How to Be Recognized, Remembered, and Respected: Personal Branding Strategies That Stick

What do orange glasses, a southern drawl, and a sunhat in the middle of a pandemic have in common?

They're all part of real, recognizable personal brands that stick. In this Strategy Talks episode, I sat down with the energetic, kind and super smart Valentina Gonzalez to unpack what it really takes to develop personal branding strategies that not only attract attention, but also build trust, spark connections, and ultimately bring in business.

Meet Valentina Gonzalez

Valentina is a seasoned marketer, speaker, educator, and social media strategist with 13+ years of experience helping people and businesses create authentic online communities. She’s also the co-author of The Most Amazing Marketing Book Ever, a collaborative guide by 35 marketing minds. With a passion for personal branding and digital storytelling, Valentina knows how to help people find, and amplify, their unique magic.

What Is a Personal Brand, Really?

Personal branding is more than your headshot, logo, or job title. As Valentina put it:

"A personal brand is your story. It's your accent, your vibe, how you consistently show up—online and in person."

From my own experience, I shared how my orange glasses—originally just a branding prop—became part of my identity. For Valentina, it was her accent that someone recognized through a mask and sunglasses during COVID. That moment led to a paid speaking gig. The lesson? You never know what unique trait will make you unforgettable, so lean into what makes you different.

Personal Branding Strategies That Start With You

So how do you uncover your own personal brand? Here are a few takeaways:

• Look at your story: Your background, culture, journey, and quirks are all part of your brand.

• Be consistent: Whether it’s a visual element (like glasses) or a way of speaking, consistency builds recognition.

• Control your narrative: As Valentina reminded us, "You steer your personal brand." Don’t let Google or outdated bios tell your story for you.

One practical tip Valentina gave: if you're pivoting careers, say it out loud. Literally. Use LinkedIn or Instagram to reintroduce yourself:

"Allow me to reintroduce myself... I used to do [X], but here’s what I’m doing now."

LinkedIn: Your Secret Weapon for Thought Leadership

If you're not leveraging LinkedIn to grow your personal brand, you're missing out.

"Four out of five people on LinkedIn are decision makers, and they have twice the buying power." —Valentina Gonzalez

Here’s what Valentina suggests for LinkedIn:

• Post consistently (but not daily if you can't sustain it)

• Comment often: Comments get 3x the reach of posts

• Use newsletters: Valentina repurposes her blog content as a LinkedIn newsletter every two weeks, and it's helped her reconnect with mentors and build her brand

• Avoid repetitive formats: Don’t post three videos or carousels in a row. Mix it up for better reach

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For the C-Suite: Be More Than a Title

Executives often leave personal branding to the marketing team, but Valentina made it clear:

"If you’re a CEO or a CMO, and you're reading books or going to conferences, share what you learn!"

Post a quick takeaway. Snap a picture. Use your voice to position yourself as a thought leader. You can even have your team capture your ideas and post them for you. Don’t hide behind your brand: lead it.

For Small Business Owners: You Are the Brand

As a fellow small business owner, I know how tricky it can be to balance your business brand and personal brand. But here’s the thing:

"People hire people."

Valentina echoed this point. While her agency is called Beyond Engagement, people hire her. Same with me. I run More In Media, but people know me as Doreen. You can keep a business page active, but your personal voice is what builds relationships.

Here’s how to make the most of your limited time:

• Post under your personal profile

• Be visible with your face, voice, and insights

• Repurpose content (blog > email > LinkedIn newsletter)

• Block time to work on your brand every week

If you’re not prioritizing your personal brand, it’s a systems problem—not a time problem.

Staying Authentic While Promoting Yourself

A lot of people worry that building a personal brand feels like bragging. Valentina’s advice? Serve first. Share knowledge. Be generous with your insights. Stay consistent. And yes, use AI or help from your team when needed to maintain that consistency.

"What matters isn’t the tool or platform. It’s that you show up."

And that consistency builds trust, which leads to respect, and new clients.

What’s Next for Personal Branding in 2025?

Valentina didn’t predict a specific platform taking over in 2025.

Instead, she emphasized:

• Consistency will always matter

• Use the platforms that your audience is on

• Thought leadership (especially via LinkedIn newsletters and collaborative content) is still gold

• And yes, put yourself out there even when it feels uncomfortable

If you’re ready to be recognized, remembered, and respected—start now. Don’t overthink it. Just start showing up.

Smart Prompts to Ask ChatGPT Next:

• What are 5 personal branding strategies for introverts?

• How do I pivot my personal brand after a career change?

• What are some LinkedIn content ideas for small business owners?

• How can I build a personal brand without showing my face?

• Create a 30-day personal branding plan using blog posts and LinkedIn.

• What kind of content works best for LinkedIn newsletters?

• How do I balance my personal and business brand on Instagram?

• Write a reintroduction post for LinkedIn for someone starting a new career.

• What’s the difference between thought leadership and personal branding?

• How can I use my podcast or blog to boost my personal brand?

Watch the full Strategy Talks episode here: