Latest news with #personalbrand
Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
How To Build A Founder's Personal Brand On Social Media Before Launch
Aspiring entrepreneurs don't have to wait until their business is up and running to start building momentum. Creating a personal brand on social media ahead of launching your business can help you clarify your ideas, connect with potential customers and establish yourself in the marketplace. By showing consumers who you are and what you care about, you lay the foundation for a business that people feel invested in from the jump. Here, 19 members of Forbes Coaches Council share their best tips for founders to use social media to build a strong, authentic personal brand before launch. How many times do you see the preview before the movie comes out? If you're waiting to build your brand until you announce something big, you are missing out on critical time to build, educate and cultivate your audience. Be consistent, pique curiosity, give back and connect. This way, when you have big news, your audience understands it and is psyched to support you. - Randi Braun, Something Major Pick a platform and focus on it. It's hard to be an expert across all of the social media websites, so prior to launching a business find the one you enjoy the most and see the most reactions from, and start there. - Franklin Buchanan, Post Up Careers Before you launch, launch yourself. LinkedIn is the No. 1 platform to build a personal brand. Start a weekly LinkedIn Live, post daily tips solving one problem for your audience and share your real journey—the wins, the setbacks, the grit. Why? People buy from those they trust, and nothing sells like authenticity. Build your brand now, so your business has a runway before takeoff. - Gurpreet Mann, GKM Coaching Share your journey, not just your product. Before launching, document the process of building your business—your highs, lows and lessons learned. Be raw; be real. People follow stories, not just brands. This creates authentic connections and anticipation. When you finally launch, you have a loyal community eager to support and celebrate your success. - Alejandro Bravo, Revelatio360 Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify? Document your 'expertise excavation' by sharing what you've learned while solving problems in your future industry. One client built up to 5,000 followers by posting weekly breakdowns of how competitors' products fell short. Your personal brand shouldn't showcase what you know—it should reveal how you think. Customers buy solutions, but they invest in problem-solving approaches they trust. - Nirmal Chhabria Trust is the most important currency we have. Sharing our story and our 'why' is critical to that journey. Living it in every moment of truth, every decision and every interaction is what ultimately builds trust, a brand and a reputation. - Shahana Banerjee, Just Human Not Resources LLC Host a '30-Day Problem Solver' challenge: Share daily tips to fix pain points in your niche, such as quick business hacks and DIY fixes. Engage followers to vote on solutions. Why? It positions you as an expert, builds authority pre-launch and attracts your ideal audience through value—not pitches. By Day 30, you'll have trust and a ready client base. - Maryam Daryabegi, Innovation Bazar Share a 'behind-the-scenes' journey of your entrepreneurial process, including sketches, brainstorming or lessons learned. This builds authenticity, engages followers and positions you as a relatable, driven expert. It creates buzz and a loyal audience before your business even launches. - Jaide Massin, Soar Executive Coaching LLC Turn the buildup into the brand. Share your journey as you would a mystery: Drop clues, tease breakthroughs and let surprise fuel curiosity. Dopamine spikes with the unexpected, keeping followers engaged. You are not just building a product; you are crafting a story people want to follow. Curiosity is the new currency. - Adam Levine, InnerXLab Share your vision and ask questions. Many entrepreneurs start with a clear idea of what they think their brand should look and feel like. More often than not, it evolves. Getting in front of your audience early and asking about their real pain points is one of the smartest ways to refine your niche and build a brand that truly resonates. It creates alignment, connection and traction before you launch. - Rachana Adyanthaya, Cr8mychange Vulnerability is credibility. You are the product. People buy based on emotion and justify purchases with logic. The aspiring entrepreneur wants to lean into the understanding that, by showcasing their vulnerabilities through showing their authentic selves, they can build trust with their audience. Trust is the currency of the 21st century! - Jenna D'Annunzio Don't just document your journey; lead the conversation. Share bold insights, challenge the status quo and teach what you're learning as you grow. That positions you as a thinker, potentially even a thought leader, and not just a doer. People are drawn to clarity and conviction. When they trust how you think, they'll trust what you build—even before it exists. - Arthi Rabikrisson, Prerna Advisory Find your unique voice. In today's social media environment, it can seem like a never-ending stream of repetitive thoughts. When building your personal brand, uncover what you stand for. What are your values, and how can you express your unique thoughts to those you want to attract? Ditch the 'elevator pitch' and communicate your 'why' so that it connects on an emotional level with your audience. - Bryan Powell, Executive Coaching Space Social media can provide a focus group for you as you test out different