Crafting a Personal Brand (LinkedIn Backlog | March 2025)

My friends and I have joked about our “personal brand” for years but mostly about our fashion choices or the weird humor our algorithms serve us. But after grad school, when I started using LinkedIn more and developing my portfolio, I began thinking about it in a professional way. I started by Googling myself.

An Incognito search shows what others see when they look you up. You’ll likely find your social media, photos, and anything publicly tied to your name. My LinkedIn ranks first, followed by other creative Kylee Beasleys, mixed amongst by my inactive X profile and Pinterest. You won’t find my Instagram because I don’t use my last name there, and my Facebook is private. It’s not secrecy—it’s curation.

Since LinkedIn was my top result, I made it polished and on-brand. I created a header matching my website, email signature, and business cards. Having a recent, unfiltered headshot helps too! If you don’t have a professional headshot, it's not the end of the world! Have a friend take one of you smiling in front of a plain background. At my last job, I took everyone’s headshots against a brick wall outside. Simple, but effective.

Once you’re happy with what Google shows, refine your LinkedIn headline, summary, and bio. Browse other profiles for inspo. If writing about yourself feels awkward, start in third person—it’s often easier to highlight strengths that way. And always stay authentic! Your brand should reflect you, not just what you think will impress others. A personal website or portfolio can also help showcase your work beyond a resume.

Now, let’s talk about the algorithm. How do you feed it? Engage with content that interests you! Commenting on posts and joining conversations boosts your visibility. And when it comes to networking, be intentional. In college, I thought connecting with tons of employees at a dream company would help me land a job there. Now, I’m connected to a bunch of accountants at Caterpillar Inc.—but now I work in marketing in another state. That doesn’t make sense. Connect with whoever you want, but prioritize people in your field who can offer relevant insights.

Personal branding isn’t just digital! You can create a signature presence in real life too. For me, it’s my out-of-control earring collection. At multiple jobs, people have told me they looked forward to seeing what earrings I wore each day. Even years later, former colleagues still message me asking where to buy fun earrings!

At the end of the day, no one knows you better than you do. Your personal brand should be fun and flexible. And remember, just like you evolve, so should your brand.

Let’s yap in the comments! ✨

Do you have a brand that you curate? When was the last time you gave it a refresh?