It has become essential for success as a professional to build a personal brand. We asked industry experts to share one specific action someone can take today to start building their personal brand—and the impact this action can have on their journey. Learn how to create a personal brand that truly resonates with your audience.
- Share Your Beliefs in One Post
- Journal Publicly About Professional Challenges
- Craft a Compelling LinkedIn Headline
- Identify Your Core Values and Mission
- Create a Unique Positioning Statement
- Post Short Videos Across Multiple Platforms
- Audit Your Google Search Results
- Document Your Problem-Solving Process
- Share Your Learning Journey Openly
- Publish Insights Reflecting Your Expertise
- Infuse Cultural Heritage Into Your Brand
- Start Posting Consistently on One Platform
- Share Weekly Insights on LinkedIn
- Choose a Specific Niche to Dominate
- Update LinkedIn With Punchy Insights Weekly
- Develop a Compelling Story and Mission
- Establish a Consistent Social Media Presence
17 Actionable Steps to Build Your Personal Brand Today
Share Your Beliefs in One Post
If I had to give one piece of advice to someone starting today, it would be this:
Write one post that shares what you believe — not just what you know.
Why does this matter? Because most people think personal branding is about looking polished, posting perfect tips, and following trends. That’s why they disappear into the noise. Real influence doesn’t come from blending in — it comes from standing out.
Your story, your perspective, your beliefs — that’s what makes your brand magnetic. Yet so many people hide behind safe content because they fear judgment. Here’s the truth: if everyone agrees with you, you’re probably not saying anything worth remembering.
So today, take five minutes and write a post that says something real. It could be:
- A hard-earned lesson you learned the hard way
- A mistake that taught you something important
- A belief that shapes how you work or live
- A perspective that challenges conventional thinking in your industry
This single act matters because visibility creates opportunity — and clarity attracts clients, partnerships, and revenue. Most people wait for confidence before they show up. But confidence comes from doing, not waiting. The first post won’t change your life — but it will set off a chain reaction. It starts the momentum that changes everything.
When I started building my personal brand, I had zero strategy and a lot of fear. I thought: “What if no one cares? What if they laugh?” But I wrote anyway. That one post led to another, and then another. Soon, people started reaching out, asking questions, sharing my work. That visibility led to clients, speaking opportunities, and eventually, a business that gave me freedom.
If I hadn’t taken that first step, none of this would exist. No Forbes features. No 50,000+ newsletter subscribers. No $1M in brand deals. It all started with a single post that wasn’t perfect — but was real.
So my advice is simple: Start now. Don’t overthink. Write something true, hit publish, and repeat tomorrow. Your personal brand isn’t built overnight — it’s built post by post, truth by truth. And the sooner you start, the sooner the right people can find you.
Ana Maria Calin
Founder, Brand Strategist, How We Grow
Journal Publicly About Professional Challenges
After two decades in digital strategy and running my own consulting practice, I’ve discovered that the most powerful action you can take today is to start journaling publicly about your professional challenges and solutions. This doesn’t mean writing polished thought leadership pieces, but rather raw, honest documentation of problems you’re solving in real-time.
I’ve been journaling since 2001, and when I moved that practice online through my blog, it transformed everything. When I write about struggling with being “too busy” or figuring out team dynamics, those vulnerable posts connect with people facing identical challenges. My most shared content isn’t about AI automation strategies – it’s about the human side of running a business.
The magic happens when prospects find these authentic posts during their research. They see you’re not just selling solutions, you’re living the same struggles they face daily. I’ve landed major consulting contracts because potential clients found my posts about workflow challenges and thought, “This person gets it.”
Pick one professional challenge you’re dealing with right now. Write 200 words about it tonight — what you tried, what failed, what you’re testing next. Then hit publish. The vulnerability creates connection faster than any credential ever will.
Chris Robino
Digital Strategy Leader, Chris Robino
Craft a Compelling LinkedIn Headline
Start by writing your LinkedIn headline as if it’s your elevator pitch — because it is. Most people default to job titles, but that won’t make anyone remember you. Instead, lead with who you help and how. For example: “Helping founders turn their story into a magnetic brand.”
This one move changes how people perceive you, shows instant clarity, and sets the tone for everything else (your posts, DMs, and even pitch decks). I’ve seen clients land consulting gigs just because their headline made someone click.
Personal branding starts when you stop hiding behind titles and start owning your value.
Bhavik Sarkhedi
Founder & CEO, Ohh My Brand
Identify Your Core Values and Mission
Spend an hour or so delving into the core theme of your work — essentially, your “why.” Although this advice is ubiquitous, there’s a reason for it: it makes all of your other pieces cohesive. Once that is clear, you can create whatever you want, but if the foundation of your personal brand is unstable, it will be evident.
I recommend starting by identifying your values. I use an exercise based on John DiMartini’s work; it focuses on how you spend your time and how it reflects your values, rather than just selecting appealing words from a list. Those lists can be helpful in phrasing your values, but without examining how you ‘vote’ with your time, you risk being merely aspirational in the exercise.
Once you identify your core values, review your existing body of work and credentials to see how they already reflect those values. Use this alignment to craft a clear mission statement, and then perhaps a vision. These become the foundation for every piece of content, speaking opportunity, and strategic decision you make related to your personal brand. A true north makes everything simpler and more unified.
This clarity helps entrepreneurs make consistent choices and build trust with their audience because everything feels cohesive rather than scattered. I have seen people start with a color or a job title, and that is not indicative of a strong, authentic personal brand. Begin with your essence, move to your why, and observe the difference it makes.
Sandra Bean
Founder + Strategist, Global Girl Boss
Create a Unique Positioning Statement
I believe one specific action someone can take today to start building their personal brand is to promote their unique positioning statement.
Ask yourself: What am I known for? Who am I helping? Why does this matter to me? Asking the right questions will give you answers that act as a structure in building your brand in a step-by-step process. This means taking time to reflect on your strengths, values, and the specific audience you want to serve.
Next would be to work on creating a simple, focused message around that. It has to be clear, and it has to resonate. Get clear on your unique value and the problems you solve best. This shapes how you are perceived online, how you communicate in conversations, and how others refer to or remember you. Find that problem only you can solve because one of the common pitfalls of building a brand is trying to be everything to everyone.
The impact this creates is that you become more recognizable, more relevant to the right people, and more likely to attract aligned opportunities that could come in the forms of clients, collaborations, or career growth.
Defining your brand with intention is the foundation of building trust and visibility. The best part about this? You can start doing it today.
Paula Glynn
Director of Search Marketing & Digital Strategy, Pixelstorm
Post Short Videos Across Multiple Platforms
Grab your phone today and shoot a 30- to 60-second vertical video that shares a clear tip, insight, or personal story tied to your expertise. Upload that exact clip to TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, and YouTube Shorts. This single action instantly places you in front of algorithms designed to surface fresh content, giving you organic exposure to thousands of people who have never heard of you. It also delivers immediate feedback through views, watch time, and comments, letting you refine your message in real time.
By posting the same video across four platforms, you multiply reach without multiplying effort. You establish a visible track record that signals credibility and trigger a compounding cycle of new followers, collaborators, and opportunities. This will accelerate every step of your personal-brand journey.
Andres Parra Arze
Co-Founder & CEO, CasaYa
Audit Your Google Search Results
Take 20 minutes today to audit your Google search results. Type in your name and review what appears. What you find may surprise you. Many professionals overlook this simple step, yet it often creates the first impression others form of you. If outdated or irrelevant content appears at the top, it may not reflect your current work, values, or voice.
We have seen executives caught off guard by years-old mentions still dominating their search presence. If what is visible does not represent you well, begin publishing fresh content such as articles, posts, or interviews to regain control of your personal brand. Today’s small brand checkup can save you time and future reputation management efforts.
Vaibhav Kakkar
CEO, Digital Web Solutions
Document Your Problem-Solving Process
Begin documenting how you work, not just what you produce. Although many people post finished products, few describe the process that led them to that final realization. When we started writing about our technical challenges — like how we solved the problem with PDF rendering performance — I wasn’t initially focused on building a brand; I was instead motivated by the potential of sharing our solutions to help other developers.
Surprisingly, these technical posts became our best source of leads. The CTO of a well-known healthcare company came across my piece about speeding up PDF processing for large files and reached out to me personally. That one post led to a six-figure company contract because he had built trust in our knowledge before he’d ever gotten on a sales call with us. To be honest, our inbound leads increased since we started technical writing regularly, within six months.
The magic happens when you teach what you’re learning in real-time. Pick one platform — LinkedIn, Twitter, or a simple blog — and commit to sharing one specific problem you solved each week. Include your thought process, not just the solution. Your knowledge is made searchable and becomes valuable to other people with similar problems.
Cameron Rimington
Founder & CEO, Iron Software
Share Your Learning Journey Openly
One specific action you can take today is to start sharing what you are learning, rather than what you already know. This doesn’t mean you should wait until you’re an expert in the subject matter or until you have a perfect story. Instead, begin capturing your learning experiences, whether it’s a book summary, an interesting article, or a new practice. Then, start sharing on LinkedIn, Twitter, or your own blog. The important thing to remember is that people connect with a journey, not just a destination.
The impact of this action on your personal brand can be profound. First, you immediately establish yourself as someone engaged in growth and unafraid to be transparent about where you are in your learning journey. Over time, people will start to see you as a resource for curiosity and learning, someone worth following because you don’t just bring something to the table, you bring insights and evolution. You may even connect with others who have a similar story, creating more opportunities for others by involving them in the process of sharing your learning. Learning together is more powerful and would be much more impactful than just sharing your successes.
Gianluca Ferruggia
General Manager, DesignRush
Publish Insights Reflecting Your Expertise
In today’s world, one of the most powerful actions you can take to begin building your personal brand is this: publish a short, thoughtful post on your social media or blog that reflects your expertise and worldview.
