes easier to develop content because you will have an idea of what they want to see. ### 7) Post Relevant Content Often Once you know your audience and the type of content that interests them the most, it’s time to provide them with the content they want. Keep in mind that the content you are posting needs to be relevant to their interests and your brand. Your brand provides an unspoken promise that they are going to be getting a certain type of content. For example, if you are a writer and you only post content about television shows you watched or games you want to play, you might lose some of that audience. If you are a financial expert and you are posting a lot about knitting, you can expect some confusion. If you don’t post relevant content, it can seem like you don’t care about your own area of expertise. This isn’t to say that you can’t have some fun, but you do need to post a lot of *relevant* content, and you need to do it often. The rule of thumb is to post something relevant each day and to cross-post it on your various social media accounts. ### 8) Use a Clear Photo of Yourself Posting a clear photo of yourself on your social media sites is important, as well. It can help you professionally (and maybe even romantically). When someone is contacting you, it’s often easier for them if they have an idea of what you look like. Therefore, you will want to avoid photos that: - Are blurry - Show you in a group - Aren’t consistent with other profiles - Don’t look like you. Always make sure that your photo looks like you and not an overly photoshopped and airbrushed version of you. This is a simple thing to do, but you would be surprised how many people continue to use blurry photos. ### 9) Interact with Others Keep in mind that social media is meant to be social, and people tend to be social by nature. Engaging with friends and followers online will be nice for them and you. It will give them a chance to get to know you better and to have a better, deeper connection. Interacting can also give you the chance to show off your expertise. Of course, you do need to be careful when you are interacting. The Internet is a place where things can be miscommunicated if you are not careful. Stay out of online fights and drama, or it could end up reflecting poorly on your brand. ### 10) Be Consistent One of the most important things to do is maintain consistency with your brand. What does this mean? Although your brand may evolve, you need to be consistent when it comes to things like delivering messages and content that align with the brand values that you espouse. The consistency includes things like your logo and colors, the type of content that you provide, and the amount of content that you put up. You don’t want to put up three pieces of content a day for a week and then vanish for weeks at a time. You need consistent messaging and a [consistent schedule](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing/). Over time, this does become easier, as does working on other aspects of your personal brand. ## ![3 Tips for Personal Branding](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Claire-Bahn-Blog-Template-1.png "Claire Bahn Blog Template (1) - Claire Bahn") ## Get Started Now that you have an understanding of how important personal branding is and how to do it, you have no excuses. Get started on building and growing your brand using these tips. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Personal Branding **Tags:** build a personal brand, how to build your personal brand, personal brand social media strategy --- ### [What Is Social Media Branding?](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-social-media-branding/) **Published:** January 22, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** I’ve noticed that a lot of people want to jump right into [social media branding](https://clairebahn.com/social-media-marketing-strategy/) when they start their business. And it makes sense… in theory. [**53% of consumers**](https://sproutsocial.com/insights/data/social-media-transparency/) say they’re likely to buy from brands that are transparent on social. This means, the sooner you get on social, the sooner you can start selling. But not so fast; there’s a reason that I have [coaching sessions with my Stratus Branding clients](https://stratusbranding.com/blog/foundations-schedule-consultation) before anything else. In fact, social media doesn’t even come into the picture until month ***two***. And even then, we start by optimizing your online profiles before we jump into the actual content. Your brand on social media should be given some serious thought. It is way too much work to go back and rebrand your entire business because you jumped into the game too early. Instead, what you should be doing is identifying your brand (your logo, aesthetic, website, etc), generating enough content (i.e. photos) to last you a few months, and *then* start brainstorming your social media strategy. How you choose to represent your brand on social media is very telling of your business. If your captions and photos are too casual, you might not be taken seriously as a professional. On the other hand, too many stock images and impersonal content can turn potential clients off because, well, they don’t *know* you. Social media gives you the perfect arena to showcase yourself as a person *and* an expert. You want to create the right balance of professionalism and friendliness to create the ultimate like, know, and trust persona that consumers are looking for. It’s a lot to take in all at once. That’s why I’m breaking down what social media branding is and how you should be using it to highlight your personal brand. RELATED: **[10 NETWORKING TIPS TO KICK-A$$ AT YOUR NEXT NETWORKING EVENT](https://clairebahn.com/networking-tips/)** ## **Social Media Branding Showcases Your Identity** So what is social media branding, exactly? Social media is your personal piece of internet real estate that showcases you or your business’ identity. You want to create a persona through which your followers will view you. Now, I’m not saying to fabricate a totally separate identity. There are too many “fake” people on social media as it is. That’s why it is vital that you really **analyze the message and persona** that you want to get across. You want to be authentic while still showcasing your professionalism and particular knowledge within your industry. You can do this by establishing your brand identity. It’s your job (and mine) to figure out what that identity is. #### **Social Media Content** Until you’re in the thick of it, you won’t realize just how much content you have to publish on social media. I recommend posting once a day, which means you need at least 30 pieces of non-repetitive content to display on your platforms every month. That’s *a lot* of content. During the beginning stages of social media branding, it’s ideal to hire a photographer so that you have content on hand. Your [professional profile picture](https://onlineprofilepros.com/) also says a lot about your personal brand. That, combined with your online bio, is truly what sells viewers on your brand and entices them to hit that “Follow” button. ## **Your Brand Should Be Consistent** As I said, social media is ruthless in demanding consistent content. Because of this, plenty of online professionals feel the need to produce a high quantity of content that isn’t necessarily *quality* content. And this actually creates a **huge problem for your personal brand.** Messy selfies, lackluster blogs, or flat-out bad advice will impact your social media brand more than you think. It takes one slip up for people not to trust you, which is why the quantity of your content should be analyzed before you publish it. Make sure your message is clear and concise, and ensure that it isn’t straying away from the image you’re establishing across social media. #### **Regulating Your Branded Content** Your content should also be regulated across every social platform that you are using. If you choose to be on LinkedIn, Instagram, *and* YouTube, you need to be aware of how your content is generated across all platforms. You will want to establish a specific voice and tone in your social media branding. Is your best personal trait your sassy attitude? Or do you take more of a casual, yet professional tone? Whatever it is about your personality that sets you apart, make sure that is presented regularly across your platforms. Likewise, your brand should represent the same logo and overall aesthetic on your social media channels. You can use presets for your photos (if that’s your preference) and determine the main fonts and colors that you will use across your social media platforms. You want to strive to use the same name on each platform as well so that your loyal followers can find you on their preferred app without any confusion. Perhaps the most important aspect when it comes to consistency is act of actually *showing up* for your audience. This is detrimental whether you are a professional looking for leads or you are a company selling products. I know this can seem like a lot— especially since the expectation is to post quality photos *daily*. But that’s why companies like mine exist. Social media users are hungry for content, and if you disappear for a week or two, they will be on to the next company or influencer who is continuously establishing themselves on social media. My job is to help people get out of that hole and help them come up with content that is quality, on-brand, *and* consistent. RELATED: **[THE BENEFITS OF MENTORING FOR ENTREPRENEURS](https://clairebahn.com/benefits-of-mentoring/)** ## Know Your Audience It’s not uncommon to rework your content strategy after a few months. In fact, you should. There is a plethora of competition out there, and if you’re just spewing out the same tactics or lifestyle photos as the next influencer, it can be hard to stand out. That’s why such an integral part of social media branding is getting to know your audience. If you can establish a loyal following, your **personal brand is guaranteed to skyrocket.** That’s also why engagement strategies are imperative to a successful social media account. If you are striving for better content (and content that your audience actually needs) then people are more likely to give you their attention. You need to take the time to engage with your audience on a regular basis. This is the only way you are going to learn what they want so that you can revolutionize your content for an even better return on investment. #### **How To Target Your Audience** One way you can do this is to target specific hashtags. For example, I love helping real estate agents with their personal brand. So I take time every day to engage with those types of profiles so that I can see the content they produce and the content that performs well. And once you’re “in” those hashtag groups, you can start writing blogs, captions, and other useful advice that your audience will be interested in. Eventually, those people will start *coming to you* for input because you’re starting to establish your expertise through your social media brand. Being active on social media also gives you the unique opportunity to establish customer service in real-time. If you can answer a question (whether it’s through comments or DMs) about a particular product or service within 24 hours, I *guarantee* that your audience is going to remember your quick care and service. ## Elevate Your Content Strategy When it’s all said and done, social media branding depends heavily on your content strategy. As I said, there will come a time when you need to elevate your content. For your Personal Brand Foundation, I’ll give you a 30-day Social Media Content Calendar Template to get you started. However, you don’t want your social media growth to become stagnant by producing the same content over and over again. If this happens, you’ll want a personal branding expert by your side to help you come up with new content ideas. One concept I like to recommend is incorporating your personal brand into your Instagram stories. For example, you can create templates to use as “filler” story content that stays true to your color scheme and overall aesthetic. Fashion influencer, [Jen Griswold](https://www.instagram.com/jen.griswold/), is a fantastic example of this. She uses a few warm templates to showcase her “Try-On” wardrobe in her story highlights. She uses these templates in moderation (which is ideal) but it helps brand her as a professional because her social strategy is consistent, and now, ***it’s branded.*** Another bit of content that is helping personal brands take off is videos. They’re engaging and they help consumers get a real feel of your own personality or products you might be selling. Just take a look at some of these [statistics from Biteable:](https://biteable.com/blog/tips/video-marketing-statistics/) - Viewers retain 95% of a message when they watch it in a video - 6 out of 10 people would rather watch online videos than television. - By 2022, online videos will make up more than 82% of all consumer internet traffic In short, video will need to be a part of your social media branding at some point. Whether that’s through Facebook, YouTube, IGTV, or all of the above will be up to you! ## How To Use Social Media for Your Personal Brand There are so many social media platforms these days that it can be hard to determine which ones are best for your particular brand. Each platform has its own special uses, but it’s not imperative that you utilize *all* of them. So, I’m going to give you some insight into what each social media platform has to offer to help give you an idea of where you want to launch your social media branding strategies. #### **Facebook** Facebook tends to get a bad rep in that it’s only used by the older crowd. [In my last blog](https://clairebahn.com/what-is-real-estate-marketing-personal-branding/), I mention that the current analytics show that Facebook’s demographic is primarily 25 to 34-year-olds. Essentially this means that Facebook is a great tool to appeal to mass audiences. Pretty much everyone has a personal Facebook page and incorporating your social media brand into select groups is an easy way to find your target audience. If your content plan involves blogs, videos, and photos, Facebook is going to be a great place to expand your local expertise. RELATED: **[TOP 5 SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS EVERY ENTREPRENEUR NEEDS TO INVEST IN](https://clairebahn.com/top-social-media-platforms/)** #### **Twitter** Twitter is the place to be if you like to share your stream of consciousness. And if your brand is heavily influenced by the here and now, you need to be on Twitter. This social media platform is where trending or breaking news lives. If you can get in on the action, Twitter is your go-to social platform. It’s also a really great place to interact with others in your niche if you want to build personal relationships within your industry. #### **Instagram** Instagram is by and large the most popular social media platform today. While it’s heavily reliant on “pretty” pictures and aesthetic, Instagram has branched out. They now provide a variety of tools for your social media branding strategy. IG Stories help your audience get a “day in the life of” your personal brand. Once you get to 10K followers, you can even easily redirect them to other platforms, such as your website. This is great if you’re trying to build website traffic, sell products, or encourage your audience to buy tickets to your next speaking event. #### **LinkedIn** LinkedIn is the social media platform for professionals. It’s much more useful than say, Twitter, if you are in the business to business market. What you *don’t* want to do is treat LinkedIn in the same way you would these other social platforms. While the landscape here is changing, LinkedIn is better suited for those who want to establish a professional presence within their industry. LinkedIn is also ideal if you have blogs or video content that you want to share with other professionals who may benefit from your expertise. #### Do you want to attract more clients and boost revenue? Learn how to position yourself as an expert, grow your audience, and attract the right clients. Watch my FREE [Personal Branding Masterclass](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-masterclass) today. ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding **Tags:** social media branding real estate agents, what is social media branding --- ### [The Influencer Strategy Mistake That Is Ruining Your Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/influencer-strategy-2/) **Published:** April 14, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** ![author avatar](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=300&d=mm&r=g) Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is the CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 120,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. [See Full Bio](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) [ ](https://clairebahn.com/author/claire/) **Categories:** Blog, Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips, Personal Branding --- ## Pages ### [Claire Bahn Group | Award-Winning Personal Branding & PR Agency](https://clairebahn.com/) **Published:** July 26, 2022 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Excerpt:** We are a comprehensive boutique personal branding and public relations agency with deep expertise in personal branding, CEO branding, executive branding, custom brand design, public relations, strategic communications, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion.  **Content:** PR + BRANDING + PUBLICITY # Award-Winning Personal Branding & PR Agency for Visionary Leaders [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) PR + BRANDING + PUBLICITY Award-Winning Personal Branding & Public Relations Agency [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) ### [Claire Bahn Group named as one of the top 4 executive branding agencies in the world!\*](/#accolades) Recent Sample Of Our Client Media Placements [ ![U.S. News & World Report logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/U.S._News__World_Report_logo.svg-300x77.png "U.S._News_&_World_Report_logo.svg - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Inc. logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Inc.png "Inc - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Time Magazine logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Time.png "Time - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Forbes logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Forbes.png "Forbes - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Entrepreneur logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/entreprenuer.png "entreprenuer - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Success Magazine logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SUCCESS_Logo_BLK-768x140.png "SUCCESS_Logo_BLK - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Fortune logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FORTUNE-LOGO-2016-300x72.png "FORTUNE-LOGO-2016 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Women's Wear Daily logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Womens_Wear_Daily_logo-768x226.png "Women's_Wear_Daily_logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Grit Daily logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GritDaily_Logo-Horizontal_Black_Blue.png "GritDaily_Logo-Horizontal_Black_Blue - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![AskMen logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ask-men.png "ask men - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![AllBusiness logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/all-business-1-768x299.png "all business - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Les Echos logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/les-echos.png "les echos - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Newsweek logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/newsweek-assets2-300x47.png "newsweek-assets2 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![MarketWatch logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/MarketWatch-768x111.png "MarketWatch - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![The Full Ratchet podcast logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Full-Ratchet-150x150.webp "Full Ratchet - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![CNN logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/cnn-logo-transparent-1024x489.png "cnn-logo-transparent - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![The Wall Street Journal logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WSJ.png "WSJ - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) Recent Sample Of Our Client Media Placements ![Collage of media logos featuring U.S. News, Time, Inc., Forbes, Entrepreneur, Success, Fortune, WWD, WSJ, CNN, and Newsweek](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Client-Press.png "Client Press - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![An image of a man in a suit being interviewed by several news reporters.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/AdobeStock_206167872-1024x1024.jpeg "Media and press interview with group of journalists surrounding VIP - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") Personal Branding Agency ## Our Clients Are Remembered, Not Just Noticed. We build personal brands that communicate your expertise and values with clarity and impact. Led by public relations expert and personal branding strategist Claire Bahn, our agency helps executives and founders develop an authentic, visible identity that earns trust and sets them apart. Your personal brand is so much more than a logo or a website. It’s the perception of others, shaped by every piece of content, every media appearance, and every public interaction. A thoughtful personal branding & PR strategy builds authority and long-term recognition. Leaders, investors, and media outlets want more than credentials — they’re looking for the story (and person) behind the success. What do you stand for? What sets you apart? Why should they trust you? We ensure that story is compelling and that it aligns with the opportunities you seek. Strategic Personal Branding & Public Relations Agency Strategic Personal Branding & Public Relations Agency Claire Bahn Group is a boutique agency specializing in personal branding & PR for CEOs, executives, and entrepreneurs. We offer end-to-end execution and a tailored public relations strategy that elevates your reputation and maximizes your influence. As a trusted personal branding and PR team, we go beyond checklists—we become an extension of your brand. We don’t hand you a checklist. We handle the work. While many personal branding consultants offer guidance and leave the rest to you, our agency provides full-service support. From strategy to implementation, we manage every part of the process so you can focus on leading your business. At Claire Bahn Group, you work directly with senior strategists who understand your goals and oversee your brand from the start. Upon defining your strategy, we integrate seamlessly with your schedule, providing high-level results with minimal disruption to your time. [ Learn more about our services ](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-services/) ![An image of personal brand strategists and public relations experts collaborating at a desk.