versions of your potential business. Asking direct questions to gain insight that will further shape your thinking is important. Invite highly engaged people to set up a chat with you where they will effectively design your business for you by telling you their unmet needs. - Katy MacKinnon Hansell, Katy Hansell Impact Partners Articulate your vision in a way that your audience recognizes themselves in your stories. Clearly show how you solve their problem. It is not about you; it is about them. Be genuine in your stories. Authenticity resonates with people and builds trust. Share your message consistently. Demonstrate your unique approach. Share the deeper reasons behind why you do what you do. - Aurelien Mangano, DevelUpLeaders Start a podcast and interview people who you would want to have as future customers or clients. Gather information from them about trends, ideas and advice that furthers your business idea. - Brittney Van Matre, Rewild Work Strategies Create 'Choice Point' posts where you present two paths ('take a risk' versus 'stay safe,' for example) and ask followers what they would choose. It builds engagement, highlights your coaching mindset and shows you value self-awareness and strategic thinking. - Anna Boltenko, Coaching and Mentoring There are more than 8 billion people on Earth. That number seems staggering. Even more stunning is that every one of us is unique and different. To build one's personal brand on social media, let us—the audience—inside. This can be done with some playfulness. Treat the arc of posts as if anyone viewing them has VIP access into your world, your mind, your secrets and your magic. - David Yudis, Start a 'building in public' series, but don't just post wins. Share messy drafts, hard decisions and things you almost launched but didn't. People follow humans, not highlight reels. By showing the thinking before the business, you build trust, traction and a brand that feels real before it ever sells a thing. - Alla Adam, Adam Impact Institute
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
Hall Of Fame Experts Share How To Master Your Presence At Work
Your personal brand is what people say about you when you're not in the room. It's your reputation, your promise, the perception people carry over time. But your presence is what they feel when you are in the room. It's the way you hold attention and how you make people feel. A strong brand gets people in the door. A strong presence keeps them listening and commands attention. It's what makes people remember what was said and how they felt hearing it. I've had conversations with more than a dozen Hall of Fame speakers who have spent years mastering this skill through experience, repetition, and connection. Why listen to them about how to master your presence at work? To be inducted into the Speaker Hall of Fame, you must consistently deliver unforgettable presentations, demonstrate measurable impact, and be recognized by your peers as one of the top speakers in the world. I'm always humbled by how much I learn from them and the depth they bring to every conversation. I want to share with you what they told me about preparation, humor, clarity, listening, follow-through, and more to help you strengthen your presence at work. Every expert I spoke to shared the value of preparation. Those who connect the most powerfully in a room often do much more work before they walk in. Those with a strong presence take the time to understand who they're speaking to, clarify their message, and think about how to follow up. When I was younger, some of the biggest names in speaking were Zig Ziglar and Tom Hopkins. Tom, a sales training legend known for teaching millions how to close deals, told me he prepared for every event like it was the most important one of his life. He also followed up to seal the deal. He laughed and said, 'I followed up until they bought or died.' That kind of presence was reliable, and it made people feel special. Sometimes people just need to hear a message in a unique way. Joe Calloway, known for helping leaders drive performance through focus, is another master at making people feel special. After one of his keynotes, a CEO pulled him aside and said, 'You said the same thing I've been telling them for years. But this time, they actually listened.' Joe is a master of the kind of presence that makes people pay attention. I can remember how he created a video sharing his experience with me interviewing him. Going above and beyond gave him a strong presence. Humor and personality are often the most relatable ways to connect with people. The best speakers use both to help others drop their guard and listen. Using stories and moments that people can relate to helps break down barriers. Many of these speakers told me they make notes about stories that they make funnier or more relatable later. At work, that can be an effective way to share success stories and build a reputation as someone who is not only funny, but generous in sharing what worked. Known for showing how small acts can have a big impact, if you've ever seen Mark Sanborn speak, you know he's funny, but that wasn't always the case. He told me that early on, he focused too much on content and forgot the importance of connection. People probably won't remember every slide, but they will remember how you made them feel. Mikki Williams, known for her bold presence and theatrical delivery, said something I'll never forget: 'You're either memorable or you're forgettable. There is no in-between.' She is certainly memorable. She leans into who she was, big hair, bold clothes, strong voice, and uses humor that came from real life. She called it 'reliving, not retelling.' Her