I had a personal brand early on, I simply didn’t realize  it. 

I wasn’t consciously curating my online presence, the way I introduced myself in meetings, or how I wrote emails.

The reality is  whether you’re intentional or not, your personal brand is always “on.” In the world of social selling, you are your brand. And in today’s remote-first, hyper-connected workplace, your personal brand isn’t just how people see you, it’s how they remember you, trust you, and decide whether they want to work with you. 

What I’ve learned is this: your brand isn’t about how you feel, it’s about how you make others feel. That’s what stays with them.

Your personal brand is what differentiates you. 

It tells others exactly what to expect from an interaction, whether in person or online. It’s expressed through your words, tone, appearance, actions, and digital presence, often without you even realizing it.

A strong brand is built on seven key pillars: trust, authenticity, expertise, consistency, visibility, value, and relationships. These aren’t just nice-to-haves; they shape how people perceive you, remember you, and decide whether to engage with you.

The turning point for me was realizing my brand was more than a LinkedIn headline or headshot, it was the experience people had with me, whether in a conversation, a meeting, or through my content. 

I wanted that experience to convey three things: clarity, because I solve problems rather than complicate them; trustworthiness, because my word matters and follow-through is non-negotiable; and energy, because I bring enthusiasm and focus to every setting. That meant aligning my words, actions, and presence so they told the same story, leaving people feeling valued, understood, and confident in working with me. 

Here are four ways I built my brand, and you can too!

What’s Your Why? – Own your voice. I started sharing my insights online, not just “sales tactics,” but the why behind them. This created connection, built credibility, and showed the human side of my work. 

Consistency Counts – from presenting to executives to onboarding new hires, my tone, style, and approach stayed the same. Consistency builds trust faster than any marketing slogan. 

Visual Vitals – Even on Zoom, I showed up polished. In remote work, how you present yourself, both on camera and in writing, becomes part of your brand signature. 

Exceeding Expectations – Every time I exceeded what was promised, my reputation strengthened. Over-delivering is one of the most powerful brand amplifiers there is.

In remote and hybrid roles, your personal brand is often the first and lasting impression people get of you. For me, a strong brand has helped attract the right opportunities, build trust before the first conversation, and establish authority in my industry. 

It’s not about being the loudest voice in the room, it’s about being the most authentic and consistent one. And above all, it’s really about how you make people feel.

Personal branding isn’t self-promotion. It’s strategic positioning for career growth. By increasing your visibility, building trust, and demonstrating authority, you make it easier to navigate today’s remote job market and unlock new opportunities for advancement.

Ask yourself: What do I want people to say about me when I’m not in the room? And more importantly, how do I want them to feel after interacting with me? 

Once you know, align your actions, content, and interactions to make that vision a reality. Your personal brand is your career currency. Invest in it intentionally, and it will open doors you didn’t even know existed.