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CBG-Home-Pagev2-1024x1004.jpeg "Business creative coworkers team Meeting Discussing showing the results chart and graph Work. - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") Personal Branding & PR Done Right ## A Strategic Partner in Personal Branding and Public Relations Claire Bahn Group is an omnichannel personal branding and public relations agency serving executives, founders, and businesses that value thoughtful strategy and high-level execution. Led by award-winning personal branding expert Claire Bahn, our team delivers fully customized strategies that combine CEO PR, media training, strategic content, and high-impact visibility campaigns. We’re not a traditional or status-quo PR firm. We don’t offer one-off placements or templated designs. We highly customize and manage every engagement. Our senior-led team provides high-touch, bespoke services — executive brand strategy, ghostwriting, PR, social media management, custom content creation, visual brand development, and more – all rooted in proven public relations strategy and deep branding expertise. Whether you’re building your authority or expanding your influence, our approach integrates strategic communications, messaging, and media outreach to position you as a recognized industry leader. When your brand reflects the expertise you’ve earned, you begin to attract the right opportunities. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) We help our clients take ownership of their unique story through tailored, high-level services: Personal brand strategy & identity development Social media planning, execution, and management Public relations & targeted media outreach 049 - Gaining audienceCreated with Sketch. Custom content creation & strategic distribution Podcast & video production with full support Strategic messaging & market positioning ## Who We Work With We partner with individuals who understand the value of long-term personal branding & PR. Our clients include: We deliver personalized strategies for ambitious leaders ready to scale their influence and impact. ### CEOs, Executives, and Entrepreneurs aiming to elevate their visibility through strategic CEO PR ### Industry Leaders & Experts launching books, podcasts, or thought leadership platforms ### Founders preparing for capital raises, acquisitions, or major brand expansions ## Clients We've Worked With [ ![BlackRock logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/BlackRock-logo-300x169.png "BlackRock-logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![JPMorgan Chase & Co. logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/JP-Morgan-Chase-Logo-768x432.png "JP-Morgan-Chase-Logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Amazon logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Amazon_logo.svg-768x232.png "Amazon_logo.svg - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Aterian Investment Partners logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Aterian-Logo-1024x288.png "Aterian Logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Howdy logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/HOWDY-logo-black-and-cream-1.webp "HOWDY-logo-black-and-cream-1 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![DiversyFund logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/DiversyFund-Logo-300x57.png "DiversyFund-Logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Trousdale Ventures logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/trousdale_logo-768x89.png "trousdale_logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/hlh.png "hlh - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Brentwood Associates logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Brentwood.png "Brentwood - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) Clients We've Worked With ![Collage of client logos: BlackRock, JPMorgan Chase & Co., Amazon, Aterian Investment Partners, Brentwood Associates, Howdy, DiversyFund, and Trousdale Ventures](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/CBG-worked-with-890x1024.png "CBG worked with - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ## Personal Brand Strategist & Public Relations Expert Claire Bahn Claire Bahn is a personal branding expert and public relations strategist with over 17 years of experience helping high-performing professionals become industry authorities. As CEO and Founder of Claire Bahn Group, she leads a team that specializes in executive branding, CEO PR, and long-term visibility strategy. As an entrepreneur and an influencer with an audience of 100,000+ followers – and a track record of success to match – Claire understands what it takes to build a magnetic personal brand that drives opportunity and builds influence. ![An image of Claire Bahn, the CEO and Founder of Claire Bahn Group, a strategic communications and personal branding agency.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Claire-Bahn-home-page-about-931x1024.jpg "Claire Bahn home page about - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![An image of a woman in a suit speaking to a crowd of members of the press.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/public-relations-1024x1024.jpeg "ack view of a woman addressing a crowd of reporters in a dark room - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ## Where Personal Branding Meets Strategic Public Relations Elevate Your Brand. Attract the Right Attention. Build Lasting Authority. FAQs How is Claire Bahn Group different from other PR firms or branding agencies? Unlike firms that provide only consulting or “one-size-fits-all” guidance, we’re a full-service, senior-led personal branding & PR agency. We customize and execute every client engagement at the highest level, based on a foundation of thoughtful strategy. What can I expect from your services? Expect a comprehensive, precisely tailored strategy aligned with your goals, visibility objectives, your industry, and your current stage of growth. We manage everything from messaging to media outreach so you can stay focused on your role. Do you offer one-off media placements or templates? No. We deliver integrated, high-impact public relations strategies and personal branding services tailored for long-term success. Will I need to manage any part of the process? No. Our team handles the strategy and implementation from start to finish. We oversee everything – from timelines and media coordination to platform growth – based on your defined goals. How do you measure success? We track growth through media features, audience expansion, speaking invites, and inbound opportunities—demonstrating real visibility and credibility gains. Who do you typically work with? Our clients include CEOs, founders, investors, and other high-level professionals. Many Claire Bahn Group clients are in transition or growth phases: launching new ventures, raising capital, preparing for media campaigns, or entering public-facing roles. What if I already have a brand or online presence? Many of our clients have an established presence that needs refinement or repositioning. We assess what’s working, what’s missing, and how your current brand aligns with your future goals – and then build a strategy to support that next step. ## What Our Clients Say "Claire Bahn Group has done an amazing job in helping me define who I am and my brand online...I now have the industry recognition I was looking for with speaking opportunities, deal flow, and press interviews." ![Jonathan Hung](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/167863374_441869147116730_2932003578597843773_n.jpg) Jonathan HungANGEL INVESTOR "Claire and her team are great to work with. They are very involved from beginning to end with their clients. They helped me develop a presence in a very niche industry. I look forward to working with them on projects in the future - they are my "go-to" team." ![Tracy Marion](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Tracy-Marion-091621-9-V2-square.jpg) Tracy A. MarionCHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER "Claire Bahn Group works on a very tactical level...I've seen a lot of benefits, from being able to extend my reach in thought leadership to the various business opportunities that have come my way, which would not have happened if I didn't have this unique type of outreach." ![ Jay Sung](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/167977428_2851536071841570_282896270546862531_n.jpg) Jay SungCHIEF MARKETING OFFICER AND OPERATING PARTNER AT BRENTWOOD ASSOCIATES "Claire and her team provide great insight on how to brand your business and did it in a fun and informative way. She helped me establish my business goals and figure out ways to achieve them. I highly recommend her seminar!" ![Claire Wexler](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/169337437_440789823886852_3957430567310195412_n.jpg) Claire WexlerMATCHMAKER AND DATING COACH [ See More ](https://clairebahn.com/testimonials/) ## Personal Branding & Public Relations Articles [![Executive speaking with reporters during a media interview, highlighting the role of personal branding and modern PR.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/PR-and-Personal-Branding-in-2026-executive-doing-PR.jpeg "Executive Media Interview on Personal Branding and PR in 2026 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn")](https://clairebahn.com/future-personal-branding-pr-2026/) ![Claire Bahn](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=128&d=mm&r=g) [ The Future of Personal Branding and PR: What Every Leader Needs to Know in 2026 ](https://clairebahn.com/future-personal-branding-pr-2026/) If someone researched you today, would they immediately understand why you’re the expert they should trust? In 2026, traditional PR [ Read More → ](https://clairebahn.com/future-personal-branding-pr-2026/) [![Professional building a personal brand by developing an online presence and personal branding strategy on a laptop](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/personal-brand-app-launch-looking-at-screen.jpeg "How to Build a Personal Brand With a Clear Strategy - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn")](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-app/) ![Claire Bahn](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=128&d=mm&r=g) [ How to Build a Personal Brand: Why I Created the Personal Brand Advantage App ](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-app/) How do you build a personal brand that creates real career opportunities? It starts with more than posting on social [ Read More → ](https://clairebahn.com/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-app/) [![Female executive recording a business podcast to share leadership insights and strengthen her personal brand through strategic communications.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/07/woman-doing-a-podcast-personal-brand.jpeg "CEO Building a Personal Brand Through Executive Thought Leadership - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn")](https://clairebahn.com/why-every-ceo-needs-a-personal-brand-strategy/) ![Claire Bahn](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/323499a7a0c5b8881ce1dff754e6d650dc0dd5209fbbd498fb7f683fc86bfdfc?s=128&d=mm&r=g) [ Why CEOs Need Agents Now More Than Ever? ](https://clairebahn.com/why-every-ceo-needs-a-personal-brand-strategy/) What if the biggest opportunity your company is missing is the visibility of its CEO? Today’s most influential executives understand [ Read More → ](https://clairebahn.com/why-every-ceo-needs-a-personal-brand-strategy/) [ Read More Articles ](https://clairebahn.com/blog/) ## Questions? Please get in touch [ Contact Us ](https://clairebahn.com/contact-claire/) ## Claire Bahn Group named as one of the top 4 executive branding agencies in the world! [ ![Bhavik's logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/bhaviks-logo.webp "bhaviks-logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](https://bhaviks.com/top-executive-branding-agencies-2025/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) [ ![Glubble logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/glubble-logo2.webp "glubble-logo2 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](https://glubble.com/top-20-executive-branding-agencies-to-hire-in-2025/?utm_source=chatgpt.com) --- ### [Digital Media Services](https://clairebahn.com/digital-media-services/) **Published:** February 20, 2026 **Author:** CBG Dev **Content:** ## Digital Media Services for *Executives, Founders, and Corporate Leaders* Strategic Digital Media Services designed to build authority, increase visibility, and generate measurable ROI across SEO, social media, video, and PR. ### Build search-dominant authority ### Increase earned media visibility ### Create long-term brand equity [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) [ View Our Programs ](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-services/) ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-12.png "image-12.png - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/image-6.png "image-6.png - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Fortune logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FORTUNE-LOGO-2016-1024x244.png "FORTUNE-LOGO-2016 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Success Magazine logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SUCCESS_Logo_BLK-1024x186.png "SUCCESS_Logo_BLK - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Inc. logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Inc.png "Inc - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Horizontal-Divider.png "Horizontal Divider - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ## Featured In ## Understanding Digital Media ## What Are *Digital Media* Services? Digital Media Services are professional, internet-based solutions that create, optimize, distribute, and manage digital content across search engines, social platforms, video channels, and media outlets. For executives and corporate leaders, Digital Media Services are not about isolated tactics — they are about building an integrated visibility system that strengthens authority, credibility, and long-term brand equity. - Digital content strategy and thought leadership - Search engine optimization - Social media management - Video production and distribution - Public relations and earned media - Website development and optimization - Performance analytics and reporting ## Key Distinction ## Digital Media *Services* vs Digital Marketing While often confused, Digital Media Services and Digital Marketing serve different strategic purposes ## Digital Marketing - Focuses on paid advertising - Short-term traffic acquisition - Campaign-driven conversions - Performance marketing metrics - Performance marketing focus ## Digital Media Services - Focus on organic authority and search visibility - Long-term brand equity development - Thought leadership positioning - Earned media amplification - Reputation-driven growth “Digital marketing generates traffic. Digital Media Services generate authority.” [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) ## The Executive Imperative ## Why Digital Media Services Matter for *CEOs and Corporate Leaders* Executive visibility is no longer optional. It directly impacts corporate valuation, investor confidence, and long-term business growth.Strategic Digital Media Services influence these outcomes by strengthening executive search visibility, increasing media exposure, and reinforcing digital authority across every channel where your audience is present. [ Apply Now ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) ## 45% of a company’s reputation is attributed to the CEO’s reputation ## 44% of market value is linked to CEO reputation ## 79% percent of CMOs believe earned media is more effective than paid advertising ## 23% average revenue increase for companies engaging in regular PR ## Our Expertise ## Core Components of *Professional* Digital Media Services Each component reinforces the others, creating compounded visibility and measurable ROI. ## Content Strategy ## Digital Content Strategy and *Thought Leadership* Authority begins with clarity. We develop SEO-optimized thought leadership content that positions executives as trusted industry experts. This includes long-form articles, content pillar architecture, ghostwriting, and syndication strategies designed to strengthen search visibility and media credibility. ## SEO & Visibility ## Search Engine *Optimization* and Visibility Architecture Modern SEO is entity-driven and semantic. We structure executive content so search engines clearly understand your expertise, audience, and authority positioning. This includes keyword mapping, semantic clustering, internal linking architecture, and technical optimization. ## Social Media ## Social Media *Management* and Algorithm Strategy Visibility requires consistency and algorithm intelligence. We implement high-frequency authority-based posting, structured engagement systems, and cross-platform amplification strategies designed to increase reach and trigger platform algorithms. ## Video Strategy ## Video Strategy and YouTube *Optimization* Video accelerates trust faster than any other medium. We create audience-driven Q&A videos, optimize YouTube channels for search, and repurpose video content across social platforms to expand reach and authority. ## Public Relations ## Public Relations and Earned Media *Integration* Earned media strengthens credibility and amplifies search visibility. Our PR team develops media kits, conducts journalist outreach, secures podcast placements, and positions executives for meaningful earned media opportunities. [ Explore Public Relations Services ](https://go.clairebahn.com/pr-firm) ## Web Development ## Website Development and Authority *Infrastructure* Your website is your digital headquarters. We build executive authority websites designed for SEO performance, conversion optimization, and long-term brand credibility. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) Ready to Build an *Integrated* Digital Visibility System? ## Measurable Results ## Benefits of Digital Media Services for Executives When properly architected, Digital Media Services produce measurable and defensible advantages. This is not about vanity metrics — it is about measurable influence. ### Improve search engine ranking ### Increase earned media visibility ### Strengthen brand reputation ### Attract investors & partners ### Improve recruitment leverage ### Expand speaking invitations ### Build defensible industry authority ### Create inbound deal flow ## Who This Is For ## Who Needs Digital Media Services? Digital Media Services are particularly powerful for ambitious leaders ready to scale their influence and impact. CEOs pursuing board positions ## Elevate your visibility through strategic CEO PR Founders attracting capital ## Build credibility that drives investor confidence First-time authors launching books ## Create thought leadership platforms Consulting partners ## Build industry authority and recognition Corporate leaders seeking advancement ## Strengthen your professional brand Executives expanding influence ## Amplify your voice across digital channels Visibility is competitive advantage. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) ## Our Methodology ## How Claire Bahn Group Delivers Digital Media Services Our methodology is built on four integrated pillars, supported by SEO intelligence, algorithm understanding, and audience-first positioning. ## 01 Thought Leadership SEO-optimized content that establishes authority ## 02 Social Media Management Algorithm-driven strategies for maximum reach ## 03 Video Production Trust-building video content across platforms ## 04 PR and Publicity Earned media that amplifies visibility We do not execute tactics in isolation. We build omnichannel visibility ecosystems designed to compound authority over time. ## Frequently Asked Questions About Digital Media Services What are Digital Media Services? Digital Media Services are strategic solutions that create, optimize, and distribute digital content across search engines, social platforms, video channels, and media outlets to increase authority and visibility. How do Digital Media Services improve SEO? Through semantic keyword architecture, structured content systems, internal linking strategies, and consistent authority publishing, Digital Media Services improve search visibility organically What is the difference between Digital Media Services and Digital Marketing? Digital marketing focuses on paid acquisition. Digital Media Services focus on organic authority, search presence, thought leadership, and earned media. Are Digital Media Services worth it for CEOs? Yes. Executive visibility directly impacts corporate reputation, investor confidence, and market value. How long does it take to see results? Organic authority typically compounds within three to six months, depending on competition and existing digital presence. ### Digital Media Services That Drive Measurable ROI Claire Bahn Group combines nearly 45 years of branding, marketing, and PR expertise to architect Digital Media Services specifically for high-impact leaders. If you are evaluating Digital Media Services, the question is whether you want transactional content production — or strategic authority. