The 5 Essentials of a Standout Personal Brand

Your personal brand isn’t defined by a single platform or a polished CV. It’s the sum of every touchpoint people encounter - from the way you introduce yourself in a meeting, to how you show up at events, to the impression your digital footprint leaves behind.

Throughout my career, I’ve worked with senior leaders, entrepreneurs and founders who are brilliant at what they do but often struggle to capture that brilliance in a way that consistently cuts through.

In my previous blogs, I’ve shared my story and explained how visibility compounds over time. Now, I want to get practical. If you want to build a personal brand that doesn’t just look good but opens doors, these are the five essentials to focus on.

1. Clarity of Message

If you can’t articulate who you are, what you do, and why it matters, no one else will.

The strongest brands - whether personal or corporate - are built on clarity. Yet so often, I see professionals default to their job title as their identity. That’s not enough. A title like “Marketing Director” or “VP of Finance” may describe your role, but it doesn’t communicate the value you bring.

For example, compare these two statements:

• “I’m a VP of Marketing at a global bank.”

• “I partner with businesses to translate complex strategies into compelling stories that drive growth.”

The first is factual. The second is memorable, and it invites conversation.

Takeaway: Your message should distill three things: what you do, who you do it for, and the impact you create. If you can’t sum that up in one clear, human sentence, it’s time to refine your message.

2. Presence That Matches Your Reputation

You might have an incredible reputation in the boardroom or within your network, but if your wider presence doesn’t reflect that, you’re leaving opportunities on the table.

Your personal brand shows up everywhere: how you contribute in meetings, how you’re introduced by others, what people see when they search your name and the commentary you share in your field. Every one of those touchpoints should align with the way you want to be known.

For example, I worked with a senior leader who was highly respected inside their organisation but practically invisible outside it. Once they started contributing to industry forums, sharing perspectives in thought leadership pieces and becoming more intentional about their digital footprint, doors began to open - from speaking opportunities to new partnerships.

Takeaway: Think holistically. Ask yourself; if someone heard your name, Googled you and then saw you speak, would all those impressions feel consistent?

3. Storytelling That Resonates

Facts inform, but stories connect. People don’t remember bullet points on your CV,  they remember the stories that reveal your journey, values and vision.

That doesn’t mean oversharing or turning your professional platforms into a diary. It means weaving personal insight into professional context. For example, sharing a lesson you learned from a career pivot, or how a challenge early in your career shaped the leader you are today.

When I shared my own story (from corporate roles at J.P. Morgan to launching Beyond & Co.) the response wasn’t “impressive CV.” It was people saying, “I relate to this. I’ve been there too.”

That’s the power of storytelling: it makes you human, not just impressive.

Takeaway: Ask yourself - what’s the one story from your career that shaped a shift? Share it. That’s the moment people start to connect with you.

4. Credibility Markers

Your personal brand is built not just on what you say about yourself, but on what others say about you. This is where credibility markers come in: signals that reinforce your authority and expertise.

Think media mentions, keynote talks, podcasts, client testimonials, industry awards, or being quoted as an expert in your field. These aren’t vanity metrics - they’re proof points that show you’re trusted and recognised.

When I was invited onto the Matthew Cox Enterprise Podcast (my first ever as a guest!), it wasn’t just about the conversation it was about the visibility and credibility that came with being seen as someone worth interviewing. These markers compound over time, creating momentum that sets you apart.

Takeaway: Make a list of your credibility markers (social proof). If it feels short, consider where you could proactively create more - whether that’s pitching yourself as a podcast guest, offering to present at the next team meeting, asking a client for a testimonial or writing a guest article.

5. Consistency

The final - and often overlooked - essential is consistency. A strong personal brand isn’t about occasional bursts of visibility; it’s about joining industry conversation in a way that feels steady, recognisable and aligned across every touchpoint.

If your keynote talk is inspiring but your online presence feels outdated, or if you’re active for a few weeks and then disappear for months, there’s a disconnect. Consistency builds familiarity, and familiarity builds trust and connection.

Takeaway: Consistency doesn’t mean being everywhere, every day. It means choosing the platforms and forums that matter most to you and showing up there regularly with a message and style that feels true to you.

I was recently a guest on Dean Whitby’s Build With Dean Podcast and Dean shared his formula for social media.

Choose –

3 x Channels

2 x Topics

1 x Post Daily

“You’ll soon have a strong digital personal brand.”

A standout personal brand isn’t about being the loudest voice in the room. It’s about being clear, credible and consistent in a way that feels authentic to you.

By focusing on these five essentials - clarity, presence, storytelling, credibility and consistency - you’ll create a brand that doesn’t just look good on paper, but one that compounds in value over time and opens doors you didn’t even know were there.

So, which of these five feels strongest for you right now - and which could use some attention? If you’re ready to explore how to bring your brand to life, send us an email x