Entrepreneurs, can you share an example of how personal branding has helped you attract more business or opportunities?

Question

In the world of entrepreneurship, a strong personal brand can open doors to new ventures and collaborations. We've gathered insights from CEOs and founders on how personal branding has been a game-changer for them. From building trust to aligning personal brand with company image, discover twelve powerful examples of personal branding success.

Michael Lazar · Answer

Personal branding has been instrumental in attracting more business and opportunities for my company. By establishing myself as the voice of my company, I have been able to build trust and credibility with potential clients. 
This personal connection has enhanced our reputation and significantly increased our ability to secure contracts. Clients appreciate the transparency and authenticity that come with a well-defined personal brand, making them more likely to choose our services over competitors. As a result, our business has experienced substantial growth, and the opportunities continue to expand as my personal brand evolves.

Niclas Schlopsna · Answer

I once worked on my LinkedIn profile, putting in the effort to highlight my key projects and achievements. This focus paid off when I started getting featured several times in various industry articles and lists. Each feature acted like a magnet, attracting the attention of the right people.
For example, after one particular feature, a well-known startup accelerator reached out to me. They were intrigued by the success stories I shared about Spectup. This connection opened doors to mentoring opportunities and even brought in a few clients who were looking for expertise in innovation and growth strategy.
By consistently updating my profile and sharing relevant content, I built a network of industry leaders and potential clients who trusted my insights and were eager to collaborate. It's amazing how a well-crafted LinkedIn presence can significantly expand your professional reach and help you connect with the right people to drive your business forward.

Sam Panitch · Answer

My personal brand is core to my marketing efforts. With the rise of social media and content creation in the marketing world, I realized quickly in my entrepreneurial journey that my own personal brand was a product I was selling. By leaning into that, I have been able to explore different mediums that I enjoy producing to enhance my brand, exposure, and help me be a voice for the next generation of leaders as they begin to conquer the real world.
Using my own personal brand through creating a podcast and becoming a writer on LinkedIn, I've been able to curate conversations, share findings, and grow my virtual voice so that it works for me, even when I sleep. As I continue to create content and build up this library, I think of it as hundreds of virtual “me’s” sharing my thoughts with the world.
This personal branding content has allowed me to become a thought leader in my space. It has given me a funnel to meet more potential clients by having them on my podcast. And it has built my following across social media platforms to legitimize myself and my business.

Jodi Brandstetter · Answer

While writing my book, Hire by Design, I gained a clear understanding of my ideal audience for both the book and my business. This clarity helped me define my personal brand. As a result, my content and presentations resonated with my ideal clients. This led to an opportunity to speak at a national HR conference, where I connected with a client who was an ideal match, ultimately securing a consulting gig. Since then, I've been able to concentrate on developing my personal brand to attract more ideal clients.

Mark McShane · Answer

Personal branding was key to attracting new clients and opportunities when I launched my consultancy. I shared tips and case studies on LinkedIn and wrote about business strategy and operations. Not only was I demonstrating my knowledge with actionable advice, but engaging with the audience to encourage a response has sparked a valuable and sustainable professional network. 
Referrals and direct inquiries from businesses needing strategic consulting expertise have now become the norm, thus expanding my client base and opportunities to collaborate with others and grow my business through partnerships. I’ve also been invited to join industry panels and continue to be asked back for webinars—all due to my long-term presence and actionable advice-giving on what I do. 
Personal branding has been instrumental in establishing my name as the go-to expert and playing a significant role in the growth and success of my consultancy.

Smit Raturi · Answer

In building ValetEZ's brand, I've always believed that personal branding extends beyond the individual; it's about fostering a collective identity that resonates with our team and our customers. To achieve this, I work closely with my team to ensure that each member embodies the values and vision of ValetEZ. We conduct regular workshops and brainstorming sessions to align our personal goals with the company's mission, which in turn, strengthens our overall brand presence.
For example, we encourage our team members to take active roles in industry events and online forums, sharing their expertise and experiences. This not only showcases their individual talents but also reinforces the innovative and customer-centric culture of ValetEZ. By empowering the team to be brand ambassadors, we've created a cohesive narrative that highlights our collective commitment to transforming the parking experience.
Moreover, we've integrated personal branding into our performance metrics, recognizing and rewarding team members who actively contribute to enhancing ValetEZ's image. This has fostered a sense of ownership and pride among the team, further amplifying our brand's reach and impact in the market. Through these collaborative efforts, we've strengthened our personal brands and propelled ValetEZ to new heights in the smart parking industry.

