18 Tips to Leverage Your Personal Brand for Networking
Effective networking through personal branding has become essential for professionals. We asked industry experts to share how they leverage their personal brand to build relationships and network effectively — and one approach they recommend. Learn how to leverage your unique identity for building meaningful connections.
- Treat Social Media Like a Dinner Party
- Align Personal Brand with Company Values
- Become a Trusted Advisor Through Education
- Solve Problems Publicly to Build Credibility
- Create a Memorable and Consistent Brand
- Offer Authentic Value Without Expectations
- Engage Consistently Online and In Person
- Attend Events to Form Meaningful Connections
- Listen and Support Others in Your Network
- Demonstrate Expertise Through Public Speaking
- Start Conversations for Real Connections
- Focus on Authenticity and Shared Values
- Turn Visibility into Meaningful Dialogue
- Share Valuable Insights on LinkedIn
- Publish Diverse Perspectives to Show Thinking
- Build Experts into Leaders Through Content
- Network with People Sharing Your Interests
- Use Common Interests for Strong Connections
Treat Social Media Like a Dinner Party
The single best piece of advice we give to our clients who want to build an active and engaged following is about networking online. If you want to build real relationships on social media, stop treating it like a billboard and start treating it like a dinner party.
Most people schedule their content and then peace out. Then they wonder why their network feels flat. The magic on social media, Reddit, Substack, Instagram, and definitely LinkedIn is in the comments. It’s in the conversation. When you comment thoughtfully, you’re not just leaving digital breadcrumbs; you are pulling up a chair in someone else’s conversation.
These conversations are where trust is built. It’s where people see your brain in action. And it’s how you start the direct message conversations that actually lead to collaborations, clients, and referrals.
One approach I recommend is to set aside 15-20 minutes a day just to comment on other people’s posts. Go beyond a flyby “great post!” and add perspective, ask a question, share a short story. That’s the difference between just generating background noise and creating genuine connection.
Cari Kaufman
Brand Strategist/Chief Wordsmith, Storyteller Wordsmith
Align Personal Brand with Company Values
As a Product & Brand Marketing Lead Specialist, I approach personal branding the same way I would guide a client through brand strategy. Networking isn’t just about promoting your company’s products or services; it’s about how you, as an individual, show up and connect. At the end of the day, people buy into people first.
The way I see it, your personal brand needs two things: a core mission and strategy and a unique value proposition (UVP).
Your core mission is your “why.” What do you stand for? What do you want people to remember after meeting you? For me, it’s about translating complex branding challenges into clear, actionable strategies. Having this focus means I know how to position myself in conversations, which makes the interaction more meaningful. My advice: define the story you want your network to take away about you, and let that guide how you introduce yourself and the examples you share.
Just like a business brand, your personal brand needs a UVP that sets you apart. This isn’t just a job title; it’s the specific value you bring. Mine is the intersection of product knowledge and brand marketing strategy, which gives me a distinctive angle in conversations. Your UVP should answer: “What do I do differently that others in my field may not?” Once you’re clear on that, it becomes easier for people to see how you (and by extension, your company) can help them.
The one approach I recommend is to treat your personal brand like you would treat any brand you’re marketing: define your mission, sharpen your UVP, and make sure your story is consistent with the company you represent. When those elements align, networking stops feeling like a pitch and becomes a natural exchange of value that builds stronger, more lasting relationships.
Claudia Hickey
Product & Brand Marketing Lead Specialist, QNY Creative
Become a Trusted Advisor Through Education
In today’s business landscape, your personal brand is often just as important as the products or services you provide. For me, as someone deeply committed to the home leisure industry, building a strong personal brand has always been about more than sales — it’s about being recognized as a trusted advisor who helps people create environments that enrich their lifestyle and well-being.
One of the most effective ways I’ve grown my network and strengthened relationships is by leading with education and value. Rather than focusing on promotion, I aim to share insights that genuinely help homeowners and business partners make better decisions. Whether it’s offering practical tips on choosing the right hot tub, helping families maximize small backyard spaces, or explaining how to properly care for premium patio furniture, I’ve found that people remember and appreciate useful advice far more than a sales pitch. That trust often becomes the foundation for long-term customer loyalty and professional connections.
Networking also takes on a new dimension when you prioritize listening as much as you share. I’ve learned that taking time to understand someone’s needs — whether it’s a client hoping to transform their outdoor space or a peer in the industry exploring collaboration — creates a relationship built on mutual respect. That level of authenticity not only strengthens professional ties but also helps a personal brand resonate with sincerity.
My recommendation for anyone looking to build stronger networks is simple: position yourself as a resource, not just a provider. Share your expertise generously, whether through LinkedIn posts, casual conversations, or community events. When people see that your personal brand reflects both knowledge and genuine care for their experience, opportunities to collaborate, partner, and grow follow naturally.
Ultimately, relationships are built on trust, and a personal brand rooted in education, integrity, and customer focus is one of the most effective tools for fostering that trust over the long term.