Why is this important? Because the first thing your potential clients, voters, or partners do is Google you. And what they expect to find is not just your company’s website — but your voice, your values, your perspective, and proof of your expertise. The same applies in politics: voters seek insight into who the candidate truly is. Subcontractors and investors look into your background during compliance checks. In all these cases, your personal positioning becomes a necessity, not a luxury.
To start effectively:
1. Define your goal. Don’t build a brand for fame’s sake. Are you aiming to gain trust, attract clients, or shape public perception?
2. Clarify your positioning. What story about yourself or your company should people hear to achieve that goal?
3. Know where your audience is. Identify the media, social platforms, or communities where your audience consumes information.
Then, take action — publish, engage, share insights. Even a single thoughtful post today begins shaping the narrative you want around your name.
As someone who advises people from startup founders to heads of state, I can say this: if you don’t build your brand, someone else — often your competitors — will define it for you. So start today.
Kateryna Odarchenko
CEO, Sic group usa
Infuse Cultural Heritage Into Your Brand
Infusing your brand with cultural heritage, such as my nod to Finnish sauna traditions, adds depth and authenticity. It transforms your brand into a story people care enough about to follow, rather than just a product. You create a brand identity that’s distinct from the saturation of competitors due to the simple fact that you’re consistently tying the heritage into your content, including the fact that saunas encourage community and health. This single action can amplify engagement, attract loyal followers, and lay the groundwork for long-term brand loyalty.
I recommend sharing short, authentic stories on social media that tie your values to your mission. Post on Instagram or X a 60-second video of a personal moment — say, how a bracing morning sauna session has you feeling more refreshed and focused — and explain how this will help you create from nature. It fosters trust and common ground, and it serves as the foundation for what makes a brand successful. When I posted a story about my grandfather’s daily ritual of sauna and cold plunges, it led to hundreds of comments and shares, which created instant community and enhanced my brand visibility.
Chad Lipka
President, North Shore Sauna
Start Posting Consistently on One Platform
One specific action someone can take today to start building their personal brand:
Pick one social platform, be brave, and start posting. Don’t wait around for the perfect bio or thing to say because that comes with time, and perfection doesn’t exist. Unless you put yourself out there, no one knows you exist, and your personal brand stays invisible.
That one post could be the start of everything. It builds confidence and consistency, and that leads to credibility.
First, you SHOW UP, then you STAND OUT, and then people start to take ACTION.
Nikki Clements
Owner, Brand YOU
Share Weekly Insights on LinkedIn
Start regularly sharing your thoughts with the public.
Choose a platform (LinkedIn is great for professionals, as we all know) and commit to sharing one useful insight, lesson, or point of view per week. It doesn’t have to be new; it just needs to be authentic, helpful, and related to your field.
Why does it work? Being visible makes you more trustworthy. If you consistently share your thoughts, you’re not just a consumer; you’re also a practitioner. It attracts like-minded people, opens doors, and establishes a digital footprint that grows over time.
Many people wait until they feel “ready.” Don’t. Start while you’re still figuring things out. That’s what makes it relatable.
Sergio Oliveira
Director of Development, DesignRush
Choose a Specific Niche to Dominate
One specific action someone can take today to start building their personal brand is:
Post one thoughtful insight or article on LinkedIn related to your expertise:
It can be as simple as:
- A project journey and lessons learned
- A trend you’re seeing in your industry
- Sharing perspectives on your career journey to inspire others
This action starts building your visibility and voice — two key pillars of a personal brand. It signals what you care about, how you think, and what value you bring. Even a single post can lead to unexpected engagement, direct messages, or opportunities from people who resonate with your perspective.
Impact:
- Builds credibility over time as you post more
- Reinforces your expertise in the eyes of peers and potential employers
- Boosts confidence as you clarify your own message
Your brand is already being formed by what you say and do — this action lets you take control of it and begin shaping it intentionally. One post a week turns into a portfolio of thought leadership.
Nita Laad
Founder and CEO
Update LinkedIn With Punchy Insights Weekly
Pick a specific niche. As someone in the fintech and crypto industry, I’ve seen how this makes experts stand out in a crowded space. Choose something that you’re knowledgeable or passionate about and that you want to be known for.
Apply that niche to all your content, messaging, and networking efforts. Whether it’s Web3 compliance, UX in fintech, or no-code tools for solopreneurs, choosing a niche gives your brand direction.
This approach will help anyone build their authority faster and, in turn, their brand. Instead of being a general voice in a noisy market, you become the go-to person for something people actually search for and value.
Thomas Franklin
CEO & Blockchain Security Specialist, Swapped
Develop a Compelling Story and Mission
Try being consistent on LinkedIn: a quick, punchy update with insights every week, little learnings or case studies, or even fresh takes on the latest news with a question can work wonders. After five days of rhythm, the algorithm may push your name in front of people because of greater consistency in expressing your voice.
Tom Molnar
Business Owner | Operations Manager, Fit Design
Establish a Consistent Social Media Presence
In order to build your personal brand, you need to have a story and a mission. This helps people to connect with you and to feel passionate about what you and your brand are doing. Instead of you just selling something or promoting a brand, they will understand and relate to your mission!
Dielle Charon
Business Coach, For the 23%