Alex Stasiak · Answer

As the CEO of Startup House, I can attest to the power of personal branding in attracting business opportunities. By sharing my journey of building a successful software development company on social media and at networking events, I was able to establish credibility and trust with potential clients. People want to work with someone they can relate to and trust, and personal branding allows you to showcase your expertise and personality in a way that resonates with your target audience. So, don't be afraid to put yourself out there and let your unique story shine through—it could be the key to unlocking new business opportunities for your startup.

Shehar Yar · Answer

Personal branding has played a crucial role in attracting more business and opportunities. One notable example is when I actively used LinkedIn to build my personal brand. By consistently sharing insightful articles, industry trends, and personal experiences related to software development and entrepreneurship, I positioned myself as a thought leader in the field.
Through this strategic use of personal branding, I was able to significantly expand my network. Potential clients and partners began to reach out, recognizing the value of my expertise and the innovative solutions my company could provide. For instance, a key opportunity arose when a prominent healthcare startup contacted me after reading one of my posts about the intersection of technology and healthcare. This led to a substantial project where we developed a custom mobile app that greatly enhanced patient care and engagement for the startup.
Moreover, personal branding through speaking engagements at industry conferences and participating in webinars has further amplified my visibility. These platforms showcased my knowledge and facilitated connections with like-minded professionals and potential clients. Overall, investing in personal branding has attracted more business and solidified my reputation as a leader in the tech industry, opening doors to numerous collaborative and growth opportunities.

Laurel Robbins · Answer

One example of how personal branding has helped me attract more business was creating a challenge to spend 104 days in the mountains, using the hashtag “#104MountainDays” and sharing stories on Facebook and Instagram.
I run a company that sells hiking tours, so showing myself in the mountains, often sweaty with no makeup, generated a lot of interest and trust. It shows potential clients that I'm an experienced hiker, which builds trust and relationships, while becoming top of mind when someone wants to book a hiking tour. It's also inspired many people to start their own hiking challenges and differentiated me from other, more corporate competitors.
It was so successful that in 2024, I created the “#114MountainDaysChallenge.”
Other entrepreneurs can take the same strategy and apply it to their business to showcase the people behind the business, thereby building a personal brand to show their expertise. People want to buy from the people behind the products. It's a great way to connect with both future and existing customers, and it's a lot of fun.

Craig Bird · Answer

As owner and managing director, I'm the face of my business. My reputation affects the business, and vice versa. That's why it's so important that I invest in my personal brand at the same time as managing the wider reputation of CloudTech.
Working on my personal branding has increased my visibility and positioned me as an expert in my field. If my prospects find me before discovering CloudTech, they already know what to expect from us as a business.
The old adage, “People buy from people,” can be applied here. Hearing from me personally gives would-be customers confidence, and they're more likely to convert.

Andre Oentoro · Answer

Personal branding, especially through online platforms like LinkedIn and Medium, has helped me attract more business opportunities in explainer video production.
I consistently share valuable insights and establish myself as a thought leader. As a result, I've gained the trust of clients and stood out in competitive situations.
Additionally, my brand has led to speaking engagements, networking opportunities, and collaborations within the video production community, further expanding my reach and attracting new business relationships.

Michael Gargiulo · Answer

As an entrepreneur, personal branding plays a pivotal role in attracting business opportunities and fostering growth. Aligning myself with the VPN.com image has helped to create a strong and trustworthy personal brand that resonates with potential clients and partners.
The association with VPN.com, known for its reliability and cutting-edge technology in online privacy, has significantly bolstered my credibility in the tech industry. This strategic branding move has led to increased visibility and trust, resulting in a noticeable uptick in inquiries from businesses seeking secure and efficient VPN solutions.
What's more, my enhanced personal brand has opened doors to speaking engagements and collaborations with other industry leaders, further solidifying my position as an authority in the field. Ultimately, leveraging the VPN.com image has attracted more business and expanded my professional network, leading to sustained growth and new opportunities.

How Does Personal Branding Attract More Business Opportunities?

How Does Personal Branding Attract More Business Opportunities?

Build Trust With Personal Branding

LinkedIn Presence Attracts Industry Attention

Content Creation Amplifies Personal Brand

Book Launch Defines Audience and Attracts Clients

LinkedIn Strategy Grows Consultancy Business

Team Personal Branding Boosts Company Identity

Credibility Through Sharing Entrepreneurial Journey

Thought Leadership Attracts Healthcare Project

Personal Challenge Engages Hiking Tour Clients

Personal Branding Enhances Business Visibility

Thought Leadership Drives Video Production Opportunities

Personal Brand Aligns With Company Image