Kyle Sawyer
Owner, Canadian Home Leisure
Solve Problems Publicly to Build Credibility
Personal branding works when you solve problems publicly, not when you talk about yourself.
I share specific solutions to real business problems regularly. Not theory. Not inspiration. Actual steps someone can implement today. Screen recordings showing how to fix Google Ads attribution. Quick videos breaking down why SEO strategies fail. Real solutions with real examples.
People start recognizing you as the person who always has answers. They save your posts. They share them with their team. Eventually, they reach out when they hit a problem you’ve solved before.
The approach that works: Document your process, not just your wins. Show the messy middle. Admit when things take longer than expected. This authenticity builds trust that perfect positioning never could.
Give away your best insights. The right people will pay for implementation.
Rodney Warner
CEO & Founder, Connective Web Design
Create a Memorable and Consistent Brand
I leverage my personal brand by making it both memorable and approachable, consistently.
For example, I consistently wear pink to anything related to work, whether it is a meeting or a ribbon-cutting. My social media, website, and marketing materials all incorporate the color pink. Even my business name is my nickname, which makes it easy for people to connect with me personally and remember me. Beyond visuals, I strengthen relationships by staying active in my community through nonprofit work and chamber involvement.
Over the two years that I have built my business, I have received positive comments on both the consistency of pink and how it stands out in a room, as well as just “being everywhere.” When you live and work primarily in a smaller town, consistently showing up and being easy to remember are vital. Word of mouth is how I get a majority of my clients.
So overall, the approach I recommend is consistency. When your brand is recognizable and authentic across every touchpoint, people are more likely to trust you, remember you, and want to build a relationship. Not to mention, when word of mouth is one of your biggest lead generators, being easy to point out and remember is key.
Megan Treglown
Founder & Owner, MegTreg Collective
Offer Authentic Value Without Expectations
I believe in building relationships through authentic engagement rather than self-promotion. When approaching new communities, I first invest time to understand their culture and language before offering value without expectation of return. This approach has served me well when building connections on Reddit, where I spent time learning the community norms, created a relevant language glossary, and offered free consultation calls to demonstrate expertise. The results speak for themselves — meaningful follow-up conversations and qualified clients who approached me because of the genuine value I provided rather than aggressive networking tactics.
Jeanette Brown
Personal and Career Coach; Founder, Jeanettebrown.net
Engage Consistently Online and In Person
I believe the focus is on leveraging connections. I try to engage with businesses and professionals both online and in real life. LinkedIn is a powerful tool for building an online presence, but it’s equally important to attend networking events and volunteer in local groups. I recently started mentoring for a graphic design association in my city, which has been a great way to connect with both young talent and seasoned designers. Whenever I meet someone at an event, I make sure to follow up by connecting on LinkedIn or sending a quick message. Depending on their age and online presence, I may also connect on Instagram through my business account, interacting with their stories and posts.
These small, consistent touchpoints go a long way in keeping you top of mind. Over time, I’ve found that they not only help me build a strong professional network but also shape my personal brand as someone who is approachable, reliable, and genuinely invested in creative communities.
Sonja Epple
Brand Designer, SunnySide Graphics LLC
Attend Events to Form Meaningful Connections
I’ve found that attending industry events and local meetups consistently builds the strongest foundation for effective networking. These in-person connections allow me to showcase my expertise while forming relationships that frequently develop into partnerships, mentorships, and client opportunities. The key is to approach networking with a genuine interest in others and a willingness to share resources and advice without expecting immediate returns. This reciprocal approach has helped me build a reputation as someone who delivers value to my network, which strengthens my personal brand over time.
Esther Buttery
Director, CLIQ Marketing Content
Listen and Support Others in Your Network
The best way I’ve learned to leverage my personal brand is by being genuine and consistent, showing up both online and in person. This means sharing thoughts and insights about healthcare and leadership that reflect my own personal experiences. Whether I am a speaker at events or posting on social media, I always focus on adding helpful tips and advice for others. This has helped me build trust with people in my industry and create stronger connections.
One thing I can recommend is to focus on listening because networking isn’t just about talking about yourself; it’s more about understanding the challenges of others and showing them support instead of judging them. When you take the time to listen and respond positively, it creates strong relationships that can open up many opportunities.
Blaz Korosec
CEO, Medical Director Co.
Demonstrate Expertise Through Public Speaking
I leverage my personal brand by consistently speaking at industry events such as Search Engine Journal, UnGagged, Pubcon, and WordCamp Europe, which positions me as a trusted educator in the SEO space. These speaking opportunities allow me to share knowledge while simultaneously connecting with peers and potential collaborators who share similar interests. One approach I strongly recommend is to find your unique area of expertise and actively seek platforms where you can demonstrate that knowledge in front of relevant audiences.
