What is one unique element you’ve incorporated into your personal brand, and how has it helped you stand out? We asked 17 business leaders this question, and they shared inspiring strategies that have set them apart in their industries.
- Blend Business Insights With Humor
- Document Real-Time Insights and Experiences
- Add Personal Touch of Storytelling
- Advocate for Workers’ Rights
- Create Custom Car Decals
- Focus on Education for Small Businesses
- Consistent Style in Dressing
- Develop a Distinct Visual Identity
- Leverage Color Red for Branding
- Utilize Photography for Personal Brand
- Advocate for Work-Life Integration
- Ditch Jargon for Simplicity
- Bridge Generational Gaps in Leadership
- Red Hair and Custom Sticker Pack
- Memorable Name for the Firm
- Create a YouTube Channel for Consulting
- Wear Values on Your Sleeve
17 Strategies to Build a Unique Personal Brand
Blend Business Insights With Humor
One element I’ve incorporated into my brand is a blend of practical business insights with a touch of humor. I focus on providing actionable advice for entrepreneurs, but I’ve infused a light, relatable tone into my content. Through blog posts, social media updates, or interviews, I mix serious business guidance with humor, creating an approachable and engaging presence.
This unique approach has helped me stand out by making my brand more relatable and memorable, especially in a space where business advice can sometimes feel overly formal or intimidating. By showing that I’m both knowledgeable and approachable, I connect with entrepreneurs looking for practical help and want to feel empowered and supported. It’s allowed me to create a loyal, engaged community that resonates with the balance of professionalism and authenticity that I strive to deliver.
Kristin Marquet
Founder & Creative Director, Marquet Media
Document Real-Time Insights and Experiences
As the CEO of my organization and a personal branding expert, one unique element I’ve strategically incorporated into my personal brand is the art of documenting rather than creating. Instead of crafting content from scratch, I focus on sharing real-time insights and experiences, offering a transparent view into my journey. I document everything—from the highs and lows of my entrepreneurial path to the events I attend, my travels, my gym sessions, the initiatives I lead within my firm, and the mentoring sessions I conduct for budding professionals. I even include personal moments, giving my audience a holistic view of who I am, both as a leader and as an individual.
This approach has been transformative for my personal brand in several ways:
- Establishing Authenticity: In a world of over-curated content, authenticity is a powerful differentiator. Documenting my real experiences allows me to connect deeply with my audience and build unshakable trust.
- Maximizing Efficiency: As a CEO, time is my most valuable resource. By turning my everyday activities—like traveling or working out—into content, I create impactful narratives without diverting focus from my strategic priorities.
- Humanizing Leadership: Sharing my challenges, fitness journey, and growth demonstrates that even leaders face obstacles. This relatability makes me approachable and inspires others to see what’s achievable with consistency and effort.
- Positioning as a Thought Leader: By providing a behind-the-scenes look at my professional and personal ecosystem, I establish myself as a credible, innovative, and transparent leader who adds real value to others’ journeys.
This method has helped me stand out in the saturated digital space, fostering deeper connections with my audience and reinforcing my reputation as an authentic, forward-thinking CEO. It’s not just about sharing my story; it’s about inspiring others to find strength, balance, and purpose in their own lives.
Sahil Sachdeva
CEO & Founder, Level Up PR
Add Personal Touch of Storytelling
I like to add the personal touch of storytelling to my brand. It helps me connect with my audience on a deeper level and allows them to see the human side of me. I share personal anecdotes and experiences that have shaped my career and values, making me more relatable as a leader. For instance, during a keynote speech, I shared a story about how my early struggles in the industry taught me resilience and determination.
This element has helped me stand out by setting me apart from other professionals in the field. It makes my brand memorable and leaves a lasting impression on my audience. The power of storytelling also helps convey my message in a more impactful and engaging way. It allows me to connect with different audiences from various backgrounds, ultimately helping me expand my network and build stronger relationships.
It allows me to showcase my communication skills in a unique way. I can use storytelling to demonstrate my abilities and expertise more authentically and compellingly instead of simply listing out achievements or skills. This has also helped me build trust with potential clients and partners, as they are able to see the person behind the brand and understand my values and principles.
