What is Personal Branding?
You’ve probably heard a lot about personal branding in recent years— and for good reason. Whether you work for yourself or a company, you already have a personal brand—the question is, are you shaping it intentionally?
Your personal brand is the unique combination of your skills, experience, and personality that sets you apart. It’s how you present yourself to the world and how others perceive you professionally and personally. In other words, it’s your reputation.
Personal Branding is Intentional
Personal branding is the action you take to create your reputation. It isn’t just about having an online presence—it’s about actively defining and managing your identity in a way that aligns with your goals. If you don’t take control of your brand, others will define it for you.
Think of yourself as your own public relations agent. You have the power to shape the impression you make, highlight your strengths, and position yourself as an expert in your industry.
Building your personal brand isn’t just a marketing exercise—it’s a long-term strategy for professional success.
Why Personal Branding Matters: A Real-Life Example
A few months ago, a friend reached out to me with an urgent request: she needed help with her personal brand. She had heard me talk about personal branding and photography over the years, but it wasn’t until this moment that she truly understood its importance.
She had been invited to join a group focused on health research and policy, with the potential opportunity to be asked to join their board. After her first call with the group, she realized something critical: they were likely going to do some background research on her. That’s when it hit her—she had no idea what they would find.
Up until that point, she hadn’t given much thought to her personal brand. But now, it was clear that her online presence didn’t fully represent her expertise, accomplishments, or the professional she had worked so hard to become. It was a wake-up call.
She realized her personal brand is, in essence, her reputation. And by intentionally crafting her narrative, she could control how she presents herself to the world. She didn’t want to leave it up to chance or let others create her story for her.
This wasn’t just about updating her LinkedIn profile or getting a new headshot. It was about showing the world who she truly is—a dynamic professional who has dedicated her life to advancing health policy, serving her community, and creating meaningful change. Her experience, her values, her passions—all of it deserved to shine through in her personal brand.
The lesson here is simple but powerful: your personal brand is more than just a resume or a photo. It’s the story you tell about who you are, what you stand for, and what you bring to the table. It’s how people perceive you when you’re not in the room.
Being proactive with your personal brand means taking control of your narrative—showing the world your value, your passion, and your accomplishments. Don’t let others define your story. Make sure you’re presenting yourself in a way that reflects who you are and the impact you want to make.
Because in today’s world, your personal brand isn’t just nice to have—it’s essential. And when you take the time to craft it intentionally, you open doors, build connections and leave the impression you truly deserve.