Viola Eva
Founder, Flow Agency
Start Conversations for Real Connections
I leverage my personal brand by consistently and authentically showing up in spaces where my audience and peers are most active. Instead of just promoting myself, I focus on sharing value — whether that’s through insights, helpful resources, or genuine engagement with others’ work. This builds trust and positions me as someone people can rely on.
One approach I recommend is to start conversations rather than just joining them. For example, posting thoughtful questions, sharing lessons learned, or even highlighting someone else’s success creates opportunities for meaningful interactions. It’s not just about visibility — it’s about building real connections that can grow into strong professional relationships.
Cordon Lam
Director and Co-Founder, Populis Digital
Focus on Authenticity and Shared Values
When networking, position yourself as a helpful resource rather than a salesperson. People can sense when you’re genuinely trying to help versus when you’re just trying to sell something.
Start by identifying your target audience. Once you know who you want to connect with, focus on authenticity and your unique point of view. Share content that you genuinely resonate with and that reflects your true beliefs. When you do this consistently, you’ll attract the right people.
You don’t need to build just any network; you need to build your network. It’s better to connect with fewer people who align with your values than to chase everyone and end up connecting meaningfully with no one. This approach gives you something real to build on, and those connections naturally evolve into actual collaborative discussions later.
Astha Verma
CEO & Founder, WrittenlyHub
Turn Visibility into Meaningful Dialogue
When people consistently see you sharing insights, frameworks, and real experiences, rather than just titles or achievements, they begin to trust your voice. This trust opens the door to genuine relationships.
One approach I recommend is to be intentional about turning visibility into dialogue.
Share content that addresses problems your audience is already contemplating.
Engage thoughtfully on others’ posts with perspective, not platitudes.
Most importantly, follow up offline. A direct message, a quick call, or an introduction goes further than a simple “like.”
Your personal brand should function as the bridge, but it’s the human follow-through that builds real networks.
Melanie Borden
Founder & CEO, The Borden Group
Share Valuable Insights on LinkedIn
I leverage my personal brand by consistently sharing insights on LinkedIn that highlight my expertise and spark meaningful conversations. When I connect with others, I focus on authentic follow-up, ensuring my outreach is genuine and not just about what I can gain. Whether online or in person, I aim to present myself consistently and offer value first, which helps people remember me and build lasting trust. One approach I recommend is consistently sharing valuable insights on LinkedIn, as it positions you as a trusted resource and naturally attracts meaningful connections.
Jillian Clabo
Partnerships Director, textLIVING
Publish Diverse Perspectives to Show Thinking
In a recent study, 70% of consumers said they feel more connected to brands when the CEO is active on social media. However, I don’t think personal branding is about polishing bios, crafting taglines, or using it as a megaphone to talk about oneself.
I recommend sharing perspectives that demonstrate how you think, not what you sell. For me, this has meant publishing diverse insights, ranging from why adoption rituals matter as much as Salesforce system design, to how Chief Happiness Officers can drive digital transformation. By consistently sharing my experiences, I’ve built credibility with potential clients and created a community of peers and partners who reach out to exchange ideas and opportunities.
Mathieu Sroussi
Founder and Executive, SmartenUp
Build Experts into Leaders Through Content
We view personal brand as more than visibility — it’s about creating credibility and impact in the Microsoft ecosystem. One way we do this is by helping many of our hosts and authors on their journey to becoming Microsoft MVPs.
The strategy is rooted in cross-promotion with purpose.
On LinkedIn, we showcase their insights, frameworks, and practical tips so they’re recognized as thought leaders.
On our podcast, we amplify their voices, giving them a platform to share deep expertise and connect with a global audience.
On social channels, we repurpose highlights into shareable clips and visuals that expand their reach beyond their immediate network.
This ecosystem not only strengthens their personal brand but also aligns them with the kind of community contributions Microsoft looks for in MVPs. By consistently demonstrating expertise, generosity, and impact across multiple platforms, our contributors build the kind of presence that stands out to both peers and Microsoft.
One approach we recommend is what we call the “Expertise Flywheel.” Each piece of content fuels the next — LinkedIn posts feed into podcast conversations, podcast insights are broken into social snippets, and all of it reinforces their credibility. Over time, that momentum compounds into recognition, stronger networks, and for many of our hosts and authors, MVP status.
In short, we don’t just create content — we build experts into leaders.
Mirko Peters
Founder, M365 Show
Network with People Sharing Your Interests
I really like to focus on “people who are doing work I’d love to do” or “people who are having conversations I’m interested in.” By following, engaging, and connecting with these kinds of folks, you’re networking in alignment with your brand because it has your actual interests at the center.
Lex Stewart
Career Coach, Lex Stewart Coaching & Consulting
Use Common Interests for Strong Connections
One of the key things I recommend is using common elements of your personal brand and interests along with those of the person with whom you want to connect. For instance, if you have an interest in aviation and they do as well, that’s a great opportunity to connect on a shared interest. By making your interests and passions obvious in your online profiles, you can create opportunities to leverage this in your networking practices.
Jonathan Dunnett
CEO, jonathandunnett.com