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) [ View Case Studies ](https://clairebahn.com/testimonials/) --- ### [Branding Strategy for Thought Leaders](https://clairebahn.com/branding-strategy-for-thought-leaders/) **Published:** May 16, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Excerpt:** Discover elite personal branding services tailored for high-level leaders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. **Content:** ## In a Noisy Market, The One With the Most Authority Wins Ads come and go—but your name, your story, and your positioning as a thought leader build long-term influence. Let us help you own the conversation. The most valuable investment you can make isn’t in ads—it’s in you. Discover how C-suite leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts gain competitive advantage by building a personal brand that drives measurable business results. [ Book Your Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) Brand Yourself Like the Asset You Are While PPC campaigns deliver short-term clicks, executive branding delivers long-term credibility. In today’s saturated market, buyers trust people more than logos. Positioning you as the expert behind your company drives loyalty, visibility, and conversion far beyond any ad spend. trust active leadership on social media (Edelman Trust Barometer) 0 % align purchase behavior with brand values 0 % more likely to attract new business (Forbes/LinkedIn) 0 % *“The most valuable investment you can make isn’t in ads—it’s in you. Discover how C-suite leaders, entrepreneurs, and experts gain competitive advantage by building a personal brand that drives measurable business results.”* Client Wins That Speak for Themselves Our approach delivers more than brand polish—it produces ROI you can see. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/young-asian-reporter-having-a-conversation-with-a-2024-10-18-06-23-54-utc-1024x682.jpg "Young asian reporter having a conversation with a grey-haired man - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") Jonathan Hung **Industry:** Venture Capital & Angel Investing **Challenge:** Well-connected but invisible online—missed out on startup deals and press opportunities. **Strategy:** Created branded video series, social strategy, ghostwritten thought leadership, podcast guesting, and new website. **Results:** - 200% increase in qualified deal flow - Co-host of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Elevator Pitch - 165,000 monthly site views - Featured in Forbes and top startup podcasts *“Claire and her team helped me define who I am online. I now have the recognition I was looking for.”* Jean-Baptiste Wautier **Industry:** Finance, Philanthropy, Public Policy **Challenge:** Respected in European finance circles but lacked global visibility and thought leadership positioning. **Strategy:** Launched full brand identity, site, YouTube channel, newsletter, SEO content, and PR placements to elevate global presence. Results: - 417,933% increase in social reach - Featured in Fortune, Newsweek, US News, Epoch Times - 1,481% website traffic increase - 13,000% X (Twitter) growth *“CBG helped me position my voice where it matters most—on the world stage.”* ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/business-people-at-meeting-2025-03-23-20-08-58-utc-1024x711.jpg "Business people at meeting - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/businessmen-and-businesswomen-making-a-corporate-p-2025-03-15-02-49-46-utc-1024x682.jpg "Businessmen and businesswomen making a corporate party - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") Kim Lawton **Industry:** B2B Marketing in Regulated Industries & Philanthropy **Challenge:** Highly accomplished but underrecognized; overlooked for industry panels and investor opportunities. **Strategy:** Positioned Kim as a dual expert in marketing innovation and female leadership through cross-platform storytelling. **Results:** - 50% increase in speaking and press requests - 3,000+ avg LinkedIn post views (from 237) - 5,650 new followers - Videos shared 20,000+ times monthly - Featured on top marketing podcasts and partnered with Kendra Scott *“CBG elevated both my business and my foundation with a unified voice and strategy.”* Tiffany Perkins-Munn **Industry:** Data Science & Corporate Strategy **Challenge:** Respected internally but lacked external visibility to convert thought leadership into speaking and board opportunities. **Strategy:** Multi-platform campaign using SEO blogs, podcast pitching, newsletter, and targeted PR placements. **Results:** - 500% increase in speaking & media requests - 8,500+ LinkedIn followers - Blog shared 5,000 times monthly - Named one of CDO Magazine’s Global Data Power Women *“I now get the visibility and speaking requests I once thought were out of reach.”* ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/analysis-presentation-diverse-business-team-strate-2025-03-09-20-15-37-utc-1024x682.jpg "analysis presentation diverse business team strategy meeting professional development training seminar workplace inclusion - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![An image of Claire Bahn, the CEO and Founder of Claire Bahn Group, a strategic communications and personal branding agency.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Claire-Bahn-home-page-about-931x1024.jpg "Claire Bahn home page about - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") Your Competition Isn’t Waiting—Why Are You? Every day you delay building your personal brand, you leave opportunities on the table. Clients choose the most visible expert—not necessarily the best one. ### "Visibility is the currency of opportunity." — Claire Bahn #### Ready to Build a Brand That Pays Dividends? Let’s uncover what’s possible when the world knows your name—and why you’re the authority in your field. [ Book Your Strategy Call Now ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) ### Only 10 client slots open per quarter ### 1:1 expert-led strategy ### Tailored brand roadmap with measurable ROI --- ### [Premium Personal Branding Services for Experts](https://clairebahn.com/personal-branding-services/) **Published:** April 16, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Excerpt:** Discover elite personal branding services tailored for high-level leaders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. **Content:** # Strategic Visibility & Personal Branding Development for Industry Leaders You’ve already built the credibility. Now it’s time to ensure your online presence reflects the caliber of your experience, leadership, and influence with our premium personal branding services. Our personal branding agency specializes in done-for-you personal branding consulting services for high-performing professionals, founders, and CEOs. We help you build your personal brand into a powerful platform for thought leadership, media and public relations opportunities, and strategic business growth. This is not a DIY course or coaching program. It’s a concierge-level experience tailored to your unique personal brand strategy and goals. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) ## Our Personal Branding Services​ This is a done-for-you personal branding service designed for those who understand the value of time and expertise. We don’t just polish your presence—we position you for real opportunity. Our team of senior strategists, designers, content creators, and publicists handles every element, working behind the scenes to build a personal brand that reflects your authority and accelerates momentum. ### Brand Strategy - Deep-dive personal brand strategy sessions - Audience identification and messaging clarity - Development of core content pillars and authority themes ### Visual & Digital Presence - Custom-designed personal website to showcase your expertise - Professional photoshoot with high-end retouching - Refined visual identity including logo, fonts, and color palette ### Thought Leadership - High-converting, SEO-optimized articles - Strategic social media content calendar and copywriting - Platform positioning across LinkedIn, Instagram, and more ### Media & Public Relations - Personalized media and public relations campaigns tailored to your expertise - Media coaching and interview readiness - Outreach to podcasts, digital publications, and speaking opportunities ### Visibility Acceleration - Video production for high-impact storytelling - On-camera training to build confidence across channels - Optional ghostwriting for speeches and signature content ## Who We Work With Our clients are visionary entrepreneurs, C-suite executives, investors, consultants, authors, and experts who know that credibility drives opportunity. They’re not looking for quick wins—they’re focused on building a strong personal brand and long-term brand equity. Whether you’re preparing for the media spotlight or scaling your message globally, our personal branding consulting services are designed to meet you at that level—with a brand strategy that reflects the leader you already are. ### CEOs, Executives & Entrepreneurs Leaders looking to increase visibility, brand awareness, and industry influence ### Industry Leaders & Experts Experts preparing for a book launch, podcast, or speaking tour ### Founders Founders seeking to elevate their authority ahead of a raise, acquisition, or major expansion ![A woman confidently speaks to other business leaders who are interested in her personal executive branding.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/speaker-1024x574.jpeg "Exited woman motivational speaker on stage. Diversity, Success, Leadership, STEM concept. Generative AI. - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ## Elevate Your Brand. Expand Your Influence. Today’s market doesn’t reward the best-kept secret—it rewards the best-positioned expert. Whether you’re scaling a company or stepping into the public eye, your digital presence should work as hard as you do. This isn’t about vanity. It’s about building your brand with strategy. We help you build a personal brand rooted in clarity, credibility, and consistency—one that attracts opportunities like speaking engagements, investment, media, and growth. Every element is intentional. We don’t believe in surface-level visibility. We believe in impact. You bring the expertise—we build the ecosystem that positions you as the authority in your space. ## Why Invest in Personal Branding Services? Whether you’re launching a book, raising capital, or entering the spotlight, the marketplace needs to know who you are and why you matter. That’s where our personal branding agency comes in. We combine high-level strategy, precise messaging, and standout creative execution to develop a presence that opens doors. With a strong personal brand, you can stop chasing leads—your reputation starts working for you. ## CBG is a White-Glove, Done-for-You Experience From positioning to production, our personal branding consulting services cover every step needed to amplify your digital footprint. Whether you’re starting fresh or refining your brand, we deliver a complete solution built around your goals. We manage every detail—from professional photography and websites to video storytelling, thought leadership, and media and public relations outreach. Our goal? To make you unforgettable. ![A team of personal branding and PR experts discussing executive brand strategy.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/marketing-team-1024x683.jpeg "Achieving success together. Group of young modern people in smar - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ## Ready to take the next steps? If you’re serious about building your brand with a personal branding strategy that commands attention, we’re ready to partner at the highest level. [ Book a Strategy Call to Learn More ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) --- ### [Executive Branding Services](https://clairebahn.com/executive-branding-services/) **Published:** July 31, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Excerpt:** Discover elite personal branding services tailored for high-level leaders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. **Content:** ## Elevate Your Authority. Become the Brand Everyone Talks About. You’ve mastered your business. Now it’s time the world sees you as the expert you are. Claire Bahn Group builds personal brands for C-suite leaders, investors, and high-performing professionals who need their reputation to match their results. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) Your Reputation Is the Multiplier on Everything You Do Executives with strong personal brands are invited onto boards, quoted in the press, featured on top podcasts, and selected for opportunities before anyone else. But most high-performers don’t have time—or the system—to build visibility at this level. That’s where we come in. We’ve built and managed personal brands for Fortune 100 advisors, celebrity investors, and award-winning CEOs. And we do the work for you. CBG is the team behind the scenes when leaders want to be seen. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/forbes-logo-1024x288.jpg "Forbes_Logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/Bloomberg-Logo2.png "Bloomberg-Logo2 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/entrepreneur-logo.webp "entrepreneur-logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/fortune-logo-2016-840x485-1-1024x512.webp "fortune-logo-2016-840x485 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") #### What You Get with Our Prestige Presence System ### Strategic Visibility Thought leadership. PR. Podcast appearances. High-authority positioning. ### Omnichannel Authority LinkedIn optimization. SEO-rich content. Premium social strategy. ### Full-Service Execution We handle every asset, post, article, and booking. You stay in control, not in the weeds. Includes PR, thought leadership content, social media management, video production, and professional photoshoot. Client Results that Speak for Themselves ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/business-people-at-meeting-2025-03-23-20-08-58-utc-1024x711.jpg "Business people at meeting - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") James Murphy **Industry:** Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing **Challenge:** Virtually no brand recognition despite leading a global prototype manufacturing firm. Competitors dominated search and visibility. **Strategy:** Developed his CEO brand from scratch—site, brand identity, thought leadership, blog, SEO, and social—positioning him as a recognized industry leader. **Results:** - 5,700% increase in website impressions - 13,000+ new Twitter followers - 1,293 newsletter subscribers in 8 months - Blog shared 50,000+ times - LinkedIn impressions grew to 97,800 *“Since working with CBG, my industry recognition has grown exponentially. I’m no longer invisible online.”* Jonathan Hung **Industry:** Venture Capital & Angel Investing **Challenge:** Well-connected but invisible online—missed out on startup deals and press opportunities. **Strategy:** Created branded video series, social strategy, ghostwritten thought leadership, podcast guesting, and new website. **Results:** - 200% increase in qualified deal flow - Co-host of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Elevator Pitch - 165,000 monthly site views - Featured in Forbes and top startup podcasts *“Claire and her team helped me define who I am online. I now have the recognition I was looking for.”* ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/young-asian-reporter-having-a-conversation-with-a-2024-10-18-06-23-54-utc-1024x682.jpg "Young asian reporter having a conversation with a grey-haired man - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/happy-female-speaker-talking-on-a-business-confere-2024-12-13-20-50-32-utc-1024x682.jpg "Happy female speaker talking on a business conference at convention center. - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") Kim Lawton **Industry:** B2B Marketing in Regulated Industries & Philanthropy **Challenge:** Highly accomplished but underrecognized; overlooked for industry panels and investor opportunities. **Strategy:** Positioned Kim as a dual expert in marketing innovation and female leadership through cross-platform storytelling. **Results:**- 50% increase in speaking and press requests - 3,000+ avg LinkedIn post views (from 237) - 5,650 new followers - Videos shared 20,000+ times monthly - Featured on top marketing podcasts and partnered with Kendra Scott *“CBG elevated both my business and my foundation with a unified voice and strategy.”* Jean-Baptiste Wautier **Industry:** Finance, Philanthropy, Public Policy **Challenge:** Respected in European finance circles but lacked global visibility and thought leadership positioning. **Strategy:** Launched full brand identity, site, YouTube channel, newsletter, SEO content, and PR placements to elevate global presence. Results: - 417,933% increase in social reach - Featured in Fortune, Newsweek, US News, Epoch Times - 1,481% website traffic increase - 13,000% X (Twitter) growth *“CBG helped me position my voice where it matters most—on the world stage.”* ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/miguel-henriques-RfiBK6Y_upQ-unsplash-1024x682.jpg "miguel-henriques-RfiBK6Y_upQ-unsplash - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) ![An image of Claire Bahn, the CEO and Founder of Claire Bahn Group, a strategic communications and personal branding agency.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Claire-Bahn-home-page-about-931x1024.jpg "Claire Bahn home page about - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") Executive Branding Services with Purpose: We’re not a service provider but a strategic partner guiding your legacy. At Claire Bahn Group, we work with only a select number of clients at a time. We partner with leaders who are ready to rise from *unknown* to *unforgettable,* those with the vision, credibility, and commitment to build a lasting legacy. We don’t just take on clients. We *choose* them. ### 3-month minimum commitment ### Done-for-you implementation ### Brand visibility without the overwhelm #### Ready to Build the Brand You Deserve? Let’s discuss your goals, your market, and how we can elevate your presence. Your next opportunity starts with being seen by the right people. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) We review all applicants for fit. Strategy calls are limited to 5 per week. --- ### [Testimonials](https://clairebahn.com/testimonials/) **Published:** February 6, 2026 **Author:** CBG Dev **Content:** # Proof That ***Visibility Creates Opportunity*** Claire Bahn Group builds authority-driven visibility that generates measurable business outcomes for executives, founders, and investors. [ See Results Below ](https://clairebahn.com/testimonial-new/#testimonials) ## Why Claire Bahn Group ## PR + Brand + Publicity ## Senior-led, done-for-you ## Multi-platform visibility ## Featured in top-tier media ## Video Testimonials Hear directly from leaders we’ve positioned and promoted. ## Jean-Baptiste Wautier Board member, Pershing Square & Howard Hughes Holdings “Once you have a team that really understands you, your objectives, and how you work, everything begins firing on all cylinders.” ## Jordan Geary Emmy Award-Winning Television Producer “I’ve always worked behind the scenes. I’m now a featured player for the first time in my life. And you all made that happen, so thank you.” ## Jonathan Hung Managing Partner Entrepreneur Ventures and Judge on Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch “Claire has done an amazing job in helping me define who I am and my brand online…I now have the industry recognition I was looking for with speaking opportunities, deal flow, and press interviews.” ## Jay Sung Chief Marketing Officer and Operating Partner at Brentwood Associates “\[Claire and her team\] work on a very tactical level…I’ve seen a lot of benefits, from being able to extend my reach in thought leadership to the various business opportunities that have come my way, which would not have happened if I didn’t have this unique type of outreach.” ## Dale DeSteno Business Executive “You will find value in \[the Personal Branding Fast Track\] program, no matter what, I promise you that.” ### Ready to build visibility that compounds? [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) ## What Our Clients Say ❝ "Claire and her team are great to work with. They are very involved from beginning to end with their clients. They helped me develop a presence... in a very niche industry. I look forward to working with them on projects in the future - they are my "go-to" team." Read More ![User](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/unnamed.jpg)#### Tracy A. Marion Chief Investment Officer. ❝ "My experience with Claire Bahn Group has been excellent. Their team is extraordinary. They provide the research, strategic thinking, roadmap, and execution required to build brand, followers and influence ... - not an easy task in the crowded world of social media. Clairebahn is uniquely capable to accelerate success in this area. I would highly recommend them." Read More ![User](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/Michael-Vadini.jpg)#### Michael Vadini CEO, Usecase ❝ "Claire knows what she’s talking about, period. If you’re looking to start a personal brand and are lost as to how to do so, track her down before you do... anything else!" Read More #### Harry Thomas Managing Director, Apex Capital ❝ "I would definitely take her Fast-track course if you really want to build your Personal Brand. Claire really knows what she is talking about and she is very kind and detail-oriented.... She also provides lots of additional outside resources and simple steps you can do on a daily, weekly, or monthly basis. Super motivating as well!" Read More #### Lindsey Marie Barber Partner, GreenField Investments ❝ "Amazing in her craft. I love her live videos, she provides lots of value. Helped me gain some clarity about my target market. Looking forward to learning more from Claire on... mastering my brand." Read More #### Vanita Baugh Angel Investor ❝ "I love what Claire and her team at Claire Bahn Group did for my personal brand. I've hired "branding experts" before, but only Claire focused on my whole online presence.... I now have clients coming to me!" Read More #### Jenn Gainey Author, "Future of Work" ## Case Study Results A sample of measurable outcomes our clients achieved. 0 % increase in website impressions new social followers 0 + 0 newsletter subscribers in 8 months 0 + content shares 0 % increase in social reach. 