presence is undeniably dramatic, which makes her unforgettable. Willie Jolley's story makes people laugh when he shares how he was working as a nightclub singer and got replaced by a karaoke machine. That was the moment he decided to pivot. He said, 'A setback is a setup for a comeback.' His humor helped him reframe failure into one of the biggest careers in speaking. Larry Winget, known as the 'Pitbull of Personal Development,' was very clear that he wasn't trying to be liked. He focused on being consistent and candid. He told me, 'I love my time on stage, but I don't love everything it takes to get there.' What stood out most was how unapologetically himself he was, whether in cowboy boots or calling out workplace nonsense. He told a story about someone thanking him for sharing his passion, and he responded, 'That wasn't passion. That was excellence. I'm just good at my job.' That kind of confidence, delivered with humor and blunt honesty, is part of what makes him unforgettable. Confidence and clarity often go hand in hand. You don't need more words to sound credible. You need to mean what you say and say it clearly. Many of the experts I spoke with said their presence improved once they stopped trying to be impressive and focused instead on being clear. Ford Saeks, a business growth expert who helps leaders increase influence, said one of the biggest things that gets in the way of presence is overthinking. People try so hard to be perfect that they miss the moment. 'Done is more profitable than perfect,' he told me. And he's right. He also reminded me that presence goes beyond the stage. It shows up in your digital footprint. 'What people see when they Google you is part of your presence.' Phil M. Jones, a master of word choice and persuasion, said the best communicators study the way words work. They pick their phrasing on purpose, so people feel understood. There are moments when presence reveals itself in the reactions and behaviors of those around us. It might be how individuals respond in unexpected moments or in times of pressure. Scott McKain, a branding expert and storyteller who focuses on how to create distinction, shared a moment where he was speaking at the White House and noticed Arnold Schwarzenegger sitting in the front row, fully engaged, taking notes. Even the best speakers can feel pressure to do well, and to see someone so famous hanging on his every word made a big impact on him. Jay Baer, a marketing strategist who focuses on responsiveness, reminded me that presence shows up in how you respond under pressure. He talked about the importance of being useful in the moment. People remember leaders who are available, responsive, and real, especially when things go wrong. Presence often comes down to noticing what others might miss. Several speakers talked about the power of listening, recognizing effort, and showing that people matter. These small, intentional moments reflect real engagement. Randy Pennington, known for helping organizations build cultures of trust, explained that presence is about noticing. It means pausing to say thank you and giving recognition before someone leaves your team. If you wait too long, the moment passes. Presence is paying attention to how you respond now and not waiting until it's convenient. Bob Burg, known for his deep belief in listening as a superpower, said the people who listen better than anyone else in the room are the ones others remember. He explained the value of offering your full attention. That level of focus is rare and often more powerful than anything you say. Presence grows through deliberate practice, awareness, and consistency. The most influential speakers I talked to emphasized that presence is developed over time. It's how you show up when things are going well and how you respond when it's not. Stacey Hanke, an expert who teaches how to stay influential in every interaction, said presence is a 'Monday to Monday' habit. You can't be great in a presentation and then disconnected in meetings. People notice the gaps. She has leaders record themselves, ask for honest feedback, and then work on showing up with the same level of influence in every setting. Marilyn Sherman, who helps people stop settling, said people spend too much time sitting in the balcony when they belong in the front row. She told me that courage isn't always loud. Sometimes it's just showing up and saying, 'This matters.' She helps people spot where they've been holding back and take steps to change it. Common Mistakes That Weaken Your Presence At Work getty Some of the most common ways people weaken their presence include: Presence is not about being perfect. It's about being intentional and paying attention to what people need in the moment. Tips To Improve Your Presence At Work getty Whether you give presentations or not, presence matters. It shows up in meetings, emails, interviews, and hallway conversations. Some of the best advice I heard from these experts included: Your Presence At Work Is A Trainable Advantage getty I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn great insights from some of the best orators in the world. Their advice has helped me tremendously and can help you improve your presence at work if you focus on preparation, humor, clarity, listening, and follow-through. Every speaker I talked to shared examples of how presence was built through practice, paying attention, and remaining consistent. That's what made them stand out. You can do the same by listening more closely, preparing more intentionally, and following through. The people who do this well will leave an impression that lasts. That kind of presence earns trust, builds connection, and respect.
