Yesterday I presented a keynote at QStrata Conference 2025, which is a major event on the calendar of the Strata Community Association of Queensland.
The topic of my talk was Standing out from the Crowd, where I encouraged strata professionals to feel confident being “out there” to help elevate their own personal brand and that of the strata community overall.
I believe If your personal brand is familiar to people, it opens the door to conversation and opportunity. Yet the idea of being in the spotlight and promoting yourself can feel very uneasy.
What is it about standing out that makes most people shudder. The thought of being boastful, or seeking fame, or showing arrogance? It could be these thoughts or just fear poking its head through and holding us back from being seen and building your personal brand.
It does take confidence to be more visible but you don’t have to be “showy”. Whether you are an introvert or extrovert you need to put aside fear and express yourself to engage your audience and be a voice that people listen to.
Most of this fear is imaginary. We think we’re not good enough, or feel like an imposter, we’re being judged by others and the list goes on. This can be an obstacle to putting yourself forward for a speaking opportunity or expressing your opinion in a meeting or showcasing your expertise on video.
To grow as a business leader or entrepreneur I believe that it is important to step outside your role and look at ways to build your personal brand and be noticed.
Don’t be invisible – be invaluable
If you’re like me, you like to be in the company of positive, inspiring people as interacting with people we like is uplifting. We also like to do business with people we like. However, as a small business owner, my working day is pretty much head down, tail up all day long to get the various tasks done. I do recognise though that to be familiar to others and potentially help them, I need to be seen online and offline.
I believe there are three areas that will enhance your executive presence and personal brand to gain recognition.
1. Essence and personality – communicating the inner core of you – your uniqueness, authenticity, qualities, strengths, skills and passions.
Before you set off on the path of growing your personal brand, it’s a good idea to really think about who you are; work out what you stand for.
Do a personal audit to determine your values and vision, your strengths, look at your goals. Does your vision align with that of your company, client or customer. Do you need to acquire new skills or develop your strengths further to gain their trust and confidence to be a valuable contributor?
By understanding your values, life and work skills and how to apply them to helping your client whether internal or external, you will have a strong foundation for uplifting work.
2. Elan – that vivacity and special something that makes up your personal presence. Plus, your visual impression – how you appear through image and style. If you are a service provider, YOU represent your business brand image. And as an executive you also represent your company’s brand image. What does your personal brand look like? How is your design, colour and look?
By understanding the brand qualities you want to project with the work you do, you can create a look that is suitable, creative and stylish to help make your mark.
What message does your personal image send? Your clothes, appearance and the way you interact with other people are the external image of your brand.
3. Exposure – the personal promotion of you and your brand to build recognition and reputation.
First and foremost, we need to be good at what we do. Performance is a given. But what else can give us that extra edge?
Communication through brochures, direct mail, postcards and other business collateral. Also digital media management of website content, content marketing, eNews, eBooks, blogs, social media network profiles and updates. We need to communicate consistently with our clients and network to keep us “front of mind”.
Be seen and interact at events such as trade shows, open days, networking events, seminars, speaking opportunities, client office drinks or a business lunch.
Communicating in-person through public speaking at events, seminars, being involved in panel sessions or showing up on video.
Actively engaging with your clients both internal and external will help you make an impression and build those all-important relationships to ensure your business success.
Read more about personal brand presence in The Secret to Your Personal Brand Revolution. Get Your Free eBook Now!
Sue Currie is an image entrepreneur who guides and empowers business leaders and entrepreneurs to have “Spotlight Confidence”. She is passionate about helping professionals elevate their personal and professional brand through her speaking, coaching and training programs on Self Brand, Style and Speaking Skills, providing a multi-faceted approach to gain high transformation for her clients.
