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Stories are meant to be told by humans to humans.
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| Crafted by the Humans of Humanize |
Launched in March 2024 |
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Written by: Archita Prahladka
Most of us already have a personal brand. We just don’t realise it.
From the time we were children, people have been forming their own conclusions about who we are. Teachers, cousins, classmates, neighbours — each carried a version of us in their minds. That “default” version changes slightly with every new circle we enter: university, first job, colleagues, clients, even strangers on social media.
But here’s the thing:
When you don’t actively shape your narrative, you leave it in the hands of assumptions.
And assumptions are rarely the full story.
They miss the layers. They overlook the bright, defining parts of you, simply because you never showed them. Over time, those half-stories become the “official” version of who we are.
And that version decides a lot:
Some might call personal brand design “manipulation.” I see it differently.
Manipulation is about making people believe something that isn’t true.
Designing your personal brand is about helping people see what is true, clearly, deeply, and without blur.
When you do that, something powerful happens even without you realising:
Years ago, when I left a job in marketing and was looking for my next role, I got a call from someone who was never really a close friend, just an acquaintance from college. They’d heard about a marketing opening in their company, and without hesitation, they and another colleague from our batch suggested my name.
Why? Not because I was objectively “the best.”
But because, over time, I’d been sharing my marketing interests, experiences, and observations on LinkedIn.
I wasn’t posting to get a job, I was simply expressing my authentic thoughts and work.
But those expressions had quietly built an image in their minds without me ever having to pitch myself or even speak to them one-on-one: Archita is the person for this
That’s the power of a designed narrative.
When most people say, “I want to build my personal brand,” they immediately think of LinkedIn posts, profile updates, and a better headshot.
That’s part of it, but it’s not the whole picture.
After building personal brands for leaders and entrepreneurs, I can tell you this:
Personal branding isn’t something that starts when you open a LinkedIn account. It’s been happening to you all your life. The question is: Do you want it to keep running on autopilot, or do you want to be the one steering it?
The best part? You can start anytime.
Today. Tomorrow. Next week.
And when you start, anchor it in authenticity.
Because the most magnetic personal brands aren’t polished masks, they’re truthful mirrors.
Show people your layers, your lived experiences, your thinking patterns. Let them see the whole, not just the title on your business card.
When you design your personal brand with intention, you’re not just telling the world who you are. You’re shaping the kinds of opportunities, relationships, and life events that will come your way.
And that’s not manipulation.
That’s making sure the world sees you — clearly, deeply, and as you truly are.
Your personal brand is also built in the everyday, offline moments:
If you only express your perspective online but stay quiet in person, holding back because you fear being judged or think your thoughts “aren’t that important”, there’s a disconnect.
And people notice, whether consciously or not.
Your offline presence should sync with your online one.
Because when people meet you in real life, they’re looking for proof that you are the person they’ve been reading about.
If your energy, conviction, and values match, that trust deepens instantly.
If they don’t, your brand feels staged.
For me, this sync is non-negotiable.
If you meet me in person, you’ll hear me talk about:
These are not just “LinkedIn topics” for me – they’re the thoughts I live by, every day.
When your online and offline selves align, your personal brand stops being a project.
It becomes who you are.
And that’s the most organic and the most authentic reason why you should design it.
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