0 % increase in website traffic 0 % increase in qualified deal flow 0 monthly site views 0 % increase in speaking and press requests 0 % increase in social reach. ### Want outcomes like these in the next 90–180 days? [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) ## See How We Did It ###### Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing ## James Murphy ## Challenge: Virtually no brand recognition despite leading a global prototype manufacturing firm. ## Strategy: Developed his CEO brand from scratch—site, brand identity, thought leadership, blog, SEO. ## Results: - 5,700% increase in website impressions - 13,000+ new Twitter followers - 1,293 newsletter subscribers in 8 months - Blog shared 50,000+ times “Since working with CBG, my industry recognition has grown exponentially. I’m no longer invisible online.” ###### Finance, Philanthropy, Public Policy ## Jean-Baptiste Wautier ## Challenge: Respected in European finance circles but lacked global visibility and thought leadership positioning. ## Strategy: Launched full brand identity, site, YouTube channel, newsletter, SEO content, and PR placements to elevate global presence. ## Results: - 417,933% increase in social reach - 1,481% website traffic increase - 13,000% X (Twitter) growth - Featured in Fortune, Newsweek, US News, Epoch Times ## Public Relations Highlights: Epoch Times, Fortune, GoBankingRates.com, Newsweek, US News & World Report, US News and World Report “CBG helped me position my voice where it matters most—on the world stage.” ###### Venture Capital & Angel Investing ## Jonathan Hung ## Challenge: Well-connected but invisible online—missed out on startup deals and press opportunities. ## Strategy: Created branded video series, social strategy, ghostwritten thought leadership, podcast guesting, and new website. ## Results: - 200% increase in qualified deal flow - Featured in Forbes and top startup podcasts - 165,000 monthly site views - Co-host of Entrepreneur Magazine’s Elevator Pitch ## Public Relations Highlights: The Full Ratchet “Claire and her team helped me define who I am online. I now have the recognition I was looking for.” ###### B2B Marketing in Regulated Industries & Philanthropy ## Kim Lawton ## Challenge: Highly accomplished but underrecognized; overlooked for industry panels and investor opportunities. ## Strategy: Positioned Kim as a dual expert in marketing innovation and female leadership through cross-platform storytelling. ## Results: - 50% increase in speaking and press requests - Videos shared 20,000+ times monthly - 5,650 new followers - 3,000+ avg LinkedIn post views (from 237) - Featured on top marketing podcasts and partnered with Kendra Scott ## Public Relations Highlights: Featured, Tech Bullion, Techbullion “CBG elevated both my business and my foundation with a unified voice and strategy.” ###### Data Science & Corporate Strategy ## Tiffany Perkins Munn ## Challenge: Respected internally but lacked external visibility to convert thought leadership into speaking and board opportunities. ## Strategy: Multi-platform campaign using SEO blogs, podcast pitching, newsletter, and targeted PR placements. ## Results: - 500% increase in speaking & media requests - 8,500+ LinkedIn followers - Blog shared 5,000 times monthly - Named one of CDO Magazine’s Global Data Power Women ## Public Relations Highlights: Forbes Milestone: Published first book titled *Data (De)coded: What Everyone Needs to Know about Data and AI (No Tech Degree Required)*. “I now get the visibility and speaking requests I once thought were out of reach.” ## Major Media Placements ![U.S. News & World Report logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/U.S._News__World_Report_logo.svg.png "U.S._News_&_World_Report_logo.svg - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Inc. logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Inc.png "Inc - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Time Magazine logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Time.png "Time - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Forbes logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Forbes.png "Forbes - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Entrepreneur logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/entreprenuer.png "entreprenuer - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Success Magazine logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/SUCCESS_Logo_BLK-1024x186.png "SUCCESS_Logo_BLK - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Fortune logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/FORTUNE-LOGO-2016-1024x244.png "FORTUNE-LOGO-2016 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Women's Wear Daily logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Womens_Wear_Daily_logo-1024x301.png "Women's_Wear_Daily_logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Grit Daily logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/GritDaily_Logo-Horizontal_Black_Blue.png "GritDaily_Logo-Horizontal_Black_Blue - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![AskMen logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/ask-men.png "ask men - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![AllBusiness logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/all-business-1-1024x398.png "all business - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Les Echos logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/les-echos.png "les echos - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Newsweek logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/newsweek-assets2.png "newsweek-assets2 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![MarketWatch logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/MarketWatch.png "MarketWatch - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![The Full Ratchet podcast logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Full-Ratchet-1024x1024.webp "Full Ratchet - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![CNN logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/cnn-logo-transparent-1024x489.png "cnn-logo-transparent - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![The Wall Street Journal logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/WSJ.png "WSJ - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ## How We Work Step 1 ## Collaborative strategy development Step 2 ## Simultaneous multi-channel execution Step 3 ## Extensive PR and media outreach Step 4 ## ROI-focused visibility building [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) Senior-led. Done for you. Built for measurable outcomes. ## Frequently Asked Questions I already have a website and social presence. Can you elevate what exists? Absolutely. Most of our clients come to us with existing digital footprints. We audit your current presence, identify gaps and opportunities, and build upon what’s working while transforming what isn’t. Our approach is about elevation and optimization, not starting from scratch. How do you measure success? We focus on tangible business outcomes, not vanity metrics. Success is measured through increased visibility (media placements, speaking invitations), enhanced credibility (thought leadership recognition, awards), and business growth (qualified leads, partnership opportunities, revenue impact). We provide regular reporting and adjust strategies based on results. Do you offer one-off PR placements? We specialize in comprehensive, sustained visibility campaigns rather than one-off placements. Building lasting authority requires consistent, strategic effort across multiple channels. That said, we can discuss specific needs during our strategy call to determine the best approach for your goals. What types of leaders do you work with? We work with executives, founders, investors, and high-achieving professionals who want to build authority-driven visibility. Our clients include C-suite executives at Fortune 500 companies, startup founders, venture capitalists, private equity professionals, authors, and thought leaders across various industries. ### Build authority that attracts opportunity. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) --- ### [About Claire Bahn Group](https://clairebahn.com/about-claire-bahn-group/) **Published:** March 6, 2026 **Author:** CBG Dev **Content:** ## About *Claire Bahn Group* Personal branding and strategic visibility for executives, founders, and thought leaders who want to become the recognized authority in their industry. [ ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/hlh-300x109.png "hlh - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![DiversyFund logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/DiversyFund-Logo-768x146.png "DiversyFund-Logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Trousdale Ventures logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/trousdale_logo-768x89.png "trousdale_logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Brentwood Associates logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Brentwood.png "Brentwood - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) ![BlackRock logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/BlackRock-logo-1024x576.png "BlackRock-logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") [ ![JPMorgan Chase & Co. logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/JP-Morgan-Chase-Logo-768x432.png "JP-Morgan-Chase-Logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Amazon logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Amazon_logo.svg-768x232.png "Amazon_logo.svg - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Aterian Investment Partners logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Aterian-Logo-1024x288.png "Aterian Logo - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) [ ![Howdy logo](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/HOWDY-logo-black-and-cream-1.webp "HOWDY-logo-black-and-cream-1 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](#) ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Horizontal-Divider.png "Horizontal Divider - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ## Who we've worked with ## Who We Are ## About Claire Bahn Group The Claire Bahn Group is a personal branding and strategic visibility agency built for executives, founders, thought leaders, and high-performing individuals who want to become the recognized authority in their industry. We operate much more like a talent agency than a marketing service, which gives our clients a level of strategy, representation, and execution that is highly selective and deeply personalized. Our philosophy is simple: personal branding is no longer optional. Research shows that 45% of a company’s reputation and 44% of its market value are directly attributable to the CEO’s reputation. Strong executive visibility is now a business driver, impacting investor confidence, talent recruitment, media influence, and long-term growth. We help leaders harness that power through an omnichannel approach that blends thought leadership, PR, social media, video, and strategic storytelling into one cohesive engine. ## Our Principals ![Claire Bahn, Marketing Agency, Strategic Communications, brand reputation, personal brand strategist, executive branding, CEO branding, personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Claire-Bahn-home-mobile-scaled-poh4154b0fxxgabuc943ass2xs0c1uj17difn9vsso.jpg "Claire Bahn home mobile") ##### As seen on ![personal brand strategist](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asset-2.png) ![personal brand strategist](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asset-4.png) ![claire bahn, la weekly](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/LA_Weekly_logo-768x197.png) ![asset 7](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asset-7.png) ![personal brand strategist](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asset-3.png) ![asset 8](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asset-8.png) ![personal brand strategist](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asset-5.png) ![asset 6](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asset-6.png) ![personal brand strategist](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/asset-10.png) ##### Claire Bahn Co-founder and Ceo Claire Bahn is a serial entrepreneur, CEO, and Founder of Claire Bahn Group (CBG), a leading strategic marketing communications and branding agency. CBG specializes in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. With over 17 years of industry experience, Claire is dedicated to helping businesses, high-achieving CEOs, executives, investors, and founders amplify their authority and influence. Her goal is to help them accelerate business growth, gain recognition, and increase opportunities. As an influencer with over 100,000 social media followers, Claire emphasizes the importance of building a robust personal and business brand to attract opportunities and enhance visibility. Claire’s mission is to help others in leveraging their brands to develop the authority, influence, and trust needed to achieve their career and life goals. Her expertise has been acknowledged by prominent publications such as Entrepreneur, Forbes, and MarketWatch, and she has been featured on “This Week in Startups” with Jason Calacanis. Recently, Claire was recognized as one of the Top 10 Los Angeles Entrepreneurs to Know About. Claire holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin. Her extensive experience and passion for personal branding have made her a sought-after expert in the field. Based in Los Angeles, Claire continues to empower individuals to create, maintain, and protect their personal brands, helping them achieve the authority, influence, and trust they need to succeed. ![Gordon Gooch](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Gordon-Gooch-scaled-qr7vcd46hfyhndzgqx3z3wvkfs3bfuwh4g7ofamxe0.jpg "Gordon Gooch") ##### As seen on ![Marketing Agency](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/cnn-768x369.png) ![Marketing Agency](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/msnbc-768x768.png) ![Marketing Agency](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/wsj-768x102.png) ![Marketing Agency](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/abc-news-768x432.png) ![Marketing Agency](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/fox-5-logo-58AD92FB3A-seeklogo.com_.png) ##### Gordon Gooch Co-Founder and COO Gordon Gooch, COO of Claire Bahn Group, is a marketing executive specializing in Strategic Digital Marketing and Public Relations Strategies. Masterminding operational and marketing success for organizations from start-ups to Fortune 500s, Gordon leverages his unique track record, industry contacts, and expertise to deliver solid results across business strategy, operations performance, digital marketing, and cross-functional team leadership. Gordon’s expertise includes lead generation and developing MQLs for clients. He is a leading expert in SEO, programmatic advertising, PPC, social media, and influencer marketing. He specializes in implementing multifaceted marketing programs to maximize exposure, combining traditional SEO best practices, social media, and branding to dramatically increase visibility, lead generation, and trust. Gordon’s success is driven by his ability to build highly effective operational strategies that drive gains in market share, distribution, revenue, and growth. As an engaging strategic business management leader, he possesses a winning blend of sales, brand management, team leadership, strategic and communications acumen. He naturally builds genuine connections with people at all levels, inspiring teams to produce exemplary results through hands-on involvement and cross-functional delegation. His specialties include leadership, revenue growth, budget management, market penetration, digital marketing, SEO, SEM, PPC, social media, e-commerce, business development, team leadership, project management, and product development. ## Our Expertise ## What We Do and What We're Known For We specialize in creating and managing personal brands for CEOs and senior executives, as well as elite entrepreneurs, first-time authors, high-achieving women leaders, and families looking to elevate their student-athletes’ NIL visibility. Our Signature Presence Program and Prestige Presence Program are comprehensive, done-for- you engagements designed to build authority quickly and sustainably across all digital channels. These programs include brand strategy, SEO-driven content, professional photography, short- form and long-form video, social media management, PR outreach, media training, and website development. What makes us different is our audience-first methodology. Instead of building aspirational or self-promotional brands, we position each client as a solution to their audience’s most important challenges. This approach drives faster and more meaningful growth, because people follow leaders who help them—not leaders who talk about themselves. ## Our Difference ## What Sets Us Apart **First, we are selective.** Claire personally approves every client we represent. When we agree to represent a client, it’s because we know we can shape their narrative, expand their market visibility, and strategically position them in conversations that matter. **Second, our internal structure mirrors a top-tier entertainment agency.** Each client receives a full team—ghostwriters, researchers, PR specialists, designers, social media managers, and video producers—working together in a synchronized system that accelerates digital authority from multiple angles at once. **Third, our results are measurable.** We focus heavily on ROI-driven metrics: audience reach, impressions, authority keywords, earned media, and inbound opportunities. This is not vanity branding; it is strategic brand architecture with business impact at its core. ## Our Results ## What We're Most Proud Of - **Jean-Baptiste:** Drove **417,933% growth** in social reach and a **1,481% increase** in organic website traffic. This enhanced global visibility secured tier-one media (*Fortune*, *Newsweek*, *U.S. News*) and led to major board nominations, including consideration at a publicly traded investment firm. - **James:** Generated over **5,700% growth** in website impressions within a highly technical B2B manufacturing niche. By leveraging structured SEO and content syndication, he dramatically increased inbound discoverability without relying on paid acquisition. - **Jonathan:** Accelerated brand visibility to become a recurring cast member on *Entrepreneur Magazine’s* “Entrepreneur Elevator Pitch.” Expanding his digital footprint strengthened his positioning within the angel/VC ecosystem and significantly elevated his deal flow visibility. - **Tiffany:** Expanded multi-platform reach by over **1,000%**, cementing her executive credibility in Fortune 100 environments. Consistent thought leadership and strategic PR directly increased demand for her in advisory and board-level conversations. - **Kim:** Elevated her authority across both corporate and philanthropic sectors through coordinated PR and brand positioning. This strategy directly resulted in expanded speaking opportunities, higher audience engagement, and measurable multi-channel digital growth. ## Across Our Portfolio ## Common Outcomes Include - Multi-thousand percent increases in reach, impressions, and visibility - Triple- and quadruple-digit growth in website traffic - Placement in Tier 1 media outlets including Forbes, Entrepreneur, Fortune, Newsweek, and The Wall Street Journal - Recurring podcast and broadcast features in top-ranked industry platforms - Conversion of visibility into board nominations, investment conversations, capital raises, consulting engagements, and paid speaking opportunities These outcomes are not vanity metrics. They reflect strategic authority expansion. Increased reach improves discoverability. Increased traffic drives inbound opportunity. Earned media enhances credibility. Audience growth compounds influence. In executive branding, visibility is not the end goal. It is the leverage point. When authority compounds, opportunity follows. ## Our Mission ## What You Should Know Our brand is built on the belief that visibility is a form of power. When leaders step forward with clarity and authority, opportunities naturally flow to them—investors, clients, press, partnerships, and speaking invitations. Personal branding is not self-promotion; it is a strategic asset that can transform careers and companies. The data overwhelmingly supports this: executives with strong personal brands drive better corporate performance, attract talent, and build public trust. Whether someone is a CEO looking to elevate their influence, a founder preparing for a capital raise, an author launching a book, or a senior executive ready to step onto a bigger stage, our mission is the same: to ensure they are remembered, not just noticed. If your readers want to understand the true ROI of elevating their presence, it’s this: when people trust the person, they trust the company. And when they trust the company, everything grows. “Visibility is the currency of opportunity for 2026 and beyond.” ## Our Strategic Communications Team ![Claire bahn group](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/IMG_1674-qarj15ag4egill2iu309r2w5n5iwv3i2wwkdd6c0p4.jpg "Sarah Mich") ##### Sarah Mich Account Executive ![Jessica Graham](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Jessica-Graham-qmj3r6dfgb9rx6mfgsgqm2wc7e6a7hrizjmhngym0w.jpg "Jessica Graham") ##### Jessica Graham Account Coordinator ![Sophia_Werthmann_](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Sophia_Werthmann_-rbuyegwivsitipellxsy33o17hunoufa8igwsafslk.jpg "Sophia_Werthmann_") ##### Sophia Werthmann Assistant to Claire Bahn ![Stefanie Citrin](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/stef-pic-for-CBG-rqr2c9nhssbve2u5glyivspm3xxtkyiuebqnbctevc.jpg "Stefanie Citrin") ##### Stefanie Citrin Account Coordinator​ ![Frances_CV image](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Frances_CV-image-scaled-rauk2gjludli4tdr0ktb3sle16on2itc0qoqikuj60.jpg "Frances_CV image") ##### Frances Uzoukwu social media specialist ![Carson Mason headshot](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Carson-Mason-headshot-r8hbq88h2dv9tv136ja931r7ej3oidcshcyoctc03s.png "Carson Mason headshot") ##### Carson Mason Social Media Specialist ![LidiaKlingenberg_Headshot](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/LidiaKlingenberg_Headshot-r5h84jqikepelqq78jj3k7kr4mqjhf9w680d4pk6tk.jpg "LidiaKlingenberg_Headshot") ##### Lidia Klingenberg Social Media Specialist​ ![Dina Folgia](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Dina-Folgia-rbuykw4tl1bcus2q3pr64hbfca6yadx94aycucwy2w.jpg "Dina Folgia") ##### Dina Folgia social media specialist ![Jenna Gilpin](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Jenna-Gilpin-Headshot-rhylr098mutbloa5n91xwhwl7ckuqjwmz5p6pthoqw.jpg "Jenna Gilpin Headshot") ##### Jenna Gilpin Social Media Specialist​ ![Frances_CV image](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Frances_CV-image-scaled-rauk2gjludli4tdr0ktb3sle16on2itc0qoqikuj60.jpg "Frances_CV image") ##### Frances Uzoukwu social media specialist ![Marlee-Martinez-2025-09-08-100](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Marlee-Martinez-2025-09-08-100-rbuyifrzqlyejfn2fnk8m3m3i2ag6u6hg5mpqcjybs.jpeg "Marlee-Martinez-2025-09-08-100") ##### Marlee Martinez Lead Public Relations Specialist ![Sierra Mackie](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Sierra-Mackie-Headshot-raujviijcg38cjgxkkqjojos0ox0718qed5kuz5954.jpg "Sierra Mackie Headshot") ##### Sierra Mackie Public Relations Specialist ![Michael Johnson](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Michael-Johnson-IMG_9884-medium-rhylxl4kh3tkveq383fxcu4qwg5cma0zvq3jnjqh6w.jpg "Michael Johnson IMG_9884 medium") ##### Michael Johnson Content Writer ![Sam Gagliardi](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Sam-Gagliardi-re1528tuv6lx315okfe2oe28vm54rgo4ufs2ceqhe0.jpg "Sam Gagliardi") ##### Sam Gagliardi Public Relations Specialist ![london-01684](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/london-01684-r8yfufyia4wrpp14b1zuyy5rgznbtx9pb893qqiao8.jpg "london-01684") ##### London Green Content Writer ![Isabelle Bryan](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Isabelle-Bryan-scaled-rhylw1o39vpnueyn7xgxrq4jupqp04wu03lwc80pe0.jpg "Isabelle Bryan") ##### Isabelle Bryan Content Writer​ ![#image_title](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Sid_Headshot5-rldv9pmhi5hhs5gxqdeqhyoor5otz34pbqf8ztj1qg.jpg "Sid_Headshot5") ##### Sid Williams-Heath​ Public Relations Associate ![Maria McGinnis](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Maria-McGinnis-1-qljzojkj7zzoenmxmznqqvsxq1dz8wrp65u0zvuz60.jpg "Maria McGinnis") ##### Maria McGinnis Senior Content Coordinator ![Alli McAuley](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/big-alli-portrait-qv4s8lxt19dxm6007sq4pa4zl0bsasw00n4yi2lxck.jpg "big-alli-portrait") ##### Alli McAuley Graphic & Web Designer ![gina morell; claire bahn group](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Gina-About-image-pshzdv9emv9qcd0oaegz51wo2apx9lu4t37ng31lzc.jpg "Gina About image") ##### Gina Morell Stylist ![#image_title](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/lydia-headshot-rldv0xsp3w2xm64tr4gi64ymn0toswp16exio5apsk.jpeg "lydia headshot") ##### Lydia Berge Marketing Coordinator ![#image_title](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/CSmedeby-Headshot-rldv3t6ylleowa1i6tl1ugaii2rvnhpd6izijaa0so.jpeg "CSmedeby Headshot") ##### Claire Smedeby Social Media Specialist ![#image_title](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Dianne-Dowler-scaled-rldv5we16evew2xes9nmbvw7i8dffee16yvrupxwyc.jpg "Evoto") ##### Dianne Dowler Media & Visuals Coordinator ![Mayra Rice](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Mayra-Rice-Photo-rldv7uvy0wy4vu5vk2k82xiykstrskrrek3rx6a008.png "Mayra Rice Photo") ##### Mayra Rice Social Media Specialist ![#image_title](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Sid_Headshot5-rldv9pmgw839z5e2iwz5fx9i8hl0n7iudu4nx4afpw.jpg "Sid_Headshot5") ##### Sid Williams-Heath Public Relations Associate ![Mayra Rice](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Mayra-Rice-Photo-rldv7uvy0wy4vu5vk2k82xiykstrskrrek3rx6a008.png "Mayra Rice Photo") ##### Mayra Rice Social Media Specialist --- ### [Claire Bahn Group Open Positions](https://clairebahn.com/open-positions/) **Published:** April 5, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** ## Claire Bahn Group Jobs ### We are currently hiring for the following role(s): [ Click Here to Apply ](https://www.cognitoforms.com/ClaireBahnGroup1/ClaireBahnGroupApplicationForm) ### **Account Coordinator- US Based Virtual Position** ##### **Job Description** We are seeking a motivated, detail-oriented Account Coordinator to support our client accounts. The Account Coordinator will act as a liaison between clients and internal teams, ensuring seamless communication, accurate documentation, and exceptional client service. This position is ideal for someone with prior experience in account coordination, marketing support, or client relations who is looking to grow within a fast-paced, professional environment. ###### Pay will be $23 per hour **Responsibilities:** - Assist the Account Executive with day-to-day client management and coordination. - Communicate with professionalism and discretion when engaging with executive-level clients. - Support the preparation of client reports and other materials while maintaining up-to-date client records. - Liaise with internal teams to support client onboarding and ongoing client content and materials. - Coordinate and schedule meetings, calls for the account management team - Track project timelines, deliverables, and client feedback to ensure smooth execution across departments. - Address internal requests related to client projects and ensure accurate communication between teams. **Requirements:** - Two to three years of experience in account coordination, client relations, or a similar role - Demonstrated ability to communicate professionally and effectively with executive clients - Strong written and verbal communication skills - Excellent time management and organizational abilities - High attention to detail and accuracy in documentation - Ability to manage multiple accounts and priorities simultaneously - Proficiency in business administration, CRM systems, and database management - Strong problem-solving skills and a proactive mindset - Based in and authorized to work in the United States The right person must be able to work on a regular flexible schedule Monday-Friday during the hours of 9 am-5pm and be available for weekly meetings. This is a fully remote position, so a stable and reliable internet connection and computer are necessary. This will be a part-time 1099 position between 15-20 hours per week. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to join our team. We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about social media and have the skills required for this role. [ Click Here to Apply ](https://www.cognitoforms.com/ClaireBahnGroup1/ClaireBahnGroupApplicationForm) ### **Social Media Specialist: US-Based Virtual Position** ###### Pay will be $22 per hour. **Job Description** We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented **Social Media Specialist** to join our dynamic PR & marketing agency. In this role, you will be responsible for managing and growing the social media presence of multiple high profile clients across various industries. You’ll develop and implement tailored content strategies that resonate with each client’s audience, drive engagement, and enhance their brand visibility. If you’re passionate about social media marketing and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we’d love to have you on our team! **Key Responsibilities:** - Manage and maintain social media accounts for a variety of clients across platforms such as X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, LinkedIn, TikTok, and YouTube. - Develop, plan, and execute monthly content calendars that align with each client’s brand voice and marketing goals. - Professionally engage with relevant accounts, communities, and followers on behalf of clients, responding to comments in line with brand guidelines. - Leverage social listening tools to stay updated on trends, competitor activities, and industry-related hashtags to drive relevant content creation. - Provide regular reporting on social media performance, offering actionable insights and identifying areas for optimization for each client. - Work closely with internal teams (marketing, PR, creative) to ensure that client messaging is consistent and integrated across all channels. - Ensure that all social media content is SEO-friendly and aligns with each client’s broader digital marketing strategy. - Monitor and manage user interactions for client accounts, ensuring a timely and professional response to comments and messages. **Requirements:** - Strong understanding of social media marketing strategies, tools, and best practices, specifically in managing multiple client accounts. - Proficiency in Canva or other content creation tools, with the ability to create visually engaging posts. - Experience with social listening and scheduling platforms like Hootsuite, Buffer, or similar tools. - Excellent communication, proofreading, and editing skills to ensure high-quality, error-free content. - Familiarity with SEO principles as they apply to social media. - Ability to manage multiple projects and prioritize tasks in a fast-paced, client-driven environment. - Experience in a marketing agency setting or managing social media for multiple brands is a plus. You Must Be: - Based in and authorized to work in the United States - Resourceful and solutions-oriented - Committed to continuous learning and development - Comfortable with a flexible work/life integration approach - Able to handle confidential information with discretion The right person must be able to work on a regular flexible schedule Monday-Friday during the hours of 9 am-5pm PST and be available for weekly meetings. This is a fully remote position, so a stable and reliable internet connection and computer are necessary. This will be a part-time 1099 position between 10-15 hours per week. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to join our team. We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about social media and have the skills required for this role. [ Click Here to Apply ](https://www.cognitoforms.com/ClaireBahnGroup1/ClaireBahnGroupApplicationForm) ### **Marketing Coordinator: US-Based Virtual Position** ###### Pay will be $23 per hour. We are seeking a proactive and detail-oriented **Marketing Coordinator** to support our Marketing Manager with day-to-day execution, workflow coordination, quality control, and client delivery. Claire Bahn Group is a personal branding agency working with executives and founders, and this role is designed for someone who thrives in a fast-paced environment, enjoys keeping projects moving, and takes pride in accuracy and follow-through. This position functions as an assistant and execution partner to the Marketing Manager. While certain responsibilities may be fully delegated, the Marketing Manager remains the primary client point of contact and the final approver of work. The Marketing Coordinator supports prioritization, communication flow, task ownership, and delivery timelines. **Responsibilities:** - Support the Marketing Manager with day-to-day execution, coordination, and internal workflow management. - Manage internal workflows across social media, video, graphic design, and content to ensure projects stay on track. - Review work from junior team members for accuracy, completeness, brand alignment, and timeliness. - Coordinate the movement of assets (graphics, videos, captions, blogs, etc.) across team members and systems. - Track project timelines, deliverables, approvals, and handoffs to support smooth execution across departments. - Assist with content planning and ideation coordination by organizing ideas, distributing approved topics, and supporting accountability. - Support client-facing reporting by collecting analytics, screenshots, key interactions, and monthly deliverable documentation. - Help identify issues, inconsistencies, or risks early and escalate them to leadership when necessary. **Requirements:** - 2-3 years of marketing experience, preferably in an agency or fast-paced environment - Strong understanding of brand standards, quality control, and marketing execution across channels - Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and competing priorities simultaneously - Excellent written and verbal communication skills with a high level of professionalism - Strong attention to detail and accuracy, especially during final review and error-checking - Strong problem-solving skills and sound judgment, including the ability to present solutions when escalating issues - Highly motivated, proactive, and willing to step in where support is needed - Based in and authorized to work in the United States The right person must be able to work on a regular flexible schedule Monday-Friday during the hours of 9 am–5 pm PST and be available for weekly meetings. This is a fully remote position, so a stable and reliable internet connection and computer are necessary. This will be a part-time 1099 position between 10–20 hours per week. This is a high-responsibility, high-trust role and a great opportunity for someone who enjoys operational marketing support, team coordination, and delivering polished work. We would love to hear from you if you have the skills required for this role. [ Click Here to Apply ](https://www.cognitoforms.com/ClaireBahnGroup1/ClaireBahnGroupApplicationForm) ### **Client Video Production Coordinator: US-Based Virtual Position** ###### Pay will be $30 per hour. We are seeking a professional, organized, and detail-oriented Client Video Production Coordinator to lead remote client video recording sessions and manage video assets through post-production. This is a client-facing, operations-driven role within a fast-paced agency environment. The right person is calm under pressure, comfortable with online recording and video review tools such as Riverside.fm and Frame.io, and able to catch small errors before videos are delivered to clients. You will guide clients through recording sessions, coordinate handoffs to editors, track revisions, review edited videos, and ensure final deliverables meet quality standards. This role is a strong fit for someone who enjoys structured workflows, checklists, client communication, quality control, and behind-the-scenes production coordination. You should be comfortable leading clients in real time, writing clear timestamped feedback for editors, and taking ownership of deadlines without needing constant reminders. This is not a passive admin role or a purely creative editing role. It requires strong communication, sound judgment, fast follow-through, excellent attention to detail, and operational ownership. Candidates selected for final consideration will complete a paid practical work sample that includes reviewing a short edited video, writing revision notes, and participating in a mock client recording setup. **Responsibilities**: - Lead and manage remote client video recording sessions using the online tool Riverside.fm. - Show up as a calm, professional, and friendly presence for executive-level clients. - Prepare clients for recording and guide them through the process in real time. - Check client setup, including camera, microphone, lighting, framing, internet connection, and background. - Adapt recording styles based on client comfort and experience, including scripted, interview-style, or guided free-form formats. - Keep sessions focused, efficient, and on track while maintaining a strong client experience. - Make judgment calls when technical issues, poor setup, or client readiness require troubleshooting or rescheduling. - Ensure all recorded assets are complete, properly saved, organized, and ready for post-production. - Coordinate the handoff of videos to editors with clear instructions, deadlines, and deliverables. - Manage timelines, revisions, and approvals through final delivery. - Review edited videos before delivery to identify issues such as incorrect cuts, missing captions, audio problems, awkward pauses, formatting errors, typos, branding issues, incorrect lower thirds, poor framing, or missed revision notes. - Create clear, timestamped revision notes for editors. - Confirm final files are exported in the correct format, named correctly, uploaded to the correct location, and ready for client delivery. - Track multiple videos and deadlines at once while maintaining accuracy and follow-through. - Communicate blockers, delays, or quality concerns quickly and clearly. **Requirements**: - Experience in client-facing operations, coordination, production support, podcast production, video production, webinar production, or a similar role. - Comfort with remote recording tools such as Riverside.fm, StreamYard, SquadCast, or similar platforms. - Experience using video review and collaboration software such as Frame.io or similar tools. - Familiarity with long-form video, podcast, and short-form video workflows. - Light video editing knowledge and the ability to give clear notes to editors. - Strong ability to manage multiple projects, deadlines, and moving parts at the same time. - Excellent written and verbal communication skills. - High attention to detail and a strong ability to catch errors before work is delivered. - Professional judgment and comfort guiding clients through unfamiliar processes. - Ability to work quickly without becoming sloppy. - Comfort working independently in a remote environment. - Based in and authorized to work in the United States. - Stable and reliable internet connection and computer. - Flexible availability Monday through Friday, 9 am–5 pm, for scheduled client sessions and weekly meetings. This is a part-time 1099 contractor role requiring approximately 10–15 hours per week. The right person must be available on a regular flexible schedule Monday through Friday during the hours of 9 am–5 pm and be available for weekly meetings. [ Click Here to Apply ](https://www.cognitoforms.com/ClaireBahnGroup1/ClaireBahnGroupApplicationForm) ### **Social Media Content Writer: US-Based Virtual Position** ###### Pay will be $22 per hour. We are seeking a creative, strategic, and detail-oriented **Social Media Content Writer** to join our dynamic PR and marketing agency. In this role, you will be responsible for creating engaging, on-brand content for high-profile clients across a variety of platforms and industries. You’ll write compelling copy that aligns with each client’s voice, supports their strategic goals, and drives audience engagement. If you’re passionate about digital storytelling and content strategy, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we’d love to have you on our team! **Key Responsibilities:** - Conduct research on various topics to create engaging and informative social media content. - Write and edit content for social media and other digital platforms. - Collaborate with the marketing team to develop content strategies that align with client goals. - Optimize content to increase visibility and drive engagement. - Proofread and edit content to ensure accuracy, clarity, and consistency. - Create compelling hooks/ Intros and CTAs to capture readers’ attention. - Understanding the unique content required for each social media platform such as Facebook, Twitter/ X, Instagram, LinkedIn, etc. - Optimize social media posts (language, tone, message) based on our target audience’s behaviors. **Qualifications:** - 2-4 years proven experience as a Content Writer or similar role. - Strong writing, editing, and proofreading skills. - Knowledge of digital marketing trends and best practices. - Excellent time management skills and ability to meet deadlines. - Attention to detail and ability to maintain high-quality standards. - Ability to work as a team player and independently on projects with minimal supervision. You Must Be: - Based in the United States - Resourceful and solutions-oriented - Committed to continuous learning and development - Comfortable with a flexible work/life integration approach - Able to handle confidential information with discretion We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about writing engaging content, have a keen eye for detail, and enjoy working in a fast-paced digital environment. This will be a part-time 1099 position for 10-15 hours per week. We would prefer someone who can work on a regular schedule Monday through Friday between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. PST, as there are tasks that need to be completed daily. This is a fully remote position, so a stable and reliable internet connection and computer are necessary. [ Click Here to Apply ](https://www.cognitoforms.com/ClaireBahnGroup1/ClaireBahnGroupApplicationForm) ### **WordPress Developer- US-Based Virtual Position** ##### **Job Description** We are a marketing agency seeking a skilled WordPress Developer to create, customize, and maintain client websites. The ideal candidate will have experience designing responsive, user-friendly sites that align with each client’s goals and brand identity. ###### Pay will be $30 per hour Key Responsibilities: - Develop, customize, and maintain websites exclusively using WordPress and Elementor - Design and implement intuitive, user-friendly UI components and layouts - Perform thorough QA testing and debugging to ensure the quality, responsiveness, and functionality of all websites - Ensure all sites are fully responsive across desktop, tablet, and mobile devices - Set up new websites on a development server and once approved, migrate to the client’s hosting environment - Configure DNS records and manage related domain setup tasks - Install and configure Google Site Kit for analytics and performance tracking - Add and manage tracking codes, including Google Analytics, Facebook Pixel, LinkedIn Insight Tag, and similar platforms - Implement and optimize Yoast SEO for on-page search optimization - Prefer experience creating and optimizing landing pages, particularly in Leadpages - Collaborate closely with our creative and project management teams to deliver on time and on brand - Use LastPass to securely manage and handle all sensitive credentials and client information **Requirements:** - At least 3 years of proven experience developing and maintaining WordPress websites using Elementor - Strong understanding of web performance optimization, responsive design, and SEO best practices - Experience setting up Google Site Kit, Yoast SEO, and analytics tracking codes - Experience creating high-converting landing pages, preferably using Leadpages - Excellent attention to detail, communication skills, and commitment to delivering high-quality work - Must prioritize discretion, security, and confidentiality when handling client data **You Must Be:** - Based in the United States - Resourceful and solutions-oriented - Committed to continuous learning and development - Comfortable with a flexible work/life integration approach - Able to handle confidential information with discretion If you are a dependable and detail-oriented developer who takes pride in creating high-performing, visually appealing websites, we would love to hear from you and see examples of your work. This will be a part-time 1099 position between 12-15 hours per week. The right person must be able to work on a regular flexible schedule Monday-Friday during the hours of 9 am-5pm PST and be available for weekly meetings. This is a fully remote position, so a stable and reliable internet connection and computer are necessary. [ Click Here to Apply ](https://www.cognitoforms.com/ClaireBahnGroup1/ClaireBahnGroupApplicationForm) ### **Public Relations Associate- US Based Virtual Position** ##### **Job Description** We are seeking a highly motivated and detail-oriented **Public Relations Associate** to join our dynamic PR and marketing agency. In this role, you will be responsible for supporting and executing media relations efforts for high-profile clients across a range of industries. You’ll develop compelling narratives, pitch strategically to media outlets, and build meaningful relationships that enhance visibility and credibility for our clients. If you’re passionate about storytelling, media outreach, and thrive in a fast-paced