Forbes
12-05-2025
- Business
- Forbes
The Difference Between Personal Brand Trust And Product Trust
Don't ignore your personal brand and let the corporate brand do all the work. What inspires us to buy a particular product over its competitors? Is it trust in the product itself? Or is it trust in the people behind the brand, whose personal brand gives us confidence in the products they put their name behind? Personal brand and product trust are both important, but there are differences in how we assess and react to them. With brand trust, a product earns loyalty from customers that is not tied directly to the founder or CEO. When we buy products such as Tide laundry detergent, Froot Loops cereal, or Adobe software, we don't instantly associate an individual's name with the brand. The product stands on its own. With personal brand trust, people believe in the individual. We look for credibility, reliability, intimacy, and a lack of self-orientation. We also expect more value to be placed on the partnership than on self-interest. All of this makes a leader trustworthy. In some cases, a personal brand and product brand that once were intertwined can separate—at least partly. Think of someone such as Bill Gates, who came to prominence as the co-founder of Microsoft. Although people may still conjure images of Gates when they use Windows, he developed a persona separate from the product, having become known for philanthropy, authorship, and thought leadership. Apple and Steve Jobs were another example of a product brand that seemed to be inextricably tied to a personal brand. If you thought Apple, you thought Jobs. And if you thought Jobs, you thought Apple. Yet Apple continues to thrive today, and maybe part of Jobs's legacy is that the company could continue without him more than a decade after his death. So, where do you stand at the moment? Do you ignore your personal brand and let the corporate or product brand do all the work when it comes to establishing trust? If so, you should rethink things. Yes, the product brand is important, but your personal brand also has a key role to play in building trust. You can accomplish that through thought leadership. This, of course, will require you to step out from behind the desk and share with the world your perspective, your purpose, and your passion, all of which can tie back to the brand. Thought leaders show up to teach and to deliver value, not to sell anything first and foremost. Still, thought leadership can serve as the onramp to your company. It allows you to reach people outside of the direct-buying funnel, the place where they're expecting to be sold. With thought leadership, you are reaching them in a place––a keynote speech, a podcast, a media interview–where they're far more open to learning about you and being influenced by your message. Even when you become a thought leader, though, you can't ignore the importance of product trust—and neither can the company. On occasion, it's what you need to prioritize. Why so? Brands sometimes need to grow beyond the personality of whoever founded them. This could be for several reasons. The visionary who starts a business isn't always the right person to take the company to the next level. Or the founder's reputation could take a hit, and in that case, some distance between the founder's brand and the product brand could be helpful. On occasion, the separation between the founder and the product brand happens naturally, and at that point, a healthy brand needs to be able to stand on its own. The previously mentioned situations of Bill Gates at Microsoft and Steve Jobs at Apple are good examples of this. Even though there was a connection between the personal brands and the product brands, the trust in the products had developed to such an extent that they could survive when the connection ended. Both product trust and personal brand trust serve as on-ramps to your business, each complementing the other. When done right, the teaching element of thought leadership and the direct selling of the corporate brand or product can make an impact in their own ways at the right times in the buyer's journey. Clearly, Apple and Microsoft were cases where both kinds of trust were built. How do you achieve that level of trust for your personal brand and product brand? One way is to make sure the value proposition for both brands is consistent with each other. If the two aren't in sync, you could have trouble. Let's say that your company's brand is known for high-quality service, and your staff is taught to treat everyone with civility. But your leader is the opposite of that, acting arrogant in social settings and sending a completely different message. That disconnect will lead to problems because people expect the leader to embody the brand. If the leader and the company live up to the same promise, though, then both brands will thrive and reinforce each other. Even when you use thought leadership to promote your personal brand separate from the product brand, the two are still going to overlap. By keeping that in mind, you can bring value to both brands.
