How to Use LinkedIn to Build a Personal Brand

Let’s be honest here—LinkedIn used to feel like that weird cousin of Facebook/XtraSocial that wore a tie to the barbecue. It was stiff, full of “synergistic” this and “leveraging” that, and don’t even get me started on the “I’m thrilled to announce…” posts. I mean, thrilled? Really?

But guess what? If you’re tryin’ to stand out in a sea of resumes, hustle bros, and recruitment bots, then yeah—you gotta learn how to use LinkedIn to build a personal brand. Trust me, it’s not just for job hunters anymore.

My LinkedIn Facepalm Moment

Before we go into how to use LinkedIn to build a personal brand (yep, you’ll see that phrase a lot, bear with me 😅), lemme tell you a quick story. A few years back, I thought “personal brand” meant slappin’ on a suit, throwin’ up a fancy profile pic, and posting a quote from Elon Musk once a week. I looked like a wannabe motivational speaker with no gigs. Zero likes, zero DMs. Just me and my lonely “open to work” badge.

Then I said, “Heck it—what if I just be myself?” And boom. People started connectin’, reachin’ out, even sayin’ they liked my style. It felt weird… and awesome.

So yeah, let’s talk real. No fluff, just straight-up, sure to learn advice on how you can use LinkedIn to build a personal brand that feels like you.

What Even Is a Personal Brand?

First things first: you don’t need to be a CEO or influencer to have a personal brand.

Your personal brand is basically what people remember when they think of you. Are you the chill designer who posts clever takes on user interfaces? The accountant who cracks dad jokes while explaining tax hacks? The Gen Z copywriter who sprinkles memes in every sentence? (Hello 👋)

It’s about vibe, baby.

When you use LinkedIn to build a personal brand, you’re just tellin’ the internet: “Hey, this is who I am, this is what I’m good at, and here’s why you should give a damn.”

Step 1: Fix That Crusty Profile Already

Before anything else, ya gotta clean up that profile. It’s your billboard, your handshake, your first impression wrapped in digital form.

• Profile photo: Make sure it doesn’t look like a mugshot. A nice smile, clear background, and no Snapchat dog ears. Save that for Instagram, okay?
• Headline: Don’t just write your job title. Boring. Instead of “Software Engineer at XYZ Corp”, go with “Code whisperer | Building clean apps & cleaner jokes”.
• About section: Here’s where you shine. Tell your story, be honest, throw in a line or two that makes people smile. Add keywords like “use LinkedIn to build a personal brand” without soundin’ robotic.

Mine? I started mine with:

“Used to hate networking. Now I teach people how not to hate networking.”

See? Fun, human, relatable.

Step 2: Content Is Your Voice. Use It.

Here’s where most people panic. “What do I even post on LinkedIn??”
Good news: you don’t have to go all Gary Vee motivational speaker mode. Just be you. Think of content like small talk at a chill work party. Not too serious, not too cringe.

Here are a few things you could post:

• Lessons you learned on the job (even the screw-ups)
• Stories from past projects
• Mini-rants (professional-ish)
• Random observations about your field
• Tips that helped you grow
• Funny mistakes (people love a humble chuckle)

And always, always tie it back to how you use LinkedIn to build a personal brand. You’re not just sharing for likes. You’re building a digital you.

Use LinkedIn to Build a Personal Brand by Being Vulnerable (Yes, Really)

Don’t be scared to be real. One of my best-performing posts? A story about how I totally bombed a client call and felt like trash afterward. But I shared what I learned. People loved it. I got DMs sayin’ “Been there, dude.”

Real > Perfect.

When you use LinkedIn to build a personal brand, you’re not tryna be flawless—you’re tryin’ to be memorable.

Use LinkedIn to Build a Personal Brand by Engagin’ (Not Just Posting)

It’s not a billboard. It’s a freakin’ convo. If you just drop posts and bounce, you’re missin’ the point.

Here’s what you should do:

• Leave comments. Not just “Great post”—say something thoughtful or funny.
• Respond to your comments. Even if it’s a simple “Thanks for reading!”
• DM folks you admire (without bein’ creepy)
• Share other people’s stuff and tag them

It’s social networking after all. Build those little bridges. People remember who shows up.

Use LinkedIn to Build a Personal Brand by Staying Consistent (But Not Boring)

You don’t gotta post daily (unless you love chaos), but do show up consistently. Once or twice a week works fine.

Stay within your “theme”—like, if you’re a goofy marketer, don’t suddenly go all Wall Street serious unless there’s a good reason.

Think of it like this: if your LinkedIn feed was a Netflix show, would you binge it?

How I Use LinkedIn to Build a Personal Brand (Warts and All)

Alright, quick peek behind the curtain. Here’s how I do it:

• I post 3x a week, mix of value + personality.
• I use a lil’ humor. Not too much, not too stiff. Just… me.
• I follow people I vibe with and leave real comments.
• My profile has keywords but it reads like a convo, not a brochure.
• I talk about real stuff—wins, fails, weird lessons.

No secret sauce. Just showing up, being useful, and not pretending to be someone I’m not.

Use LinkedIn to Build a Personal Brand with a Bit of You-Flair

Some extra spicy tips for ya:

• Use emojis sparingly but smartly. A lil’ spark never hurt 🌟
• Don’t write like a corporate memo. “Utilized” can take a hike. Use “used.”
• If you’re funny IRL, be funny online too. Just keep it tasteful.
• Experiment! One post might flop. The next one might explode. You never know.

Use LinkedIn to Build a Personal Brand Without Burnin’ Out

Look, I get it. It’s easy to start strong and then disappear like your motivation in week two of a fitness challenge.

So here’s how to stay sane:

• Batch your content on Sundays. Write 3 posts in one go.
• Keep a note on your phone for post ideas.
• Don’t stress the numbers. Likes ain’t life.
• Unfollow people who make you feel like trash.

You’re building a brand, not competing for clout.

Recap: It Ain’t Rocket Science, But It Does Take Heart

If you’re still wonderin’ how to use LinkedIn to build a personal brand, lemme just wrap it up for ya:

1. Fix your profile. Make it pop.
2. Post like a human. Share stories, not résumés.
3. Engage with people. Don’t be a ghost.
4. Be consistent. Not boring.
5. Bring your YOU-ness to the table.

That’s really it.

Questions for You 👇

• What’s one thing you like about LinkedIn (if any lol)?
• Who’s one person on LinkedIn whose brand you admire?
• What’s stoppin’ you from posting your first (or next) post?

Drop your thoughts below or, hey, post ‘em on LinkedIn. Tag me, I’ll cheer you on.

Wanna really use LinkedIn to build a personal brand? Start messy. Stay human. The rest’ll fall into place.