environment, we’d love to have you on our team! ###### Pay will be $25 per hour Key Responsibilities: - Participate in internal brainstorming meetings to generate strategic ideas - Identify, research, and develop PR opportunities aligned with client goals - Craft compelling press pitches and build engaging story angles - Develop and implement strategic PR plans to secure meaningful coverage - Maintain and update digital press kits for clients - Proactively pitch newsworthy stories to media outlets to increase visibility - Monitor and track media placements to measure success **Requirements:** - Minimum 2 years of experience in public relations, with a focus on pitching to media - Strong written and verbal communication skills - Exceptional research and organizational abilities - Ability to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-moving environment - Self-starter who works independently but also thrives in team settings - High attention to detail and strong follow-through - Professionalism in managing relationships with media and clients - Comfortable navigating a fully remote work environment - Proficiency in Microsoft Office (especially Word, Excel, and Outlook) - Bachelor’s degree in Public Relations, Mass Communications, or related field preferred **You Must Be:** - Based in the United States - Resourceful and solutions-oriented - Committed to continuous learning and development - Comfortable with a flexible work/life integration approach - Able to handle confidential information with discretion If you’re passionate about PR, love the challenge of pitching, and are eager to grow with a collaborative and creative team—we want to hear from you. This will be a part-time position 1099 position between 10-15 hours per week. We would prefer someone that can work on a regular schedule Monday-Friday during the hours of 9 am-5 pm PST, as there are tasks that need to be completed daily. This is a fully remote position so a stable and reliable internet connection and computer are necessary. [ Click Here to Apply ](https://www.cognitoforms.com/ClaireBahnGroup1/ClaireBahnGroupApplicationForm) ### **Marketing Associate- US Based Virtual Position** ##### **Job Description** We are seeking a highly organized and detail-oriented Marketing Associate to support our branding team and clients. This role focuses on coordinating the development and delivery of marketing assets, ensuring all creative content is on-brand, on-time, and aligned with client objectives. ###### Pay will be $22 per hour Key Responsibilities: - Coordinate the creation of social media content by working closely with writers and graphic designers. - Manage video production timelines, coordinating with video editors to ensure final assets meet brand standards. - Work directly with client account teams to confirm all creative assets are approved, on-brand, and delivered on schedule. - Assist with scheduling and coordination of client photo shoots, managing all logistics. - Assist with scheduling of social media posts and video content across platforms, ensuring deadlines are met. - Monitor project timelines and deliverables, escalating potential delays or issues as needed. - Stay updated on social media trends and marketing best practices to support the team’s recommendations and planning. **Requirements:** - Must be based in the US or Canada. - Minimum 2 years of marketing experience. - Strong project coordination and organizational skills with experience managing multiple priorities. - Ability to work cross-functionally with designers, writers, video editors, and account teams. - Familiarity with social media platforms and scheduling tools (e.g., Hootsuite, Sendible). - Excellent communication skills and attention to detail. - Comfortable working independently in a fully remote environment. - Proficiency with Microsoft Office; familiarity with WordPress and email marketing platforms is a plus. **Position Details:** - Part-time 1099 position (10–15 hours per week). - Preferred availability Monday–Friday during 9am–5pm PST, as some tasks require daily attention, but you are in control of your hours and availability. - Fully remote role; requires a stable and reliable internet connection and computer. This is an exciting opportunity for a motivated individual to join our team. We would love to hear from you if you are passionate about marketing and have the skills required for this role. [ Click Here to Apply ](https://www.cognitoforms.com/ClaireBahnGroup1/ClaireBahnGroupApplicationForm) --- ### [How to Increase Visibility Online](https://clairebahn.com/increase-executive-visibility-online/) **Published:** July 31, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Excerpt:** Discover elite personal branding services tailored for high-level leaders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. **Content:** ## Visibility Converts. Influence Compounds. Personal Branding Delivers ROI. #### From boardroom influence to market valuation, your personal brand is no longer optional—it’s a strategic advantage. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) ## Visibility Converts. Influence Compounds. Personal Branding Delivers ROI. From boardroom influence to market valuation, your personal brand is no longer optional—it’s a strategic advantage. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) The Statistics Behind the Strategy Your personal brand isn’t a nice-to-have—it’s a bottom-line asset. The data says so: ### 44% of a company’s market value is tied to the CEO’s visibility and reputation. ### 77% of consumers are more likely to buy from a company if the CEO is visible and active online. ### 82% of consumers trust brands more when executives have a personal presence. ### 88% of job seekers believe a strong personal brand is essential for career success. ### Founders with visible personal brands secure 20–25% higher valuations. These aren’t just statistics—they’re proof points for why visibility matters. Audience-Specific ROI CEOs and Corporate Leaders Your Reputation Is a Strategic Asset Nearly half of your company’s perceived value is directly tied to your visibility as a leader. Strategic personal branding builds trust with investors, inspires teams, and influences market perception. CEOs with strong personal brands enhance employee engagement and brand value. CMOs To Elevate the Brand, Start With the Leader When leadership is visible, brand engagement follows. 60% of consumers say their trust in a brand increases when leadership is active and accessible. A visible CEO or founder humanizes your brand and builds lasting loyalty. Executives Seeking Promotion If You’re Not Visible, You’re Not Viable 88% of professionals agree: personal branding is critical for advancement. Recruiters and internal leadership teams look beyond performance—they look for credibility, presence, and influence. That’s what we build. Founders & Startup Leaders Founders with Visibility Raise More, Sell More, Lead More Your personal reputation is often the first reason investors take a meeting—or walk away. Founders with defined digital brands raise faster, earn more media, and inspire more confidence. Families of NIL Athletes Talent Wins Trophies. Brands Win Sponsorships. In today’s NIL era, visibility determines value. We help student-athletes build brand equity that attracts deals, earns media attention, and opens doors beyond the scoreboard. ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/businessman-standing-near-podium-and-giving-speech-2025-04-04-2-682x1024.jpg "High angle view of old African-American businessman standing near podium and giving speech to the audience in the auditorium - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ### Visibility Is Just the Beginning— Here’s What Comes Next Once your brand is established and your audience starts to grow, monetization becomes not just possible—but strategic. We’ve identified three tiers of brand monetization: #### Easy: - Paid speaking engagements (experts can command $5,000–$20,000+ per talk) - Paid board or advisory roles (U.S. board members earn $57,000–$91,000/year #### Intermediate: - Launching consulting or advisory services ($150–$500/hr or more) - Publishing short-form Amazon e-books with 30%–70% royalty returns - Hosting paid webinars or workshops (average $1,000–$3,000 per event) #### Advanced: - Writing a book and securing publishing deals or speaking tours - Creating a podcast and monetizing through sponsorships - Building a monetized YouTube channel (requires 4,000 hours watch time and 1,000 subscribers) - Earning brand partnerships as an industry influence As your visibility compounds, these revenue opportunities scale—and the ROI of your brand becomes measurable, repeatable, and monetizable. Proof from the Field ### A global finance leader achieved a 417,000% social reach increase and was featured in Newsweek, Fortune, and US News. ### A venture capitalist tripled deal flow and landed a role as co-host on Entrepreneur Magazine’s *Elevator Pitch.* ### A corporate data science leader received a 500% increase in speaking requests after elevating her digital presence. These aren’t anomalies—they’re the outcome of intentional brand strategy. #### What Could Personal Branding Do for You? Strategic visibility builds trust, attracts opportunity, and scales your influence. Whether you’re preparing for your next leadership move, launching a book, or positioning for board seats—your brand is the most powerful tool you’re not fully using. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) #### Download: The ROI of Visibility Brief The must-read guide for CEOs, founders, and executives who want to turn recognition into revenue. [ Get The ROI of Visibility Brief ](#) ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/the-roi-of-visibility.png "the-roi-of-visibility - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") --- ### [CLAIRE BAHN IN THE PRESS](https://clairebahn.com/claire-in-the-press/) **Published:** December 17, 2019 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Press ## Claire Bahn in the PRESS ##### Claire Bahn Featured in Success Magazine “The best way of branding yourself, Bahn reiterates, “is through helping people and creating content that helps people.”- Claire Bahn Jennifer Green interviewed Claire Bahn for Success Magazine about how consultants and other self-employed individuals can successfully build a strong personal brand To read the full interview, click the button below. [ Read Full Article ](https://www.success.com/a-five-step-guide-to-branding-yourself/) [ ![success magazine, claire bahn](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/success-Magazine-Claire-Bahn-Article-Feature-768x994.jpg "success Magazine Claire Bahn Article Feature - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](https://www.success.com/a-five-step-guide-to-branding-yourself/) [ ![GoDaddy article: Balancing authenticity and professionalism on social media](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Godaddy-1187x1536.jpg "Godaddy - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](https://www.godaddy.com/resources/skills/balancing-authenticity-and-professionalism-on-social-media) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on GoDaddy “The key to having both authenticity and professionalism on social media is to focus on sharing content your audience wants. Most people fall into the trap of creating content that THEY want to create rather than focusing on their audience. Posting only what you want to share can lead to ‘too much information’ (TMI), which can be unprofessional.”- Claire Bahn Claire Bahn was interviewed for GoDaddy about the importance of balancing authenticity and professionalism on social media. To read the full interview, click the button below. [ Read the Full Interview ](https://www.godaddy.com/resources/skills/balancing-authenticity-and-professionalism-on-social-media) ##### Claire Bahn Mentioned on Featured “A lesser-known and rarely-done aspect of personal branding is creating content for your audience, not for you. Most people don’t do this. They get fixated on creating Pulitzer Prize-winning blogs, social media posts, and videos, only to burn out because they don’t see traction.” – Claire Bahn. Claire Bahn was interviewed by Featured about personal branding for business professionals and how important it is to create audience-centric content. To read the full article, click the button below. [ Read Full Article ](https://blog.featured.com/21-critical-aspects-of-personal-branding-for-business-professionals/) [ ![featured, claire bahn](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Featured-1-768x994.jpg "Featured 1 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](https://blog.featured.com/21-critical-aspects-of-personal-branding-for-business-professionals/) [ ![featured, claire bahn](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Featured-2-1187x1536.jpg "Featured 2 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](https://blog.featured.com/how-do-you-amplify-earned-media/) ##### Claire Bahn Quoted on Featured “A key strategy to maximize earned media impact is to have a cohesive online presence. One of the most common things that happens after earned media is that someone will look you up using a search engine like Google. What is someone going to find out about you when they do that?”- Claire Bahn Claire Bahn was interviewed by Featured on how to amplify earned media with a great online presence. To read the full article, click the button below. [ Read the Full Article ](https://blog.featured.com/how-do-you-amplify-earned-media/) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on Entrepreneur “The social media strategy used for your startup is critical to its success, and leveraging the right outlets is key. However, one often overlooked marketing tool is building the CEO/Founder’s personal brand.'” – Claire Bahn. Claire Bahn is interviewed by Entrepreneur about how startups can leverage social media for brand building. Most people think of the obvious ways to build and market a brand, but Claire gives readers a less-than-obvious yet strategic way to increase the startup’s visibility. To read the full article, click the button below. [ Read Full Article ](https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/how-can-startups-leverage-social-media-for-brand-building/472307) [ ![Entrepreneur feature mentioning Claire Bahn, entrepreneur, claire bahn](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Entrepreneur-768x994.jpg "Entrepreneur - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](https://www.entrepreneur.com/business-news/how-can-startups-leverage-social-media-for-brand-building/472307) [ ![Claire Bahn featured on the Small Business Show](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/Screen-Shot-2023-04-24-at-7.42.24-PM.png "Claire Bahn featured on the Small Business Show - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](https://www.asbn.com/small-business/social-media/why-small-businesses-should-focus-on-the-right-audience-for-its-social-media-content/) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on the Small Business Show “You should be where your ideal clients are…” – Claire Bahn. Claire Bahn was interviewed by Jim Fitzpatrick for the Small Business Show to discuss the importance of using social media branding for your business. Learn how these powerful tools can help you find your audience and communicate your message. To watch full interview, click the button below. [ Watch Full Interview ](https://www.asbn.com/small-business/social-media/why-small-businesses-should-focus-on-the-right-audience-for-its-social-media-content/) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on the Small Business Show “…once you own the narrative, get on video, and take control, it helps present your brand as ‘the most authentic brand and emphasizes that your brand is the clearest choice among competitors.'” – Claire Bahn. Claire Bahn is interviewed by Jim Fitzpatrick for the Small Business Show, where she discusses the importance of Personal Branding and the importance of your business’s messaging. To watch full interview, click the button below. [ Watch Full Interview ](https://www.asbn.com/small-business/marketing/how-the-claire-bahn-group-strengthens-branding-across-multiple-outlets/) [ ![Claire Bahn on the Small Business Show with Jim Fitzpatrick](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/04/CBG-Fitz-768x400.png "Claire Bahn on the Small Business Show with Jim Fitzpatrick - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](https://www.asbn.com/small-business/marketing/how-the-claire-bahn-group-strengthens-branding-across-multiple-outlets/) [ ![claire bahn, la weekly](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Claire-Bahn-LA-weekly.jpg "Claire Bahn LA weekly - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](https://www.laweekly.com/top-10-los-angeles-entrepreneurs-to-know-about-going-in-2023/) ##### Claire Bahn Featured in LA WEEKLY Claire Bahn was featured in LA Weekly as on of the “Top 10 Los Angeles Entrepreneurs to Know About Going in 2023” [ Read Full Feature ](https://www.laweekly.com/top-10-los-angeles-entrepreneurs-to-know-about-going-in-2023/) ##### Claire Bahn Interviewed by Hurricane Valley Times “If you start your entrepreneurial journey from a place of authentic altruism, you will succeed. The first step is to know what you offer and how it benefits your consumers…” – Claire Bahn. To read the full interview, click the button below. [ Read Full Interview ](https://hvtimes.com/business-leaders-sit-down-with-their-new-counterparts-and-discuss-the-influence-of-the-internet-on-consumer-behavior/) [ ![Claire Bahn](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/elementor/thumbs/Screen-Shot-2022-08-08-at-7.30.05-PM-pszignkciesauujz4b4z2gtsaai3a3mnguher571cw.png "Claire Bahn") ](https://hvtimes.com/business-leaders-sit-down-with-their-new-counterparts-and-discuss-the-influence-of-the-internet-on-consumer-behavior/) [ ![PR ON THE GO](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/Screen-Shot-2022-08-08-at-6.48.31-PM-1536x850.png "PR ON THE GO - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](https://pronthego.com/pages/blog/31-public-relations-tips-to-maximize-your-press-coverage-opportunities.html) ##### Claire Bahn Quoted in PR ON THE GO “In order to successfully “pitch” yourself to the press you must be someone who they can trust is a respected expert in their field. You need to have a solid online personal brand that backs up your claims of being an expert…,” as quoted in PR ON THE GO: 31 Public Relations Tips To Maximize Your Press Coverage Opportunities. Read the full quote by clicking the button below. [ Read Full Interview ](https://pronthego.com/pages/blog/31-public-relations-tips-to-maximize-your-press-coverage-opportunities.html) ##### Claire Bahn Interviewed by Authority Magazine Claire had the privilege of speaking with Parveen Panwar and the 5 Things I Wish Someone Told Me Before I Became a C-Suite Executive. “Impostor syndromes is very real, many suffer from it, and it needs to be addressed. When I first started pitching my business to investors, I had so much doubt in my mind. I didn’t know all the terminology, and I felt like I was studying for a test and trying to cram info into my head to be prepared if asked any number of questions. I mentioned this to one of my mentors, an ex-CEO of a Fortune 500 company, and he confided that he had dealt this the same feelings. Once I knew that I wasn’t alone, I realized that this feeling had no place in my life because I was worthy of being where I am today.” [ Read Full Interview ](https://medium.com/authority-magazine/claire-bahn-5-things-i-wish-someone-told-me-before-i-became-a-c-suite-executive-905a2eba7b4f) [ ![Claire Bahn](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Authority-Magazine-Claire-Bahn-1024x773.png "Authority Magazine Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](https://medium.com/authority-magazine/claire-bahn-5-things-i-wish-someone-told-me-before-i-became-a-c-suite-executive-905a2eba7b4f) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on ticker News Claire had the privilege of being interviewed by ticker News anchor Adrain Franklin to discuss why your personal brand is important and who will benefit from working on their personal brand, especially in our current climate. [ Watch Full Interview ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J4PfroMD9wQ) ##### Claire Bahn on This Week in Startups Claire had the privilege of being a guest on Jason Calacanis’ Podcast and YouTube show, *This Week in Startups*. Jason Calacanis is a technology entrepreneur and angel investor who routinely interviews startup founders to discuss ideas and ways to expand their existing business. You can watch the entire episode of [This Week in Startups right here](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK7HRwetqY0&feature=youtu.be&t=2306) (Claire is featured from 38:30-57:48). [ Watch the entire episode ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GK7HRwetqY0&t=2339s) ![Forbes feature mentioning Claire Bahn](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/OPP-in-Forbes-1-e1613690028480-1024x775.png "OPP-in-Forbes-1-e1613690028480 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ##### Claire Bahn Featured in Forbes Magazine Claire was interviewed for a feature in Forbes Magazine about the importance of a great social media profile. Here is the article: [ Read Article ](https://www.forbes.com/sites/julianmitchell/2017/11/30/this-on-demand-platform-has-the-secret-to-building-the-perfect-social-profile/?sh=fa6ce24234cb) ##### Claire Bahn Featured in Entrepreneur Claire was featured in Entrepreneur Magazine about the 5 Reasons Personal Branding is Non-Negotiable. Check out the article: [ Read Full Article ](https://www.entrepreneur.com/article/306552) ![Entrepreneur feature mentioning Claire Bahn](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/OPP-in-entrepreneurv2.png "OPP-in-entrepreneurv2 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") [ ![Influential Entrepreneurs Podcast episode featuring Claire Bahn and Mike Saunders](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/Influential-Entrepreneurs-Podcast-1536x864-1.jpeg "Influential-Entrepreneurs-Podcast-1536x864 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ](https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-claire-bahn-personal-branding-expert/) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on the Influential Entrepreneurs Podcast with Mike Saunders Claire had the privilege of being a guest on the Influential Entrepreneurs podcast with Mike Saunders. We discussed the reason why entrepreneurs should work on their personal brand and the ROI they can expect. Please check out the episode! [ Check out the podcast ](https://businessinnovatorsradio.com/interview-with-claire-bahn-personal-branding-expert/) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on