Max Avery
Chief Business Development Officer, Syndicately
Advocate for Workers’ Rights
One unique element I’ve incorporated into my personal brand is a steadfast focus on being a vocal advocate for workers’ rights. This isn’t just about legal representation—it’s about embodying the mission of fairness and justice for employees who often feel powerless against larger organizations. From actively sharing insights on social platforms to participating in panels and writing thought leadership pieces on employment law, I’ve made advocacy the cornerstone of my professional identity. This commitment resonates with clients, who recognize my genuine passion for fighting workplace injustices, and has helped differentiate us as a firm that goes beyond transactional legal services to truly champion the underdog.
Another element that has helped me stand out is weaving transparency and empathy into every client interaction. From initial consultations to court proceedings, I ensure clients feel heard and understand the legal process every step of the way. Sharing real-life stories of cases we’ve handled—always respecting confidentiality—has also played a major role in establishing trust. These elements not only humanize the firm but also create a sense of relatability and authenticity that people are drawn to. For professionals looking to elevate their personal brand, my advice is to find what aligns with your core values and lean into it unapologetically—it’s what creates lasting connections and makes you memorable.
Ed Hones
Attorney at Law, Hones Law Employment Lawyers PLLC
Create Custom Car Decals
For me, I have taken my love of cars and added a personal touch to my brand by making custom decals and stickers that represent who I am. What began as a small hobby—creating custom car decals for friends and local car enthusiasts—turned into a full scale decal company. So whether it be bold racing stripes, quirky bumper slogans or sleek minimalist designs, everything I create is imbued with a sense of personality and originality. A personal favorite of mine would be a silhouette design of those classic muscle cars that really appeals to vintage vehicle enthusiasts. It has been an amazing way to engage with all those who share the same passion, and a way to differentiate in a creative field.
As it happens, cars aren’t only my passion—they’re my brand! My key takeaway here is that when you show something you truly love or something meaningful to you, you invite in people with similar tastes and evoke a stronger bond with your viewer base. It could be about a personal hobby or interest, a skill or talent. It can be as simple as injecting a sense of humor into your brand. Whatever that this stuff could be, it provides further depth and authentic character to your private model.
David Rubie-Todd
Co-Founder & Marketing Head, Sticker It
Focus on Education for Small Businesses
A unique element of my personal brand is my focus on education—whether it’s breaking down SEO strategies in simple terms or offering free tools and resources for small businesses. I believe knowledge should be accessible to everyone, and this philosophy sets me apart in a competitive field. It positions me not just as a service provider but as a partner who genuinely wants others to succeed.
Focusing on education has positioned me as a thought leader, with people regularly seeking my advice not just for services but also for learning. Clients see me as someone who’s invested in their growth, not just their wallet. This has helped build long-term relationships based on mutual respect and value.
Jason Hennessey
CEO, Hennessey Digital
Consistent Style in Dressing
The way I dress has really impressed people, not because I’m fashionable by any means. It’s because I consistently show up in the same style with the same vibes. I get remembered far quicker than most people and always get comments about how they love how I show up. My dress is VERY me, very adaptable to my lifestyle, but I’m still a serious professional in my role as a Personal Brand consultant. Many entrepreneurs don’t give it a second thought on how important that first impression is. You don’t even have to talk and already you are sending a message with how you put yourself together. Be you. ALL THE WAY! It’s a strategy and it also saves thousands of decision-making hours and thousands of dollars that could have been wasted on clothes that I’ll rarely wear.
Talyn Rahman-Figueroa
Personal Brand Consultant, Boss Diplomat
Develop a Distinct Visual Identity
I’ve developed a distinct visual identity that sets my online presence apart by making dentistry feel approachable and welcoming. By consistently applying visual elements that resonate with my clients across my website, social media platforms, and patient communications, I create a cohesive brand that is instantly recognizable and reassuring. This consistency not only enhances trust but also conveys professionalism in a warm, inviting way.
My signature content style further strengthens my online brand by making dental care accessible and engaging. I focus on breaking down complex dental topics into simple, relatable language through short videos, infographics, and blog posts. Whether I’m explaining the benefits of electric toothbrushes or sharing tips on maintaining oral hygiene during the holidays, I use humor, real-life analogies, and a conversational tone to connect with my audience.
