How to Build Executive Presence on LinkedIn for Strong Personal Branding
Many people join LinkedIn without understanding why or how to use the platform. It is a great platform that can be used to build and maintain business relationships as well as being a great source to spot new opportunities. It is also a very good means of sharing your own updates to a captive audience and build your personal brand. You can use LinkedIn to build you personal brand but you have to be consistent and committed to using it.
Executive presence is not just about how senior you look on paper. It is about how you show up, how you communicate your expertise, and how confidently you position your personal brand in a professional space. LinkedIn is one of the most direct ways to develop this presence publicly, but only if you use it with purpose.
In the video below I share 6 practical tips to help you raise your visibility and strengthen your personal brand profile on LinkedIn. These steps are designed to help you become more confident in how you show up and communicate your value on the platform.
Before you watch, here are a few key foundations that support executive presence on LinkedIn.
Treat Your Profile as an Active Resume
Your LinkedIn profile should never be static, it’s an active, evolving reflection of your career, expertise and personal brand. Make sure your experience, roles and achievements are up to date. Every section should reinforce your credibility and clearly communicate what you do, who you help and the value you bring. A strong profile builds immediate trust and sets the tone for your executive presence.
Use a Professional and Approachable Headshot
Your profile image plays a major role in how you are perceived. A high quality, clear headshot helps reinforce trust and approachability. Ideally, invest in a professional photographer if possible. If not, ensure you are using good lighting, a clean background and a confident, natural expression. This is often the first impression people have of your personal brand, so it matters.
Share Content That Strengthens Your Personal Brand
To build executive presence on LinkedIn, you need to be visible in a meaningful way. This means sharing updates that are relevant, valuable and aligned with your personal brand. You can post industry insights, blog content, professional milestones or thoughtful commentary on trends in your field. The goal is not just to post, but to position yourself as someone who understands your industry and contributes to it which also means that you should be engaging in your online community’s posts too by the way!
Avoid Oversharing, Stay Intentional
LinkedIn is not the same as other social platforms even if at times it feels like it’s becoming that way. While storytelling can be powerful, everything you share should still connect back to your professional identity or business objectives. Personal stories can work well when they reinforce your expertise or values, but oversharing without purpose can weaken your executive presence rather than strengthen it. Think carefully about what you want to be known for and ensure your content reflects that consistently.
Be Strategic With Your Connections
Who you connect with matters. A strong LinkedIn network is intentional, not random. Focus on connecting with people who are relevant to your industry, your goals or your professional growth. This includes colleagues, potential collaborators and individuals you genuinely want to stay connected with. A curated network strengthens your visibility and ensures your feed remains relevant, valuable and aligned with your personal brand. Don’t be afraid to mute or unfollow people who are no longer relevant or do not add meaningful value.
LinkedIn can be one of the most powerful platforms for building executive presence and growing your personal brand but only when it is used strategically and consistently. It is not just about being active. It is about being intentional and clear in how you communicate your expertise. Use it well and it becomes a tool for visibility, credibility and opportunity. And the best part is that it’s free (even if they want you to sign up to premium!).
This updated video provides some personal insights into how I improved my LinkedIn presence.
Connect with me on LinkedIn and don’t hesitate to book me a session with me if you need to improve your personal branding strategy.
The Personal Brand 5 Week programme is ideal for business owners, entrepreneurs or professionals who are intentional about raising their personal brand visibility and business credibility.
Over the course of 5 dedicated remote sessions we will undertake a deep dive into the practical steps you need to take to improve your personal brand identity and what actions you will need to take in order to achieve them.
This 5 week programme is for you if:
You have been working hard in your sector for many years but do not get the recognition that you feel like you deserve
You are often overlooked for exciting new opportunities in your sector
You are ready for a breakthrough as a leader in your sector
You want to widen your circle of influence beyond the people who currently know you
You are frustrated with the way your online footprint represents you
You do not feel confident that the way you present yourself to the wider community is in alignment with your core goals
You want to play bigger and be more intentional with your visibility.
Clients who have booked this session have left with renewed confidence in their goals and aims; established clarity as it pertains to how they position themselves in their industries and have attracted exciting opportunities which have led to career and business growth. Read what past clients have to say about the personal brand coaching sessions here.
What is included:
Personal branding questionnaire & personal brand mini audit
5 x 60 minute sessions
Working document and strategy framework with an optional 90 day plan sent to client upon request only.
Each week will cover the following:
Week 1: The Power of a Personal brand - how having a strong personal brand can open up new opportunities in your business or career journey.
Identifying your values & Knowing your purpose - Understanding what your brand is and how you can maintain your integrity and authenticity.
Week 2: Using PR to enhance your profile - Using public relations strategies to enhance your public profile.
Week 3: Social Media strategy - How to use social media platforms to raise your visibility. We will undertake a social media audit and unpack which platforms work for you and why.
Week 4: Harnessing your voice - Knowing and understanding what your message is, who your audience is and how to reach them effectively.
Week 5: Measuring Success- Assessing Long term goals and celebrating success.
Due to the holistic nature of our conversations the subjects may change and adapt in the best interests of the client.
Clients who prefer face to face sessions will meet at a location in the Royal Docks/Custom House area of East London.