A strong personal brand is not something you invent, it’s something you reveal. It’s the version of you that’s consistent throughout trend cycles, that doesn’t crack under pressure or scrutiny.

You can’t fake authenticity – not for long, not convincingly and definitely not without it eventually backfiring. Besides, in a world where AI can churn out an endless supply of flawless and filtered content, the stuff that stands out is what feels human.

What matters enough that you’d talk about it even if no one seemed interested in listening? What values and ideas can you just not let go of?

If something speaks to you, it’ll resonate with others. Make those things the heart of your personal brand.

The biggest mistake I made when building my personal brand was believing that effort alone would lead to success. The equation seemed simple – say yes to every opportunity, no matter how small or disconnected from what I care about, because the next one might be what tips the scales.

Turns out it rarely is. More often, that approach tipped my calendar into chaos and my energy into exhaustion. The truth is: Success isn’t about being visible everywhere, it’s about being known in the spaces that matter.

What do you want to be known for? How do you want people to feel when they think of you? What spaces do you want your name to move freely in, even when you’re not physically there?

These three questions are the key to building a personal brand with intention. It will be so much easier to progress when you are clear about what your answers to those questions are.