This approachable style encourages patients to take an active interest in their dental health, transforming what might seem like intimidating or technical information into something enjoyable and easy to understand. By combining a strong visual identity with relatable, informative content, I stand out in a crowded online space, fostering trust and connection with both current and potential patients.
Dr. Jasveen Singh
Pediatric Dentist & Owner, Pediatric Dentistry And Beyond
Leverage Color Red for Branding
Visual identity is not typically a key part of personal branding strategy for CEOs as the focus is on thought leadership and supporting the growth of our businesses, rather than presenting an influencer-style version of ourselves. Yet, color can be used powerfully by CEOs building their personal brands when used sparingly—as strategic accents, rather than the dominant focus.
Personally, I’ve leveraged the color “red” (which is also the secondary color of my business brand) for all of my accents. When I give keynotes across the globe, my signature red lipstick and red manicure are a staple. My laptop cover is red. My suitcase is red as well. Interestingly, without me mentioning it, clients, prospects, and key stakeholders began to expect it and ask about it. Brand building is all about recognizability and associations, and color red is the unique element I’ve incorporated as part of my personal branding strategy.
Marina Byezhanova
Co-Founder, Brand of a Leader
Utilize Photography for Personal Brand
I have a love for photography and have utilized this passion for my personal brand. I use visually appealing images in my social media posts, website, and marketing materials to make them more engaging and eye-catching. This has helped me stand out in a saturated market and grab the attention of potential clients and employers. According to research, visual content is 40 times more likely to be shared on social media than other types of content.
You see, showcasing photography in my personal brand showcases my creativity, attention to detail, and ability to think outside the box. It also adds a personal touch to my brand and allows people to get a glimpse into my personality and interests. This way, I have been able to differentiate myself from others in the industry and leave a lasting impression on those who come across my brand.
What sets apart my brand is my unique flair for photography, which has helped me create a strong and memorable personal brand. I focus on capturing unique and beautiful moments that tell a story, which is reflective of how I approach my work as a marketing manager. For instance, I use behind-the-scenes photos to give an inside look at my work process and create a more personal connection with my audience.
Daniel Cook
HR / Marketing Executive, Mullen and Mullen
Advocate for Work-Life Integration
A key element is my focus on work-life integration over work-life balance, where I advocate for designing work that fits seamlessly into life instead of compartmentalizing the two. This approach has shaped how I talk about productivity and how we create tools that adapt to users, not the other way around. It’s a refreshing perspective that resonates with people tired of the traditional hustle culture.
Advocating for work-life integration has positioned me as someone who challenges outdated norms about productivity and success. It’s helped attract like-minded individuals to our company who value flexibility and purpose in their work. By focusing on this narrative, I’ve created a personal brand that feels modern and human.
Alari Aho
CEO and Founder, Toggl Inc
Ditch Jargon for Simplicity
We make it an ongoing effort to ditch jargon and speak like I’m explaining something to a friend over coffee. This has always been our go-to approach. It’s helped us stand out because rapidly evolving technology with complicated terms can become very overwhelming very quickly. By keeping things simple, we’ve built trust. Clients feel like they get what’s happening, and team members know we’re all on the same page.
Gursharan Singh
Co-Founder, WebSpero Solutions
Bridge Generational Gaps in Leadership
I used to think that being one of the youngest people in my field of Leadership Coaching and Training was going to hold me back. Now, it’s a core element of my personal brand. I’ve incorporated it into my personal brand by using approachable language and personal elements (like photos) in my branding and marketing. It helps me stand out because I can easily bridge the generational gaps within teams, which is a huge need in most organizations right now. I’ve also found that my personal brand makes me more approachable to my clients by being more relatable and real, less stuffy or too corporate. This allows them to open up quicker with me and thus see results more quickly.
Brittany Canaski
Leadership Coach & Trainer, Hello Velocity
Red Hair and Custom Sticker Pack
One unique element of my personal brand is my red hair and my custom sticker pack for Telegram.
First, my hair. I chose red hair because it feels like a state of mind. It’s not just a color—it’s a way to express my energy and personality. Red is bright, bold, and definitely not like the others. It’s a metaphor for embracing visibility, celebrating individuality, and standing out in a crowd. This red represents my inner strength and determination—I love being myself, even if it means being different from others.
