In this episode of the Brand You Podcast, we dive into the concept of thePerception Gap—the space between how you’re currently seen and how you want to be known. Building a strong personal brand is the key to bridging that gap and moving up the influence scale, from being relatively unknown to becoming a trusted authority in your field. We break down the different stages of influence, from gaining initial visibility to establishing credibility and, ultimately, stepping into thought leadership.

We explore whyclarity is the foundation of influence - how defining your message, understanding your unique value, and consistently showing up in a way that aligns with your goals will help shift public perception. From creating engaging content to leveraging video, networking, and thought leadership opportunities, we discuss practical ways to elevate your brand and position yourself as a go-to expert. We also highlight the importance of audience engagement and trust-building, as real influence isn’t just about being seen - it’s about making meaningful connections.

To wrap up, we encourage you to assess where you currently stand with your personal brands perception and map out actionable steps to move forward in 2025. If you're ready to level up and close the gap between where you are and where you want to be, this episode is a must-listen.

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

As the calendar turns to a new year, it's the perfect time to take your personal brand to the next level. In this special New Year episode of the Brand You Podcast, we’re sharing five actionable tips to help you make 2025 your best year yet. Whether you’re just starting to build your brand or looking to elevate it further, these strategies will set you up for success.

We kick off by emphasising the importance of clarity - knowing your unique value and defining the audience you want to connect with. From there, we dive into the power of consistency, sharing practical ways to show up regularly with a plan, even when life gets busy. Building genuine connections is another cornerstone, and we discuss how engaging authentically can lead to relationships that support and amplify your personal brand.

But that’s not all - growth and bravery are key themes for 2025. We explore why investing in learning, collaborations, and self-care is essential for staying ahead. Finally, we challenge you to be bold. This is your year to take risks, step out of your comfort zone, and shine brighter than ever. Start 2025 with intention, and let’s make it a standout year for your personal brand!

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

In this special Christmas episode of the Brand You Podcast, we’re reflecting on the year and diving into the five biggest takeaways from our conversations about personal branding in 2024. These insights have shaped our episodes, inspired our audience, and provided a roadmap for building impactful personal brands. As we wrap up the year, we’re sharing these lessons to help you enter 2025 with clarity, focus, and purpose for your brand.

We start with the reminder that authenticity is your greatest strength. Being true to yourself not only sets you apart but also builds trust and fosters meaningful connections. We also revisit how personal branding can help you attract opportunities rather than chase them, a recurring theme this year. By being consistent and compelling, you naturally draw in the right clients, collaborations, and chances for growth. Additionally, we discuss the power of blending online presence with in-person interactions, showing how the synergy between the two can amplify your brand's reach and impact.

Our final takeaways emphasise the importance of regularly evaluating your brand to ensure it aligns with your goals and resonates with your audience. Success requires ongoing reflection and adjustments. We also highlight that everyone has a story worth sharing—your challenges, growth, and experiences are what make your brand uniquely yours. Whether you’re just starting or refining your personal brand, these lessons provide inspiration and actionable strategies to carry into the new year.

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

In this episode, we explore why authenticity is the secret weapon of personal branding. We discuss how sharing your true self builds trust, credibility, and stronger connections with your audience. In a world where polished, impersonal brands are everywhere, being authentic is what helps you stand out. Plus, we delve into how staying real can safeguard your mental health and create a sustainable, long-lasting brand that genuinely resonates.

We share practical tips for showcasing the "real" you online—like highlighting your personality, sharing relatable stories, and being transparent about both challenges and successes. We also discuss the fine line between personal and professional, helping you set boundaries that feel right while still connecting with your audience on a deeper level. Authenticity isn’t about oversharing; it’s about meaningful sharing that aligns with your message and values.

Finally, we tackle the common fears that come with being authentic online, such as the fear of judgment, oversharing, or battling imposter syndrome. We’ll help you reframe these challenges and embrace vulnerability as a strength—not a weakness. Your story, quirks, and unique perspective are what make your brand memorable. Tune in and discover how being authentically you can elevate your personal brand to new heights!

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

In this episode, we help you uncover whether your personal brand is truly making an impact. We start by exploring the key indicators of success, including authentic audience engagement, opportunities coming to you, and alignment with your ideal goals. From meaningful connections with your followers to receiving invitations for speaking engagements or collaborations, we dive into the real-world signs that show your personal brand is working for you—not the other way around.

