Building a Personal Brand That Actually Connects

When I first started focusing on building a personal brand, I thought the secret was polished videos, scripted content, and high production value. I’ve built multiple companies, but I realized a personal brand is a whole different game. It’s not just about visibility—it’s about trust, connection, and authenticity.

Over the last year, I’ve experimented with everything from Instagram reels to YouTube, from polished ads to raw, off-the-cuff posts. And here’s what I’ve learned: your personal brand grows fastest when you stop trying to be perfect and start being human.

Why a Personal Brand Matters

Your personal brand is not just your Instagram profile or your website—it’s the perception people build about who you are and what you stand for. In today’s trust recession, people want to connect with real humans, not faceless businesses.

I’ve noticed that when I’m authentic—sharing real struggles, writing captions myself instead of using AI-generated fluff, or simply recording a quick raw video—engagement goes up. People trust what feels human.

Three Shifts That Helped Me Build My Personal Brand

1. Ditching AI Slop
   I used to use AI for captions and content ideas. Now, for my personal brand, I only write my captions myself. They’re shorter, rawer, and resonate more.

2. Listening to My Audience
   I sent out a survey to my email list asking what they actually needed help with. Topics like imposter syndrome, productivity, and taking action kept coming up. Now, my personal brand content tackles those head-on.

3. Playing the Long Game
   Building a personal brand isn’t about chasing viral moments. It’s about consistent connection. I’m focused on creating content that builds trust over time, not just views.

The Big Takeaway

If you’re building your own personal brand, stop worrying about perfect editing or viral growth. Instead:

• Write your own captions.

• Share stories that matter.

• Build authentic relationships with your audience.

People don’t need another polished influencer. They need someone they can actually connect with.

Try harder, stay consistent, and your personal brand will grow.

Time-Stamped Show Notes

00:30 – Why I started focusing on building a personal brand
01:15 – The trap of polished content and low engagement
02:00 – Ditching AI-generated captions for authentic writing
03:05 – How audience surveys shaped my content direction
04:15 – Playing the long game instead of chasing virality
05:10 – Why authentic content drives stronger engagement
06:05 – The role of newsletters in personal brand growth
07:05 – Building relationships through real conversations
08:00 – Final takeaway: be raw, be real, be consistent