Red hair also symbolizes change. It looks different in every light, and I love that because I’m not always the same. As a nutritionist, I promote the same to sustain healthy eating: dietary diversity.
Sticker pack. It adds a fun and personal touch to my communication. It’s a playful way to connect with my community, make conversations more engaging, and showcase my personality in a creative format.
Together, these elements create a memorable, authentic personal brand that resonates with people and keeps them interested.
Irene Astaficheva
Certified Health Coach, Nutritionist, Co-Founder of Eated App, AstaCorp
Memorable Name for the Firm
As the founder & CEO of my firm my personal brand is closely tied to the business and our name really sets us apart I think. For my company when I started the firm I jokingly referred to the women as the Marketing Mavens and the guys as the Marketing Moguls. For short I called them Mavens & Moguls as a working name but never expected it would stick.
I did research over email with prospective clients, referrers, media, etc., and tested around 100 names. Mavens & Moguls was one choice on the list and to my great delight and surprise, it came out as a clear winner. It has helped us be memorable and stand out from the pack.
Because I have a hyphenated last name half the battle is for clients to be able to find you when they need your help. I have had clients tell me they could not remember anything other than my first name and one word of my company, so they Googled “Paige & Mavens” and we popped right up.
I was at an event one day and a venture capitalist started waving in my direction and shouted, “Hi Maven!” across the crowd. Everyone looked my way and we ended up getting introduced to a portfolio company that hired us! Names contribute to your brand, and, in our case, I think it has been a major plus.
Maven is Yiddish for expert and a Mogul is someone of rank, power, or distinction in a specified area. I like the alliteration and I think it sets us apart from other consulting firms. It shows a little personality and attitude and implies we do not take ourselves too seriously.
Would you rather hire “Strategic Marketing Solutions” or Mavens & Moguls? We are the “not your father’s Oldsmobile” of marketing firms. If nothing else our name is a great conversation starter and getting into a conversation is all it takes to open a door.
Paige Arnof-Fenn
Founder & CEO, Mavens & Moguls
Create a YouTube Channel for Consulting
A YouTube channel for my business consulting is a unique element I included in my personal and professional brand to help me stand out.
Incorporating a YouTube channel into your personal brand strategy can be a powerful move for several reasons:
1. Visual Storytelling – YouTube allows you to showcase your brand’s personality and expertise through video content. This medium is engaging, accessible, and relatable, enabling you to connect more effectively with your audience.
2. Reach and Accessibility – As the second-largest search engine, YouTube provides incredible exposure potential. It allows your content to be discovered by a global audience and caters to various learning styles, especially visual and auditory learners.
3. Authority and Expertise – You can position yourself as an authority in your field by sharing valuable, consistent content, such as tutorials, thought leadership, or behind-the-scenes insights. This builds trust and credibility with your audience.
4. SEO Benefits – YouTube videos rank well in Google search results. By optimizing video titles, descriptions, and tags with relevant keywords, you can increase your visibility and drive more traffic to your personal brand.
5. Community Engagement – YouTube fosters community building through comments and discussions. Engaging with your audience in the comments section strengthens connections and provides valuable feedback.
6. Content Versatility – Videos created for YouTube can be repurposed across platforms like Instagram, LinkedIn, or Facebook. This maximizes the value of your content and enhances your brand’s presence across multiple channels.
7. Personal Connection – Seeing and hearing someone creates a stronger emotional connection than text alone. Your audience gets to know the real you, which can significantly enhance trust and loyalty.
Incorporating YouTube into your strategy aligns well with today’s digital-first environment, where video content reigns supreme. If executed strategically, it can amplify your brand’s reach and impact.
Carrie Corcoran
Senior Level Employer Brand Leader / Fractional Consultant, Carrie Cares Employer Branding
Wear Values on Your Sleeve
I’ve not been afraid to wear my values on my sleeve. What this means is that, as a person, I believe that it’s important to be kind and helpful to others. So, whether it’s online on LinkedIn, or in my everyday communication with others, I always try to ensure that I have been helpful and kind. Values are a great way to define your personal brand, and your values are something you will be remembered for.
Tenaz Cardoz
Founder and Marketing Consultant, Kind Hearts Brigade