But what if your brand isn’t hitting the mark? We highlight common warning signs, like low engagement, stagnant growth, or feedback that suggests confusion around your message. We also explore actionable strategies to adjust and realign, such as revisiting your content strategy, fine-tuning your messaging, and engaging more intentionally with your audience. It’s all about creating clarity and connection.

Finally, we leave you with a powerful action step: conduct your own personal brand audit. Whether it’s reviewing your visuals, refining your messaging, or listening closely to your audience’s feedback, this process will give you clarity on what’s working—and what’s not. Tune in and discover how to make your personal brand the magnet it’s meant to be!

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

In this week’s episode of the Brand You podcast, we explore the art of blending online and in-person interactions to build a more holistic and impactful personal brand. Your personal brand isn’t confined to just one space - it’s the blend between your digital presence and real-world connections. By aligning these two realms, you can create deeper trust, reinforce credibility, and ensure your message is both authentic and consistent.

We discuss why blending online and in-person efforts is essential for creating a cohesive brand experience and how in-person interactions humanise your online persona while your digital presence reinforces trust in real-world connections. Maintaining consistency in your messaging, appearance, and tone across both realms ensures your personal brand remains strong and recognisable. Additionally, we explore how you can use content as conversation starters, tagging and mentions to set up connections, and documenting events to share your journey online and boost engagement.

This episode also highlights the power of saying yes to speaking opportunities and collaborations, even when they feel intimidating, as these experiences can significantly amplify your brand’s reach and reputation. Finally, we stress the importance of personalised follow-ups and thank-yous to strengthen your connections and make a lasting impression. Packed with practical advice and actionable tips, this episode will help you blend the best of both worlds and take your personal brand to new heights.

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

Podcast Synopsis:

In this special guest episode of The Brand You Podcast, we’re joined by Francesca McClory, co-founder of Future Cloud Accounting, co-host of the Couch to Calculator podcast, and a founder of Quirq. Francesca shares her inspiring personal branding journey, which has fueled the growth of her accounting business and opened new doors for her professionally and personally.

We explore how Francesca embraced personal branding during the pandemic, using it to nurture client relationships and connect with a supportive network of like-minded individuals. She reveals how her bold approach to standing out in the accounting industry has helped her business thrive, even in challenging times.

Francesca also dives into the personal sacrifices and triumphs her personal brand has brought, the ventures she’s building alongside her husband Steve, and how their shared passion for fitness and business drives them to explore new opportunities like Hyrox.

This episode is packed with actionable insights on how to use your personal brand to grow your business, build connections, and inspire others to achieve more than they ever thought possible. Don’t miss this dynamic conversation!

Follow Francesca on:

Instagram ⁠@fran.bella84

LinkedIn ⁠FrancescaMcCloryFMAAT

Website ⁠https://future-cloud.co.uk/

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ & ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.

In Episode 12 of the Brand You podcast, we’re delving into how building a personal brand can significantly impact and accelerate your career progression. While personal branding is often associated with business owners and entrepreneurs, we explore why it's equally powerful for professionals in traditional careers.

We begin by discussing how a strong personal brand can set you apart from your peers, creating visibility and opening doors to opportunities that may otherwise remain closed. We touch on the importance of positioning yourself as an expert through the consistent sharing of knowledge and insights, which helps build your reputation as an industry leader.

Learn how developing a personal brand fosters personal growth, giving you a platform to step into your authority, own your contributions, and stand out from the crowd. We talk about networking potential and how a robust online presence can attract connections that propel your career forward. Platforms like LinkedIn and personal blogs come into focus as powerful tools for showcasing thought leadership and building credibility.

We also share real-world examples, such as Caz’s personal story of redundancy and how her network and personal brand supported her in times of change, proving that preparation and a strong digital presence pay off. We'll touch on how a personal brand can play a direct role in promotions and raises and even pave the way for monetisation and long-term financial flexibility.

For those in corporate settings, we cover how to align personal branding with company culture while staying authentic and discuss why companies should encourage employees to develop their brands. This approach can create an enthusiastic network that organically supports the company and its industry.

To wrap up, we offer actionable advice for professionals ready to start their personal branding journey: Reflect on what unique value you bring to the world. Remember, you don’t have to be the best; you just need to be 10% better than those you aim to inspire or assist. Tune in to learn how personal branding can transform your career trajectory!

Follow the podcast on LinkedIn, and join the⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Brand You community group⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ where you can share all your personal branding questions and queries.

Follow your hosts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Caz⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ &⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Toby⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ for lots of extra tips and wisdom on personal branding, social media strategy and brand photography.

Welcome to Brand You, the Ultimate Personal Branding Podcast.