The Profit Talk Podcast with Susanne Mariga Claire recently spoke with Susanne Mariga of The Profit Talk Podcast about the importance of your personal brand and how especially important it is for entrepreneurs. Please check out the episode! [ Check out the podcast ](https://theprofittalk.libsyn.com/creating-personal-brand) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on The Tyler Wagner Show Claire recently spoke with Tyler Wagner about the importance of your personal brand and how you present yourself online. Please check out the episode! [ Check out the podcast ](https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/authorsunite/episodes/Claire-Bahn-Personal-Branding-Expert-and-CEO-and-Co-Founder-of-Online-Profiles-Pros-e5j1cn) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on B2B Zero to Ten Podcast Claire recently spoke with Brett Trainor of the B2B Zero to Ten Podcast about the importance of your personal brand. With today’s CEOs being like celebrities and coming out as the face of their brand, personal branding is now even more important for startups. Please check out the episode! [ Check out the podcast ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-time-rich-project-formerly-the-corporate-escapee/id1469405998) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on StrategyCast (formerly Integrate & Ignite Marketing Podcast) Claire recently spoke with Lori Jones of the StrategyCast Podcast about the importance of your personal brand. We discuss the importance of consistency across social channels and how to brag about yourself authentically. Please check out the episode! [ Check out the podcast ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-359-controlling-the-narrative-and-defining/id1127812603?i=1000516972576) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on Social Capital Podcast Claire recently spoke with Lori Highby of the Social Capital Podcast about the importance of your personal brand. In order to exceed your business goals, you need to develop authority, influence, and trust. Check this podcast out to learn how! [ Check out the podcast ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/330-taking-control-of-your-personal-brand-with-claire-bahn/id1190946225?i=1000532364951) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on The Entrepreneur Way Podcast Claire recently spoke with Neil Ball of The Entrepreneur Way about the importance of your personal brand. Being an entrepreneur is hard work, and knowing when and how to execute it is crucial. Check this podcast out to learn how! [ Check out the podcast ](https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/1984-doing-something-that-most-people-wont-actually/id1080600330?i=1000528552873) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on The Accelerate Your Business Growth Podcast Claire recently spoke with Diane Helbig of the Accelerate Your Business Growth Podcast about the importance of your personal brand. We all have personal brands whether we are aware of it or not and learning to leverage yours can help your ROI. Check this podcast out to learn how! [ Check out the podcast ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-your-personal-brand/id385108650?i=1000534113437) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on The LifeBlood Podcast Claire recently spoke with George Grombacher of the LifeBlood Podcast about the importance of your personal brand. Anticipating questions and knowing how to answer them is important to building and maintaining your personal brand. Check this podcast out to learn how! [ Check out the podcast ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/personal-branding-with-claire-bahn/id1312646351?i=1000528059457) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on The Call Me Crazy Podcast Claire recently spoke with Erin and Michael of the Call Me Crazy Podcast about the importance of your personal brand and how ignoring it can have negative impacts on your ROI. We discuss ways to leverage your expertise by building on your personal brand. Check this podcast out to learn how! [ Check out the podcast ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/claire-bahn-you-cant-hide-from-your-personal-brand-anymore/id1495378856?i=1000513334490) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on Business Creators Radio Show With Adam Hommey Podcast Claire recently spoke with Adam Hommey of the Business Creators Radio Show With Adam Hommey Podcast about the importance of your personal brand. You want people to come to you for your expertise, but you need a strong and authentic personal brand to achieve that. Please check out the episode! [ Check out the podcast ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/level-up-with-your-personal-brand-with-claire-bahn/id701355884?i=1000532304183) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on The Predictable B2B Success Podcast Claire recently spoke with Vinay Koshy of the Predictable B2B Success Podcast about the importance of your personal brand, how to build your brand, and what mistakes to avoid. Check this podcast out to learn how! [ Check out the podcast ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-build-a-personal-brand-that-predictably/id1471935187?i=1000522669534) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on The Authentic Brand Mastery Podcast Claire recently spoke with Adam Force of the Authentic Brand Mastery Podcast about the importance of your personal brand. In order to exceed your business goals, you need to boost the visibility of your personal brand. Check this podcast out to learn how! [ Check out the podcast ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/claire-bahn-magnetizing-opportunities-and-boosting/id1070159635?i=1000533197937) ##### Claire Bahn Featured on The Entrepreneur Underdog Podcast Claire recently spoke with Roy Redd of The Entrepreneur Underdog Podcast about the importance of your personal brand. Leveraging your personal brand will help you develop authority, authenticity, and influence in order to exceed your goals. Please check out this episode! [ Check out the podcast ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-to-build-your-personal-brand-w-claire-bahn-the/id1178888536?i=1000516094306) --- ### [The CEO Brand Multiplier](https://clairebahn.com/the-ceo-brand-multiplier/) **Published:** July 29, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Excerpt:** Discover elite personal branding services tailored for high-level leaders, CEOs, and entrepreneurs. **Content:** ## Your CEO's Reputation Is the Company’s Most Undervalued Asset The smartest CMOs in the world are rethinking their spend. Why? Because a CEO’s personal brand can generate more ROI than advertising alone. If your CEO isn’t visible, you’re leaving reputation, opportunity, and market share on the table. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) The Market Responds to Visibility. And That Starts at the Top. According to research from Weber Shandwick, 45% of a company’s market value is directly tied to the reputation of its CEO. And 81% of executives believe that a visible CEO makes the company more reputable overall. In fact, when CEOs are seen as authentic, visionary, and accessible, the perception of the entire company improves—boosting media coverage, brand trust, employee morale, and even sales. ### "CEO reputation is the new currency of business." — Weber Shandwick, CEO Reputation Premium Report of consumers believe CEOs with strong personal brands positively impact the company’s brand 0 % of CMOs say earned media (PR) is more effective than paid media 0 % of a company’s market value is attributable to the CEO’s reputation 0 % ![An image of Claire Bahn, the CEO and Founder of Claire Bahn Group, a strategic communications and personal branding agency.](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/Claire-Bahn-home-page-about-931x1024.jpg "Claire Bahn home page about - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/businessman-standing-near-podium-and-giving-speech-2025-04-04-2-682x1024.jpg "High angle view of old African-American businessman standing near podium and giving speech to the audience in the auditorium - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ### The ROI of Visibility: Better Than Paid Ads? Our clients have replaced underperforming ad campaigns with strategic executive visibility—thought leadership, media coverage, SEO, and social authority. The result? Higher trust, more inbound opportunities, and reputational equity that advertising can’t buy. ### "Jonathan saw a 200% increase in qualified deal flow after establishing his executive brand. And yes—he was cast as a host for Entrepreneur Magazine’s Elevator Pitch." — Claire Bahn Group Case Study ### "After working with Claire Bahn Group, I believe my online persona has improved dramatically in a very short time. Now I see deals and opportunities flow directly to me." — Jonathan Hung, Angel Investor & VC We Build Authority for the People Behind the Logo You wouldn’t trust a faceless brand. Neither does your audience. That’s why we work with elite executives to build personal brands that reinforce the corporate mission. We call it the Prestige Presence Program—a white-glove visibility campaign combining: ### High-authority PR and podcast features ### SEO-optimized content and LinkedIn growth ### Branded video production and YouTube series ### Thought leadership development and syndication ### Media training, interview prep, and positioning strategy Everything we do is designed to generate ROI that ad spend can’t match—social proof, industry leadership, and lasting trust. From Invisible to Industry Leader Here’s how we’ve transformed executive visibility for our clients: James Murphy **Industry:** Rapid Prototyping & Manufacturing **Challenge:** Virtually no brand recognition despite leading a global prototype manufacturing firm. Competitors dominated search and visibility. **Strategy:** Developed his CEO brand from scratch—site, brand identity, thought leadership, blog, SEO, and social—positioning him as a recognized industry leader. **Results:** - 5,700% increase in website impressions - 13,000+ new Twitter followers - 1,293 newsletter subscribers in 8 months - Blog shared 50,000+ times - LinkedIn impressions grew to 97,800 *“Since working with CBG, my industry recognition has grown exponentially. I’m no longer invisible online.”* Jean-Baptiste Wautier **Industry:** Finance, Philanthropy, Public Policy **Challenge:** Respected in European finance circles but lacked global visibility and thought leadership positioning. **Strategy:** Launched full brand identity, site, YouTube channel, newsletter, SEO content, and PR placements to elevate global presence. Results: - 417,933% increase in social reach - Featured in Fortune, Newsweek, US News, Epoch Times - 1,481% website traffic increase - 13,000% X (Twitter) growth *“CBG helped me position my voice where it matters most—on the world stage.”* Kim Lawton **Industry:** B2B Marketing in Regulated Industries & Philanthropy **Challenge:** Highly accomplished but underrecognized; overlooked for industry panels and investor opportunities. **Strategy:** Positioned Kim as a dual expert in marketing innovation and female leadership through cross-platform storytelling. **Results:** - 50% increase in speaking and press requests - 3,000+ avg LinkedIn post views (from 237) - 5,650 new followers - Videos shared 20,000+ times monthly - Featured on top marketing podcasts and partnered with Kendra Scott *“CBG elevated both my business and my foundation with a unified voice and strategy.”* ### "We don’t just consult—we implement. We are the agency behind the executive authority that commands trust and results." — Claire Bahn Group #### Your CEO Should Be the Face of Your Brand CMOs who lead the charge in executive branding don’t just elevate their CEOs—they increase their own impact, credibility, and budget efficiency. When the CEO leads with value, the company follows with growth. Let us show you how. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) --- ### [Contact Claire Bahn Group](https://clairebahn.com/contact/) **Published:** February 14, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** ## Contact Claire Bahn Group Please use this form for media opportunities, general questions, or comments only. [ Book a Strategy Call ](https://go.clairebahn.com/strategy-call) [ Facebook ](https://www.facebook.com/clairebahn) [ Twitter ](https://twitter.com/ClaireBahn) [ Instagram ](https://www.instagram.com/clairebahn/) [ Youtube ](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC28L9VVRvanI37KkP4CKpUA) [ Linkedin ](https://www.linkedin.com/in/clairebahn/) [ Pinterest ](https://www.pinterest.com/clairebahn/_created/) Common Questions ## Frequently Asked Question What is a personal brand? According to The Dictionary Of Brand by Marty Neumeier, a brand is: “a person’s perception of a product, service, experience, or organization.” Now extrapolate that to your **personal brand and your personal brand is how you are perceived by others**. Therefore, a personal brand is not a logo, a brand identity, a mission statement, a website, or a social media channel. Those add up to your personal brand, but by themselves are not your personal brand. Why should I hire a personal brand strategist? A personal brand consultant/ strategist can help you become clear on your messaging, target audience and your look and feel. Sometimes we all need someone knowledgeable and objective to help us exceed our goals. What services do you offer? The Claire Bahn Group is a Comprehensive Boutique Agency with deep expertise in public relations, strategic communications, personal branding, executive branding, reputation management, social media management, video production, podcast production, and promotion. Who do you help? While we can help most people gain clarity on their personal brand and messaging, most of our clients are entrepreneurs, founders, small business owners, investors and executives. Do you do the work or just consult? We DO THE WORK, not just consulting. Other Strategic Communications & Marketing Agencies will only consult with you, and you’ll have to do the hard work. Not with Claire Bahn Group! When you hire our agency, you will get full-service Strategic Communications and Marketing implementation to take your brand and company to the next level. Another differentiator is that with Claire Bahn Group Strategic Communications. You will work with the principles; you won’t be shuffled off to an associate with no strategic knowledge of your brand. Once our team outlines your goals, we try to have minimal impact on your busy schedule. Why Should I Work on my brand? Because 88% of consumers do research before they purchase. They want to know who is the best as well as view ratings and reviews. If someone does research on you or your expertise, what will they find? Ideally, you’d like them to find content you created. Such as a blog article, a video on your YouTube channel that specifically speaks to them and the problem they are having. They will then recognize you as an authority and the obvious choice to help them solve their problem. If you’re not working on your personal brand, who’s content is currently helping your potential customer? That is the power of your personal brand. --- ### [Strategy Call Form Loading...](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-call-booking-form/) **Published:** May 16, 2026 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** --- ### [Cookie Policy](https://clairebahn.com/cookie-policy/) **Published:** March 23, 2026 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Effective date: March 23, 2026 Last updated: March 23, 2026 ## What are cookies? This Cookie Policy explains what cookies are, how we use them, the types of cookies we use (i.e., the information we collect using cookies and how that information is used), and how to manage your cookie settings. Cookies are small text files used to store small pieces of information. They are stored on your device when a website loads in your browser. These cookies help ensure that the website functions properly, enhance security, provide a better user experience, and analyse performance to identify what works and where improvements are needed. ## How do we use cookies? Like most online services, our website uses both first-party and third-party cookies for various purposes. First-party cookies are primarily necessary for the website to function properly and do not collect any personally identifiable data. The third-party cookies used on our website primarily help us understand how the website performs, track how you interact with it, keep our services secure, deliver relevant advertisements, and enhance your overall user experience while improving the speed of your future interactions with our website. ## Types of cookies we use ## Manage cookie preferences Consent Preferences You can modify your cookie settings anytime by clicking the ‘Consent Preferences’ button above. This will allow you to revisit the cookie consent banner and update your preferences or withdraw your consent immediately. Additionally, different browsers offer various methods to block and delete cookies used by websites. You can adjust your browser settings to block or delete cookies. Below are links to support documents on how to manage and delete cookies in major web browsers. Chrome: Safari: Firefox: [https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/clear-cookies-and-site-data-firefox?redirectslug=delete-cookies-remove-info-websites-stored&redirectlocale=en-US](https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/kb/clear-cookies-and-site-data-firefox?redirectslug=delete-cookies-remove-info-websites-stored&redirectlocale=en-US) Internet Explorer: If you are using a different web browser, please refer to its official support documentation. Cookie Policy generated by [CookieYes – Cookie Policy Generator](https://www.cookieyes.com/?utm_source=CP&utm_medium=footer&utm_campaign=UW) --- ### [Website Terms of Use](https://clairebahn.com/website-terms-of-use/) **Published:** March 23, 2026 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Website Terms of Use Last Updated: March 2026 These Website Terms of Use (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of the website located at [https://clairebahn.com](https://clairebahn.com/) and any related subdomains, landing pages, content, functionality, and services (collectively, the “Site”). The Site is owned and operated by Claire Bahn Group Inc. (“Company,” “we,” “us,” or “our”). By accessing or using the Site, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree, you must not use the Site. Eligibility You must be at least 18 years of age to use this Site. By using the Site, you represent and warrant that you are at least 18 years old and have the legal capacity to enter into a binding agreement. Changes to Terms We reserve the right to modify these Terms at any time. Changes become effective immediately upon posting. Your continued use of the Site after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms. Permitted Use You agree to use the Site only for lawful purposes. You may not: - Violate any applicable federal, state, or local law - Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Site or its systems - Use automated systems, bots, scrapers, or data extraction tools - Copy, reproduce, distribute, republish, modify, or exploit Site content without written consent - Interfere with the operation or security of the Site - Upload malicious code or harmful materials We reserve the right to suspend or terminate access for violations of these Terms. Intellectual Property All content on the Site, including text, graphics, branding, videos, downloads, logos, designs, and materials, is owned by Claire Bahn Group Inc. or its licensors and is protected by intellectual property laws. You are granted a limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, revocable license to access and use the Site for personal, non-commercial use only. You may not copy, reproduce, distribute, sublicense, publicly display, or otherwise exploit any Site content without prior written authorization. No Client Relationship Use of this Site does not create a client relationship. Any engagement for services is governed exclusively by a separate written agreement between you and Claire Bahn Group Inc. Educational Purpose Only The Site provides business, marketing, branding, and educational content for informational purposes only. Nothing on this Site constitutes legal, financial, tax, medical, or other professional advice. You are solely responsible for your decisions and actions and should consult appropriate licensed professionals before making decisions. Earnings and Results Disclaimer We make no guarantees regarding income, revenue growth, sales performance, or business results. Examples, testimonials, and case studies are illustrative only and do not represent typical or guaranteed outcomes. Your results depend on your individual effort, implementation, business model, experience, and market conditions. Accessibility We are committed to making reasonable efforts to ensure the Site is accessible to users of all abilities and to improving user experience. However, we do not guarantee that the Site will be fully accessible in all circumstances or compatible with all assistive technologies. If you experience accessibility issues, please contact us at . User Submissions If you submit comments, testimonials, reviews, suggestions, or other materials, you grant Claire Bahn Group Inc. a non-exclusive, royalty-free, perpetual, worldwide license to use, reproduce, publish, and distribute such content for business and marketing purposes. You represent that your submissions do not infringe any third-party rights and do not contain unlawful or defamatory content. Third-Party Links The Site may contain links to third-party websites or tools. We are not responsible for the content, policies, or practices of third parties. Accessing third-party websites is at your own risk. Disclaimer of Warranties The Site is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis. To the maximum extent permitted by law, Claire Bahn Group Inc. disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including warranties of merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose, and non-infringement. We do not guarantee uninterrupted access, error-free functionality, or that the Site is free of viruses or harmful components. Limitation of Liability To the fullest extent permitted by law, Claire Bahn Group Inc. and its owners, officers, employees, contractors, and agents shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages arising out of or related to your use of the Site. If liability is imposed notwithstanding the foregoing, total liability shall