Personal Branding Power Tips

Today we’re diving deep into a topic that I know is important to so many creative pros and entrepreneurs: personal branding. 

But this isn’t the same conversation we’ve been having for the last decade. Today, I want to introduce you to what I call Personal Branding 2.0 — an ADVANCED look at how personal branding has evolved and how YOU, as a creative professional, can build a brand that opens doors, attracts opportunities, and future-proofs your career.

Whether you’re running your own branding or design agency or working as an in-house designer, this is for you. Personal branding isn’t just a “nice to have” anymore. It’s a career insurance policy and a gateway to influence. 

So, let’s talk about what’s changed, what’s working now, and most more specifically, 5 WAYS you can TAKE ACTION to build your brand in innovative ways.

1. Leveraging New Platforms and Formats

The first big change in personal branding is the way we use platforms and content formats to build our presence. A few years ago, having a polished portfolio, a LinkedIn profile, and maybe some work on Behance was enough. Not anymore.

Let’s start with short-form video. Platforms like TikTok, Instagram Reels, YouTube Shorts, and even LinkedIn have made short videos a huge tool for personal branding. Why? Because they showcase not just your work but your personality, your thought process, and your values — quickly and authentically. They make you a real human being - not just a "profile".

Tactical tip:

Here’s a simple way to start. Create a short video series where you share quick insights into your creative process. For example, “3 Mistakes Brands Make When Designing a Logo” or “Behind-the-Scenes of My Client Project.” Keep it real. Show your face, be conversational, and don’t overthink it.

Now, the MINDSET SHIFT here is key. A lot of us grew up in an industry where everything had to be perfect before it was shared. But today, audiences connect more with authenticity than perfection. Don’t be afraid to show what I like to call "the messy middle" or even share failures — because that’s relatable.

Another shift is the rise of multi-channel micro-presences. This means spreading your presence beyond just LinkedIn or Instagram into niche platforms. Think Substack for thought leadership, Dribbble for visual experiments, or even Clubhouse if you want to participate in live discussions.

Why is this new? It's because audiences are fragmented now. Being active in multiple smaller spaces builds touch-points with different communities while helping you stand out.

Pro tip: Cross-link your content between platforms. For example, turn a LinkedIn post into a Substack article or a video snippet.

2. Owning Your Narrative: Personal Branding as Storytelling

Next, let’s talk about one of my favorite concepts: storytelling. Personal Branding 2.0 is about telling stories, not just sharing “what you do.”

We’ve all heard of the elevator pitch, right? “Hi, I’m Jane, and I’m a designer specializing in XYZ.” But here’s the thing: a pitch alone isn’t enough anymore. People want a connection. Your brand story needs to be multi-layered and human.

Tactical tip: Break your brand story into three parts:

1. Your Journey — Share the moments that shaped who you are as a professional. Maybe you struggled to find your first design job or took a big risk that paid off.

2. Your Mission — What drives you? Why do you do what you do? This is where your values come in.

3. Your Vision — Where are you headed? How can you help clients or companies achieve their goals?

When you share your story, don’t be afraid to weave in challenges and pivots. Vulnerability builds trust.

Want to know one "power tool" for storytelling? Case studies. I don’t mean just showing the “before” and “after” of a project. I mean diving into your thought process, the challenges you faced, and how you solved problems creatively. Case studies position you as a thinker, not just a designer.

Pro mindset shift: Start viewing case studies as personal brand assets — not just client deliverables.

3. Building Influence Through Community and Collaboration

Here’s where it gets really interesting: Personal branding is no longer a SOLO sport. It’s about COMMUNITY AND COLLABORATION.

Let’s start with community. One of the most underrated ways to build your brand is to establish yourself as a RESOURCE AND CONNECTOR. This could mean hosting small virtual workshops, moderating panels, or simply sharing resources that help other creatives succeed.

Why does this work? Because when you position yourself as someone who gives, you naturally attract people who want to work with you.

Tactical tip:

Find a way to help your community — whether that’s your peers, clients, or industry professionals. Maybe you create a resource library for other designers or host a monthly Zoom Q&A. Whatever it is, be consistent.

Another advanced strategy is COLLABORATIVE CONTENT CREATION. Partnering with other creative pros, influencers, or even small brands can expand your reach like nothing else can.

For example, co-host a YouTube video, run an Instagram Live together, or create joint content like a “collab series” on LinkedIn. Collaboration not only gets you in front of a new audience but also adds credibility to your brand.

The MINDSET SHIFT here is to stop seeing others as COMPETITORS. Instead, think of them as ALLIES in growing together.

4. Embracing Emerging Tech in Personal Branding

Now let’s talk about the tools that are helping us do this better, faster, and smarter. Emerging technology — particularly AI and automation — has opened up brand-building opportunities we couldn’t have imagined a few years ago.

First up: AI TOOLS. AI isn’t just for automating tasks. It can be a powerful asset in maintaining brand consistency and creating content quickly.

Tactical Tip:

Use AI tools like ChatGPT to generate ideas for blog posts, scripts, or captions. Tools like Canva AI or Adobe Firefly can help you design assets FAST that fit your visual brand. 

If you’re creating video content, tools like Descript, CapCut or Runway can streamline editing, transcriptions, and even visual effects.

The MINDSET SHIFT here is to see AI as a creative partner, and not to FEAR that it's replacing your skills. The human touch is still critical. AI is just a new tool that gives you leverage.

Next, let’s talk about AUTOMATION FOR BRAND VISIBILITY. Scheduling tools and content repurposing platforms have come a long way. Today’s tools don’t just automate posts — they optimize them based on audience behavior.

Tactical tip:

Use platforms like Buffer, Later, or Hootsuite to create automated posting schedules for social media. Then take it a step further with tools like Missinglettr or Metricool, which analyze your most successful content and help you repurpose it into new formats. A single LinkedIn post can become an email, a video outline, or a series of 'threads'.

The MINDSET SHIFT here is to think of automation as a MULTIPLIER for your effort. The less time you spend on repetitive tasks, the more you can focus on creating impactful content and building relationships.

5. Mindset Shifts for Personal Branding 2.0

The last thing I want to cover is the mindset you need to make these advanced strategies work. Personal Branding 2.0 requires you to think bigger about your work and your impact.

The first mindset shift is to move from a “PORTFOLIO” mindset to a “LEGACY” mindset. Your personal brand isn’t just about the work you’ve done — it’s about the IMPACT you’ve made - and are making.

Tactical Tip:

Start showcasing the results of your work, not just the deliverables. Did a rebrand increase a client’s revenue? Did your design improve user experience? Highlight that.

The second MINDSET SHIFT is about RESILIANCE. Let’s face it — industries are changing fast. Personal branding is your career insurance policy. It gives you visibility, adaptability, and leverage when things shift.

To do this, you need to know your unique strengths and messaging so you can pivot when needed.

If you’re ready to go deeper into building a resilient, advanced personal brand, I want to invite you to join my BONFIRE mastermind community. It’s a space for creative pros like you to get support, strategies, and accountability as you grow your career and personal brand. Just go to philipvandusen.com/bonfire if you want to check it out.

Remember:

Personal branding isn’t just about getting noticed or vanity metrics — it’s about building a career and a reputation you’re proud of.