My Journey to Developing My Personal Brand on LinkedIn: Insights into Marketing & Graphic Design

Building a personal brand is something I’ve been consciously working on over the past year, particularly on LinkedIn. As a marketing and graphic design professional, I understood the importance of establishing credibility, sharing insights, and connecting with like-minded individuals. However, actually putting myself out there was a challenge, I didn't think I had anything to write about and share. Here’s what I’ve learned so far and how my journey is evolving.

Why Personal Branding on LinkedIn is Important

When I first started using LinkedIn more strategically, I wasn’t entirely sure what my personal brand should represent. I had a passion for marketing and graphic design, but I needed clarity on how to position myself effectively. That’s when I decided to invest in learning, completing courses like ‘Leverage Your Company LinkedIn’ and ‘Empower Your Brand’ with Girls in Marketing. These courses helped me understand the role of content pillars, engagement strategies, and the power of consistency. Know I try to post twice a week on LinkedIn as I feel this is manageable for me.

The Role of Authenticity in Personal Branding

One of my key takeaways from this journey has been the importance of authenticity. I wanted my LinkedIn presence to reflect my expertise while remaining true to my personality. I decided to focus on sharing my experiences, insights from courses I’ve completed, and lessons from my own work in marketing and design. I also realised that while I enjoy engaging content, I prefer a professional yet approachable tone, so no emojis in my posts!

Expanding My Knowledge with Amelia Sordell’s Personal Branding Book

To continue refining my personal brand, I recently started reading Amelia Sordell’s book The Personal Branding Playbook. This has been a game-changer in terms of providing me with even more insights into how to effectively present myself and my expertise. Amelia’s approach to personal branding is practical and actionable, focusing on building an authentic presence that resonates with your audience. I’ve already started applying some of her strategies, particularly around how to communicate my value proposition in a way that feels genuine and connects with others in a meaningful way.

Overcoming the Fear of Posting

Like many people, I had a bit of imposter syndrome when it came to posting regularly. What if my content didn’t resonate? What if people didn’t engage? I soon learned that consistency was more important than perfection. My first few posts were a mix of industry insights and reflections on my experiences. Over time, I noticed that the more personal and thoughtful my content was, the better it performed. I also learned to embrace the iterative nature of content where some posts work, some don’t, and that’s okay.

Engaging with the Right Audience

Personal branding isn’t just about posting, it’s about engaging. I’ve been intentional about interacting with others in my field, particularly those whose work I admire, like Olivia Hanlon, Lily Deal, Chloe Wilkin, and Jamie Roberts. Commenting on their content, sharing insights, and being part of industry discussions has helped me grow my network and refine my perspective on marketing trends.

The Role of Continuous Learning

A strong personal brand isn’t built overnight. I’ve found that continuous learning and adapting are key to staying relevant. Becoming an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) was a significant step for me, reinforcing my commitment to the profession and opening up new opportunities for networking and development.

What’s Next?

As I continue this journey, my goal is to keep refining my content strategy and engaging more deeply with my network. I’m also keen to explore more thought leadership topics, especially around personal branding, content marketing, and growth mindset,areas I’m passionate about.

If you’re building your personal brand on LinkedIn, my advice is simple: start, stay consistent, and don’t be afraid to share your insights. Your experiences and knowledge are valuable, and the more you engage, the more you grow.

How has your personal branding journey been? I’d love to hear your thoughts! If you’re also working on your personal brand, share your tips or challenges and connect with me on LinkedIn.

Louise Cranstone-Spooner