Branding November 30, 2020

Personal Branding Advice from LinkedIn Influencers

The people winning on LinkedIn aren't lucky—they're intentional. Here's what they know that you don't.

LinkedIn isn't just a place to park your resume anymore. It's become one of the most powerful platforms for building a personal brand, growing your network, and generating real business opportunities. And the people doing it best—the ones racking up thousands of views, comments, and connections—aren't doing it by accident.

We've studied what top LinkedIn influencers do differently, and the patterns are clear. Here's the personal branding advice that separates the noise from the signal.

Show Up as a Person, Not a Profile

The number one piece of advice from every LinkedIn influencer we've followed? Be human. People scroll past polished corporate content without blinking, but they stop for real stories, honest takes, and genuine vulnerability.

That doesn't mean oversharing or being unprofessional. It means letting your personality come through. Share lessons from failures, not just wins. Talk about what you're learning, not just what you've mastered. The more relatable you are, the more people will engage with your content.

Pick a Lane and Own It

The most successful personal brands on LinkedIn are known for something specific. They're the go-to person for leadership advice, or marketing strategy, or startup fundraising. They've picked a lane and they own it.

This doesn't mean you can never talk about other topics. But having a clear through-line makes you memorable. When someone thinks about your area of expertise, your name should come to mind. That only happens through consistent, focused content.

Engage More Than You Post

Here's a secret most people miss: your comments matter as much as your posts. Thoughtful comments on other people's content put you in front of their audience, spark conversations, and build genuine relationships.

Top LinkedIn creators spend as much time engaging with others as they do creating their own content. Leave meaningful comments—not just "Great post!" but actual insights, questions, or personal experiences that add to the conversation. It's one of the fastest ways to grow your visibility.

Tell Stories That Teach

The posts that perform best on LinkedIn combine storytelling with actionable takeaways. People love a good narrative, but they also want to walk away with something they can use.

Structure your posts with a hook that grabs attention, a story or example that keeps people reading, and a clear lesson or call-to-action at the end. This formula works whether you're sharing a career milestone, a business insight, or a personal reflection.

Consistency Beats Virality

Chasing viral posts is a waste of energy. The influencers who build lasting personal brands show up consistently—three to five times per week—and trust the compounding effect.

Your first posts might get ten views. That's okay. Over time, as you build a body of work and grow your network, each post reaches more people. The algorithm rewards consistency, and so does your audience. They start to expect and look forward to your content.

Your Profile Is Your Landing Page

Before someone follows you or accepts your connection request, they check your profile. Make sure it tells a compelling story. Your headline should describe the value you bring, not just your job title. Your summary should read like a conversation, not a resume. And your profile photo should be professional but approachable.

Think of your LinkedIn profile as a landing page for your personal brand. Every element should reinforce who you are and why someone should pay attention to you.

Start Building Your Brand Today

You don't need thousands of followers to have a strong personal brand. You just need clarity, consistency, and the courage to show up as yourself. Start with one post this week. Share something real. Engage with five people in your industry. Build from there.

Need help developing your personal brand strategy? We work with professionals and businesses to craft brands that stand out and connect. Reach out—we'd love to help you find your voice.

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