not exceed one hundred dollars (USD $100). Indemnification You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Claire Bahn Group Inc. and its owners, officers, employees, contractors, and agents from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, arising out of or related to your use of the Site, your violation of these Terms, or your violation of any law or third-party rights. Arbitration Agreement Any dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms or your use of the Site shall be resolved exclusively by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association under its Commercial Arbitration Rules. Arbitration shall take place in Wilmington, Delaware. You waive the right to participate in a class action or representative proceeding. Arbitration shall proceed solely on an individual basis. Either party may seek temporary or preliminary injunctive relief in a Delaware state or federal court to protect intellectual property or prevent irreparable harm. Governing Law These Terms are governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without regard to conflict-of-law principles. Severability If any provision of these Terms is held invalid or unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect. Entire Agreement These Terms constitute the entire agreement regarding use of the Site and supersede all prior agreements relating to the Site. Contact Information Claire Bahn Group Inc. 800 N King Street Wilmington, DE 19801 Email: --- ### [Privacy Policy](https://clairebahn.com/privacy-policy/) **Published:** May 29, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** Privacy Policy Last Updated: March 23, 2026 Effective Date: March 23, 2026 This Privacy Policy describes the policies of Claire Bahn Group Inc., located at 800 N King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801, United States, email: , phone: 310-896-8643, regarding the collection, use, and disclosure of your information when you use our website [https://clairebahn.com](https://clairebahn.com/) (the “Service”). By accessing or using the Service, you consent to the collection and use of your information in accordance with this Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, please do not use the Service. Your use of the Service is also subject to our Terms of Use, which include important provisions such as dispute resolution and arbitration. We may update this Privacy Policy at any time. Updates will be posted on this page and become effective 180 days after posting. Continued use of the Service constitutes acceptance of the updated policy. Information We Collect We may collect and process the following personal information: - Name - Email address - Social media profile - Any information you submit through comments or forms When visitors leave comments, we collect the data shown in the comments form, along with the visitor’s IP address and browser user agent string to help detect spam. We may also collect additional information via anti-spam tools such as Akismet, including IP address, user agent, referrer, and site URL, along with the comment content and associated user details. How We Use Your Information We use your information for the following purposes: - Providing support - Administrative communication - Managing inquiries, communications, and meetings with potential clients - Spam detection and website security We may also use information you voluntarily provide (such as testimonials, reviews, or feedback) for marketing and promotional purposes, in accordance with applicable law. If we intend to use your information for any other purpose, we will request your consent. Cookies We use cookies to improve your experience: - Comment cookies store your name, email, and website for convenience (lasting up to one year) - Temporary cookies verify browser compatibility - Editor cookies track article edits (expire after 1 day) You can control cookies through your browser settings. Media If you upload images, avoid including embedded location data (EXIF GPS), as others may download and extract this information. Embedded Content from Other Websites Articles on this site may include embedded content (e.g., videos, images, articles). These behave as if you visited the external site directly. Third-party websites may collect data, use cookies, and track your interaction with embedded content. How We Share Your Information We do not sell or share your personal data with third parties without consent, except: - Service providers (e.g., analytics, advertising, spam detection) - Legal requirements (court orders, laws, enforcement of agreements) - Business transfers (e.g., merger or acquisition) Third parties are required to use your data only for specified purposes and retain it only as needed. Data Retention - Personal data is retained for 90 days to 2 years after your last interaction with us, or as long as necessary to fulfill the purposes outlined in this Privacy Policy - Comments and their metadata may be retained indefinitely - Anonymous or aggregated data may be stored indefinitely Your Rights Depending on applicable laws, you may have the right to: - Access, update, or delete your personal data - Request a copy of your data - Restrict or object to processing - Withdraw consent - Request data portability - File a complaint with a regulatory authority To exercise your rights, contact: Note: If you withdraw consent or refuse data collection, some services may not be available. Security We use reasonable security measures to protect your data. However, no system is completely secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security. Third-Party Links Our website may contain links to external websites. We are not responsible for their privacy practices and recommend reviewing their policies. Comments and Gravatar An anonymized string (hash) of your email may be sent to the Gravatar service to check if you are using it. After approval of your comment, your profile image may be publicly visible. Gravatar Privacy Policy: Data Processing Tools - Akismet Anti-Spam may process comment-related data such as IP address, user agent, and content - Really Simple Security and its add-ons do not process personally identifiable information Where Your Data Is Sent Visitor comments may be checked through automated spam detection services. Grievance / Data Protection Contact If you have any questions or concerns about this Privacy Policy or your data, contact: Claire Bahn Group Inc. 800 N King Street Wilmington, DE 19801 Email: Phone: 310-896-8643 We will respond in accordance with applicable laws. Cookies Policy For more details about how we use cookies and tracking technologies, please refer to our [Cookie Policy](https://clairebahn.com/cookie-policy/). --- ### [Powerful Personal Brand](https://clairebahn.com/powerful-personal-brand/) **Published:** October 12, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn **Content:** ![Powerful Personal Brand Podcast](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1400x1400-1024x1024.jpg "1400x1400 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ![Powerful Personal Brand Podcast](https://clairebahn.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/1400x1400-1024x1024.jpg "1400x1400 - Claire Bahn - Claire Bahn") ## Powerful Personal Brand Podcast with Claire Bahn ### How to hack your personal brand for visibility & authority because obscurity is no longer an option. [ Listen to the Lastest Episode ](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/powerful-personal-brand/id1597974214) --- ## Landing Pages ### [thank you](https://clairebahn.com/thank you/) **Published:** March 19, 2026 **Author:** Claire Bahn --- ### [testimonials-old](https://clairebahn.com/testimonials-old/) **Published:** June 1, 2020 **Author:** Claire Bahn --- ### [personal-brand-strategist](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-strategist/) **Published:** July 24, 2025 **Author:** Claire Bahn --- ### [pr-thank-you](https://clairebahn.com/pr-thank-you/) **Published:** October 15, 2024 **Author:** Claire Bahn --- ### [pr-firm](https://clairebahn.com/pr-firm/) **Published:** August 27, 2024 **Author:** Claire Bahn --- ### [strategy-thank-you](https://clairebahn.com/strategy-thank-you/) **Published:** February 24, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn --- ### [personal-brand-rating](https://clairebahn.com/personal-brand-rating/) **Published:** February 27, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn --- ### [private-coaching-thank-you](https://clairebahn.com/private-coaching-thank-you/) **Published:** February 24, 2023 **Author:** Claire Bahn --- ### [Strategy-Call](https://clairebahn.com/Strategy-Call/) **Published:** March 11, 2021 **Author:** Claire Bahn --- ## Categories ### [Entrepreneurship & Biz Tips](https://clairebahn.com/category/entrepreneurship/) --- ### [Personal Branding](https://clairebahn.com/category/personal-brand/) --- ### [Tips](https://clairebahn.com/category/tips/) --- ### [LinkedIn](https://clairebahn.com/category/linkedin/) --- ### [Profile Photos](https://clairebahn.com/category/profile-photos/) --- ### [Podcast](https://clairebahn.com/category/podcast/) --- ### [Blog](https://clairebahn.com/category/blog/) --- ### [CEO Branding](https://clairebahn.com/category/ceo-branding/) --- ### [entrepreneur Branding](https://clairebahn.com/category/entrepreneur-branding/) --- ### [Startup Branding](https://clairebahn.com/category/startup-branding/) --- ### [Founder Branding](https://clairebahn.com/category/founder-branding/) --- ### [Social Media](https://clairebahn.com/category/social-media/) --- ### [Social Media Management](https://clairebahn.com/category/social-media-management/) --- ### [Personal Branding Strategist](https://clairebahn.com/category/personal-branding-strategist/) --- ### [Public Relations](https://clairebahn.com/category/public-relations/) --- ### [digital communications strategy](https://clairebahn.com/category/digital-communications-strategy/) --- ### [Executive Branding](https://clairebahn.com/category/executive-branding/) --- ### [Personal Brand Strategist](https://clairebahn.com/category/personal-brand-strategist/) --- ### [Unique Value Proposition](https://clairebahn.com/category/unique-value-proposition/) --- ### [NIL Branding](https://clairebahn.com/category/nil-branding/) --- ## Tags ### [alt summit conference](https://clairebahn.com/tag/alt-summit-conference/) --- ### [alt summit prices](https://clairebahn.com/tag/alt-summit-prices/) --- ### [apps for business owners](https://clairebahn.com/tag/apps-for-business-owners/) --- ### [biz tips](https://clairebahn.com/tag/biz-tips/) --- ### [creative personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/tag/creative-personal-branding/) --- ### [dealing with imposter syndrome](https://clairebahn.com/tag/dealing-with-imposter-syndrome/) --- ### [entrepreneur](https://clairebahn.com/tag/entrepreneur/) --- ### [How I Started My Business From Scratch](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-i-started-my-business-from-scratch/) --- ### [personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-brand/) --- ### [personal brand Instagram](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-brand-instagram/) --- ### [personal brand logo](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-brand-logo/) --- ### [personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-branding/) --- ### [personal branding photographer](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-branding-photographer/) --- ### [personal branding strategist](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-branding-strategist/) --- ### [productivity](https://clairebahn.com/tag/productivity/) --- ### [public speaking](https://clairebahn.com/tag/public-speaking/) --- ### [real estate brand](https://clairebahn.com/tag/real-estate-brand/) --- ### [real estate marketing](https://clairebahn.com/tag/real-estate-marketing/) --- ### [self care](https://clairebahn.com/tag/self-care/) --- ### [small business owners](https://clairebahn.com/tag/small-business-owners/) --- ### [social media](https://clairebahn.com/tag/social-media/) --- ### [social media branding real estate agents](https://clairebahn.com/tag/social-media-branding-real-estate-agents/) --- ### [social media marketing](https://clairebahn.com/tag/social-media-marketing/) --- ### [startup brand](https://clairebahn.com/tag/startup-brand/) --- ### [startup success stories](https://clairebahn.com/tag/startup-success-stories/) --- ### 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ROI](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-brand-roi/) --- ### [rebranding yourself](https://clairebahn.com/tag/rebranding-yourself/) --- ### [why do you need personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/tag/why-do-you-need-personal-branding/) --- ### [what does a branding consultant do](https://clairebahn.com/tag/what-does-a-branding-consultant-do/) --- ### [personal brand strategist](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-brand-strategist/) --- ### [why personal branding is more important than ever](https://clairebahn.com/tag/why-personal-branding-is-more-important-than-ever/) --- ### [who needs personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/tag/who-needs-personal-branding/) --- ### [benefits of using social media to promote your career](https://clairebahn.com/tag/benefits-of-using-social-media-to-promote-your-career/) --- ### [how wisely using social media can boost your career](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-wisely-using-social-media-can-boost-your-career/) --- ### [social media and your career](https://clairebahn.com/tag/social-media-and-your-career/) --- ### [how to use social media for business](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-to-use-social-media-for-business/) --- ### [build a personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/tag/build-a-personal-brand/) --- ### [how to build your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-to-build-your-personal-brand/) --- ### [brand awareness strategy](https://clairebahn.com/tag/brand-awareness-strategy/) --- ### [how to build brand awareness](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-to-build-brand-awareness/) --- ### [personal brand for beginners](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-brand-for-beginners/) --- ### [creating a personal brand identity](https://clairebahn.com/tag/creating-a-personal-brand-identity/) --- ### [the complete guide to building your personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/tag/the-complete-guide-to-building-your-personal-brand/) --- ### [examples of personal branding](https://clairebahn.com/tag/examples-of-personal-branding/) --- ### [how to build your personal brand at work](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-to-build-your-personal-brand-at-work/) --- ### [what is my personal brand](https://clairebahn.com/tag/what-is-my-personal-brand/) --- ### [social media content strategy template](https://clairebahn.com/tag/social-media-content-strategy-template/) --- ### [creating social media content strategy](https://clairebahn.com/tag/creating-social-media-content-strategy/) --- ### [social media content creation](https://clairebahn.com/tag/social-media-content-creation/) --- ### [social media content creation tips](https://clairebahn.com/tag/social-media-content-creation-tips/) --- ### [social media famous](https://clairebahn.com/tag/social-media-famous/) --- ### [How To Become Famous on Social Media](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-to-become-famous-on-social-media/) --- ### [personal brand basics](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-brand-basics/) --- ### [personal brand strategy examples](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-brand-strategy-examples/) --- ### [personal branding framework](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-branding-framework/) --- ### [personal branding definition](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-branding-definition/) --- ### [personal branding tips](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-branding-tips/) --- ### [How do you future proof your career](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-do-you-future-proof-your-career/) --- ### [Why is personal brand important to a person's career](https://clairebahn.com/tag/why-is-personal-brand-important-to-a-persons-career/) --- ### [What does it mean to future proof your career](https://clairebahn.com/tag/what-does-it-mean-to-future-proof-your-career/) --- ### [what does a brand consultant do](https://clairebahn.com/tag/what-does-a-brand-consultant-do/) --- ### [what does personal branding include](https://clairebahn.com/tag/what-does-personal-branding-include/) --- ### [personal branding consultant cost](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-branding-consultant-cost/) --- ### [personal branding coach](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-branding-coach/) --- ### [personal branding expert](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-branding-expert/) --- ### [How do I set up my own company](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-do-i-set-up-my-own-company/) --- ### [how can I start my own business with no money](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-can-i-start-my-own-business-with-no-money/) --- ### [how to start a business in 2021](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-to-start-a-business-in-2021/) --- ### [how to start your own business from home](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-to-start-your-own-business-from-home/) --- ### [steps to start a small business](https://clairebahn.com/tag/steps-to-start-a-small-business/) --- ### [list of things needed to start a business](https://clairebahn.com/tag/list-of-things-needed-to-start-a-business/) --- ### [how to start your own business online](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-to-start-your-own-business-online/) --- ### [how to rebrand](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-to-rebrand/) --- ### [when should you rebrand](https://clairebahn.com/tag/when-should-you-rebrand/) --- ### [rebranding your personal image](https://clairebahn.com/tag/rebranding-your-personal-image/) --- ### [personal branding for executives](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-branding-for-executives/) --- ### [ceo branding](https://clairebahn.com/tag/ceo-branding/) --- ### [social media for ceos](https://clairebahn.com/tag/social-media-for-ceos/) --- ### [personal brand consultant](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-brand-consultant/) --- ### [ceo social media strategy](https://clairebahn.com/tag/ceo-social-media-strategy/) --- ### [ceo social media best practices](https://clairebahn.com/tag/ceo-social-media-best-practices/) --- ### [personal branding services](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-branding-services/) --- ### [how do you measure personal brand value](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-do-you-measure-personal-brand-value/) --- ### [personal brand examples](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-brand-examples/) --- ### [personal brand statement examples](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-brand-statement-examples/) --- ### [viral marketing](https://clairebahn.com/tag/viral-marketing/) --- ### [how to go viral](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-to-go-viral/) --- ### [brand awareness examples](https://clairebahn.com/tag/brand-awareness-examples/) --- ### [social media brand awareness strategy](https://clairebahn.com/tag/social-media-brand-awareness-strategy/) --- ### [personal brand copywriting](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-brand-copywriting/) --- ### [brand copy](https://clairebahn.com/tag/brand-copy/) --- ### [What a personal website should contain](https://clairebahn.com/tag/what-a-personal-website-should-contain/) --- ### [What should my personal brand be](https://clairebahn.com/tag/what-should-my-personal-brand-be/) --- ### [what to put on your personal website](https://clairebahn.com/tag/what-to-put-on-your-personal-website/) --- ### [best social media platforms](https://clairebahn.com/tag/best-social-media-platforms/) --- ### [What are the top 5 social media sites for business](https://clairebahn.com/tag/what-are-the-top-5-social-media-sites-for-business/) --- ### [most popular social media platforms 2021](https://clairebahn.com/tag/most-popular-social-media-platforms-2021/) --- ### [youtube tips](https://clairebahn.com/tag/youtube-tips/) --- ### [what is video content](https://clairebahn.com/tag/what-is-video-content/) --- ### [video marketing strategy 2021](https://clairebahn.com/tag/video-marketing-strategy-2021/) --- ### [personal brand youtube channels](https://clairebahn.com/tag/personal-brand-youtube-channels/) --- ### [how to start a youtube channel](https://clairebahn.com/tag/how-to-start-a-youtube-channel/) --- ### [how 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[AI](https://clairebahn.com/tag/ai/) --- ### [leadership](https://clairebahn.com/tag/leadership/) --- ## FAQ Categories ### [Uncategorized FAQ](https://clairebahn.com/helpie_faq_category/uncategorized-faq/) --- ### [Personal Branding](https://clairebahn.com/helpie_faq_category/personal-branding/) **Description:** FAQs about Personal Branding in general --- ### [CEO Branding](https://clairebahn.com/helpie_faq_category/ceo-branding/) **Description:** FAQs about CEO branding for Organizations --- ### [Executive Branding](https://clairebahn.com/helpie_faq_category/executive-branding/) **Description:** FAQs about Executive Branding --- ### [Personal Branding for Job Search](https://clairebahn.com/helpie_faq_category/personal-branding-for-job-search/) **Description:** FAQs about leveraging personal branding for successful job search or career advancement --- ### [Public Relations](https://clairebahn.com/helpie_faq_category/public-relations/) **Description:** FAQs about PR and Public Relations --- ### [Claire Bahn Group](https://clairebahn.com/helpie_faq_category/claire-bahn-group/) **Description:** FAQs about how Claire Bahn Group operates --- ### [Corporate Branding](https://clairebahn.com/helpie_faq_category/corporate-branding/) **Description:** FAQs related to Claire Bahn Groups solution for Corporate Branding --- ### [branding for authors](https://clairebahn.com/helpie_faq_category/branding-for-authors/) **Description:** branding for authors to increase sales of their books --- ### [Founder Branding](https://clairebahn.com/helpie_faq_category/founder-branding/) **Description:** founder branding for Startup CEOs and Executive --- ### [Startup Branding](https://clairebahn.com/helpie_faq_category/startup-branding/) **Description:** branding for founders of startups --- ## FAQ Groups ### [Getting Started](https://clairebahn.com/helpie_faq_group/getting-started/) ---